The Focus Group

Shop Talk looks at a Fast Company article that highlights the real reasons—beyond being productive—that employees want to work remotely rather than going back to the office. Caught My Eye brings us a story about the USA returning to the Moon in 2024. John has his doubts. Did you know that the USA's first gay ambassador was also a co-founder of the HRC? The death of Jim Hormel caught Tim’s eye. Ste...

Billie Jean King and her partner of 42 years, Ilana Kloss, finally tie the knot. (They actually did it privately, 3 years ago.) Billie Jean says that she had “trust issues” as detailed in her new book, All-In. But first, Community Marketing and Insights finds that LGBTQ adults have COV-ID-19 vaccination rates of more than 90%—compared to the general population at 71%. As our listener Patrick in De...

A company that fought back legally after a former employee trashed them online through several employment review boards is the topic of Shop Talk. Be careful what you write, and probably not smart to call out the owners by name and make accusations that can be harmful to them and the business. Caught My Eye looks at a recent home buyer that passed on the inspection, then found they were overwhelme...

A growing list of celebrities appear to be shunning soap and only bathing when absolutely necessary. Jake Gyllenhaal is the latest culprit following up on the news that stinky couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis only wash crevices when necessary and only wash their kids if they see some dirt on them. Then, Burger King employees hurl homophobic slurs at a gay couple and their son. The story in Cal...

Shop Talk looks at the origins of poppers. Caught My Eye explores becoming an artist’s live model at 60, and a restaurant patron brings in a scale to weigh his meat at the Texas Roadhouse. Lloyd Anderson, born August 4th, co-founder of REI Outdoor Specialty Outfitter with his wife Gertrude is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify...

Infomercial Pitchman Ron Popeil died this past week. From Mr. Microphone to Veg-a-matic, the Pocket Fisherman and aerosol hair, Popeil was the consummate salesperson who made us all believe. RIP. But first, Disney gets dinged for not using the word gay to describe one of its characters in the new Jungle Cruise movie and a Trumper gets prison time for dumping on a neighbor’s lawn. Apple Podcasts: a...

Shop Talk looks at the advice you would give your 20-year-old self regarding career. An overwhelming amount of people said this one thing. Caught My Eye looks at a South Korean network’s Olympic Parade of Nations unflattering commentary. A hydrogen balloon will take you to space for 125k—John will pay 10k and Tim is not interested. Earl Tupper, born July 28th, of Tupperware fame is our business bi...

Tulipán, an intimate gels and sex toy manufacturer from Argentina, is providing items to help athletes pleasure themselves upon request in Tokyo. The Taliban threatens to kill gays brutally and take away rights of women as they reinstitute Sharia Law should they regain control of Afghanistan. Finally, a teenager is arrested for a prank of airdropping the image of an air gun onto the phones of pass...

Shop Talk takes a look at the business of Masters Degrees—and its big business. Caught My Eye looks at one writer’s top 10 least favorite toys of all time. Also, more people are putting their home office on wheels and once the tech catches up, they expect this to be a 42-billion-dollar industry. Rather than renting or buying. static condo or office you can see the country and chase the good weathe...

A bride and groom offer meals to their wedding reception guests based on the value of the gift you give. Walmart fires a down syndrome employee of 16 years over a schedule change and a court awards her $125 million for wrongful termination. But first, the grocery store salad bar is quickly becoming a relic of the past as consumer shopping habits have evolved since the event. Apple Podcasts: apple....

Shop Talk looks at a recent study that tells us what we knew all along—it’s time for the open floor plan in corporate America to go away. It’s too noisy and people are less productive. Also, climate change and an increase in global car sales is creating a rubber shortage. Buy stock! Caught My Eye brings us a story about how having a “gay voice” impacts job opportunities. Then, why do hot dogs come...

The FDA issues a warning about the use of poppers during sex. Welcome to the party FDA, don't forget your denim shorts and crop top! Then, Mondelez explains what the scallop ridges are for on a Ritz Cracker and social media goes crazy. Finally, a disgraced anti-Gay Catholic Priest and Vatican official, says he can cure homosexuality by having sex with gay or gay questioning men. You can't make it...

Shop Talk looks at a wrap-up of June Pride 2021 missteps. Also, your favorite HGTV shows may not be what you imagine. Caught My Eye brings us a story from SC where the family dog ran away scared by fireworks only to return 8 hours later—and rang the doorbell. Other than having rolled in poop and a few thorns he was OK. Also, the CDC is taken to task for them don’t swim in the pool with diarrhea GI...

Disney Theme Parks drop gender specific call outs in their public address announcements and the internet generally is OK with it. It’s a progressive and harmless change and people will complain just to complain. Then, a young Trumper, celebrating 45’s birthday, leaves a 15-foot skid mark and $16K worth of damage to a rainbow crosswalk in Delray Beach, Florida. He now faces multiple charges includi...

Shop Talk looks at the State LGBTQ Safety Ranking for 2021, and there are a few surprises. The advent of wheeled luggage, the least popular birthday, and the loss of the jacket required for dinner caught our eye. Charlene Heineken, heiress to the beer fortune, is the wealthiest person in Holland, and is 67 today, June 30th. Congratulations to Carl Nassib of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders for coming out...

Coca-Cola stumbles with a bottle personalization promotion by allowing some words and not others to be printed by consumers on their bottles. “Lesbian” cannot be used during June Pride, for example. But first, Ricky Martin suspects he is not getting acting roles because he is gay, and Florida Gov. DeSantis signs legislation that may require teachers and students to register their political beliefs...

Shop Talk looks at corporations that are active in supporting PRIDE but donate millions to anti-LGBTQ politicians. Also, some studies expect as many as 40% of the workforce to resign in what they are called “the Great Resignation.” John Sheperd-Barron, the inventor of the ATM, is our Business Birthday. Caught My Eye shares a story about two women who get back at a two-timing boyfriend, and a boatl...

Actor John Paragon, best known as Jambi the Genie from Pee-Wee's Playhouse dies. But first, companies in tech and banking set forth plans for workers to return to the office. Most seem to have a hybrid of remote and in-office, but all agree that something is missing without face-to-face interaction. Apple gets dinged by a watchdog group for not having LGBTQ apps accessible in countries that are no...

Shop Talk looks at the proliferation of everything rainbow and whether it is “rainbow capitalism” or just too much. The Cracker Jack brand is 128 years old today. Caught My Eye shares a story about a P-town lobster diver who claims he was swallowed by a whale last week and a handicapped woman in Oregon who was arrested for riding her mobility cart without a helmet. Also, John makes his film debut...

A Japanese lawmaker blames same-sex couples for the country’s declining birthrate. LGBTQ activists ask for an apology and experts site economic insecurity for low birth rates. Then, an iconic DOGE meme of a Shiba Inu dog, Kabosu, breaks a record and sells for $4 million. Finally, Major League Baseball, despite its conservative ownership base, is leading all major sports leagues in celebrating PRID...

Shop Talk looks at what age most people start to feel old. Listen and see if you agree. Also, the original Rainbow Flag is found and returned to San Francisco after it was thought lost 40 years ago. Our Business Birthday celebrates Ben Abruzzo, a businessman, and hot air balloon aficionado. Caught My Eye looks at a homeless Oregon woman who did not know she was left almost $900,000, and Kate Piers...

This June appears to have been overtaken by the rainbow and we are enjoying it. First, a Texas bakery has a large order canceled by a client for posting “More LOVE. Less hate. Happy Pride to all our LGBTQ friends!” Residents came to the rescue with support and product is selling out each day. Then, a homeowners association decided “opinion flags,” like the rainbow flag, could not be flown anymore...

Shop Talk looks at a competing NYC Pride March called Reclaim Pride for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The group said the current Heritage of Pride event has turned into a 12-hour circus full of corporate floats. Caught My Eye covers the Porta Potty shortage that is upon us as the county opens up, and those shirtless Abercrombie store models from the 90’s seem to have fared well in their careers. Vic F...

Who knew that uptight and Islamic Pakistan has a thriving dildo and butt plug business. Don’t get caught or talking about it, but if you know how to get around the law, you can live well off the sales. Then, Bill Page, Pastor of The Church of God on River Road in Monongalia County in Morgantown, WV is arrested for filming men at the church urinal. Tim promises to pay the church a visit this Fall a...

Shop Talk looks at LGBTQ discrimination stats in the workplace and society in general. McDonalds and Hyundai announce they will start or increase their spending on diverse marketing initiatives. As we shed our masks, lipstick sales jump 80% in April! But first, our Business Birthday celebrates animator and producer Matt Stone of South Park fame. A baseball card collection worth over $20 million ca...