The Toast – "Gabbin' Gals with Ben Soffer"

Hosts: Claudia Oshry (A), Ben Soffer (B)
Date: November 5, 2025
Podcast: The Toast (Dear Media)

Episode Overview

This spirited Wednesday morning episode of The Toast features Claudia Oshry co-hosting with her husband, Ben Soffer, in Florida. The duo delivers signature banter, tackles "Fast Five" pop culture stories tailored to Ben's interests, gives unfiltered commentary on reality TV (especially Dancing with the Stars), and pokes fun at hot topics ranging from celebrity plastic surgery to the latest bizarre Oreo flavors. There’s also plenty of personal storytelling, witty spousal jabs, and that distinctly “Toast” blend of humor and insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Claudia & Ben Take Florida

• Claudia kicks off the episode highlighting that Jackie is still on maternity leave and that Ben is filling in, recording with her from Florida. Banter about podcasting technique (mic placement) quickly devolves into playful bickering.
  • Quote:
    • “When you’re doing a podcast, you’re supposed to talk into the microphone. I don’t know if you know that, ’cause you’re like kind of new to the podcasting game.” — Claudia [00:50]

2. Post-Halloween Recap, Joey Camasta & Podcast Dreams

• Claudia and Ben recap Halloween and discuss fan requests for a Ben & Joey Camasta cooking podcast. Ben shows admiration for Joey and jokes about possible show names ("Gabbin' with the Gals," "Grillin' with the Gals") while poking fun at their mutual “cross-dressing” history.
  • Quote:
    • “The thing is, I’m gonna dress like a woman. One, it’s funny. Two, it’s freeing. And three, oh, wow.” — Ben [03:28]

3. Personal Stories: Claudia’s Vape Quitting Journey

• Claudia candidly recounts quitting vaping nearly two years ago, with Ben confirming the struggle and the irritable withdrawal phase.
  • Quote:
    • “It has been almost two years.” — Claudia [05:29]
    • “You were so mean.” — Ben remembers day one of quitting [05:56]

4. Pet Peeves, Airplane Etiquette, and Reclining Seats

• Discussion shifts to travel annoyances, especially people reclining their airline seats and plane etiquette.
  • Highlight:
    • Both express strong feelings against the “reclining on planes” culture, with Ben proposing a “reclining airline” for those who want to do it guilt-free. [08:08]

5. 'Good Guys' Podcast Update & Notable Guests

• Claudia inquires about Ben’s other show, The Good Guys. Ben boasts recent guests like John Stamos and David Dobrik, while Claudia name-drops Jennifer Affleck responding to being called “cute” by Stamos.
  • Quote:
    • “He would love to come on The Toast. I’m just saying.” — Ben on John Stamos [10:09]
  • Brief stories about Stamos’s theater chops and celebrity humility.

6. Wicked, Favorite Broadway Songs, & Vocal Runs

• The pair humorously debate favorite Wicked songs ("Defying Gravity"), with Claudia bantering about “basic” song choices and demonstrating a “vocal run,” causing Ben to joke about not being a singer.
  • Quote:
    • “My favorite song from Wicked is probably Defying Gravity. Basic.” — Ben [12:59]

7. Sourdough Starters & Domestic Life

• Lighthearted talk about Ben’s abandoned sourdough journey due to recent cross-country moves, with plans to resume once life settles. [21:29]

KEY SEGMENTS & FAST FIVE

8. People’s Sexiest Man Alive – Jonathan Bailey [22:20]

• The couple reacts to Jonathan Bailey’s selection, discuss his credentials (Bridgerton, Wicked), and critique previous years’ picks.
  • Quote:
    • “I think this is a great selection. I often have a lot to say about who they choose… This is perfect.” — Claudia [23:03]
    • “Who doesn’t like Wicked? Picking somebody from Wicked was a layup.” — Ben [25:26]
• Tangent: Celebrity plastic surgery (Bradley Cooper’s new face gets roasted).

9. Netflix, Streaming, and TV Brags [26:00]

• The hosts recommend Wayward (with Toni Collette) and argue about whether watching “plane shows” like Severance is normal. [26:14]
• Brief United Airlines anecdote: Ben's odd announcement about having “two female pilots” [27:09], decried as “counterproductive” to equality.

10. David Beckham Knighted [29:02]

• Coverage of Beckham’s recent knighthood, with admiration for him and Victoria, and notes on the rarity of Jewish athletes at this level.
  • Quote:
    • “Big fan and also big time Jew. And we love, like, accomplished, great, non-controversial, proud Jews.” — Ben [30:32]

11. Harry & Meghan’s Hollywood Standing [34:07]

• Claudia covers Page Six’s report that Hollywood is “over” Harry and Meghan. The pair debate who’s the “worst” — Meghan or Harry — and discuss their respective hunger for fame.
  • Quote:
    • “Their act has gotten stale... people are sick of them.” — Claudia summarizing Page Six [34:37]
    • “I think he has, like, this is the life.” — Claudia on Harry’s fame ambitions [35:18]

12. Meghan Markle’s Jam, Cooking Show, and Professionalism [36:43]

• Ben gives Markle’s “clean apricot jam” high marks but pans her show for lacking authenticity.
  • Quote:
    • “The show was just so disingenuous... I don’t believe you.” — Ben [37:18]

MINI HIGHLIGHTS & QUOTABLE MOMENTS

• On Podcast Crossover Fans:
  “They come up and they’re like, ‘I’m a toaster and I’m also a moron. Sorry, Turdy.’” — Claudia [08:57]
• On Post-Podcast Life:
  “Does Josh know?” — Claudia
  “Yeah, definitely.” — Ben [08:44]

NOTABLE PRODUCT & CULTURE CHATTER

• Oreo Thanksgiving Flavors [46:36]

  • Claudia and Ben react with skepticism (and some disgust) to flavors like turkey & stuffing and creamed corn.
  • Quote:
    • “Corn is extremely versatile. Turkey is not.” — Ben [48:48]
    • “Oreos, you’re a perfect cookie. Leave it be.” — Claudia [47:32]

• Dancing with the Stars Recap [50:33–58:20]

  • Danielle Fishel (“Topanga”) elimination sparks debate about “personal vendetta” from judges.
  • Consensus that Alex (the TikTok star) and Whitney are frontrunners, with side commentary on fan voting and “most annoying” contestants.
  • Claudia admits powering Andy's run as an underdog but believes it’s now “time for Andy to go home.”
  • Quote:
    • “Andy is a really nice guy. I see a lot of myself in him… you’ve platformed him a little too hard.” — Ben [54:29]
    • “Last night was the first time he danced where I was like, okay, you’ve actually given me nothing.” — Claudia [55:46]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• [00:28] Co-host banter, mic technique jokes
• [01:32] Halloween recap, Joey Camasta discussion
• [05:28] Claudia’s vape quitting story
• [08:08] Plane reclining etiquette/rant
• [10:09] John Stamos guest stories
• [12:59] Wicked, "Defying Gravity" & vocal runs
• [21:29] Ben's sourdough journey & life turmoil
• [22:20] Fast Five: Sexiest Man Alive – Jonathan Bailey
• [25:06] Bradley Cooper “botched” face discussion
• [26:00–27:40] TV recommendations & United Airlines story
• [29:02] David Beckham knighthood, Jewish athletes
• [34:07] Harry & Meghan Hollywood status debate
• [36:43] Meghan Markle’s cooking/branding critique
• [46:36] Oreo Thanksgiving dinner cookie flavors
• [50:33–58:20] Dancing with the Stars recap

EPISODE TONE & STYLE

• Rapid-fire pop culture, strong opinions, playful teasing
• Deeply personal, unfiltered takes (“I completely agree” is a running joke)
• Banter frequently breaks into self-aware asides, roasts, and meta-commentary (“You’ve platformed him a little too hard.”)
• Claudia’s signature: emphatic agreement/contradiction, millennial references
• Ben brings dry wit, a bit of irreverence, and offbeat culinary insight

MEMORABLE QUOTES

• Claudia:

  • “Does Josh know? … and Josh knows. Like, it’s a joke, right?” [08:44]
  • “It’s my job.” (on watching Bridgerton) [25:54]

• Ben:

  • "You know we have The Good Guys has a new sponsor, Zyzol.” [13:43]
  • “Autopilot, by the way, is a big deal. It’s not a big deal.” (on pilots and gender stereotypes) [27:36]
  • “You’ve platformed him a little too hard.” (on Andy, DWTS) [54:29]

SUMMARY

This episode of The Toast delivers all the classic elements fans expect: married-couple energy, reality TV obsessions, irreverent pop culture analysis, and just the right amount of podcast host rivalry. Claudia and Ben expertly balance affectionate roasting with genuine insights, making even the silliest topics — like turkey-flavored Oreos — buzzworthy. The Dancing with the Stars section is especially robust, perfect for fans seeking a spirited non-spoiler run down and honest opinions about who should take the mirrorball this season. All in all, a quintessentially Toast mix of laughter, hot takes, and real-life wisdom.