On Brand with Jon and Marisa

Hosts Jon and Marisa explore the brand history of Bic, examining its iconic pens, lighters, and razors as everyday masterpieces.

John returns from Iceland to recount his attempt to meet Bjork at an eclipse rave, sharing stories of volunteering and near-misses.

Jon and Marisa discuss M&M's, focusing on their heat-resistant shell and Jon’s childhood correspondence with the brand.

Jon and Marisa discuss their childhood food memories and picky eating habits before diving into the history of Ragu.

Hosts Jon and Marisa explore the origins of Smokey Bear, tracing his creation to WWII-era fire prevention campaigns driven by the strategic need to protect timber resources.

Hosts Jon and Marisa explore the history of Magic Eye posters, tracing their origins from 19th-century stereoscopes to 1970s neuroscientific breakthroughs.

Hosts Jon and Marisa explore the origin of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, tracing its creation to Steve Henson, a plumber who developed the recipe in 1940s Alaska to feed his crew.

Jon and Marisa explore the history and brand identity of Krispy Kreme, tracing its origins from Vernon Rudolph’s 1937 Winston-Salem shop to its global expansion.

Jon and Marisa explore the Statue of Liberty’s history, starting with Jon’s humorous misattribution of Emma Lazarus’s poem "The New Colossus.