In our November edition:

Why car keys cost so much, the world's top bagel consultant, and the future of coffee pods.

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR

This month, we've had mornings on the brain, not least because today much of North America gains some time in theirs. That got us thinking about the economics of the early hours.

So before you grab your car keys, coffee and bagel in hand, settle in to explore these stories about why the heck those car keys have become so expensive to replace and the woman who's become queen of the artisanal bagel industry. Finish it off with a piece about the future of environmentally unfriendly coffee pods, and some actual caffeine, and you've got yourself a glorious a.m. —KL

Katherine explored...

The delicious life of the world's best bagel consultant

How she made a more "patient" bagel — and a booming business

Beth George is a 63-year-old bootstrapped entrepreneur who helps aspiring owners across the globe be their own bosses by opening bagel shops.

Dive in | 5 min read

Alison wondered...

Why are car keys so expensive to replace?

The answer lies in a cat-and-mouse game between automakers and criminals.

They started out simple. So why have car keys become so complicated?

Dive in | 4 min read

Image of a coffee maker brewing a morning cup

Are coffee pods really that bad for the earth?

Yes — and there's a new-and-improved podless future coming your way. (Brewing machine not included.)

Dive in | 2 min read

AND MICHAEL IS brushing his teeth asking...

Who's making millions off Listerine?

It's not who you might think. Turns out a random collection of people and entities, including environmental non-profits, universities, and religious groups, own hard-won royalty rights to the mouthwash company in perpetuity. How did that happen?

Dive in | 4 min read

FREE RESOURCE:

How to 10x your output (+25 time-saving prompts)

Thank you for supporting our long-form journalism. We'll be back with more on December 1.

Today's email was brought to you by Katherine Laidlaw, Alison J. Stein, Danny Jensen, Michael Waters, Andy Dickson and Sara Friedman, with artwork by Olivia Heller.