Ride with Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone

Episode: ENCYCLOPEDIA of RIDE PT. I
Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Dear Media

Episode Overview

In this episode, Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone embark on the ambitious project of cataloging the inside jokes, terminology, and recurring references that define their podcast “Ride.” Framed as an “encyclopedia” for both new and long-time fans, this episode is a breezy, meta, and interactive walk through the RIDE universe—a crash course in the language, lore, and sensibility that have evolved since the duo began. Their goal: to create a resource for listeners (lovingly dubbed “the Baronis”) so everyone can be in on the jokes, and to reminisce about favorite moments and podcast heritage.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Purpose of the Encyclopedia of Ride (00:41-01:24)

• Benito and Mary Beth explain this is a rerun of an older recording, serving as a repository for all their unique language and inside jokes—"a resource... because it's so much brain rot."
• Their intention: help listeners (especially new ones) decode the podcast’s recurring references.

2. Radical Honesty and Social Interactions (01:24-02:30)

• Mary Beth announces her new mantra for 2026: radical honesty in awkward encounters.
  • Quote: "If someone says something to me that's completely out of pocket, I'm gonna go, 'Why would you say that to me?'" — Mary Beth (01:34)
• Benito relates, noting the importance of addressing weird or uncomfortable comments instantly, rather than stewing on them.

3. Introduction to the Encyclopedia and Listener Appreciation (03:34-04:02)

• Acknowledgment of their dedicated fans, the “Baronis”.
  • Quote: “We are truly grateful. Every single day.” — Mary Beth (03:59)
• The episode’s content is inspired by a suggestion to create a lexicon of the show’s unique terms.

4. How to Use the Encyclopedia Episode (04:22-05:20)

• The hosts joke about the dangers of joining a podcast midway, likening their show’s arc to Harry Potter (with satirical references to JK Rowling).
• Introduction of key recurring bits: inside jokes, arcs, and the evolving language of Ride.

5. Core Ride Terminology and Their Origins

a. Turf Hogwarts / JK / "Not to bring up Turf Hogwarts but..." (04:55-05:58)

• Reference to JK Rowling’s transphobia and their practice of substituting "Hogwarts" with "Turf Hogwarts" to signal their disapproval.
• Quote: "If this is her hot take on the trans community, then I'm good on the rest of it." — Mary Beth (05:39)

b. Phaita, Taika, and Taika as an Adjective (06:12-08:13)

• The playful evolution of the word “fight” (phaita) into a nonsense word “taika,” eventually attributed to Taika Waititi and becoming an in-group adjective for something irreverent or unique.
• Quote: "Taika is an adjective. If you've been to ride live, we go through it in depth. But basically, taika, it's irreverent, it's playful. It's not always good. And it's subjective." — Benito (07:34)

c. America's Next Top Model / "Were you scared?" (08:15-08:24)

• Referencing Tyra Banks and the iconic phrase "Were you scared?", which is now essential Ride lingo.
• Quote: “That is a Tyra Banks quote.” — Benito (08:21)

d. Cheating (“The New Rules of Cheating”) (08:24-09:39)

• Satirical expansion of “cheating” beyond sexual infidelity: exes, past hookups, and other trivial acts are tongue-in-cheek recast as “cheating.”
• Quote: “If you've ever had an ex, that's cheating on your current partner. If you've had sex before, also cheating. If you're going to dinner with someone from your past that knew your ex, that's cheating. So, you know, you see, there are just so many ways to betray your partner.” — Mary Beth (09:00)

e. Audio Jungle (09:39-10:27)

• Inside joke invoking royalty-free music site AudioJungle.net—“Audio Jungle” is dropped mid-conversation or when referencing music they haven’t licensed.

f. “Oh my god, I just went viral” (15:33-16:17)

• A phrase borrowed from friends who exaggerate minor incidents with dramatic reactions. Used for any overblown, insignificant “going viral” moment.
• Quote: “If a crumb falls on the ground, they're like ‘oh my god,’ and you're like 'what happened?’ It’s the same reaction as ‘I got stabbed’ and someone wore this outfit on a red carpet.” — Benito (15:35)

g. Pushy (16:27-16:35)

• Simply a playful, euphemistic take on “pussy,” often used in jest.

h. Fucker / Fucker Jones / Love you, kid / Love you, sweat (17:46-19:52)

• "Fucker" is a term of endearment or light-hearted ribbing; "Fucker Jones" is a leveled-up “fucker” (originating backstage); "love you, kid" and "love you, sweat" are gentle sign-offs, sometimes with an edge, after a back-and-forth.

6. More Deep-Cut References and Ride “Heritage”

i. Ribbit / Rabbit Girl / “I can see it now” (20:10-20:39)

• “Ribbit” references online frog-cosplay culture and video memes. “I can see it now” is their cinematic way to punctuate a story.

j. The Faboo and Worsty Awards/Heritage Episodes (21:41-22:50, 27:32-28:22)

• The “Faboo Awards” and “Bestie of the Year” are mock award ceremonies for friends, fans, and moments in the podcast—contrasted by the “Worsty Awards” for the not-so-great.
• Episodes or themes that encapsulate the podcast essence are “Ride Heritage.”

k. Nina & Alter Egos (28:23-29:00)

• References to Benito’s skit character “Nina Drama” and how alter egos give flavor to the show.

l. Essential Song Lyric Knowledge (29:00-30:10)

• Listeners are expected to know Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Charli XCX—song lyrics are often woven into banter.

m. Tiffany Check / Toe Curling Orgasm (30:52-31:19)

• “Tiffany check” refers to the pleasing clack of Benito’s Tiffany bracelet; “toe curling orgasm” is used sarcastically for describing any delight.

n. Living In/Living At Your House (31:42-32:54)

• Refers to Lea Michele’s accidental confession at the Met Gala (“I’m living in your house!”) and a running joke about being houseguests.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On radical honesty:
  “What I'm going to do this year is, if someone says something to me that's completely out of pocket, I'm gonna go, 'Why would you say that to me?'”
  — Mary Beth (01:34)

• On podcast legacy:
  “First there was Galileo, then there was Plato, then there was Shakespeare, and then there was Ride the pod.”
  — Benito (03:23)

• Defining Taika:
  “It’s irreverent, it’s playful. It’s not always good. And it’s subjective.”
  — Benito (07:34)

• On new rules of cheating:
  “If you've had sex before, also cheating.”
  — Mary Beth (09:00)

• Ride-oriented exclamation:
  "Oh my god, I just went viral."
  — Mary Beth (15:33)

• On being ‘too online’:
  "Anyone who could understand that reference without it being explained... should be in a mental institution."
  — Benito (21:32)

• On ‘Ride Heritage’:
  "Some episodes just are Ride Heritage. And we don't know before going into it, but they just become Ride Heritage."
  — Benito (27:56)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:41-01:24]: Introduction & Purpose of the Encyclopedia
• [01:24-02:30]: Radical Honesty—Approaching Social Interactions
• [03:34-04:02]: Listener Appreciation & Podcast Lore
• [05:00-11:00]: Deep Dive into Core Ride Terms: Turf Hogwarts, Taika, Cheating, Audio Jungle
• [15:33-17:00]: The Virality Bit / Crass Jokes
• [17:46-19:52]: “Fucker”, “Fucker Jones”, “Love you, kid” Family of Phrases
• [20:10-20:39]: Ribbit / Rabbit Girl Reference
• [21:41-22:50]: The Faboo & Worsty Awards
• [27:32-28:22]: Ride Heritage Explained
• [28:23-29:00]: Nina & Alter Egos
• [29:00-30:10]: Song Lyric References
• [30:52-31:19]: Tiffany Check/Toe Curling Orgasm
• [31:42-32:54]: Living At/ In Your House & Met Gala Bit
• [33:16-33:53]: End of Part I; Promise of More in Part II

Tone and Takeaways

The episode maintains the “Ride” signature: irreverent, wildly tangential, and inside-joke-laden, blending bits of absurd cultural observation with lovingly exaggerated camaraderie. It’s half a language lesson, half a fan club meeting—you’re invited in, but you’d best keep up.

Final Thought:
This episode is a must-listen for the Baroni-in-training or anyone curious about how a podcast develops its own “language.” It sets the stage for the rest of the series and primes listeners for an even deeper initiation in part two.

Memorable Outro:
“I can see it now.” — Benito (33:53)