The Economics of Everyday Things

Exploring the origins and popularity of store-brand products, this episode features guests from the private-label industry. They discuss the benefits of store brands, the manufacturing process, and the challenges faced by private label manufacturers.

Discover the behind-the-scenes secrets of sex scenes in films and TV shows, including the use of body doubles, prosthetics, and intimacy coordinators. Learn about the challenges actors face during intimate scenes and the need for regulations and protections. Explore the negotiations and planning involved in shooting sex scenes, including compensation, silicone prosthetics, and coordination between production departments. Understand the role of intimacy coordinators in ensuring actor safety and the industry's recognition of their importance. Discuss the future of sex scenes and the importance of oversight and safety in the industry.

Zachary Crockett hosts the podcast exploring the business opportunity behind lost golf balls. The podcast discusses the financial burden on golfers from losing balls and the environmental impact. It delves into the different types of balls and the history of the used golf ball market. The story of Juan de Gautunga and the thriving ecosystem of collecting and selling used golf balls is explored. The process of collecting balls from water hazards, the dangers involved, and the environmental benefits of buying used are discussed. Clever business names and various sponsors are mentioned.

The founder of the PuckerButt Pepper Company discusses creating the world's hottest chili pepper and the pain of tasting it. The podcast explores the journey of the guest with chili peppers, accidental breeding of the Carolina Reber pepper, the business of hot sauce making, and the aftermath of eating super-hot peppers.

Former professional card counter, Ben, and Bill Zender, co-founder of a casino consulting firm, discuss the concept of card counting in casinos. They explore the perception of card counting as a threat and the drastic measures taken by casinos. The podcast also delves into the strategies and countermeasures of card counting, as well as the challenges faced by card counters.

Guests Nick Kokonas and Charlie Mitchell discuss the history and impact of Michelin stars, the high costs involved in running a Michelin star restaurant, and the ambition and validation that comes with attaining three Michelin stars.

Discover the winners of the Louis Awards, the influence of millennials, and the dominance of Hallmark Cards. Explore the categorization of greeting cards, the decline in card-buying practices, and the appeal to Millennials. Learn about the creative process behind messages, market trends, and the significance and artistic aspect of greeting cards.

Explore the long history and remarkable resilience of horseshoe crabs, their vital role in pharmaceutical testing, and the ethical concerns surrounding the valuable horseshoe crab blood. Discover the fascinating world of horseshoe crabs and their significance to humans, from their unique characteristics to their role in testing for endotoxins in the pharmaceutical industry. Dive into the use of horseshoe crab blood in laboratories to test substances for clot formation, ensuring the safety of medical devices and vaccines. Discuss the decline in horseshoe crab population and its potential consequences on other species. Learn about the development of synthetic alternatives to horseshoe crab blood for medical testing and the reluctance of companies to adopt these alternatives.

Exploring the history and popularity of romance novels, wide variety of sub-genres and their success, the plot structure, challenges, and gender disparity in romance novels, the lucrative world of self-published romance novels, and the transformative impact of e-readers on the reading experience.

This podcast explores the story behind the hit single 'My Sharona' and its financial success. It covers the band's rise to fame, royalty streams, copyright infringement, and the song's resurgence in popularity. It also discusses free market negotiation and features advertisements for various brands.