The Focus Group

META—Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—has taken off all guardrails related to what you can or cannot post to their platforms. Their new content moderation policies contain a carveout that allows users to call LGBTQ people mentally ill. Gender, sexuality, race, and religion all appear to be open game in the META universe. But first, “Look Into My Eyes” was the most overlooked documentary of 2024 an...

Four California consumers try to commit insurance fraud by claiming a bear attacked the interiors of their cars. Wait until you hear the rest of the story. But first, a transgender bathroom policy takes effect at the House of Representatives, and Elton John reveals what made him quit his cocaine addiction. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW YouT...

Bucking the trend of other large corporations that have folded under pressure from the right wing to abandon their DEI Initiatives, COSTCO stands firm in their support of DEI efforts. Refreshingly, they said that DEI was important for the members, employees, and success of the organization. The Focus Group has been waiting for the first corporation to take a stand so kudos to COSTCO. But first, so...

Florida joins a growing number of conservative states that are now requiring proof of ID to access adult sites like Pornhub, and others perceived to be prurient in nature. Then, disgraced former Abercrombie CEO, Mike Jeffries, claims dementia will derail his sexual misconduct charges. The courts in June will assess whether he is fit for trial or not. Finally, an LGBTQ Center in the San Diego area...

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Tim and John share their favorite toys of their childhood. Also, fun facts about the Pee-Wee Herman Christmas Special are shared. Can you believe the show first aired 36 years ago? A quick trip to Santa Claus, Indiana and who is and isn’t on the Royal Christmas invite list? We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spot...

There are five well known US Retailers that need a successful 4th quarter. Consumers this year are focused on value more than ever and these retailers need to get the message. But first, according to Indiana University’s Equitable Giving Lab, less than 1% of all charitable giving goes to LGBTQ+ causes. Finally, for the person who has everything, how about gifting shares of Grindr stock? Apple Podc...

Shop Talk looks at applying the one-dollar rule for guilt free shopping. Caught My Eye covers the public push-back from Bloomingdales green-suited Santa. Also, a woman in Long Island had the license plate number NCC-1701 in a nod to the famed tv series Star Trek. Even though her plate expired 3 years ago, the lazy DMVs from other states are forwarding her tickets from people with imposter Star Tre...

Analysts are identifying a new shopping trend with Gen Z as they head to the mall. Gen Z’s return to the mall shows this cohort has more in common with Baby Boomers than Gen X or Millennials. But first, Stoli in the USA has filed for bankruptcy claiming slow spirits sales and Russia fatigue. Also, The Pet Shop Boys prove once again that they are masterful when it comes to music, marketing, and cre...

Shop Talk reveals four simple rules that Shark Tank panelist Barbara Corcoran, says will help you in not only your career, but in life. Caught My Eye looks at a wheelchair bound contestant that won a treadmill on the “Price Is Right.” Also, a mom is thankful for her OnlyFans revenue over the past year as she “can finally give her kids the Christmas they deserve.” Tony Hsieh, entrepreneur and forme...

The LPGA and USGA golf associations have set forth new guidelines for 2025 requiring golfers to be female at birth or to have transitioned pre-puberty to be eligible to compete in women’s events. So far, only trans golfer, Hailey Davidson, has spoken out against the new rules. Then, Village People founder and writer of the song YMCA, Victor Willis, says the song is not a gay anthem and in 2025 he...

Shop Talk reveals the 2024 word of the year according to Dictionary.com. Caught My Eye looks at an unintentional gay Christmas motif from Walmart. Also, an Episcopal Minister struggles with questions from the Bible on Jeopardy. Chester Greenwood, the inventor of earmuffs, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1...

One US Senator thinks the new administration could save millions by discontinuing the penny. Apparently, it costs 3 cents to make each one cent penny. But first, Walmart has buckled under pressure from conservative activist Robby Starbuck and will discontinue or “revisit” their internal DEI Corporate Initiatives. Walmart will also join a growing list of Fortune 500 companies that will no longer pa...

Shop Talk looks at the controversy of the rebranding of Jaguar as they move to an all-electric portfolio. The advertising and marketing world were caught off guard by Jaguar’s bold move with many panning the new direction. Caught My Eye looks at the absence of women in the magic field and Girl Scouts USA raise membership fees and cookie prices for 2025. Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasoni...

Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi have put their California house on the market and decided to move to the Cotswolds in England since the election of Trump. But first, airports across America are rethinking the moving sidewalk due to costs of operation and repair. Also, ‘Lavender Marriage’ gets an update with Gen Z. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio...

Shop Talk looks at a recurring job hunt trend on TikTok called “white fonting.” While we do not totally agree with the article, we do agree that networking and human connections are most important in the job search. Caught My Eye looks car buying sticker shock and an auctioned off piece of cake from Queen Elizabeth II. William Painter, the inventor of the bottle cap and bottle opener, is our Busin...

Chocolatier Lindt, admits that its claim as being a premium chocolate were all bogus. Then, book banning in Tennessee finds Dr. Suess under fire for the book “Wacky Wednesday.” Also, credit card debt for retirees takes an alarming turn with more people relying on high interest credit cards to live day to day. Finally, John gets recognized at the gym by long time listener, Jason. Apple Podcasts: ap...

Shop Talk looks at a LinkedIn post from DEI expert and consultant Dr. Lauren Tucker. She is leaving the fight for justice behind, and we find her rationale has correlation with the fight for LGBTQ acceptance too. Caught My Eye looks at a cache of not seen segments from The Thunderbirds 1960’s TV series. Also, the Boy Scouts are selling off property and artwork to pay for over 84,000 sexual abuse c...

Some of our favorite brands— Hormel, Levi’s, Hasbro, and Starbucks—are paring down offerings to be more efficient and save money. By offering less options of a product it helps keep prices down for consumers. Then, the North Korean troops deployed to Russia and Ukraine have for the first time in their lives unfettered access to the world wide web. Reliable sources say the young lads are “gorging” ...

Shop Talk this week features B2B Marketing and Sales expert Kevin Downey. Kevin shares insights about the power and skill of crafting and sending cold emails. But first, Tim and John discuss the election of Donald Trump and the “Era of Uncertainty” we are about to embark on. Donald Hings, the inventor of the Walkie Talkie is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple P...

A Maverik Convenience store is voted the best restroom in America for 2024 according to a Cintas survey. Cleanliness, visual appeal, and design were part of the criteria. But first, a regional Japanese High Court has ruled that the government’s policy against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Finally, a long-time church choir director is fired for his same-sex marriage. The choir director was...

Shop Talk this week features Dr. Robb Mapou. Robb is a long-time listener and had something to say about the topic of ADHD that we covered a few weeks back. Caught My Eye looks at a Brit that is trying to retrieve a Bitcoin hard drive, worth millions, from a landfill. Also, 1990’s Fitness Guru Susan Powter, wants to make a comeback after losing her fitness empire and millions of dollars. Verne Win...

Sex, drugs, and flip flops finally catch-up to former Abercrombie CEO Mike Jeffries. He and two others are charged with sex trafficking of young men while they ran the cool clothing brand. Then, an Australian woman is trapped in a crevice for 7 hours upside down, while trying to retrieve her phone. Did she ever get her phone after the rescue?  Finally, Dante Colle, a “fluid” adult performer, shoot...

Shop Talk this week features Tupperware Maven, Aunt Barbara. She joins us to clear up any rumors about the demise of Tupperware post-bankruptcy. Good news is you can still buy products from Aunt Barbara! And Tupperware lives! Caught My Eye looks at an article that predicts less chocolate this year for Halloween due to a cocoa shortage out of West Africa. Also, a book about Holy Land USA in Waterbu...

More than 800 LGB service members who were discharged under DADT—“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—will now receive honorable discharges, the Department of Defense announced last week. (Trans individuals were not included as they were banned until recently from military service.) Then, Outfest, the long running Los Angeles LGBTQ film festival, is in financial free fall with finger pointing by the board and ...

Shop Talk this week comes from Inc. Magazine. An article, based on a survey of almost 1,000 companies, finds that Gen Z is having some issues breaking into the workforce or staying on the job once hired. Caught My Eye reports on a hacked foul talking Ecovac. Also, a woman in Washington State gets overwhelmed by a gang of raccoons. Marion Donovan, the inventor of the disposable diaper, is our Busin...