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The Best Idea Yet

The Best Idea Yet

By: Wondery
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The untold stories behind the products you’re obsessed with and the bold risk-takers who made them go viral.

How did Birkenstocks go from a German cobbler’s passion project 250 years ago to a starring role in the Barbie movie? Who created that bottle of Sriracha permanently living in your fridge? Did you know the Air Jordans were initially banned by the NBA, or that Super Mario became the best-selling video game character ever thanks to a strategy called “The Infinite Game?” On Wondery’s new weekly podcast The Best Idea Yet, Nick Martell and Jack Crivici-Kramer (hosts of the award-winning daily pop-business podcast, The Best One Yet [TBOY]) have identified the most viral products of all time and reveal their untold origin stories — plus the bold risk-takers who brought them to life. From the Happy Meal to Levi’s 501 jeans, come for the products you’re obsessed with, stay for the business insights that’ll make you the most interesting person at your next brunch.

Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.


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Economics
Episodes
  • 🥏Frisbee: A Pie in the Sky Idea (literally) | 39
    Jul 8 2025

    What do you do for fun if you’re a bored college kid? For students across New England in the early 1900s, the answer was simple: toss around empty pie tins (obviously). Soon, shouts of “Frisbee!” echoed across campus quads — and a local recreational sensation was born. But it took a WWII pilot with an eye for aerodynamics and a beachside side hustle to give the Frisbee its wings — and a toy company with a nose for viral hits (think: Hula Hoop) to send it sky-high. After a redesign by a deep-sea welder named “Steady Ed,” the Frisbee went from novelty toy to launching pad for at least five sports (including Ultimate and Disc Golf). Find out how the Frisbee lost its wobble, became a counterculture icon (and even an airborne urn), and why the Frisbee is the best idea yet.

    Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

    Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    39 mins
  • 🥤Dr Pepper: The Mystery & Magic of America’s #2 Soda | 37
    Jun 24 2025

    Born in a sweltering Texas drugstore in 1885 - this indescribable, 23 (secret) ingredient concoction broke the first rule of marketing: never sell something you can't explain. Behind this mystery brew was Charles Alderton, a flavor-obsessed pharmacist who sold his recipe and walked away, and a big-footed CEO who turned Dr Pepper's greatest weakness into its ultimate strength by making "different" feel rebellious. From dodging regulations to outsmarting Coca-Cola's distribution contracts, Dr Pepper became the Switzerland of sodas — neutral in the Cola Wars but somehow winning them anyway. It survived Coke's knockoff attempts (hello, Mr. Pibb), turned frenemies into business partners, and in 2023 finally overtook Pepsi to become America's #2 soda. Find out how being impossible to describe can be the perfect marketing strategy, the importance of a home-turf advantage, and why Dr Pepper is the best idea yet.

    Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

    Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show more Show less
    41 mins
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Jack and Nick is sooooo fun is really good. they made it out so good. just too good. This product is the one and only

great pod 👏 👍

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