Morning Brew Daily – Mailbag Episode!

Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Neal Freyman & Toby Howell

Episode Overview

In this special Mailbag Episode, Neal and Toby kick off 2026 by diving into listener-submitted questions—ranging from business trends and market predictions to their own personal routines, career advice, and lighter moments about their favorite airplanes, words, and what would be in a museum gift shop dedicated to them. The tone is candid, witty, and self-aware, making for equal parts insight and entertainment. The hosts balance forecasts on future hot jobs and AI to playful debates about spatulas, giving an inside look at both Morning Brew Daily and the people behind it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biggest Moments of 2025

[02:00]–[05:19]

• Toby’s pick: Tariff Announcement Day ("Liberation Day")

  • Describes Trump’s tariffs and the viral moment with the oversized “Cheesecake Factory menu” poster, which “penetrated the general consciousness” and led to ongoing market jitters.
  • “It definitely spooked the markets. I had my 'normie' friends asking me about tariffs—when that happens you know it’s big.” – Toby [02:37]

• Neal's picks: 1. US gets first American Pope (and the hype around prediction markets like Kalshi/Polymarket for papal odds), 2. Advances in AI video generators (Nano Banana, Sora, etc.), which he sees as blurring lines between reality and fiction.

  • “The risk, the opportunities, and the risks are endless when it comes to AI-generated video that’s fake but looks real.” – Neal [04:34]
  • “If we’re being honest, the most significant moment in terms of long-term impact is probably advances in AI video generation.” – Neal [04:34]

2. Hottest Jobs in 2035

[05:19]–[07:28]

• Neal: Predicts a rise in trades (electricians, plumbers) and athletes, jobs that require physical presence and are currently beyond AI’s full replication.

  • “We’re already seeing trades command a premium. As AI comes for white collar jobs, things you do with your hands are going to rise in status.” [05:28]

• Toby: Bets on “Cultural Strategists” and experiential marketers—people who can create coveted real-world experiences as “IRL is so back.”

  • “As digital becomes more prevalent, real-life connection is even more valuable. Those who can tap into feelings and tell stories for brands will only matter more.” [06:38]

3. How Attention to Business News Changes as a Host

[07:28]–[10:16]

• Toby: After immersion in business news, realized there’s less happening than the relentless headlines suggest. Narratives are often shaped by a handful of big stories.

  • “It almost feels like there is less going on than I actually anticipated.” [07:38]

• Neal: Agrees, noting media creates noise to fill space. “90% of 24-hour news is talking about nothing.”

  • Shares he didn’t know what an IPO was before joining Morning Brew, highlighting non-linear paths into business journalism.
  • “I was a history major. I didn’t even know why Warren Buffett was famous.” [09:16]

4. Stock of the Year & “Dog” of the Year Predictions for 2026

[10:22]–[14:22]

• Neal (Stock): Predicts rebound for “sloppable” restaurant stocks (Chipotle, Sweetgreen, Kava) that had a rough 2025, especially as automation (e.g., Chipotle’s Autocado) improves margins.

  • “Maybe there’ll be some sort of cultural rebound back to sloppies.” [11:14]

• Neal (Dog): Meta, questioning the ROI of massive AI spend for a social media platform: “2026 is going to be a year of ‘show me the money’ for AI investments.” [12:42]

• Toby (Stock): Goes with metals and uranium, core commodities essential for data and energy infrastructure: “I’m bullish on finite resources crucial to infrastructure.”

• Toby (Dog): Ticketmaster, because it’ll be in the regulatory and public crosshairs during mega sports events like the World Cup. “I don’t think there’s a more hated company out there today.” [13:18]

5. Morning Brew Daily: Work/Life Routine

[14:22]–[16:14]

• Nightlife balancing: Neither host parties “on a school night”—the latest is usually trivia. They’re in the office by 4:30am, recording at 6. Breaking news gets incorporated if possible during their pre-recording headline sweep.
  • “We are adults. We have work in the morning.” – Toby [14:59]
• Sports events: They rarely watch live ending sports, instead swapping highlights and recaps the next morning.
  • “A lot of talk of ‘did you see this last night?’” – Neal [15:48]

6. Dream CEO Interviews

[16:14]–[18:13]

• Neal: Blake Shull—Boom Supersonic CEO, for insights on the next era of high-speed travel and aviation innovation.
• Toby: Sam Altman (OpenAI), “mysterious and poised to shape humanity’s next decade.”

7. Products They’d Like to Advertise

[19:11]–[23:03]

• Toby: Fitness trackers (Whoop, Oura Ring, Eight Sleep): “I’ve gotten really into the data side of health recently.” [19:22]
• Neal: Humble choices—his blue rubber spatula (“use it every day”), NY Times Games app (crossword & spelling bee), NYC subway, and—sincerely—all major media outlets.
  • “This may be more sincere, but media outlets and newspapers—without them, we can’t do our jobs.” [22:06]

8. If There Were a Museum Gift Shop about Them…

[23:24]–[24:47]

• Neal: Would skip the gift shop in favor of an international food court with global dishes. “I’m not into material things that much.”
• Toby: Loves trinkets, especially board games (mahjong, Scrabble, Dominion), sports equipment, and posters picked up at museums.

9. Marathon Training & Early Mornings

[25:03]–[26:17]

• Toby: “The hardest part is budget(ing) time to tell everyone you’re training.” It all comes down to priorities and making training a non-negotiable.
• Neal: Wakes up at 4am for work due to the consequences of not doing so! Both agree: build essentials into your routine and the rest follows.

10. Liberal Arts Degrees and Entering Markets/Business Commentary

[26:48]–[27:31]

• Both found their way into market commentary from non-business backgrounds (English and History), emphasizing storytelling and “explaining and entertaining,” not traditional analysis.
  • “Our job is to curate the news and find the most interesting way to present it to you.” – Toby [26:48]

11. Career Advice for New Grads/Young Listeners

[27:31]–[29:38]

• Be open to unexpected opportunities—podcast hosting didn’t exist when they started. “When doors open, go through them—even if you weren’t planning to.”
• Use creative strategies to get in, not just resumes. “Find the side door, not the front door.”
  • “Follow your interest more than your passion.” – Toby [28:31]

12. Guilty Pleasure Media (for turning off the ‘business brain’)

[29:38]–[31:34]

• Neal: Enjoys “Industry” (HBO show), and consuming recap/review podcasts like The Watch and The Big Picture. “I always need to hear reviews or other opinions.”
• Toby: Big on YouTube, especially strategy/video game content (“Catan strategy”, “Scrabble highlight videos”). Endorses watching Nigel Richards play Scrabble.

13. Lightning Round Fun

[31:34]–[34:59]

• Wedding planning: Toby is excited for his wedding in eight months, Neal in the wedding party.
• Favorite airplane: Neal: Boeing 747 (“Queen of the Skies”), a classic on its way out. Toby: Cessna “the one with the single prop” [joking].
• Favorite word: Neal: “Rhythm” (loves its spelling & sound). Toby: “Insalubrious” (won it in a spelling bee).

14. Looking Ahead to 2026

[34:59]–[35:21]

• Episode tease: Tomorrow’s show will be a full 2026 preview (“cruise into 2026”).
  • “You’ll have to wait till tomorrow, because we have an entire episode on this exact subject!” – Neal [34:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Did you know that now we are closer to Cleopatra than Cleopatra was to the construction of the Pyramids?...It’s true. And it has been for 500 years.” – Neal [00:21] (kicking off the new year in quirky Morning Brew style)

• “There’s not as much going on as you think…when you start honing in and focusing, it almost feels like there is less going on than I actually anticipated.” – Toby [07:38]

• “The hardest part [of marathon training] is figuring out when to budget time to tell everyone you’re training for a marathon.” – Toby [25:21]

• “Life is for living still, but it’s fun to see how my body reacts to these things.” – Toby, on fitness tracking [20:36]

• “When doors open, if it seems interesting, go through it. Prepare for the unexpected.” – Neal (attributing Emily, the show’s EP) [27:47]

• Neal’s favorite word college application answer: “nor’easter. I didn’t get in.” [33:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Biggest moments of 2025: [02:27]–[05:19]
• Future jobs (2035): [05:19]–[07:28]
• Paying attention to business news: [07:28]–[10:16]
• 2026 stock/dog picks: [10:22]–[14:22]
• Morning Brew routine: [14:22]–[16:14]
• Dream CEO interviews: [16:14]–[18:13]
• Favorite non-sponsor products: [19:11]–[23:03]
• Museum gift shop: [23:24]–[24:47]
• Marathon training/early mornings: [25:03]–[26:17]
• From liberal arts to business: [26:48]–[27:31]
• Career advice for new grads: [27:31]–[29:38]
• Guilty pleasure media: [29:38]–[31:34]
• Lightning round fun: [31:34]–[34:59]
• 2026 preview episode tease: [34:59]–[35:21]

Summary Takeaway:
If you’re looking for a witty, fast-paced, and personal deep-dive into both global business and the personal habits behind a top daily podcast, this episode delivers in full. Neal and Toby’s banter, candor, and ability to pivot from macroeconomic trends to favorite spatulas highlight why the Morning Brew Daily has its loyal audience—and offer savvy career/life advice for both business professionals and the just-curious.