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 aka 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+. Wondery.fm/TBIY_IP

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This week, we're joined by war reporter, author, and filmmaker Sebastian Junger. We talk about what it means to find purpose in life, how to get a hold of a Nigerian pirate, and making sense of near death experiences. 

Sebastian's new book, In My Time of Dying, is now available wherever you buy books. 

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This week, we're joined by the bad boy of bowling, Pete Weber. He tells us about what it was like growing up as the son of bowling icon Dick Weber, and shares his tale as the heel of professional bowling. Pete opens up about his dark days of cocaine addiction, and the story behind his viral "Who do you think you are? I am!" moment at the 2012 U.S. Open.

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This week, Elna picks Knoxville's brain on one of his heroes, Colonel John Stapp — the flight surgeon, biophysicist, and human performance scientist who once hit 639 miles-per-hour on a rocket sled and somehow lived to talk about it.  

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This week, we sit down with Isaac Nabwana, AKA the Notorious I.G.G., Uganda's premier action movie director, and founder of Wakaliwood studios. He's best known for his movie "Who Killed Captain Alex", released on Youtube in 2010, which went viral for its homemade special effects, hilarious dubbing, and insane action sequences. We talk about how he got his start in the music business, how to make a movie for $200, and the best way to use condoms.

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This week, we're joined by the one and only Tony Hawk! Knoxville and Tony reminisce about Jackass, we hear about his days in the Bones Brigade, his nastiest injuries, and (try to) clear the air about some hot n' steamy rumors.

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This week, we're joined by the one-legged snake handler from Rising Star, Texas, who holds the Guinness world record for holding the most rattle snakes in his mouth (13). We chat about proper bagging technique, learning to face your fears, and how he keeps the peace with 10 ex-wives.

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This week, we're joined by one of the most accomplished ultramarathoners in history, Courtney Dauwalter. We talk about how Courtney managed to run 283 miles in 56 hours, dealt with going blind on a run, and the friendly hallucinations she meets on long nights.

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This week, we're joined by one of Knoxville's favorite boxers of all time, Irish Micky Ward, the pride of Lowell, Massachusetts. We chat about how Micky developed his iconic "pressure fighting" style, his legendary trilogy of fights with Arturo Gatti, and the merits of disinfecting your mouthpiece (and everyone else's) in a pickle jar.

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This week, we're joined by legendary surfer, Kai Lenny. We talk about getting bonked in the head, what surfers can learn from snowboarding, and the many meanings behind the word "water sports"...

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This week we're joined by the legendary funambulist Nik Wallenda of "The Flying Wallendas." He talks to us about walking a tightrope across the Niagara Falls, his family's generations-long history with the circus, and gives us some pointers on how to beat a sobriety test.

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