🎬 That’s a Wrap on Season 1 | 51

Summary

The Best Idea Yet — 🎬 That’s a Wrap on Season 1 | Episode 51

Podcast: The Best Idea Yet
Hosts: Nick Martell & Jack Crivici-Kramer
Date: September 30, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode serves as the celebratory send-off for Season 1 of "The Best Idea Yet," Wondery’s podcast that explores the untold stories behind iconic products and the risk-takers who propelled them to pop culture fame. Hosts Nick and Jack reflect on the podcast’s remarkable debut season, share behind-the-scenes insights, and express gratitude to their listeners, production team, and supporters. They also tease their daily news show, "The Best One Yet," and highlight their recent award nominations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Season Reflection and Milestones

• The hosts mark the official wrap of Season 1 (00:07) with excitement and camaraderie.
• Podcast Growth: Six straight months of growth, peaking with an all-time high in July (02:21).
• Chart Success: Hit number two in overall podcast business charts (02:38).
• Award Recognition: Nominated for both the Signal Award and the Ambie for Best Business Podcast.
  • “Yetis, we got nominated for the Ambie award of Best Business Podcast. Although we lost a guy, Raz, but that's like losing to the Yankees in podcasting…” – Nick (02:28)

The Show’s Origin Story

• The idea for the show stemmed from an interest in the deep-dive, evergreen format and a desire to focus on uplifting success stories rather than the prevailing Hollywood trend of "downfall stories."
  • “We noticed a few years ago that untold origin story of McDonald's and the Happy Meal and how it was started by a mom in Guatemala.” – Nick (01:36)
• The show was developed “Hollywood style,” beginning with a pitch in Los Angeles and greenlit by Wondery (01:52).

Celebrating Impactful Episodes

• The show’s catalogue includes 50 episodes, spotlighting stories like the McDonald's Happy Meal, Ben & Jerry’s unexpected origins, Air Jordans’ NBA ban, and Super Mario’s “Infinite Game” marketing strategy.
  • “The Frappuccino one. Instant classic.” – Nick (03:34)
• Hosts reminisce about unique stories:
  • The Happy Meal’s roots (03:39)
  • Ben & Jerry’s gas station start (03:45)
  • Patagonia fleece and its unlikely beginnings (toilet seat cover!) (03:50)

Gratitude & Team Acknowledgments (04:00 – 04:55)

• Special thanks to the behind-the-scenes team: fact-checkers, researchers, writers, sound engineers, producers, and Wondery executives.
  • “The fact check and researchers who found every juicy detail...who made our stories more accurate than that original sketch of the Birkin bag.” – Nick (04:08)
  • “The writers who took these facts and composed a compelling narrative that was never expected and always kept us wanting more.” – Jack (04:16)
  • “The sound engineers who supplemented our show with that Lego click. Could we get one of those clicks? Yeah, that one.” – Nick (04:23)

Transition to Daily Show and Listener Call-to-Action

• Season 1 is on hiatus; listeners are invited to follow Nick and Jack’s daily business podcast “The Best One Yet” for regular news and insights.
  • “It’s the same storytelling style you know and love from this show, the same takeaways, but it’s a daily news show, not a weekly deep dive show.” – Nick (03:09)
• Over 1,500 episodes produced of the daily show (03:21).
• Voting call to support their Signal Award nomination (01:05).

Community and Sign-Off

• The hosts thank their dedicated audience (“Yetis” and “Besties”) for their enthusiasm and engagement throughout the season.
  • “You have been there for us hitting play on those episodes every week.” – Jack (03:53)
• They hint at a possible Season 2, promising listeners will be first to know about its status (02:55).

Signature Farewell

• The pair conclude with their signature catchphrase (05:07):
  • “The untold origin stories of the products you’re obsessed with and the bold risk-takers who made them go viral. This is Nick and this is Jack. And we’ll see you on our daily news show, the Best One Yet.” – Nick & Jack (05:18)
• Episode closes with an energetic jingle and a final invitation to join them on their other show (05:41).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Podcast’s Ethos:
  • “Crucially, it was episodes that would make you feel better because they're success stories.” – Jack (01:56)
  • “You know, there's a fetish in Hollywood right now for downfall stories. Yeah, that's not what we wanted to do.” – Jack (02:02)
• On Teamwork:
  • “We also want to thank the greatest team in podcasting. And we got the numbers and receipts to prove it.” – Nick (03:57)
• Reflecting on Success:
  • “Our moms called us. They did. They did. They were pumped. Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you, Alice.” – Jack & Nick (02:45)
• Looking Ahead:
  • “And besties, you'll be the first to know if and when season two is coming.” – Nick (02:48)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 — Season 1 wrap and reflections
• 01:19 — The show's origin and intent
• 02:21 — Listener and chart milestones
• 02:59 — Teaser for Season 2 and segue to daily podcast
• 03:28 — Highlighting favorite episodes and series impact
• 04:04 — Production team acknowledgments
• 05:07 — Signature sign-off and farewell jingle

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Summary

This finale episode is both a look back at a milestone season for "The Best Idea Yet" and a celebration of creativity, perseverance, and the power of telling uplifting origin stories. Nick and Jack’s energetic and affable banter keeps things light yet sincere, making this a rewarding listen for fans and new listeners alike. Their clear gratitude for their audience and production crew, coupled with their passion for business storytelling, promises much more to come – whether it’s Season 2 or daily doses on “The Best One Yet.”

Transcript

[Nick]

Yetis. From Dr. Pepper to Disneyland, Air Jordan to Jeep, season one of the best.

[Jack]

Idea yet is officially a wrap.

[Producer]

Wow.

[Nick]

Okay, There we go, buddy. All righty. What a season.

[Jack]

High fives, Yetis. Although the show's season one has ended, Nick and I actually host another show that publishes every single weekday.

[Nick]

Yes, we do.

[Jack]

It's called the best one yet, aka T Boy. So follow that right now to get three stories in 20 minutes every day. It's where business news meets pop culture.

[Nick]

We call it pop biz.

[Jack]

Check the show notes to follow the best one yet for more of Nick and me every day.

[Nick]

Okay, but Jack, pause the pod back to the best idea yet for a sec. Big news. You want to share it with the besties?

[Jack]

This show just got nominated for an award. A pretty cool award.

[Nick]

Okay, another round of applause. Okay. Best business podcast, an award from the Signal Awards sign.

[Jack]

So although season one is over, voting for the Signal Awards is not over. So take a second, tap the other link in our show notes and go vote for this show to win the best business podcast.

[Nick]

But Jack, speaking of the best idea yet, could I just sprinkle on some context for the Yetis for a moment?

[Jack]

I want to reminisce right now.

[Nick]

Okay, well, the besties have always asked us, how did your show actually begin? Like, what's the origin story of the best idea yet? And we should let them know. We've had this idea for. For years we were trying to figure out how to make a deep dive evergreen show. And then we noticed a few years ago that untold origin story of McDonald's and the Happy Meal and how it was started by a mom in Guatemala. And then we realized there was more to all of these business news stories. So we went full Hollywood style, went down to Los Angeles, put together a pitch, and started pitching studios on making a show and wondering greenlit our show.

[Jack]

Crucially, it was episodes that would make you feel better because they're success stories.

[Nick]

Yes, that was the key.

[Jack]

You know, there's a fetish in Hollywood right now for downfall stories. Yeah, that's not what we wanted to do.

[Nick]

Well, besties, we started that Hollywood style pitch with our McDonald's Happy Meal episode. And 50 episodes later, we are now celebrating the close of an awesome Season 1. Jack, why don't you sprinkle on some more context to the numbers this summer.

[Jack]

For six straight months, we enjoyed growth in this podcast. And in July, the Best Idea Yet's listenership hit an all time high.

[Nick]

Yetis, we got nominated for the Ambie award of Best business Podcast. Although we lost a guy, Raz, but that's like losing to the Yankees in.

[Jack]

Podcasting, which we did an episode on, by the way.

[Nick]

How about the time this podcast hit number two overall in the podcast charts for top business show?

[Jack]

Our moms called us.

[Producer]

They did. They did.

[Jack]

They were pumped.

[Nick]

Thank you, Jennifer. Thank you, Alice. And today we officially wrap up season one of the best idea yet. After 50 epic episodes and besties, you'll be the first to know if and when season two is coming.

[Jack]

So to get more from Nick and me, you should check out our other show, our daily show, the Best One yet, which we've co hosted together for more than seven years.

[Nick]

The Best One yet, where we curate the top business news stories of the day to make you the most interesting person in the room. It's the same storytelling style you know and love from this show, the same takeaways, but it's a daily news show, not a weekly deep dive show.

[Jack]

We've recorded over 1500 episodes of the Best One Yet. We'll keep you informed and entertained on business news every single day.

[Nick]

Now, as for the Best Idea yet, we have 50amazing episodes you can binge on right now or re listen to the old episodes you already loved. The Frappuccino one. Instant classic.

[Jack]

Now, as we wrap up, we want to take a moment and thank you for being on this journey with us. From digging into the mcmystery behind the Happy Meal to discovering Ben and Jerry's humble gas station ice cream origins.

[Nick]

Jack, how about the Patagonia fleece starting with a toilet seat cover?

[Jack]

You have been there for us hitting play on those episodes every week.

[Nick]

And we also want to thank the greatest team in podcasting. And we got the numbers and receipts to prove it.

[Jack]

The dozen professionals who did the behind the scenes work to bring this show to life.

[Nick]

The fact check. And researchers who found every juicy detail that made the show so fun. And who made our stories more accurate than that original sketch of the Birkin bag.

[Jack]

The writers who took these facts and composed a compelling narrative that was never expected and always kept us wanting more.

[Nick]

The sound engineers who supplemented our show with that Lego click. Could we get one of those clicks? Yeah, that one. Because our vocabularies were exhausted.

[Jack]

The producers who quarterbacked the entire series and each episode to completion with the tenacity of Walt Disney.

[Nick]

And finally, the wondery execs who our pitch in that Hollywood studio nearly two years ago and greenlit this series in the very first place.

[Jack]

There is no more creative and committed crew in this industry every single week. They did it with zero breaks or reruns since we launched last October.

[Nick]

So to all of our studio co workers, our collaborators, and especially you, the Besties and the Yetis, thank you for joining us on this journey of the Best Idea Yet Season one.

[Jack]

And before we go, we want to say our catchphrase from the show until we meet you again, to keep you.

[Nick]

Feeling fantastic from Wondery and T Boy, this is the best idea yet. The untold origin stories of the products.

[Jack]

You'Re obsessed with and the bold risk takers who made them go viral. This is Nick and this is Jack.

[Nick]

And we'll see you on our daily news show, the Best One Yet. Go check it out right now. Tap the link in the show notes and we hope to see you on the Best Idea yet soon. In the meantime, Jack, let's hit that jingle cause it's freaking awesome.

[Producer]

I got that feeling again Familiar, but no, we got it coming to you. I got that feeling again they changed the game in one move. It's how they broke all the room.