🌅 “Afternoon Delight” — Starbucks’ All-day bet. Khabe Lame’s Influencer stock. Apple’s AI rental. +Silk Diapers

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet – “Afternoon Delight” — Starbucks’ All-day Bet. Khaby Lame’s Influencer Stock. Apple’s AI Rental. +Silk Diapers

Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Nick and Jack cover three major pop-biz news stories with their signature humor and clear explanations:

1. Starbucks’ big play to win your afternoon, not just your mornings.
2. TikTok maven Khaby Lame becoming the first publicly traded “influencer stock” after a billion-dollar deal.
3. Apple’s unconventional, asset-light approach to artificial intelligence – why they’re renting instead of building.

The episode is packed with playful banter, sharp business analysis, and quotable commentary on the evolving intersection of business, tech, and culture.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Starbucks’ Afternoon Delight Strategy

Segment: 04:39–09:58

• Starbucks Investor Day Recap:
  Jack attended Investor Day with Nick in New York City, where Starbucks aimed to impress Wall Street and show off new initiatives. Key highlights included a “Ferrari” espresso machine, “protein pockets,” and a major push for the afternoon snack crowd.

• Operational Turnaround:
  CEO Brian Niccol’s "Back to Starbucks" plan has executed a turnaround: “They just announced 4% growth in the fourth quarter, which is a huge rebound from 7% shrinkage when Brian Niccol took over 18 months ago.” (05:35)

• Decoding Corporate Jargon:
  The team translates several Starbucks buzzwords:

  • “Portfolio reshaping” means closing 2,000 underperforming stores, while planning to open 600 new ones yearly (06:28).
  • “Unlocking throughput” is about boosting drink orders per hour via proprietary speed machines ("a V12 engine coffee machine that’s making eight shots of espresso in 27 seconds" – 07:00).

• Pivot to the Afternoon:
  Starbucks wants to be more than a morning stop:

  “Starbucks has a 2026 New Year’s resolution to own the 4pm snack time, to go from just an AM company to an AM and PM company.” (07:16)

  • Adding energy drinks, grilled cheeses, and protein pouches targets the "hangry happy hour."

• Customer Experience & AI:

  • New rule: All drinks served within 4 minutes.
  • AI will streamline drive-thru orders—“My AI did [get the complicated order], not me.” (08:34)
  • Investment of $150,000 per location to upgrade interiors with “velvet chairs, leather couches and commissioned artwork.” (09:24)
  • Inspiration from libraries: adding books and board games—“Chutes and ladders and lattes.” (09:50)

• The “Third Place” Megatrend:

  • Starbucks’ big story: people need a “third place” (not home, not work) more than ever.
  • Real human connection is valued in an AI-saturated world: “AI is good for in-person coffee shops because we crave real human interaction.” (09:09)

2. Khaby Lame: The First Influencer Stock

Segment: 10:04–15:00

• Historic Deal:

  “Khaby Lame, the biggest tiktoker on earth, just sold his account, his brand and himself for 1 billion bucks.” (10:14)

  • Sold to Rich and Sparkle, a NASDAQ-listed company from Hong Kong, for $975 million.
  • The stock soared 250% after the news.

• Khaby’s Appeal:

  • Rose to fame during the pandemic with silent TikTok videos.

    “He became universally known for not speaking… it was understood in any language.” (11:50)

  • His body language and facial expressions made his content universally accessible, transcending borders and languages.

• Business Details:

  • Rich and Sparkle now owns exclusive rights to Lame's digital identity across TikTok, online shops, and endorsements for 36 months.
  • Plans for AI-generated, digital twin “AI Lame” to create endless sponsored content—“a nonstop QVC channel on his TikTok account.” (14:24)
  • His audience: 360 million followers across platforms; $20 million revenue per year previously.
  • Risk: If the TikTok becomes too commercial, followers may disengage.

• Notable Quote:

  “He’s a human unicorn. Now we gotta ask, has this ever happened before, that someone has sold basically their identity?” (11:48)

3. Apple’s “AI Rental” Strategy

Segment: 17:11–21:06

• Market Perception vs Reality:
  Apple is criticized for not building its own AI models like competitors.

  “Apple is ridiculed by tech commentators for totally missing the AI boat.” (17:11)

• Financial Discipline:

  • While hyperscalers Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are spending up to $135 billion/year each on AI infrastructure, Apple keeps its investment low.

• Asset-Light Approach:

  “Why build your own AI when you can rent it for way cheaper instead?” (01:22, 19:58)

  • Apple has a long history of outsourcing manufacturing (e.g., Foxconn) and is applying this “asset-light” model to AI—licensing best-in-class AI rather than building.
  • Apple will soon launch an “AI-powered Super Siri”—using Google’s Gemini rather than Apple’s own LLM (20:30).

• Strategic Takeaway:

  • If AI is a bubble, Apple will have wasted little, while competitors may squander billions. If AI is essential, Apple can simply license what it needs.

• Notable Quote:

  “Why build an entire AI factory when you can just rent AI instead?” (19:58)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Silk Diapers:
  “We’re talking diapers made with more silk than an Hermes scarf.” (01:54)

  • Pampers Prestige silk-lined diapers targeted at China for higher profit margins amid falling birth rates.

• On Starbucks Renaissance:
  “This Starbucks investor day was a masterclass in storytelling and the overall story. The world needs a third place more than ever.” (08:46)

• On Khaby Lame’s Universal Appeal:
  “Body language is universal. It is fundamentally human.” (12:30)

• On Apple’s AI Outsourcing:
  “Apple plays the tortoise to tech’s hare. It’s not a first mover, it’s a second shaker.” (19:44)

• Podcast Signature Banter:
  “Chutes and ladders and lattes.” (09:50)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|-------------| | Silk Diapers discussion | 01:44–02:38 | | Starbucks Investor Day & Afternoon Bet | 04:39–09:58 | | Khaby Lame’s Influencer Stock | 10:04–15:00 | | Apple’s AI Rental Strategy | 17:11–21:06 | | Episode Takeaways & Recap | 21:13–21:55 | | Notable “Best Fact Yet” about McLaren | 23:20–24:03 |

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Section Wrap-up: Episode Takeaways

(21:13–21:55)

• Starbucks: “Own your 4pm energy dip with the afternoon delight.”
• Khaby Lame: “This is the first ever influencer stock.”
• Apple: “Why build an entire AI factory when you can just rent AI instead?”

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Tone and Style

Light, fast, and fun—Nick and Jack riff off each other with playful humor and sharp, accessible business analysis. They blend pop-culture references, clear analogies, and lighthearted banter, engaging both finance newbies and business veterans alike.

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This summary covers all essential topics, memorable insights, and the natural flow of this episode—perfect for anyone who missed it but wants the inside scoop (and a few good laughs).

Transcript

[A]

This is Nick, this is Jack. It's Friday. The Real Friday, January 30th. And today's pod is the best one yet. This is a T Boy.

[B]

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

[A]

Welcome back to the funnest place in finance. We will make you the most interesting person at brunch this weekend. But first, Jack, you're wearing a suit today. Wow. I know.

[B]

I went full corporate because I'm actually on Wall street today. I flew into New York City. I'm flying home later today.

[A]

We're seeing the full evolution. You started with a button down on Tuesday, a vest on now what's next? Tuxedo on Saturday? I don't even know.

[B]

Well, dude, since there's snow on the ground, I'm wearing my Blundstones. So that's the only Vermont part of my outfit.

[A]

That is a Birkenstock term. For the record, Jack, three fantastic stories for today's pod. What do we got on the T boy?

[B]

For our first story, we attended Starbucks investor day in New York City and.

[A]

I even met the CEO besties. We got indoctrinated with the gospel of the green apron. And we were impressed.

[B]

We saw a Ferrari coffee machine, protein pockets, and a big bet on your 4pm Hunger.

[A]

That's hanger, not hunger.

[B]

For our second story, Khaby lame has more TikTok followers than anyone in the world and just sold his account for $1 billion.

[A]

Khaby Lame has become the first ever influencer stock.

[B]

And our third and final story, Apple just announced earnings. But Apple's whole strategy is revealed by this question.

[A]

As Shakespeare once wrote, why build your own AI when you can rent it for way cheaper instead?

[B]

But yetis, before we hit that wonderful.

[A]

Mix of stories, fantastic mix to go into the weekend. Love the mix, Jack. No one else is doing it.

[B]

We've covered the $6,000 Lamborghini baby stroller.

[A]

And we've covered the $4,000 I already pop. Baby carrier made from the rarest wool in the world.

[B]

But the ultimate new parent flex. What is it, Nick?

[A]

It's silk diapers.

[B]

Baby Pampers just launched Pampers Prestige silk lined diapers.

[A]

Get this, we're talking diapers made with more silk than an Hermes scarf.

[B]

This is the Samsonite of swaddles.

[A]

Or is it the Birkin of blowouts?

[B]

Side note, Nick Martell actually read an entire book about the history of the silk.

[A]

I can tell you that on a pound for pound basis, silk is actually as strong as steel.

[B]

But what's the real reason that Pampers is going premium with silk line diapers.

[A]

Ah, that would be the birth rate, the low birth rate.

[B]

Because they're only offering these silk diapers in China where the birth rate is really low.

[A]

Fewer babies. So Pampers is selling fewer diapers.

[B]

But with high priced diapers that are made of silk, they can squeeze more profit out of every dirty diaper.

[A]

Your move, coterie.

[B]

Your move. Actually, your move, cashmere. Your move.

[A]

We're gonna need more wip. Jack, let's hit our three stories. 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 show, start the show, start the show. First, a quick word from our sponsor.

[C]

Hey, it's Raj and Noah. And we're back with a new season of Am I Doing It Wrong? The show that explores the all too human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.

[D]

Because we're still doing a lot of stuff wrong.

[C]

But who isn't? That's why each week we're talking about the topics that we could all use a little helping hit with. Whether it's making new friends as an adult, managing our emotions, or even dreaming.

[D]

We'Ll be talking to experts in their fields who are definitely doing things right. So the rest of us can be a bit wiser and a lot better equipped to handle whatever life throws at us.

[C]

Subscribe now and listen to new episodes of Am I Doing It Wrong? Dropping every Thursday starting January 1st, wherever you get your podcasts.

[D]

And for the first time ever, we're going to have full video episodes on YouTube. Because as long as there are things to get wrong, we're going to be right here to help you do them better.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[C]

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[A]

For our first Story. Starbucks CEO just hosted us and the whole investor community for their comeback event in New York City.

[B]

Now that growth has returned to Starbucks, their goal is to win the rest of your day. Their goal is to be your afternoon delight.

[A]

Besties. We're talking about Investor Day. A company invites shareholders and Wall street analysts in a corporate ritual, kind of like a military parade.

[B]

But instead of tanks and planes, for Starbucks, it was espresso machines and green aprons.

[A]

Jack, take us through the in person highlights of this Starbucks investor day.

[B]

The wining and dining was very good. They had free refills of iced blue matcha.

[A]

I didn't know that was physical.

[B]

Possible. How is it blue? Spirulina. That's how it's blue. Every female executive was wearing green pantsuits. Every male executive have a green blazer. If you're one of us, you'll wear green.

[A]

More coordinated than the U.S. olympic team. And you know what, besties? Spirits at Starbucks are high.

[B]

They just announced 4% growth in the fourth quarter, which is a huge rebound from 7% shrinkage when Brian Nicol took over 18 months ago.

[A]

Brian Niccol, aka B. Nichols, the former Chipotle CEO, joined Starbucks 18 months ago. And at the time, the business had never been more decaffeinated. We called it the decaffeinated era.

[B]

But Brian Nichols said yesterday in New York City that his back to Starbucks plan is working. In fact, it's ahead of schedule.

[A]

The decaffeinated era is over. The stock's up 25% since the company announced Nickel was taking over the business.

[B]

Now, since T boy was there and we witnessed the full force of Starbucks C suite, we're going to translate the extremely corporate jargon that the executives told us, T Boy style.

[A]

We're going like duolingo on the financials here, Jack. When Starbucks team said they were doing portfolio reshaping, what does that mean?

[B]

That's a reference to closing 2,000 stores last year. But you know what? They're growing again, adding 600 per year.

[A]

Starting now, Starbucks actually has 5,000 sites already circled on the map for future expansion.

[B]

And I thought I had a Zillow problem.

[A]

Term number two, unlocking throughput. What does that mean?

[B]

Throughput is the number of drinks that Starbucks can serve per hour.

[A]

Which leads to the next question, Jack. How is Starbucks gonna jack up that number?

[B]

They're gonna increase their throughput with new espresso systems that they made and only they can use. That look like a Ferrari.

[A]

We're talking a V12 engine coffee machine that's making eight shots of espresso in 27 seconds.

[B]

It's insane. And their lawyers patented the hell out of it.

[A]

But besties. Starbucks also needs to make the most of their existing 40,000 BR mortar locations.

[B]

And that means they can't just be a morning destination for customers.

[A]

So this is what we found most fascinating. Starbucks has a 2026 New Year's resolution to own the 4pm snack time to.

[B]

Go from just an AM company to an AM and PM company.

[A]

Basically Target your hangry happy hour.

[B]

Starbucks actually said the word afternoon 13 times. I know because I was counting and I was hungry too.

[A]

And here's how it breaks down. Coffee is for your morning. You're already going there on your morning routine. But energy drinks pop in the afternoon. So Starbucks is adding energy drinks for the afternoon.

[B]

But they're also adding grilled cheeses and chicken protein pouches so that you have something to wash down.

[A]

The strategy. It's not just about market share in business, it's about timeshare. And the goal for Starbucks is to own your 4pm matcha order.

[B]

But Brian Nicol also emphasized many times the one most important rule at Starbucks going forward. Every customer must have their drink served within four minutes.

[A]

And you know what? The Formula One speed Espresso. A machine will help with faster orders, but so will AI.

[B]

That's right. AI is going to begin listening to all drive thru orders and it will go into the machine so the human doesn't have to type in your order. They can just start making your latte right away.

[A]

I'm sorry, Jack. I said iced hot calf calf double chaff vanilla latte with the extra foam, light on the ice, upside down. 2 cups of caramel, hold the cinnamon in grand and hold the straw, keep the lid.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Did you get all that?

[B]

No, but my AI did.

[A]

I said decaf.

[B]

I said decaf.

[A]

I said decaf. Specifically, I need to speak to a manager. Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Starbucks?

[B]

May the megatrends always be in your favor.

[A]

Yetis this Starbucks investor day was a masterclass in storytelling and the overall story. The world needs a third place more than ever.

[B]

A third place. Not home, not work, something in between. Starbucks is doubling down on their third place origin and they think the megatrends are in their favor.

[A]

The first Megatrend push back on social media and screen time. That is good for in person coffee shops.

[B]

Another megatrend AI. It's good for in person coffee shops because we crave real human interaction.

[A]

Sure, Starbucks is doing drive thru delivery, improving the app like everyone else. But the huge scale of physical coffee shops, that is their competitive advantage.

[B]

So Starbucks is spending 150,000 per location to upgrade the interior design with velvet chairs, leather couches and commissioned artwork.

[A]

Jack, you even met the CEO and he said that they're delivering on our 2026 business wish, the latte library.

[B]

I couldn't believe it. Starbucks is getting inspiration from libraries. They're adding books and board games at select locations, but we think that's gonna go everywhere.

[A]

Chutes and ladders and lattes. Besties. This event was intended to convince Wall street that Starbucks stock is worth more. And the storytelling helped.

[B]

The story was that the megatrends are in Starbucks favor.

[A]

For our second story, Khaby Lame, the biggest tiktoker on earth, just sold his account, his brand and himself for 1 billion bucks.

[B]

Kaby Lame just became the first ever publicly traded influencer stock.

[A]

Besties. During the pandemic, we know you watched Tiger King on Netflix. You zoomed into work and you tested the burrito delivery limits of doordash.

[B]

If you were lucky, many people lost their jobs, including a 20 year old who was working at an air filter factory in northern Italy.

[A]

His name, Kavi Lame, born in Senegal, moved to Italy as a baby and he ended up with no job, no prospects and no chance.

[B]

But in 2020, during the pandemic, necessity was the mother of invention for him. So he posted videos on TikTok that were quite entertaining.

[A]

And the result? Five years later, 160 million followers, the biggest following on all of TikTok. And now he's charging up to 1 million bucks per sponsored post.

[B]

Huge numbers that would make Kris Jenner Schmitz.

[A]

And here's the news. Khaby Lame just sold his TikTok handle and his identity to a publicly traded company for 975 million bucks.

[B]

He's a human unicorn. Now we gotta ask the question, has this ever happened before? That someone has sold basically their identity?

[A]

I mean, not really, Jack.

[B]

Martha. Martha Stewart Living was kind of Martha Stewart's stock.

[A]

True, true, true. And bts, the K pop band kind of has a stock that trades in Korea.

[B]

But those were both like business models that were sold. We're talking about one man here, an influencer who's also now a stock that you can invest in.

[A]

So Jack and I gotta sprinkle on some context. Jack, why did Kabe go viral in the very first place?

[B]

Well, he became universally known for not speaking.

[A]

Basically, his strategy, less is more. He realized if he didn't say anything in a TikTok video. It was understood in any language.

[B]

It's counterintuitive. Voiceless videos that sounds like something that's boring, but it could reach a global audience because there was no language barriers.

[A]

Let's whip up an example. Here's Kabe's. He takes someone else's video doing a.

[B]

Complex life hack, like fixing a broken faucet with just a spoon.

[A]

But then he adds a way easier solution, mocking that life hack with an exaggerated deadpan facial expression.

[B]

He's like, look how easy that was. And then he goes like this. Exactly. Check us out on YouTube if you don't know what the heck we're talking about.

[A]

As psychologists have pointed out, body language is universal. It is fundamentally human. The way someone moves their face.

[B]

That's how we built this giant audience. It transcends borders and ages. 360 million followers across the social platforms and besties.

[A]

That audience is his one and only asset, bringing in 20 million bucks a year in revenue, according to Forbes.

[B]

But now Khaby Lame is the Warren Buffett of the creator economy. Because the company that bought his TikTok account, his brand, his image for nearly $1 billion. That company is publicly traded on NASDAQ.

[A]

Rich and Sparkle, a small Hong Kong company worth about a billion bucks. No previous social media experience, but the stock jumped 250% on the deal.

[B]

And in a strongly worded press release. This company thinks that they can make $4 billion a year using Kabe's TikTok account and his name, image and likeness.

[A]

Without him ever saying a word.

[B]

I gotta imagine it could be 8 billion if only he'd say buy now.

[A]

So Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddy Khaby Lame?

[B]

This is the first ever influencer stock yetis.

[A]

Jack and I dove in T boy style to the deal details. This public stock, it has exclusive rights to lame's brand for 36 months.

[B]

It includes his TikTok shop, his Live stream, his video content and all his endorsement deals.

[A]

In fact, in the filing it said that Kabe will launch apparel, fragrances, beauty, probably ice. Like any consumer packaged good, it's on the table.

[B]

They're basically going to turn his TikTok into Unilever with a built in direct marketing channel. Those who watch his videos and boom.

[A]

TikTok shop will market all his products one tap away from the video.

[B]

Here's the wildest detail of all.

[A]

AI Lame. AI Lame.

[B]

They're going to create a digital version of Khaby Lame that they can put in any videos infinitely a version of.

[A]

Him to scale because, you know, like a human being can only produce so many videos in one day as we know Jack.

[B]

But Khaby Lame's digital twin will be able to work 247 with no bathroom breaks, no pay like a nonstop QVC channel on his TikTok account.

[A]

But the riskier yet is, well, Kaveh's growth has slowed on TikTok. His following actually peaked two years ago.

[B]

And if his TikTok account becomes a nonstop sales pitch of like air fryers, that could cause you to unsubscribe.

[A]

But for now, think of those 360 million followers as potential customers inside the retail store of Kabe Lame.

[B]

And since Rich and Sparkle is publicly traded, you can actually get in on this besties.

[A]

This is the first ever influencer stock. Now a quick word from our sponsor, Monarch Our New Year's Resolution Plan youary We plan and book all our travel for the whole year in January.

[B]

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[A]

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[A]

I see you in that transaction tab. Jack, what's going on in that transaction tab?

[B]

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[A]

Honey, what's going on with my mini bar?

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[A]

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[C]

Hey, it's Raj and Noah. And we're back with a new season of Am I Doing It Wrong? The show that explores the all too human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.

[D]

Because we're still doing a lot of stuff wrong.

[C]

But who isn't? That's why each week we're talking about the topics that we could all use a little helping hit with. Whether it's making new friends as an adult, managing our emotions, or even dreaming.

[D]

We'Ll be talking to experts in their fields who are definitely doing things right. So the rest of us can be a bit wiser and a lot better equipped to handle whatever life throws at us.

[C]

Subscribe now and listen to new episodes of Am I Doing It Wrong? Dropping every Thursday starting January 1st, wherever you get your podcast.

[D]

And for the first time ever, we're going to have full video episodes on YouTube. Because as long as there are things to get wrong, we're going to be right here to help you do them better.

[B]

Love y'.

[A]

All. For our third and final story before the weekend, Apple is ridiculed by tech commentators for totally missing the AI boat.

[B]

But this week's Apple earnings reveal their real AI strategy. Let everyone else go broke building AI and then Apple will just rent it for cheap.

[A]

Well, let's dive in t boy style, Jack. Yetis. Yesterday Apple announced earnings and we noticed something funny about the CEO Tim Cook. Right, Jack?

[B]

Well, he had the opposite strategy of Elon Musk the day before.

[A]

Yeah, what was that, Jack?

[B]

Elon wants you to ignore Tesla's declining business of today and just focus on the future instead.

[A]

But Tim Cook of Apple wants you to ignore the future and think about their growing business owners.

[B]

Well, Apple today announced record revenues and record profits and a record 2.5 billion Apple devices are connected right now.

[A]

Basically a third of the world. But there is one problem we should point out, Jack.

[B]

Apple remains MIA when it comes to AI. They're criticized for not building their own LLM and not even trying to.

[A]

Okay, Jack, I think right now we're ROA running out of acronyms. Besties, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, OpenAI. They are hyperscalers. Apple.

[B]

Apple is a hyper failer.

[A]

Apple looks like they're bringing a BB gun to the AI arms race. Basically, they're sitting on the sidelines like it's a JV Jerry situation.

[B]

But Apple's AI strategy could actually be the best one. The market just doesn't realize it yet.

[A]

Yetis. Herein lies the bull case for Apple AI.

[B]

It's letting everyone else go broke building large language models.

[A]

But then when the dust settles, Apple will simply rent the best model for a way cheaper price.

[B]

Think about it. Yeti's the money these tech companies are spending to build AI models. It's like the most money spent on anything in human history.

[A]

Biggest splurge since Caesar. We're talking 135 billion bucks this year spent by Meta. 125 billion bucks spent this year by Amazon.

[B]

You could buy like 15 lifts for that much money. And they're just building data Centers instead.

[A]

It's 19 lifts, Jack. Oh, and Microsoft, they're spending more than a year's worth of profit on AI right now. And OpenAI is spending an infinity year's.

[B]

Worth of profit on AI because they're unprofitable. Apple, on the other hand, they're spending almost nothing on investments in AI.

[A]

Nope. Instead, Apple's still just generating cash by selling like a billion bucks of AirPods every day.

[B]

So Meta is making billions of profits, but then spending more than that on data centers. Apple's just not doing the second part now. Besties.

[A]

This doesn't mean your iPhone is going to be absent of A.I. features, right, Jack?

[B]

No, it just means the A.I. features on your iPhone will be built by someone else. Not absent.

[A]

Like we've said before, Apple plays the tortoise to tech's hair. It's not a first mover, it's a second shaker.

[B]

But AI is different. This bet Apple's making is even bigger.

[A]

It's our takeaway. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Apple?

[B]

Why build an entire AI factory when you can just rent AI instead?

[A]

Yetis, Apple has never manufactured its own phones. Foxconn does that for them.

[B]

In China, it's the Asset Light model that's been so successful for Apple. Apple, Airbnb, Robinhood, Uber, Nike, lots of different companies.

[A]

But hyperscalers are abandoning the Asset Light model right now. Instead, they're splurging on data centers the size of entire cities.

[B]

But Apple believes you don't have to. They believe Asset Light can work for AI too.

[A]

For example, this year Apple will finally give us a Super Siri powered by AI. I'm sorry? Powered by Google's Gemini AI.

[B]

From the consumer perspective, that's fine. You don't care who's powering it. As long as Siri is smart, you're going to be happy.

[A]

Basically, Apple can simply rent AI compute from American or Chinese LLMs at a Super cheap price.

[B]

Now, there is a risk that Apple's wrong. They could end up with huge AI FOMO if Zuckerberg eventually hits AI gold.

[A]

But if AI is a bubble, then the hyperscalers like Zuck will have wasted.

[B]

Billions while Apple will have wasted nothing.

[A]

So the bull case for Apple stock is actually a question.

[B]

Why build an AI factory when you can rent AI for way cheaper?

[A]

Jack, could you whip up the takeaways.

[B]

For the real Friday Starbucks Investor Day celebrated a return to growth and a NASA engineered espresso machine that doubles the brewing speed.

[A]

But their 2026 New Year's resolution. Own your 4pm energy dip with the afternoon delight.

[B]

For our second story, Kabe Lame sold his entire influencer business and his entire identity to a publicly traded company.

[A]

Now got a digital twin. This is the first ever influencer stock.

[B]

And our third and final story. Apple stock rose yesterday on quote unquote, staggering iPhone profits that they won't spend on data centers.

[A]

It's the Apple method. Why build an entire AI factory when you can just rent AI instead?

[B]

That's the Apple pull case. But besties, this pod's not over yet. Here's what else you need to know today.

[A]

First, software has never been softer because the whole software industry dropping right now.

[B]

Microsoft announced earnings this week and the stock fell 11% afterwards.

[A]

As a result, a whole bunch of other software stocks plummeted to worst day in ever.

[B]

But it's been a really bad few months because now that AI can code, AI can create software too. Second, it was a mixed day for Waymo yesterday. First, they announced he can finally take a Waymo robo taxi to the San Francisco airport.

[A]

But then they also announced a Waymo sadly hit a kid in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.

[B]

Good news. The kid is okay. He stood up and walked away. The waymill hit the brakes on time.

[A]

And we should also point out so far the data still shows that robo taxis are safer than human drivers.

[B]

And finally, Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Chiefs, just announced his newest investment sleep number mattress.

[A]

The sleeping Mattress stock jumped 5% on Word. The football star is officially on the caf table.

[B]

Yeah, he bought nearly 5% of this publicly traded mattress company because he says his mattress is the love of his life.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, like, I'm sorry, Taylor, but this guy loves his queen size.

[B]

Strategically timed during super bowl week.

[A]

By the way, Drop us a comment though, if you want this to be a story for the pod. Now time for the best fact yet. This one, sent in by legendary yeti Brett Sutter from Lovely Denver, Colorado.

[B]

McLaren. It's one of the most famous and expensive and fastest sports cars ever.

[A]

I mean, Jack, I'm whipping out the whiteboard here. We're looking at $100,000 for the cheapest one. Like over a million bucks for the most expensive.

[B]

You know, I've never actually looked at the logo, but. But now that I'm looking at it. Nick, is that a bird?

[A]

Is that a kiwi bird?

[B]

Why does a British car company have a New Zealand native famous bird as their logo?

[A]

Not just any bird. A kiwi bird is a flightless bird. It can't even fly. It like stumbles.

[B]

The reason is that the founder and racer Bruce McLaren grew up in New.

[A]

Zealand and he also chose the color of McLaren to be orange because of the papaya fruit. And why is that, Jack?

[B]

So in Formula One, the McLaren team is orange, the color of New Zealand's.

[A]

Favorite fruit, Papayas and kiwis. That's what New Zealand does. Yetis, you are looking fantastic to end the week. And Jack, celebrate the wins. Hanging out with the Starbucks CEO today. There you go, man.

[B]

I know. I hope we get to interview him someday in the future.

[A]

Besties. It is five star Fridays though, so if you haven't yet, drop down to give us a five star rating and review. We love reading them and they really do help us grow the show.

[B]

Have a phenomenal weekend, Nick and I will see you Monday.

[A]

Can't wait. And before we go, happy birthday to legendary Yeti and maestro of managers Mike Mooney of the T moy Pod.

[B]

And happy birthday to legendary Yeti Nicholas.

[A]

Cicero and Ken Se. Happy birthday down in Lake Worth, Florida. Enjoy that 53rd.

[B]

Happy 30th birthday to Elizabeth in New York City. We know you're scared, but you're gonna.

[A]

Have a great weekend. And Joe Bideman down in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is now a member of a board and a B day boy.

[B]

Happy 12th birthday to Cassie Ariel in Marietta, Georgia, who's worth more than an entire lift.

[A]

And Jeremy Alex Leigh from North York, Ontario has got the best birthday yet and the best poke restaurant in Canada. Poke box. If you know, you know.

[B]

And happy birthday to Caroline Buckheight in Tampa, Florida.

[A]

And Christian Calderon enjoyed the new job in San Diego. Congrats on on the win.

[B]

Happy 30th birthday to Dom Aiello in New Rochelle who's also celebrating by running 30 miles.

[A]

And congratulations to Riley Rowe who won a trivia game down in Jacksonville with an answer that he got from this podcast.

[B]

And congratulations to the entire crew Car wash team who was just named the number one place to work in America after Nvidia, according to Glassdoor.

[A]

And Tara Borisoff is celebrating 100 days of kindergarten. Congrats at Antelope, California. Bring that to show and tell. You win.

[B]

And happy birthday to Robert George who also has a new job in Pittsburgh. Oh, you know what?

[A]

He asked for his birthday, right, Jack? He wants a cookie crisp and a. Not possible. Not possible. It is possible.

[B]

Celebrate the win. This is Jack. I own stock of Amazon and Netflix, Nick owns stock of Nike, and we both own stock of Apple, Robinhood and Airbnb.

[C]

Hey, it's Raj and Noah. And we're back with a new season of Am I Doing It Wrong? The show that explores the all too human anxieties we have about trying to get our lives right.

[D]

Because we're still doing a lot of stuff wrong.

[C]

But who isn't? That's why each week we're talking about the topics that we could all use a little helping hit with. Whether it's making new friends as an adult, managing our emotions, or even dreaming.

[D]

We'll be talking to experts in their fields who are definitely doing things right, so the rest of us can be a bit wiser and a lot better equipped to handle whatever life is throws at us.

[C]

Subscribe now and listen to new episodes of Am I Doing It Wrong? Dropping every Thursday starting January 1st, wherever you get your podcasts.

[D]

And for the first time ever, we're gonna have full video episodes on YouTube. Because as long as there are things to get wrong, we're gonna be right here to help you do them better.

[B]

Love y' all.