Omni Talk Retail — “Lightning Round: Dew Goes Dirty, Vegas Transport Showdown & QR-Code TP | Fast Five Shorts”

Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Chris Walton & Anne Mezzenga

Episode Overview

In this lively "Fast Five Shorts" lightning round, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga tackle trending and quirky retail-adjacent stories, from the rise of dirty soda and Mountain Dew’s new flavor to Las Vegas transportation hacks, QR-code-gated toilet paper in China, and even a touch of celebrity gossip. Their witty banter and industry commentary offer a fast-paced—but insightful—take on the intersection of retail, culture, and consumer experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dirty Soda Trend & Mountain Dew "Dirty"

• Topic: Mountain Dew is launching "Mountain Dew Dirty," a cream soda variant meant to tap into Gen Z's fascination with the "dirty soda" trend.
• What is Dirty Soda?
  • Anne explains: “Basically, dirty soda is like adding coffee creamer or like a flavored syrup... and mixing all these concoctions.” (00:30)
  • Chris, unfamiliar at first, draws a parallel: “Italian soda back in the day, that’s what we’re talking about here.” (00:50)
• Generational Appeal:
  • The hosts emphasize the trend’s social media roots, with Anne noting, “You have to be on TikTok... The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is the best... for dirty soda.” (00:30)
• New Market Moves:
  • Anne mentions: “We just got a couple of these dirty soda fountains here in Minnesota…” (01:01)
• Quotable:
  • Chris on the new flavor: “Dirty cream soda sounds good. I like a good cream soda, too…” (01:16)

2. Las Vegas Transportation Showdown: Taxi vs. Uber

• Topic: Which is the best way to get around Las Vegas—taxi or Uber?
• Insights:
  • Anne shares a practical tip: “If you’re at the airport, you take a taxi. If you are anywhere else, I would say Uber.” (01:25)
  • Chris concurs on airport taxis: “...the Uber line from the airport is a disaster. It’s absolutely a disaster.” (01:39)
• Memorable:
  • The hosts display strong local know-how and some travel banter:
    • Anne: “You're just all taxi all the time.” (01:32)
    • Chris: “I’m definitely taxi from the airport, for sure.” (01:37)

3. High-Tech Restrooms: QR-Code Toilet Paper in China

• Topic: In China, public restroom users must scan a QR code and watch an ad to access toilet paper.
• Personal Connection:
  • Anne teases Chris: “As someone who carries their own toilet paper, would you spare a square if you were in China…?” (01:55)
  • Chris admits, “I think I would spare a square… I’ve offered my spare roll of toilet paper to you…and we've traveled. You've never taken me up on it.” (02:18)
• Behavioral Insight:
  • Anne observes, “It depends on the situation…if it’s nothing or a stranger’s spare square.” (02:30)
  • Chris sums up the psychology: “The timing of the offering is important here…if I offer it free, it’s probably going to get turned down, but if it needs to be offered post, it’s probably going to be accepted.” (02:38)
• Quotable:
  • Chris: “That actually makes a ton of logical sense.” (02:51)

4. Celebrity Gossip: Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban's Split

• Topic: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are reportedly splitting after 19 years.
• Playful Banter:
  • Anne: “Oh, for sure, Keith Urban [will be first in the dating pool]… I’m willing to bet that he’s already been jumping in the dating pool and that’s why this 19 year of marriage is coming to an end.” (03:20)
  • Anne continues, celebrating Nicole Kidman: “I think Nicole Kidman is just gonna go off and live her best life...with Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock… I think it’s amazing. So go Nicole.” (03:23)
• Pop Culture Reference:
  • Chris: “She had that movie where she like had that affair with the 20-something too.” (03:54)
  • Anne: “Yeah, Baby Girl. I still haven’t seen it, but I heard it.” (03:58)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Anne on Dirty Soda:
  • "You have to be on TikTok. And the real—The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is the best. That’s the best education for dirty soda…” (00:30)
• Chris on Cream Soda:
  • “Dirty cream soda sounds good. I like a good cream soda, too.” (01:16)
• Chris on Airport Transport:
  • “The Uber line from the airport is a disaster. It’s absolutely a disaster.” (01:39)
• Chris on Sharing Toilet Paper:
  • “I’ve offered my spare roll of toilet paper to you and we’ve traveled. You’ve never taken me up on it.” (02:18)
• Chris on the Psychology of Giving:
  • “The timing of the offering is important…if I offer it free, it’s probably going to get turned down, but…post, it’s probably going to be accepted.” (02:38)
• Anne on Nicole Kidman:
  • “I think Nicole Kidman is just gonna go off and live her best life…with Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock…” (03:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dirty Soda Trend: 00:03–01:16
• Vegas Transport Debate: 01:16–01:51
• QR-Code Toilet Paper in China: 01:51–02:54
• Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban Divorce: 03:05–04:02

Summary Tone & Takeaways

• The episode maintains a light, witty, and insightful tone, blending retail trends with broader cultural commentary.
• Listeners get both market insights (what’s trending in beverage and service retail) and practical travel tips (navigating Vegas), as well as a peek into the sometimes absurd ways technology is being integrated into everyday experiences.
• The interplay between Chris and Anne is fun and relatable, peppered with genuine curiosity and clever observational humor.