The So Us Pod

The So Us Pod
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Society & Culture

The So Us Pod is hosted by marketing girlies Ella McMahan and Jane Franco—two friends who can’t stop gossiping about the consumer world (and their own lives). Each week, they dive into consumer headlines, brand trips they wish they were invited to, and the products they’re currently obsessed with. Come for the hot takes on consumer trends, stay for Jane’s dating updates and Ella’s wedding planning drama. It’s smart, funny, and a little chaotic—just like your group chat.

  1. May 5

    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.

    44 min

  2. Apr 15

    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 - Croissant: https://croissant.com/ - Trace (buy + resell platform): https://addtrace.com/

    56 min

  3. Mar 11

    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 - 5 Minute Journal: https://go.shopmy.us/p-46818203

    41 min

  4. Feb 22

    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

    49 min

  5. Feb 10

    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/ - Beauty Forward: https://www.beauty-forward.org/ - CA data deletion request: https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/ - Federal data deletion request: https://www.donotcall.gov/ - Mckinsey Report: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/women-in-the-workplace  - Theo of Golden: https://amzn.to/4qv8jTN - Heart the Lover: https://amzn.to/4bMuBga

    52 min

  6. Jan 20

    Dry January's Athletic Twist, AI in Fitness, and Fanatics' New Play

    In this episode of The So Us Pod, hosts Ella and Jane kick off by discussing their personal updates, including Ella's upcoming speaking event at a conference in Miami. The key topics explored include Athletic Brewing's innovative marketing strategy for Dry January, Equinox's controversial AI-centered New Year campaign, and Fanatics’ new insurance feature for sports betting. Towards the end, they share personal recommendations, highlight the significance of the Year of the Fire Horse in 2026, and encourage listeners to pursue their goals and embrace opportunities. The episode blends industry insights with personal stories, aiming to inspire and inform the audience. Links:  - Jane's Breville: https://go.shopmy.us/p-39349141 - Ella's Podcast Rec: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIwW0CwHWss

    48 min

  7. Jan 12

    From Sauce Investments to Streaming Shifts: What's Brewing in 2026?

    In this episode of So Us Pod, hosts Ella and Jane discuss their recent life updates, including illnesses, moves, and winter break. They delve into three main stories: the intriguing investment of influencers in the LA-based sauce brand through Bullet Pitch, Netflix's venture into video podcasts by partnering with iHeartMedia, and Instagram's new pilot app on Amazon Fire TV allowing users to watch curated Reels on the big screen. The episode also covers thoughts on the evolving influence of bundling services and the cultural implications of these shifts. Links:  - Moving Bags: https://go.shopmy.us/p-33408076 - Crown Affair Leave in Conditioner: https://go.shopmy.us/p-33408076

    36 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Disney Meets AI, Acne Goes DIY, and Walmart Takes to the Skies

    This week, we’re looking at three moments that show where consumer culture is headed next. Disney opens the door to AI-powered storytelling with OpenAI, turning fans into creators in a way that could redefine brand IP. A new at-home acne injection signals how far self-service healthcare is evolving. And Walmart’s expanding drone delivery shows that speed and convenience are becoming part of the brand promise. Different industries, same signal: the brands winning tomorrow are rethinking access, creativity, and control. Links: - NYT Opinion on Dynamic Pricing: https://www.tiktok.com/@nytopinion/video/7577196786784144671 - Dynamic Pricing in Action: https://www.tiktok.com/@twoideas/video/7514733729785318686 - Dynamic Pricing Study: https://www.tiktok.com/@moreperfectunion/video/7581847555030535454 - GMA Coverage on Pricing Study: https://www.tiktok.com/@gma/video/7582214928136719629  - CB2 Couple Glasses: https://go.shopmy.us/p-35588340 - Bink Water Bottle: https://go.shopmy.us/p-33408683

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The So Us Pod is hosted by marketing girlies Ella McMahan and Jane Franco—two friends who can’t stop gossiping about the consumer world (and their own lives). Each week, they dive into consumer headlines, brand trips they wish they were invited to, and the products they’re currently obsessed with. Come for the hot takes on consumer trends, stay for Jane’s dating updates and Ella’s wedding planning drama. It’s smart, funny, and a little chaotic—just like your group chat.

Information

  • Creator
    The So Us Pod
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The So Us Pod