Global Infusions Podcast

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom explore the business of subscriptions. From cable TV to coffee and Photoshop to food deliveries, everything seems to be a subscription now. What is driving this, and what could be next? They also discuss using fish skin to treat burns, the issues around AI music, the UK government's efforts to ban encryption, and a celebrity sake brand.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom explore the business of collectables. From trainers and watches to wines and Pokémon cards, many collectables have been caught up in speculative bubbles in recent years. Why has this happened, and what can previous manias tell us about today? They also discuss the silent monks behind a herby spirit, a woolly mammoth meatball, and the growing popularity of sake outside Japan.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom discuss the business of alcohol – from the history of gin to the value of cognac, and the appeal of mixers to the design of taxes, with a glass of baiju thrown in for good measure. They also touch on ChatGPT's attitude issues, why Angry Birds' ongoing success is causing problems for its developer, and how US immigration rules let China forge ahead in 5G.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom discuss the business of art, from auction houses to private collections, and warzone bargain hunters to status-signalling royals. They also explore the story behind the most expensive painting ever sold, discuss a collection of Picassos hidden in plain sight, and find out why orange juice is suddenly so expensive.

In this festive episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom discuss the business of Christmas, from the dominance of one pudding maker to the commercialisation of advent calendars. They also see if an AI chatbot can write a decent Christmas movie, explore the economics of gifting, and reflect on the production of the last ever Boeing 747.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom explore the business of music, from streaming companies scraping by, to sell-out tours and the bargaining power of the big three labels. They discover which concert goers are the thirstiest, how editing techniques are making uplifting key changes rarer, and how ticket platforms deal with billions of requests for handfuls of tour tickets. Finally, they look at data that are too risky to hold, how washing machines and weapons have more in common than you might think, and some astounding comments from the people dealing with the collapse of crypto exchange FTX.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom explore family businesses. From luxury handbags to chocolate bars, supermarkets to energy, and the US to India, families still play a huge role in the corporate world. Why do some dynasties succeed while others tear themselves apart, and why does one family of billionaires eat pet food? They also discuss AI generated videos, the future of Darth Vader, and the financial turmoil in the UK.

Why does bottled water cost more than petrol? Why is Salt Lake City in trouble? What have cotton and meat got in common? Find out in this watery episode of Global Infusions.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom look into the business of sport. Who is making all the money, and how? They explore why football clubs are often bad businesses, why TV rights are worth so much even as viewership falls, and how endorsements have grown into an industry of their own. They also discuss a hotdog that has defied inflation for almost 40 years, chips designed by AI, military preparedness, and extreme weather in Europe wreaking havoc on food production. Finally, they reflect on press articles from the 19th century showing that some things never change.

In this episode of Global Infusions, Tom and Tom consider what happens when regulations fail, from crypto to the collapse of UK energy suppliers. They explore why drugs are so expensive in the US, why getting telco prices down in Mexico proved difficult, and the bafflingly complex hurdles to opening restaurants and bookshops in the US. Finally, they look at the inefficiencies of global food production, advances in AI generated fiction, and the lengths some companies will go to in the search for truly random numbers.