The So Us Pod

Gummies & Gossip: From Coachella Chaos to Flavorful Ventures

Ella and Jane record a casual “jammies” episode, swap wedding updates (including Jane being paired with a high-energy groomsman to walk down the aisle), and laugh about Ella’s bachelorette dance-floor mortification. They break down influencer-business drama between Alex Cooper and Alex Earle, then discuss a Coachella brand-trip fiasco where Hilton’s savvy reactive move offers lodging to stranded influencers. The conversation turns to big consumer shifts: Unilever’s $1.2B acquisition of Grüns signals major growth bets on wellness brands Gen Z already loves, while GLP-1 trends are changing food, alcohol, and flavor demand—helping drive a private equity buy of Tapatío. They close with “obsessed with” moments, including Ella’s whimsical 30-before-30 list and Jane’s love of paper calendars and an absurd amount of White-Out.

The Beauty AI Revolution, Tariff Impact Assessments, and April Fool’s Marketing Mayhem

Hosts Ella and Jane return to the So US Pod after a break (sorry!). First, they discuss Fenty Beauty’s WhatsApp AI advisor “Rose Amber,” debating shade-matching, privacy/biometrics, Meta-owned data concerns, and why AI can feel less salesy than in-store associates, while tying it to Jane’s work in AI moderation and visual intelligence. Next, they unpack “Liberation Day” tariffs one year later, citing P&G price increases, Constellation’s earnings hit, planned 2026 fashion hikes, and consumers shifting to coupons and cooking at home; they note brands can communicate hikes better and highlight rentals, try-before-you-buy, and flexible payment models. Finally, they critique April Fools as performance marketing, calling some stunts disruptive or insensitive (notably a pregnancy-test prank), and argue reactive brand moves can often backfire. They close with “obsessions”: Jane’s productivity partnership with Claude (and concerns about AI slop) and Ella’s Croissant resale tool, plus a playful stuffed-animal “Bella” cameo.   Links:  - Nuuly: https://www.nuuly.com/rent [https://www.nuuly.com/rent] - Croissant: https://croissant.com/ [https://croissant.com/] - Trace (buy + resell platform): https://addtrace.com/ [https://addtrace.com/]

Boy Kibble, Netflix Nays, and De-Influencing Days

Hosts Ella and Jane discuss three timely topics: the TikTok “boy kibble” trend (bowls of ground beef and rice) as a mix of gym culture, cost-conscious meal prep, and a masculinity/perception signal, while noting protein-maxing often ignores fiber and that cooking for oneself can be taxing. They then cover Netflix reportedly walking away from an $83B Warner Bros. acquisition and being rewarded by the market, debating whether streaming is shifting from empire-building to discipline. They discuss Netflix's unclear differentiation, bundling, ads, household changes, etc. Finally, they examine “de-influencing,” where creators say what not to buy, and how brands may sponsor minimalist voices because audiences trust them, suggesting a possible trust recession and more focus on product effectiveness amid high costs. They close with “obsessed with” picks: A&D ointment for skin and reading/journaling before work, plus work-boundary habits. Links:  - A&D Ointment: https://amzn.to/3N8Pl7V [https://amzn.to/3N8Pl7V] - 5 Minute Journal: https://go.shopmy.us/p-46818203 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-46818203]

Blake Breaks It Down: Kraft Heinz, Alcohol Adventures, and Olympic Games Insight

Ella hosts the So Us Pod with special guest Blake, her fiancé, filling in for Jane. They discuss Kraft Heinz scrapping plans to split and instead investing $600M in marketing and R&D, questioning whether it needs better-for-you brands or acquisitions, and Ella shares the Berkshire Hathaway/3G merger history. They cover Constellation Brands’ CEO transition as younger consumers drink less and ready-to-drink grows, with Blake favoring non-alcoholic/better-for-you options over cannabis. They debate an IOC decision disqualifying a Ukrainian skeleton racer for a helmet honoring athletes killed in the war, and talk Winter Olympics hockey and NHL players returning to the Games. In “obsessed with,” Ella shares thoughts on the Wuthering Heights movie, while Blake talks about the game Arc Raiders and streamer sponsorships, plus a headline about major chip brands lowering prices. Links:  - New California bill would add ‘no alcohol sale’ to IDs of repeat DUI offenders: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article314677241.html [https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article314677241.html]

Kevin Hart’s ABG Move, TikTok's Location Tracking, and Women’s Career Ambitions

In this episode of the So Us Pod, hosts Ella and Jane discuss a variety of topics, starting with a significant change to their podcast's release schedule, opting for bi-weekly episodes due to their busy personal lives. Ella shares her recent experiences working in a frigid New York City, while Jane recounts her own work adventures and upcoming trips to London and potentially Switzerland. They then delve into an interesting conversation about Kevin Hart's licensing deal with the Authentic Brands Group and the broader impact of celebrities leveraging their names for various products. The discussion shifts to the implications of TikTok's new privacy policy under its new US-based ownership, emphasizing the extensive data collection and potential censorship. Finally, they examine a McKinsey report highlighting the slowing progress of women in the workplace, particularly in senior management roles, and discuss broader systemic issues and potential solutions. The hosts wrap up by sharing their current obsessions, including beloved books and simple joys from childhood.   Links:  - Lasting Change: https://www.makelastingchange.com/ [https://www.makelastingchange.com/] - Beauty Forward: https://www.beauty-forward.org/ [https://www.beauty-forward.org/] - CA data deletion request: https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/ [https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/] - Federal data deletion request: https://www.donotcall.gov/ [https://www.donotcall.gov/] - Mckinsey Report: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/women-in-the-workplace [https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/women-in-the-workplace]  - Theo of Golden: https://amzn.to/4qv8jTN [https://amzn.to/4qv8jTN] - Heart the Lover: https://amzn.to/4bMuBga [https://amzn.to/4bMuBga]