The Focus Group

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 former CEO of Zappos, is our Business Birthday.We’re all business. Except when we’re not.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 and his wife will sue anyone who says so. LOL. Finally, a pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of OZ,” brings in a record $32 million at a recent auction.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 participate in the HRC Corporate Equality Index. Finally, there is a trend of some gay men doing poppers while enjoying the soundtrack during the movie Wicked. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 Panasonic, is our Business Birthday.We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 Business Birthday.We’re all business. Except when we’re not.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 claims. Norman Rockwell and J. C. Leyendecker works are among the items up for auction. Leo Baekeland, the inventor Bakelite and Father of the Plastics Industry, is our Business Birthday.We’re all business. Except when we’re not.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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” themselves on porn! Finally, 43 rhesus macaque monkeys were accidentally freed from a research facility in South Carolina and catching them proved to be difficult.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 beloved and worked for the St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, Michigan for 34 years and planned to retire this January.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 Winchell, the founder of Winchell’s Donuts and CEO of Dennys, is our Business Birthday.We’re all business. Except when we’re not.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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, shoots-up his $100K Cybertruck to see if it is bulletproof as advertised by Elon Musk.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 Waterbury, CT brings the kitschy attraction to life 40 years later with some newfound photos. William A. Mitchell, the inventor of Tang, Pop Rocks, Cool Whip, and powdered egg whites is our Business BirthdayWe’re all business. Except when we’re not.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 former top exec. It looks like the courts will call the fate of the event and personnel involved. Finally, the Dunedin Airport in New Zealand has erected signs limiting good-bye hugs to 3 minutes.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

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 Business Birthday.We’re all business. Except when we’re not.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

The Human Rights Campaign is spending $2million in key states to get out the vote for Harris-Walz. Then, a study out of Finland finds that having a rough night’s sleep can affect you for up to a week. Finally, Delta Airlines has sent out a two-page memo to current and future flight attendants that underwear must be worn but not seen.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

Shop Talk this week comes from Inc. Magazine. 80% of CEOs surveyed predict remote work will be dead in three years. Caught My Eye looks at two LA documentarians that are trying to contact the Pasadena Piss Bandit. Also, clean-up could soon begin on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—after $7.5 billion is raised for the five-year effort. BrianLamb, the founder of CSPAN, is our Business Birthday. The answers to the movie clips from Criterion Month are revealed. Thanks to all who played “Pick That Flick!”Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

A Pennsylvania school district thought it was a good idea to install viewing windows from the hallway into the trans/non-binary bathroom. The reason was supposedly to crack down on drug use, but many saw it as another anti-LGBTQ+ trope. Then, Wallet Hub released their list of the Happiest States in America. Listen to see who made the top ten. Finally, a Picasso worth about $7 million dollars has been hanging around a junk dealer’s house in Italy for over 50 years. Now that it is authenticated the family will send the Picasso to auction.Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrCSpotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LWYouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctjYouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5aAlso follow Tim and John on:Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio