Day One FM

We—and the rest of New York—have a few thoughts on the sprawling, million dollar subway campaign for “Friend,” the AI-powered companion pendant that listens to whatever you’re doing and offers a running commentary on your interactions. It’s yet to ship a single product. Plus, Meta’s new “Vibes,” Palantir tote bags, ChatGPT and Claude’s new marketing pushes, and we ask “why do some brands have so much disdain for the consumer?” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christina Loff, Head of Lifestyle at Substack and author of The Dry Down Diaries, shares insights on recruiting writers and brand partnerships. She emphasizes the freedom from algorithms on Substack and the importance of authentic, founder-led brand stories. Christina discusses how brands like Rare Beauty leverage the platform for unique content and events, including during Fashion Week. She also highlights the growing interest from younger creators, particularly from TikTok, and addresses creator burnout by offering resources and support.

Delve into the fascinating concept of ad-based psychosis and how branding shapes our identities in today's consumer-driven culture. Discover the amusing side of life with a hamster riding a motorcycle and dive into humorous TikTok trends. Explore the competitive coffee landscape and the quest for authenticity among youth. Plus, hear engaging tales of personal success in storytelling and cultural reflections through intriguing book and media recommendations. A blend of insight and entertainment awaits!

Derrick Gee, a Professional Music Fan and popular curator with nearly two million followers, dives into the vibrant world of music in this engaging conversation. He shares his journey from design school to curating artful experiences within his Sydney home/studio. Derrick discusses being 'selfishly slow' in his approach and expresses sympathy for A&Rs navigating today's industry challenges. The conversation also touches on Gen Z's evolving relationship with authenticity and commercialism in music, emphasizing the joy of genuine musical connections.

In this episode, we discuss AI’s increasingly complex role in advertising, from the way it's used to churn out social feed filler, to how consumers react when they find out the “authentic” campaign they loved was never real in the first place. We talk about the Oasis concert over the weekend—bucket hats and pre-rolls included—J.Crew’s faux-vintage lookbook, and Skechers’ sketchy subway ads.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Stone, a savvy Day One colleague, dives into the fascinating world of cultural criticism and the so-called 'hater economy.' He discusses the revealing ‘Panama Playlists’ that showcase the music tastes of global elites, contrasting private preferences with public personas. The conversation pivots to the legacy of 'Happy Gilmore,' critiquing the embrace of nostalgic yet mediocre sequels. Stone emphasizes the importance of discerning cultural consumption in an age overrun by influencers and highlights the value of diverse generational insights.

Belly buttons, Morse code, Miami Dolphins colorways… We’re talking Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Era™. But beneath the bright orange or purple glitter and brand commenting chaos, the creator economy is still grinding away — and not in a good way. We break down why it feels like a “race to the bottom for human dignity,” per ZINE’s Matt Klein, how brands are fracking culture for quick hits, and what a more sustainable Creator Economy 2.0 might look like. (Spoiler: the future is scaling up to be micro.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thom Bettridge is the editor in chief of the newly-relaunched i-D magazine. He’s previously held stints at 032c, SSENSE, Highsnobiety, and Interview. We talk about building off of the publication's 45+ year legacy, scouting unknown talent, the importance of actually talking to people, how Gen Z insights are just Millennial insights, and why he launched his own Substack, CONTENT. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clara’s seeking out angel investors for a pretzel brand by women, for women. Plus, a discussion around why brands just can’t help themselves from using bleak insights as jumping off points for gimmicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Frommer is the founder of The New Consumer: a publication which draws upon his expertise as a business and tech journalist to examine how and why people spend their time and money. He joins us to talk through some of the takeaways from his recent 2025 Mid-Year Report. We cover Gen Z’s uneasiness on AI, why people would rather meet their favorite podcaster in the wild than an A-list movie star, and “the humanization of pets” (do you cook for your dog or cat?), as well as how he brings rigor and depth to the crowded, noisy field of consumer insights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.