Brooke and Jeffrey

Laser Stories (4/15/26)

8 min
Apr 15, 20263 days ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

The "Laser Stories" episode features humorous discussions about cat food marketing, a Yankees stadium tiramisu dessert served in a baseball helmet, and a scientific study revealing that women have better hearing than men by approximately two decibels on average.

Insights
  • Gender differences in hearing ability appear to be biological rather than environmental, potentially linked to hormonal or prenatal ear development factors
  • Right ear hearing advantage is consistent across genders, suggesting asymmetrical auditory processing in human neurology
  • Novelty food experiences at sporting events leverage absurdist humor and shareable moments to drive consumer engagement and social media buzz
  • Pet food marketing increasingly focuses on emotional bonding narratives rather than nutritional benefits alone
Trends
Experiential food marketing using novelty presentation formats at live eventsGender-based biological research gaining mainstream podcast discussion attentionPet wellness industry emphasizing emotional outcomes and relationship improvementHumorous reframing of scientific findings for entertainment and social commentary
Topics
Gender differences in hearing abilityAuditory neuroscience and ear developmentPet food marketing and consumer behaviorStadium food experiences and novelty diningBiological sex differences in sensory perception
Companies
Shiba
Pet food brand offering cat food products including purees and grilled formulas with bone broth and seafood
New York Yankees
MLB team mentioned for serving a two-pound tiramisu dessert in a baseball helmet at stadium concessions
People
Brooke
Co-host of the Brooke and Jeffrey podcast discussing laser stories segment
Jeffrey
Co-host of the Brooke and Jeffrey podcast participating in laser stories discussion
Michael Easter
Featured in advertisement for his podcast about mental toughness and resilience
Quotes
"A new study found men literally can't hear as well as women and there's nothing you can do about it."
HostMid-episode
"The average woman has a two-decible advantage and even though that doesn't seem like a lot, it's enough to make a pretty big difference."
HostDuring hearing study discussion
"Do you eat this $20 dessert with a spoon? Or do you go full New York and just tip the helmet into your mouth?"
HostYankees tiramisu segment
Full Transcript
All cat parents understand the feeling of being totally ignored by your cat. And often thinking, does my cat even love me? There's only one solution to solve that, Shiba. Feed your cat Shiba and go from feeling ignored to truly adored in 12 days guaranteed or your money back. Shiba has a menu of products, appetizers, entrees, treats, and even a kitten's menu. So Shiba has a product for even the pickiest eater. Like Shiba puree made with bone broth, a smooth and creamy texture that cats love. Or Shiba grilled, protein rich formula made with real chicken and seafood. To learn more, check out Shiba.com. If you're ready to turn your hard work into measurable results, go to maximistribe.com. That's maximistribe.com. 2%. That's the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter. And on my podcast, 2%, I break down the science of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. Put yourself through some hardships and you will come out on the other side a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listen to 2%. That's T.W.O. Percent on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, everyone? I'm Aiko Vodem. My next guest, it's Will Ferrell. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. I'm going to be the first to know what you think of the iHeartRadio app. We all know nothing says America's Pastime like a fancy Italian dessert and plastic sports gear. It is for the family to share. I could see one person holding it and everyone has spoons. Until it's a hot day at the ball game. And then it's just like cream in a bucket. It was like coffee soaked lady fingers. You guys are selling it to me with everywhere as you say. But what is it exactly? Imagine a full-sized Major League Baseball Players helmet filled with layers of espresso soaked lady fingers and mascarpone cream. I heard the helmets weren't even washed either so it's a little salty. Ew. Why would you say that? It's unclear if this two pound dessert is meant to intimidate your opponents. Like you dare challenge a team that serves tiramisu at the ballpark. It is so Yankees. It's very Yankees. The real question is this. Do you eat this $20 dessert with a spoon? Or do you go full New York and just tip the helmet into your mouth? Yum. Yum. I take a lasagna and a helmet. Oh yeah. Now we're talking. That's not bad. You can cut the square. Either way the Yankees say that if you can eat the entire thing by the seventh inning, you can repurpose and spray out the helmet for 20% off of nachos. Oh, gross. Follow it up with nachos, huh? Ew. And if you can eat a full-sized tiramisu and nachos, you will be crowned saddest person in all of New York City. Congratulations. This next laser story is out of the study of dudes. Oh, dude. All right. Good news for zoned out men. When your wife says you don't listen enough, here's your excuse. A new study found men literally can't hear as well as women and there's nothing you can do about it. What? We're at a nature disadvantage. Scientists tested people's hearing in different countries all over the world and they found it's true everywhere. Really? The average woman has a two-deciple advantage and even though that doesn't seem like a lot, it's enough to make a pretty big difference. Poor man, right, Brooke? Oh, I told you, this whole segment, I feel so bad for that. Yeah, we've really been eating this. The food is owners now, these guys. I didn't notice. They didn't hear any. We're meaty boys. What did they say? I wasn't listening. You can't hear because you listened to your headphones so loud. Yeah, you actually have hearing loss. Yeah, I'm proof that this is all factual. They think it might just come down to hormones or how our ears develop in the womb. Possible women's brains are better at processing sound, too. So when it comes to hearing, men might have worse ears and inferior brains. How come things that happen is stupid, people keep happening to me? You said it, Jeff, right? Yeah. The study also found that regardless of gender, we all tend to hear out of our right ear a little bit better than out of our left. Now I'm trying to decide which one is for Jeff. Jeff is to my right, Brooke's to my left. It kind of makes sense. They're not sure why that is. As for what I'm hearing from this guy, that's the sound of his tongue. That's the sound of his tiny turtle heartbeat as he presses his shell up against the side of a well-worn LeBron Series 3. Wow, there's the heartbeat. You can't hear if you're supposed to have two decibels better than me. Yeah, you're supposed to hear it. Sorry, I'm distracted. Oh, okay. You're thinking about something else. That sound means laser stories has come to an end for the day. We'll do it again same time on Friday. All cat parents understand the feeling of being totally ignored by your cat. I'm so distracted thinking, does my cat even love me? There's only one solution to solve that, Shiba. Feed your cat Shiba and go from feeling ignored to truly adored in 12 days guaranteed or your money back. Shiba has a menu of products, appetizers, entrees, treats, and even a kitten's menu. So Shiba has a product for even the pickiest eater, like Shiba puree made with bone broth, a smooth and creamy texture that cats love, or Shiba grilled, protein-rich formula made with real chicken and seafood. To learn more, check out Shiba.com. I'm bringing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset, so enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father, not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better too. Liberty, liberty, liberty, liberty. 2%. That's the number of people who take the stairs when there is also an escalator available. I'm Michael Easter and on my podcast, 2%, I break down the science of mental toughness, fitness, and building resilience in our strange modern world. Put yourself through some hardships and you will come out on the other side, a happier, more fulfilled, healthier person. Listen to 2%. That's T.W.O. Percent on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. It would not be an inspiration. It would not be on a calendar of, you know, the cat just hang in there. Yeah, it would not be. Right, it wouldn't be that. There's a lot of luck. Yeah. Listen to ThanksDad on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The full lineup is nuts. We got the Grits and Ages podcast, Beyonce, Kyle, and Big Ice Cup Cat. We got Club 520 with Jeff Teague in the gang. Yeah, yeah. Don't call me white girl. Mona will be there. Keep it positive, sweetie, with Crystal Renee. We got Reality with the King with Carlos King, and yes, Drink Chance will be in the building. Plus, you know we're going to have a lot of guests, so you need to join us. And we got the Black Effect Marketplace to pitch your podcast and everything you expect from the Black Effect Podcast Festival. Tickets are on sale right now. Go get yours at blackeffect.com. Don't play yourself, okay? Pull up.