The Best One Yet — "Meet the New Boss": Kevin’s Fed. Super Bowl commercial dating. Brag Book job hack. + Secret Starbucks Store

Podcast: The Best One Yet
Hosts: Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this energetic Monday episode, Nick and Jack tackle three major pop-business stories to kickstart your week:

1. The true (huge) cost and strategy behind viral Super Bowl commercials.
2. The nomination of Kevin Warsh as new Federal Reserve Chair and what it signals for the U.S. economy—and government.
3. A practical career hack: starting a brag book to secure your next raise or promotion.

Mixed throughout are signature playful banter, trivia, and punchy pop-culture references—all delivered in their trademark “best one yet” style.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Super Bowl Commercials: The Actually $30 Million First Date

[04:45–09:17]

• Super Bowl Hype & Record-Breaking Costs
  • 30-second Super Bowl ad slots hit an all-time high: $10 million.
  • "That's $333,333 per second." — Nick [05:33]
  • NBC now premieres ads a week early on YouTube; some go viral before game day.
• The Viral Ad & Its Real Budget
  • Ro’s ad featuring Serena Williams revealed in a tweet with full financial breakdowns (spreadsheet screenshots and all).
  • $10M to NBC for airtime, $1-4M to produce, $1-5M for celebrity talent, and a further $10M for post-ad “drag factor” (billboards, Instagram, reminders).
  • "It was like seeing the marketing numbers naked." — Jack [07:29]
• Marketing Strategy: The "Drag Factor"
  • The 30-sec spot is just the "first date"—the real spend is in keeping the product top of mind.
  • Follow-on ads (Olympics, billboards, digital) complete the “courtship.”
• Takeaway:
  • "Super Bowl commercials are just a first date, just the start of a customer courtship." — Jack [08:05]
  • Brands invest in a sequence of attention-grabbing, brand-building, and sales-driving activities beyond the game.

2. Kevin Warsh: Meet the (Maybe) New Boss at the Fed

[09:17–14:00]

• Who is Kevin Warsh?
  • Former youngest-ever Fed governor; left in 2012 over policy disagreements.
  • Ivy League background (Stanford, Harvard), experience at Morgan Stanley, White House economic advisor under G.W. Bush.
  • Presented as both a Fed insider and outsider poised to “disrupt” the institution.
  • "Feels more like the plot of a Netflix movie, Besties." — Nick [10:58]
• Philosophy & Political Dynamics
  • Advocates a more hands-off (“laissez-faire”) approach; believes Fed should “back off and chill out.”
  • His nomination seen as a "paradigm shift"—could he bow to presidential pressure, or remain an independent steward?
  • "He thinks it should basically back off and chill out...like, stop overreaching." — Jack [11:06]
• The Trillion-Dollar Question
  • Historically, central banks are shielded from politics because tough decisions (like high rates) are unpopular before elections.
  • Warsh’s public stance has shifted: he wanted higher rates in 2024, but more recently advocates rate cuts—aligning with President Trump’s wishes.
  • "Our only wish: once approved, we hope Kevin will do what he thinks is best for the country, not what's just best for the president who nominated him." — Nick [13:41]
• Takeaway:
  • Will Warsh serve the nation or the president? Central bank independence is crucial for economic stability.
  • "Strong economies have independent central banks." — Jack [13:49]

3. The Brag Book: The Job Hack You Need Now

[15:44–20:17]

• From “Burn Book” to “Brag Book”
  • Inspired by Mean Girls, but instead of gossip, it’s a log of professional achievements.
  • “A running list of your professional achievements.” — Jack [16:23]
• Building Your Brag Book
  • Start now; log wins throughout the year (client praise, shoutouts, quantifiable results).
  • Use whatever format suits you (Google Doc, Apple Notes, etc.); update weekly.
  • "Nobody is keeping track of your accomplishments except you." — Nick [16:54]
• Why it Matters
  • Defeats “recency bias” at year-end reviews; ensures your full-year impact is seen.
  • “The workplace is in popularity contest. Your career rises based on the tracking and sharing of your achievements.” — Nick [20:09]
  • AI-driven hiring and HR processes scan for quantifiable wins—your brag book makes your resume stand out.
• Climbing “Cringe Mountain”
  • Self-promotion feels awkward, but it’s essential: “Now more than ever for your career, you need to get over it and climb Cringe Mountain.” — Jack [19:21]
  • Even if you don’t send it, reflecting on your wins boosts confidence and direction.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|---------|--------------| | 05:33 | Nick | "That's $333,333 per second." (on Super Bowl ad pricing) | | 07:29 | Jack | "It was like seeing the marketing numbers naked." | | 08:05 | Jack | "Super Bowl commercials are just a first date, just the start of a customer courtship." | | 10:58 | Nick | "Feels more like the plot of a Netflix movie, Besties." (on Kevin Warsh's Fed comeback) | | 11:06 | Jack | "He thinks it should basically back off and chill out...like, stop overreaching." | | 13:41 | Nick | "Our only wish: once approved, we hope Kevin will do what he thinks is best for the country, not what's just best for the president who nominated him." | | 13:49 | Jack | "Strong economies have independent central banks." | | 16:23 | Jack | “A running list of your professional achievements.” | | 16:54 | Nick | "Nobody is keeping track of your accomplishments except you." | | 19:21 | Jack | “Now more than ever for your career, you need to get over it and climb Cringe Mountain.” | | 20:09 | Nick | “The workplace is in popularity contest. Your career rises based on the tracking and sharing of your achievements.” |

Fun Extras & Pop Moments

• Trivia Segment: [01:47–02:29]

  • Q: What is the only Starbucks where they don’t write your name on your cup?
  • A: Starbucks in the CIA headquarters ("Store One"). [22:53]
  • "They don't even write 007 on your cup. All the officers order it incognito." — Jack [23:04]

• Cameos & Shoutouts:

  • Numerous birthday shoutouts to listeners, community stories, and a remembrance of Catherine O'Hara (Kevin’s mom in Home Alone and Best in Show/Schitt's Creek), adding warmth and connection.

• Live Events Promo:

  • Announced more live shows, an “IPO tour,” and opportunities for listeners to meet them in person.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:45] — Super Bowl commercial costs & strategy
• [09:17] — Kevin Warsh & the Federal Reserve segment
• [15:44] — Brag Book career hack discussion
• [22:53] — CIA Starbucks trivia answer revealed

Episode Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

• Super Bowl Ads: The price of entry is just the beginning; real marketing success demands ongoing engagement (think customer courtship).
• Kevin Warsh at the Fed: The new Chair could redefine not just economic direction but the precedent of political influence in central banking.
• Brag Book: Track your wins, conquer the awkwardness, and put yourself in the best position to advance in your career.

Nick & Jack’s mantra throughout: "If you know, you know. Cause we read to go. We can't wait no more so just start the show…"

Useful for:
Anyone seeking punchy business insights with sharp analysis and pop-culture flair—whether you missed the episode or want the highlights for your own Brag Book!