🎷 “Bubl-ionaire” — Michael Bublé Christmas. iRobot’s RIP. J.Crew’s Ath-ski-surewear. +AI Barbie.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet

Episode: 🎷 “Bubl-ionaire” — Michael Bublé Christmas. iRobot’s RIP. J.Crew’s Ath-ski-surewear. +AI Barbie.
Hosts: Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell
Date: December 16, 2025
Duration: ~25 minutes (ads and intros omitted)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into three pop business stories:

1. Michael Bublé’s December Dominance — How he became the undisputed king of Christmas music and the inventing of "Bublé-ing."
2. iRobot’s Bankruptcy — The rise and wild fall of the Roomba and what it says about automation and brand.
3. Apres-Ski Fashion Boom — How J.Crew, Alo Yoga, and Skims have transformed skiing apparel as the sport becomes a luxury lifestyle.

The hosts also touch on:

• The pitfalls of AI-powered toys
• Ford's retreat from electric vehicles
• Zillow’s potential disruption by Google
• The last US pennies minted

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Michael Bublé: The King of Christmas (05:00–09:55)

• Christmas Music Industry Boom

  • Christmas music is streamed earlier and more than ever; by December 10, 20 of the top 25 Spotify tracks were holiday songs.
  • Comfort listening has surged in stressful times.

    “During periods of stress, listeners are more likely to return to familiar comforts.” – Nick (05:38)

• The “Bublé Effect”

  • Michael Bublé, Canadian crooner (not songwriter), is December’s top-earning musician—14 years straight (05:55).
  • Bublé’s Christmas album (2011) is the top holiday album of the 21st century, outselling Mariah Carey, Sia, and Bieber.
  • All Bublé’s top 10 Spotify tracks are covers—no originals, yet he’s synonymous with holiday cheer.
  • He parlayed his success into live events:
    • Rockefeller Tree Lighting (Dec 3, 2025)
    • Private Vatican performance for the Pope (Dec 6)
    • Judge on NBC’s The Voice

• Notable Quote:

  “Christmas is not complete without listening to the songs of Michael Bublé.” – Jack (06:13)

  “It ain’t Christmas until Michael Bublé snaps his fingers 14 times on the downbeat.” – Nick (06:16)

• Bublé-ing: A Winning Business Strategy (08:37–09:55)

  • Definition: Seeing a predictable, under-served market void and flooding it.
  • Examples:
    • Adam Sandler’s $500M Netflix deal (09:05)
    • Martha Stewart collabing cross-generational brands (09:10)
  • “Who will Bublé Halloween?” No official Halloween music exists, but Spirit Halloween stores fill a retail void.

• Takeaway:

  “It’s Bublé-ing: when you recognize a predictable market void and shamelessly fill it.” – Jack (09:47)

2. iRobot Files for Bankruptcy (09:55–14:50)

• The End of the Roomba Era

  • iRobot, inventor of the Roomba, declared bankruptcy after Amazon’s acquisition was blocked (11:13).
  • Company owes $100M to Chinese manufacturers—these suppliers are taking over.
  • iRobot stock plummeted 72% to $1/share.

• A Forrest Gumpian Company Life

  • Founded in 1990 by MIT roboticists to mimic insects’ movement without the Internet.
  • Early clients: NASA (space probes), US military (bomb-defusing robots in Iraq & Afghanistan), and 9/11 rescue efforts.
  • Even built underwater robots to assist after the BP oil spill (2010).

• Product with Mass Appeal

  • Introduced Roomba in 2002; 50M sold, reaching 1 in 3 US households.
  • Roomba was “the first self-driving vehicle,” predating Waymo.

• Market Disruption and Competition

  • Cheap Chinese-made knock-off Roombas (“Fumbas”) eroded profits.
  • iRobot became vulnerable, unable to stand out or compete on price/brand.

• Notable Quotes:

  “Irobot is a great reminder that you can create an industry, but not necessarily win that industry.” – Nick (14:02)

  “If a product provides an automated service, do we care about the brand?” – Jack (14:26)

• Takeaway:

  • Branding for automation may be less relevant as products become invisible in daily life.
  • Hosts question if automated services like robo-taxis or Roomba-style devices care about brand loyalty.

3. Ski Apparel: From Athleisure to ‘Ath-ski-sure’ (16:35–20:56)

• Skiing Turns Lifestyle

  • New Ski Season sees two “inversions”:
    1. The East (Vermont) is snowier than the West (Vail, Tahoe)
    2. Vail dropping ticket prices due to lack of snow (17:31)
  • The bigger story: massive new apparel collaborations.

• Fashion-Centric Skiing

  • J.Crew launching ski wear with Italy’s Kappa (18:01)
  • Skims (by Kim Kardashian) sells $800 snowsuits in collab with North Face (18:06)
  • Alo Yoga launches dedicated après-ski lines, blending yoga studio and ski lodge looks

• Industry Shift

  • Historically, male-founded ski brands dominated; now, female-focused and social-media-friendly brands thrive.
  • Skiing is now less of a hobby and more a statement—like sailing or horseback riding—requiring serious financial commitment and fashionable gear.
  • Remote work enables longer “ski weekends” with apres-ski culture front and center.

• Notable Quotes:

  “Skiing ain’t a hobby anymore. Skiing is a lifestyle.” – Nick (16:54)

  “If you didn’t post that you were skiing, did you even get first chair?” – Jack (18:47)

• Takeaway:

  “Today’s skiers and boarders are all in on skiing and snowboarding because it’s not a hobby or recreation anymore. It’s a lifestyle choice.” – Jack (20:00)

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Other Noteworthy Segments

The Dangers of AI Toys (01:30–02:27)

• Some AI-powered stuffed animals have told kids dangerous advice (where to find knives, matches).
• Others have spouted Chinese propaganda or awkwardly given romantic tips.

• “It’s like Furby and ChatGPT had a baby who sells cigarettes on the playground.” – Nick (01:53)

• Hosts recommend traditional, non-AI gifts for safety and privacy.

Quick Business Headlines (21:00–22:24)

• Ford is winding down its EV pickup line and banking on hybrid vehicles (21:07).
• Google testing home listings in search, threatening Zillow (21:32).
• The final US pennies have been minted and auctioned, some featuring an “Omega” symbol (22:01).

Trivia & Pop-culture Facts (22:36–23:21)

• Highest grossing Christmas films:
  • Nominal: “The Grinch” (2018), $540M
  • Inflation-adjusted: “Home Alone” (1990), $476M ($982M today)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• AI Toy Warnings: 01:30–02:32
• Michael Bublé Story: 05:00–09:55
• iRobot/Roomba Story: 09:55–14:50
• Ski Lifestyle/Fashion: 16:35–20:56
• Quick Business News: 21:00–22:24
• Christmas Movie Facts: 22:36–23:21

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Memorable Quotes

• “It’s Bublé-ing: when you recognize a predictable market void and shamelessly fill it.” – Jack (09:47)
• “If a product provides an automated service, do we care about the brand?” – Jack (14:26)
• “Skiing is a luxury lifestyle choice. Less like tennis or golf, more like horseback riding or sailing.” – Nick (19:23)
• “It’s like Furby and ChatGPT had a baby who sells cigarettes on the playground.” – Nick (01:53)

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Episode Tone

High-energy, witty, and full of clever wordplay; hosts banter comfortably, peppering in pop-culture references and humor while extracting sharp business insights.

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Useful for Listeners Who Haven't Tuned In

This episode offers unique perspectives on business trends, showing how cultural shifts (holidays, automation, social media lifestyles) drive unexpected winners and losers. From Michael Bublé’s annual windfall to Roomba’s downfall and the latest in luxury sports fashion, listeners walk away entertained and informed, ready to drop a timely business take at their next holiday gathering.

Transcript

[A]

This is Nick.

[B]

This is Jack.

[A]

It is Tuesday. T Boy Tuesday, December 16th. And today's pod is the best one yet. This is a T Boy, the top.

[B]

Three pop business news stories you need to know today.

[A]

Yeties Jack and I are already planning our first pod of 2026. Jack, what are we going to announce?

[B]

We're going to announce our stock picks for 2026.

[A]

That's right. Our 2026 portfolio resolutions.

[B]

How's your portfolio, Greg?

[A]

Yeah, I don't know.

[B]

You got to listen to the first episode of that.

[A]

We'll find out in the new year. All right? That's coming in January. But in the meantime, prepared the three best stories we've ever done. Jack, what's on today's T boy?

[B]

For our first story, Michael Buble is the top earning musician. Every December, 14 Decembers in a row.

[A]

Mikey Buble has cornered the Christmas music market in a move Jack and I call Buble ing.

[B]

For our second story, iRobot filed for bankruptcy yesterday. Your robot vacuum is crying in your closet.

[A]

So we wrote an obituary for Roomba, and its life story is wilder than Forrest Gumps.

[B]

And our third and final story, J.

[A]

Crew ski jackets, Aloe yoga, apres wear.

[B]

And skims ski gear besties.

[A]

The fashion industry has embraced skiing because skiing ain't a hobby or a recreation anymore.

[B]

It's something else.

[A]

Oh, it's something else entirely.

[B]

But Yetis, before we hit that wonderful mix of stories.

[A]

Fantastic mix of stories. Love the mix. For T Boy, Tuesday, Jack, it's day three of Hanukkah.

[B]

Yep, nine days until Christmas. What gift should you get?

[A]

Well, Jack, and I'll tell you what gift you should not get.

[B]

An AI toy.

[A]

Yeah, don't get an AI Toy. Trust us.

[B]

Yetis, you may have heard a last month about the AI stuffed teddy bears that told kids some inappropriate things.

[A]

Yeah, like where to find the sharp knives in the kitchen. Not a good look.

[B]

Well, that's not all. According to cnbc, some AI stuffed animals will tell kids where to light a match.

[A]

Other AI stuffed animals will tell kids romantic advice.

[B]

It's like Furby and Chatgpt had a.

[A]

Baby who sells cigarettes on the playground.

[B]

Batteries are not included. Huge privacy and safety and developmental concerns are.

[A]

Oh, and that's not even the wildest part, is it, Jack?

[B]

Some AI toys are even pitching Chinese propaganda.

[A]

Get this. If you talk bad about President Xi, AI Teddy Bear is gonna report ya.

[B]

MIT Technology Review reports that China now has more than 1500 registered AI toy companies.

[A]

But Jack and I suggest you let Santa's workshop Do the toy making instead.

[B]

Because even South Pole elves don't use chatgpt.

[A]

Jack, you can't put AI back in the Jack in the box.

[B]

If you tickle that Elmo, just hope he doesn't hallucinate.

[A]

Stop fighting me, Jack. Let's do that.

[C]

Three stories 15 years before this song, two boys from the north 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 list. If you know, you know. Cause we read to go. We can't wait no more. So just start the show.

[A]

Start the.

[C]

Show, start the show.

[A]

First, a quick word from our sponsor. Now a quick break.

[B]

Switching topics to one of our favorite sponsors, Vital Proteins Yeties.

[A]

One of the three T Boy team goals next year is to grow huge on YouTube.

[B]

YouTube means video. Video means people looking at us. That means we gotta look good, Nick.

[A]

Look at this skin glowing, Jack. Look at that hair shining over there. It's thanks to vital proteins, which we add to our morning drinks every day.

[B]

For healthy hair, skin, nails, bones, and joint health. If you're watching right now, check out these dimples. It's vital prote.

[A]

So go to vitalproteins.com to learn more and where to buy.

[B]

Get 20% off your next order by entering promo code T boy at checkout. Audible Yetis.

[A]

I just listened to a wild audiobook on my flight back to New York. Here's what it's called. Gods of New York.

[B]

It's about four men. The four men who ruled New York City the year that you were born, Nick.

[A]

I gotta give my parents credit, Jack. New York in 1988 was insane. It was like mob bosses, gang fights, and all these subway cars covered in graffiti. It's like seeing how the city was run when my mom was, like, pregnant with me. I'm blown away by this whole new imagination.

[B]

Now I listen to Audible all the time. Whenever I need a break from news podcasts, I escape to an audiobook and simply push play wherever I left off.

[A]

Because Audible has an incredible selection of over a million audiobooks, podcasts, and audio originals all in one easy app.

[B]

Explore bestsellers, new releases, or find a wild story that takes you back to the year that your mom gave birth to you.

[A]

Last night, while I was doing the dishes, Jack, I listened to a story about the abysmal late 1980s New York Yankees.

[B]

Yeah, I feel Bad for your dad. At least the Giants were winning back then.

[A]

Besties. There is more to imagine when you listen.

[B]

Sign up for a free 30 day audible trial. And your first audiobook is free, so visit audible.comtboy.

[A]

For our first story. Michael Buble has built a franchise business on one genre. Christmas music.

[B]

Michael Buble also pioneered a strategy that works in any industry that we call Bubleing Yetis.

[A]

I'm sorry, was that Wham I heard in November and Jack, was that the Chipmunks in October? I'm sorry, but pause the pod for a sec, Mariah. In the middle of September, because the.

[B]

Wall Street Journal just pronounced Christmas music is a booming industry.

[A]

Yes, it is. We're listening to more than ever, and we're listening to it earlier than ever.

[B]

By December 10th of this year, 20 of the top 25 tracks on Spotify were Christmas songs.

[A]

We see you, Brenda Lee. We see you over there.

[B]

During periods of stress, listeners are more likely to return to familiar comforts.

[A]

Now, that's what the Wall Street Journal said. But what Jack and I are saying is that this is the Buble effect.

[B]

Michael Buble, the Canadian singer, not songwriter, is the top musician of December or once again.

[A]

And we had got the data because Michael Buble's Christmas album is the top selling Christmas album of the 21st century.

[B]

Sorry, Mariah Carey. Yep. Sorry, Sia.

[A]

Sorry, Justin Bieber, and sorry, Chipmunks. Doesn't matter what your algorithm looks like. Every comment online seems to agree on this, Jack.

[B]

Christmas is not complete without listening to the songs of Michael Buble.

[A]

It ain't Christmas until Michael Buble snaps his fingers 14 times on the downbeat. Jack.

[B]

Nick, every woman in my life seems to have a crush on Michael Buble, and it's pretty annoying.

[A]

I know, I know, I know you've been working through that the last few years, Jack. But besties Jack and I found this part fascinating. All 10 of Michael Buble's top 10 songs on Spotify are cover songs.

[B]

That's why we call him singer, not songwriter.

[A]

Now, let's sprinkle on some context. In the early 2000s, Michael Buble kind of looked like a one hit wonder, right, Jack?

[B]

You probably made out with your high school sweetheart to his song Home, which was a huge hit in 2004.

[A]

I think this is where your Buble issues began, by the way, Jack.

[B]

Well, I was 16 in 2004, so.

[A]

Yeah, but in 2011, Michael Buble made a decision that made his business manager extremely, extremely happy.

[B]

Yeah, he did a Christmas album.

[A]

Show me the Money.

[B]

It's called Michael Buble Christmas. And it's become an ATM machine that prints cash from Michael Buble every December, even in November.

[A]

Now, Jack, why don't you sing some of the numbers for us over here?

[B]

That album from 14 years ago still has two tracks in the global Spotify top 50 right now. That's right. And it's platinum in 15 countries.

[A]

Oh, that's not all. According to Forbes, Michael Buble became the fifth highest grossing musician on earth that year.

[B]

Again, sorry, Justin Bieber. That's right.

[A]

Buble beat Bieber.

[B]

So Mistletoe Mike, as he's been known since, pivoted hard to presence. He published a deluxe 10th anniversary edition of the same exact album, Nick.

[A]

Oh, and having a song in the top 50 for the entire month of December is worth $1 million in revenue from the music streamers.

[B]

But he's not just getting streaming revenue. No, Michael Buble has gone full Frank Sinatra, touring as the top billing item at every live Christmas spectacle.

[A]

All right, Jack, I'm checking the calendar here. What's going on?

[B]

December 3rd, he performed at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting in New York.

[A]

Oh, and what about December 6th?

[B]

He performed at the Vatican for a live audience that included the Pope.

[A]

Oh, and since 2024, he's been a celebrity judge on NBC's the Voice, as his agent would say. That's right.

[B]

Extremely dapper, always wearing a tuxedo for some and a velvet baritone. Mick, he's making bank. He's our generation's Frank Sinatra.

[A]

You are still working through this, and we're here for you and support you, Jack. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for the boo billionaire Michael Buble? Listening to today's podcast.

[B]

It's called Bubleing. When you see a market void and hit it hard.

[A]

Yetis. Michael Buble's strategy is that he saw huge, consistent demand for Christmas music, but a lack of novel takes on the classics.

[B]

So he went into a recording studio and sang 16 famous Christmas songs. That's it.

[A]

Jack and I call that simple phenomenon of filling a market demand booblaying.

[B]

And we've seen lots of examples of it before. Oh, Adam Sandler, Boob blade, with his $500 million Netflix deal.

[A]

Netflix needed comedies, so Sandler shamelessly delivers two a year for half a billion bucks.

[B]

Martha Stewart is Blue Bling right now with her collabs with American Eagle and Crumbl Cookies.

[A]

She's the boomer who can collab with the Gen Z brand. And so she's done a bunch of them.

[B]

We think There's a huge opportunity for somebody to buble hol.

[A]

What do you mean? Boob lang Halloween. Talk to me.

[B]

Every Halloween, people throw Halloween parties. That's like one of the big parties of the year. But there's no obvious music to play at Halloween. Like there is obvious music to play at Christmas.

[A]

Or Jack. Like spirit Halloween. That's an example of bublang retail Halloween. Right? They go all in.

[B]

Yes. Everybody needs Halloween costumes, and there's nowhere in town to buy them.

[A]

Yet he's added to the T boy dictionary.

[B]

It's boobalaying when you recognize a predictable market void and you shamelessly fill it.

[A]

For our second story, iRobot filed for bankruptcy on Monday. Its Chinese supplier is actually taking over the company.

[B]

So we wrote an obituary on the Roomba robot vacuum because its life story is wild.

[A]

Oh, wait till you hear this. But yetis to start. Pour one out for Roomba and then.

[B]

Summon your Roomba to come clean it up.

[A]

Because iRobot, the inventor of the Roomba robot vacuum, filed for bankruptcy on Monday. Honestly, sad to see it. Super innovative company.

[B]

Roomba is the only thing I ever summon. And I really like that word summon.

[A]

Man, you really are working through a lot of bootle issues, Jack. Roomba, their irobot stock fell 72% to just $1 a share on the news. And the situation is honestly kind of weird.

[B]

And it's a weird situation because iRobot, based just outside Boston, only designs the robots that don't actually build them.

[A]

And now iRobot owes $100 million to their Chinese manufacturers who do the building and are now taking over the business.

[B]

Irobot even owes $3.4 million to the US borders and custom control for unpaid tariffs.

[A]

Oh, and this weird situation is now also a Sad situation, because three years.

[B]

Ago, iRobot was supposed to get acquired by Amazon for a $1.7 billion payday.

[A]

And here's why it's sad. The Biden administration effectively blocked that deal when it looks like they shouldn't have.

[B]

Regulators said that amaz just too big to buy another company, and it would be bad for competition. But you know what's even worse for competition? IRobot going under.

[A]

Plus, there's the whole dog poop scandal at iRobot. That kind of messes with the whole thing and doesn't help.

[B]

I think we covered this on the pod a few years ago. It was called Poopageddon.

[A]

Yes. Yes.

[B]

Roomma didn't recognize if the dog had an accident, and so it would run over the thing and Spread it around like abstract art on your living room floor.

[A]

That just made a sad situation even sadder. But besties Jack and I dove in T boy style, and we wrote an obituary on Roomba. That is insane.

[B]

IRobot was the first consumer robot. It bridged 20th century tech with 21st century, more than any other company.

[A]

You see, iRobot was founded back in 1990 by three researchers over at MIT.

[B]

Pre Wi Fi, pre Amazon, pre DJ Roomba from Parks and Rec.

[A]

And those three founders were inspired by insects. They wanted to replicate the movements of bugs for human work without Internet connection.

[B]

The early Roomba vacuums crawled around your living room like an ant, figuring out where to go with just their little antennas.

[A]

It's a wildlife story because iRobot's early client was NASA, before Y2K space rovers were using iRobot software.

[B]

And then on September 11, 2001, iRobot searched World Trade center rubble to search for survivors.

[A]

In 2004, iRobot was in Iraq and Afghanistan, aiding the US military to defuse bombs and IEDs.

[B]

And then in 2010, it was an oil spill hero. They built an underwater version of their robot to monitor the well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico to try to stop the oil spill.

[A]

Bess, you see where we're going here? Add it all up and Roomba has like a Forrest Gumpian story, right, Jack?

[B]

Yes, it is Forrest Gumpian. It's been everywhere in American history.

[A]

Plus, Jack, there's the iRobot movie with Will Smith.

[B]

I'm pretty sure that's unrelated, but I love the extra credit.

[A]

It's not related to the company, but still, there's even a movie element to this story, iRobot.

[B]

And guys, we've barely even gotten to the main product, the profit puppy. It wasn't the big things with NASA or Deepwater Horizon. It was the little thing.

[A]

It was the crumbs off your kitchen floor that became their profit puppy.

[B]

In 2002, they introduced their flagship robot vacuum, the roomba, eventually selling 50 million robot vacuums, which is enough for one out of three American households.

[A]

That's right. Sorry, Waymo. Roomba was really the first self driving.

[B]

Vehicle and definitely traveled more miles.

[A]

But besties. Today, revenues for iRobot are down to less than 1/3 of their peak in 2021.

[B]

And the business is basically being foreclosed on by its lenders.

[A]

Which made Jack and I want to study the story and lead to this takeaway. Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at iRobot?

[B]

In the age of automation, does brand even matter?

[A]

Yeti's Irobot is a great reminder that you can create an industry, but not necessarily win that industry.

[B]

Roomba was the first consumer robot, but now it's a bankrupt consumer robot.

[A]

And a key reason, in our opinion, is that the market crowded with dupes cheaper knockoff Roombas made in China. Not Roombas. Fumbas. Fumbas.

[B]

My in laws actually own two Fumbas. They go for half the price on Amazon, but have 90% of the quality as a Roomba.

[A]

Oh, we see what you're doing over there, Maria. Now, this brings up an existential question to Jack and I. You see, if a product provides an automated service, do we care about the brand?

[B]

Roomba cleans while you're sleeping and it hides in the closet all day. You never actually see the product.

[A]

Yeah, it's kind of like how if a robo taxi gets you from A to B, do you care which robo taxi did that?

[B]

In the age of automation, does brand even matter?

[A]

Before we go to commercial, leave your answer in the comments. We want to hear what you think. Now, a quick word from our sponsor.

[B]

For the holidays, I'm hosting people every single weekend, and I don't know any of them.

[A]

What is wrong with you, Nick?

[B]

They're actually paid customers. I'm hosting them at my chalet using Airbnb. I actually have two bookings lined up while I'm away bringing in really good money for the holidays.

[A]

Oh, okay, I got it. Yeti Jack's been an Airbnb host for the last couple years. He's got a better rating than Santa.

[B]

I'll be at home for Christmas under the Christmas tree. But the day after, I'm heading south to visit the family. And while I'm gone, I'm hosting guests on Airbnb.

[A]

And with the revenue generated on Airbnb, Jack, you're probably booking massages for you and Alex.

[B]

It's an entire little side business. I have an income statement, Nick. It offsets my cost of travel and ensures I'm getting the most of the assets I own.

[A]

It's a write off.

[B]

All of my guests have been super respectful. Not only do I have a 5 star rating, I have given my guests 5 stars too.

[A]

So, besties, treat yourself with the trip and treat someone else with a stay.

[B]

Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host Netsuite.

[A]

Yetis AI can give your business a total glam up, but only if it's.

[B]

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[A]

It's a unified suite that connects your financials, inventory, HR and CRM into one glammed up system.

[B]

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[A]

Now besties, we don't have an erp, but if we did need an erp, this is the one we'd use right now.

[B]

Get our free business guide demystifying [e-mail] t boy, the guide is free for.

[A]

You to [e-mail] tboy netsuite.com tboy for our third and final story, the apres scene this ski season it's ATH skisure wear.

[B]

It really is because Skims, Aloe Yoga, and J. Crew are all full send this ski and snowboard season.

[A]

Skiing ain't a hobby anymore. Skiing is a lifestyle.

[B]

Yetis the 20252026 ski season is extremely young, but there's proving to be an inversion in two different ways.

[A]

I'm sorry Jack, I'm checking the numbers in my apps here. And the east is getting more snow than the west.

[B]

J Peak, Vermont has 188 inches of snow so far. Vail, Alta and Palisades out west, 50 inches or less.

[A]

Tahoe right now is ta. No.

[B]

The second inversion in this young ski season is that Vail is actually dropping prices for single day lift tickets across all the resorts, not increasing them like they always do.

[A]

It's the money. As Yeti Michael Benderchik pointed out, Vail is probably dropping the prices only cause the lack of snow.

[B]

The back bulls do need a bailout out west.

[A]

Yes they do. But what Jack and I found most fascinating about this ski season is the new flock of apparel collabs.

[B]

For the first time ever, J. Crew is bringing their prep to the powder in a partnership with Italy's brand Cappa.

[A]

That's right. Not available until early 2026, but J. Crew is unveiling their apparel at the US Ski Team events leading up to the Winter Olympics.

[B]

This is also the second year that skims is in the ski industry. In a collaboration with the North Face.

[A]

Kim Kardashian Skims is Now selling an $800 one piece ready for the Catw or the Snowcat.

[B]

And Aloe Yoga has an entire section on their website for apres ski.

[A]

The first thing we saw a cable knit cropped turtleneck long sleeve. That's a lot of syllables.

[B]

Jack. I didn't know those four words could go together.

[A]

I'll tell you what it goes together with Jack. A $30 hot chocolate martini in the apres scene.

[B]

True. Now, are you noticing something Yetis? Nick and I are seeing fashion companies going from downward dog in the yoga studio to downhill on the slopes.

[A]

You see, historically male created brands dominate the ski apparel industry, but now female are booming.

[B]

Couple explanations for this. First, everything is social media.

[A]

If you didn't post that you were skiing, did you even get first chair?

[B]

That's why new women's ski brands are form fitting and flattering.

[A]

Like Athleisure is, you can't apres without slim fit.

[B]

The second reason that fashion is going full send is our takeaway and warning.

[A]

You're going to want to open your safety bar before we get to the takeaway, so now would be the time to do so. Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over in the ski leisure wear industry?

[B]

More than ever, skiing is a lifestyle choice and the data proves it.

[A]

You see Eddies, 50 years ago, there were twice as many more ski areas in America than there are today, and they probably cost about a tenth the price.

[B]

With climate change and industry consolidation, there are fewer casual skiers in this very expensive industry.

[A]

You see today, skiing is a luxury lifestyle choice. It's less like tennis or golf and more like horseback riding or sailing.

[B]

Because like horseback riding or sailing, skiing requires a huge upfront financial commitment for a pass and gear.

[A]

And increasingly, with remote work flexibility, Ski weekends are three to four days long.

[B]

You're opening up your laptop and taking Zoom calls until 12, skiing in the afternoon and then apres at 3. It's a lifestyle.

[A]

Add it all up and the fashion first, ski and snowboard brands are reflecting this lifestyle transition.

[B]

Today's skiers and boarders are all in on skiing and snowboarding because it's not a hobby or recreation anymore. It's a lifestyle choice.

[A]

Jack, could you whip up the takeaways.

[B]

For us for T Boy Tuesday Michael Michael Buble is the top GROSSING Musician every December. 14 Decembers in a row.

[A]

Sorry Mariah. Mistletoe Mike invented booblaying. You find a predictable market void and then you go all in on it.

[B]

For our second story, despite a forest gumpian life story, Irobot declared bankruptcy three years after its deal with Amazon got blocked.

[A]

Ultimately, Chinese dupes killed Irobot, raising the question in automation, does brand still matter?

[B]

And our third and final story. Ski bunnies aren't limited to arc' teric or the North Face anymore. Skims, Alo, yoga, and J. Crew are all in Gore Tex.

[A]

Because skiing ain't a mere recreation. It's now a lifestyle choice with more fashion to pair with it.

[B]

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

[A]

First, sad one here, but Ford Motors is sadly waving the white flag and basically admitting defeat of their electric vehicle business.

[B]

Ford is ending its F150 Lightning program, the flagship EV pickup truck they bravely launched four years ago.

[A]

Interestingly, Ford's taken a page from Toyota and plans for half its cars to be hybrid by 2030.

[B]

Not all electric, not all gas either. The hybrid Goldilocks. That seems to be what America wants right now.

[A]

And second, Zillow's Stock fell nearly 10% yesterday because of a new threat. Google.

[B]

A blogger noticed this weekend that Google was putting real estate listings at the top of its search results.

[A]

Yeah, like if you Google homes for sale in Denver, the top results will now let you contact a real estate agent through Google.

[B]

Google says this is just a test, but if they add this to Google Maps, it could cut Zillow completely out of the real estate equation.

[A]

That would hurt the Zexting out there. It would hurt the Zexting. And finally, America's final pennies have officially been sold. And they raised 16.7 million bucks at auction.

[B]

The US Mint in Philadelphia minted the final 696 pennies. And the final set was sold for 800 grand.

[A]

And now get this. The Mint even tossed in some gold pennies in there to give Abe a good little last hurrah. And that juiced the prices even more.

[B]

And all 696 of this final batch had a little Omega symbol, which is apparently the Greek symbol for the last one.

[A]

So you find an Omega penny, you hold on to that Omega penny. Now time for the best fact yet. This one. An answer to our T boy trivia question we asked you yesterday.

[B]

What is the top performing Christmas movie of all time at the box office?

[A]

And because Jack's a double double econ major over here, he said this should be for highest grossing movie, both inflation adjusted and not inflation adjusted.

[B]

So the nominal winner is The Grinch from 2018 with Benedict Cumberbatch.

[A]

That's right. That movie brought in 540 million bucks.

[B]

It is the.

[A]

The not inflation adjusted, highest grossing Christmas film. For that, you'd have to go back.

[B]

To 1990 Home Alone. The first one with Macaulay Culkin and Joe PESCI brought in $476 million in $1990.

[A]

So if we adjust the original Home Alone for inflation, that becomes the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time.

[B]

And Home Alone 2 lost in New York is number two adjusted for inflation.

[A]

The sticky Bandits you have. Yeah, they did know where the money was. Yetis, you look fantastic today. And if you could take a second, we are this close to 10,000 ratings and reviews on Spotify and we would love to hit that round number.

[B]

We're actually this close on Apple too, but we're really close to 10,000 on both of our key platforms.

[A]

So if you could drop down and give us five stars rating review. We love reading them. And also, Jack could, you know, really.

[B]

Use the emotional boost to get over Michael Buble. Yeah, I mean, his handsomeness is frustrating to us all. Except to my wife, apparently.

[A]

Jack's got to get to that Buble therapy session. Jack and I will prepare tomorrow's show and we'll see you for the pot. If you know, you know. And before we go, happy birthday to Peyton Guyot down in Hotlanta, Georgia on the best birthday yet.

[B]

Happy 35th birthday to Terras Milenchenko in Austin, Texas.

[A]

His first birthday is a proud dad Terris we can't wait to see in Texas.

[B]

Happy birthday to Shazia Arroyo in Houston, Texas.

[A]

And Sean Lee down in Riverside, California starts his one on ones with his direct report. The best way yet by whipping up the takeaways on the latest D boy. Happy birthday, Sean.

[B]

Happy birthday to Akshara Ajayan in Roanoke, Virginia, who's also recently had a brand new baby. And to anyone else celebrating something today, make it a T boy.

[A]

Celebrate the wins.

[B]

This is Jack. I own stock of Netflix and Ford. Nick and I both own stock of Apple and Spotify. And Nick owns stock of Zillow. I hate this picture of Boubouille. Do you see how douchey he looks in this?

[A]

Yeah, it's like, why is he always wearing a thin black tie?

[B]

I know.

[A]

That's it. It's like, get a normal sized tie, dude.

[B]

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.

[A]

Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music. And before you go, tell us a.

[B]

Little bit about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey.

[A]

We want to get to know you.