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Nick
This is Nick, this is Jack. It's Thursday, the new Friday, June 12, and today's pod is the best one yet. And this is a T. Boy, the.
Jack
Top three pop business news stories you need to know today.
Nick
Well, well, well, well, well. Have we got a surprise tonight, Jack, we are going to the oldest restaurant in San Francisco history.
Jack
We could write a whole travel guide book for San Francisco just based on the restaurants you've brought me to.
Nick
All right, so this one, Jack, this one is older than the Gold rush. It goes back to 1849.
Jack
Seriously?
Nick
Yeah, it does.
Jack
What's it called?
Nick
They' since before California was a state.
Jack
What's it called?
Nick
It's so old they don't even have any. Okay. It's called Tadich Grill. It's called Tadich Grill, Jack. We got three stories to hit. First though, for today's pod, what's on the show.
Jack
For our first story, the US And China just announced the biggest trade deal.
Nick
Of the year, but stocks actually fell yesterday. And that, that tells us everything.
Jack
Spoiler. It's not a trade deal. Yeah, it's a trade, dude. For our second story, Heinz just declared that ketchup is for breakfast. They're even selling ketchup out of a maple syrup jug.
Nick
Because over the last 100 years, when Heinz changes their bottle, people buy more.
Jack
And our third and final story is Paige desorbo, the reality TV star is leaving Summerhouse after seven years to start.
Nick
Her own company because Bravo TV is the new Y combinator.
Jack
Send this episode to a giggler. Yeah, if you know, you know. But yetis, before we hit that wonderful mix of stor.
Nick
What a mix of stories for the real Friday, the new Friday.
Jack
Jack, it's Thursday, the new Friday. Ask your buddy where they're going for the weekend.
Nick
Hiking, biking, maybe a little bit of R and r with a 60 minute massage on the side.
Jack
How about a darkness retreat?
Nick
Ah, darkness retreat. A 24 hour immersion in total darkness.
Jack
Get this. The trendy new thing techies are doing are darkness retreats.
Nick
Because to seek enlightenment, you must eliminate the light.
Jack
According to the techies, yetis, darkness retreats create cabins that are totally cut off from any form of light.
Nick
I guess, Jack, it's kind of like an extreme blackout curtain if you have a kid.
Jack
Yeah, but instead of a noise machine, like with your two year old. Darkness retreats are silent.
Nick
We're talking several days alone in a room. Complete darkness and silence.
Jack
Sounds horrifying.
Nick
It does sound funny.
Jack
I mean, I don't know if I could spend that much time with Just my thoughts.
Nick
Well, Jack, we should point out they do still feed you three meals a day through a latch door, but you.
Jack
Can'T see what you're eating.
Nick
No. Like, is that a carrot or is that a sausage? Good luck.
Jack
Now. Shocker. The latest promoter of Darkness retreats is actually a crypto exec. Can't stop talking about it on Twitter.
Nick
He was supposed to actually spend four days in a Darkness cabin. What happened?
Jack
He quit after the first day.
Nick
Yeah, here's how he put it. What did he say, Jack?
Jack
Here's how he describes it, Nick. Terrifying shadows gnawing at my soul. Sleep paralysis demons and an inability to breathe.
Nick
Excuse me, waitress. Cancel my Darkness retreat.
Jack
Based on that review, I think the Darkness Retreat trend may end as quickly.
Nick
As it began the night. It really is darkest just before the dawn. Literally. If you know what's in our three stories.
Unknown
Fifteen years before this song, two boys from the Northeast met in the dorm. They had an idea that caused 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 atlas. If you know, you know. Cause we read to go. We can't wait no more. So just start the show, Start the show, Start the show.
Nick
First, a quick word from our sponsor.
Jack
Monarch Money.
Nick
All right. Jack, can I tell you about my smh. What is that? That stands for my stupid money habit. You ready for this? I just realized I spent $412 last month on taxis.
Jack
Nick, that's a car payment.
Nick
I know. I could have probably just bought another car at this point.
Jack
Now Nick only realized how much he spent on Uber's, Lyfts and Yellow Cabs. Thanks to Monarch Money.
Nick
Monarch. It isn't just a budgeting app. It is like, a personal cfo.
Jack
Now I'm using Monarch Money, too. My favorite part.
Nick
Yes, Jack.
Jack
I've actually retired my net worth spreadsheet. Seriously?
Nick
Really?
Jack
Because I have every single financial account I own linked to Monarch Money.
Nick
You can immediately see your net worth because Monarch Money refreshes all your account balances instantly.
Jack
So to help you track and build your net worth, Monarch Money is offering 50% off your first year for listeners of this pod.
Nick
And it's not just us. Over a million households already use Monarch Money.
Jack
The Wall Street Journal already named it the best budgeting app of 2025. We're not even halfway through.
Nick
And I think I just spent 10 more dollars on a taxi. So Besties get control of your overall finances with Monarch Money, even though Nick apparently can't use code T boyonarchmoney.com in your browser for half off your first year.
Jack
That's 50% off your first year if you go to monarchmoney.com and use code T. Boy. Airbnb now.
Nick
Yeah, it is. Jack mentioned his favorite skinny dipping spot. Where was that again?
Jack
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.
Nick
I mean, you know what they say. It's not the summer unless you're outside naked at some point and nobody knows it.
Jack
Now, another way to do that is an outdoor shower. And I should mention, my place has one of those, too.
Nick
And how is it possible you have an outdoor shower, Jack?
Jack
Because I'm an Airbnb host.
Nick
True.
Jack
Now, I usually spend my Airbnb hosting income on travel for the family, but this time we earmarked it for a home upgrade.
Nick
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.
Jack
But with the money we're making on Airbnb, it was affordable. We put it in last year.
Nick
Well played, Yetis.
Jack
I'm an Airbnb host. With my current chalet and with two previous apartments, I can tell you it's.
Nick
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.
Jack
Outdoor shower, paid for by your guests.
Nick
Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much@airbnb.com host for our first story. The US and China have reached a trade deal, but it looks more like.
Jack
A trade dud, because here's the inconvenient truth. China's rare earth metals are now calling the shots.
Nick
They're infinity stones. Now, Yetis, Jack and I were getting breakfast yesterday. We were preparing for today's show. Our headline hammer, and we noticed this confusing sentence from the Wall Street Journal.
Jack
It was the first sentence they used to describe President Trump's announced TR deal on Wednesday.
Nick
Jack, may I read it for you, please? Yes. Okay, here we go.
Jack
Here we go.
Nick
The US Deal with China to revive their trade truce is done.
Jack
Sorry? A deal to revive a trade truce?
Nick
Is that a trade deal? Can you please whip up a translation for us over there?
Jack
That is not a trade deal.
Nick
No, it's not.
Jack
Basically, what Trump announced yesterday is a return to the deescalated status quo they reached last month.
Nick
Yetis, if the US And China did have a trade deal, that would be like Christmas in June, a Kumbaya moment. Stocks would have surged.
Jack
Instead, the three day stock rally reversed on Wednesday. The S&P 500 ended up down.
Nick
Basically, Wall street was unimpressed. The trade deal looked more like a trade dud.
Jack
So, Nick, what are the details of this, and I quote, handshake for a framework to revive the trade truce?
Nick
Doesn't sound like a trade deal. Well, most importantly, we should point out, tariffs are going to remain quite high on China.
Jack
Trump announced on his social media platform 55% tariffs on everything we import from China.
Nick
Now, at least we do get some certainty. As part of this negotiation, the Commerce.
Jack
Secretary pledged that tariffs on China will not change from this 55% level.
Nick
So even though US consumers will have to pay more for made in China stuff, Trump is calling this truce a win.
Jack
Because China gets 55% tariffs, we only get 10% tariffs. There's nothing reciprocal about that.
Nick
And besties. We should also let you know that there are other provisions included on the truce worth caring about.
Jack
Chinese students are going to get visas again to attend US Universities, and American.
Nick
Companies are going to get rare earth metals from China again to start making fancy stuff.
Jack
And that part's key.
Nick
Yes, it is.
Jack
Because rare earth metals are critical to every electronic product.
Nick
Okay, we're talking iPhones to MRIs, EVs to fighter jets. They all have pounds in some cases of rare earth metals.
Jack
The VIP of the periodic table of Elements is rare earth metals.
Nick
Yes, they are.
Jack
And China has a rare earth metal monopoly. They control up to 90% of the market for rare earth metals and rare earth magnets.
Nick
Scandium, a rare earth metal. It's like the George Clooney of minerals. That thing is rare and that thing is hot.
Jack
And you can only find it in China.
Nick
Unlike George Clooney, though.
Jack
Now, last month, China actually cut off access to American companies for rare earth metals.
Nick
And what happened exactly, Jack?
Jack
Just one example. Ford had to shut down a factory that was making Ford Explorers because they couldn't make them without rare earth metals.
Nick
We repeat, you couldn't drive a Ford Explorer, brand new, off a lot because of the rare earth metal ban from China.
Jack
So this trade truce at least gives us back the rare earth metals.
Nick
Well, funny thing about that, Jack. What's the takeaway for our buddies looking at the US China trade deal?
Jack
China has the Infinity Stones of this battle, the rare earth metals.
Nick
Yetis, this truce that Trump just announced is actually subject to President Xi of China's approval before it happens.
Jack
And six months after Trump announced that truce, President Xi added one huge condition.
Nick
Get this, the export of rare earth metals from China to America will expire after six months.
Jack
That one detail is going to leave the US on edge.
Nick
It's freaky.
Jack
And it also reminds us that China has huge leverage in this trade war.
Nick
Right? Because yeah, our trump card was high end AI chips made by Nvidia, but.
Jack
Actually China started to develop their own high end AI chips.
Nick
Meanwhile, their trump card is rare earth metals we use in our electronic stuff.
Jack
And we can't develop those, at least not for five or 10 years.
Nick
That's why we think of rare earth metals like Infinity stones, those magnificent, powerful objects from all the Marvel superhero movies.
Jack
And the Thanos in this analogy is China.
Nick
So, besties, America just announced a return to a trade truce with China, but.
Jack
China retains the Infinity Stones in this battle, the rare earth metals.
Nick
For our second story, Heinz just officially announced that ketchup is for breakfast, and they put ketchup in a maple syrup bottle.
Jack
There's a lot of strategy behind it, but if you put ketchup on your scrambled eggs, you're gonna feel liberated.
Nick
We got your back. But Yetis, Jack and I actually did this wild 45 minute deep dive episode on Heinz. Ketchup on the best varieties.
Jack
The 57 numbers made up.
Nick
Yeah, yeah. It's just like the founder's lucky number. How wild is that?
Jack
Well, Henry Hines was actually a pioneer of food safety because his work with bottled ketchup actually led to the creation of the FDA.
Nick
But get this, besties. 150 years after ketchup conquered your corn dog, hot sauce is eating up its market share.
Jack
Cholula, sriracha, the YouTube show hot ones, they're all booming, and it's making Heinz shrink.
Nick
We jumped into the earnings over here. Kraft Heinz suffered six straight quarters of sales shrinkage because of this hot sauce attack on your ulcers.
Jack
So Heinz has a solution to revive ketchup sales. They're not changing the product. They're changing the perception.
Nick
Here's the news. Heinz has created breakfast ketchup. Actually, it's the same ketchup, but it now comes in a glass maple syrup.
Jack
Bottle and it says breakfast ketchup on the label.
Nick
And they're doing this because you are more likely to use hot sauce than ketchup on your egg. So Heinz is change the narrative.
Jack
Ketchup Wants to eat back, tummy share from hot sauce. And they're doing so on your omelet.
Nick
Although, side note here, Jack, I gotta put this out there. Ketchup is a PM product. You don't eat in the morning, you gotta eat it p.m. afternoon. That's the only thing.
Jack
Of course I agree with you. But there's actually a bigger story here on Heinz selling ketchup in a glass maple syrup jug.
Nick
Yetis, Jack and I found some wild numbers here. The Heinz ketchup bottle, it is iconic, right, Jack?
Jack
That classic one you see at restaurants, it's so iconic that Andy Warhol painted it.
Nick
But we discovered that in the last 25 years, each time Heinz has changed the bottle, it's led to a sales surge.
Jack
Sit down, stand up and sit back down.
Nick
Or again, Yetis. In 2001, Heinz introduced the upside down squeeze bottle.
Jack
It was inspired by shampoo and it was an obvious move for ketchup.
Nick
The result, a 25% pop in Heinz sales.
Jack
Because you don't have to pound the glass bottle like an ape anymore to get some ketchup to fall.
Nick
You can pop it out like it's boom. Then in 2015, Heinz introduced the bigger bottle.
Jack
They replaced the 24 ounce bottle of ketchup with a 32 ounce.
Nick
Yeah, here was their discovery. People consumed more ketchup if they were using a bigger bottle.
Jack
The big bottle symbolizes abundance and the consumer subconsciously just puts more on their burger.
Nick
You're like indulging by drinking your burger instead. So the two times Heinz has changed their ketchup bottle, it has meaningfully boosted ketchup sales.
Jack
Now they're going for a hat trick with this maple syrup glass ketchup jug.
Nick
This time they' ketchup and pancakes.
Jack
No, I'm putting it on pancakes.
Nick
Yeah, you're right. You're right. That is actually a intestinal food crime. I apologize. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Heinz?
Jack
Sometimes demand just needs permission.
Nick
Permission granted. Now, Yetis, hot sauce on eggs is socially acceptable, but many consider ketchup on eggs to be a social sin.
Jack
Anthony Bourdain once asked President Obama about putting ketchup on eggs.
Nick
Here is his response. Trey, let's roll the tape.
Jack
Is ketchup on a hot do?
Nick
No, no, I mean that, that's one.
Unknown
Of those things like.
Nick
Well, let me put it this way.
Jack
It's not acceptable past the age of eight, but actually a solid 25% Americans do just that. They put ketchup on their eggs and.
Nick
They are A silent but large demographic.
Jack
Maybe there are even more closeted ketchup and eggs lovers who are afraid to reveal themselves.
Nick
I think what you're saying, Jack, is Heinz is now giving latent lovers of ketchup on eggs permission to dump ketchup on that frittata.
Jack
That's what I'm saying.
Nick
That's right. Heinz's maple syrup jug.
Unknown
Yeah.
Nick
It increase sales because new bottles increase sales.
Jack
It'll increase sales because it flips the narrative on ketchup at breakfast from shame to pride.
Nick
Ketchup eats a breakfast food.
Jack
Permission granted.
Nick
Now, a quick word from our sponsor.
Jack
The best one yet is sponsored by BetterHelp.
Nick
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.
Jack
I know. And then what comes next is the most San Francisco, San Francisco thing ever. Basically group therapy over dinner.
Nick
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.
Jack
It's not just San Francisco. Society's views on therapy have changed across the world.
Nick
True.
Jack
It's evolved to the point where you had a birthday dinner, learning from each other's therapy sessions.
Nick
Well, BetterHelp is an easy way to take that leap and find the therapist for you.
Jack
Because BetterHelp has over 10 years of experience matching people like your friends with therapists.
Nick
As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise.
Jack
Talk it out with better help, our.
Nick
Listeners get 10% off their first month@betterhelp.com tboy that's BetterHelp.
Jack
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Nick
Supported by vital proteins.
Jack
Vital proteins. Collagen Peptides is a supplement that has four benefits all in one. Helping support healthy hair, skin, nails, bones and joints.
Nick
Now, yetis, you may be wondering why Jack's face is dewy like an Amazonian melon.
Jack
Or how Nick is strong enough to hold like 73 podcast mics.
Nick
Well, it's actually thanks to the most delicious part of our day.
Jack
My morning coffee. I mix in a vital proteins collagen chocolate powder. It is delicious.
Nick
Jack actually just used our promo code again for himself to buy another tub. He's got a Problem with this stuff.
Jack
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Nick
Get 20% off by going to vitalproteins.com and entering promo code T Boy at checkout.
Jack
That's vitalproteins.com, promo code T Boy for 20% off.
Nick
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. For our third and final story, Bravo's top program right now is Summer House, but its star, Paige desorbo, is leaving the show.
Jack
She's leaving to launch a company because Bravo is the new Y combinator.
Nick
All right, Jack, what is the biggest word if you're 26 years old and you're living in New York City right now?
Jack
Share. As in share house.
Nick
As in who's Hampton's share are you doing this weekend?
Jack
Are you going out east this weekend?
Nick
The share house in the Hamptons. It is the right of a young professional's passage to pay for 1/9 of a three bedroom house in the Hamptons from June to mid August.
Jack
This is Jack. I once got a half share for one weekend, one summer at a share house.
Nick
Yeah. Can you translate what a half share is?
Jack
It means you sleep on the couch.
Nick
Yeah.
Jack
And you still pay like 12 grand for it.
Nick
Well, yetis, that is the plot of Bravo's show Summerhouse.
Jack
10 hot people work in New York City from Monday through Friday and then come out to the Hamptons to a share house each weekend.
Nick
I guess, Jack, you could say this is like a premium version of the Jersey Shore. Right.
Jack
Except more rose and you get to cut the line at the surf lodge.
Nick
And the same cast members return each year. So you get to know them and you see them evolve over almost a decade now.
Jack
And this is a hit show. Season nine, which is what we're currently in, is getting 2.2 million viewers per episode.
Nick
Jack, can you speak on some context?
Jack
That's the same ballpark as the most popular shows on hbo.
Nick
She wore shoulder pads to the beach. Of course she knew she was getting engaged.
Jack
And the best part for Bravo, Game of Thrones cost $20 million to produce each episode.
Nick
But reality TV stars basically work for free.
Jack
Yeah. The biggest cost to Bravo is the Summer House itself. Yeah. Which they're not booking a half share of. Like me.
Nick
It probably doesn't even have WI Fi. But here's the news. Yetis, the star of the show, Paige desorbo, is leaving after seven years. She's pivoting to profits, Paige has the.
Jack
Most followers of any current cast member. The only Summerhouse alum with more followers is Hannah Berner.
Nick
And Hannah and Paige happen to be besties and co hosts of a hit podcast as well called the Giggly Squad.
Jack
The Gigglers just sold out Radio City two nights in a row.
Nick
Giggly Squad's book just came out and is a New York Times bestseller.
Jack
And now this week, Paige desorbo launched a sleepwear line called Daphne.
Nick
But basically, it looks like Paige is following in Kim Kardashian's reality TV to.
Jack
Fashion footsteps because we support a woman in the arts.
Nick
Interestingly, Paige has focused in on the pajama vertical, and that strategy stood out to Jack and I because it's actually rooted in seven years of strategic authenticity.
Jack
Paige embraced being a bedbug on the show. She has brunch at 2:00 clock, and she's still wearing her pajamas.
Nick
Yeah, she's been doing it for seven seasons. Oh, and then she expanded her brand a couple years ago into pajama themed parties, which she calls Snooze fests.
Jack
She has 85 episodes of the Summerhouse show to cultivate her bedbug lifestyle. It's truly who she is. And so is this new brand, Daphne.
Nick
So she launched Daphne today for this lifestyle, but it really goes back to, like, 2018.
Jack
Daphne is a pajama and sleepwear company, and Daphne is also the name of.
Nick
Her cat who also sleeps in bed with her.
Jack
It's her cuddle buddy.
Nick
It's all part of the brand. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over on Summerhouse?
Jack
Bravo is the new Y combination.
Nick
Yeti's Bethenny Frankel from Real Housewives of New York. She launched Skinny Girl Margarita and then sold it for $100 million.
Jack
She started a trend. Kyle Cook, another Summer House castmate, launched lover boy Spike T, which is now doing $40 million in sales.
Nick
In fact, according to Variety, 14 Real Housewives have now launched consumer packaged goods brands from the show.
Jack
That's insane.
Nick
That's a huge number.
Jack
It's like Bravo is a startup incubator. Yeah, but instead of dollars, they're fueled by drama.
Nick
Soft launch your boyfriend on the show, but then you hard launch a new branded product the next day.
Jack
Bravo gave them the audience. They launched companies more broadly.
Nick
The way Jack and I see this, media has become the ultimate startup accelerator. Viewers are built in customers.
Jack
Andy Cohen is the new Peter Thiel. And Bravo is the new Y Combinator.
Nick
Jack, could you whip up the takeaways for us for the new Friday.
Jack
Stocks fell yesterday as the details of the trade with China came out.
Nick
Because this truce reminds us of China's huge leverage. Rare earth metals are their infinity stones.
Jack
For our second story, Heinz has declared ketchup a breakfast food.
Nick
Delicious.
Jack
Let us know in the comments if.
Nick
You agree, because sometimes demand needs permission. And Heinz just granted permission.
Jack
And our third and final story is Paige desorbo from the Summer house. She's quitting reality TV to launch a sleepwear line. Daphne.
Nick
Because from all we've seen, Bravo is the new Y combination.
Jack
But yetis, this pod's not over yet. Here's what else you need to know.
Nick
First, Tesla has delayed the launch of their robo taxi service down in Austin to June 22.
Jack
Separately, Elon tweeted yesterday that he regrets some of his posts about Trump saying he went too far.
Nick
Yeah, he actually deleted that post saying Trump was in the Epstein files. It's gone now.
Jack
The Bro Vorce is back together. Seems they've made up.
Nick
It's kind of like a Friends episode. And second, Starbucks is getting in on the protein trend with a new cream, protein creamer.
Jack
It's a cold banana flavored foam apparently mixed with muscle milk.
Nick
Yeah, it's on trial at five locations. It adds 15 grams of protein to your latte's 100,000 calories.
Jack
Next up, creatine frappuccino.
Nick
By the way, Jack and I just added protein to this podcast, so if you have us twice a day, you actually after your workout, it fits perfectly.
Jack
Okay.
Nick
And finally, FYI, you cannot use your Costco card to get on an airplane.
Jack
So many people think you can use a Costco card as an acceptable idea that the TSA had to issue a bulletin.
Nick
Yeah, here's what they said. We love hot dogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person, but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a real id, because it absolutely does not. Now, time for the best fact yet. This one's sent in by Tyler Hale from Lovely Midland, Michigan.
Jack
Earlier in the week, we did a story on Hot Wheels. And Hot Wheels are die cast.
Nick
I got over 500 in my collection, actually, and we did not know what die casting was.
Jack
Well, first of all, die casting, you melt metal until it is lava hot.
Nick
And then you squirt that liquid metal into a super strong mold shaped, in this case, like a tiny car.
Jack
That's it. Die casting. Once you release the metal, it dries or like cools in the shape of the form.
Nick
It's like making a waffle. But with metal instead of batter. Same process that you use in iPhone, casings, door handles, even satellites and Mars rovers.
Jack
Pretty much. If you want to shape metal into a particular form, you die.
Nick
Cast it. Die. Cast it, baby. Yetis, you look fantastic for the new Friday. And if you're on a darkness retreat right now, even if you can't see us, we're telling you you'll look fantastic. Even if you can't see yourself, you'll look fantastic.
Jack
Well, they can't hear us because darkness retreats are silent.
Nick
What was that, Jack? Yetis, if you haven't yet, drop down to give us five stars in a review. Jack and I love reading. Everyone, if you do a company retreat.
Jack
To a darkness retreat, I'm quitting this company.
Nick
What was that, Jack? And then tell everybody. Hyh. Tby. That's how we grow the show. And Jack and I will see you tomorrow. And before we go, a happy 70th birthday to Paul Lenhart down in Temperance, Michigan. Congratulations, Paul. Always round up.
Jack
And happy birthday to Levi Gerard in Framingham, Mass, who sprints around the backyard like Sonic the Hedgehog.
Nick
And George and Lucy Zellifro have their last day of school over in Chicago. Not just doing logistics, getting A's, baby.
Jack
Hey, guys, we got a live show in Chicago in July. I know school's out for the summer. We expect to see you there. And to anyone else who's celebrating something today, make it a T, boy.
Nick
Celebrate the win.
Jack
This is Jack. I own stock of Ford and Netflix, and Nick and I both own ETFs of the S&P 500. If you like the best one yet, you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery and the Wondery app or on Apple Podcast Prime.
Nick
Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music. And before you go, tell us a.
Jack
Little bit about yourself by filling out a short survey@wondery.com survey.
Nick
We want to get to know you.
Unknown
Every big moment starts with a big dream. But what happens when that big dream turns out to be a big flop? From Wondery and Ill Media, I'm Misha Brown, and this is the big flag. Every week, comedians join me to chronicle the biggest flubs, fails and blunders of all time. Like quibbing.
Nick
It's kind of like when you give yourself your own nickname and you try to, like, get other people to do it.
Unknown
And the 2019 movie adaptation of Cats.
Jack
Like, if I'm watching the dancing and I'm noticing the feet aren't touching the ground, there's something wrong with the movie.
Unknown
Find out what happens when massive hype turns into major fiascos. Enjoy the Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to the Big Flop early and ad free on wondery plus get started with your free trial at wondery.com plus.
Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet
Episode Title: 👙 “SummerHouse VC” — Paige DeSorbo’s Exit. US/China Trade Dud. Heinz’s Breakfast Ketchup.
Hosts: Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell
Release Date: June 12, 2025
In this episode of The Best One Yet, hosts Jack Crivici-Kramer and Nick Martell delve into three major business stories shaping today's pop-business landscape: the US-China trade deal, Heinz's innovative marketing strategy with ketchup, and Paige DeSorbo’s departure from the reality TV show Summer House to launch her own venture. The conversation is lively, informative, and peppered with humorous anecdotes and insightful commentary.
Overview:
The episode opens with an in-depth analysis of the recently announced US-China trade deal. Contrary to initial expectations, the deal did not elicit the anticipated positive response from the stock market, indicating underlying skepticism.
Key Points:
Nature of the Deal:
Trump’s administration has aimed to revive a trade truce with China, but the agreement falls short of a comprehensive trade deal.
Nick (07:12): "We should point out that tariffs are going to remain quite high on China."
Market Reaction:
Despite the announcement, the stock market reacted negatively with a three-day rally reversing and the S&P 500 ending lower.
Jack (07:07): "Wall Street was unimpressed. The trade deal looked more like a trade dud."
Tariff Details:
The agreement maintains a 55% tariff on Chinese imports with a reciprocal 10% tariff on US goods entering China, showing a lack of balance.
Nick (07:36): "Even though US consumers will have to pay more for made in China stuff, Trump is calling this truce a win."
Rare Earth Metals:
A critical aspect of the deal is the resumption of rare earth metal exports from China, essential for various high-tech products. However, China retains significant leverage by controlling up to 90% of the global supply.
Jack (08:13): "Rare earth metals are critical to every electronic product."
Future Implications:
The truce is temporary, subject to China's approval, and set to expire after six months, keeping the US on edge regarding supply chain dependencies.
Nick (09:14): "China retains the Infinity Stones in this battle, the rare earth metals."
Notable Quote:
Nick (07:19): "China has the Infinity Stones of this battle, the rare earth metals."
Overview:
Heinz is making headlines by rebranding ketchup as a breakfast staple, packaging it in a maple syrup-like glass jug to challenge the dominance of hot sauce in morning meals.
Key Points:
Marketing Strategy:
By repositioning ketchup for breakfast, Heinz aims to change consumer perception and tap into a previously underutilized market.
Nick (11:06): "Heinz has created breakfast ketchup. Actually, it's the same ketchup, but it now comes in a glass maple syrup jug."
Packaging Innovations:
Each time Heinz alters its bottle design, it has historically led to a surge in sales, demonstrating the power of packaging in consumer behavior.
Jack (12:17): "Each time Heinz has changed the bottle, it's led to a sales surge."
Historical Context:
Heinz’s founder, Henry Heinz, was a pioneer in food safety, with innovations in bottled ketchup contributing to the establishment of the FDA.
Nick (11:07): "Henry Heinz was actually a pioneer of food safety because his work with bottled ketchup actually led to the creation of the FDA."
Sales Impact:
The new packaging is expected to boost sales by aligning ketchup with breakfast dishes, a meal where hot sauce has traditionally been more popular.
Jack (13:22): "This time they're ketchup and pancakes."
Consumer Acceptance:
While some may view ketchup on breakfast foods as unconventional, studies show that 25% of Americans do use ketchup in the morning, indicating a substantial market.
Nick (14:01): "25% Americans do just that. They put ketchup on their eggs."
Notable Quote:
Jack (12:50): "Heinz is changing the narrative on ketchup at breakfast from shame to pride."
Overview:
Reality TV star Paige DeSorbo is departing from Bravo’s hit show Summer House after seven seasons to launch her own sleepwear line, Daphne. This move exemplifies the growing trend of reality TV personalities transitioning into successful entrepreneurs.
Key Points:
Career Transition:
After seven years on Summer House, Paige is leveraging her fame to enter the fashion industry with a focus on sleepwear.
Nick (16:32): "Paige desorbo is leaving the show to launch a sleepwear line, Daphne."
Brand Authenticity:
Daphne aligns with Paige’s established persona on the show, where she is known for her relaxed, pajama-centric lifestyle.
Jack (19:15): "It's actually rooted in seven years of strategic authenticity."
Market Impact:
The move mirrors the successes of other reality TV stars like Bethenny Frankel from Real Housewives of New York, who launched profitable consumer brands.
Jack (20:06): "She launched Skinny Girl Margarita and then sold it for $100 million."
Bravo as an Incubator:
The discussion emphasizes how Bravo has become a launchpad for star-driven brands, akin to a startup incubator fueled by media exposure and audience engagement.
Nick (20:35): "Media has become the ultimate startup accelerator. Viewers are built-in customers."
Community and Influence:
Paige’s influence extends beyond TV, as she co-hosts a successful podcast with Hannah Berner, further solidifying her brand presence before launching Daphne.
Nick (18:39): "The Gigglers just sold out Radio City two nights in a row."
Notable Quote:
Jack (20:21): "It's like Bravo is a startup incubator. Yeah, but instead of dollars, they're fueled by drama."
While the main focus remains on the three primary stories, the hosts briefly touch upon other newsworthy items towards the end of the episode:
Tesla's Robo Taxi Delay:
The launch in Austin has been postponed to June 22.
Elon Musk's Social Media Activity:
Musk deleted a controversial tweet about Trump and the Epstein files, signaling a reconciliation.
Starbucks' New Protein Creamer:
Introducing a cold banana-flavored foam with added muscle milk, currently in trials at select locations.
TSA Clarification on Costco Cards:
A reminder that Costco memberships are not valid identification for air travel.
Listener Fact – Die Casting:
An informative segment explaining the die-casting process used in manufacturing Hot Wheels and other metal products.
Notable Quote:
Nick (22:02): "It's like making a waffle. But with metal instead of batter."
In this engaging episode, Jack and Nick effectively navigate through complex business topics with humor and clarity. They provide listeners with valuable insights into international trade dynamics, innovative marketing strategies in the food industry, and the evolving landscape of reality TV personalities transitioning into entrepreneurship. The inclusion of notable quotes and timestamps enhances the narrative, making it accessible and informative for both regular listeners and newcomers.
Final Thoughts:
Jack (21:27): "Sometimes demand just needs permission. And Heinz just granted permission."
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