The Focus Group

Shop Talk this week looks at ten things you should never buy new. Caught My Eye introduces us to “GayWater,” and gold coins expected to bring in millions, found in Kentucky and are readied for auction. Our Business Birthday salutes the founder of Tyson Foods, John W. Tyson. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/2n...

One of this summer’s blockbuster movies, “Barbie," is driving conservatives crazy. They just can’t seem to agree as to why. Then, US House Representative from Wisconsin, Mark Pocan, is tired of the bigotry against LGBTQ+ people in Congress and took to the floor with a fiery speech. Finally, what states order the most take-out food? The results will surprise you. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Sp...

Shop Talk this week reveals The Warren Buffet Noah Rule. It could also be the John Nash Rule of “plan for the worst, hope for the best.” Caught My Eye covers a new drug developed in Japan that may grow teeth. Also, Jane Birkin died, and we share the story of the origin of the Hermes Birkin Bag. Our Business Birthday salutes the “Father of the Microwave Oven,” Percy Spencer. We’re all business. Exc...

Darcelle was the world’s oldest working Drag Queen when she died last year at 92 in Oregon. To honor her and her years of community service to the people of Portland, the city is naming a public plaza Darcelle Plaza. But first, a woman in Key West Florida is challenging men-only, clothing optional resorts, for not allowing women. Then, Beekman 1802 selects Mrs. Potato Head as their spokesperson fo...

Shop Talk this week looks at the difficulties LGBTQ small businesses encounter when looking for financing. Caught My Eye covers a lawsuit out of Canada where the thumbs-up emoji was ruled to be considered a “yes” where contracts are involved. Also, a group of cannabis loving cyclists formed in VA called Bike Buds. Our Business Birthday is flamboyant exercise guru Richard Simmons who turns 75. We’r...

London LGBTQ club Adonis has made it known to all patrons that everyone is welcome and instituted a “no circuit gays” rule. Then, Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer tells us that take-out is transactional and does not require a tip. Finally, Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo, has created people manned check-out locations for customers that may want or crave social interaction. The program has expanded an...

Shop Talk this week looks at the man who made Chia Pets and The Clapper part of our American culture—Joseph Pedott. Caught My Eye looks at the rebirth of the 80’s perm for men and a vintage recipe box found at a thrift store filled with comfort food from days past. Our Business Birthday is the inventor of Jeno’s Pizza Rolls and Chun King prepared Chinese food, Jeno Paulucci. We’re all business. Ex...

Mega retailer Costco, is taking a page from Netflix and cracking down on people who share memberships without paying. Also, a janitor ruins 20 years of research at an RPI lab, resulting in a million-dollar lawsuit. Finally, Lady Di’s infamous black sheep sweater hits the auction block this summer and is expected to fetch at least $80K. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHe...

Shop Talk this week looks at the LGBTQ movies most searched for in each of the 50 states. Caught My Eye covers a toy recall, the demise of a Good Humor favorite and reclaiming water in space. Our Business Birthday is the My Pillow guy, Mike Lindell.  We’re all business. Except when we’re not.    Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/2n0Z7H1 Tunein: bit.ly/...

A fake priest is brought into a restaurant in California to get “work confessions” from employees. The restaurant has been fined $140K by the government. But first, PRIDE across America sees support remaining steady with few brands canceling support due to the rash of anti-LGBTQ initiatives. Banana Republic goes back to their safari roots with a new campaign. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spoti...

Shop Talk this week looks at the art of quitting at the right time. Caught My Eye covers an odd mother daughter conflict helped by a Michigan bank teller. Garth Brooks has decided that his bar will serve all beers including Bud Light. Our business birthday is the inventor of Dr. Pepper, Charles Alderton. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/...

Orange County California votes to only allow official flags to fly on county property. So, no PRIDE flags will be allowed. Then, a 20-year study finds that having an Ivy League education does not give you an advantage when it comes to running a Fortune 500 company. Finally, food waste is a huge problem in the USA and with 9 million children having food insecurity in our country our leaders seem to...

Silent Film expert and founder of Undercrank Productions, Ben Model joins us to talk about the importance and joy of silent movies. Caught My Eye explores how people think about cyclists wearing helmets, and Ben & Jerry’s has stopped advertising on Twitter due to all the unmonitored hate language on the platform.  We’re all business. Except when we’re not.  Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify...

Target continues to be a target for both the conservative and LGBTQ+ communities regarding the way the retailer handled their Pride merchandise kerfuffle. Then, GLAAD releases new survey results that reveal even greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people than the media would lead us to believe. Finally, a retro type of digital camera where you must wait 24 hours to see your pictures is something that tak...

The US Postal Service released the top cities and top states that accounted for the 5,300 dog bites to letter carriers last year. Caught My Eye covers the recent banning of the Bible from schools in parts of Utah. A consequence of the 2022 Utah law that said children should not be exposed to violence or sexual issues. Brooks Stevens who had his design sense on many iconic US products of the 20th C...

Sean “Diddy” Combs is claiming racial discrimination against distributor Diageo for not properly marketing his Ciroc Vodka and DeLeon Tequila. Then, your co-workers are getting a minimum of a week off each year if they are smoking during the day at work. Finally, Air New Zealand is weighing passengers to help with fuel costs and better gauging plane loads with an eye on safety. Apple Podcasts: app...

Caught My Eye reveals that 20% of US men prefer to sit when doing number 1. Also, the last newsstand in Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station has stopped selling newspapers. John Ringling is our business birthday this week. Ringling is one of the 5 brothers that started the Ringling Brothers Circus and went on to buy every traveling circus in America, including Barnum and Bailey. Our Road to Pride se...

Target stores have had to remove their PRIDE displays in some areas due to a vocal anti-LGBTQ minority. Then, Amanda Gorman, who delivered her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at the Biden/Harris Inauguration had her poem taken out of circulation at a Miami elementary school based on a one parent protest. Finally, after 18 years a pair of the famed Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of OZ...

Shop Talk covers the graduation speech from a Harvard Happiness Expert that tells graduates that two pieces of advice they have heard are terrible. Caught My Eye covers the potential demise of AM radio in vehicles and a trans student forced to miss graduation due to dress code. Harry Reese, inventor of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is our Business Birthday this week. Also, the second Road to Pride...

Miller-Lite beer is targeted by the right for a “woke” campaign to honor Women’s History Month. Though the campaign is two months old, a conservative group is suggesting a boycott of the brand. Then, a couple in PA got caught up in the bankruptcy of Bed, Bath and Beyond. They had a baby registry there and can no longer reach anyone in customer service regarding out-of-stock products that were purc...

Shop Talk looks at a method Bill Gates employs to find out how well you may know a topic. Caught My Eye covers the stripper recession and an update on an old homophobe. Frederick Jones, inventor of the portable refrigeration systems, the snow mobile, and many other items is our Business Birthday this week. Also, the first segment in our Road to Pride series this week features Amhir Hidalgo, Senior...

Recent college grads have a starting salary expectation beyond reality according to a recent study—they have inflated their worth by as much as $30K and have starting salary expectations in the $85K range. Then, Robert Lachky, former brand manager at Bud Light, says his 20 years of brand building to make the beer number one in sales was dismantled in about a week. Finally, a lawsuit about a hot Mc...

Shop Talk looks at the health concerns regarding an epidemic of loneliness. Caught My Eye covers a failed rocket launch of cremated remains and a new boycott of Bud Light from gay bars in Chicago. Edward Porter Williams, co-founder of Sherwin-Williams Paints is our Business Birthday.  We’re all business. Except when we’re not.  Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radi...

A mystery in Old Bridge, NJ has yet to be solved—who dumped over 300 pounds of pasta along a creek in the town, spurring a social media frenzy. Then, conservative Montana lawmakers are going full steam ahead on an anti-drag bill that could threaten the likes of Lady Gaga, Shakespeare plays, and Halloween. Finally, have you noticed the disappearance of limos on the streets? In the last decade the l...

Shop Talk looks at the 1993 LGB March on Washington. How have things changed in 30 years? Caught My Eye celebrates Pride merchandise for sale at 100 Tennessee Kroger stores and a sperm donor is asked to take a break. Ron Popiel, “inventor of everything” through his company Ronco, is our business birthday this week. You remember Veg-O-Matic, Mr. Microphone, and the Bedazzler. We’re all business. Ex...