The Focus Group

Christmas may not be so merry according to the Toy Association which says more than 75% of toys destined for the US holiday come from China. The tariffs are putting supply chains and costs into chaos. Caught My Eye, looks at a “captain” that bought a German cruise ship on Craigslist to rehab, and an American YouTuber that may face five years in prison for contacting a remote tribe in India. Our Business Birthday this week celebrate...

A growing Change.org petition with over 50,000 signatures is calling for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in honor of country icon Dolly Parton. Plus: Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano doubles down on diversity, equity, and inclusion, affirming Marriott’s global commitment to welcoming everyone to work and stay. And Boeing’s back in the hot seat as over 3,000 737s face a recall over faulty bathroom latches that literally tr...

It’s time for a little financial spring cleaning. From sneaky subscription fees to annual price hikes, we highlight the easy wins that can help tidy up your finances. In Caught My Eye, two international Delta flights were unexpectedly diverted to an Alabama airport—without a working customs office. And finally, we revisit the age-old debate: is peeing in the shower efficient or just gross? Plus, we celebrate the Business Birthday o...

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 matter, even if straight people tre...

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 celebrate the man behind Barbie, Hot Wheels...

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 you want?

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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 business. Except when we’re not.

Appl...

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. Tune in for all the details!

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 of various food-related businesses,...

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 38% of Americans that do not drink...

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 can help your health as microplasti...

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 away from your phone and the consta...

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 Business Birthday.

We’re all business....

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 134 million tons of textiles discarde...

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.

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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 years ago. Climate change is the cause...

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. Except when we’re not.

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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 single cigarettes we associate with th...

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 stealing ramen and bras. Nicolas Hayek, ...