Luxury cars are adding wild mindful wellness features… But will anyone pay for an in-car spa? Elon just exited DOGE… So we calculated the $$$-saving scorecard. Apple pulled off a “Mission Impossible” operation… We’re calling it the Hoarder’s Quarter. Plus, who will win the Kentucky Derby?… The horse whose name begins with “S.” $AAPL $SPY $MGGYY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… the Starbucks Frappucc...
May 02, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1437
Pizza explains the Trade War… Delivery pizza is tariff-proof, but frozen pizza is recession-proof. Waymo just partnered with Toyota for personal self-driving cars… It’s the new robo-chauffeur. Today is half-way to Halloween… but “horror” has become a year-round industry. Plus, instead of “can 100 men beat 1 gorilla,” we’re asking “can 100 men out-earn 1 gorilla?” $DPZ $YUM $GOOG Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold orig...
May 01, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1436
Lyft dropped the wildest CEO letter ever… and it includes “Enshitiffication” and “Falcon Mode.” The most popular, viral product right now? Labubu dolls… Their growth hack? Blind boxes. The big business beef was President Trump calling Jeff Bezos… because of a Tariff Fee. Plus, the world’s biggest pasta brand just solved pasta cooking… with the first “Pasta Playlist.” $LYFT $AMZN $PMRTY Lyft shareholder letter: https://www.lyft.com/blog/posts/letter-to-shareholders Want more business storytelling...
Apr 30, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1435
The trade war inadvertently created a $1K Baby Tax… So we predict a “family exemption.” Star Wars re-released Ep 3, bringing in $42M this weekend… Re-releases can save theaters. UNC is teaching athletes how to become D1 Influencers… The key: “you don’t have to dance.” Plus, the untold origin story of… the Frappuccino (spoiler: Starbucks acquired it) $DIS $NFLX To make a donation to Daniel’s cause in honor of his son Jack, click here: ItHasBeenAPleasure.com Want more business storytelling from us...
Apr 29, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1434
Jeff Bezos’ secret electric car launched… It’s $20k, anti-Tesla, and inspired by the Amish. 100,000 year old glacier ice is being used in Dubai nightclubs… selling for $60/cube. California passed Japan to be the 4th biggest economy in the world… we’ll tell ya how. Plus, the latest recession signal is the “Brown Bag Indicator”... Leftover lunch is an econ warning. $RIVN $AMZN $JBLU Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold or...
Apr 28, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1433
Since the Pope passed, streaming of “Conclave” is up 3,200%... It’s the power of Shelf IP. Uber & VW just hooked up for robo-hippie-van taxis… It captures Uber’s Switzerland Strategy. Every company’s put their investment plans on ice… We call it the Great Capitalist Pause. Plus, Starbucks bought 200,000 Sharpies… now its new CEO wants a doodle on every cup. $UBER $VWAGY $AMZN $NFLX Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The unto...
Apr 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1432
Trump’s de-escalating his trade war with China… because of a warning about “empty shelves”. Kardashian protein popcorn?... In the Ozempi-conomy, protein brands are the top food trend. The hottest area of the housing market is… trailer parks. We found 3 ways to invest. Plus, the untold origin story of… The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. $NVO $SPY $BX Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… TMNT 🐢 Subscribe ...
Apr 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1431
Cluely’s founders got suspended for building an AI cheating app… but now it’s venture backed. Home Depot’s biggest division will shock you… it’s their $20B/year secret garden. President Trump tanked markets Monday for threatening to fire the Fed… so we explained central bank’s independence with a superhero. Plus, using “please” and “thank you” in ChatGPT is costing the company tens-of-millions of dollars… $HD $SPY $CMG Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our ...
Apr 23, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1430
How do you get someone to learn everyday? Make it addictive… in a good way. Luis von Ahn has mastered engagement with Duolingo, transforming it into the largest education app on earth with over 40M daily users. And in our exclusive interview, Duolingo CEO announces the next product: Chess. In this episode, you’ll hear… Why the CEO (proudly) calls Duolingo “addictive” Why he will never open an office in Silicon Valley The psychology behind push notifications, streaks, and the unhinged owl Duoling...
Apr 22, 2025•53 min•Ep. 1429
You’re about to see “Tariff Fee” on your receipts… But the phrasing is about to get political. Companies are embracing mascots again … Jake From State Farm just beat the Kardashians. Costco’s one weakness? It’s never successfully sold a Kirkland beer… until now. Plus, we’ve got Duolingo’s CEO on tomorrow’s pod… and he’s announcing something big. $COST $MCD $DUO $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… ...
Apr 21, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1428
Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet here: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ Roscoe Rodda was in the fight of his life. His candy factory was right down the road from Milton Hershey’s—yes, THAT Hershey’s—and he needed to set himself apart. So Roscoe embraced a single holiday to get the competitive confectionery edge: Easter. Chocolate eggs, jellybeans… and a secret treat painstakingly sculpted behind closed doors: a marshmallow chick with inquisitive waxy black eyes. These chicks circulated...
Apr 18, 2025•41 min•Ep. 1427
Twinkie is embracing 4/20 with Munchies Mobiles... because the US economy is now PG-13. China just stopped selling us Rare Earth Metals… We call it the Acupuncture Needle Strategy. Say hello to “Nepo-preneurs”… Because kids joining family businesses just surged 13%. Plus, the top way to reduce stress at work? Playing Tetris… $SJM $LMT $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… the Super Soaker 🔫 Subscri...
Apr 17, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1426
Harvard is taking on the Trump admin for $2B… so we looked at the Economics of Endowments. 60% of Coachella ticket sales were payment plans… it’s not buy-now-pay-later, it’s pay-now-party-later. Netflix thinks it’s recession-proof… So its new internal goal? Hit $1 trillion Dollars. Plus, what’s the most forgetful day of the year?... Uber’s Lost & Found data just told us $NFLX $SPOT $UBER Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: Th...
Apr 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1425
Chinese factories are retaliating in the trade war… with TikTok videos exposing $5 Lulu pants. Moleskine’s journals are thriving despite the digital age… because they created a Gen Z Board. Will Instagram get split from Meta?... Zuckerberg testifies this week in FTC vs. Meta. Plus, the untold origin story of… The Super Soaker. $LULU $META $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Super Soaker 🔫 Subscri...
Apr 15, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1424
Louis Vuitton opened its 1st Texas factory 6 years ago… but we’ll explain why it’s failing (#FooeyVuitton). Dubai Chocolate went viral 17 months ago… It shows why every biz needs a “Trend Team.” Trump’s trade war focus is the “trade deficit”... But America’s economy is Brains & Brands. Plus, tomorrow is tax day… But if you haven’t done yours yet, Pokemon can help. $LVMUY $SHAK $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The unto...
Apr 14, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1423
Yesterday we covered the trade war pause… today the behind-the-scenes Trump drama. Versace was just sold to its Italian cousin Prada at ½ price… because time kills all deals. Nick just got his 1st colonoscopy… so Jack found our fave economics lesson in the exam. Plus, Google is now paying AI engineers to do nothing… no joke. $CPRI $PRDSY $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Peeps 🐣 Subscribe to Th...
Apr 11, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1422
Trump paused most tariffs, except for 1: USA vs China… Who will win the isolation game? The Masters golf tourney begins today… but the real strategy is in the $1.50 sandwiches. Harry’s Razors filed to IPO as “Mammoth”... because Harry’s is really a startup studio. Plus, scammers moved from email, to text, to… job apps? 25% of interviewees will be fake humans. $SPY $PG $EPC Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin sto...
Apr 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1421
Colossal brought the Dire Wolf back from extinction… by using a strategy from Hollywood. The #1 winner of the Trade War? ThredUp… The second-hand clothing stock has doubled this year. Shopify is requiring everyone at the company to use AI every day… AI is part of the dress code. Plus, introducing “Tasteful Tariffs” — Things that should be tariffed. Think Cargo pants, small talk, QR code menus… $TDUP $REAL $SHOP $NDAQ Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our ne...
Apr 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1420
Should you buy the stock dip?... The best way to decide is with our stock Time Machine. Artipope just unveiled a $4,000 baby carrier… because the best status symbol is “status subtle.” Ford launched employee pricing for all… because tariffs will hit garages over groceries. Plus, the untold origin story of the world’s biggest marshmallow company… Peeps. $SPY $F $WBD Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… P...
Apr 08, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1419
Stocks fell 10% Thurs/Fri, now this trade war could trigger a global recession… a “Pan-cession.” Chipotle went on a 7-year journey to find a tariff-free avo… but it doesn’t exist. 4 o’clock is the new 5 o’clock… You now leave work 42 minutes earlier, but with one big catch. Plus, the hottest new fashion product?... It’s the Nvidia CEO’s leather jacket. $SPY $NDAQ $CMG Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of...
Apr 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1418
White Lotus’ szn finale is Sunday… and HBO’s drip strategy is beating Netflix’s drop. The best way to understand Trump’s trade war nuclear bomb?... The $324 iPhone tariff. Coach’s handbag stores are adding ice cream bars?... Because “dwell time” leads to “sell time.” Plus, Buffalo Wild Wings invented March Madness smart-glasses that beat Apple’s Vision Pro… $WBD $NFLX $TPR $AAPL $NKE $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The u...
Apr 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1417
It was T-Day: Tariffs, Tesla, & Trump… We got an update on all of ‘em (and why it’ll cost you $3,600/year). Tinder launched a Flirt-bot… Because AI’s most powerful use is training pickup lines (seriously). Nintendo’s Switch 2 is its biggest launch in 8 years… and Mario Kart is getting social. Plus, we found a Skier’s Arbitrage: It’s cheaper to fly to Japan for a weekend of shredding than staying here in the states… $NTDOY $TSLA $SPY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the late...
Apr 03, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1416
The Hooters founders are buying it outta bankruptcy… but did you know Hooters once had an Airline? Facebook is going back to the OG version… Because the Social Network became a Stranger Network. Canada’s using a WWII playbook to fix their housing crisis… and it’s inspired by Long Island and Everything Bagels. $AAPL $META $EAT Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… 📱iPhone: The Device Steve Jobs Didn’t Wa...
Apr 02, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1415
The New York Yankees set a home run record… Thanks to a new data-optimized torpedo bat. The #1 term you gotta know for Q2? “Stagflation”… when unemployment and inflation both rise. One drone delivery startup is beating Amazon in the sky… but should serve houses or hospitals? Plus, Kim Kardashian’s Skims is launching a Wall Street Shapeware line… $SPY $AMZN $GOOG Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of 📱iPh...
Apr 01, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1414
ChatGPT’s servers “melted” because of its new feature… Steal from every movie studio. SoulCycle is launching 1st chain of fashion stores… It’s SoulCycle vs Lululemon. CoreWeave is the biggest tech IPO in 4 yrs, but it flopped… Because of our 3 Rules for IPOs. Plus, we’re heading to Chicago for an Awards Show… “Best Business Podcast”) $CRWV $LULU $MSFT Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Goldfish Cracke...
Mar 31, 2025•21 min•Ep. 1413
Frida’s breast milk-flavored ice cream is due in 9 months… It’s not April Fool’s, it’s a “product-tizement.” Robinhood launched big bank products this week… but we think it’s the Airbnb of Finance. American cars are now so big it’s affecting traffic… So we’ll explain “Car Bloat” and “The Panamax Effect." Plus, Jeff Bezos just sent out invites to his wedding (we got the financial deets)... Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The u...
Mar 28, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1412
A gym-fluencer did a 3:52am sparkling ice facial… and Saratoga Water’s stock jumped 6%. Sesame Street is facing 3 major threats… Bluey, Cocomelon, and Ms. Rachel. The Atlantic’s journalist shared more screenshots… but we got curious about the chat app, Signal. Plus, one movie Director spent $11M of Netflix’s budget on Ferraris, mattresses, & crypto… $PRMB $WBD $NFLX Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story ...
Mar 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1411
StubHub is the #1 secondary ticket marketplace… but the biz totally depends on scalpers. Napster still exists (?) and just got bought for $207M… because “Say my name, say my name.” 23&M is bankrupt, but 15M customers have a question… ummm, what about my DNA? Plus, the newest economic indicator is “Recession Brunette”... $STUB $ME $EBAY Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Goldfish Crackers 🧀 Subscr...
Mar 26, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1410
Single women who don’t want marriage are a new economic force… they’re “Boy Sober.” Foreign investment is pouring into Arizona and Georgia… they’re New Taiwan and New Korea. Disney’s new Snow White reboot is a bust… but Disney’s vault’s still full of magical numbers. $MTCH $HYMTF $DIS Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Goldfish Crackers 🧀 Subscribe to The Best Idea Yet: Wondery.fm/TheBestIdeaYetLinks...
Mar 25, 2025•22 min•Ep. 1409
With Tesla stock tanking and drivers trading them in... we’re proposing the Tesla Solution. Why the Celtics sold for a record amount… even though they rent their arena. Gucci, H&M, & Ralph Lauren all launched coffee chains… but it’s not about $12 lattes. Plus, we wrote a financial rap song about the most important investment for kids… $PPRUY $TSLA $RL Want more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of MTV 📺 “...
Mar 24, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1408
