The Toast

Gabbin' Gals with Ben Soffer: Wednesday, November 5th, 2025

November 5, 2025

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  • Co-host Ben Soffer is filling in for Jackie's maternity leave while recording from Florida, leading to initial technical banter about microphone placement. 
  • The hosts praised guest Joey Camasta, suggesting he deserves more recognition and joking about potential spin-off shows like "Grilling with the Gals." 
  • Ben Soffer shared a personal anecdote about quitting vaping cold turkey, which involved a highly irritable period characterized by involuntary swearing. 
  • The hosts discussed Oreo's controversial Thanksgiving dinner-inspired cookies (Turkey & Stuffing and Creamed Corn flavors), concluding that while the marketing is brilliant, the turkey flavor sounds revolting. 
  • The conversation about *Dancing with the Stars* concluded that Danielle Fishel's elimination was appropriate, Andy should be the next to leave, and Alex is the deserved frontrunner due to her hard work and improvement. 
  • The segment included endorsements for Quince clothing, Chewy pet supplies, HomeServe home repair coverage, and BetterHelp therapy services. 

Segments

Podcast Opening and Co-Host Introduction
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(00:00:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Ben Soffer is co-hosting The Toast while Jackie is on maternity leave.
  • Summary: The episode opens with the standard greeting for The Toast, identifying Ben Soffer as the co-host filling in. The hosts immediately engage in lighthearted bickering regarding the proper technique for speaking into a podcast microphone. Ben Soffer confirms this is his first time co-hosting since Jackie began her maternity leave.
Praise for Joey Camasta
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(00:01:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Joey Camasta is highly regarded by the hosts, who feel he is underappreciated and deserves more platforming.
  • Summary: The hosts reflected on Joey Camasta’s previous appearance, noting fan desire for him and Claudia Oshry to collaborate on a cooking project. Ben Soffer expressed deep gratitude for Claudia platforming Joey, calling him amazing and deserving of the world. They joked about potential show titles, including “Grilling with the Gals.”
Ben’s Cross-Dressing History
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(00:03:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Ben Soffer revealed a history of cross-dressing since age 13, which he finds both funny and freeing.
  • Summary: The conversation veered into Ben’s past, referencing an old photo where he dressed as a woman for Purim or Halloween at age 13. Ben stated that dressing as a woman is funny, freeing, and that he aspires to be a 70-year-old Irish woman named Vagina. He admitted that wearing long hair and makeup was hot and itchy.
Vape Addiction Recovery
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(00:05:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Ben Soffer successfully quit vaping cold turkey nearly two years ago, a difficult process that caused severe irritability.
  • Summary: Claudia praised Ben for quitting vaping, noting it has been almost two years since he went cold turkey. Ben recalled the first day of quitting while in Utah, where he was extremely irritable and exhibited involuntary swearing, which he described as borderline Tourette’s. He expressed relief that he no longer faces reprimands at restaurants for vaping.
Aviation Etiquette Debate
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(00:07:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts strongly agree that reclining seats on airplanes should be restricted to designated rows or airlines.
  • Summary: The conversation moved to general annoyances, with Ben complaining about people farting on planes, which Claudia agreed with. Claudia then brought up reclining seats, calling it the most evil thing one can do unless there is a mutual agreement. They proposed the idea of a dedicated “Reclining Airline” for those who prefer to recline.
Good Guys Podcast Update
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(00:08:38)
  • Key Takeaway: The Good Guys Podcast recently featured John Stamos, whose appearance led to Jennifer Affleck posting about the episode.
  • Summary: Ben provided an update on The Good Guys Podcast, mentioning recent high-profile guests like David Dobrik and John Stamos. John Stamos’s episode generated headlines after he called Jennifer Affleck ‘cute,’ prompting her to post about it on social media. Ben described John Stamos as humble, cool, talented, and capable of learning Broadway lines with 24 hours’ notice.
Wicked News and Vocal Runs
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(00:12:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Claudia dislikes the song ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked, considering it a basic choice for a favorite song.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly discussed Wicked news, leading to Claudia admitting her favorite song is ‘Defying Gravity,’ which Ben immediately called basic. Ben challenged Claudia to perform a vocal run from the song, which she failed to do, leading to jokes about her voice sounding like a fish. Claudia then stated her favorite song is actually ‘Peace,’ which Ben dismissed due to its low stream count.
Ad Reads and Sponsorships
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(00:14:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Ben Soffer is highly susceptible to marketing and enthusiastically supports the podcast’s sponsors, including Quince and Wild Grain.
  • Summary: Ben admitted to being very susceptible to marketing, noting he frequently orders new products advertised on the show. The segment transitioned into ads for Minted, Wild Grain, Legacy Box, and Everyday Dose, with Ben showing particular interest in Wild Grain’s bake-from-frozen bread subscription. Ben also revealed he gave up his sourdough starter journey due to life instability.
Sexiest Man Alive Selection
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(00:22:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Jonathan Bailey was named People’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive,’ a choice the hosts universally approved of, especially given his connection to the upcoming Wicked movie.
  • Summary: The hosts celebrated Jonathan Bailey’s selection as People’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive,’ contrasting it with the divisive choices in previous years. They noted his role in the upcoming Wicked Part 2 as a factor in the timing of the announcement. Ben jokingly criticized Bailey’s hairline, prompting Claudia to suggest he consult with celebrity plastic surgeons like Dr. Steve Levine.
David Beckham Knighted
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(00:29:02)
  • Key Takeaway: David Beckham was knighted by King Charles, receiving the title Sir David Beckham, while Victoria Beckham received the title Lady Beckham.
  • Summary: David Beckham was officially knighted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, and Victoria Beckham attended, earning the title Lady Beckham. Ben highlighted David Beckham’s deep admiration for the Royal Family, noting he waited seven hours in line to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Ben also celebrated Beckham as a proud, accomplished Jewish athlete.
Hollywood Sours on Sussexes
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(00:34:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Sources claim Hollywood has lost goodwill for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, citing stale content and professional mishaps.
  • Summary: A Page Six report indicated that Hollywood sources feel Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have exhausted their goodwill, with their ‘act’ growing stale. Their $100 million Netflix deal was reportedly downgraded to a first-look deal after they failed to fulfill commitments, including a rumored rejected concept for a hot chocolate review show. Claudia believes Harry is worse, driven by a lifelong desire for attention, while Ben faults Meghan for controlling projects like her cooking show.
Quince Affordable Luxury Clothing
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(00:41:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Quince offers high-quality wardrobe staples by working directly with ethical factories, bypassing the middleman to provide prices 50% lower than comparable brands.
  • Summary: Quince sells high-quality items like cashmere sweaters and trousers that rival high-end brands without the markup. They achieve affordability by skipping the middleman and working directly with top-tier factories. Listeners can get free shipping and 365-day returns using the code ’toast’ at quince.com.
Chewy Pet Essentials Sponsorship
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(00:41:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Chewy provides a comprehensive, one-stop solution for pet needs, including food, toys, prescription diets, and 24/7 support, now expanding into in-person vet clinics.
  • Summary: Chewy is highlighted as a go-to source for pet supplies, offering fast delivery and great deals for all types of pets, including farm animals and reptiles. They simplify pet health by allowing prescription refills and offering 24/7 advice, with a special offer of $20 off the first order via chewypanions.chewy.com/girlwithnojob.
HomeServe Home Repair Coverage
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(00:43:33)
  • Key Takeaway: HomeServe acts as a subscription service for homeowners, covering wear-and-tear repairs like plumbing and HVAC breakdowns often excluded by standard insurance, starting as low as $4.99 monthly.
  • Summary: Homeowners insurance typically excludes day-to-day system failures, making HomeServe a necessary protection plan. For a low monthly fee, customers gain access to a 24/7 hotline and a national network of trusted contractors. Plans start at $4.99 a month, and details are available at homeserve.com.
BetterHelp Mental Wellness Support
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(00:44:55)
  • Key Takeaway: BetterHelp connects users with licensed therapists through a strict code of conduct, utilizing an industry-leading matching system to ensure quality initial pairings.
  • Summary: BetterHelp encourages reaching out during darker seasons, noting that therapy can be difficult but worthwhile. They boast over 30,000 therapists and an average client rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on millions of reviews. Listeners receive 10% off their first month using betterhelp.com/toast.
Oreo Thanksgiving Cookie Flavors
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(00:46:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Oreo released a limited edition tin of Thanksgiving dinner-inspired cookies featuring Turkey & Stuffing and Creamed Corn flavors, which are fudge-coated and sold for $20.
  • Summary: The new cookies are part of a limited edition $20 tin, which also includes dessert flavors like apple caramel and pumpkin pie. While corn is deemed versatile enough for a sweet application, the turkey and stuffing flavor was met with strong aversion. The hosts noted that Oreos are popular for modifications like dipping or frying, and that regular Oreos contain sunflower lecithin, which is non-dairy and beneficial for breastfeeding mothers.
DWTS Danielle Fishel Elimination
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(00:50:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Danielle Fishel’s Boy Meets World co-stars believe Dancing with the Stars judges hold a personal vendetta against her, though the hosts felt her elimination was timely as the competition narrowed.
  • Summary: Ryder Strong expressed anger over the judging scores, suggesting a personal vendetta, but the hosts felt Fishel’s time on the show was up, especially after a poor performance. The current top contenders for winning are identified as Alex and Whitney, with Alex being favored due to her significant improvement as a non-professional dancer.
DWTS Contestant Rankings and Critique
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(00:53:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex is currently favored to win over Whitney because Alex embodies the show’s spirit of a star improving, whereas Whitney already possesses a professional dance background.
  • Summary: The hosts agreed that Alex’s hard work and commitment make her the deserving winner over Whitney, who started with professional advantages. Andy’s performance was deemed appropriate for elimination last night, as he finally offered no entertainment value, unlike previous weeks. The hosts predict Andy will be eliminated next, as Danielle Fishel should not have gone home before him.