Ride with Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone
Episode: HOLIDAY SLEIGHRIDE: Christmas Lights + Bodegas
Release Date: December 17, 2025
Podcast Network: Dear Media
Episode Overview
Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone return for a festive “Holiday Sleighride” episode, blending their signature humor and warm friendship as they muse on holiday traditions, pop culture, snacks, Christmas lights, and the idiosyncrasies of urban life—especially New York bodegas. In their irreverent, free-associative style, they share stories from their year, reflect on family and chosen family, and debate the finest festive traditions, all while serving quick-witted banter and heartfelt moments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Kicking Off Holiday Mode
- Benito and Mary Beth open the episode with their playful back-and-forth, riffing on body dysmorphia in podcasting, festive nail colors, not being made up for recording, and whether they've already said “sex is the greatest aphrodisiac” in another episode.
- “Sex is the greatest aphrodisiac. Can someone tell us?” – Mary Beth (01:15)
- They joke about holiday personas and the recurring “Duddy” character (“Duddy’s Christmas album,” tartan skirts, and pub antics)—beginning their seasonal storytelling.
2. Gay Media Recs, Smoothies & Time Jumps
- Tangent about watching “Heated Rivalry” (Robbie GK Riley shout-out, observations about storytelling time jumps).
- Transition to the literary roots of some series ("Is it a book series?").
- Talk about reading sexy beach reads while on vacation, sparking laughter and mock-planning.
3. Family, Holiday Traditions, and Pub Fantasies
- Vivid, comedic imagining of a family member transforming a tartan skirt into a tube dress for “Duddy” misadventures at a pub:
- She “orders more food in the middle” (04:44), sparking discussion on the taboo of asking for more in restaurants.
- Longing for the freedom to be “that person” who fearlessly requests food refills.
4. New Fashion Trends—And Nannies
- Mary Beth narrates experimenting with a Gen Z headscarf, riffing on nannies and dog-sitters donning the same look (05:32), and Benito jokes about looking like someone “frying up” food in a kitchen.
5. Current Events & Societal Fears
- Joke-juxtaposition: Jeremy O. Harris in a Japanese prison (“Free Jeremy O. Hare”), concern for his well-being (06:20).
- The Saudi Arabia film festival and the moral complexity of participating in cultural events in problematic regimes (06:46).
- Mary Beth reveals anxiety about TSA bag checks and bomb-powder swabs:
- “What if someone just rubbed bomb powder on me?” – Mary Beth (07:12)
- Drug smuggling “parody law” and latch-locking doors (“Parody law got me through a lot—eight years of my career.” – Benito, 08:01).
6. Brand Deals, Advertising, and Hustle Culture
- Honest discourse about ads and brand deals—thanking listeners for supporting their partnerships, but referencing ethical boundaries (“We have to sell our bodies in this business—prostitution in a lot of ways.” – Benito, 15:26).
- Mary Beth fantasizes about a “Small Boob Summit,” blending self-deprecating humor with community-building:
- “I might be one of the first to have notoriety for having small ones... just to put one more thing on my plate.” – Mary Beth (16:17)
7. Politics, Aphrodisiacs & Skin Battles
- Circle back to “sex as an aphrodisiac.”
- Mary Beth opens up about battling dermatitis and the role of gut health (17:58):
- “I'm in a war right now with dermatitis, but I'm boldly just here letting it rip.”
- Snack culture in New York (“brands called Pretz for years, Quinn’s”; “Pinky...a billy goat on my body for [Quinn’s]”).
8. Friendship, Crushes, and Zootopia 2
- Recap of reconnecting with straight guy friends and seeing “Zootopia 2” (20:01+).
- Extended riff on animated movie “deep cuts,” wokeness, and how “the fox and the bunny won’t kiss” (23:14).
- Notable:
- “Jokes per minute in this film...I was belly laughing.” – Benito (22:32)
- AI-generated fanfic as one “good” use of technology.
9. Holidays as Adult Children: Christmas Lights
- Benito’s passionate, nostalgic ode to Christmas lights as a symbol of childhood wonder and family connection (35:01–39:09), including parental traditions and the aesthetics of tree decorations.
- “My parents love a very classic...old world Christmasy vibe. Come on, they made me gay, dude.” – Benito (35:45)
- Both host contrast tasteful lighting with kitschy inflatables—agreeing that quantity can redeem tacky ornamentation.
- Mary Beth describes how removing Christmas décor makes the house lose its “plumpness” (40:41).
10. Bodegas: The True Heart of NYC Holidays
- Mary Beth’s homage to her neighborhood bodega and its owner, Ihaan (42:48).
- Bodegas as “a fingerprint,” full of unique products, personalities, and comfort:
- “If Amal is an older sister, bodega is Christmas to me.” – Mary Beth (42:22)
- Snack trends, fridges devoted to a single beverage (“a separate fridge for Poppy”), and the pride of local brands making the shelf.
- “It can be Christmas every day if you live near a bodega.” – Mary Beth (44:31)
- Bodega types: snacker havens vs. “bong-coded,” and the urban mythos of empty bodegas (45:09).
11. Christmas Memories & Gift Nostalgia
- Mary Beth’s “magical” eighth-grade Christmas haul: suitcase, pink sweater, mini iPod, Tiffany bracelet (48:10).
- Benito’s highlight: the Wii console, chukka Uggs, and being made fun of—until everyone joined the Uggs trend (49:11).
12. Wrapping Up With Heart
- Affirmation of chosen family, self-started traditions, and encouragement to make new memories:
- “I always thought, like, I'm gonna wait to start my own traditions for when I have partner. And now I'm just gonna do it on my own and have this great big beautiful life.” – Mary Beth (50:36)
- Both ride for festive joy: Benito for Christmas lights, Mary Beth for bodegas and the comforts of favorite snacks and neighborhood rituals (51:24).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- (01:15) Mary Beth: “Sex is the greatest aphrodisiac. Can someone tell us?”
- (04:27) Benito (on Duddy at the pub): “And just a little blood comes out from the tip of her tongue. She tastes and goes, pennies, and then pokes someone in the eye. And they're obsessed.”
- (15:26) Benito: “...we have to sell our bodies in this business—prostitution in a lot of ways.”
- (16:17) Mary Beth: “I might be one of the first to have notoriety for having small ones... just to put one more thing on my plate.”
- (22:32) Benito: “Jokes per minute in this film...I was belly laughing.”
- (35:45) Benito: “My parents love a very classic...old world Christmasy vibe. Come on, they made me gay, dude.”
- (39:02) Benito: “And when I drive down that fricking road in Idaho and I see the lights... Christmas lights light up my way.”
- (42:22) Mary Beth: “If Amal is an older sister, bodega is Christmas to me.”
- (44:31) Mary Beth: “It can be Christmas every day if you live near a bodega.”
- (46:11) Benito: “Every bodega, it's like a fingerprint, you know, it's always different. There's no two that are the same.”
- (50:36) Mary Beth: “...now I'm just gonna do it on my own and have this great big beautiful life.”
- (51:44) Benito: “That's just the way. Merry Christmas.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:50 – Announcing “Holiday Sleighride” theme
- 03:41 – Recapping “Heated Rivalry” and time jumps
- 05:33 – Headscarves, nannies, Gen Z style
- 06:20 – Jeremy O. Harris in Japan & political reflections
- 08:01 – Parody law and latch-locking doors
- 15:26 – Honesty about brand deals and podcast funding
- 16:17 – Launching idea for Small Boob Summit
- 20:01 – Zootopia 2 outing & movie commentary
- 35:01 – Nostalgia for Christmas lights and home traditions
- 42:22 – Bodegas & New York snacks as Christmas staples
- 48:02 – Favorite childhood Christmas presents
- 50:36 – Affirmation on forging new solo holiday traditions
- 51:52 – Final words: holiday send-off & gratitude
Summary & Takeaways
This episode is a joyous, rambling journey through holiday nostalgia, pop culture, NYC life, and the deep friendship at the core of Ride. Benito and Mary Beth deftly mix irreverent humor (holiday archetypes, aphrodisiacs, “bong-coded” bodegas), vulnerability (mental health, loss, self-love), and pop-culture analysis (Heated Rivalry, Zootopia 2). Their sincere appreciation for traditions—both inherited and invented—highlights the importance of forging your own way, finding delight in the small things (Christmas lights, snacks at the bodega), and embracing connection in all its forms.
Listeners leave with inside jokes, a hunger for a bodega snack run, and permission to start their own joyful rituals regardless of relationship status. The warmth and wit in “Holiday Sleighride” are sure to light up anyone’s season.
Happy Holidays from Ride!