👟 “Ree-bound” — Reebok’s Shaq comeback. Apple’s AirPod camera. Whirlpool's DIY warning. +Pimp My Cart - The Best One Yet

Transcript

A (0:01)

This is Nick, this is Jack. Welcome back. It is Monday, May 11, and today's pot is the best one yet. This is a T boy.

B (0:09)

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

A (0:12)

Huge week, besties. We got stocks at all time highs again. Big jobs report. Happy record earnings season.

B (0:18)

To all those who celebrate, stocks actually have risen six straight weeks.

A (0:23)

Oh, and on ceviche Wednesday, Jack and I are dropping a huge announcement too.

B (0:27)

As Nick said last week, mark your calendars.

A (0:29)

To mark your calendars, we got three fantastic stories. Make you the most interesting person in the room. Jack, what do we got on today's T boy?

B (0:37)

For our first story, Apple employees are walking around campus right now testing out their big new product.

A (0:43)

It's a camera that cannot take a photo.

B (0:46)

For our second story, Reebok sales have tripled since 2021 and Shaq is dribbling the profits to the bank.

A (0:53)

Yeah, because Shaq FaceTimed a player 17 times. True story.

B (0:57)

And our third and final story is Whirlpool. They just revealed that you're not buying a new washing mach. You're fixing your old one instead.

A (1:05)

It's the DIY economy and it tells us something huge about the real economy.

B (1:10)

But yetis, before we hit that wonderful mix of stories, I mean, like we

A (1:13)

said, that's just the best mix in business.

B (1:15)

Jack, big alert for you. The shopping cart is getting disrupted.

A (1:18)

No, we're not talking about those digital E commerce shopping carts, are we Jack?

B (1:22)

No, we're talking about the metal grate, Kmart style clunky thing with the dangling front left wheel.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Best One Yet — “Ree-bound”: Reebok’s Shaq comeback. Apple’s AirPod camera. Whirlpool's DIY warning. +Pimp My Cart

Date: May 11, 2026
Hosts: Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell

Episode Overview

This episode of The Best One Yet brings listeners the latest in pop-business news with signature wit and conversational banter. The three headline stories cover: Apple's impending launch of AI AirPods with cameras and its battle for privacy in the age of AI; Reebok's surprise resurgence through basketball legends and clever branding; and Whirlpool’s troubles as the DIY repair trend hints at deeper cracks in the economy. Side discussions on shopping cart innovations and a rundown of other notable news round out the episode, crafted to keep listeners both informed and entertained.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shopping Cart Disruption: “Pimp My Cart”

(00:15 – 02:51)

Innovations on the Shopping Cart:
- Instacart’s new carts feature built-in screens to give turn-by-turn directions; Amazon’s Whole Foods carts include credit card swipers for easy checkout.
  
  “Turn left at aisle six for cilantro.” – Nick (01:38)
- Chanel ups the ante with a $152,000 diamond-encrusted cart.
- Target’s new cart is highlighted for its massive cup holders — big enough for a Stanley mug and a Starbucks Venti — plus a phone tray and baby seat.
- The hosts joke about their dream feature: a self-parking shopping cart.
  
  “A shopping cart that takes itself to that little island caddy in the middle of the lot.” – Jack (02:39)
- The ‘middle-class fancy experience’ just got an upgrade.

2. Apple AirPods with AI Cameras: Surveillance, Context, and Privacy

(05:40 – 10:30)

Apple’s Next Big Product:
- Apple is reportedly in final testing of AirPods with built-in cameras — dubbed “AI lookers” — along with smart glasses and a wearable pendant.
- The cameras, unique in being unable to take photos or record video, are designed to feed context to Siri, making the assistant “all-knowing and all-seeing.”
  
  “The more context AI has on you, the more helpful it can be. Basically, AI eats context.” – Jack (07:26)
- Example uses: Visual navigation assistance (“Turn right after the Walgreens”), wine pairing while shopping.
- Privacy design: A small LED alert comes on when data is being sent, mindful of concerns people have with always-on cameras.
  
  “Picture the green light like on your phone or MacBook when the camera is on — the green light is a privacy thing.” – Jack (08:14)
- Apple's approach is contrasted with Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have faced criticism for secretive video recordings.
  
  “Have you heard about the disturbing reports that Meta employees are able to snoop...?” – Jack (08:59)
Takeaway:
- Apple must “avoid the surveillance ick.”
  
  “Apple is the brand... best suited to fight mass surveillance. And it would be lucrative if they could succeed.” – Jack (09:47)
- Expect Apple to brand this context-aware privacy feature distinctly: “Insight clean” or “context lenses.”
  
  “Apple should trademark anti-surveillance privacy.” – Nick (10:30)

3. Reebok’s Shaq Comeback: From Forgotten Brand to Gen Z Fave

(10:48 – 15:41)

Reebok’s Resurgence:
- Sales have tripled since 2021, up to an estimated $6.5B — surpassing brands like Hoka and Brooks, and closing in on New Balance.
  
  “Sales surged from $1.8 billion in 2020 to $5 billion in 2023 to an estimated six and a half billion this year.” – Jack (11:34)
- Reebok, now owned by Authentic Brands, brought on Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson in leadership roles.
- A memorable anecdote: Shaq FaceTimed NCAA/WNBA star Angel Reese 17 times to recruit her as a Reebok ambassador.
  
  “Shaq literally kept calling her until she would do the deal.” – Nick (14:13)
Strategic Moves:
- Reebok targets overlooked markets (youth, women) rather than competing directly with Nike/Adidas for established stars.
- Historical irony: Shaq turned down a massive Reebok deal in the '90s and is now running the company; Iverson’s legendary lifetime shoe deal is referenced.
Takeaway:
- The new owner “let them cook,” enabling personalities like Shaq to revive the brand via authentic engagement.
  
  “When acquisitions fail, it’s not the player, it’s the coach.” – Nick (15:29)

4. Whirlpool’s Dividend Disaster: DIY Repairs as Economic Alarm Bell

(18:05 – 21:43)

Whirlpool’s 70-Year Dividend Streak Ends:
- Facing falling sales and foreign competition, Whirlpool suspends its dividend for the first time since 1955.
- While sales drop 10%, the one division growing is spare parts — signaling consumers are opting to repair rather than replace.
  
  “Instead of buying a new washing machine ... we’re grabbing our screwdriver to fix the old one.” – Jack (19:35)
Bigger Picture – Economic Warning:
- CEO blames “rapid deterioration of the macro environment” and plummeting consumer sentiment, triggered, in part, by global conflict.
- Appliance purchasing is highlighted as a leading economic indicator—Americans are putting off buying new big-ticket items.
  
  “Your appliances are better economists than most economists.” – Jack (20:45)
- GDP and corporate earnings appear healthy, but much of the growth is isolated to the AI-fueled tech sector; elsewhere, households are feeling the squeeze.
  
  “This Whirlpool problem reveals an American household problem.” – Nick (21:34)

Notable Quotes & Segments

On Apple Privacy:

“Apple must avoid the surveillance ick.” – Jack (09:20)
On Reebok's Revival:

“Reebok's new owner brought on Shaquille O’Neal and let him do what he wanted to do. Like FaceTime Angel Reese 17 times if he has to.” – Jack (15:22) “Let him cook.” – Nick (15:41)
On DIY and the Economy:

“Your appliances are better economists than most economists.” – Jack (20:45)
“That’s CEO for ‘we’re in a recession, but I legally can’t say so.’” – Jack (21:45)

Important Timestamps

Shopping Cart Innovations: 00:15 – 02:51
Apple AI AirPods with Cameras: 05:40 – 10:30
Reebok’s Comeback & Shaq’s Involvement: 10:48 – 15:41
Whirlpool & DIY Economic Signal: 18:05 – 21:43
Rapid Fire Headlines:
- Bumble’s pivot away from swipe: 22:32 – 22:54
- Lime files for IPO: 22:54 – 23:14
- Apple’s Siri class action settlement: 23:20 – 23:43
Best Fact Yet (Sir David Attenborough): 23:56 – 24:42

Memorable Moments

Shaq’s Relentless Recruitment of Angel Reese:
17 FaceTime calls — “No joke. Shaq literally kept calling her until she would do the deal.” (14:13)
Privacy "Trademark" Banter:
Suggestions like “Insight clean” and “context lenses” as Apple-style trademarks. (10:15–10:30)
Economic Humor:
“There’s no Phillips head that could fix that.” – Nick, on cracks in the consumer economy. (20:39)

Episode Tone

Conversational, witty, filled with playful banter and memorable business analogies. Nick and Jack keep the energy high while making complex business trends relatable and memorable for listeners.

In Brief: Takeaways

Apple is launching contextually aware, privacy-forward AI wearables, but must avoid turning users into surveillance tools.
Reebok thrives under new management by letting iconic personalities authentically rebuild the brand, targeting new consumer segments.
Whirlpool's dividend halt and booming spare parts sales are strong, early indicators of economic stress among American households.
Side Stories: Dating apps in crisis, the scooter economy faces more IPO risks, and Apple owes iPhone customers money from a settlement.
Trivia: Sir David Attenborough turns 100; his brother played John Hammond in Jurassic Park.

For fans of business news mixed with personality, this episode offers sharp analysis, unique insights, and a few laughs—making you the most interesting person at the breakfast table.