The Best One Yet — “TP to AI”
Podcast by Nick & Jack Studios
Date: January 27, 2026
Overview:
Nick and Jack bring their signature banter to three timely business stories with big implications: Minnesota’s unprecedented CEO activism following a political crisis, the viral trajectory and copycat threat facing Graza’s olive oil, and a surprising tech pivot at Toto—the luxury Japanese toilet company—whose little-known chip component suddenly powers AI’s future. Across these segments, they highlight how innovation, corporate voice, and business evolution shape the business and pop culture landscape.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. “Minnesota’s CEO Moment: Breaking Corporate Silence”
[04:30–08:43]
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Incident & Fallout:
The killing of Alex Peretti in Minnesota, framed by the Trump administration as an attempted assassination, sparks protests, a government shutdown threat, and widespread safety concerns in the Twin Cities.- “Over the weekend, we were horrified, angered, saddened to watch Alex Peretti, a guy our age, get gunned down in Minnesota.”
— Nick (04:47) - Senate Democrats threaten to withhold Department of Homeland funding; economic strike protests ICE’s presence (05:16, 05:29).
- Business impact rapidly follows the political crisis.
- “Over the weekend, we were horrified, angered, saddened to watch Alex Peretti, a guy our age, get gunned down in Minnesota.”
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69 CEOs Take a Stand:
CEOs of all 17 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Minnesota—Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealthcare, 3M, General Mills, etc.—sign an open letter for “immediate de-escalation” of local tensions, published by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.- “All 17 of those CEOs just called for an immediate de escalation of tensions.”
— Jack (06:16) - Letter avoids naming blame but urges cooperation among state, local, and federal officials (06:33–06:45).
- “All 17 of those CEOs just called for an immediate de escalation of tensions.”
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Effect on Policy:
Trump agrees to reduce the number of ICE officers if local police increase cooperation—showing direct policy response after the CEOs’ letter and call with Governor Walz (06:49–06:59). -
Historical Shift in CEO Behavior:
Nick and Jack note a shift from individual dissent—like Jamie Dimon, who faced lawsuits—to unified coalitions (07:37–08:43).- “Minnesota CEOs show how to make public statements in Trump 2.0. Make them together.”
— Jack (07:37) - “If you’re going to oppose the President's policies, you’re going to do it together.” — Nick (08:44)
- “Minnesota CEOs show how to make public statements in Trump 2.0. Make them together.”
2. “Graza’s Olive Oil Envy: Innovation, Copycats, and Runaway Branding”
[08:43–13:21]
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The Disruptor:
Graza—founded in 2021—reinvents olive oil by selling it in squeezable shampoo bottles, questioning basic assumptions about glass bottles and branding.- “His Dr. Bronner’s shampoo ran out, he was squeezing it into his hand, and he said, wait, what if I put olive oil in a shampoo bottle?”
— Jack (09:53) - From $100K in first-day sales to $150M last year; the packaging becomes the product.
- “His Dr. Bronner’s shampoo ran out, he was squeezing it into his hand, and he said, wait, what if I put olive oil in a shampoo bottle?”
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Wave of Copycats:
The “grazification” trend spreads, as rival olive oil (and condiment) brands replicate Graza’s squeeze bottle innovation.- “Graza’s plastic bottle idea has been zucked by every other olive oil startup.”
— Nick (11:00) - Termed “graziformity” by Nick & Jack; even companies outside olive oil, like Molly Boz’s AO, jump on the squeeze trend (11:29–11:38).
- “Graza’s plastic bottle idea has been zucked by every other olive oil startup.”
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Founder’s Frustration & Strategy:
Graza’s founder publicly calls out copycats on LinkedIn but finds intellectual property protection impossible—what Nick and Jack call “vulnerable intellectual property” (VIP).- “It’s not IP, it’s VIP. It’s vulnerable intellectual property.”
— Jack (12:33) - Comparison to tech industry: Instagram thrives by copying Snapchat and TikTok without consumer pushback.
- “It’s not IP, it’s VIP. It’s vulnerable intellectual property.”
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Staying Ahead:
The takeaway: in a world where innovation is quickly copied, “the best way to stay in the lead is to never stop running”—the Forrest Gump philosophy (12:12).- Graza responds by iterating: olive oil refillable beer cans, boxed olive oil formats (13:00–13:14).
3. “Toto Toilets’ Tech Pivot: From TP to AI”
[14:37–18:36]
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From Toilets to Chips:
Toto, best known for luxury bidets and toilets, surprises analysts as its electrostatic chucks—a tiny porcelain component—become crucial for AI data center chips.- “Toto Toilets is actually an AI company.”
— Nick (14:45) - “Their website shows a roll of toilet paper liquefying into a cleansing spray of gentle water, which tells it all.”
— Jack (15:52)
- “Toto Toilets is actually an AI company.”
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Stock Surge and New Narrative:
Toto’s stock jumps 11% after Goldman Sachs recognizes that 7% of Toto’s business (electrostatic chucks) now produces 42% of company profit, fueled by AI chip demand (16:03–17:11). -
Broader Trend: All Companies Want in on AI Profits:
Referencing Nvidia’s explosive rise (from $5B to $100B in profits in three years), Nick and Jack explain how every major company tries to pivot into chip-making for AI to capture those margins: Google with TPUs, Amazon, Apple, Meta, even Rivian and Tesla for self-driving. -
Capitalism’s Cycle:
The more profit in AI, the more competition—classic “secret sauce of capitalism” logic (17:33–18:36).- “With great profits comes great competition.”
— Jack (17:42, 18:31)
- “With great profits comes great competition.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Spendvesting. It’s also an alternative to No Buy January because it encourages investing instead of consuming. It’s for future you.”
— Jack (02:10) - “Olive oil, it’s actually one of the three most consumed foods in your lifetime. And yet we bet you can’t even name one brand. Except maybe Graza.”
— Nick (09:29) - “Do we reward innovators and punish copycats? Or are we consumers agnostic to who had the original idea first?”
— Nick (12:17) - “Because of AI, every company is becoming a chip company.”
— Jack (17:33) - “If you’re going to oppose the President's policies, you’re going to do it together.”
— Nick (08:44) - “Run, Graza, run.”
— Nick (13:21)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Spendvesting Idea: [01:42–03:01]
- Minnesota/CEO Letter Story: [04:30–08:43]
- Graza Olive Oil Story: [08:43–13:21]
- Toto AI/Chip Pivot: [14:37–18:36]
- Rapid Takeaways Recap: [18:36–19:16]
- Business Calendar & Fun Extras: [19:16–20:36]
- Best Fact Yet (“Ikea” pronunciation): [20:48–21:34]
Podcast Tone
Energetic, playful, and conversational, the show blends high-level business insight with puns, light sarcasm, and cheerful rapport between Nick and Jack. They break down serious news while connecting trends, real-life examples, and personal anecdotes.
Key Takeaways (Recap at [18:36–19:16])
- Minnesota CEOs’ Joint Action:
- Corporate leaders break a longtime silence, using unity to push for policy de-escalation, setting a new model for CEO activism.
- Graza’s Viral Squeeze Bottles:
- When innovation is easy to copy, the only solution is to keep running ahead.
- Toto's Hidden Tech Pivot:
- Companies are discovering their “side gig” can become their main profit driver as the AI gold rush turns everyone into a chip company.
For Further Listening
The episode closes with a blend of timely business calendar notes (Fed rate decision, Big Tech earnings, tax season, and cultural oddities), shout-outs, and a “Best Fact Yet.”
This summary distills the episode’s essential takeaways, context, and memorable moments, allowing new listeners to join the pop-biz conversation—no oatmeal required.
