GOOD THINKING

Now, the newness continues. As I mentioned, rather than a weekly companion podcast, we’re going to do a monthly round-up of 4 letters, looking at what’s bubbling up.

We’re not calling these trends. That’s way too heavy for a month’s worth of content. These are GOOD SIGNS. Signals, patterns, counter-trends. Stuff that’s emerging, continuing, sticking out, or simply, what we’re finding interesting in the last month.

Hit the links to skip to the bits you fancy

1

03:31 — FRICTION FLEX // Friction is the new flex. This isn’t about limited-edition or scarcity. This is brands (and people) deliberately introducing slowness and effort. Making everything less greased for ease. Opting into harder, slower, more friction-filled experiences now signals care, taste, and, yep, luxury. It’s a pretty big flip on the last decade, where the definition of greatness was ‘frictionless’.

Places it’s showing up:

Outline’s print catalog with over-the-phone orders.

Deliberately slow experiences.

Friction-filled Substack strategies.

Invite-only drops, referral-only conferences.

Scratch-and-sniff campaigns you have to see IRL for the full experience.

Paynter jackets.

Pendulum Swing → Without a doubt, it’s AI. We are hurtling towards working with our eyes closed (or with no human eyes at all). But much like self-service kiosks and self-checkout have proven, it’s critical to think about what consumers want ‘eased’. There’s a lot. But it’s not everything. Sometimes frictionless causes friction.

2

17:07 — HARDCORE WELLNESS // We’ve moved past wellness meaning ‘spa’. We’re all-in on wellness to confront the un-fun stuff—death, grief, chronic stress, parenthood, aging, mental load, brain health, menopause, you name it. This isn’t the mental health conversation. It’s a conversation about what ‘caring for ourselves’ really means.

Places it’s showing up:

Eazewell’s AI-powered death concierge as ‘mental load’ relief

Postpartum hotels and beautiful birthing tools.

Longevity dads & health as the new ‘provider mode.’

Eldercare’s overhaul.

Preventative health boom.

Pendulum Swing → There’s a growing rejection of the wellness industry as a whole. Meaning? Fewer supplements. Less optimization. For ‘leave me be’.

3

24:50 — INTELLIENT OR INTIMATE? // The ‘I’ in AI might need to change from ‘intelligence’ to ‘intimacy’. We’ve gone from not wanting Apple to track our data to offering a meal delivery business our biometric data and health history. And used ChatGPT to discuss our deepest concerns. Why? There’s value in the exchange. We’re also seeing consumers trust the logic of a bot over the bias of a body. Our comfort with AI's ‘wisdom’ is growing faster than most expected.

Places it’s showing up:

Meta glasses with live translation

Wonder’s biometric meal deliveries

Waymo’s rise

ChatGPT is everyone’s therapist.

Pendulum Swing → A deep mistrust "tech bros" still lingers. And the conversation around he value of intuition and anti-patterning is growing louder every day.

4

31:39 — REAL ROMANCE // We’re seeking human experiences more than ever. And not just basic ones. Core-memory-worthy ones. Intimate-ones. We are completely in love with ‘real’. It’s all about the romance.

Places it’s showing up:

Corona’s Brazilian mega concert

Alo Pit Stop recovery bar

Shopping at the old Barney’s

Intimate Uno-filled after parties

BookTok and wine

Breakfast club

Pendulum Swing → Especially for post-Covid teens, online identities now feel more “real” than their physical presence. IRL is ‘fake’ and their online presence is a more ‘true’ expression of who they are.

5

39:59 — GREAT EXPECTATIONS // Maximalist mindsets and max expectations are everywhere. From travel to renting, everything is getting layered with extras. You could say ‘downtime must now do something’, but it’s more about wanting to get the max out of life. We’re squeezing the most out of everything.

Places it’s showing up:

Airbnb offering glam, training, and massage to supercharge travel.

Supplements and skincare minibars are coming to hotels.

In-building amenities as renter requirements (co-working, dog runs).

My own work travel philosophy.

Pendulum Swing → The growing movement of anti-consumerism. Happenstance travel.

ABOUT

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

Substack is the new shiny penny in brand marketing—but done wrong, it can do more harm than good. In this episode, we get into how brands can actually use it well: what’s working, what to watch out for, and what too many are getting wrong. We’re talking strategy, good examples, and the insights everyone seems to be searching for. Skip to the bits you fancy.

03:01 What’s Substack? // A primer on the platform reshaping content and brand engagement.

Who’s Nailing It? // The brands making Substack work—and those that aren't.

12:03 American Eagle x Casey Lewis // How AE's collaboration with a Substack OG is redefining brand partnerships.

14:53 Hinge’s 5-Part Tease // Exploring 'No Ordinary Love' and the power of a limited series.

17:56 Loeffler Randall’s Founder-Led Take // Jessie Randall's personal Substack and the rise of founder-led content.

20:59 Must-Haves and Must-Nots // The do's and don'ts for brands venturing into Substack.

39:53 Who’s Reading // Understanding your audience and delivering real value.

46:45 The Basic Basics // From welcome letters to cross-posting—Substack fundamentals.

52:04 Takeaways, Insights, and Nuggets // Key lessons and actionable insights for brand strategists.

If you read this and liked it, that little heart is there for that. The algo and I appreciate it.

PS. If you prefer Apple, Spotify, or YouTube you can listen there too.

ABOUT:

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands |Follow her on Substack

In this inaugural series episode 'HOW GOOD GETS GOOD', we talk to Moot, a new model for youth hospitality. A membership club created by teenagers, for teenagers.

We talk about why Moot started, the enormous appetite from tweens, teens, and parents for spaces like this, and what other brands should know about building for the oft misunderstood Alpha.

Hit the links to skip to what strikes your fancy!

03:04 — What is Moot and why teens (and parents) are desperate for it.

06:08 — Meet Cheryl and Paul, the founders of Moot.

07:07 — Why society fears Alphas. But shouldn’t.

10:58 — Are sanctioned spaces inherently uncool?

17:20 — How Moot designed their space with teens.

22:00 — Parents hold the purse strings. Teens hold the influence. You need both.

24:47 — Trust your audience. Give them respect and they’ll give it right back.

28:42 — Advice for brands? No shock. It’s all about vibe.

31:08 — Brand partnership opportunities & not mollycoddling teens.

USEFUL LINKS

Meet Moot, a new model for youth hospitality. A membership club created by teenagers, for teenagers.

Website | Insta

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

PPS. If you like this, I write a newsletter for 14K subscribers on the best-of-the-best on trends, marketing, and culture—everything I’m dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands. Get GOOD THINKING in your inbox weekly with the link in my bio.

This special edition of GOOD THINKING WEEKLY unpacks the 5 big lessons we learned on our inaugural live GOOD THINKING NYC TOUR. If you haven’t read the letter, it’s a good one. But rather than recapping the letter, we unpack our most important takeaways from the day.

Hit the links to skip to what strikes your fancy!

05:58 — The biggest themes from the tour—what kept showing up.

12:06 — Intentionality is the new baseline. The best brands are doing more.

18:07 — Why the consumer journey still matters—and where most brands miss.

23:56 — Retail as an experience lab: who’s getting creative, and how.

28:08 — From tiny touches to full-on immersion: experience wins.

30:13 — What today’s consumers expect (hint: it’s not just convenience).

32:30 — Pop-ups, collabs, and why they still work when done right.

36:20 — Retail’s AI era is here. It’s not about automation—it’s about brand.

43:27 — Respect your consumer. If you don’t, someone else will.

54:45 — IRL is having a moment. Smart brands are showing up in person.

Missing the letter this all ties back to? This way.

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

Hi all,

Welcome back to our weekly companion podcast to the Sunday letter. We get deeper into the big hits across every category. And unpack them further.

I’m playing with the formatting of these podcast emails to see if we like them better. Let me know what you think!

Hit the links to skip to what strikes your fancy!

* 2:20 — Why pricing isn’t just about affordability anymore—it’s about perception.

* 7:32 — First Rounds On Me: the dating app that opened a café. IRL is booming.

* 11:40 — Heineken’s anti-phone stunt (but can they make it really happen?)

* 15:50 — Minecraft’s movie moment, Gen Alpha zone, and why brands are missing it.

* 19:28 — Retailers using Close Friends as a loyalty tool.

* 29:37 — Shopify’s approach to AI was a messy message. It didn’t have to be.

* 30:30 — Atlanta Hawks are now a content company too.

* 33:28 — Exosomes, salmon sperm, and skincare that’s pushing limits.

* 35:35 — Proper Hotels wants locals in the sauna—it’s smart.

* 39:18 — LeBron’s Barbie moment and why it matters, especially now.

* 42:51 — Mystery cups, chocolate drops, and fun in a feed-first world

* 43:51 — Stüssy’s consistency and mastering multigenerational influence.

Missing the letter this all ties back to? This way:

https://ingoodco.substack.com/p/minecraft-made-an-experiential-movie

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

Hi all,

Welcome back to the podcast! We’re breaking the typical companion podcast cadence this week with a fun Milan Design Week 2025 edition.

I was in town for a couple of days and wanted to share everything I saw and a few other bits and pieces I didn’t catch that are worth knowing about.

As always, this pod dives into the biggest trends, shifts, and brands. This week is no different there.

Quick note: This email will get cut off due to all the photos. Carry on in the browser for all the pics.

THIS WEEK’S EPISODE:

* La DoubleJ turns a Milan rooftop into a sound bath — and it worked.

* A Japanese shop proves cool people love golf. So much so, they wear it off-course.

* A tiny non-alc brand shows how small budgets can still win big.

* Google went immersive but nailed it in other ways.

* Marimekko and Laila Gohar was the most FOMO-clap-worthy moment of the week.

* Gucci was beautiful but did it lose itself?

* Muji was classic Muji.

* Belmond took over Airmail’s newstand but their new cookbook isn’t what stood out.

* Porsche x Marzocco was a masterclass in why you need to hire good designers—in a bad way.

* Loro Piana’s was stunning but zero percent ‘quiet’.

* Sigma threw a party you can’t enter — and somehow still won.

* Chiquita also threw a party. But for the wrong crowd?

Enjoy!

What we get into:

LA DOUBLE J

02:27 — HIGH VIBES // Gongs, rooftop rituals, and patterned shoe bags—La Double J's love of high-vibrational is great worldbuilding and great to experience.

TENOHA & OPPURE

10:06 — LIFESTYLE LOVES GOLF // I stumbled into Tenoha, a Japanese shop, And found these rad shoes. Clearly golf-inspired. We discuss why that’s interesting.

11:16 — SMALL BRAND, BIG WIN // A small non-alc brand, Oppure, made big impact with simple basics: repetition & a good location. A nice lesson for smaller fish in a big pond.

PALINURO & ZAZIE

14:11 — NATURAL WINE, GOOD VIBES // Next year I must get a press pass but no invites meant I hit up by fave Milanese wine bar, Palinuro for chilled red, much need food and records. And then popped into Zazie, which was lovely too, if you like quiet but with a vibe, this one is for you.

LOSTE CAFÉ

15:20 — PASTRY WITH A POV // Rhubarb miso pastries, yellow tiles, and great coffee—lots to love.. Loste Café is a great example of brand building in small spaces and small ways.

GOOGLE

17:15 — GOOD WORK GOOGLE // Light tunnels and design team docents were great. But what I loved most about Google’s "Making the Invisible Visible" was the products and the displays—pretty shocking.

MARIMEKKO X LAILA GOHAR

29:19 — DESIGN WEEK’S BEST // This was the one. I give it an A++. A line worth waiting in, a reveal worth the FOMO, and the only brand that made the line semi-pleasurable. All the details were right at this one.

GUCCI

41:07 — BAMBOO ENCOUNTERS // Gucci’s massive two-palazzo takeover was filled with art installations, flying kites, and soft green floors. The space was stunning, chill but interesting. But perhaps could have belonged to any brand? We discuss. We talk staffing strategy too.

MUJI

49:47 — QUIETLY ON BRAND // Muji built a tiny home that told a story of ‘reuse’. ‘Functionality’ might have been a better word. We get into why.

AIRMAIL X BELMOND

50:31 — CUTE BOOKS // Airmail’s iconic Milan newsstand has a Belmond lens for Design Week. I loved their new cookbook but it was the other books that had everyone’s attention.

PORSCHE X MARZOCCO

54:41 — MISSED MOMENTUM // This collab should have been a showstopper. Last year’s Rimowa collab was all over my feed for weeks. We get into why it did not hit this year. If you want to know why good design is critical, this is your example.

LORO PIANA

57:02 — QUIET LUXURY? // A velvet-curtained clad quiet ‘movie’ was a great idea. But the dramatic lighting, immersive sets, and spectacle of the whole thing felt very off-brand.

SIGMA & CHIQUITA

01:04:52 — WINDOWS & FOMO // Both threw private parties on the first public day—dangerous. One had windows and one did not and it made a huge difference. Seb Curi’s illustrations were the Chiquita draw for me and I did go back to Chiquita with my daughter the next day and all I have to say is: she loved it. Fun but mismatched with the audience.

TAKEAWAYS

01:05:57 — LESSONS FOR NEXT YEAR // A little recap with some big takeaways.

EXTRA FUN

Stuff I didn’t see but looks great:

* Wish I had made it to Miu Miu’s ‘literary club’.

* Very sad to have missed Prada’s train.

* So many people wanted to see this Lavazza pop-up.

* Loewe and Hermes look very understated and beautiful.

* Not for Design Week but I wanted to see this new Amazon ‘pharmacy’.

That’s all folx.

-Chris

If you read this and liked it, that little heart is there for that. The algo and I appreciate it.

PS. If you prefer Apple, Spotify, or YouTube you can listen there too.

PPS. All typos are a result of 10 days of mayhem. Gratitude for the patience.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE:

Frida is freeing the cracked nipple. And fighting back against being censored.

Buffalo Wild Wings fumbled a winning idea.

We need to give Gen Z a rest, not a ‘restival’.

Set Active turned a mistake into a memorable brand moment.

AI is turning brands into ‘vibe marketers’. It’s an opportunity and a danger.

Food is the new sports medicine.

Tower 28 gives us a master class on brand positioning

The souvenir industry is getting a shake-up. But there’s more opportunity here.

Paris Fashion Week’s best brand move? A black van. No show required.

Let’s give Poppi a round of applause, please.

CULTURE

01:20— FRIDA GETS REAL // Frida is done being censored. But they need your help. Their new casting call campaign doesn’t just push boundaries—it demolishes them. We talk about why brands that lean into realness are winning.

F&B

04:55 — BUFFALO WILD WINGS FUMBLED // March Madness is a second Super Bowl for a wings brand. Buffalo Wild Wings had a genius idea—glasses that let you watch multiple games at once. But the execution? A mess. We break down why great ideas fail when the follow-through isn’t there.

06:59 — THE ‘RESTIVAL’ ERA // Gen Z is over music festivals. But not because they want a rest. We get into why brands and the media need to reset and get over Gen-Z stereotypes.

RETAIL

10:48 — UNMISTAKABLE WIN // Set Active turned a mishap into a viral campaign. But was this just for marketers, consumers or does it not matter—spoiler: the latter. We unpack how moves like this are great for brands.

TECH

14:03 — VIBE MARKETING // Vibe Coding is the new frontier of tech, but ‘vibe marketing’ is about to shake up how campaigns are built. We explain why AI is shifting brand-building—and why clarity matters more than ever.

SPORT

21:43 — FOOD AS SPORTS MEDICINE // Tennis pro Ugo Humbert hired a chef over a coach. Why? ‘Because American food makes him sick’. We discuss the growing conversation about food as (sports) medicine.

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

23:56 — ACTIVE POSITIONING // Tower 28’s “Blush Lives” show is more than just funny—it’s great brand positioning in disguise. We talk about why brands that build through actions versus grand gestures do better.

TRAVEL

31:27 — NO TCHOTCHKES // Amex ays Millennials and Gen-Z are traveling just to shop for local finds‚no surprises. But why hasn’t the souvenir space caught up?

FUN FOR THE WEEK

34:00 — THE BEST OF PARIS FASHION WEEK // When you’re small, you have to get scrappy. We unpack why PFW’s move is so clever—and how more brands can learn from it. And we chat about what two very different shows both did right.

Missing the letter this all ties back to? This way.

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

PPS. If you like this, I write a newsletter for 14K subscribers on the best-of-the-best on trends, marketing, and culture—everything I’m dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands. Get GOOD THINKING in your inbox weekly with the link in my bio. 

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE:

Frida is freeing the cracked nipple. And fighting back against being censored.

Buffalo Wild Wings fumbled a winning idea.

We need to give Gen Z a rest, not a ‘restival’.

Set Active turned a mistake into a memorable brand moment.

AI is turning brands into ‘vibe marketers’. It’s an opportunity and a danger.

Food is the new sports medicine.

Tower 28 gives us a master class on brand positioning

The souvenir industry is getting a shake-up. But there’s more opportunity here.

Paris Fashion Week’s best brand move? A black van. No show required.

Let’s give Poppi a round of applause, please.

CULTURE

01:20— FRIDA GETS REAL // Frida is done being censored. But they need your help. Their new casting call campaign doesn’t just push boundaries—it demolishes them. We talk about why brands that lean into realness are winning.

F&B

04:55 — BUFFALO WILD WINGS FUMBLED // March Madness is a second Super Bowl for a wings brand. Buffalo Wild Wings had a genius idea—glasses that let you watch multiple games at once. But the execution? A mess. We break down why great ideas fail when the follow-through isn’t there.

06:59 — THE ‘RESTIVAL’ ERA // Gen Z is over music festivals. But not because they want a rest. We get into why brands and the media need to reset and get over Gen-Z stereotypes.

RETAIL

10:48 — UNMISTAKABLE WIN // Set Active turned a mishap into a viral campaign. But was this just for marketers, consumers or does it not matter—spoiler: the latter. We unpack how moves like this are great for brands.

TECH

14:03 — VIBE MARKETING // Vibe Coding is the new frontier of tech, but ‘vibe marketing’ is about to shake up how campaigns are built. We explain why AI is shifting brand-building—and why clarity matters more than ever.

SPORT

21:43 — FOOD AS SPORTS MEDICINE // Tennis pro Ugo Humbert hired a chef over a coach. Why? ‘Because American food makes him sick’. We discuss the growing conversation about food as (sports) medicine.

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

23:56 — ACTIVE POSITIONING // Tower 28’s “Blush Lives” show is more than just funny—it’s great brand positioning in disguise. We talk about why brands that build through actions versus grand gestures do better.

TRAVEL

31:27 — NO TCHOTCHKES // Amex ays Millennials and Gen-Z are traveling just to shop for local finds‚no surprises. But why hasn’t the souvenir space caught up?

FUN FOR THE WEEK

34:00 — THE BEST OF PARIS FASHION WEEK // When you’re small, you have to get scrappy. We unpack why PFW’s move is so clever—and how more brands can learn from it. And we chat about what two very different shows both did right.

Missing the letter this all ties back to? This way.

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

PPS. If you like this, I write a newsletter for 14K subscribers on the best-of-the-best on trends, marketing, and culture—everything I’m dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands. Get GOOD THINKING in your inbox weekly with the link in my bio. 

This week, we also have two fun things added to the mix. 1) Friend of the letter and CPG expert Fred Hart joined us to discuss what he saw at Expo West and what brands should be thinking about 2) Kirsten gives us an awesome insight-packed take on what she saw at SxSW. Takeaway-heavy this week!

As always, this pod dives into the biggest trends, shifts, and brands.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE:

* TikTok commands single-minded audiences. Your content should match.

* Brands at trade shows are misbehaving—and standing out because of it.

* The no-spritz summer is coming. Booze brands, who’s ready to take the crown?

* Luxury fine dining is wooing toddlers. They aren’t alone.

* Experiential retail isn’t a trend—it’s an arms race.

* AI is changing shopping. Most brands aren’t ready, but they could be.

* Running is in. Outdoor? Not so much.

* Injectables are the new manicure. And it’s changing what we like.

* The fake jewelry economy is booming.

* SxSW had some winners. And some losers. And a deep desire for connection.

Enjoy!

What we get into:

CULTURE

01:02 — ONE TRACK MIND // TikTok rewards brands that niche down. We dive into why hyper-specialized content is winning.

DRUGS & BOOZE

05:28 — THE NO-SPRITZ SUMMER // Aperol Spritz dominated for years, but now tariffs and shifting trends could open the door for a new “drink of the summer.” Who’s positioned to take over?

SILVERS, ALPHAS & ZS

08:23 — FINE DINING FOR BABES // Per Se is inviting kids. And they aren’t alone. Lamborgini partners with Silver Cross on a super high-end stroller. We discuss why brands are all in on kids.

RETAIL

12:25 — EXPERIENCE OVERDRIVE // Creating immersive experiences isn’t just a trend—it’s table stakes. And the stakes are getting higher. Full list of examples here.

F&B

13:33 — BIG BUTTS ATTRACT CROWDS // We chat with Fred Hart about everything Expo West. Including 80g protein-infused pasta sauce to probiotic sodas, to viral line-inducing pink puffy bags, to giant butts and an industry is obsessed with “healthy” versions of indulgences.

TECH

26:22 — AI IS CHANGING BEHAVIORS // Google's new AI-powered vision match will change how people shop. And AI search behavior already is. The question is: are brands ready? They could be.

SPORT

29:45 — RUNNING IN, OUTDOOR OUT // Running is booming, while outdoor brands are struggling. Why? Price, accessibility, and culture. But there’s one safe haven.

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

32:59 — SEXY INJECTIONS // Botox and injectables, in general, are no longer taboo. The needle is officially mainstream. And impacting brands.

TRAVEL

36:36 — THE FAKE RING ECONOMY // Travelers are buying dupes of their engagement rings. Smart brands are catching on by reading the comment section.

FUN FOR THE WEEK

41:55 — SxSW TAKEWAY BONANZA // Kirsten did us a solid and went to Austin for the weekend. She shares insights into what everyone was talking about at SxSW. But more importantly, she shares what to takeway from it all. Plus some fun activations and some that made us question things *cough: Amazon*.

Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless and proactive positioning.

Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +14K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack

PPS. If you like this, I write a newsletter for 14K subscribers on the best-of-the-best on trends, marketing, and culture—everything I’m dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands. Get GOOD THINKING in your inbox weekly with the link in my bio. 

Hi all,

Welcome back to our weekly companion podcast to the Sunday letter. Hit the links to skip to what strikes your fancy!

I’m coming to SF (March 11-15), LA (March 17-19), and NYC (April 1-5). Let’s connect!

I’m planning a GOOD THINKING NYC TOUR April 3RD.

What’s on the tour? We’ll hit something in every category of this letter. Culture, Food & Bev, Drugs & Booze…you get it. It will be the best-of-the-best of what’s new and interesting in the city. Everything I think is moving the needle and worth knowing about.

Want in? RSVP HERE!

As always, this pod dives into the biggest trends, shifts, and brands.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE:

* Instagram is getting premium—but it’s not a new app. It’s a new way of thinking.

* McDonald’s and KFC are fighting—but does fighting work?

* Unabashed ambition is in. Chalamet and Hamilton are leading the pack.

* The skincare boom for Alphas continues. Starface is coming for Bubble.

* Lululemon’s strategy feels brand new. And it’s working.

* Allbirds is back…kind of? But does this campaign tell us why?

* ChatGPT prompts aren’t just tools. They’re startup ideas waiting to happen.

* Can sports end period shame?

* Dove is saying goodbye to emotional ads—and hello to your nether region.

* Lufthansa’s pajamas make us want to book a flight to Japan.

* Diptyque is making moves, and Parker Posey is making Gap iconic again.

Enjoy!

What we get into:

CULTURE

01:46 — INSTAGRAM GOES PREMIUM // Instagram is getting premium—but it’s not a new app. It’s a new way of thinking. Brands are embracing social-first storytelling with high-production, cinematic videos—and I love it. We unpack why it’s working, how brands like Jacquemus paved the way, and why this shift matters. Here’s a whole list of my fave brands doing it lately, but here’s the fun compilation video I made for the post.

F&B

04:39 — COCKFIGHTING & COFFEE WARS // McDonald’s is taking on KFC with a not-so-subtle dig at their chicken quality in China. And that’s not the only battle—it turns out they’re fighting over coffee, too. We break down why brands are getting more aggressive [cough, nasty] in their marketing.

DRUGS & BOOZE

08:49 — UNABASHED AMBITION // We intended to discuss Timothy Chalamet’s Chanel poker game and took a turn into unabashed ambition. Timothy’s SAG acceptable speech was loud and proud about his ambition. Lewis Hamilton has been on a similar streak. They want to be the best, and they’re saying it out loud. We talk about why this kind of ambition feels like a shift in culture—and why women, especially, should take notes.

SILVERS, ALPHAS & ZS

13:00 — ALPHA SKINCARE EXPLODING // The skincare explosion for Alphas isn’t slowing down. Starface just launched a full skincare line, and it’s a direct challenge to Bubble. What happens when a well-established brand enters the space? We break it down. And we also talk about why every brand, in every category needs to be watching this space: They’ll have to get AI-native faster than any other category.

RETAIL

17:55 — LULULEMON’S NEW ENERGY // Lululemon is everywhere. From a massive London flagship to a ‘glow up’ studio in NYC, they’re making major moves. And with Lewis Hamilton’s new collab, it’s clear they’re expanding beyond yoga moms. Is this a complete rebrand in the making? We think so. I also question what’s happening at Allbirds. Is This Tucci series part of a bigger play? It get only 2 things right.

TECH

23:29 — PROMPTS = BUSINESS IDEAS // A trend is emerging: people are using ChatGPT prompts for everything from meal planning to analyzing bloodwork. But here’s the kicker—these prompts are turning into entire business opportunities. We discuss how brands can capitalize. Here’s a much longer read if you’re into this.

SPORT

27:17 — BLOOD IS BLOOD // Arsenal Women’s team partnered with detergent brand Persil on a campaign about period leaks in sports. It’s bold, but could it have gone further? We compare it to Knix’s campaign on the same topic and discuss what it takes to really shift the conversation.

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

31:19 — DOVE’S PIVOT // Dove’s latest campaign ditches emotional messaging for something way edgier—the song choice in their latest ad will leave you blushing. Is this their new brand identity, or just a one-off, you they be taking us on their journey in a different way? We analyze the shift. and why Lynx’s shift feels more on brand.

TRAVEL

36:02 — FLY TO JAPAN FOR PAJAMAS? // Lufthansa’s latest collab is luxury sleepwear… and we love it. Kirsten plots our next Japan trip—the power of pajamas!

FUN FOR THE WEEK

37:38 — DIPTYQUE, GAP, AND TORY BURCH ARE HAVING A MOMENT // Diptyque is stepping into nightlife. Parker Posey just made Gap cool again, and we get into why (in case it’s not obvious). And Tory Burch is proving that Substack can work for brands—with effort.

Missing the letter this all ties back to? This way:

That’s all folx.

-Chris

If you read this and liked it, that little heart is there for that. The algo and I appreciate it.

PS. If you prefer Apple, Spotify, or YouTube you can listen there too.