
The Best Idea Yet
The untold stories behind the products you’re obsessed with and the bold risk-takers who made them go viral.
How did Birkenstocks go from a German cobbler’s passion project 250 years ago to a starring role in the Barbie movie? Who created that bottle of Sriracha permanently living in your fridge? Did you know the Air Jordans were initially banned by the NBA, or that Super Mario became the best-selling video game character ever thanks to a strategy called “The Infinite Game?” On Wondery’s new weekly podcast The Best Idea Yet, Nick Martell and Jack Crivici-Kramer (hosts of the award-winning daily pop-business podcast, The Best One Yet [TBOY]) have identified the most viral products of all time and reveal their untold origin stories — plus the bold risk-takers who brought them to life. From the Happy Meal to Levi’s 501 jeans, come for the products you’re obsessed with, stay for the business insights that’ll make you the most interesting person at your next brunch.
Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.
Episodes (48)

⚾️ New York Yankees: Rise of the Bronx Bombers | 47

🏍️ Harley-Davidson: Tattoo’d on 700,000 Biceps | 46

🏰 Disneyland: The Fantasy that Almost Flopped | 45

🍜 Instant Ramen: The Incredible, True Story of “Mr. Noodle” | 44

🥃 Hennessy: From King George to Kendrick | 43

🛹 Skateboard: Defying Physics & Freaking Out Parents for 60+ Years | 42

🐲 Pokémon: The Little Monsters that Played Their Cards Right | 41

⭐ Michelin Guide: The Tire Company That Accidentally Conquered Food | 40

🥏Frisbee: A Pie in the Sky Idea (literally) | 39

🎭 Hamilton: From Founding Father To Broadway Star | 38

🥤Dr Pepper: The Mystery & Magic of America’s #2 Soda | 37

🏎️ Ferrari: The Racing Machine Even A Child Could Draw | 36

🧸 Beanie Babies: The Cutest Boom, Bubble & Bust | 35

🏖️ Tommy Bahama's Beach Chair: Fake Dude, Real Billions | 34

🍅 Heinz Ketchup: The King of Condiments | 33

💧 LaCroix: The Cinderella of Seltzers | 32

🌎 Google Maps: The *Actual* ‘Everything App’ | 31

🍑 Juicy Couture Tracksuit: How Cozy-Core Went Viral | 30

🥤Frappuccino: The Billion-Dollar Brainfreeze Starbucks Nearly Killed | 29

🐢Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The “Dumbest” Best Idea Yet | 28

🔫Super Soaker: Invented by a Rocket Scientist (Literally) | 27

🐣 Peeps: A Backroom Marshmallow Mystery | 26

📱iPhone: The Device Steve Jobs Didn’t Want to Build | 25

🧀 Goldfish Crackers: The Most Romantic Snack | 24

📺 MTV: How Video Killed the Radio Star | 23

🌭 Costco’s Kirkland: How a $1.50 Hot Dog Changed Store Brands Forever | 22

🌮 Doritos Locos Tacos: The Cheesy Mashup That Saved Taco Bell | 21

🌇 Sesame Street: The Trojan Horse Of TV | 20

🏔️ Patagonia Fleece: The Billion Dollar Toilet Seat Cover | 19

🍦Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food: A Collab Born in an Old Gas Station | 18

🎩 Monopoly: The Shocking Scandal Behind the World’s Favorite Game | 17

⚡ Red Bull: How The World Got Its Wiiings | 16

🎸 Fender Stratocaster: The Guitar That Invented Rock & Roll | 15

🥜 Reese’s PB Cups: From Frog Salesman to Candy Mogul | 14

🐂 Oregon Trail: Tricking Kids into Liking School Since 1971 | 13

⌚ Swatch: The $40 Watch that Saved Switerzland | 12

🧱LEGO: Earth’s Biggest Toy Biz | 11

🍬 PEZ: The Cigarette-Inspired Candy | 10

🏀 Air Jordans: How MJ's Mom Made the Deal of the Century | 9

📷 Polaroid: Invented (sort of) by a 3-Year-Old | 8

🛁 Jacuzzi: Legend of the Life-Saving Tub | 7

👖 Levi's 501s: The World’s 1st Jeans | 6

🌶️ Sriracha: From Smuggled Gold to Hot Sauce Billions | 5

🚙 Jeep: The Car That Saved The World | 4

👣 The Birkenstock Arizona: From Flower Power to Fashion Week | 3

🍄 Super Mario Bros: Nintendo’s Infinite Game | 2

🍟 The Happy Meal: A Delicious McMystery | 1
