The Focus Group, Tim Bennett, John Nash, Bleav

The Focus Group

Business EN ↓ 600 episodes

Tim Bennett and John Nash—memorable class clowns in high school, now revolutionary LGBTQ marketing and advertising executives—invite you to share in a friendship that spans 40 plus years. Drawing on their combined corporate and entrepreneurial experience, the conversation ranges from the professional to the personal, and everything in between. Entertaining banter, unique voices, and smart content. We’re all business. Except when we’re not.

Author

The Focus Group, Tim Bennett, John Nash, Bleav

Category

Business

Podcast website

bleav.com

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

There’s Money in Those Bricks 20.07.2024

Shop Talk looks at an article from the HuffPost about a traditional loving family, except their dad was gay. But first, Caught My Eye features a bust on a LEGO reseller in Oregon and the rules of ownership for the Tesla Cybertruck. Nils Bohlin, inventor of the 3-point safety belt, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.f...

TFG Unbuttoned: Barcelona Residents Tired of Tourists 16.07.2024

Saying she was kicked out of Hollywood and TV for being mean, Ellen DeGeneres has announced her retirement from all things entertainment. Her farewell is a Netflix special entitled “Ellen’s Last Stand…Up.” Then, the residents of the city of Barcelona are fed up with tourists and want them to leave. Aside from the crowds, the yearly swell has made the cost of living a challenge for many locals. Fin...

A Smile Worth Millions Pays its Creator Peanuts 13.07.2024

Shop Talk looks at a new documentary that features gay comedians who showed the way even though they were not out. But first, Caught My Eye features a Disney World visitor that uses an old $8 day ticket to enter the park. Also, in more of a Public Service Announcement, penis cancer is on the rise. Harvey Ball, creator of the Smiley Face graphic, is our Business Birthday.  We’re all business. Excep...

TFG Unbuttoned: Vodka Soda, No Fruit 09.07.2024

The world finally knows what many gay men have for years—there is such a thing as “gay water.” Cheers. But first, Delta Airlines has resorted to only serving pasta meals inflight until it can figure out how so many got sick on a Detroit to Amsterdam flight recently from spoiled food. Also, you may soon hear your favorite deceased celebrity voice an audio book or endorse a product as the estates of...

Keep The Two Alive 06.07.2024

Shop Talk welcomes Mark Pipkin to discuss the $2 bill. Mark is retired from the Federal Reserve and answers questions about the $2 and other currency facts. But first, Caught My Eye looks at a recent study that says almost half of US EV owner’s will go back to gas powered autos for their next vehicle. Lack of charging infrastructure and battery range are the biggest complaints. Also, Bored Panda l...

TFG Unbuttoned: The Trolley song PRIDE Anthem 02.07.2024

The famous Judy Garland song from “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “The Trolley Song,” has found new life 80 years later as an unlikely PRIDE anthem. But first, Tractor Supply Co. bowed to pressure from the right and will stop all diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, (DEI), saying they “disappointed their consumers and have taken feedback to heart.” Corporate America continues to go back into the clos...

Anti LGBTQ Rainbow Flag Waving Corporations 29.06.2024

Shop Talk looks at corporations that tout their inclusive LGBTQ efforts and perfect HRC score yet have given thousands of dollars to ant-LGBTQ politicians. But first, Caught My Eye reveals the struggle to save the SS United States and Trader Joes has another non-food product hit. William Lear, of Learjet, is our Business Birthday. Lear was granted over 140 patents during his career related to radi...

TFG Unbuttoned: The Number One Regret on Your Deathbed 25.06.2024

People on their deathbed share their single most-common regret: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” That’s according to Bronnie Ware, author of the book “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.” But first, Amazon works to eliminate the plastic pillow material for shipments and America has their first openly gay Track and Field Olympic qualifyi...

KitKat'Chup 22.06.2024

Shop Talk looks at three simple changes that IKEA enacted to help with employee retention. But first, Caught My Eye asks if you would cancel a family gathering based on a set of circumstances. Also, Heinz and KitKat hop on a viral trend with their KitKat’Chup candy bar. It’s not real, but it did the job on social media for garnering engagement. Shirley Cha Cha Muldowney, the first lady of auto dra...

TFG Unbuttoned: Check Your Beneficiaries 18.06.2024

Back in the 80’s a new employee with P&G listed his then girlfriend as a beneficiary on his retirement account. After only two years together, they both moved on, but he never updated his beneficiary for the account and as a result, she has been awarded over a million dollars. Then, Wells Fargo has terminated several employees for using devices to make it look like they are on their computers when...

Aunt Barbara Was Always Destined For The Big Screen 15.06.2024

Shop Talk visits with Jennifer Bobbi, aka Aunt Barbara, and David Beck, who jointly wrote and directed a new film to be released this month called Regarding Us. You can view the trailer and get tickets to a screening near you on their website,  https://www.regardingus.com . But first, Caught My Eye highlights a Charleston, WV bakery called the Rock City Cake Company. They’re selling cookies decora...

TFG Unbuttoned: The Best LGBTQ States for Business 11.06.2024

Now that we are a few years out of the pandemic, consumers seem to be less generous with tipping. Then, a couple in Queens finds a safe with $100k in it while magnet fishing. Finally, Out Leadership has released their 2024 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index. The index measures the impact of state government policies and prevalent attitudes on the LGBTQ+ community. How does your state rank? Apple...

Orson Welles Hated Many Actors with a Passion 08.06.2024

Shop Talk explores some recently uncovered tapes of Orson Welles being interviewed by author Peter Biskind. Welles goes off on his disdain for many of the Hollywood elite. But first, Caught My Eye alerts us to trash balloons being sent to South Korea by the North, which called them “sincere presents.” To date over 15 tons of trash, including used toilet paper have landed in the South. Netflix just...

TFG Unbuttoned: PRIDE Flag Scares Lifeguard 04.06.2024

A lifeguard at the popular gay leaning ‘Ginger Rogers Beach’ in Los Angeles is upset that the rainbow flag will be displayed and is pressing legal action. The Boy Scouts have changed their name to Scouting America, allowing boys and girls to join. (The Girl Scouts aren’t too happy about it.) Finally, a billionaire, Robert Hale Jr. spoke at a UMass commencement and gifted each graduate $1,000 cash...

7 Frugal Habits to Never Give Up 01.06.2024

Shop Talk looks at a 39-year-old millionaire who says she will never give-up these 7 frugal ways of living. But first, Caught My Eye looks at a food model artist from Scotland and Australia’s wealthiest woman who hates her National Gallery portrait and wants it removed. John shares his journey with Topps Star Wars cards that could be worth thousands…for the right collector. John Balsley, inventor...

TFG Unbuttoned: Happy Anniversary to Marriage Equality 28.05.2024

An 18-wheeler loaded with 15 million Bees crashes on I-95 in Maine. Tim learned that millions of bees are transported this way from the southern US to the north to pollinate crops. Then, a Colorado woman in Grand Junction cut-off her boyfriend's unit and threw it in the trash—because he would not let her sleep. Finally, “gay marriage” hits the 20-year mark in Massachusetts. The world did not end,...

Salt and Pepper Interview Test 25.05.2024

Shop Talk uncovers some odd hiring manager tactics to see if you are right for the job. But first, Caught My Eye announces the end of the road for the Subaru Legacy sedan. Also, the NYC portal to Dublin is closed after an OnlyFans model exposes “her potatoes” to the Irish folk across the pond. Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re...

TFG Unbuttoned: Dolly Parton Donuts 21.05.2024

Target has decided to still sell PRIDE merchandise in stores this June, but only to limited markets. Everything will be available online however as the brand tries to avoid last year’s issues. Then, the athletes in the Paris Olympic village will once again sleep on cardboard beds with plastic mattresses. The 18,000 beds will be recycled and unlike the Tokyo Games, the French are not advocating a n...

The Google Effect is Real 18.05.2024

Shop Talk offers three tips to help counter digital amnesia or The Google Effect.  But first, Caught My Eye highlights an appearance on the Mike Douglas show with Little Richard and Liberace. Also, a Radio Flyer car heads to the auction block in Alaska, and John recommends we all check out an ABBA documentary he watched this past weekend. Tim recommends Abba Oro which includes all the popular ABBA...

TFG Unbuttoned: The Revenge Obituary 14.05.2024

A woman in Midland, Michigan is found living in the rooftop sign of the Family Fare grocery store. She was asked to leave without incident. Then, an estranged gay son who had been shunned and disowned by his Jehovah’s Witness father writes his own version of his dad’s obit in Milford, CT. Finally, actor Gedde Watanabe says he did not find his role in 16 Candles as Long Duk Dong offensive at the ti...

The Aldi Aisle of Shame 11.05.2024

Shop Talk directs us to the German owned grocer, Aldi, and their non-grocery aisle of “finds.” But first, Caught My Eye deals with luxury jeweler Cartier. The retailer’s Mexican website improperly listed $14K earrings for $14. A man bought 2 pairs and Cartier protested. The Mexican Government Dept. of Consumer Affairs sided with the customer and made Cartier adhere to the price. Also, items from t...

TFG Unbuttoned: A Dog Born Green Named Shamrock 07.05.2024

A Canadian 1985 high school student, Ian Peterson, had his yearbook quote nixed and now it is seeing the light of day. Then, Gen Z is suffering from Resenteeism or as Tim and John call it: “everyone gets a trophy syndrome.” Finally, a Labrador cream colored litter had one pup that came out with green fur. This is apparently not that uncommon according to breeders. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC...

A Yard Sale at the Beach 04.05.2024

Shop Talk reveals a recent study that says putting your pronouns on your resume can hinder your job search. But first, Caught My Eye lets you know that the Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii will be closing for good. People still sneak in to do the Stairway to Heaven hike, but the old US Navy installation is going away. Also, the Clean Ocean Action environmental group details items people leave behind a...

TFG Unbuttoned: Martina Stays True to Her Beliefs 30.04.2024

Tennis great, Martina Navratilova, is not supportive and will not attend the WTA Women’s Finals in Saudi Arabia this year. The LGBTQ rights activist finds it shocking that the WTA would legitimize a location where human rights overall are among the worst on the globe. But first, a Florida couple tried to tape together two losing lotto tickets to collect a million-dollar grand prize. They got a tic...

America’s Favorite Delivery Food 27.04.2024

Shop Talk looks at the top 50 foods that Americans order for delivery. There are some surprises. But first, Caught My Eye looks at the sale of Kate’s Lazy Desert compound near Joshua Tree, California. Yes, that Kate Pierson of the B52s, is selling the airstream compound for a very fair price. Also, Crocs came out with Pringles Crocs that hold a tube of Pringles Chips. Get them while they last. Ada...

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