A question from a previous guest sparks this episode: Do we go “pro” in every product category or do we eschew the spec arms race & embrace “good enough”? We interrogate our own behaviors & share implications for people in the business of making products.

INTRO & FOLLOW-UPS – 02:51
Starbucks Follow-Up with Zoran Svetlicic
Generative AI x Product with Anmol Anubhai
What McDonald’s is REALLY Like in Italy
How to Try Int’l McDonald’s Menu Items in the US

JOACHIM’S PROFILE PREFS FOR CLAUDE – 07:40

J’s TAKE: A PORTFOLIO APPROACH – 16:40
Testing the Same Products from 1975 and 2025
SHEIN's plan to take over FASHION

E’s TAKE: SPECIALISTS OVER GENERALISTS – 27:03
Do Pharmacists Buy Bayer? Informed Shoppers and the Brand Premium
Why Doesn't Everybody Buy Cheap, Generic Headache Medicine?
The Secrets of Shopping
The Rise of Indie Running Brands

SPECIALIZATION vs HYPERGROWTH – 34:43
How I Built This: Tim Leatherman
Pelican’s Indestructible Cases
The Furniture Systems Of USM Haller

LESSONS FOR PRODUCT PEOPLE – 42:12
Military can’t repair its own equipment
Bad Dye Job

RECOMMENDATIONS – 48:33
The Enshittifinancial Crisis
Matthew Wilcock: 058 Motorway Cycle XI
FlowingData: Best Data Visualizations of 2025
Notion
Phantom Thread
Dior and I on Apple TV & YouTube
Sentimental Value

CLOSING – 01:00:02

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CREDITS
Theme: Vendla / Today Is a Good Day / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Drum hit: PREL / Musical Element 85 / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com