What's Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett & Kyle Mooney

Episode: Jake Johnson & Lamorne Morris
Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Headgum

Episode Overview

This episode features Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney—former SNL castmates and roommates—joined by special guests Jake Johnson and Lamorne Morris, best known as co-stars from New Girl. True to their show’s concept, Beck and Kyle continue their ongoing search for their podcast’s purpose, turning to their guests for suggestions and hilarious debate. The conversation weaves through friendship, podcasting, aging, fatherhood, showbiz, and male health, all laced with trademark absurdist tangents and playful banter.

Main Themes and Discussion Points

1. Opening Banter: Embracing the Unknown (00:21–04:11)

• The episode kicks off with classic Beck and Kyle chaos: fart jokes, riffs on "The Force Awakens," and playful confusion about the show’s premise.
• Kyle commends Beck for "finally" introducing the show up top:
  • Quote: "You introduced the show within the top, I'm going to say four and a half minutes." (03:38 — Kyle)

2. Podcast Listening & The ‘Rockos’ Thread (04:15–07:17)

• Kyle shares that in 2026, he’s shifted from gym music to listening to more podcasts, like "The Rizzler" and "Big Justice and AJ."
• Discussion on how their "Rockos" thread bridges their friendship group.

3. ‘Solutions With Beck’: Always Fixing Problems (08:00–10:49)

• Beck’s habit of pitching solutions for bizarre problems—like making the Indiana Jones stunt ball inflatable—leads Kyle to propose:
  • Quote: "I feel like you could pitch that around town. Like, Solutions with Beck." (09:29 — Kyle)
• They create a mock show about problem-solving, riffing on strange soda fountain mishaps and Kyle’s “yellow water” mystery.

4. Friendship & Performing: Beck’s Broadway Recap (13:37–18:26)

• Beck recounts his experience on Broadway in Simon Rich’s show, reading short stories aloud with Cecily Strong, Wayne Brady, Jim Gaffigan, and band Lawrence.
  • Quote: "It kind of felt like a fun performance vacation because I didn’t need to memorize lines...just have fun with it." (14:58 — Beck)
• Candid discussion about missing each other during events, winter break blues, and juggling family life.

5. Demon Possessions and Podcast Characters (11:03–12:44)

• Playful sketch where Kyle and Beck pretend to be possessed by demonic podcast personas "Kyler" and "Bucky," leading to mock Exorcist references.

6. Podcast Format Meta-Talk (20:31–21:01)

• Beck reiterates the premise: "This is the podcast where we don't know what our podcast is and we have guests on. They tell us what our podcast is about. Okay. Now go ahead." (03:32)

Jake Johnson & Lamorne Morris Join (30:10–88:50)

1. Hollywood Meeting Stories & Career Crossroads (30:19–31:12)

• Jake remembers inviting Kyle to lunch in Atwater Village, seeking collaboration but having "nothing to offer."
• Discussion on actors reaching out to each other via agents for casual meetings.

2. New Girl, Fame, and Celebrity Culture (46:21–51:27)

• Lamorne reveals he sensed New Girl would be huge due to Zooey Deschanel’s star power and high production values.
• Both guests reminisce about cringey promo photo shoots, including forced smiles and “tickle” photos that became billboards:
  • Quote: "Max was like, Lamorne, just f—ing smile. And he starts to tickle me...and then they used that." (49:21 — Lamorne)

3. Podcasting Habits, Analytics Anxiety, and Creative Process (35:54–37:19)

• Honest talk about obsessing over podcast analytics vs. focusing on the joy of creating:
  • Quote: "The how the machine is built, I find as much fun as making the thing." (36:59 — Jake)
• Lamorne admits he doesn’t re-watch his podcasts: "It bums me out." (36:47)

4. Comedic Influences & Giving Flowers (40:35–41:16)

• Lamorne credits Beck and Kyle’s comedy style as a shaping influence on his work, especially during New Girl:
  • Quote: “I would honestly go, what would Kyle Mooney do?” (40:58 — Lamorne)

5. Vulnerability, Male Friendship, and Saying ‘I Love You’ (42:52–45:44)

• They discuss aging and the increasing comfort with expressing affection among male friends.
  • Quote (Jake): “You guys tell each other you love each other when you hang up the phone?” (42:52)
  • Lamorne: "I've been doing it since my early 20s, maybe even earlier. It's a South Side thing."
  • They contrast black and white culture’s attitudes on vulnerability and emotional expression.

6. Parenthood, Girl Dads, and Home Life (56:45–61:11)

• Real talk about raising daughters, being present as fathers, and the challenge of late-night socializing vs. family responsibilities.
• A running joke about math: how many "girl dads" vs. girls vs. dads are actually present on the pod.

7. Sex, Masculinity, and Podcasting Boundaries (61:11–63:56)

• Playful, tongue-in-cheek exchange about “loving sex,” styles, and whether music affects sexual performance.
  • Lamorne: “It’s an event with me.”
  • Kyle: "We call them styles." (in reference to sexual positions, 61:07)
• Joking about audience engagement: “If you’ve had sex with Lamorne Morris, please comment and subscribe.” (63:41)

8. What Should the Podcast Be About? (67:17–73:01)

• Jake and Lamorne pitch ideas: “aging co-stars who are also friends and interracial,” or more specifically, men’s health and the male body at 40+.
  • Jake: "I think men's bodies... We can talk about exercising, steroids, eating, going to the doctor..." (69:43)
  • Kyle: "The 40-something body, the 40-something man." (70:29)

9. Health, Aging, and Prostate Exams (75:37–90:07)

• Open, detailed discussion about diet (fasting, nutrition, ballooning), exercise routines, and the importance of men’s health checkups, especially around prostate health.
• Lamorne discloses his recent health scare and impending surgery for stomach ulcers, sharing the need for regular checks with humor:
  • Quote: “I had a doctor who unfortunately had the thickest fingers you’ve ever seen... but you should do this more often.” (89:28 — Lamorne)

10. Cultural Technology Change & Aging (80:31–81:40)

• Observations about futuristic changes (self-driving cars, delivery bots) existing alongside unchanged environments.

11. Closing: Male Friendship Affirmation (93:01–93:17)

• Beck and Kyle exchange “I love you” on-air, bookending the earlier discussion about vulnerability:
  • Beck: "You're my brother."
  • Kyle: "Yeah, I love you."
  • Beck: "I love you too. And that's easy. For all the guys out there, try saying 'I love you' to your bros." (93:01–93:17)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On show’s premise:
  “This is the podcast where we don't know what our podcast is and we have guests on. They tell us what our podcast is about.” (03:32 — Beck)

• On giving flowers:
  "What would Kyle Mooney do?" (40:58 — Lamorne)

• On male emotional expression:
  "I've been doing it since my early 20s, maybe even earlier. It's a South Side thing." (44:06–44:10 — Lamorne)

• On New Girl's success:
  "Looking at the amount of money... I went, this is happening." (48:08 — Lamorne)

• On aging:
  “There was a year, like 38, where I was like, 'Oh, I can’t do what I used to do.'... I get injured, and it stays with me." (85:30 — Beck)

• On health checkups:
  "I do want to say that it is very important, men in their 40s, to get your prostate checked. We are dropping like flies, young men, because people don’t get it checked." (88:32 — Lamorne)

• On podcast format:
  "Our podcast is about figuring out what our podcast is, which also means it's about figuring out who we are as podcasters." (34:25 — Kyle)

• Sex talk tangents:
  "If you've had sex with Lamorne Morris, please let us know in the comments." (63:41 — Kyle, joking)

Key Segments (Timestamps)

• Show Premise Explanation: 03:32–04:11
• Beck’s Broadway Experience: 13:37–18:26
• Jake & Lamorne Enter: 30:10–31:12
• Photo Shoots & Fame: 48:08–51:27
• Fatherhood Dynamics: 56:45–61:11
• Sex & Vulnerability: 61:11–63:56
• Podcast Purpose Pitch: 67:17–73:01
• Men’s Health & Aging: 75:37–90:07
• Affirmation of Friendship: 93:01–93:17

Tone & Language

The episode is marked by loose, improvisational silliness, moments of honest vulnerability, and a blend of observational humor and physical comedy. The guests match Beck and Kyle’s energy, shifting seamlessly between deep sincerity and biting sarcasm.

Final Takeaways

• Friendship and aging are at the core of the episode, with real insight on male vulnerability, emotional honesty, and the changing nature of relationships over time.
• Men’s health at 40+ gets a thorough, humorous, but respectful treatment—diet, exercise, medical checkups, and the cultural baggage men carry.
• The perennial uncertainty of the podcast’s true purpose remains, but the hosts and guests decide: if nothing else, the show is about sincere conversation and laughter among friends.
• The episode ends with an authentic exchange of "I love yous," underscoring the value of saying what you mean, even in jest.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is as good as any to get a sense of Beck and Kyle’s chemistry, their blend of absurdity and heart, and the natural flow of conversation with comedian friends. Whether you’re curious about male health, Hollywood careers, or just want to bask in improvised comedy, it delivers both laughs and surprising depth.