Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet here: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ In 2008, Lin-Manuel Miranda badly needed a vacation. He’d just won the Tony for his musical “In The Heights,” he’d been going nonstop. So he took a break, bringing a book with him for poolside lounging: the 800-page biography of America’s first treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton. But what started as a light beach read soon became an obsession. Lin HAD to bring this man’s incredible life to the stage. Thus began...
Jul 04, 2025•43 min•Ep. 1482
TBOY Live Show Tickets to Chicago on sale NOW: https://www.axs.com/events/949346/the-best-one-yet-podcast-tickets Nathan’s hot dog stock just hit an all-time high… because it’s selling dogs in Ukraine. Lululemon sued Costco for copying their designs… and this dupe crackdown reminds us of Netflix. Cloudflare just invented cybersecurity to bock AI crawling… it’s the first ever anti-bot cloak of protection. Plus, the average movie theater shows 30 minutes of previews and ads before the movie. $NATH...
Jul 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1481
Luckin Coffee’s 1st US location opened in NYC… and it’s got an anti-Starbucks strategy #ZeroPlace. Elon Musk is fighting to block Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill… because clean energy gets runover. Stetson invented the cowboy hat, now it’s living its best life… Being founded in 1865 is its competitive advantage. Plus, we’re sharing our Mid-Year’s Resolutions (like New Years… but midway through) $LKNYC $SBUX $FDX Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly d...
Jul 02, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1480
The Big Beautiful Bill would be the biggest law in our lifetime… so we’ll explain it using ice cream. Goodwipes launched luxury Porta-Potty Palaces to give out wet wipes… it’s a VIP Sample. Robinhood created a new thing: ½ stock, ½ crypto… because it moves fast by faking things. Plus, the untold origin story of… Hamilton The Musical $HOOD $KMB $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… “Hamilton 🎭 From ...
Jul 01, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1479
TBOY Live Show Tickets to Chicago on sale NOW: https://www.axs.com/events/949346/the-best-one-yet-podcast-tickets Despite trade war & real war, US stocks just hit all-time-highs… We whipped up 4 reasons why. Momofuku’s Michelin-starred restaurant just raised $27M of VC… to stick its noodles in Costco. Internships are down, but some are making $25K/month?... Our advice: Cancel your internship. Plus, get your tickets to our Live Show in Chicago… it’s gonna be a TBOY $SPY $JPM $NVDA Want more b...
Jun 30, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1478
Jeff Bezos is getting married in Venice… but did ya know Venice was the Amazon of the Old World? Nike is pinning its turnaround on a snoafer (a sneaker/loafer)… it’s not a throwback, it’s a flowforward. NYC democrats just nominated a socialist mayoral candidate… because Wall Street has changed. Plus, the hottest new $1 unicorn startup… is a tech company for cows. $AMZN Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story o...
Jun 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1477
Pan Am Airlines is back after 34 years, but with a hotel, theater, & cafe… Because Brands > Logos. Apple’s Formula1 movie premiers today… Brad Pitt proves how Hollywood powers Wall Street. The newest industry to know is PeaceTech… because AI can predict (and prevent) war. Plus, the hottest industry in this economy?... Matchmaking coaches. $DAL $AAPL $PLTR Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Subs...
Jun 26, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1476
America’s biggest cement business just went public… because commodities don’t exist. Perfume sales are surging right now… Because of dudes, college, and Ozempic? Father’s Day revealed how much we all use AI… And the culprit is Microsoft. Plus, the hottest new fashion trend is Jorts… Jeans shorts just hit an all-time high #ATH. $PPRUY $AMRZ Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Subscribe to The Best Idea ...
Jun 25, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1475
The most important economic part of the War in Iran? The Strait of Hormuz… It controls 20% of earth’s oil exports. The 2 biggest self-driving car headlines of the decade… Tesla’s robotaxi launch in Austin & Waymo’s coming to NYC. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders just got a 400% pay raise thanks to 1 word… Leverage. Plus, the untold origin story of… Dr Pepper. $KDP $TSLA $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origi...
Jun 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1474
The hot new real estate trend is giant surf parks… Wave Pools borrowed the biz model of golf. 117 emails per day? Interruptions every 2 minutes?... Microsoft data reveals your “Infinite Workday.” Disney just hooked up with Amazon on advertising… and TV ads are about to look like Instagram. Plus, Jeff Bezos is getting married this week… and we found his leaked wedding vows. $DIS $AMZN $MSFT Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The ...
Jun 23, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1473
Reddit… it’s the most important company in social media right now, because it’s the most different. It’s the 5th most visited website in America, the internet’s front page, and the most valuable source of content to train artificial intelligence (Sam Altman pays *them*). They’ve got a partnership with OpenAI… yet the content is anti-AI. And co-founder / CEO Steve Huffman runs the most real company in tech right now… and he's a classically-trained ballroom dancer. In this interview episode, you’l...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 1472
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card jacked up its fee to $795… so we did the aluminum math. Why is Florida winning so many Stanley Cup hockey games?... Lower taxes = More trophies. Roblox stock is up 180% in the last year… because Grow a Garden set a video game record. Plus, the hottest trend across food, fashion, tech, and AI?... Guavas (yes, fruit guavas) $RBLX $JPM $NFLX Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story ...
Jun 18, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1471
Shake Shack stock popped on its 1st slogan… so we’ll share the secret to slogans. Trump disclosed his 2024 income (at least $600M)… and now the he’s is launching a $499 smartphone. Tracy Anderson has pioneered the wildest concept in fitness… invite-only pilates studios. Plus, the untold origin story of Ferrari… $SHAK $MCD $RACE Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Ferrari 🏎️ Subscribe to The Best Idea ...
Jun 17, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1470
The best player in the NBA Finals wears Converse… so they launched a sneaker dating show? War in the Middle East means the US Army has a new recruit… Palantir, Meta, and OpenAI. Din Tai Fung is now the most lucrative restaurant chain in the US… because of 1 lucky number. Plus, Summer Fridays are disappearing… so happy Summer Monday. $MSFT $AAPL $NKE Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Beanie Babies 🧸 ...
Jun 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1469
Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet here: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ Beanie Babies — the unassuming critters with birthdates and bios — are designed to tug on your heartstrings (and your wallet). But for a moment in the late-90s, they burst out of gift shops and into investment portfolios as America went crazy over Legs the Frog, Pinchers the Lobster, and the rest of the plushie pals.Behind this bean-stuffed market bubble hid a mysterious salesman with a chip on his shoulder named T...
Jun 14, 2025•9 min
Rolex sales are jumping… because women are giving them as engagement rings (watches?). Home Depot’s newest business risk?... It’s now ground zero in the ICE immigration raids. Starbucks hosted the world’s 1st Barista Championship… and hiring full-time in-house influencers. Plus, the wildest new recession indicator is… TaskRabbits. $SBUX $HD $SWGAY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Subscribe to The Be...
Jun 13, 2025•20 min•Ep. 1468
The US and China trade deal looks more like a trade dud… because of China’s Infinity Stones. When Heinz ketchup changes its bottle, sales pop… so it launched maple syrup ketchup jugs. Summer House star Paige DeSorbo launched a startup… because BravoTV is the new Y-Combinator. Plus, the new weekend trend for techies is Darkness Retreats… 3 days, zero light. $KHC $SPY $CMCSA Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin sto...
Jun 12, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1467
What if every newborn got a $1K stock account?... If the budget bill passes, that’s happening. Why is SmartLess, the podcast, launching a wireless company?... Because 35% of Millennials are still on their parents’ plan. Zuckerberg is creating a “SuperIntelligence” team… and he’ll pay you up to $100,000,000 to join. Plus, Gen Z just killed the bar tab… (and it’s the right move). $TMUS $HOOD $META Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show...
Jun 11, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1466
Apple’s biggest event of the year was all about “liquid”… And Apple lost $90B in 9 minutes. Bach parties now cost $1,400/person… we dove into the Bachelorette Industrial Complex (spoiler: dudes spend more). Warner Bros Discovery is breaking up… but it reminds us of Bob Dylan and Bad Bunny. Plus, the uuntold origin story of the Beanie Baby… The cutest boom, bubble, & bust. $WBD $AAPL $BTC Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: Th...
Jun 10, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1465
From power couple to cat fight, we now have Elon’s riches vs. Trump’s power… so we predict who wins. Hot Wheels is surging on Insta, YouTube, and TikTok… with a different strategy for each. Reddit’s huge AI lawsuit reveals its most powerful feature… the Upvote. Plus, JNCO Jeans? DVDs? Lil Wayne?... The hot new Gen Z trend is MillennialCore. $RDDT $MAT $TSLA Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Tommy Bah...
Jun 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1464
Nintendo’s Switch 2 release caused chaos worldwide… because of Paul Rudd. Retirement accounts have surged, so we share our top savings rule… Forget your password. The new target of tech disruption? Traffic Lights… Stop signs haven’t changed in 100 years. Plus, the Oklahoma City Thunder are in the NBA Finals.... Thanks to an investing strategy. $NTDOY $SCHW $BRK.B Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Sub...
Jun 06, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1463
Spirit Halloween cancelled their summer costume preview… because the trade war has a tail. A record 55 women lead Fortune 500 companies… and a record 24 founders do too. Pizza Hut’s “Book It” app … it’s an original example of gamification. Plus, Ikea did a commercial in 1994 that changed the country… The 1st ad with a gay couple. (FYI, here’s that Ikea ‘94 commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCGv1hN6S9E ) $AAPL $YUM $META Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest epis...
Jun 05, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1462
The most trusted news brand in America? It’s… The Weather Channel (for the 4th straight year). Netflix presented all its new content at a big unveil called “Tudum”… and it highlights the Netflix Paradox. Dr. Squatch is the biggest soap startup in America… because of “The Jester’s Privilege.” Plus, Tinder’s newest feature is a height filter… #SaveTheShortKings $NFLX $CMCSA $UL Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin ...
Jun 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1461
Steve Madden ’s controversial founder boosted the stock 25% last week… because of a podcast interview. Costco’s biggest selling product? Gasoline (by far)... We think gas is like diapers, but for adults. Ukraine’s crazy self-thinking drone attack on Russia changes warfare forever… It’s tech Pearl Harbor. Plus, the untold origin story of the Tommy Bahama Beach Chair… which sells 3 outta 4 chairs. $SHOO $COST $META $PLTR Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our ...
Jun 03, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1460
Zillow stock has surged 70% in the last year… because house gossip is good. David is a very high-protein protein bar… worth $725M. Because every business needs 3 moats. Circle is going public in an IPO… so we’ll tell ya what the heck a stablecoin is. Plus, the greatest internship story ever? Sprite turned an intern project into a real product. $Z $K $CRCL Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Heinz Ketch...
Jun 02, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1459
On each episode of Wondery’s podcast The Big Flop, comedians join host Misha Brown to chronicle one of the biggest pop-culture fails of all time and try to answer the age-old question: who thought THIS was a good idea? The Hamburglar was just a mascot, but Jerome Jacobson was the real deal - a McDonald's security chief who pulled off the ultimate inside job. While millions of Americans peeled game pieces hoping for a miracle, this master manipulator was turning Big Macs into big bucks, orchestra...
May 31, 2025•6 min
Elf Beauty is buying Hailey Bieber’s Rhode for $1B… with a trick from Elvis Presley. The NYT hooked up with Amazon… Because Alexa+ wants to be the 1st *premium* chatbot. And Trump’s tariffs were ruled illegal… The Trade War is hitting the Supreme Court. Plus, the hardest word in the Spelling Bee… Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (real place, real word) $ELF $NYT $AMZN Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The unto...
May 30, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1458
Anthropic’s CEO says White Collar jobs will disappear in 5 years… so we’ll tell you how to prepare for the Chrome Collar workforce. The best-selling BBQ sauce in America is Japanese…. We got Bachan’s secret biz recipe. Urban Outfitters’ stock just hit an all-time high… because it beat Rent The Runway. Plus, the hot new investing strategy is T.A.C.O… Trump Always Chickens Out (we’ll explain). $URBN $CRM $KHC Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly d...
May 29, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1457
Strava hit a $2B valuation… because running apps are the new social media. Nuclear stocks just surged 40%… because to quote Mugatu “Nuclear, so hot right now.” Nespresso is pivoting from hot George Clooney… because your 1st coffee is now cold. Plus, the psychological strategy behind Heinz Ketchup’s “57 varieties”... Jack’s Strava: https://strava.app.link/9GCovhIGITb $NSRGY $OKLO $KHC Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold...
May 28, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1456
TBOY Live Show Tickets to Chicago on sale NOW: https://www.axs.com/events/949346/the-best-one-yet-podcast-tickets Thanks to The Skinny Confidential, to achieve daytime beauty… women look like monsters at night. The House of Reps passed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” — this summer we’ll have Big Debt Energy. Lilo & Stitch is expected to have beaten Mission Impossible at the box office… because relatability wins. And if you work at Spotify, they’ve banned the words “offline” and “later” from mee...
May 27, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1455
