😈 “Gayborhood” — Grindr’s gay super-app. Saks’ hippo bankruptcy. Airbnb for Diggers. +McConnaughey’s trademark

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet

Episode: 😈 “Gayborhood” — Grindr’s gay super-app. Saks’ hippo bankruptcy. Airbnb for Diggers. +McConnaughey’s trademark

Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell

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Overview

In this brisk, witty episode, Jack and Nick deliver three headline business stories: the historic bankruptcy of Saks Fifth Avenue (and what really killed it), Grindr’s ambitious pivot from dating app to “gay super-app” with recurring e-commerce, and EquipmentShare’s arrival on the public markets as the “Airbnb for bulldozers.” The show also features a fun segment on Matthew McConaughey trademarking himself, updates on Delta’s luxury strategy, Nike’s entry into pickleball, and a language fact about “RSVP”.

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Key Stories and Insights

1. Saks Fifth Avenue’s Bankruptcy: Death by Debt and Real Estate Gambles

[04:05-08:14]

Background & History:

• Saks, founded in 1867 by German Jewish immigrant Andrew Saks, was a retail innovator—first to implement fixed pricing and to offer refunds.
• Its iconic Fifth Avenue store (opened in 1924) helped put Fifth Avenue on the global fashion map.
• At its peak in 2001: 200 stores, $6 billion in revenue, and a successful IPO.

What Went Wrong:

• Survived urban flight (1970s) and ecommerce (2000s), but could not weather mounting debt.
• In 2024, Saks borrowed $2B to acquire the rival Neiman Marcus.
  • “Basically, they tried to eat their rival, but Neiman was so big, Saks choked on it.” (Nick, [06:16])
• High interest rates: $400M annually just in interest
• Recent struggles: Missed a $100M interest payment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Crucial Misstep:

• Saks isn’t just a retailer—“Saks is actually a real estate firm that happens to sell dresses.” (Nick, [07:02])
• The true target: Neiman’s Bergdorf Goodman store at 57th and Fifth, “the golden corner.”
• The leverage from that deal was a “Hail Mary desperation play for a department store past its peak.” (Jack, [07:17])

The Real Killer:

• Not just debt, but a changing luxury market: big brands (LV, Gucci, Prada) now prefer direct-to-consumer, cutting out department stores.
• “Why go to Saks on Fifth when you can go to the Louis Vuitton tower also right down the street?” (Nick, [08:03])

Memorable Analogy:

• “It’s like the gator of Saks tried to eat the hippo of Neiman in one bite and basically got crushed.” (Nick, [06:46])

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2. Grindr’s Secret to Surviving the Dating App Crash: The “Gayborhood” Super-App

[08:14-11:41]

The Situation:

• Tinder & Bumble stocks have cratered, but Grindr bucks the trend:
  • 15M users, 67 minutes/day average.
  • 130B chats in 2024.
  • Revenue & profits at all-time highs.

Why Grindr Works:

• Built as a safe space for the gay community.
• Now planning for a world where “Gen Z is simply done having pictures of their face swiped left or right on somebody’s phone.” (Jack, [09:15])

The Pivot:

• Grindr’s “gayborhood” strategy (per leaked docs): become a “gay super-app.”
  • “Not just for dating, but for selling. Selling things like hair products.” (Nick, [09:37])
• Rolled out “Woodwork” erectile dysfunction pills; plans for haircare, skincare, and more—aiming for four direct-to-consumer lines by 2028.

The Playbook:

• Monetize recurring purchases: consumables with reliable renewal cycles.
• “Recurring as in, not one-off sales...you’re going to buy them every few months as you run out.” (Nick, [11:11])

Memorable Quotes:

• “If you’re going to expand the gayborhood, make sure it’s with repeat rabbits.” (Jack, [10:48] and [11:41])
• “Add it all up, and Grindr calls it a gay-eye super-app.” (Nick, [10:40])

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3. EquipmentShare IPO: The Airbnb for Construction Vehicles

[12:01-16:36]

Industry Backdrop:

• American construction productivity is “pathetically slow”—productivity up just 1.6x since 1947, compared to 10x on farms and 3.5x in manufacturing.
• $11 trillion global industry—yet productivity is down since 1973.

What is EquipmentShare?

• A “fleet rental marketplace” for construction equipment, founded a decade ago in Missouri.
• Not just renting “drills for the day,” but entire fleets (bulldozers, cranes, etc.) to contractors.

Scale & Technology:

• 373 physical locations, $8B in vehicles, 325,000+ assets, all tracked with smart sensors.
• “It’s basically a toddler’s dream.” (Jack, [14:15])

Financials:

• Revenue growth averaging 140%, now $4B/year—targeting $6B valuation at IPO.
• But growth is slowing (just 27% last year, down each year since 2022).

Cyclical Warning:

• “When it comes to stocks, the word ‘cyclical’ makes investors sick.” (Jack, [16:31])
• Growth will lag when construction slows, as in high interest-rate environments.

Memorable Moment:

• Nick riffing: “Can you invite Jack, me, and our two two-year-old toddler boys to your next earnings report?” (Nick, [14:24])

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Notable & Fun Moments

Matthew McConaughey’s Trademark Maneuver

[01:11-02:21]

• McConaughey trademarked his name, image, and signature phrases, including “All right, all right, all right.”
• “McConaughey is now legal property of McConaughey.” (Jack, [01:33])
• Why? To battle AI clones of his voice and likeness.
• “He doesn’t want ChatGPT stealing his southern drawl.” (Jack, [01:51])

Industry Updates

[17:16-18:42]

• Delta Airlines: Premium cabin (first and business class) sales surpass coach for first time—a sign of the “K-shaped” economy. “It’s like a 12-tier society up in the sky.” (Jack, [17:57])
• Nike’s First Pickleball Star: Signed Anna Lee Waters, the “LeBron of LaKitchen” (pickleball), as brand ambassador.

Best Fact Yet

[18:51-19:13]

• Origin of RSVP: from French “Répondez s’il vous plaît,” meaning “please reply.”

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Selected Quotes With Timestamps

• On Saks & Neiman:

  • “Basically, they tried to eat their rival, but Neiman was so big, Saks choked on it.”
    —Nick, [06:16]

• On Grindr’s business model:

  • "If you’re going to expand the gayborhood, make sure it’s with repeat rabbits.”
    —Jack, [10:48]

• On EquipmentShare’s IPO:

  • “When it comes to stocks, the word ‘cyclical’ makes investors sick.”
    —Jack, [16:31]

• On McConaughey’s legal move:

  • "McConaughey is now legal property of McConaughey."
    —Jack, [01:33]

• On Delta’s luxe pivot:

  • "It’s like a 12-tier society up in the sky.”
    —Jack, [17:57]

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Additional Insights and Recommendations

• Luxury Retail is out of step with today’s market: The old “curation” value-prop is dead; premium brands now want to own the shopper relationship.
• **Tech platforms, even legacy ones, can pivot if they truly understand—and keep—their community engaged, as Grindr demonstrates.
• IPO caution: EquipmentShare’s tech-driven model is impressive, but the underlying industry cycles can limit returns even for well-run businesses.

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Conclusion

Jack and Nick maintain their trademark energy and clarity, turning challenging business news into digestible, entertaining stories—whether you’re an investor or an oatmeal connoisseur.
Bottom line: Saks’ fall wasn’t just about retail—it was about real estate and luxury brand disruption. Grindr shows how to outlive a dying category through community and recurring e-commerce. And even the cleverest “Airbnb-for-X” isn’t safe from the broader business cycle.

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Timestamps for Main Segments

• McConaughey’s Trademark: [01:11-02:21]
• Saks Fifth Avenue Bankruptcy: [04:05-08:14]
• Grindr’s Gayborhood Super-App: [08:14-11:41]
• EquipmentShare & Construction Industry: [12:01-16:36]
• Rapid-Fire Industry Updates (Delta, Nike): [17:16-18:42]
• Best Fact Yet (RSVP): [18:51-19:13]

---

Recommended for:
Anyone who wants a sharp, approachable take on major business stories, with a side of clever analogies, infectious banter, and business wisdom you can actually use.

Transcript

[A]

This is Nick.

[B]

This is Jack.

[A]

It's Thursday, the new Friday, January 15, 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]

Wow. Stocks actually fell yesterday.

[B]

Feels like the first time all year.

[A]

I didn't know they did that in 2026.

[B]

It's like investors opened their eyes and realized there's a lot of chaos happening in the world.

[A]

And yet, Jack and I found three fantastic stories for today's team. Boy, Jack, what do we got on the pod?

[B]

For our first story, after 159 years, Saks 5th Aven filed for bankruptcy.

[A]

Cause of death, debt. Reason for death. What Louis Vuitton did.

[B]

For our second story, Grindr has a secret plan to survive the decline of dating apps. It's the gayborhood strategy.

[A]

Grindr is creating a gay eyes super app to sell pills, hair care, and skin cream.

[B]

And our third and final story. We know what you've been wondering. Is there an Airbnb? But for diggers, bulldozers, and cranes, Jack.

[A]

We'Ve all been wondering it.

[B]

Well, there is now. It's called Equipment Share, and it's the newest stock to ipo.

[A]

So we whipped out a jackhammer and jumped in T boy style.

[B]

But yetis, before we hit that wonderful.

[A]

Mix of stories, I mean, my favorite mix we've ever done. Love the mix, Jack.

[B]

Warning, the next time you quote Matthew McConaughey, you could get sued.

[A]

Because, get this, McConaughey just trademarked himself.

[B]

Including his favorite catchphrases.

[A]

All right, all right, all right.

[B]

That phrase is now legally locked up with a little TM logo.

[A]

Nick McConaughey even trademarked images of himself staring, smiling, talking, anything.

[B]

McConaughey is now legal property of McConaughey.

[A]

Jack, this is either the most egotistical thing ever or. Or the handsomest thing ever.

[B]

So why is McConaughey legally locking himself down himself? Well, as with everything in business these days, the answer is AI. That's right.

[A]

McConaughey doesn't want Chatgpt stealing his southern.

[B]

Drawl, and he doesn't want AI generators knocking off his Texas twang.

[A]

That's right. His image and likeness are for him and his mirror only.

[B]

So if you're a rom com fan or you like doing McConaughey impressions, you.

[A]

Better make sure those impressions aren't too good. They could get you sued.

[B]

Add McConaughey to our list of tricky trademarks and crazy copyrights.

[A]

All right, all right. Okay. You see what I did there?

[B]

Jack, you just prevented a lawsuit.

[A]

Can't get sued.

[B]

I just saved us.

[A]

Jack. Let's hit our three stars. Fifteen years before this song, two boys from the northeast met in the dorm. They had an idea that caused a cultural storm. It's the best one yet but the best is the norm. Jack. Nick, that's it. I don't even think they need to practice. 50%. That's a fat tip. T boy city on your 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. First, a quick word from our sponsor.

[C]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Fiscally responsible financial geniuses, monetary magicians. These are things people say about drivers who switch their car insurance to Progressive and save hundreds. Visit progressive.com to see if you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states or situations.

[A]

Here at Blue Apron we know exactly how hectic school nights can be. That's why we created Assemble and Bake delicious one pan meals that make family dinner simple. Just assemble the pre chopped ingredients and put the pan in the oven to bake. Then you're free to help out with that last minute diorama. Shop. Assemble and [e-mail] get 50% off your first two orders with code apron50 terms and conditions apply. Visit blueapron.com terms for more. For our first story, Saks Fifth Avenue just filed for bankruptcy taking down Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman with it.

[B]

Coup de grace for Saks fifth Ave. When Louis Vuitton built their own fifth.

[A]

Ave. Ah, Jack, if we're gonna talk Saks, I mean great childhood memories here. My mom taking me down to the Saks window in December to sit on Santa's lap. Great times.

[B]

I'm picturing gimbals from Elf. Is that what you're talking about?

[A]

But with better windows. Yeti Saks Fifth Avenue. The department store so fancy they wrote it in script and stuck the address in the name.

[B]

Is Fifth Avenue famous because of Saks Fifth Avenue?

[A]

Actually Jack, Saks did put Fifth Avenue on the map. There's a great book about it. It's called the Women who Ran Fifth Avenue. And Saks made Fifth Avenue Fashion Avenue.

[B]

Nice. And Andrew Sachs is a German Jewish immigrant who opened up his first store 159 years ago. Surprisingly not in New York, but in Washington D.C. in fact, Yeti's, that first.

[A]

Sack store in 1867 was a retail disruptor of the post Civil War era.

[B]

The first store where everything had the same price. And the first major store to offer refunds.

[A]

Their famous Fifth Avenue location in New York between 49th and 50th Streets arrived in 1924. Perfect timing. Roaring 20s profit puppy.

[B]

But then eight mergers and acquisitions later, Saks Fifth Avenue peaked in the year 2001.

[A]

They IPO'd. They had 200 stores, 6 billion bucks in revenue. The numbers were looking Gucci.

[B]

It survived urban flight to the suburbs in the 1970s. It survived E commerce in the 2000s. It even survived TikTok shop today. Well, about that last one.

[A]

Yeah. Jackson survived, not thrived. Because here's the news. Saks missed a $100 million interest payment last month and just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

[B]

The company's broken. They owe Louboutin $22 million. They owe Michael Kors $33 million, and they owe Chanel $136 million for the merchandise in their store that they haven't paid for yet.

[A]

Oh, and those luxury brands, they want cash, not cashmere.

[B]

Now the judge is going to decide which brand gets paid what. And meanwhile, the stores will remain open.

[A]

But besties. Here's what Jack and I find fascinating. What really triggered the ending for this 159-year-old brand.

[B]

A real estate deal that Sachs couldn't pay the mortgage on.

[A]

You see, yetis, back in 2024, Sachs borrowed 2 billion bucks to acquire their rival, Neiman Marcus.

[B]

Basically, they tried to eat their rival, but Neiman was so big, Sachs choked on it.

[A]

And remember, in 2024, interest rates were high. Interest alone on that loan cost 400 million bucks.

[B]

And then 2025 was a tough year for Sachs, so they ran out of money.

[A]

The way Jack and I see the situation, it's kind of like Sachs was stuck in one of those safari situations you see on National Geographic. Right, Jack? Look at that.

[B]

He's trying to eat that hippopotamus. I think it's too big for him.

[A]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

He's going for it anyway.

[A]

Exactly like the gator of Sachs tried to eat the hippo of Nieman in one bite and basically got crushed.

[B]

And why try to swallow a company so big? Well, this story reveals Saks Fifth Avenue's real business model these days.

[A]

That's right. Saks is actually a real estate firm that happens to sell dresses.

[B]

Sachs's most valuable asset was the building on Fifth Avenue and 50th street, which is worth an estimated $4 billion.

[A]

But Sachs really wanted that Bergdorf store on 57th and Fifth Avenue owned by Neiman. Basically, the golden corner. Incredibly valuable.

[B]

So that 10% mortgage that Sachs took on to acquire that Bergdorf store was kind of a Hail Mary desperation play for a department store that was past its peak.

[A]

Sachs, a real estate firm, dressed in a tuxedo. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at the Saks Fifth Avenue?

[B]

Louis Vuitton went around Saks's back.

[A]

Went around their back or stabbed them in the back, Jack?

[B]

I think they went around the back.

[A]

Okay, they went around the back. Yetis the number one reason why department stores existed. Curation. That's the value prop. All the brands you could want all in one place.

[B]

It was convenience for the shopper and it helped them discover new brands too.

[A]

But over time, luxury brands realized it's way more profitable to just go direct to consumer.

[B]

In fact, 95% of Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton sales these days are direct, bypassing the department store middleman.

[A]

I mean, Jack, why go to Saks on Fifth when you can go to the Louis Vuitton tower also right down the street on fifth Avenue?

[B]

Nowadays you get your content, your information and your handbags direct.

[A]

And that was the latest blow for Sachs. Louis Vuitton won. Around its back for our second story. With Tinder and Bumble stocks both down 80%, Grindr is still growing.

[B]

Because unlike other dating apps, Grindr is selling to you even after you stopped swiping Yetis.

[A]

You know how you know Grindr is a millennial tech company? How do you know it, Jack?

[B]

They dropped the val.

[A]

Yeah, G R I N D R.

[B]

Yeah, they dropped the E there, got.

[A]

Rid of the E. Classic giveaway.

[B]

It's got 15 million users though, who spend 67 minutes a day on average on swipe.

[A]

Oh, but those users, they are active, man.

[B]

They sent 130 billion chats on Grindr in 2024.

[A]

And their next leg of growth is GR AI or as they call it, Gay Eye.

[B]

But Grindr is the only dating app right now whose numbers are going up and to the right. Revenues and profits hit an all time high for Grindr last quarter.

[A]

Over at match, revenue shrank 3 the last 4 quarters. Bumble, their revenue's fallen 5 straight quarters.

[B]

It's a classic case of Tinder fatigue. Gen Z is simply done having pictures of their face swiped left or right on somebody's phone.

[A]

It's a little different though, for the gay community, which needs a safe space. And Grindr, they provided that for nearly two decades now.

[B]

But Grindr is preparing for a post dating app world they're doing it by building an entire gay super app.

[A]

Oh, Jack. A super gay app, if you will. You know, not just for dating, but for selling. Selling things like hair products.

[B]

This is all based on internal documentation from Grindr that leaked to Business Insider. It's called the gayborhood strategy.

[A]

Again, Gayborhood, their term.

[B]

Grindr has 15 million people who open the app every month, but also tens of hundreds of millions more who used the app in the past, and it's probably still downloaded on their phone.

[A]

It's a digital gayborhood that the community loves and appreciates. You found your guy on the Grindr app.

[B]

So now Grindr wants to capitalize on that love from the gay community with stores to sell you stuff.

[A]

Basically turn that digital gayborhood into a real functioning style, neighborhood, or a marketplace. For example, they launched an erectile dysfunction pill just last year called, wait for it, Woodwork.

[B]

They also want to sell you hair care, skincare, meds, and merch in the future.

[A]

Also likely with some very punny names.

[B]

The product roadmap that leaked shows four successful direct to consumer businesses by 2028, all outside of the core dating app business.

[A]

Add it all up and Grindr calls it a gay eye super app.

[B]

A gay eye super app.

[A]

So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Grindr?

[B]

If you're going to expand the gayborhood, make sure it's with repeat rabbits yeties.

[A]

Grindr knows that its customer base will eventually stop using the core product, right, Jack?

[B]

So now they're leveraging their real brand to sell those customers physical things to.

[A]

Okay, but pause the pod. The one thing Jack and I noticed, these direct to consumer businesses Grindr's entering are recurring businesses.

[B]

Recurring as in not one off sales. For example, if you buy Grindr skin cream someday, you're going to buy them every few months as you run out.

[A]

It's the same with the hair care, the skincare, the pills. They are not one offs like an instapot or a board game.

[B]

And this is the same reason why every celebrity or influencer has their own energy drink. Now they're looking for new revenue sources, and they want those revenue sources to be recurring besties.

[A]

One off products can be good for business, but recurring products more reliably drive profits long term.

[B]

If you're going to expand your gaborhood, make sure it's with repeat rabbits.

[A]

Now, a quick word from our sponsor for our third and final story. It's equipment share. It's not just the Airbnb of excavators this is much more than that. And it's ipoing next week.

[B]

The business looks incredible, but Jim Cramer would not approve of this stock. We'll explain why.

[A]

But first, Yetis, a little bit of awkward, constructive feedback for the American construction industry. We gotta share.

[B]

You're not productive enough.

[A]

And here's the Hero stat. Since 1947, productivity in American construction has risen pathetically slowly.

[B]

Farmers are producing 10 times more crops per person than 1947.

[A]

Manufacturers are producing 3.5 times more per person.

[B]

But construction workers are building just 1.6 times more per person than 78 years ago.

[A]

An even more ridiculous comparison here. The tech industry. Right, Jack?

[B]

I mean, computers are trillions times faster than 1947, but construction is just 1.6 times better, despite all the advancements in technology.

[A]

Not convinced. How about this? Construction productivity is actually down since 1973. Each worker appears to be building less.

[B]

And this just rings true to me. Everything these days takes forever to build and always goes over budget.

[A]

Okay, Jack, but pause the pod for a sec. Don't blame the construction workers. You got huge safety precautions in red tape that mean it takes eight months to build a bakery out there.

[B]

Still, we're talking about an $11 trillion global construction industry.

[A]

Huge.

[B]

Construction is 10% of the world's GDP.

[A]

And yet it's been stagnant for decades.

[B]

That's all According to the S1 IPO paperwork of equipment Share.

[A]

That's right, Yetis. Jack and I threw on those green.

[B]

Visors, you know, that accountants used to wear back in the day.

[A]

Oh, no, no, Jack. I was thinking the cargo pants for this one. And Equipment Share is the company that filed to IPO on Tuesday, 10 years.

[B]

After being found Missouri as a Y Combinator startup.

[A]

You see, Yetis, the way Jack and I see Equipment Share. We thought of it at first like the Airbnb for construction equipment. But they're not just dishing out drills for the day.

[B]

They're actually renting out entire fleets of construction vehicles to build an entire real estate development.

[A]

We're talking 373 physical locations with $8 billion worth of vehicles. 325,000 things with huge wheels.

[B]

It's basically a toddler's dream.

[A]

It is.

[B]

They got John Deere excavators, genie lifts.

[A]

Hitachi bulldozers, Equipment Share, if you're listening right now, if you can invite Jack, me and our two two year old toddler boys to your next earnings report.

[B]

We would really appreciate that. So, Equipment Share rents these vehicles and sells them outright. But here's the key. All of their construction vehicles are connected to software.

[A]

That's right. Each vehicle has cameras and sensors to track productivity. Basically, smart machines.

[B]

Half of the fleet they rent out, and the other half they sell. But all of the vehicles are managed by Equipment Share software.

[A]

So they're making money three different ways off the customers. And here's the value proposition to the.

[B]

With these smart construction vehicles, your project will run faster, the equipment will last longer, safety will improve, and the cost will come way down.

[A]

The result? The average revenue growth over at equipment share is 140%. They're doing 4 billion bucks a year in annual revenue, targeting a $6 billion valuation. That is almost one lift.

[B]

But we can tell you who's not going to buy Equipment Share stock on their IPO day.

[A]

Yeah, and who is that, Jack?

[B]

CNBC's Jim Cramer.

[A]

Exactly. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our digging buddies over at Equipment Share?

[B]

When it comes to stocks, the word cyclic makes investors sick.

[A]

Yetis, back in November, Jack and I read Jim Cramer's book on investing, and then we got to interview Jim about that book at the NASDAQ Stock Exchange.

[B]

His key insight is that you only want stocks that can grow in any market. Equipment Share, unfortunately, is not one of them.

[A]

Remember that 140% growth rate Jack and I just mentioned? Well, that was their average growth rate since they were founded.

[B]

More recently, it's been much more slow. In fact, their growth rate has shrunk every year since 2022 and is down to just 27% growth last year.

[A]

Well, what happened exactly in 2022 that hit their growth, Jack?

[B]

Inflation and interest rates both spiked, and high interest rates basically kill the construction industry.

[A]

It's like automotive and airlines. Construction is a cyclical industry. It does well when the economy is doing well, but it shrinks when the economy's not.

[B]

That's why Equipment Share is on track for their first year of losses since 2019. Look past these.

[A]

Equipment Share sounds like a great biz again. Kind of fun to call it the Airbnb of construction stuff. But they could lag the rest of the stock market long term because it's cyclical.

[B]

When it comes to stocks, the word cyclical makes investors sick.

[A]

Jack, could you whip up the takeaways for us for the new Friday?

[B]

Saks Fifth Avenue declared bankruptcy because its acquisition of Neiman Marcus was just too big to eat.

[A]

It's death by debt. But Louis Vuitton held the dagger for our second story.

[B]

Grindr's business is still all time highing, but they're expanding to become a gay super app.

[A]

Anyway, they're expanding the gayborhood but they're doing it with repeat rabbit products.

[B]

And our third and final story is equipment share. The stock hits the stock market next week. It's a huge milestone. Going public with an ipo.

[A]

It's a great business, but a cyclical business and that limits its stock's growth.

[B]

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

[A]

First, Carmen Sandiego style, we gotta do a rundown of some geopolitical updates out.

[B]

There in Greenland, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Denmark who insisted that Greenland is not for sale. But the two sides agreed to disagree and continue talking.

[A]

Over in Iran, the President says that the killing of Iranian protesters has stopped and he's ruling out military action for now.

[B]

No major updates right now on the Panama Canal or Venezuela, the two other geopolitical hotspots the President is very interested in.

[A]

And second, Delta Airlines is apparently becoming a luxury product. Their premium cabin sales have eclipsed their coach cabin sales for the first time ever. However, even though the premium Cabins are just 30% of the seats, it's like.

[B]

A 12 tier society up in the sky. Delta One First Class, Premium Select. Delta Comfort plus Delta Comfort. They bring in more than half the bacon. Even though they're just 30% of the seats.

[A]

It's the air travel evidence of the K shaped economy. Wealthy are eager to spend more on tickets. But not so wealthy trying to save every buck they can on its seats.

[B]

And finally, Nike's first pickleball deal.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Nike signed Anna Lee Waters to an endorsement deal and she's a pickleballer.

[A]

Yeah. This 18 year old is the LeBron of Lakitchen. The number one ranked in singles and.

[B]

Doubles and mixed in 2023. Nick and I wish that Nike would acquire Major League pickleball. Just saying. This isn't that.

[A]

We basically predicted this, Jack. I think we gotta give ourselves some credit on this one.

[B]

This isn't that. But we were directionally correct three years early.

[A]

Nike just buy the whole league. Just do it. Now time for the best fact yet. This one sent in by Rob Yasuay from lovely Lititz, Pennsylvania.

[B]

Did you RSVP to my party?

[A]

You know, did I r. I think I forgot the RSVP into your party, Jack.

[B]

Well, it's just a segue because the abbreviation RSVP is the star of this fact.

[A]

I was going to say, I don't feel like I got an invite to your party, Jack.

[B]

What does RSVP stand for?

[A]

Well, it's actually a French phrase, and in French, it stands for repondai, s'.

[B]

Il vous plait, which means respond, please.

[A]

Or more directly, respond, if it pleases you.

[B]

Speaking of France, White Lotus Season 4 has named their destination.

[A]

Not.

[B]

It's a hotel in the south of France. I'm pretty sure you've never been to.

[A]

No spoilers. Jack. No spoilers. Yetis, you look fantastic for the new Friday. And the best thing you can do to grow the show. What is it, Jack?

[B]

Share this show right now with a friend. Yeah, by copying a link to the episode, pasting it into your group chat.

[A]

And McConaughey, we know you're listening.

[B]

Actually, he's probably looking at himself in the mirror.

[A]

All right, you can send it to yourself. McConaughey said send it to yourself. H y H T V O y. If you know, you know. And before we go, a woof woof to Cooper the Husky. Happy Gotcha day down in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thanks for listening to this pod every day on your walks.

[B]

And happy 20th birthday to Pranav Gadraju in Cary, North Carolina, and Isaac Owusu.

[A]

In Cincinnati, Ohio's turning 36, listening with his fantastic two and four year olds.

[B]

Happy birthday to Terrence Agby in Jersey City, who's also just become a dad.

[A]

And Declan Bernard's over in Portland, Oregon, celebrating the best birthday yet.

[B]

Happy birthday to Lindsey Drager, New York City.

[A]

And a shout out to Pamela Miller, a legendary yeti who points out it is International Voter Registration Day. Get yourself signed up.

[B]

And to anyone else celebrating something today.

[A]

Make it a T, boy. Celebrate the wins.

[B]

This is Jack. I own stock of Bumble. Nick owns stock of Nike, and we both own stock in Airbnb.

[C]

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