🪩 “Mile High Upgrade” — Pan Am’s comeback. Apple’s Brad Pitt F1 pop. PeaceAI’s war-predictor.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet – Episode 🪩 “Mile High Upgrade”

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Best One Yet
• Host/Author: Nick & Jack Studios
• Description: Feel brighter every day with our 20-minute pop-biz news podcast. The 3 business stories you need, with fresh takes you can pretend you came up with — Pairs perfectly with your morning oatmeal ritual. Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell. Formerly known as “Snacks Daily”, Nick and Jack continue their podcast independent from Robinhood.
• Episode: 🪩 “Mile High Upgrade” — Pan Am’s comeback. Apple’s Brad Pitt F1 pop. PeaceAI’s war-predictor.
• Release Date: June 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging 20-minute episode titled “Mile High Upgrade,” hosts Jack Crivici-Kramer and Nick Martell delve into three major business stories shaping today’s landscape: the resurgence of Pan Am Airways, Apple’s blockbuster Formula One movie featuring Brad Pitt, and PeaceAI’s innovative approach to preventing war using artificial intelligence. Additionally, they touch upon trends in the matchmaking industry, local political shifts, Starbucks' pricing strategy, and OpenAI’s venture into autonomous vehicles.

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1. Pan Am Airways’ Triumphant Return

Timestamp: 04:44 – 09:09

Overview: Nick and Jack kick off the episode with the remarkable comeback of Pan Am Airways, a once-defunct airline that declared bankruptcy 34 years ago. Now revived, Pan Am is not just flying again but expanding into the hospitality sector with plans to open hotels, theaters, and restaurants.

Key Points:

• Luxury Air Travel: Pan Am is reintroducing its signature luxury with $60,000 per ticket for a 12-day aerial cruise, reminiscent of classic Pan Am glamour.

  • Quote (07:07) Nick: “Pan America’s $60,000 per ticket aeronautical journey highlights the difference between a logo and a brand.”

• Brand vs. Logo: The hosts emphasize the distinction between a mere logo and a holistic brand experience, highlighting how Pan Am’s nostalgic brand evokes feelings of luxury, adventure, and comfort.

  • Quote (08:22) Nick: “Pan Am shows us the difference between a logo and a brand.”

• Expansion into Hospitality: Beyond flights, Pan Am is launching hotels in Los Angeles, a movie theater, and restaurants, leveraging its strong brand identity to diversify revenue streams.

• Historical Significance: Pan Am was a pioneer in international travel, with the first commercial transatlantic flight in 1939, setting the standard for luxury and innovation in aviation.

Insights:

• The revival of Pan Am underscores the enduring value of strong branding. In an era where many airlines struggle with commoditization, Pan Am’s return to luxury and brand expansion offers a unique value proposition.
• Pan Am’s move into hospitality suggests a strategic pivot to capitalize on its brand equity beyond the airline industry, potentially mitigating the volatility of the aviation market.

---

2. Apple’s Formula One Movie Featuring Brad Pitt

Timestamp: 09:19 – 19:56

Overview: Apple has premiered its most ambitious project to date: a Formula One racing movie starring Brad Pitt. With a staggering $300 million budget, the film aims to blend Hollywood spectacle with Wall Street savvy, potentially revolutionizing sports marketing.

Key Points:

• High Production Value: The film employs IMAX cameras on actual F1 cars and races, mirroring the techniques used in "Top Gun: Maverick." This approach provides an immersive experience, drawing audiences into the high-octane world of Formula One.

  • Quote (09:28) Jack: “Rev your engines because 4,000 screens are going to bring you into the cockpit of a car going 200 miles per hour.”

• Financial Strategy: Apple’s $300 million investment is partially offset by $100 million from in-film advertising, featuring real companies like Expensify, EA Sports, and Tommy Hilfiger.

  • Quote (10:17) Nick: “The $300 million budget for this movie was offset by $100 million of in-film advertising.”

• Marketing Impact: Early test screenings reveal that the film significantly boosts interest in Formula One among American viewers, with 100% of test audiences expressing newfound interest.

  • Quote (12:29) Jack: “After watching this movie, literally every American viewer said that they would now watch F1, according to Apple executive Eddie Cue.”

• Hollywood and Business Synergy: The collaboration exemplifies the powerful intersection between entertainment and business, leveraging storytelling to drive product engagement and market expansion.

• Potential ROI: Drawing parallels to iconic products like the Birkin bag and Levi’s jeans, the movie could spark a surge in F1 popularity and associated merchandise, mirroring past successes of Hollywood-driven product booms.

Insights:

• Apple’s venture into film production with a high-budget sports movie highlights the growing trend of tech companies investing in content creation to enhance their ecosystem and drive cross-industry synergy.
• The strategic incorporation of real advertisements within the film sets a new standard for integrated marketing, potentially paving the way for future projects where storytelling and product placement are seamlessly blended for mutual benefit.

---

3. PeaceAI’s War-Predictor and the Birth of Peace Tech

Timestamp: 15:37 – 19:56

Overview: Amidst escalating global military expenditures, PeaceAI emerges as a groundbreaking startup utilizing artificial intelligence to predict and prevent conflicts. Founded by a Harvard professor, PeaceAI represents the first foray into the nascent field of Peace Tech, aiming to redirect substantial military budgets towards sustainable peace initiatives.

Key Points:

• AI for Peace: PeaceAI analyzes political and economic data to predict the likelihood of wars, creating simulations that inform preventative strategies.

  • Quote (17:22) Nick: “Anadir AI creates simulations based on lots of variables like Putin, oil prices, unemployment rates, stuff like that.”

• Predictive Capabilities: The AI models can forecast conflict scenarios, such as predicting a 60% higher likelihood of Russia using a bomb if the U.S. declares a no-fly zone.

• Innovative Variables: PeaceAI’s model even considers personal factors affecting leaders, such as their mood influenced by sleep quality, showcasing the depth and complexity of their predictive algorithms.

  • Quote (18:13) Jack: “This Peace AI can account for variables on whether world leaders are in a good or bad mood, depending on their mattress situation.”

• Peace Tech Industry: Nick and Jack discuss the potential for Peace Tech to become a significant sector, akin to Climate Tech and FinTech, with the capability to transform how societies allocate resources towards preventing conflicts.

  • Quote (18:26) Nick: “We may be witnessing the birth of a new industry, Peace Tech.”

• Economic and Humanitarian Impact: Redirecting funds from military spending to Peace Tech could yield substantial returns on investment by mitigating the immense costs of wars on economies and societies.

  • Quote (18:44) Nick: “Imagine if instead of spending trillions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we had invested in public education.”

Insights:

• PeaceAI represents a paradigm shift in leveraging technology not for warfare but for fostering global stability. By accurately predicting conflicts, governments and organizations can implement targeted interventions to avert potential wars.
• The emergence of Peace Tech highlights the broader trend of sectoral innovation where technological advancements are harnessed to address and solve deeply rooted societal challenges, offering both economic and ethical benefits.

---

Additional Stories and Insights

Matchmaking Industry Booms Amid Dating App Fatigue

Timestamp: 01:10 – 09:09

Overview: Nick and Jack explore the surge in demand for personalized matchmaking services, driven by Millennials and Gen Z’s fatigue with traditional dating apps like Tinder and Grindr.

Key Points:

• Rising Demand: The matchmaking industry has experienced its highest growth in decades, with consultants charging premium fees (e.g., $8,000 annually) for personalized services.

  • Quote (01:14) Nick: “According to Bloomberg, demand for personalized dating services just hit an all-time high.”

• Cultural Influence: The release of Hollywood movies like "The Materialists," starring Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson, has further fueled interest in matchmakers by portraying them as essential facilitators of love.

• Consumer Behavior: As users disengage from algorithm-driven dating apps, they seek the certainty of human-driven matchmaking, reflecting a broader trend towards personalized and experiential services.

Insights:

• The matchmaking industry's resurgence underscores a shift towards valuing personalized human interactions over automated algorithms, especially in sectors like dating where emotional connections are paramount.
• Cultural representations in media significantly influence consumer behavior, demonstrating the symbiotic relationship between entertainment and business trends.

---

Local Politics and Business Strategies

Timestamp: 15:47 – 21:56

Overview: The hosts briefly touch upon significant local political developments and corporate strategies impacting the business landscape.

Key Points:

• New York City Mayoral Election: The election saw Democrat Zoran Mamdani defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprising upset, signaling a potential shift towards more progressive policies in America’s most capitalist city.

  • Quote (19:43) Nick: “The most capitalist city in America could get a socialist mayor.”

• Starbucks Pricing Strategy: Starbucks is implementing a flat fee of 80 cents for all beverage add-ons, such as caramel drizzle and foam, while offering oat milk for free to combat accusations of lactose discrimination.

  • Quote (20:32) Nick: “Historically, they've charged different prices for different upgrades. But now all your indulgences are getting one flat fee of 80 cents for all those additions.”

• OpenAI’s Autonomous Vehicle Ambitions: Sam Altman of OpenAI revealed plans for a “ChatGPT car,” suggesting advancements in self-driving technology that could rival industry leaders like Tesla and Waymo.

  • Quote (20:56) Jack: “Now, OpenAI’s next product could be a car. Sam Altman... said this quote. We have technology now that could just do self-driving for standard cars.”

Insights:

• Political outcomes in major cities can have ripple effects on national policies and business environments, emphasizing the importance of local elections.
• Corporate pricing strategies, such as Starbucks’ move towards flat fees, reflect broader trends in consumer preferences and competitive positioning.
• OpenAI’s entry into the autonomous vehicle market highlights the expanding role of AI across diverse industries, potentially disrupting traditional automotive and tech sectors.

---

Fun Fact: National Barcode Day

Timestamp: 21:03 – 21:53

Overview: The hosts celebrate National Barcode Day, commemorating the first barcode scan 51 years ago.

Key Points:

• Historical Milestone: The first barcode was scanned in 1974, with Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum being the inaugural product scanned.

  • Quote (21:22) Nick: “Happy national Barcode Day to anyone who's bought anything at a gas station.”

• Relevance Today: Despite the rise of QR codes, barcodes remain a ubiquitous and essential part of retail and inventory management.

Insights:

• Celebrating technological milestones like Barcode Day highlights the enduring impact of simple innovations on everyday life and global commerce.

---

Conclusion

In this episode of The Best One Yet, Nick and Jack provide an insightful and comprehensive analysis of three pivotal business stories: the nostalgic comeback of Pan Am Airways, Apple’s high-budget Formula One movie poised to transform sports marketing, and PeaceAI’s innovative use of AI to predict and prevent wars, potentially inaugurating the Peace Tech industry. Alongside these primary stories, they explore emerging trends in the matchmaking industry, significant local political shifts, corporate pricing strategies, and advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. Their engaging discussions, enriched with notable quotes and deep insights, offer listeners a thorough understanding of the current business landscape and its future directions.

For those who haven't tuned in, this episode delivers a blend of historical revival, cutting-edge technology, and societal evolution, all packaged in the host’s characteristic witty and informative style. Whether you're interested in luxury travel, blockbuster films, or technological innovations for peace, this episode provides valuable takeaways and a fresh perspective on the intersecting worlds of business and culture.

Transcript

[Nick]

This is Nick, this is Jack.

[Jack]

It's Thursday, the new Friday, June 26, and today's pod is the best one yet. This. This is a T Boy.

[Nick]

The top three pop business news stories you need to know today.

[Jack]

I mean, Jack, the three stories are so good. Should we just get right into it, man?

[Nick]

I'm ready for it.

[Jack]

And what are the three stories for today's T Boy? Man?

[Nick]

For Our first story, 34 years after declaring bankruptcy, Pan Am Airways is back with a plane, a hotel, and a restaurant.

[Jack]

Pan Am. They are the perfect case study in a logo versus.

[Nick]

For our second story, Apple is releasing its biggest movie yet. Formula One with Brad Pitt premieres today.

[Jack]

And it reveals the untold connection between Hollywood and Wall Street.

[Nick]

And our third and final story. While every country is increasing their military spending, we found a new concept. Peace Tech.

[Jack]

Peace Tech. One startup is using AI not to wage war, but to wage peace.

[Nick]

Does one wage peace?

[Jack]

Apparently they do. I bet Andreessen is interested.

[Nick]

But yetis, before we hit that wonderful mix of stor.

[Jack]

Whoa. What a mix of stories. Love the mix of stories today, Jack.

[Nick]

In this economy, nearly every industry feels a little wobbly.

[Jack]

But one industry thriving right now. Matchmakers.

[Nick]

According to Bloomberg, demand for personalized dating services just hit an all time high.

[Jack]

Matchmaking consultants are getting their biggest business bumps since Pride and Prejudice.

[Nick]

One matchmaker charges $8,000 a year for personal matchmaking services.

[Jack]

You really liked that Pride and Prejudice one, didn't you, Jack?

[Nick]

You know Alex loves Jane Austen.

[Jack]

She's a. Because 700 bucks a month isn't expensive if your payoff is the love of your life. Roi.

[Nick]

It's true. Return on love.

[Jack]

But, Jack, could you sprinkle on some lovely context for us?

[Nick]

Millennials are sick of swiping.

[Jack]

Gen Z is Tinder fatigue.

[Nick]

You've gotten sick of Grindr too.

[Jack]

But Bumble's pain, it turns out, is matchmaking's gain.

[Nick]

Because while Tinder users have fallen for.

[Jack]

Eight straight quarters, matchmaking consultants have been rising for eight straight quarters.

[Nick]

If you're off the dating apps, you're more likely to be on something else.

[Jack]

The love industry. It's just a zero sum game.

[Nick]

Plus, we haven't even talked about the Hollywood effect.

[Jack]

Oh, yeah, Jack, are you talking about the movie the Materialists?

[Nick]

That's out right now, starring Zaddy Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson. That's a film about a high powered matchmaker.

[Jack]

Well, it turns out this movie is also driving this matchmaker moment.

[Nick]

So yet he's in this economy. You want certainty and you're Willing to.

[Jack]

Pay for a real life human cupid rather than an algorithmic era.

[Nick]

I like that, Nick. Jane Austen write that.

[Jack]

It's from Sense and Sensibility. Jack, let's sit up. Three stories.

[Unknown]

Fifteen years before this song, two boys from the northeast met in the dorm. They had an idea to cause a cultural storm. It's the best one yet, but the best is the norm. Jack. Nick, that's it. I don't even think they need to practice. 50%. That's a fat tip. T boy city on your at Liz if you know, you know. Cause we read to go we can't wait no more so just start the.

[Nick]

Show.

[Unknown]

Start the show.

[Jack]

Start the show. First, a quick word from our sponsor.

[Nick]

IBM.

[Jack]

Jack. Remember dongles? Like each piece of tech had its own plug and none of it worked together.

[Nick]

That's where a lot of businesses are with AI.

[Jack]

Discover AI that can work seamlessly across your data and applications. @IBM.com the AI built for business. IBM.

[Nick]

Airbnb now.

[Jack]

Yeah, it is. Jack mentioned his favorite skinny dipping spot. Where is that again?

[Nick]

I did a bunch of people ask me about that. But, Nick, there's nothing better than swimming in mother Nature with the outfit mother gave you.

[Jack]

I mean, you know what they say. It's not the summer unless you're outside naked at some point. And nobody knows it.

[Nick]

Now, another way to do that is an outdoor shower. And I should mention my place has one of those, too.

[Jack]

And how is it possible you have an outdoor shower, Jack?

[Nick]

Because I'm an Airbnb host.

[Jack]

True.

[Nick]

Now, I usually spend my Airbnb hosting income on travel for the family, but this time we earmarked it for a home upgrade.

[Jack]

Now, Jack, I should point out I'm no carpenter, but out there shower, it ain't cheap. You got the cedar wood install, you got the copper pipes, the French drains.

[Nick]

But with the money we're making on Airbnb, it was affordable. We put it in last year.

[Jack]

Well played, yeti's.

[Nick]

I'm an Airbnb host. With my current chalet, and with two previous apartments, I can tell you it's.

[Jack]

Very easy to use besties. Millions don't realize their space could be an Airbnb. You already have an Airbnb. You could be yodeling naked outdoors with fresh shampoo in your hair in the.

[Nick]

Outdoor shower, paid for by your guests.

[Jack]

Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host for our first story. Pan Am, the defunct airline that pioneered luxury travel, is back from the dead.

[Nick]

Pan America's $60,000 per ticket aeronautical journey.

[Jack]

Oh my God.

[Nick]

Highlights the difference between a logo and and a brand. Woo.

[Jack]

Yeah, it is. Okay, full disclosure. We flew from San Francisco to New York. The landing gear wasn't working, Jack. We landed at jfk. There were fire trucks there.

[Nick]

I know, I was so nervous. Apparently planes have a backup landing gear.

[Jack]

Yeah, thank God they got a couple of these things.

[Nick]

But Max got a big kick out of it. Cause he's in his like fire truck era. Yeah.

[Jack]

It also reminded me, Jack, that a flying experiences have gotten so bad we are now bringing back a dead airline.

[Nick]

Yep, 34 years after declaring bankruptcy, Pan America is back.

[Jack]

Yes, the historic airline with the sexy blue logo has returned. The airline whose pictures look like a spa.

[Nick]

And this is big because Pan Am romanticized air travel.

[Jack]

I mean, they had fine food served with actual silver silverware and a standing.

[Nick]

Bar where you could walk up and order a gin and tonic and like flirt with people. There was a lot of flirting happening on those planes, at least from what I see in the movies.

[Jack]

It was the 60s. They weren't serving peanuts, they were serving Grey Poupon.

[Nick]

If you've seen Catch Me if youf Can, DiCaprio pretends to be a Pan Am pilot.

[Jack]

So Jack and I jumped in t boy style. And Pan AM was founded 98 years ago. What their innovation was was pioneering international travel.

[Nick]

Because in 1939, the first ever commercial flight across the Atlantic Ocean happened. It took off on Long island and it landed in Lisbon.

[Jack]

And yes, it was Pan Am. And here was Pan Am's early business insight.

[Nick]

In the emerging airline industry, international flights are the real profit puppy.

[Jack]

Flying Austin to Albuquerque is cheaper to operate. We see you Southwest.

[Nick]

But San Francisco to Singapore attracts the deep pocketed passengers.

[Jack]

Now, despite that innovation, Pan Am airways ended in 1991.

[Nick]

They had some bad acquisitions, they had too much debt. And the low cost competition really squeezed us again.

[Jack]

We see you Southwest Airlines.

[Nick]

No, we do. But here's the latest news. Pan Am is returning to the air.

[Jack]

But the tickets are will cost you 60 grand.

[Nick]

Last year, an investment group acquired the Pan America brand for an undisclosed sum.

[Jack]

Now, they're not an airline yet. They simply chartered one plane and then stuck their iconic logo on the wings.

[Nick]

But they have opened a business. Their first move, they're offering a luxury cruise in the air.

[Jack]

Yeah, we're talking 50 passengers on the plane for a 12 day luxury journey with multiple stops.

[Nick]

It starts in New York, then goes to Bermuda, Lisbon, Marseille, London and Ireland.

[Jack]

So it's $60,000 per person, but breaks down to $10,000 per leg, which is kind of like a business class ticket.

[Nick]

Oh, I forgot to mention at the end, it goes back from Ireland to New York.

[Jack]

But basically, the way we see it, this is the same revenue model as like a luxury Viking cruise.

[Nick]

Oh, and it's luxury. Each seat has a fully reclinable chair. They're bringing back the high end food from Pan Am's heyday. And the flight attendants are even going to wear those old school Pan Am stick flight attendant outfits.

[Jack]

And like a cruise, each passenger gets the same seat the whole time with a chess table included.

[Nick]

But this turnaround goes even deeper than the skies.

[Jack]

Yeah, this is what fascinated us. Because Pan Am is expanding throughout the hospitality industry through partners.

[Nick]

This new company known as Pan Am is opening a hotel in Los Angeles. They're opening a movie theater and a restaurant, too.

[Jack]

You could be doing your next date night at a Pam Am cafe with a filet mignon at sea level.

[Nick]

Ironically, this airline realized the brand can make more money in other industries.

[Jack]

So, Jack, now that we are taking off at this moment, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Pan Am?

[Nick]

Pan Am shows us the difference between a logo and a brand.

[Jack]

Now, Yetis, a logo is simply a symbol in one industry, but a brand is universal to any.

[Nick]

And Pan Am's brand is a nostalgic feeling of luxury, adventure, and comfort.

[Jack]

Okay, so here's how we can test this thesis. If Delta or United Airlines launched a hotel, like, we don't know what that would look like. Like, what is that? How would that appear? What kind of a hotel is that?

[Nick]

They could have small bathrooms. That's all we're certain of.

[Jack]

But if Pan Am launched a hotel or a restaurant or a theater, we know exactly what that would look and feel like. That's a brand.

[Nick]

Because airlines today are basically just flying logos. They're symbols of getting you from point A to point B.

[Jack]

But Pan Am built a brand, a feeling that expands beyond that function.

[Nick]

Having a brand, not just a logo, is why Pan am can return 34 years and after it disappeared.

[Jack]

For our second story, Apple's Formula one racing movie with Brad Pitt premieres today. And it's the most expensive sports commercial.

[Nick]

Of all time because there's a direct route from Hollywood to Wall Street.

[Jack]

Yetis, starting today, rev your engines because 4,000 screens are going to bring you into the cockpit of a car going 200 miles per hour.

[Nick]

It's the F1 movie produced by Apple, distributed by Warner Bros. And it's giving Top Gun Maverick.

[Jack]

Yeah, because it's got the same director, Joseph Kaczynski, and the same kind of.

[Nick]

Leading man, An A list ageless hunk.

[Jack]

Even the same cutting edge videography.

[Nick]

Top Gun put IMAX cameras in real fighter jets, while the F1 movie put IMAX cameras in real F1 cars.

[Jack]

Add it all up and the goal for Formula One is to get the same box office return.

[Nick]

Top Gun Maverick brought in one and a half billion dollars worldwide. Basically saved Hollywood a few years. F1 hopes for a similar financial performance.

[Jack]

And since Apple paid 300 million bucks to make this movie, it's basically paid for with 270,000 iPhones.

[Nick]

And despite Superman 12 and Jurassic Park 17 coming out later this summer, this F1 movie could be the top box office performer of 2025.

[Jack]

But yet, here's what Jack and I found fascinating about this story. The financials.

[Nick]

Because the $300 million budget for this movie was offset by $100 million of in film advertising.

[Jack]

Yeah, this is wild. But this movie sold actual ads for their fictional F1 racing team.

[Nick]

You know how F1 cars have ads all over the vehicle?

[Jack]

I actually only see the ads. I rarely even see the vehicle. Check.

[Nick]

Well, in this movie, the fake race car has real companies that paid real money to advertise.

[Jack]

Yeah, like Expensify is a real company that paid 40 million real dollars to have their logo on Brad Pitt's fake F1 car.

[Nick]

EA Sports, Shark Ninja Guy, Tommy Hilfiger. They're all paid advertisers. And the fake racing team in this movie.

[Jack]

Oh, and that fake racing team is Mercedes. But it's an actual Mercedes which paid to be the fake Mercedes in the real movie.

[Nick]

Although the car is kind of real. It is true, Jack, because the studio took an actual Formula One race car and filmed it on actual Formula One racetracks.

[Jack]

Yeah, the film crew stalked the F1 circuit for two years, even filming celebration scenes from real life with fans at the actual Grand Prix.

[Nick]

So when Brad Pitt inevitably wins the race. I haven't seen the movie. That's not a spoiler. I just assume he wins at the end.

[Jack]

He always wins.

[Nick]

Those cheering fans in the background, they're not extras. They're real fans who are at a real F1 race.

[Jack]

But call the PIC crew for a second, Jack. Cause we do have one problem with this pic.

[Nick]

Apple's promotion of the film Wednesday morning was thirsty.

[Jack]

Yeah, on Wednesday morning, they forced a push notification to iPhone users urging you to see the movie.

[Nick]

Not a good look. Apple reminds us of when you made us listen to that U2 album on our iPhone 20 years ago.

[Jack]

We get it. Bono loves his ipod. Hello, hello.

[Nick]

Goodbye.

[Jack]

Goodbye. What's the takeaway for our buddies over at Apple?

[Nick]

There's a direct line between Hollywood and Wall street yeties.

[Jack]

Here's the hero stat. In early test screenings of this Formula One film, just 18% of American viewers had seen a Formula One race.

[Nick]

I've never seen a Formula One race.

[Jack]

Me neither, Jack.

[Nick]

But after watching this movie, literally every American viewer said that they would now watch F1, according to Apple executive Eddie Cue.

[Jack]

And that's why Jack and I think this is actually the biggest sports commercial of all time. $300 million spent to promote Formula One racing.

[Nick]

This could be a huge moment for Americans becoming fans of Formula One.

[Jack]

Now in our weekly show, the Best Idea Yet. I can't tell you how many products Jack and I have found that went viral because of Hollywood.

[Nick]

Take, for instance, the Birkin bag.

[Jack]

The Birkin bag blew up thanks to an episode of Sex and the City when Samantha gets her hands on one.

[Nick]

Or 50 years earlier. Levi's.

[Jack]

Yes, the Levi's 501s blew when Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe wore them in two separate movies.

[Nick]

Even the skateboard had a big Hollywood moment.

[Jack]

Tony Hawk had a record performance at the X Games. Everyone saw it, the sales took off.

[Nick]

And Marty McFly. Yeah, he rode a skateboard too.

[Jack]

So history. It is full of products that boomed thanks to Hollywood.

[Nick]

This time, it could be Formula one formula.

[Jack]

Eh? Now, a quick word from our sponsor. We are supported by vital proteins.

[Nick]

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[Jack]

Now, Yetis, you may be wondering why Jack's face is dewy like an Amazonian melon.

[Nick]

Or how Nick is strong enough to hold, like, 73 podcast mics.

[Jack]

Well, it's actually thanks to the most delicious part of our day.

[Nick]

My morning coffee. I mix in a vital proteins collagen chocolate powder. It is delicious.

[Jack]

Jack actually just used our promo code again for himself to buy another tub. He's got a problem with this stuff.

[Nick]

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[Jack]

Get 20% off by going to vitalproteins.com and entering promo code T Boy at checkout.

[Nick]

That's vitalproteins.com promo code T Boy for 20% off.

[Jack]

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[Nick]

The best one yet is sponsored by BetterHelp.

[Jack]

All right, Jack, let me set the scene for you. My birthday dinner, we did a pizza party. I rented out a whole spot called the Dough Room in San Francisco. You mess with the pizza dough while you make it.

[Nick]

I know. And then what comes next is the most San Francisco thing ever. Basically, group therapy over dinner.

[Jack]

So all three people on my side of the table were in therapy and all of us were talking about each other's therapy. You know, like one person was saying how their therapist helped them through a co worker battle. Another was talking about, like, the future of fatherhood with their therapist. They were stressed about becoming a dad.

[Nick]

It's not just San Francisco. Society's views on therapy have changed across the world. True. It's evolved to the point where you had a birthday dinner, learning from each other's therapy sessions.

[Jack]

Well, BetterHelp is an easy way to take that leap and find the therapist for you.

[Nick]

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[Jack]

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[Nick]

Talk it out with BetterHelp, our listeners.

[Jack]

Get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.comt boy, that's BetterHelp.

[Nick]

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[Jack]

For our third and final story, right. As NATO countries pledged to more than double their military spending, a new tech startup is using AI to for peace.

[Nick]

We call it peace AI.

[Jack]

They're waging peace.

[Nick]

It predicts the future to avoid war.

[Jack]

Now, yetis to sprinkle on some unexpected context here. Our college lacrosse coach used to say the best defense is a good offense.

[Nick]

To be clear, that's Nick's college lacrosse coach. I played. Yeah, played more mainstream.

[Jack]

Not all of us are as athletically skilled, Jack. But right now, the top performing industry isn't football or lacrosse. It's defense.

[Nick]

Weapon and war stocks have been thriving this year.

[Jack]

Palantir is the top stock of the year. Drone companies are going public. Anduril just hit a $30 billion with a B valuation.

[Nick]

If you're selling AI military technology, then it's a buyer's market and you are winning.

[Jack]

Plus, we've got this new big news on Wednesday from Europe.

[Nick]

NATO countries just announced they're going to double their spending on military defense.

[Jack]

That's right. Europe is weaning itself from its dependence on the American military might.

[Nick]

So each of the 32 NATO countries are going to target military spending equal to 5% of their GD GDP, up from 2% today.

[Jack]

5% may sound small, but we're talking trillions of extra dollars going into war products because of this change.

[Nick]

So from European war companies to Silicon Valley tech companies, military is how you make money right now.

[Jack]

But get this, there is a new startup that is now using AI not to wage war, but to wage peace.

[Nick]

It's called Anadir Horizon, but we prefer to call it Peace AI.

[Jack]

Yeah, we just rebranded them as Peace AI. Basically, this is an earlier stage business than we typically cover on the show, but it is such a novel concept that Jack and I just got super curious.

[Nick]

Anadir claims that their AI would have predicted the Ukraine war and they could have prevented it.

[Jack]

That's right. This company was founded by a Harvard University professor. And what was his thesis on this, Jack?

[Nick]

Well, we're using AI to predict stock market movements, sports outcomes, even the weather. Why can't we use AI to predict conflict?

[Jack]

So the inputs of this company are political and economic data and the output is the risk of an outbreak of war.

[Nick]

Anadir AI creates simulations based on lots.

[Jack]

And lots of variables like Putin, oil prices, unemployment rates, stuff like that.

[Nick]

And you get results like this. Russia is 60% more likely to use a bomb if America declares a no fly zone.

[Jack]

Okay, but here's where things get wild. This AI can go even deeper, like awkwardly deeper.

[Nick]

It even considers how Putin is affected by having a good night's sleep or a bad night's sleep.

[Jack]

Yeah, that's right. This Peace AI can account for variables on whether world leaders are in a good or bad mood, depending on their mattress situation. So Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Peace AI?

[Nick]

We may be witnessing the birth of a new industry, Peace Tech.

[Jack]

Yeties. A decade ago, the term climatech, it didn't even exist.

[Nick]

Two decades ago, education tech didn't exist and neither did fintech.

[Jack]

But today, climate tech is a $50 billion sector that we all know with major long term investments.

[Nick]

Similarly, this story is the first time we've seen the term Peace tech.

[Jack]

But given the costs of war on humanity, on economies and on trade, why can't this new concept hit $50 billion like climate tech?

[Nick]

Because imagine if instead of spending trillions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we had invested in public education.

[Jack]

And that, that is the potential ROI of this new industry.

[Nick]

Yetis, we may be witnessing the birth of a new industry, Peace Tech.

[Jack]

With Peace AI. Jack, could you whip up the takeaways for us for the new Friday, Pan.

[Nick]

Am Airways is back. They're back with a $60,000 12 day cruise through the air.

[Jack]

Pan Am is expanding beyond airlines to hospitality. Because Pan Am's not a logo, it's a brand.

[Nick]

For our second story, it was the Formula One movie. It premieres today and it generated $100 million in in film race cars.

[Jack]

There's a direct line between Hollywood and.

[Nick]

Wall street and is anadir. They're using AI to wage peace. They think LLMs can predict and avoid war.

[Jack]

And we hope it's the start of a brand new industry. Peace tech.

[Nick]

Peace tech. But yetis, this pod's not over yet. Here's what else you need to know today.

[Jack]

First, the biggest local election with economic consequences is the New York City mayor.

[Nick]

Democrats just held their primary using rank choice voting. And the winner was an upset.

[Jack]

It was the self described democratic socialist, Zoran Mamdani, who beat the former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who himself resigned a few years ago in scandal.

[Nick]

The most capitalist city in America could get a socialist mayor.

[Jack]

And second, Starbucks latest attempt at a turnaround. We've been keeping track. One fee for all the pumps.

[Nick]

Historically, they've charged different prices for different upgrades. Caramel with drizzle was one price. Foamy whipped cream on top was another.

[Jack]

But now all your indulgences are getting one flat fee of 80 cents for all those additions.

[Nick]

Oh, and oat milk. They're free because it's lactose discrimination to charge extra for oatmeal.

[Jack]

You know what we're talking about, Darlene. And finally, OpenAI's next product could be a car.

[Nick]

Sam Altman, head of OpenAI, was on his brother Jack Altman's podcast and he Talked about the ChatGPT car.

[Jack]

Yeah, that's what we're calling it. He said this quote. We have technology now that could just do self driving for standard cars.

[Nick]

Looks like Sam and Elon are driving straight into each other in another industry.

[Jack]

One second, Jack. I'm grabbing the popcorn now. Time for the best fact yet. This one sent in by Rachel Hauer over in Arizona.

[Nick]

Happy national Barcode Day to anyone who's bought anything at a gas station.

[Jack]

Yeah. To all those who celebrate, the first barcode was scanned 51 years ago today, back in 1974.

[Nick]

And the first item ever to be scanned, my guess, was a banana. But I was wrong.

[Jack]

It was wrong. The actual first item to ever be barcode scanned was Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum.

[Nick]

Juicy Fruit.

[Jack]

And it happened in the great state of Ohio.

[Nick]

Sorry, QR codes no 1 cares about you, but barcodes are still killing it.

[Jack]

Yetis, you'll look fantastic over there. And if you have got a buddy who would fly on Pan Am Airways, send them today's episode. That's how we grow the show.

[Nick]

Tell them that starting every morning with pop biz is the way to have the best day yet.

[Jack]

H y H T B O Y if you know, you know.

[Nick]

Nick and I, we'll see you tomorrow.

[Jack]

Can't wait. And before we go, a happy birthday to Yeti Easton Andrews, turning nine years old in lovely Westfield, Indiana.

[Nick]

Happy birthday to Ross Thompson in Brooklyn, New York, the king of golf and the king of vinyl.

[Jack]

Kind of sounds like our buddy Timmy. And Chrysler, the company Congratulations on 100 years. Born in 1925 today.

[Nick]

And happy birthday to Vinova Denise in New York City, who's celebrating with oysters.

[Jack]

A little bit of wine combo. And our buddy, Emma Tadinger. Brisco just launched a new company, Brisco Brands. Congratulations, Emma.

[Nick]

And happy birthday to Bob from Chicago, not doing logistics, but just passed his CIC class. This man is celebrating like he's just outside Boston.

[Jack]

And little Brooks Crevice Kramer just had his first day of summer. Cramp. Brooks, you're doing fantastic over there. Keep it up. Those blocks are beautiful.

[Nick]

And you look amazing in that SPF 50 I put on you every morning.

[Jack]

This is Jack's son, by the way, and the results of our Spotify poll on who will win the robo taxi wars. Jack, what are the numbers?

[Nick]

43% of you say Tesla, 54% of you say Waymo, and 3% of you say Uber.

[Jack]

Ooh, Uber was the spoiler candidate, Jack.

[Nick]

That's the dark horse candidate right there. This is Jack. I own stock in Bumble, Formula one and Netflix. And Nick and I both own stock in Apple. If you like the best one yet, you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery and the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts.

[Jack]

Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon music.

[Nick]

And before you go, tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey we want to.

[Jack]

Get to know you. Business owners wear many hats, but mailing and shipping expert shouldn't have to be one of them. Hi, I'm Al Ko, CEO of Stamps.com We've helped over 4 million customers print postage, manage tracking and schedule free carrier pickups so they don't have to leave the office. Stamps.com is committed to delivering the best solutions and rates all on one platform. So you don't waste your valuable time. Go to stamps.com to sign up for a special offer.