The Focus Group
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.
Episodes
Tim and John discuss the rising costs of utility and grocery prices and catch up on their Olympic viewing. Then they tackle the attempted removal of the Pride Flag at the Stonewall Memorial in NYC, recent events in Russia regarding anti-LGBTQ laws, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claiming he once snorted coke off a toilet seat.
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...
The talk ranges from a little politics to Super Bowl advertising, and train travel. Shop Talk Focus Group reveals that Gen Z is shunning liquor more than previous generations resulting in the bankruptcy of a few brands. Caught My Eye covers a front porch auction find and the latest in Amtrak fashion. William Levitt, the King of Suburbia, is the Business Birthday this week.
We’re all business. Except when we’re not.
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John spends a full day meeting wonderful dogs at the recent AKC Meet the Breeds show. The absence of an LGBTQ Pavilion at the New York Travel and Adventure Show is offset—somewhat—by a handful of welcoming destinations. Plus, a drug bust while boarding an Atlantis Gay Cruise, and a look at America’s changing sweet tooth.
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Y...
On the agenda, politics, Apple products, and phantom energy. Shop Talk Focus Group reminds you to unplug at night. Caught My Eye announces the closure of the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory in Hyannis and outdoor retailer Patagonia takes issue with Drag Queen Pattie Gonia. Mark Dawson, of DRZ Entertainment, is the Business Birthday this week.
We’re all business. Except when we’re not.
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Tim and John discuss a variety of topics including the many iterations of Ground Hog Day mascots. Also, the right wing’s obsession with banning marriage equality has bubbled up again and Open Table’s new additional fees are exposed.
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Snow days and extreme climbing feats, a Lego–Crocs crossover, and a dive into gay history with bodybuilder Bob Paris. Tim and John also mark the Business Birthday of Zara co-founder Rosalía Mera and close with Jeff Bezos on why real-world work experience matters before starting a business.
We’re all business. Except when we’re not.
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The cancellation of Tucson Pride, the removal of slavery exhibits in Philadelphia, and a bizarre case of hallucinogenic mushrooms that cause users to see tiny humans. Along the way, Tim and John unpack the politics shaping LGBTQ+ events, shifting entertainment norms, and who gets to decide how history is told.
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This week Tim and John cover everything from the changing economics of TV advertising to a Dabney Coleman documentary and the slow fade of the manual transmission. The Business Birthday celebrates Ailbhe Keane of Izzy Wheels, whose bold designs are changing how we see mobility and style. Shop Talk Focus Group looks at the legacy of Mr. Rogers and a critique of his stance on LGBTQ issues, examined through the lens of the cultural re...
A look at the ripple effects of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, from airlines to fitness clubs. Mackenzie Scott’s record-breaking gift to the Trevor Project and take a detour into the surreal with a startup planning a hotel on the moon.
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This week, Caught My Eye covers 2026 predictions from Baba Vanga, the “Nostradamus of the Balkans,” and profiles a new business called Physical Phones, which harken back to the days of land lines and corded phones. Shop Talk Focus Group reveals the future implications of DEI initiatives in corporate America based on the current administration. Mark Goodson of game show fame is the Business Birthday.
We’re all business. Except when ...
LGBTQ Google searches for asylum in Canada are up, the importance of hiring for character over experience, and the future of the Space Shuttle Discovery are on deck this episode. It reflects the current situation in the U.S. and the implications of recent political decisions.
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A parody website and a new corporate logo are examples of rebrands with unexpected results. Tim and John examine name changes at the Kennedy Center, and PepsiCo’s new look. The geographic center or the lower 48 states is revealed and how about holetox for 2026? The “Father of Standard Time,” Sandford Fleming, is our Business Birthday.
We’re all business. Except when we’re not.
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In this episode, Tim and John reflect on their podcasting journey as they enter their 19th year. The conversation also touches on the decline of traditional mail services in Denmark and the implications of strict DUI laws in Utah, culminating in a light-hearted discussion about New York City's iconic subway announcer.
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Mobile phone carriers, holiday traditions, and consumer activism are on the agenda. First, a look at the Swedish Christmas tradition of Kalle Anka, a beloved Disney special. Then the story of a hiker who was frozen in ice for 30 years. Mary Barra, the first female CEO of General Motors, is the Business Birthday. Shop Talk concludes with a discussion on boycotting ant-DEI brands during the holiday season.
We’re all business. Except ...
Tim and John discuss a variety of topics including holiday preparations, the magic of the Rockettes, highlights from SNL, LGBTQ representation in Florida, the Abercrombie and Fitch scandal, and the rise of “Mormon” dirty soda as a popular beverage. They also share personal anecdotes and reflections on the holiday season, concluding with a nod to their partnership with Critics’ Choice Video.
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Shop Talk explores nostalgic themes surrounding defunct retail brands. But first, innovative toilet technology from Japan and the first photo booth museum in NYC Caught Our Eye. Kenneth Frazier, former CEO of Merck and the first African American to lead a major American Pharma Co., is the Business Birthday.
We’re all business. Except when we’re not.
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC
Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1
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In this episode, the topics range from winter weather and AI scams, to parenting in the digital age and the Trump administration’s stance on sign language services. They also highlight Taylor Swift’s generosity towards her tour staff, showcasing her appreciation for those who contributed to her success.
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Shop Talk dives into a study showing that somewhere between 73 and 76, our bodies officially hit the “bounce-back” breaking point. Caught My Eye unwraps VP Vance’s Hanukkah-invite-meets-Christmas card mashup, plus the wild personal life of Frosty the Snowman’s own Jackie Vernon—multiple marriages and a quaalude habit. Our Business Birthday toasts Johann Maria Farina, the mind (and nose) behind Eau de Cologne.
We’re all business. Ex...
In 2025’s America, Trump’s birthday is now a free-entry day at national parks, while MLK Day and Juneteenth get the boot. Over at the Kennedy Center Honors, that iconic rainbow ribbon is out, and a navy-blue “rebrand” is in. Finally, a new study says 1 in 5 adults hasn’t had sex in a year. Stress? Solitude? The price of everything? You decide.
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T...
Shop Talk looks at a McKinsey Study results about the impact of AI on the workforce and the skills needed to thrive in an evolving job market. Caught My Eye highlights a young innovator’s origami project that could revolutionize emergency shelters, and a humorous story about a couple who accidentally purchased a dirt alley instead of a house. Craig Newmark, founder of Craig’s List, is the Business Birthday.
We’re all business. Exce...
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