The Focus Group

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

November 11, 2025 23 mins

Tim and John serve up a full plate: from Thanksgiving chaos and the rising cost of, well, life itself—to Miss Mexico’s Miss Universe drama, an in-flight fiasco on Delta, and Carol Burnett’s heartwarming gift to UCLA.

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Tim and John get creative with bestselling author Aurora Winter, whose insights on storytelling inspire a lively conversation. Mentalist Oz Perlman also catches their attention as a future guest wish. In Caught My Eye, a dad raids his kid’s savings for vacation cash, and the national penny shortage starts hitting home. The Business Birthday honors design legend Raymond Loewy. We’re all business. Except when we’re not.

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Tim and John go from Halloween tricks to political treats. Reddit’s co-founder makes a bold move, the Democrats need a rebrand, and the latest Kardashian product you didn’t know you needed (or wanted). Smart talk, sharp laughs.

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC
Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1
iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW
Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb
YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81
Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj
YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a


Hosted by S...

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November 1, 2025 43 mins

It’s a packed show: Halloween memories, Benjamin Franklin’s time-traveling will, the rise and crumble of Howard Johnson’s, and the world’s best places to retire. Plus, meet LoveSac founder Shawn Nelson in our Business Birthday.

We’re all business. Except when we’re not.

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC
Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1
iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW
Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb
YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81
Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfc...

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Tim and John discuss Halloween preparations, and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s "outraged" remarks about an episode of the children’s show "Strawberry Shortcake." Then the talk turns to retail changes, specifically outdoor outfitter Orvis and their decision to close stores. Lastly, an AI security system mistakes a bag of Doritos for a gun, resulting in a young boy being handcuffed by police.

Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1...

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October 25, 2025 53 mins

Tim and John welcome screenwriter Josh Olson, who discusses his journey in adapting the graphic novel “A History of Violence” into a critically acclaimed film. (Now available from the Criterion Collection at Deep Discount.) Caught My Eye reveals that rocker Rod Stewart is a model train aficionado, and the one and only Hair Museum has closed in Missouri. Our business birthday celebrates that famed Italian American Ettore Boiardi or ...

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October 21, 2025 24 mins

In this episode of TFG Unbuttoned, John and Tim banter about “holding music,” the current political climate, and Halloween. Chocolate costs too much! Also, the US government wants to restrict flights from China that fly over Russia to get here. Russia has restricted US airlines from flying over its airspace to get to China creating longer trips and costs for US carriers versus their Chinese competitors. MTV is ridding itself of mus...

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October 18, 2025 41 mins

In this episode of The Focus Group, John Nash and Tim Bennett discuss various topics ranging from holiday decorations to TV show recommendations and consumer experiences in hotels. They delve into insights about the LGBTQ+ community based on recent data, celebrate the birthday of infomercial pioneer Kevin Harrington, and explore the innovative retail strategies of the MoMA Store. The conversation is light-hearted yet informative, p...

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October 14, 2025 22 mins

Tim and John reflect on their recent reunion with college friends, exploring themes of nostalgia, personal growth, and the enduring connections formed during formative years. They discuss the impact of political decisions on LGBTQ rights, the emergence of adventurous travel experiences tailored for the LGBTQ community, and the surprising resurgence of 80s music among younger generations via TikTok. The conversation highlights the i...

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October 11, 2025 53 mins

Shop Talk discusses an op-ed from Suzy Welch about Gen Z in the workplace and how only 2% of the cohort surveyed had attributes that were prized by hiring managers. Caught My Eye looks at the world’s tallest suspension bridge in China and a $19,824 parking ticket in Denver. Our Business Birthday celebrates Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix. Listen, laugh, and learn on this week’s The Focus Group.

We’re all business. Except w...

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A Connecticut CFO also accepted a job as Town Administrator 2,000 miles away in Wyoming. The Wilton, Connecticut town leadership was not happy, and she resigned to stay in Wyoming where she was on Family Medical Leave. Then, an anti-LGBTQ South Carolina state legislator, RJ May, is accused of trading lude images and contacting underage children for sex. This child pornographer was also “Legislator of the Year” thanks to the patheti...

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October 4, 2025 37 mins

Shop Talk reveals the one thing we can all do to find happiness and live a life of no regrets. Caught My Eye covers a smelly prank in South Carolina and Kodak releases a keychain sized digital camera called the Charmera. Our Business Birthday celebrates Dave Goldberg, the founder of Launch Media and former leader at Survey Monkey. Listen, laugh, and learn on this week’s The Focus Group.

We’re all business. Except when we’re not.

Ap...

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What is flag-jacking? It’s when you wear or show another country’s flag when traveling to pretend you are from somewhere else. Specifically, Canadians are saying that Americans are flag-jacking while traveling overseas and “identifying as Canadians” to avoid anti-American sentiment. Then, people are spending an insane amount of money at McDonald’s—particularly when they use a food delivery app. Finally, to honor the 40th anniversar...

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September 27, 2025 48 mins

Shop Talk looks at 5 science-backed longevity habits that are inspired by Japan’s record number of centenarians. Caught My Eye looks at “lost” ball caps and other items found at Yellowstone near the thermal hot springs and geysers. Also, a faulty debit card program for the Summer Youth Employment Program drains about $17 million from NYC ATMs in 2 days. Our Business Birthday celebrates Franklin Mars, the founder of chocolate, candy...

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Canadians are taking their pride and their wallets elsewhere as the current administration continues tariff and bullying talk to our northern neighbor. Various locations have seen Canadian travel off by as much as almost 40% when compared to 2024. But first, Trump gets pushed to ban the Progress Pride Flag by right wing pundit, Brian Glenn— the BF to Georgia firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Finally, Ben and Jerry’s founder, J...

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September 20, 2025 43 mins

Shop Talk identifies the 31 states in danger of losing Marriage Equality should the Supreme Court re-litigate Obergefell. Caught My Eye covers 6 things ER doctors wish we would know and Publishers Clearing House proves nothing is forever. Our Business Birthday celebrates George Dempster, the inventor of the dumpster. Reminder: September is Criterion Month on the show. Listen to “Johns says, Pick That Flick” for a chance to win.

We’...

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When the State of Texas denied funding for the Gay Softball World Series, the county which includes the city of Houston, contributed almost a half a million dollars to host the event. But first, gay obsessed Tucker Carlson apparently has super gaydar and has concluded that Pete Buttigieg is a “fake gay”. He would like to ask Mayor Pete some specific gay sex questions to prove his point. We can’t wait. Finally, Kids in The Hall acto...

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September 13, 2025 52 mins

Shop Talk shares a story generated by ChatGPT. The writer, Laura Beck, asked AI to identify the biggest money drains for retirees. Caught My Eye reveals some of the “insider” codes that Disney staff used at the theme parks to identify issues such as people dispersing loved one’s ashes. Also, Olympic Diver and gold medalist, Greg Louganis, has sold his LA house, possessions, and medals and moved to the country of Panama to start ane...

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September 9, 2025 23 mins

Once again gay rumors swirl around anti-LGBTQ South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. In a recent deposition under oath, the right-wing social media contributor and close friend to Trump, Laura Loomer said everyone knows Graham is gay. In fact, they openly discuss it among conservative circles Loomer added. Then, pack up and move to an “all whites only enclave” in Arkansas called Return to The Land. Finally, Dan Pelzer from Columbus...

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September 6, 2025 45 mins

Shop Talk covers a recent study that shows Americans are reading less for pleasure with a steady decline over 20 years. Under educated and low-income households show the largest decline. Caught My Eye reveals through a real estate listing a Dutch painting that was looted by the Nazis in WWII. The daughter of the Nazi is playing dumb. Also, a woman shares her insurance coverage woes after a bat flew into her mouth. Our Business Birt...

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