The Focus Group

Shop Talk reveals a hiring method that Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary uses in his hiring decisions. While we agree with the overall premise, the hiring landscape has become so automated in the front-end that his tactic, while in theory sounds nice, is not realistic. Caught My Eye acknowledges the death of visual effects superstar, Douglas Trumbull. Also, Mazda vehicles in the Seattle area are exper...

The resistance to Canada’s Trucker protest is using a Porno-Metal song about Gay Cowboys to disrupt communication. The raunchy song, Ram Ranch, has caused quite a stir and is having an effect. Then, forgetting things is found to be a normal brain function. Studies show that our brain selects what information we will easily remember and what things can be filed away or forgotten. Bottomline, don’t...

Shop Talk invites LGBTQ Advertising Expert Mike Wilke to the program to discuss this week’s Big Game. Mike is the founder of AdRespect.org and continues to consult with Fortune 500 companies in their DEI marketing efforts. Lydia Pinkham is our Business Birthday. She is the inventor of a uterine sedative that you can still purchase today at your local pharmacy! (Can you say, VitaMeataVegamin?) Caug...

Former HRC President Alphonso David has sued the HRC for racial discrimination after his earlier termination from the organization for his assisting NY State Governor Cuomo with his sexual misconduct allegations. As more book bans take hold, MAGA supporters were told the story of Lot from Genesis 19—who had sex with his daughters—and agreed the book should not be available to children. Imagine the...

Shop Talk explores same-sex couples collecting spousal benefits from Social Security. Prior to marriage equality, same-sex couples did not enjoy the benefits of marriage and Social Security payments. That is changing now, and the government is taking an active role to get the message out. Howard Deering Johnson, born February 2, 1897, is our Business Birthday. Johnson was the founder of Howard Joh...

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran got rid of his smartphone and “began living life.” He claims life connected to his phone became sad and anxious and he just uses email now every few days. Spotify is trying to navigate pushback from super stars, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who pulled their song catalogs over what they say is misinformation regarding COVID by podcaster Joe Rogan. Spotify paid $100 mil...

We have a guest! Pianist and Focus Group fan, Jeff Cubeta , joins us to talk about virtual piano lessons in the age of the event. Also, the worker shortage is not because of what many may think. Bessie Coleman, born January 26th, 1898, and died tragically doing what she loved at 34 is our Business Birthday. Coleman, known as Brave Bessie or Queen Bessie, was a trailblazer in aviation being the fir...

The internet and social media are buzzing at M&Ms announced “more inclusive and accepting” changes to the fictional candy characters. It’s candy! But first, a Jewish couple in Tennessee is denied adoption of a disabled boy from Florida. Due to recently enacted religious freedom laws in some states. Welcome to what it feels like to be an LGBTQ person in America where taxpayer funded organizations c...

Shop Talk reveals highlights of some legislation that various states are exploring to protect Marriage Equality should The Supreme Court lose its mind. Heinz Prechter, born January 19, 1942, is our Business Birthday. As an innovator in the automotive industry, we have Heinz to thank for the sunroof/moonroof. He developed and perfected the idea and started the American Sunroof Company in 1963 with...

The retail discount chain, Dollar Tree, is getting plenty of push-back from their customers for increasing prices to $1.25. It appears the “event” and supply chain shortages are affecting every aspect of our economy. Squirrels spoiled holiday lights this past season in St. Paul, MN. Apparently, the coating for the twinkle lights in Mears Park had a corn sugar coating that the critters loved to eat...

Shop Talk reveals nine words that have been removed from some dictionaries in 202. Also, we explore North Korea’s fascination with triplets. The Amazing Kreskin is our Business Birthday as he celebrates his 87th today. Caught My Eye solves the rat and rodent problem in NYC—yum…Oreos. Finally, Elvira loses 11K “horny old men” and then shortly gains 60K new followers after coming out in September 20...

The State of Ohio takes 15 months to get the design of their new aviation inspired license plate just right but produced over 35,000 of the new plates before someone realized that the Wright Brothers plane was backwards. Pabst Blue Ribbon beer has a rogue employee who sent out crude tweets regarding Dry January. John thinks this was a stunt and not an accident. Our final story involves a runaway b...

Shop Talk looks at a respected MIT Professor’s rules of engagement for the classroom. See if you agree with his 4 simple words. King Camp Gillette, born January 5, 1855, is our Business Birthday. As an innovator in the field of grooming, Gillette is credited with bringing the disposable safety razor to the masses. Caught My Eye looks at how CNN was duped on New Year’s Eve with fake names across th...

European Bank Santander accidentally deposits $176 million into people’s accounts on Christmas Day—are now in the process of trying to retrieve it. Peloton took a huge stock hit in the last quarter of 2021. Remember the #BowFlex and #NordicTrack? If you own this stock, it is smart to get in and out before the fad wears off. Finally, Alexa may have aged faster with consumers than Amazon expected. D...

Shop Talk looks at a McDonald’s exec who is losing $105 million in severance due to an overactive libido. Also, the worker shortage is not because of what many may think. Austin Norman Palmer, born December 22, in 1857 is our Business Birthday. As an innovator in the field of penmanship whose development and widespread distribution of the Palmer Method of handwriting had a great influence on the h...

Colorado Crazy Congressperson, Lauren Boebert, is all exercised over a bakery selling Gingerbread Person cookies. The Million Mom’s Org—which is really a couple of middle-aged white lady Christian whiners down South looking for alleged sin—is furious with retailer Sephora for their Holiday commercial that shows two men exchanging a gift and a kiss. We suppose it helps raise money as the boycott sp...

Shop Talk highlights a smart customer service rep at LEGO who executed a “surprise and delight” tactic that did not cost the company anything, but garnered loyalty for life. Alan Freed, born December 15, in 1921 is our Business Birthday. He became internationally known for promoting African-American rhythm and blues music on the radio in the United States and Europe under the name of rock and roll...

Texas and its conservative lawmakers continue to be the decider when it comes to what books should and should not be read in schools and libraries. But first, Tokyo plans to enact same-sex partnership benefits and other LGBTQ rights as Japan tries to catch-up with the rest of the G7 regarding Human Rights. Poland, however, takes a step backwards as a recent poll shows that recent government action...

Shop Talk covers an article and study that believes holding off retirement until your early 70’s can have far more than a financial benefit. Caught My Eye Introduces you to Penny the Fox of Ocean City, MD who has a shoe fetish. Also, an unopened Star Wars figure of Princess Leia sells for $12k. William Crapo Durant born December 8th, 1861, co-founder of GM and Frigidaire is our Business Birthday. ...

A Whistleblower, BJ, and Preacher make an appearance on this week’s podcast. First, a former employee—we think—turned in Hyundai for lapse safety reporting around engine issues. The US Government awarded said employee $24 million. Then, big banks continue going after sex workers by closing off financial services to 2 adult sites this past week. Finally, Preacher Joel Osteen’s plumber finds $600K i...

Shop Talk looks at four business books recommended by a former Starbucks exec. Caught My Eye warns you against wearing a leather coat in North Korea so as not to offend the Highest Dignity, Kim Jong-Un. Also, a woman must relinquish her coffee table of 50 years—a stolen Roman mosaic from the reign of Caligula. Robert W. Welch Jr., born December 1, 1899, is our Business Birthday. He was most known...

The new Trump Bar in Trump Tower has a Presidential theme with drinks named accordingly—like The Mar-a-Lago Spritzer. Notably absent is the addition of bitters to any drink! But first, a few conservative Nebraska legislators want the State to take over the education of students from local school boards. This way LGBTQ curriculum could be erased from the prospect of being taught. Then, a recent stu...

Shop Talk covers an article that believes the pandemic changed our buying habits when it comes to conspicuous consumption. We also look at The Peanuts Thanksgiving Special from the 70’s and some of the innocent and coded characters that we all know so well. Caught My Eye asks what you should do on the job if you found out you were second choice by accident? Also, RuPaul is not pleased with  Wish.c...

Dave Frishberg of “Schoolhouse Rock” fame died this past week at 88. What a mark he made on American culture. Then, a restaurant in England denies a gay autistic man entry due to his leopard print pants. Apparently, they did not adhere to the restaurant’s “smart casual” dress code. Finally, a Florida homeowner is threatened with a $1,000 fine for putting up his Holiday decorations too early. The h...

Our Business Birthday this week celebrates drag’s most famous Queen, RuPaul Andrew Charles. Happy 61st RuPaul! Caught My Eye explores the increased demand for home generators now that many have turned their homes into their own little office park. Also, John receives a direct mail piece that entices him to give until he discovers his name was misspelled—rendering his mailing return labels useless....