The Focus Group

Navy Vet, and LGBTQ Icon, Harvey Milk was honored by the US Navy with a ship named in his honor. Milk was one of four civil rights leaders given such an honor as part of a fleet of newly commissioned naval supply ships. But first, Prince Charles made Sir Elton John a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, sc...

Shop Talk looks at the origins of some popular business idioms. Caught My Eye explores the new phenomena of job seekers who ghost employers after accepting employment. The tables have turned as employers are getting a taste of their bad behavior in the treatment of applicants. Also, three Class Action Lawsuits have been filed against Kellogg’s for lack of strawberries in Strawberry Pop Tart produc...

Perennially confused, and Harvard educated Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, thinks that people who don't have kids should not be teachers. He attacked 35-year educator Randi Weingarten, who is lesbian and, the President of the American Teacher Federation. On a happier note, the majority of the Salt Lake City council will be LGBTQ after last week's election results. Red state Mormon Utah has come a...

Shop Talk looks at the Worst Colleges for LGBTQ Students. All 180 schools on the list are religiously affiliated. Caught My Eye highlights the founder of SPANX, who is awarding all employees with a trip and cash bonus—where would you go? Tim and John share their destinations. Also, a Thai woman cuts the rope of a crew trying to fix her building 30 stories up. Finally, school boards continue to unw...

The hot wings chain Hooters is getting pushback from some of its servers for their newer, shorter, more revealing uniforms. Then, Poland conservatives introduce new legislation to the lower house of government that would essentially ban all things LGBTQ in the country. Finally, a London doctor is fined for posting a fake gay escort ad for a builder who did not finish his fence. The doctor could lo...

Tim and John go to their first New York Comic Con! Thank you to Scott Seitz and SPI Marketing’s Queer and Ally lounge for hosting us. We spoke with comic book artists and writers Isaac Goodhart and Dan Parent about their careers and LGBT inclusion in the industry. We also caught up with drag queens Jackie Cox, Tammie Brown, and Yuhua Hamasaki. We’re all business. Except when we’re not.  Apple Podc...

The Focus Group was at Comic Con New York City this year. Stay tuned for a Halloween special podcast featuring comic book artists and writers Issac Goodheart and Dan Parent, along with Drag Race stars Jackie Cox, Tamie Brown, and Yuhua Hamasaki. John recommends some new sci-fi books, “Klara and the Sun,” and “When the Sparrow Falls.” Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHear...

Shop Talk covers two stories this week. The first one looks at the large number of American workers that are leaving jobs in search of more money and meaning—or both. Then we disclose the five most and least expensive states in which to conduct business in the USA. Caught My Eye exposes brands that destroy returned items to prevent resale versus fixing and reselling, and Apple is hawking a $19 Pol...

The LEGO Group has made the decision to rid its toys of harmful gender bias. This is on the heels of California enacting new legislation in 2024 requiring retailers to not separate toys by boys and girls. Also, Newsmax pundits think Las Vegas Raiders Coach Gruden’s racist and homophobic comments could be about cigarettes and plastic surgery. Absurd. Finally, Mayor Pete schools Tucker Carlson for c...

Shop Talk looks at the Eisenhower Matrix as a method to plan your day and prioritize tasks. Caught My Eye highlights another treasure found in a drawer of a UK estate worth millions. Also, the nine photos that we all should consider keeping on our phones are revealed. Famed fashion designer and business mogul, Ralph Lauren is our Business Birthday. Born on October 14, he is 82 years old and contin...

China has a problem in suburban areas with loud dance music from “dancing grannies,” sometimes late into the night. One man has invented a remote-control device that he now sells—20K units to date—that will shut off the speakers and thus shut-down the dancing granny parties. Then a CEO sits on a toilet for 50 hours to raise awareness and money for sanitary products for the developing world. He rai...

Shop Talk discusses electric cars with the latest entry promising over 500 miles on one charge. It will cost you though. Caught My Eye celebrates the naming of a Michigan Post Office in honor of American Icon and National Treasure Aretha Franklin. Also, Venezuela lobs some zeros off its currency and a George Lucas doll akin to Jesus is in the works! Our Business Birthday is Lonnie Johnson, born Oc...

A museum says they gave a Danish artist $84,000 in cash to use in artwork they wanted updated. He delivered blank canvases and titled them “Take the Money and Run.” But first, Dollar General is now raising prices beyond the dollar mark—no complaints from consumers thus far as the pandemic has increased the cost of goods on all levels. Then, Disney Actor Tommy Kirk, best known for his role as Travi...

Shop Talk discusses Oliver Burkeman’s new book, “Four Thousand Weeks.” That’s about the average number of weeks in a lifetime, and a good lens to look at time management through. Caught My Eye looks at the antics that may or may not take place on private jets and a marble gravestone is returned to Michigan cemetery. The marble slab was used for the last 100 years or so to make fudge in the home of...

Finance savvy TikTokers find success mimicking the stock buys from members of Congress. Many believe politicians may be in the know, but a recent study says that they are just as unlucky as the rest of us picking stock winners at times. Then, an ad agency in NC creates a vaccination campaign around a non-existent funeral home in order to encourage people to get the shot. Finally, Elvira, Cassandra...

Shop Talk looks at long term care options that some of us may face in our retirement years. Caught My Eye relays that several states are starting to see shortages of certain alcohol brands. If you like champagne, cognac, tequila, or bourbon—stock up now! The world’s first stewardess, and America’s first flight attendant, Ellen Church is our Business Birthday. Born on September 22 she was a trained...

Venerable Sears continues its decline with the closing of the last large format store in their home state of Illinois. Sadly, what was once America’s largest employer is down to fewer than 300 stores. Reuben Klamer died last week at 99. He created the number two selling board game of all time: Life. Finally, a new report shows that at least half of LGBTQ employees say they have experienced some so...

Shop Talk covers an article that predicts the changing nature of business travel. Better tech, efficiencies with staying put, and helping with carbon emissions mean many Fortune 500 CEOs are rethinking the role travel plays. Caught My Eye takes John and Bob to visit listener Billy at a small plane meet-up. John now wants flying lessons and got a cool Nash auto hood ornament from Billy. China is co...

The Taliban inherited billions of dollars’ worth of NATO and American military hardware including planes and Humvees. The Pentagon made sure most of it can never fly or be used again. Then, more states are starting to employ a zipper merge approach for highway lane closures. So, the next time a sign says, “lane closed ahead,” stay in it and turn at the last minute. Research says this is best—despi...

Shop Talk looks at regaining your identity after a hard job loss according to an article from Fast Company. Caught My Eye covers a promotion between Oscar Meyer’s Wienermobile and LYFT—would you ride that big meat around town? Also, an exhibit that celebrates the rescue dogs from 911 as we come upon the 20-year anniversary of that horrible day. Charles Barnes, born September 8th, and the founder o...

Famed fashion photog Bruce Weber settles lawsuits with male models who were allegedly “Brucified.” Ford Motor Company in Germany takes a consumer’s gay comment about a color and gives the vehicles the Rainbow Treatment. Finally, a recently married Chicago couple has sent invoices to people who RSVP’d to their destination wedding and did not show. Thanks to Critics’ Choice Video it is the Criterion...

Shop Talk covers two stories this week. Apple’s Tim Cook is an early riser because he feels he can unplug and get more done in the morning uninterrupted before his day gets blown off-track. Then, while we concentrate on financial needs in retirement, we often overlook the importance of true social needs as we age. Surrounding ourselves with a network of friends we can rely on is as important as fi...

Former President Obama gets pushback from a local Chicago neighborhood group for wanting to build his $700 million Presidential Library in Jackson Park. They claim it will clear over 800 trees and disturb birds and create dust and noise. Spencer Elden, the nude toddler on the cover of Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” album is seeking millions in damages claiming the picture of him was equivalent to child po...

Shop Talk looks at a recent study that tries to settle the age-old question as to whether left-handed people are more creative. Then we explore the power of silence in business negotiations. Caught My Eye brings us a story about sorority rush in Alabama and the booming business of selling fake nobility titles. Rachel Ray, born August 25th, celebrity chef and businesswomen is our business birthday....

A former nurse gets bullied by her co-workers for posting some naughty pics on social media, but when those same workers find her Only Fans videos, it proves too much for the nurse and she quits. While the former nurse, Former nurse Allie Rae pulls in about 70K a month through her Only Fans page—but she misses the nursing field. Bank that coin Allie Rae! Also, MGM Resorts will auction off some Pic...