Palmer Luckey has Hilary Duff on his Spotify playlist. These are the tunes BI staff have on theirs.
On the agenda:
A man wondered why he needed the restroom so much. The fix was simple.
Would you pay $2,500 a year to scan your body for signs of danger?
New York City's most exclusive clubs are invite-only fitness classes.
"OK, no problem!" How Gen Z became the people-pleasing generation.
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This week's dispatch
Let's talk tracks
I wouldn't have guessed that Palmer Luckey is into Kelly Clarkson.
Still, a recently-revealed Spotify playlist making the rounds was indeed that of the Oculus VR and Anduril founder. Yes, the man who created a company that makes defense technology apparently loves pop music, with Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" and Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi" in his "Best Music Ever" playlist.
"Like most olds, I jam to the music I grew up with," Luckey wrote in an email to BI's Henry Chandonnet. "Around my peers and the radio-driven world of shared cultural experience it was 'Sk8er Boi' — who doesn't like reliving the highs and lows of teenage angst?"
In light of this, I asked a few BIers what's on their Spotify playlist. Here's what they said:
Michael Domanico, senior managing editor, people:" 'Teenagers' by My Chemical Romance has been heavy in my rotation. That type of music was ambient noise in the early 2000s for me, so going back to that sound has been really satisfying."
Jordan Hart, business news reporter:"Faye Webster's voice on 'A Dream With a Baseball Player' is filled with yearning, and the chords in her music are dreamy, especially on this track. When I want to pretend I'm in an indie music video, I put this song on and sing to an imaginary love interest."
Lisa Ryan, executive editor, audience: "One song that's made its way onto my 'On Repeat' playlist is 'Silver Springs' by Fleetwood Mac — clearly I was influenced by all the TikToks and Reels about it. But it's a great song, so no embarrassment here."
" 'What I Got' by Sublime is one of my all-time favorites. It hits just right whether I'm in a good mood or trying to shake off a bad one. What can I say? I'm a '90s kid."
Pelvic floor relief
For years, Adam Gvili organized his life around trips to the bathroom. He needed to pee 20 times a day, was often constipated, and had painful bowel movements.
After six years and many appointments with different specialists, Gvili discovered he had a tight pelvic floor, an area in the body usually associated with women.
Men are embracing pelvic floor therapy — and not just for better sex
Are full-body MRIs worth it?
Doctors have been debating the utility of full-body MRIs for decades. These scans, which can cost $2,500 or more, are now used in high-end longevity clinics, with celebs like Kim Kardashian touting them on social media.
Everyday people have also shared success stories, but these scans can also send patients down a time-consuming and expensive spiral. Doctors shared a framework with BI to help assess whether a full-body MRI is a good idea for you or not.
A security camera for your insides.
The swollest speakeasy
Corrie Aune for BI
The definition of luxury fitness in New York City is no longer a high price tag. Instead, studios are leaning into invite-only classes, where you have to know someone to get in.
Two studio founders told BI that it's all about vibe curation. Smaller classes keep the workouts personal and effective. "It's not about feeling special because you're a member," one regular attendee said.
If you know, you know.
The people-pleasing generation
Healing from her own people-pleasing tendencies is what inspired Meg Josephson to become a therapist. She said her Gen Z clients especially struggle with this, thanks to the online world.
The internet Gen Z grew up in magnifies rejection and makes it so much easier to seek validation, leaving them in a never-ending approval loop, Josephson said. Luckily, people-pleasing isn't a fixed trait — and even Gen Zers can shed it.
How to ditch the label.
What we're watching this weekend
"Twisted Metal": Over on Peacock, season 2 kicks off based on the hit video game set in a postapocalyptic wasteland. Anthony Mackie stars as a man with amnesia on a quest while surrounded by some colorful characters.
"Chief of War": Created by and starring Jason Momoa, this new Apple TV+ series is set in the 19th century where four major kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands are all battling in a bloody war.
"Eyes of Wakanda": This animated Disney+ series is a spin-off of the successful " Black Panther" movie franchise that focuses on a group of Wakandan warriors who set out on dangerous missions.
What to shop
Budget finds, Prime convenience: Amazon's new Haul section is packed with ultra-cheap, under-$20 finds — from kitchen tools to trendy clothes. Naturally, we had to order a bunch of stuff and show you what it's like. Ultimately, shopping on Haul is impulse-buy heaven, but quality can be hit or miss.
Your feet will thank you: We tested 22 pairs and ranked the most comfortable shoes for standing all day. Each pair is built for support, durability, and long-haul wear, no matter your job, routine, or travel itinerary.
Best Breville for your brew: Coffee aficionados know Breville is the gold standard for home kitchens, whether you want quality shots with minimal effort or full control over every step. We tested and compared the brand's top models, from beginner-friendly to barista-level machines.
More of this week's top reads:
A cardiologist explains how to tell if your heart is aging too fast, and four tips to keep it young.
Costco started opening early for executive members. I wish they'd done it sooner.
A Navy SEAL vet turned CEO shared his morning routine to stay fit at 48.
What it's like staying at a resort with one of the largest pools in Hawaii.
The high-protein trend is coming for your Starbucks order.
Four simple food rules to stay in shape and live longer, followed by a longevity doctor.
A former "Real Housewives" star just sold her waterfront home for $40 million. Take a look.
Older job seekers may be hurting their chances. A career coach shared how to avoid self-sabotage.
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