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

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.

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.