The Focus Group

Costco is the new Target—and not just for bulk snacks. As Target’s once-progressive halo dims under political pressure and plunging foot traffic, shoppers on both sides of the aisle are walking away. Meanwhile, a Texas judge defends free speech and drag, giving the green light for students to bring Draggieland back to Texas A&M. And finally, David Wallace makes the case for why gay bars still...

This week we unplug to reconnect: Gen Z is ghosting smartphones in favor of MP3 players, flip phones, and digital cameras—because what’s old is suddenly minimalist chic. Then, we meet the real gatekeepers of New York convenience stores: Bodega Cats. Plus, a woman in Pennsylvania accidentally gives away her $2.5 million lottery ticket—stuffed in a jacket donated to charity. And finally, we celebrat...

This week, justice is served with a $10 million payout to a lesbian police officer who faced relentless harassment in her own department. Then we ask: why is America so sad? Turns out, more of us are dining alone—and not just skipping dessert. Meanwhile, Hooters goes bust (bankrupt, not topless), but promises a comeback with more “family-friendly” vibes. Wings, loneliness, and justice—what more do...

What happens to your brain when you retire? In Shop Talk, we explore how staying sharp means having a plan and a purpose. Then, Caught My Eye reveals a shocking stat—75% of the world skips toilet paper (seriously!). Plus, scientists are studying hibernating squirrels to crack the code on deep-space travel. And our Business Birthday honors Erastus Bigelow, the father of modern carpets. We’re all bu...

The iconic Sundance Film Festival is packing up after 40 years in Park City, Utah, heading to Boulder, Colorado—but is it really about politics? Meanwhile, Anheuser-Busch drops St. Louis PrideFest after three decades of support, saying they "don’t see the value" (yikes). And if you’ve ever handed your DNA over to 23andMe, now might be the time to hit delete—the company is up for sale. Tu...

Shop Talk looks at a simple word swap to make you sound more confident and assured. We agree. Caught My Eye yearns for the good ole days of the Luxor in Las Vegas. A recent review was not so kind to this once regal property along the Vegas Strip. Also, close to a million dollars’ worth of Tiffany diamonds are “retrieved” from a robbery suspect who swallowed them…in Florida. Duncan Hines, namesake...

This June World Pride invites LGBTQ people from around the world to Washington, D.C. Organizers are playing each day by ear as the Trump Administration cracks down on DEI initiatives and those federal agencies or companies that don’t adhere to his orders will lose funding or contracts. Stay tuned. Then, a new LGBTQ bar in DC called Spark Social House is booze free and says they fill a niche of the...

Shop Talk looks at how far a million dollars will go in retirement by state. Money will go fast in Hawaii but last a lifetime in West Virginia. Caught My Eye looks at the FDA’s crack down on VCR cleaner—or poppers—in the last month since RFK Jr. has joined the administration. Kennedy wrongly blamed the popular inhalant with causing the AIDS crisis in the 80’s. Also, quitting plastic bottled water...

Deep red North Dakota defeated an attempt to overturn same sex marriage in the state legislature. Don’t let anyone tell you that resistance does not work. Then, the return of the LGBTQ bar has seen a resurgence with more opening across the country. Finally, a new app helps with doom scrolling and time wasting called Touch Grass. The app forces you to go outside and actually touch grass to get you...

Shop Talk looks at the recent downfall of Elon Musk related to his Tesla brand, and how many owners of the cars are rebranding them with badges from Mazda and Audi. Will Tesla recover from all the negative energy around Musk? Caught My Eye looks at the creepy “tooth in eye” surgery. Also, Hunter Biden is now a starving artist. William Perkin, who discovered synthetic purple or mauveine, is our Bus...

The Trump Administration teamed up with the far-right hate group, Moms for Liberty, to tattle on public schools that have diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts via an online portal—which already seems to have been taken down. The site was being flooded with porn and spam. Then, IBM and a French engineering company have partnered to recycle polyester clothing and help the environment with the 13...

Shop Talk shares the 10 things that Warren Buffett says too many of us waste money on. Caught My Eye reports on vitamins for your vagina and smuggling cocaine through bad wigs. Momofuku Ando, inventor of instant ramen and Cup Noodles, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW YouTube...

A Michigan Republican lawmaker brings forth anti-marriage equality legislation in the hope that the Supreme Court will hear the case. It stands zero chance in the Democrat controlled Senate. Then, Delta Airlines has put a comedian on their no-fly list due to posting anti-LGBTQ messages and calling out a flight attendant who wore a pride pin. Finally, potato chips are 50% more than they were 10 yea...

Shop Talk shares an article from Fortune that predicts someone’s socio-economic status based on cars in the driveway. Caught My Eye reveals the origin of Project Runway’s star, Tim Gunn’s famous phrase, “Make it work.” Also, an optician is arrested for offering free eyecare and glasses for sex-male or female! John Harvey Kellogg of cornflakes fame is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Exce...

Guest writer to Out Magazine, Jeff McMullen, argues this it is time to ditch the ever expanding and often confusing LGBTQ+. We agree, but not sure we like his suggested moniker. Then, an Atlanta Pastor, Jamal Bryant, is calling for a 40-day black economic boycott of Target due to their reversal on DEI initiatives. Finally, some bodegas in NYC are selling “loosies,” but with a twist and not the sin...

Shop Talk covers the latest Executive Order from Trump that tells the Fed to no longer produce pennies. The penny will still be used but will probably become scarce if they are not replenished each year. The penny’s demise has been talked about for many years, but Trump is acting like it is his “new” idea. Caught My Eye asks why Aldi is so quiet inside and Walmart catches a serial shoplifter steal...

While many have backed off DEI Initiatives, Disney has placed them where they belong—internally. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is still important for Disney, but doing your job is the key measure that will move you ahead at the company. Then, retailer Costco, is building a new store in South Los Angeles with 800 apartments on top of the warehouse. Everyone is curious as to how this will work an...

Shop Talk shares three things we can learn from Dolly Parton’s business legacy. Caught My Eye reports that KitKat will be discontinuing the vegan candy bar option so get them now while you can. Also, a new study from Talker Research looks at the pizza habits of America. You will be surprised at which state per capita eats the most pizza. Don Panoz, founder of Chateau Elon and the nicotine patch, i...

The Human Rights Campaign, (HRC), joins The Trevor Project and GLSEN in reducing staff and refocusing their efforts in the new political climate. Our question to all these non-profits is, how have you advanced LGBTQ rights in the last few years? Then, an angry customer who purchased a Subaru Outback tried to return it by driving through the dealership. He is now charged with a couple of felonies d...

Shop Talk looks at the real costs and pitfalls of a brand deciding to invest at least $10 million on a Super Bowl TV spot. Caught My Eye reports that a passenger on a cruise line was charged 47K for flu treatment and insurance does not want to cover. Also, have you heard of “ducking”? It’s. Jeep thing and has turned into a profitable business for an astute entrepreneur. Nolan Bushnell, founder of...

“Little House on The Prairie” is scheduled for a reboot through Netflix, and conservative mouthpiece Megyn Kelly threatened to ruin the project if it went woke. Former star of the show, Melissa Gilbert, responded to the Kelly post saying how woke the original series really was and perhaps she should give it a rewatch. But first, Target is booted as a sponsor by Minnesota Pride due to their backped...

Shop Talk looks at a concept called Doordom that can help you get through the time between New Years and Spring. Caught My Eye covers a Chinese national who wouldn’t negotiate with the local government, so they built a new highway around his house. He regrets his decision now. Also, don’t write on your Passport. Poland recently denied entry to a woman who wrote the address of the airport on her Pa...

Under the new administration, apart from two military related flags, only the American flag is to be flown or displayed at government building. An executive order calls out The PRIDE and BLM flags specifically as not allowed. It will be interesting to see how Washington, DC handles World Pride this June. Then, Paul Reubens, of Pee Wee Herman fame, comes out in a soon to be released film entitled,...

Shop Talk looks at a New Zealand study that concludes the importance of cultivating Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, in raising children. Caught My Eye covers the journey that leftover cruise ship food takes after not being eaten. It is a surprise. Also, Progresso Soups is selling “soup you can suck” in the form of chicken flavored hard candy to celebrate National Soup Month. Timothy Dexter, Colonia...

TFG Unbuttoned: PREP HIV drug is the Latest Religious Right Target In the latest religious right grievance, The US Supreme Court will hear a case this year as to whether employers must cover through insurance the HIV prevention drug PREP. Then, The Trevor Project is faced with budget shortfalls leading to layoffs and a reorganization. Finally, a woman wins the lottery and while her family ignored...