Great Samaritans

Great Samaritans

Follow Great Samaritans
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Every week, Jon Ramsey and Thomas Stern break down a different food or beverage brand. With the help of their guest, they figure out how the best path the brand can take to become a better company. No rock is left unturned.

greatsamaritanspod


    • Jun 27, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 51 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Great Samaritans is a podcast that truly stands out in the sea of podcasts available today. From the moment I started listening, I felt like I was part of a lively and engaging conversation with friends. The topics they discuss are fun, interesting, and thought-provoking, making each episode a delightful experience.

    One of the best aspects of The Great Samaritans podcast is how relatable and down-to-earth the hosts are. Jon Ramsey and Thomas Johnson bring a genuine sense of humor and camaraderie to every episode, making it feel like you're hanging out with friends. Their perspectives and insights on various subjects, whether it's snacks, beverages, or even marketing strategies, are both entertaining and informative. The chemistry between the hosts is palpable and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to each episode.

    Additionally, the podcast offers a fresh take on everyday things that we often overlook. They have an uncanny ability to shed light on seemingly mundane topics and make them incredibly funny and engaging. Whether it's discussing hangover Power-Aid or dissecting the history behind popular beverages like White Claw and Mike's Hard Lemonade, The Great Samaritans never fails to deliver entertaining content that will have you laughing out loud.

    In terms of drawbacks, it can be quite subjective as everyone has different preferences when it comes to podcasts. However, one potential downside is that some listeners may find certain episodes too focused on specific products or brands that they may not be interested in. This could limit the appeal for those who prefer a more diverse range of topics.

    In conclusion, The Great Samaritans podcast is a refreshing addition to anyone's podcast rotation. With its humorous take on everyday things combined with the charisma of its hosts, this podcast offers an enjoyable escape from daily life. Whether you're looking for something light-hearted to brighten your day or want to indulge in some witty banter about snacks and drinks, The Great Samaritans is definitely worth a listen.



    Search for episodes from Great Samaritans with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Great Samaritans

    Cadbury with Nomsa ”then they just melt and disappear” L. Mlambo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 38:04


    Lifelong Cadbury pro Nomsa drops the bomb on us (which we should have expected) that American Cadbury is trash compared to the English stuff.  Then she helps us concoct a plan to pull American Cadbury out of the gutter.  At some point Spice Girls become Spice Women too. 

    Monster Energy / Heinz with Liz ”It tastes like a Fanta, and I just wanta” Bennett

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2022 45:24


    To close out season 1, Liz Bennett joins us for a special 1.5 parter! Not only do we infiltrate college campuses for Monster, but we summon a Monster x Heinz co-branded product. No spoilers but It NEEDS to exist.

    Heinz Ketchup with Billy ”Where's that soup coming from?” DeClercq

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2022 41:00


    We get into Elon Musk, whether or not we're living in a simulation, and Billy's favorite way to eat 'chup (it's weird).  And of course: we figure out how Heinz can grab even MORE of the ketchup market share.  

    Pringles with Kelli ”Locked & loaded on our man upstairs” Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 51:25


    Loyal Pringles evangelist Kelli helps us propel Pringles to the top with a retail concept that you will think about in your dreams... We also re-imagine the un-recyclable tube and smear Doritos for cutting people's mouths.   

    Peanut M&Ms with Sophie ”I just put more in my mouth” Savides

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 45:58


    Sophie picked a heavy hitter and then helped us generate some heavy hitter solutions to their heavy hitting problem.  Crows are trained and Superbowl commercials are conceived.

    Frosted Flakes with Veronica ”I love my fake family” Powers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 46:08


    For the first time in GS history, we interview someone who was in a national commercial for the brand of the episode!  We take on the glaringly obvious issue that holding Tony the Tiger in the #2 spot... It starts with a "G". 

    Trader Joe's with Kaley ”wanting the cashier to make conversation” Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2022 45:00


    Trader Joe's veteran and dumpling connoisseur Kaley helps us come up with yet another legitimately good idea.  All I'll say is: It cures hunger and loneliness at the same time!  It also involves the Sex and the City franchise.  

    Dare Iced Coffee with Alexander ”We love our milky” Richards

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2022 40:56


    Matriphagy is the consumption of the mother by her offspring.  What does this disturbing behavior have to do with Dare Iced Coffee? Well, I can't tell you here in the description, but I'll just say this: sometimes you have to go for glory over dollars...   

    CANN Social Tonics with Melanie ”take a Xanax and get under covers” LaForce and Sara ”ya know, like when you give your cat medicine” Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2021 51:52


    Our first Cannabis-laced product! We leverage the brains of one cannabis-consumer (Melanie) and one cannabis-industry pro (Sara) to come up with some marketing and product ideas for CANN.  Weed and alcohol brands get destroyed because they're competition.  #420  

    Sour Patch Kids with Stephanie ”Mochi? Mamma Mia!” Leke

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 63:05


    As Stephanie says "Nothing gets the ball rolling like Sour Patch Kids".  Couldn't be more true.  We come up with some MONSTER product ideas, and a long-term, undercover ploy to fix Sour Patch Kids' one weakness: their tropical mix.  Also, this is a historic Flu Game part two because both Jon and Thomas are sick!   

    Laphroaig with George and Richard from the Worst Scene/Best Scene pod!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 70:43


    We take the WWWD (what would Wario do?) approach for this ep and explore the somehow neglected concept of mixing people ashes with liquor.  We also fly our competition to the moon, literally? Not making any guarantees... but yes we do. 

    Doritos 3D with Eric ”An inconvenient Dori-truth” Wiig

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 44:30


    We come up with new products, better commercial for Matthew McConaughey, and a movie that explains the truth behind Doritos - also starring Mr. Matthew McConaughey.

    Dave‘s Killer Bread with Mel ”Whippin‘ up something vicious” Stern

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 41:40


    Brother Mel re-joins us to help us help Dave - the ex-shot-caller of Dave's Killer Bread.  The Waynes World 2 rules are invoked, and shivs are hidden in loafs.  It's a ride as wild as the story of this brand. Bust out your guitars, cuz Rock-n-roll is about to happen!!!! (Van Halen riff)

    Snack Pack with Jason ”Puddin‘ all day no kizzy” Roth

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 51:46


    Are you unsure about the stability of the U.S. dollar?  And are you also not sure about cryptocurrency?  Jason comes up with a brilliant way that Snack Pack can solve these problems.    

    Celestial Seasonings with Jake ”Don‘t edit, just forget it” Fallon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2021 58:04


    Former Celestial Seasonings tour guide Jake helps us give the company a makeover.  Why was this necessary? Its too juicy for this description!  A weird cult and aliens are involved!  

    Mr Pibb with Jack ”Extra Bigger” Hutsey

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 50:31


    Is Mr Pibb just imitation Dr. Pepper?  Jack explains why it simultaneously is and isn't.  To make Pibb Xtra as popular as it once was, they should distribute it more widely right?  WRONG.  Make it impossibly exclusive.  Radicalized deets in the ep.

    Goldfish with guest co-host Laura ”I always say ‘more flavors‘” Maynard and Jon playing Mel!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 48:50


    *SPECIAL LOST EPISODE RENEWED!!! My brother Mel was the original guest on this ep, but his audio got messed up, so Jon came on and tried to guess what Mel said!  Without giving too much away, Boban and Toby get a five year deal!  And we flavor blast each-other! 

    Krispy Kreme with Avery ”I think my belt is gonna come off” Brooks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2021 45:20


    Kirspy Kreme's stock has gone down 20% in the last 3.5 months.  Avery helps us get people back in Krispy Kreme's factory stores to taste their donuts fresh.  3D printed donuts are involved.  

    Outshine Fruit Bars with Victoria Edel and Hayley Schueneman - Outlive, Outlast, Outshine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2021 61:43


    The Gold-plated Girls themselves help us solve the issue of freezer-burn, demolish Good-pops, and figure out how to make new customers remember Outshine forever. 

    Diet Coke with Paula Skaggs + Josh Linden "When words fail, Coke speaks"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 59:22


    Paula and Josh help us create ANOTHER viral phenomenon for Diet Coke to use to hit millennials. Plus, we get to the bottom of Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda... 

    Just Egg with Kim "A Nice Hot Breakfast" Iheme

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 46:34


    Kim helped us craft a 3-pronged approach (marketing, product development, and packaging) that we're pretty sure could make Eat Just, Inc. a double unicorn by surpassing $2 billion net worth.  WARNING: You'll never think about celeb endorsements in the same way after hearing this ep.

    warning you hot breakfast
    Pop-Rocks with Andrew "You should just sell these" Contreres

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 33:27


    Andrew lends lends us his no-nonsense perspective to help us craft a sales strategy that will get Pop-Rocks in more old stores. Calling all skaters, we're hiring!

    Hormel Pepperoni with Bri "My dog is as regal as I am" Woods

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 46:26


    Kansas City's own: Bri helps us come up with innovative new 'roni products.  Some are fun for the family room and some... are fun for the bedroom.... And one involves an exploding packet of ketchup - SPLAT!  

    Sprite with Hannah "You know who I am" Hirsch

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 25:56


    Hannah helps us cover ALL the bases and some in this jam-packed episode. New Jingle? Check.  New can design? Check.  Brilliant marketing contest where everyone gets a shot at (not gonna spoil it)... Check! 

    Publix PART 2 with Kim "They'll kill your parents" Perry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 39:40


    Our Publix series headliner Kim helps us add to their deep catalogue of emotionally evocative commercials. Dogs might die.  No one is safe. 

    Publix with Owen "I really got screwed" Wilson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 33:33


    Without spoiling too much about what may or may not have happened with Owen, I'll say this: Jon levitates in this episode. Literally and figuratively.

    Cheez-It (PART 2) with Chad "I am God"Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 49:38


    In the Yang to Part 1's Yin, we all channel our inner simps to come up with a punk-rock twist on Cheez-it snacks.  We may or may not use CRISPR technology to achieve our goals.

    Cheez-It (PART 1) with Alec "Not now, not tomorrow" Herr

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 47:12


    In our first two-parter yet, we (Jon and Thomas) admit to being simps in high school, and that Alec declared that he has been a non-simp for his entire life.  This helps us put Goldfish in their simp-place.  Alec also hits a home-run with his wordplay based new product ideas.

    A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' with Paula "I'm a functional person" Harrington

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 59:17


    We uncover Heineken's deepest and darkest secret - and use it to propel Lagunitas Brewing Company right to the TOP where it should be!  Plus Paula and Jon reveal what restaurant servers are actually thinking!

    22ND EPISODE SPECIAL! WE DID IT!!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 41:30


    To celebrate hitting the milestone of 22 episodes, Jon and Thomas take read some fan emails and revisit some past episodes to explore missed opportunities!  Queue the fireworks!

    PEZ with Marino "Easy as 1, 2, Pez" Korellis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 39:54


    Marino has a golden, collector's PEZ dispenser, Thomas has one with a broken head that looks like a glob of toothpaste with eyes.  Jon has nothing.  Despite these glaring gaps of experience, we came up with amazing ideas like having the emoji version of you as the dispenser head.  Also Pez-water. 

    Totinos Pizza Rolls with Sam "I want COLORS!" Francis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 68:39


    Sam helps us solve all of Totinos' problems: the fact that they're ugly, their bland online presence, and of course, the mouth burning issue.  Also, he share's his ultimate dippy experience.

    Nutty Buddy/Bars with Sami "Guess whose back in the house" White

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2021 57:48


    Lifelong Little Debbie Lover Sami White goes unconscious (metaphorically) spitting brilliant ideas for Nutty Buddy (the snack formerly known as Nutty Bars).  Theres one for every season!  Plus we figure out how to bring Little Debbie from bronze to gold in the U.S. snack charts.  

    Snyder's of Hanover Pretzels with Cousin "One-take"Joanna

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 48:47


    How do you eclipse being number 1 in the WORLD? By further smashing number 2 of course!  Cousin Joanna pulled from her lifelong love of Snyder's to help us do this.  We combine the lessons from an Amazon reviewer and Gestalt therapy for one groundbreaking concept.  And Joanna details her impressively involved pretzel consumption rituals. Get your crunch on.

    Combos with Alex "We don't have to know ALL the answers" Shaver

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 53:21


    Everything tastes better when it's fired at you with a t-shirt cannon from a monster truck.  Alex helps us leverage this knowledge to SIGNIFICANTLY advance Combos' social media following.  

    Gushers with Avery "It's all the same food paste" Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 62:02


    Have you ever wanted to take a bite into a MEGA gusher?  That's what we thought.  Can Betty Crocker reach a wider audience by filling these mega gushers with...  naughty ingredients?  That's what Avery Lee helps us figure out!  

    Häagen-Dazs with Sarah-Marie "Dark, F'd up, and Delightful" Degni

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 38:04


    Sarah-Marie comes up with a plan that will help actors get exposure WHILE spreading the joy of Häagen-Dazs ice cream!  Also, we have a special baby guest!

    Jif with Derek "Nasty little sugar boy" Martz

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 48:45


    Peanut Butter lifer Derek helps us help Jif expand in China and your child's art class???  Why though? Also what's a Peanut Butter Platter?  Only one way to find out...........

    Funyuns with Jon "Biscuits and gravy HOLY COW!" Plester

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2021 49:46


    Jon helps us breathe new life into the stale, Funyuns brand.  We brainstorm flavors, marketing, packaging, and even the name snack!  And, what? A De La Soul collaboration?!  Yup... 

    Red Bull with Katy "HEYOOO - Look at this!" Jacobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 52:16


    Longtime Reb Bull devotee Katy helps us come up with a brand new social media PLATFORM?!!? for RED BULL!?!?  Plus Jon races a barracuda! Why? Find out! 

    Brisk with Derry "Beyond your vocabulary" Queen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2021 52:56


    Chicago Drag Legend Derry Queen helps us put a new twist on "spilling the tea".  We also concoct a new drink made of Jon's favorite soda and DQ's favorite thirst quencher.   

    Pillsbury with Laura "I want shapes" Maynard

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2021 59:29


    Pillsbury cinnamon roll enthusiast Laura presents her impassioned argument that the company should capitalize on their two aces and lose all of their failing jacks (we're looking at you cake mix).  Plus: we explore their opportunity to capitalize on mid-lake housing.

    Fig Newtons with Geoff "did you pet the top?" Little

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2021 56:16


    Geoff and his unflinching stance on smooth foods helps us bring Fig Newton back to the limelight.  And we dig deep to realize how we can all better ourselves by doing "the hard part".   

    Gerolsteiner with John "tap dancing down my throat" Randall

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2021 68:45


    Amateur foodie John Randall helps us craft a plan that will help this very German mineral water brand blow up in the U.S.  Is that Rammstein I hear...?  

    german amateur throat tap dancing john randall gerolsteiner
    Reese's with Edgar "I'm kind of a BIG fan" Nevarez

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2021 45:03


    Long-time Reese's devotee Edgar helps us come up with outside-of-the-box product ideas (we revolutionized tuna) and an ad campaign that will make any dog-lover cry.  

    Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar with Alex "I drink it over the rocks" Prichodko

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 48:10


    We discover why Paul and Patty Bragg are doing so well, mentally, spiritually and physically (it's their proximity to mother).  Plus Alex commits to the name of one of his future sons!

    La Croix with Miles "Give Me That Problem" Potter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 59:35


    Miles helps us hatch a complex, time-traversing, and necessary plan to help La Croix take back its market share! Press 5 for crepe mix.

    Sunny D with Janelle "Call to Activists" Blasdel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 67:42


    Marketing professional Janelle Blasdel helps us steer Sunny D in the right direction.  Greta Thunberg and  bottle-cap solar panels are involved.  

    Powerade with Andrew "F**k you, this is brilliance" Lemna

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 47:19


    Former athlete (to some extent) Andrew Lemna goes out of his mind generating brilliant ideas for his favorite sports drink brand. 

    Sabra with Matt "the bros want their hummus" MacLean

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 44:40


    We utilize Matt's extraordinary hummus experience to fuel new ideas for Sabra.  What role does Danish furniture play in this story?  Listen to find out.  

    White Claw with Sydney "put it near the baby clothes section" Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021 47:37


    Our first episode!  We explore the many untapped markets for America's favorite hard seltzer.  We also discover some innovative ways to refresh the brand.  Curious about Milk-claw?  Give this ep a listen!

    Claim Great Samaritans

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel