The Phantom Menace Podcast

CY and Jacob kick off the year with an episode covering erasable ink, rice fermentation, influencer marketing, and how the AI data center boom is making your fountain pens more expensive. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss the comeback of a legendary nib, Sailor’s strategy, big updates in the paper world, and the challenges of maintaining consistency across batches and seasons. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss tariffs, affordable stacked nibs, and oolong tea cans from a galaxy far far away. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY, Jacob, and returning guest Khuê reminisce about the past year and make some predictions for 2025. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY,  Jacob, and special guest Drew Brown report live from the 2024 Tokyo International Pen Show. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob delve into Hobonichi's paper troubles, analyze eye-opening fountain pen sales figures from Nikkei, and discuss how to address rumors. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss Pilot's latest product announcements, Sailor's ongoing financial woes, upcoming stationery events in Tokyo, and recent US pen shows. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss fountain pen marketing, the Q1 earnings of Pilot and Sailor, and share their first impressions of the Sailor Tuzu. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob discuss Sailor's new Tuzu pen, Korean stationery, glass pen snobbery, recent and upcoming events, and Mitsubishi Pencil's trademark headaches in early postwar Japan. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).

CY and Jacob, joined by returning guests Khuê and Alesa, discuss spring pen fairs, stationery M&A news, earthquakes, and a new steel nib.This episode was recorded on March 3rd. Show notes with links and feedback form.Jingle by Audionautix.com (CC Attribution).