My First Million

3 businesses we think are about to blow up

My First Million·October 6, 2026

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Oxytocin products: This is an unregulated hormone that can be purchased in bulk. It is believed to enhance pair-bonding and social connection. The hosts predict that in 12 months, there will be widespread advertising for oxytocin products, particularly nasal sprays, positioned as a solution to divorce or social awkwardness. They suggest exploring market entry in this space.
  • Shared Interest Group / Fraternal Organization selling financial products: This involves identifying deep interest-based communities (religious, hobby-based, etc.) and forming an organization that offers membership benefits (community, belonging, discounts) while monetizing through the sale of commoditized financial products like life insurance. Examples given are the Knights of Columbus, Good Sam (RV owners), and USCCA (gun owners' insurance). The hosts believe this model is attractive due to the loneliness epidemic and the long-term sustainability of such businesses.
  • Values-based entertainment studios: This refers to companies like Angel Studios, which produce movies and TV shows aligned with specific moral or religious values, often avoiding cursing, drugs, and explicit content, and focusing on positive hero narratives. They attract a large, dedicated audience (e.g., 3 million members for Angel Studios) who actively participate in content selection and crowdfunding. The hosts see an opportunity in catering to underserved niches within the entertainment industry.

OVERVIEW

This episode discusses two radical business ideas that the hosts believe have significant potential, drawing parallels to past predictions made on the podcast. The first idea revolves around the use of oxytocin for relationship and social bonding, while the second explores the concept of monetizing shared interest groups through financial product sales. The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of social acceptance for previously fringe ideas and the strategic approaches of successful entertainment studios.

KEY TOPICS

  • The concept of oxytocin and its effects on social bonding.
  • Palmer Lucky's idea of using oxytocin to combat divorce.
  • The history and business model of the Knights of Columbus.
  • Examples of other successful shared interest groups selling financial products (Good Sam, USCCA).
  • The "reaction to the action" business theory.
  • The evolution of social acceptance for substances like peptides and psychedelics.
  • The business model and success of Angel Studios in values-based entertainment.
  • A24's strategy in the film industry.
  • Marketing tactics in the movie industry.

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

  • Oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone, plays a significant role in bonding (mother-infant, romantic partners, human-pet). It is currently unregulated for purchase, and some communities are experimenting with it to improve social connection.
  • The idea of using oxytocin to enhance relationships, although currently lacking robust scientific backing, presents a fascinating business opportunity, especially if presented as a solution to widespread social issues like divorce or loneliness.
  • Shared interest groups, particularly those with strong community ties, can successfully monetize their membership by selling financial products like insurance. These businesses often demonstrate longevity and substantial revenue.
  • Ideas that initially seem "freakish and strange" can become mainstream over time, as evidenced by the growing acceptance of peptides and psychedelics for therapeutic uses.
  • The "reaction to the action" business theory suggests that opportunities arise by providing solutions to the negative byproducts or excesses of existing trends (e.g., Snapchat as a reaction to Facebook's permanence).
  • Successful entertainment studios like Angel Studios cater to specific niche audiences with strong values, leveraging community engagement and unique content selection processes.
  • Traditional film studios are risk-averse, focusing on proven formulas and "four-quadrant" movies, leaving a void for independent studios like A24 to pick up diverse, ignored projects.
  • Movie marketing budgets often far exceed production budgets, highlighting the importance of innovative and guerrilla marketing strategies in reaching audiences.

NOTABLE QUOTES

"If I had to work on something again, it'd be saving America from the tragedy of divorce. And that would be oxytocin doping for marriage counseling. If you do this, maybe you won't die alone." - Palmer Lucky
"We have predicted and developed several pharmaceutical drugs on this podcast." - Sam Parr (jokingly)
"I'd like ideas that seem very freakish and strange. Like imagine walking into your office or going to a team retreat, which I just had, and everyone has to do oxytocin in advance." - Shaan Puri

Summarized with DriftNote — AI-powered podcast summaries

Try it free