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
TFG Unbuttoned: PREP HIV drug is the Latest Religious Right Target
In the latest religious right grievance, The US Supreme Court will hear a case this year as to whether employers must cover through insurance the HIV prevention drug PREP. Then, The Trevor Project is faced with budget shortfalls leading to layoffs and a reorganization. Finally, a woman wins the lottery and while her family ignored her as the black sheep, they now th...
META—Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—has taken off all guardrails related to what you can or cannot post to their platforms. Their new content moderation policies contain a carveout that allows users to call LGBTQ people mentally ill. Gender, sexuality, race, and religion all appear to be open game in the META universe. But first, “Look Into My Eyes” was the most overlooked documentary of 2024 and John recommends you give it a wat...
Four California consumers try to commit insurance fraud by claiming a bear attacked the interiors of their cars. Wait until you hear the rest of the story. But first, a transgender bathroom policy takes effect at the House of Representatives, and Elton John reveals what made him quit his cocaine addiction.
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Bucking the trend of other large corporations that have folded under pressure from the right wing to abandon their DEI Initiatives, COSTCO stands firm in their support of DEI efforts. Refreshingly, they said that DEI was important for the members, employees, and success of the organization. The Focus Group has been waiting for the first corporation to take a stand so kudos to COSTCO. But first, some bronze medal Olympic athletes ar...
Florida joins a growing number of conservative states that are now requiring proof of ID to access adult sites like Pornhub, and others perceived to be prurient in nature. Then, disgraced former Abercrombie CEO, Mike Jeffries, claims dementia will derail his sexual misconduct charges. The courts in June will assess whether he is fit for trial or not. Finally, an LGBTQ Center in the San Diego area is facing backlash for dropping the...
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Tim and John share their favorite toys of their childhood. Also, fun facts about the Pee-Wee Herman Christmas Special are shared. Can you believe the show first aired 36 years ago? A quick trip to Santa Claus, Indiana and who is and isn’t on the Royal Christmas invite list?
We’re all business. Except when we’re not.
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There are five well known US Retailers that need a successful 4th quarter. Consumers this year are focused on value more than ever and these retailers need to get the message. But first, according to Indiana University’s Equitable Giving Lab, less than 1% of all charitable giving goes to LGBTQ+ causes. Finally, for the person who has everything, how about gifting shares of Grindr stock?
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Shop Talk looks at applying the one-dollar rule for guilt free shopping. Caught My Eye covers the public push-back from Bloomingdales green-suited Santa. Also, a woman in Long Island had the license plate number NCC-1701 in a nod to the famed tv series Star Trek. Even though her plate expired 3 years ago, the lazy DMVs from other states are forwarding her tickets from people with imposter Star Trek vanity plates using the same numb...
Analysts are identifying a new shopping trend with Gen Z as they head to the mall. Gen Z’s return to the mall shows this cohort has more in common with Baby Boomers than Gen X or Millennials. But first, Stoli in the USA has filed for bankruptcy claiming slow spirits sales and Russia fatigue. Also, The Pet Shop Boys prove once again that they are masterful when it comes to music, marketing, and creativity.
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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 Bi...
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 sa...
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.
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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 Equa...
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 a...
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.
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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. Ex...
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.
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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. Le...
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 rhe...
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.
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