🤳 “Banuary” — Digital Detox Resolutions. Oil’s Chevron-zuela. Sprinkles’ last cupcake. +Dog Ozempic

Summary

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The Best One Yet Podcast Summary

Episode: 🤳 “Banuary” — Digital Detox Resolutions. Oil’s Chevron-zuela. Sprinkles’ Last Cupcake. + Dog Ozempic
Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: Nick Martell & Jack Crivici-Kramer

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OVERVIEW

In this engaging, fast-paced episode, Nick and Jack deliver their signature blend of business, pop-culture, and finance news, focusing on three key stories: the US-Venezuela oil drama ("Chevronzuela"), Sprinkles Cupcakes’ sudden collapse, and the rise of the digital detox, coined “Banuary.” The hosts dissect the business implications behind the headlines and share witty banter, memorable analogies, and actionable takeaways for every segment.

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KEY STORIES & INSIGHTS

1. Chevronzuela: The US, Venezuela, and the Oil Game

[04:17–09:20]

Context

• The US has detained Venezuela’s president, escalating a longstanding political and economic standoff.
• Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves; the country recently began re-privatizing its oil industry.

Business Angle

• The hosts debate what US oil companies—especially Chevron and ExxonMobil—should do as the door reopens in Venezuela.
• Historic context: US oil companies were ousted in Venezuela’s 1976 oil nationalization, forced to become minority partners. Only Chevron remained.
• ExxonMobil and others successfully won a $14B arbitration case after Venezuela seized rigs/equipment—but have not been compensated.

Risks & Rewards

• Venezuela’s oil industry has been mismanaged; production down 80% since nationalization.
• Infrastructure is dilapidated; estimated $100B investment and years required to recover.
• Political instability creates huge risks: “Power vacuums, they suck. It’s unclear who’s in charge in Venezuela.” — Jack [08:57]
• Even with President Trump encouraging US companies to re-enter and “drill, baby, drill,” the hosts doubt big oil will jump in due to risk.

Takeaway

“The risks of investing in Venezuela right now massively outweigh the rewards.” — Jack [07:59]
“So should Exxon invest billions? Because of the political risk, ROI, we think they won’t.” — Nick [20:30]

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2. Sprinkles Cupcakes: The Rise and Fall of a Sweetbrand

[09:20–14:12]

Origin & Innovation

• Sprinkles, “the Louis Vuitton of cupcakes,” innovated not just with their premium cakes but with the Cupcake ATM: “Their greatest innovation was not the cupcake itself, but in the way you purchase the product.” — Nick [11:19]
• The Cupcake ATM became the brand’s highest-grossing division, enabling 24/7 snacking.

Collapse

• Every store shuttered on New Year’s Eve 2025.
• Factors:
  • Shifting trends/fads: Cupcake craze defined 2010s millennial living but demand moved to cookies (“Crumbl is the new Sprinkles.” — Jack [12:55]) and coffee.
  • Private Equity Misfit: PE acquisition aimed for cost-cutting/profit-boosting, but cupcakes don’t fit the stable, predictable business model PE prefers (unlike car washes).
  • “A chain of cupcake shops just ain’t in the PE recipe book.” — Nick [20:46]

Takeaway

“Private equity only works when it follows its own recipe.” — Jack [13:14]
Cupcakes are fad-driven, not a sustainable repeat purchase for PE.
“It’s not just a cupcake craze that became a cupcake crash—it’s about how PE only works when it sticks with its recipe.” — Nick [14:12]

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3. 2026’s Biggest Resolution: Banuary, the Digital Detox

[15:03–20:12]

Trend Shift

• For the first time, more Americans want to reduce screen time (33%) than lose weight (28%) as a New Year’s resolution [17:11].
• “Dry January is now digital dry January. Digital detox is the new Botox.” — Nick [17:22]

Silicon Valley Bets Against Social

• Twitter and Pinterest co-founders Biz Stone & Evan Sharp describe the impact of social media:
  • Quote: “Social media apps, including the ones they co-founded, have wrought... ‘terrible devastation of the human mind and heart over the last 15 years.’” — Jack quoting Biz & Evan [17:41]
• They’ve launched Tangle, an “anti-social media app” focused on intentional living and less toxic engagement.

Will It Work?

• Historically, “digital detox” apps haven’t stuck (e.g., BeReal shut down).
• Hosts argue government policy will be the necessary intervention, akin to cigarette regulation.
• Regulation is ramping up: Australia banned social for teens; US schools piloted bans in 2025.

Takeaway

“It’s not just a social media Banuary—we think regulation is finally coming to your feeds.” — Nick [20:57]
“Prepare for social media Banuary—but all year long and worldwide.” — Jack [19:22]

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MEMORABLE MOMENTS & QUOTES

• On Ozempic for Pets (Humorous Cold Open):
  “Puppy—P-U-P-P-Y—People Ultimately Prioritize Pets.” — Nick [02:22]
  (Whole segment on Big Pharma's venture into pet weight-loss drugs: “WeGovy for Weimaraners” [01:27])
• “Venezuela has more oil than any country in the entire world. It’s basically the Azkaban of regular unleaded.” — Jack [04:52]
• “The trends that end: fashion, fitness, and food—those are most driven by fads.” — Jack [12:36]
• On Digital Detox Tricks:
  “Go into settings, search grayscale—make your phone black and white so the real world is more beautiful than anything on your phone.” — Jack [16:03]
  “Every time you open a social app, move $10 from checking to savings.” — Nick [16:29]

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TIMESTAMPS — IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Dog Ozempic Segment (Humorous cold open): [01:13–02:29]
• Story 1: Chevronzuela [04:17–09:20]
  • Venezuela context: [04:32–06:10]
  • Nationalization & Arbitration: [06:10–07:18]
  • Current opportunities/risks: [07:18–09:20]
• Story 2: Sprinkles Cupcakes [09:20–14:12]
  • Cupcake ATM invention: [11:09–11:45]
  • Private equity angle/takeaway: [13:14–14:12]
• Story 3: Digital Detox/Banuary [15:03–20:12]
  • Resolution trends/statistics: [17:11]
  • Social founders’ regrets & Tangle app: [17:41–18:48]
  • Regulation predictions: [19:22–20:12]

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ADDITIONAL NOTABLE HEADLINES

• Warren Buffett retires after 60-year run as Berkshire CEO [21:07–21:37]
• Insider trading on Polymarket around Venezuela event [21:37–22:12]
• $400,000 stolen Costco lobster heist [22:12–22:45]
• Best Fact Yet: Cannabis beverages now 15% of Minnesota’s “alcohol” sales [22:45–23:52]

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TONE & STYLE

The hosts keep things witty, relatable, and packed with fun analogies and cultural references. They smoothly blend business insights with pop culture, appealing to both finance junkies and casual listeners.

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TAKEAWAYS RECAP

[20:25–20:57]

• Venezuela oil: High risk, likely no big oil investment despite U.S. government pressure.
• Sprinkles: Private equity needs stable, repeat-purchase models—cupcakes are out.
• Digital Detox: The biggest resolution; expect worldwide regulation of social media in 2026.

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QUOTABLES

• “Puppy People Ultimately Prioritize Pets.” — Nick [02:22]
• "Venezuela…It’s basically the Azkaban of regular unleaded." — Jack [04:52]
• "The risks of investing in Venezuela right now massively outweigh the rewards." — Jack [07:59]
• “Crumbl is the new Sprinkles.” — Jack [12:55]
• “Private equity only works when it follows its own recipe.” — Jack [13:14]
• "Digital detox is the new Botox." — Nick [17:22]
• “Prepare for social media Banuary—but all year long and worldwide.” — Jack [19:22]

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This summary delivers all the major insights, punchy quotes, and action points of this T Boy episode, ensuring even non-listeners walk away informed and entertained.

Transcript

[A]

This is Nick.

[B]

This is Jack.

[A]

Welcome back to the funnest place in finance. It is Tuesday, January 6, and today's pod is the best one yet. This is a T boy.

[B]

If you want to be the most interesting person in the room this year, then you're in the right place.

[A]

Yetis, we got your three perfect mix of business, econ, and finance stories sprinkled with pop culture virality.

[B]

Every episode is the best one yet. Nick, you ready for today's pod?

[A]

Oh, Jack. What do we got on today's T boy?

[B]

For our first story, it's Chevron Zwayla. We already know that the US Military captured Venezuela's president over the weekend, so.

[A]

Jack and I are looking at the situation from a CEO's perspective. What is an oil executive's next move?

[B]

For our second story, Sprinkles Cupcakes. The inventor of the cupcake ATM suddenly shut down on New Year's Eve.

[A]

Sprinkles Cupcakes reveals how private equity botched the secret recipe.

[B]

And our third and final story is the most popular New Year's resolution this year. The digital detox.

[A]

Or as Jack and I call it, social media banuary. But we think this one's gon to last a lot longer than one month.

[B]

But, Yetis, before we hit that wonderful.

[A]

Mix of stories, I mean, what a mix of stories. Is there a better mix, Jack?

[B]

There is not. But, Nick, you already know about Ozempic. It's popular with all kinds of people.

[A]

But what you may not know is Ozempic for pets.

[B]

Because the next frontier for big pharma is weight loss drugs for dogs.

[A]

That's right. We're talking Ozempic for cats or WeGovy for Weimaraners or GLPs for puppies and kitties.

[B]

Here's the context. 60% of America's dogs are unfortunately overweight or obese.

[A]

Or Jack, as your veterinarian texted me the other day, your pooch a little too much padding.

[B]

It's so kind that that's how he describes River's physique right now.

[A]

I love that context he sprinkled on.

[B]

So Novo Nordisk is going into the doghouse to get their stock out of the doghouse.

[A]

Apparently getting a poodle in shape for pool season. Yeah, that could be their next profit puppy.

[B]

All right, so Ozpic for dogs is a thing, but why stop at just cats and dogs?

[A]

I mean, Jack and I were brainstorming this. How about hamsters? They're a little husky, aren't they?

[B]

Man, that turtle can look a little.

[A]

Tubby now and then. Jack. I once had a pet iguana that ate 43 crickets in a day.

[B]

I still can't believe you had an iguana in New York City.

[A]

I know Scaly Willy really let himself go.

[B]

But yetis, when it comes to spending, this story proves it.

[A]

Puppy P u P P Y People ultimately prioritize pets. Yeah, they do, Jack.

[B]

Well, that's hit our three stories.

[A]

Hold still, River. This will take a second. 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.

[B]

50%.

[A]

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. First, a quick word from our sponsor. Mom.

[C]

I like to propose a dinner optimization plan for 2026 soccer practice every week. Get back late and you're stressed out about making something fast but actually nutritious for dinner. When Ashley's mom picked me up, I noticed that she made Blue Apron. It came like a little kit. And by the time it was ready, I still had shin guards on and it was real food. Fresh veggies, protein, actual flavor. Take her from the younger generation. We're innovators. Giving a couple Bo Blue Apron meals around. Not the worst idea. Get $50 off your first two orders plus free shipping with code STIR50. Terms and conditions apply. Visit BlueApron.com terms for more VRBO last minute deals make chasing fresh mountain powder incredibly easy. With thousands of homes close to the slopes, you can easily get epic Pow Freshies, first tracks and more. No need for months of planning. In fact, you can't even plan. Pow Pow is on its own schedule. Thankfully, somewhere in the world, it's always snowing. All you have to do is use the last minute filter on the app to book a last minute deal on a slope side private rental home. Book [e-mail].

[A]

For our first story. It's Chevron's whale. Our military campaign in Venezuela comes down to one word. Oil.

[B]

When it comes to oil, everyone's talking about Chevron right now, but we think the much more interesting question is ExxonMobil.

[A]

Now, Yetis. Let's start by sprinkling on some context. The United States has had an arrest warrant out for Nicolas Maduro for alleged crimes including drug trafficking for Years.

[B]

But we have arrest warrants out for lots of alleged criminals all over the world, don't we, Nick?

[A]

Yes, we do. But it is only in Venezuela that the suspect governs the largest oil reserve in the world.

[B]

That's right. Venezuela has more oil than any country in the entire world. It's basically the Azkaban of regular unleaded.

[A]

You know that scene in Willy Wonka.

[B]

With the Chocolate River?

[A]

Basically like the coastline of Venezuela, but.

[B]

With oil, except underground. And that's why at the President's press conference on Saturday, his administration mentioned the word oil 25 times.

[A]

That's more than they said the word drug, crime, narco or trafficking combined.

[B]

The President also said billions of dollars six times in the press conference on Saturday. And he explicitly called on US Oil companies to enter Venezuela, redevelop their oil industry and make money that benefit both the Venezuelan and the American people.

[A]

To reference Willy Wonk again, basically a golden ticket opportunity. But Jack, let us pull up to the pump and sprinkle on some crude context here, please.

[B]

Because our American history with Venezuelan oil actually goes back one full century.

[A]

Get this, besties. Venezuela is one and a half times bigger than the state of Texas, but it has more oil under it than any other country on Earth.

[B]

Everyone in OPEC is jealous of Venezuela. So naturally, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, bp, most of the world's big oil companies began drilling in Venezuela as long as 100 years ago.

[A]

In fact, during World War II, Venezuela actually became the largest exporter of oil on Earth.

[B]

It was the silent ally of the allied powers.

[A]

But starting in 1976, Venezuela began nationalizing their oil industry. And what did that look like exactly, Jack?

[B]

It basically means the government took control of all the private oil rigs by force.

[A]

Basically an I am the captain now situation. They forced American oil companies to become minority partners with Venezuela's government owned oil companies.

[B]

But only one US Oil company accepted that offer.

[A]

It was Chevron. Chevron. So here is the question. Did Venezuela steal our oil?

[B]

As President Trump said over the weekend? Well, Venezuela's constitution says that any oil under Venezuelan soil belongs to Venezuela.

[A]

But oil companies are saying our contracts were broken. Yeah, that is stealing our oil.

[B]

And you took our oil drilling equipment against our will. So feels like stealing to ExxonMobil.

[A]

And that is why American oil companies took Venezuela to international court years ago.

[B]

ExxonMobil and other oil companies actually won that arbitration case. But Venezuela hasn't paid the $14 billion plus that they owe US oil companies for seizing all those oil rigs.

[A]

Instead of Pressing the Cha Ching button right now, Jack. We can just fast forward to today because this week those oil facilities are being denationalized or privatized again.

[B]

And President Trump wants America's big oil companies to book one way tickets to Caracas and start drill, baby, drill down there.

[A]

And that is why you saw chevron stock jump 6% yesterday. And oil refining and oil field companies, they rose even more.

[B]

They're pumped to be able to pump up down in Venezuela again.

[A]

Which leads to our big question today. If you are in the seat of an oil CEO, what is your next move?

[B]

Because it's not as easy as you.

[A]

Expect, but it is our takeaway. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over in the oil industry?

[B]

The risks of investing in Venezuela right now massively outweigh the rewards.

[A]

Yetis, here's the thing about Venezuela taking over their oil industry. They actually did a terrible job of it.

[B]

Horrible job.

[A]

Venezuela's government actually lost 80% of their own oil production when they were running.

[B]

The thing 20 years ago. They produced six times more oil than they do today. Venezuela's oil industry is a mess of looted pipes, abandoned rigs. It's been mismanaged, it's corrupt. It's not a good scene.

[A]

Get this. Experts say it would cost 100 billion bucks to fix Venezuela's oil industry, and that would take years to do.

[B]

So. If you're the CEO of ExxonMobil, would you approve a $10 billion investment plan to develop Venezuela's oil right now?

[A]

Well, Jack, President Trump says American companies that invest in Venezuela will be rewarded. But the political risk is huge.

[B]

The political risk. I mean, this is an already unstable country that now has a power vacuum. Who's in charge?

[A]

And power vacuums, they suck.

[B]

It's unclear who's in charge of Venezuela. The US Says we're running the country, but so does Venezuela's socialist vice president who recently became president.

[A]

The one certainty in Venezuela right now is that there is oil. But the cost, the timeline, the geopolitics, all of that is still uncertain.

[B]

Political risk is basically, is there rule of law and will my profits remain my profits in Venezuela? That's a huge question.

[A]

So besties, add it all up and Trump is asking Exxon to invest in Venezuela, but because of the political risk, we think they won't. For our second story, Sprinkles cupcakes, famous for inventing the cupcake ATM suddenly shut down on New Year's Eve. Every store closed without.

[B]

Did you pause in that headline to compose yourself? Because you're so sad about this headline.

[A]

Too soon, Jack.

[B]

Nick's a huge fan of cupcakes, yet he's in. This one hits him personally. But Sprinkles Cupcakes isn't just a victim of fads in food. It's also a victim of finance too.

[A]

Yetis. Forget SoulCycle, Greek yogurt, or a dozen different direct to consumer mattress brands advertising on the subway.

[B]

No product defined 2010 millennial living like the cupcake craze.

[A]

Yeah, a decade ago, you couldn't walk your cockapoo past Carnegie H in a cupcake shop or two.

[B]

They were everywhere. Even Wall street got hooked. I didn't realize this, but in 2011, crumbs, the cookcake company.

[A]

You mean Cupcake?

[B]

Yes, I mean the cupcake company. They went public on Wall Street. It was a $66 million pure play buttercream IPO.

[A]

But the inventor of the gourmet cupcake shock was actually Los Angeles based Sprinkles.

[B]

Sprinkles was founded by an ex investment banker who traded out her spreadsheets for baking sheets.

[A]

In 2005, Candice NE positioned her cupcakes as a premium product. Basically the Louis Vuitton of the good stuff.

[B]

Or I was gonna say the Shake Shack of cupcakes. Because a Shake Shack burger, it's expensive, but it's delicious. Just like a Sprinkles cupcake.

[A]

One red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles that would set you back six bucks right now.

[B]

And at its peak, Sprinkles had 50 cupcake shop locations plus 25 more standalone cupcake ATMs.

[A]

I'm sorry, that sounds like a profit puppy. Jack, please explain what is happening there.

[B]

Sprinkles did not invent the cupcake, but they did invent the Cupcake atm.

[A]

What we are saying is that Sprinkles greatest innovation was not the cupcake itself, but in the way you purchase the product.

[B]

Here's the story. When the CEO Candace Nelson became pregnant, she had late night food cravings. As pregnant women do.

[A]

And sometimes their husbands.

[B]

True, but she couldn't get those baked goods she craved at midnight.

[A]

So in 2012, Sprinkles invents the 247 ATM for cupcakes in Beverly Hills. Holding 800 cakes baked daily.

[B]

And it became the highest grossing part of their business. Yeah, labor costs were next to nothing. And Magnolia wouldn't dare pull stunt like that.

[A]

Plus they expanded the purchase range. Like forget the late night burrito. After the bar, Jack, head up to 58th Street. We could Mac on some coconut cupcakes.

[B]

I can tell you're saying that from experience. Nick.

[A]

Guilty as charged. But the cupcake ATM led to huge publicity and ultimately an acquisition of the Sprinkles brand.

[B]

Candice sold her company to private equity later the same year that they launched those ATMs.

[A]

But here's the news 13 years later. Just last week, Sprinkles suddenly shut down. On New Year's Eve, the founder posted.

[B]

A TikTok about how sad she was. Employees are now without jobs and fans like Nick are gonna have to go to Whole Foods to get their cupcake or something.

[A]

That's why we had to cover this story. Now partially Besties. As Jack and I analyze the situation. This is because of the three Fs of fads that we've warned you about.

[B]

Fashion, fitness and food. Those are the three industries most driven by fads.

[A]

The trends that end and the trend in sweets. Right now it's not cupcakes. It's coffee.

[B]

Sugary lattes are the top sellers at Starbucks. And Dutch and dirty soda sales are hitting all time highs right now.

[A]

Cupcake demand. It's also been replaced by cookie demand.

[B]

Crumbl is the new Sprinkles.

[A]

Demand for sweets didn't disappear, it pivoted. But besties. There are two other letters to blame for sprinkles collapse and those two letters are P and E. So Jack, can you please lick the takeaway? I'm sorry, what's the takeaway? For our buddies over at Sprinkles?

[B]

Private equity only works when it follows its own recipe.

[A]

Yeah it is. There are a lot of angry cupcake consumers out there right now blaming the private equity firm for Sprinkles demise.

[B]

Rightfully so. But we should point out PE firms, they all have the same goal. Acquire a struggling business, cut costs and improve the marketing so that they can boost profits and sell the business seven to 10 years later for a huge profit.

[A]

In our financial experience, there is also a recipe. Private equity applies. They find industries with sustainable and predictable economics.

[B]

Like car washes. PE firms love car wash chains right.

[A]

Now because car wash chains have sustainable and predictable economics.

[B]

But cupcakes don't. No cupcakes. Think about it. It's a one off occasion based treat, not a repeat reliable dependable purchase.

[A]

They don't fit this recipe. And the baking industry is not predictable. Like we said, fads drive food.

[B]

So the Sprinkles shutdown, it's not just a story about a cupcake craze that became a cupcake crash.

[A]

No, no, no, no, no. It is also about how private equity only works when it sticks with its own recipe. Now a quick word from our sponsor.

[C]

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[A]

High interest debt is one of the toughest opponents you'll face unless you power up with a SoFi personal loan. A SoFi personal loan could repackage your bad debt into one low fixed rate monthly payment. It's even got super speed since you could get the funds as soon as the same day you sign. Visit sofi.compower to learn more. That's s o f I.com P-O-W-E-R loans originated by SoFi Bankna member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply and MLS 696891. For our third and final story, the most popular New Year's resolution this year. It's not dry. January it' Social media banuary.

[B]

We think 2026 is a tipping point against social media and the co founders of Twitter and Pinterest are actually betting on it.

[A]

All right now, Jack, in order for us to tell this story, you want to start with a full disclosure.

[B]

This is Jack and I have proudly found a way to reduce my social media scrolling.

[A]

What is it? What is it?

[B]

Open up your iPhone, go into the settings and search grayscale. Basically make your phone black and white so that the real world compared to your phone is better. You can still scroll Instagram if you want, but the real world is more beautiful than anything on your phone.

[A]

I thought you were gonna say like you only go on Instagram doing a wall squat. So like you can never scroll for.

[B]

More than two minutes. That's an aggressive strategy that I like as well. Black and white grayscale.

[A]

Jack, another idea I had the other day was every time you open a social media app, you have to move $10 from your checking account to your savings account.

[B]

I like that. There's other ones. I wish there was an app that made me just wait five seconds before clicking the Instagram app. Because I bet in those five seconds. I'd be like, I shouldn't be doing this, and I'd shut it down.

[A]

You're an enneagram one.

[B]

I could see that working.

[A]

But besties for the rest of us, we haven't reduced our social media consumption, have we? Let's be honest.

[B]

Yeah. And yet nobody in the world is saying I should use more TikTok this year.

[A]

I need an extra hit of Instagram this year.

[B]

They're saying the opposite. Which leads to this hero stat. A survey by opal found that 33% of Americans are trying to reduce screen time this year, which is larger than the 28% of Americans who want to lose weight this year.

[A]

Besties sit down, stand up, and sit back down again. More people want to lose clickbait than lose body weight.

[B]

We've never seen losing weight not be the top New Year's resolution. But this year, it's not.

[A]

Dry January is now digital dry January. Digital detox is the new Botox.

[B]

But we got to say to all those trying to digital detox this year, good luck. Yeah. Because the smartest minds in Silicon Valley have made social media incredibly addictive.

[A]

Which leads to the a wild line from Biz Stone and Evan Sharp, the co founders of Twitter and Pinterest.

[B]

They said this week that social media apps, including the ones that they co founded, have wrought, and I quote, terrible devastation of the human mind and heart over the last 15 years.

[A]

Which is why Biz Stone and Evan Sharp just launched Tangle, an antisocial media app.

[B]

App, right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The Twitter and Pinterest co founders already raised $29 million for their San Francisco based tech company.

[A]

Now, so far, Tangle is inv.

[B]

Cough cough.

[A]

Still waiting on that one. But it is focused as an app on intention, as in intentional living. Like a digital yoga guru intention kind of a thing.

[B]

As in, did you intend to sit on the toilet for the last 15 minutes swiping? I don't think you did intend, because.

[A]

This app is gonna send you daily push notifications asking, what's your intention today?

[B]

And it will let you designate friends who can digitally cheer you on as you pursue your life of intentionality.

[A]

Is that gonna pop? Pause the pod for a sec, Jack. So, ironically, this is an app to get you off other apps, and yet.

[B]

It has a social element. So it's a social media app opposed to social media apps.

[A]

So I guess the business analogy we would use here is like, this is the vape to cigarettes, but for social.

[B]

Media or the nicotine patches. There's nicotine in there, but it helps you get off. The worst thing, the worst version of nicotine.

[A]

Now, besties. We have seen apps like this before. You have too. But none of them have worked.

[B]

Sadly, despite a valiant effort, Be Real is no more.

[A]

So in our opinion, the only way to fix our social media addiction is the same way we fixed our cigarette.

[B]

Addiction, with government policy.

[A]

Which leads to our takeaway. Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over in social media?

[B]

It's a prediction, actually. Prepare for social media banuary. But all year long and worldwide.

[A]

Yetis as Jack and I study trends across countries over the last year, we expect social media bans to happen worldwide throughout 2026.

[B]

This past fall, Australia became the first country to ban social media for teens.

[A]

In 2025, school districts across America experimented with phone bans, largely to success because.

[B]

The data is clear, especially for teens, reducing social media use reduces depression, reduces anxiety, and reduces insomnia.

[A]

Based on those data points, we think the floodgates are now open. Action is being taken worldwide to regulate social media.

[B]

For the first time in countries in US states, maybe even by the US Federal government, we will see regulation for social media like we finally saw regulation for cigarettes.

[A]

Besties, it's not just a social media banuary. We think social media regulation is going to happen across the world all year long. Jack, could you whip up the takeaways for us for today's pod?

[B]

Based on Saturday's press conference, it appears our aims in Venezuela are all about oil.

[A]

So should Exxon invest billions in Venezuela because of the political risk roi, we think they won't.

[B]

For our second story, Sprinkles Cupcakes is sadly no more. It shut down last week as sweet tooths pivoted from cupcakes to coffee and cookies.

[A]

Also because a chain of cupcake shops just ain't in the PE recipe book.

[B]

And our third and final story is the digital detox. That's the new Year's resolution of the year. Even more than physical health goals.

[A]

Call it social media banuary. Our prediction, regulation is finally coming to your feeds.

[B]

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

[A]

First, congratulations to Warren Buffett on your first week of retirement. Warren, legendary Yeti, we see you listening. Is no longer the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

[B]

The legendary investor stepped down officially on December 31st. But Nick, in his 60 years running Berkshire stock in his company rose 6,100,000%. Not too shabby, besties.

[A]

This 95 year old threw all his weight behind the new CEO Greg Gable. Who probably threw him a nice cupcake party.

[B]

Second, insider trading happened again on Polymarket in a big way. This time for the Nicholas Maduro arrest.

[A]

Get this, just before the US Military seized Venezuela's president, someone made bets on Polymarket that that would actually happen. Making $400,000 in profit in one single day.

[B]

The prediction sites actually encourage insider trading, which are not illegal because we don't have laws about prediction markets yet.

[A]

Yeah, it's unfair and it hurts the integrity of the predictions markets. But according to Polymarket and others, it gets the truth out quicker, even if it's an insider advantage.

[B]

And finally, get this. $400,000 worth of lobster has been stolen. Not just any lobster, Costco lobster.

[A]

Yeah, this is big lobsters too. According to Massachusetts police, thieves dressed up as a legitimate truck company and then signed and just took the lobbies away.

[B]

But then instead of delivering it to Costco in Illinois, they disappeared. They either sold them on the black market or are eating a whole bunch of lobster right now.

[A]

Yeah, you may have a dirty lobster roll right now. Oh, and just like that heist movie, the Town, it all happened just as that.

[B]

Boston.

[A]

Now time for the best fact yet to kick off the year. This one from Dr. Harold Hahn from lovely Berkeley, California.

[B]

Push and putt. Hello, Yetis, this is Harold. I wanna share a trend that's happening around us right now with alcohol consumption going down. Cannabis infused beverages are entering the mainstream market. For example, in Minnesota, within two years of this product being available, it has accounted for over 15% of the total alcohol sales. And experts say this category is the fastest growing category in beverage ever. And you can find those products in states like Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, in alcohol stores. So give it a try. Thank you. I didn't tell you this, Jack.

[A]

When I went to a holiday party in Marin and I drank like two of these incredible sparkling beverages there. And then I found out afterwards they were canned cannabis beverages. I had no idea. I know.

[B]

And you're such a lightweight.

[A]

How'd you handle it to self drive the Tesla home? Yetis, you look fantastic for T Boy Tuesday. And if you have got the best fact yet, just like Dr. Han graciously sent us, we love getting your voicemails. We love getting them on the pod.

[B]

We have a simple form to fill out. There's a link in the episode description. We want your voice on the pod. Send us your best fact yet.

[A]

Also, New year, new you, if you want to get a shout out on the pod, birthday anniversary bar mitzvah, we love getting those in. And Jack, how do you get those on the show?

[B]

Same thing. A link in the episode description to a forum.

[A]

We keep it simple for you. In the meantime, Jack and I will see you, as always, right here on tomorrow's show. And before we go, a shout out to yeti's Lindsey Tillingham and Damian Zepeda, who just got engaged in Denver, Colorado. They debrief T Boy episodes every night. Never missed a T boy, but right now they've got the greatest ring ever on that finger.

[B]

And happy fifth anniversary to Logan and Haley, who also just got engaged.

[A]

Plus, Logan just got a promotion. Guys, send us the ring pics. We're so pumped for you.

[B]

Happy birthday to Ubishake in Boston, Massachusetts, who introduced the show to his daughter. They're both longtime yetis.

[A]

And Monty Den's turning 60 years old in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Happy birthday, Monty.

[B]

Happy birthday to Matt Devries from Crown Point, Indiana, who had baby number two this year. Congratulations.

[A]

And a happy birthday to Bobby Trivet from lovely Manassas, Virginia. Celebrating the best one yet.

[B]

And to anyone else who's celebrating something today, make it a T boy.

[A]

Celebrate the wins.

[B]

This is Jack. I own stock of Berkshire Hathaway. And Nick owns stock of Shake Shack.

[D]

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