The Toast – "Dishin' With Lish with Ben Soffer"

Date: March 23, 2026
Hosts: Jessica (filling in for Claudia Oshry) & Ben Soffer
Podcast: The Toast (Dear Media)

Episode Overview

In this lively Monday episode, Jessica welcomes Ben Soffer (Claudia's husband and host of "Good Guys" and "Lish on the Dish") as guest co-host while Claudia is out sick. The episode is a whirlwind of pop culture commentary, reality TV deep-dives, trending news, lighthearted banter, parenting anecdotes, and plenty of humor. Ben brings his unique energy and perspective, offering both fresh takes and playful self-deprecation. Together, they discuss everything from Disney on Ice and Justin Timberlake’s DUI footage, to Bachelor franchise chaos, to the Chapel Roan controversy, comedy news, trending TV shows, book adaptations, and more.

Key Topics, Discussion Points, and Memorable Moments

1. Pop Culture & Life Catch-Up

Timestamps: 00:03–09:22

• Ben’s Reading Habit & Shabbat:

  • Ben has been reading "Remarkably Bright Creatures" (03:02). He shares that he only reads it on Saturdays due to his personal Shabbat, savoring progress to prolong the enjoyment.
    • Quote (Ben, 02:43): "No, I love the book so much that I don't want it to end."
  • Jessica teases Ben’s pace and reading rituals, noting Claudia picked the book for him—"she's friends with an octopus, that's so me" (03:01).

• Ben’s Kindness Anecdote:

  • Ben recounts saving a ladybug from his car and returning it to nature rather than making a wish, quipping he gave the ladybug her power back "like Aladdin with the genie – she's free" (03:47).

• Disney on Ice Recap:

  • Both attended Disney on Ice over the weekend (03:50). The atmosphere, nostalgia, and childlike joy of the show are highlighted.
    • Quote (Ben, 05:02): "Anybody that says that they're not a Disney adult is a liar."
    • Quote (Jessica, 05:56): "Would you say it's the happiest place on earth, family?"
    • Quote (Ben, 05:56): "I would say that it's the happiest place on ice. The happiest place on ice."
  • Discussion about Panthers Arena and plans for a hockey game segue into the current popularity of youth hockey in the US (07:01).

• Sports & Parenting:

  • Talk of youth hockey surging, Ben cracking jokes about Jews typically playing floor hockey instead of ice hockey. Jokes and genuine interest in their own kids possibly playing (07:21).

2. Weekend Recap: Miami Open & Family Moments

Timestamps: 08:19–09:22

• Ben shares about attending the Miami Open ("what an event"), partial jokes comparing it to the US Open and misadventures with tennis names and characters.
• Brief heartfelt shoutouts to their children and a promise not to dwell for fear of "just wanting to go home" (09:13).

3. Pop Culture Headlines & Deep-Dive Stories

Timestamps: 14:32–72:24

A. Justin Timberlake DUI Body Cam Footage

Timestamps: 14:32–23:00

• Story Recap:
  • The long-awaited body cam footage of Timberlake's DUI is out. Jessica summarizes the public and legal back-and-forth about releasing it.
• Ben’s Reaction:
  • Finds the video “very, very, very sad,” expressing empathy more than scorn (15:41).
  • Asserts: "I don't think this will do irreputable harm to his reputation. If anything...I think it will do the opposite. ...I feel bad that that video was released." (15:41–16:21)
• Jessica & Claudia’s Contrasts:
  • Jessica notes the video "softens the blow" of his DUI (16:46), detailing Timberlake’s polite, non-“celebrity entitlement” behavior on camera.
  • Plans to revisit with Claudia, who traditionally has a much harsher stance: "She thinks it's the most disgusting, reprehensible thing a human being can do." (17:53)
• Banter About Responsibility:
  • Both agree: “Nobody of means should ever be driving drunk. …Justin Timberlake could never be stranded” (18:41–18:56).
  • Light-hearted tangent about Teslas and speeding (19:26–21:58).

B. GLP-1 Medication Side Effects & Honest Weight Loss Talk

Timestamps: 23:11–25:27

• Ben discusses switching from Zepbound back to Ozempic due to sadness and mental side effects.
  • Quote (Ben, 23:34): "Like, sad. Isn't that weird? I went off and I'm like, oh my God, I feel so much better."
• Fun banter about food temptations and the eternal "would you rather be fat and happy or skinny and sad?"
  • Quote (Ben, 24:31): "I would 100% rather be fat and happy. If you don't have your brain, you're fucked."

C. Bachelor Franchise Scandal: Taylor Frankie Paul

Timestamps: 25:38–38:16

• Story Recap:

  • The season premiere of "The Bachelorette" was canceled due to resurfaced domestic abuse video of star Taylor Frankie Paul.
  • Details around Taylor's personal/legal scandals and the show's “will-they-or-won’t-they” relationship with airing morally complicated content.

• Hosts’ Take:

  • Both dissect ABC/Hulu’s culpability, noting, “they cast her knowing full well” about her history. (27:44)
  • Ben observes: "You are literally platforming a woman with a history of...she's currently with an ex in a toxic relationship. ...How are you the Bachelorette?" (27:52)
  • Jessica speculates the cancellation is also due to new, unreleased revelations—possibly more recent child abuse allegations—making airing the show impossible (29:16).
  • Broader discussion about the integrity (or lack thereof) of the Bachelor franchise and reality TV (33:19–34:28).

D. Social Media Drama: Weenie of the Week & Online Clipping Ethics

Timestamps: 38:16–41:35

• Jessica apologizes for the out-of-context virality of her "Weenie of the Week" segment directed at a "Mormon Wives" cast member, explaining the segment's intended lightness and humor but regretting its harshness in isolation.
  • Quote (Jessica, 40:00): "Taken out of context, it comes off a lot harsher. And usually we don't clip it....I was in shock. This is my worst nightmare."
• Hosts reflect on the pervasive reach of podcast commentary in reality TV communities.

E. Chapel Roan Controversy

Timestamps: 41:36–48:20

• The recent scandal: Chapel Roan allegedly sends security to "berate" an 11-year-old soccer player's daughter for simply walking near her at a hotel breakfast in São Paulo.
• Hosts’ skepticism about Chapel’s denial, noting her “track record” of being hostile towards fans and the media.
  • Quote (Jessica, 45:48): "Back to the matter at hand...this is not surprising."
• Ben draws parallels to other difficult celebrities and pop-culture entitlement:
  • Quote (Ben, 47:52): "If you don't want to be in the public eye, stay home. ...Don't go to Paris Fashion Week."
• Broader reflection on celebrity boundaries, fan relationships, and the right to privacy.

F. Quick Hits: Comedy & TV News

Timestamps: 48:22–62:11

• Kevin Hart’s Netflix Roast
  • Both hosts are excited and speculate about the lineup (55:10).
    • Quote (Ben, 54:02): "I love a roast...I can't believe this is live."
• LA vs. NY Life
  • The merits of living on the East versus West Coast, warm weather, and alternatives across the US (56:56).
• Allergies & Meds:
  • Ben recommends Flonase over Zyrtec for allergies because of less brain fog (58:53).

G. Book & TV Adaptations

Timestamps: 62:11–67:08

• "God of the Woods" Netflix Series:
  • Maya Hawke has been cast; "Redheads" book club excitement.
• Ben’s Book: "Remarkably Bright Creatures" Becoming a Movie
  • Sally Field is cast as Tova.
    • Quote (Ben, 62:18): "I gotta finish the book before the movie comes out."
  • General discussion about the perils of loving a book before its adaptation.

H. Final TV, Home, and Cooking Tangents

Timestamps: 67:09–71:12

• New dating show "Age of Attraction" on Netflix—premise and casting.
• Chip & Joanna Gaines' recent lake house series and cooking show.
• Ben’s home cheese & labneh making hobby.
• Playful recurring "Nigel with the brie" in-jokes.

4. Notable Quotes

• Ben on Disney on Ice:
  "Anybody that says that they're not a Disney adult is a liar." (05:02)
• Jessica on Out-of-Context Clipping:
  "Taken out of context, it comes off a lot harsher...I was in shock. This is my worst nightmare." (40:00)
• Ben on Chapel Roan:
  "If you don't want to be in the public eye, stay home. ...Don't go to Paris Fashion Week." (47:52)
• Ben on Skinny vs. Happy:
  "I would 100% rather be fat and happy. If you don't have your brain, you're fucked." (24:31)
• On Bachelor Franchise:
  "They were gonna choose this, like, crazy toxic person, hopefully redeem her, give her, like, a beautiful fairy tale ending....But now they have none of that. ...They can't air it. We cannot. ...Like, it's over." (35:40)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Opening Banter, Shabbat, Books: 00:03–03:10
• Disney on Ice & Hockey: 03:50–08:09
• Miami Open & Parenting Chatter: 08:19–09:22
• Justin Timberlake DUI Footage Commentary: 14:32–23:00
• GLP-1 Weight Loss Meds/Health Tangent: 23:11–25:27
• Taylor Frankie Paul/‘Bachelorette’ Scandal: 25:38–38:16
• Reality TV Community/Online Drama: 38:16–41:35
• Chapel Roan, Celebrity-Fan Boundaries: 41:36–48:20
• Comedy/Netflix Roast News: 55:01–56:59
• East vs. West Coast, Allergies, Meds: 56:59–62:11
• Book Adaptations Discussion: 62:11–67:08
• TV Tangents, Cooking Talk: 67:09–71:12

Episode Tone & Style

• Upbeat, unscripted, chatty, and approachable
• Humorous, with a mix of hot takes and self-deprecation
• Honest and sometimes irreverent, balanced by moments of real empathy
• Pop-culture savvy and reality TV-obsessed
• Full of personal asides, friendship chemistry, and inside jokes

For Further Listening

• The hosts promise even more pointed takes (especially from Claudia) in upcoming episodes, particularly on timberlake and Chapel Roan (“if you felt like we went too easy, don’t worry…”).
• For more of Ben’s take, check out his podcast "Good Guys" and recent episodes with guests like Andrew Santino and Spencer Pratt.

This episode is perfect for Toast fans who want the lowdown on the latest scandals, pop culture chatter, reality TV drama, and genuine laughs, all delivered in the signature Oshry/Soffer rapid-fire style.