The Focus Group
Podcast by The Focus Group
Episodes
July 3, 2020 • 42 min
The iconic Stonewall Inn in NYC recently received some financial support from The Gill Foundation to help with operating costs. It is so important to be visible and maintain historic landmarks like The Stonewall Inn, so thank you to The Gill Foundation. But first, Wally Amos of chocolate chip cookie fame is our Business Birthday and John revisits some comedy albums from another time. Tim wonders what space smells like and promises ...
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June 29, 2020 • 21 min
Systemic racism bleeds into parts of our culture without many of us being aware. Case in point, NPR covered a story about the 100 plus-year-old jingle of the ice cream truck. Then, Eskimo Pies are getting a new name and Wal-Mart comes under fire for co-opting Black Lives Matter.
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June 26, 2020 • 51 min
Shop Talk this week looks at how June Pride Celebrations have had to pivot in our world of social distancing. Virtual Prides anyone? Also, companies are trying to navigate their support as parades and other gatherings are canceled. But first, The Pomodoro Technique and an iconic bus removal are the subjects of Caught My Eye. Chuck Taylor of Converse High Top Fame is our Business Birthday.
We're all business. Except when we&#...
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June 22, 2020 • 22 min
A 90-year-old man in Colorado finally comes out of the closet and is enjoying making up for lost time with help from his lesbian daughter. But first, a wife becomes irate during a flight when she discovers her husband is having an affair—causing it to be diverted, and many airlines are foregoing alcohol as people begin to fly again.
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June 19, 2020 • 56 min
The Supreme Court rules that the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ employees from workplace discrimination. Robotic pets and an LL Bean scam catch the eye of Tim and John. Tory Burch is our Business Birthday, and Shop Talk explores how lavender became a color of LGBTQ resistance. Oh, and try Magic Spoon cereal—it’s a hit with us and our families!
We're all business. Except when we're not.
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June 15, 2020 • 21 min
A bumper crop of nuts and warmer than usual winter has created a chipmunk explosion in the northern US. But first, colleges are rescinding admission to students who posted racist comments on social media and gay marriage has contributed billions into the US economy since marriage equality became law in 2015.
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June 12, 2020 • 53 min
Shop Talk looks at two titans of industry this week. Warren Buffet says this one word is the key to success and Jeff Bezos reveals the most important question to ask in business. But first, Starbucks used items are a hot commodity and check out Poolside.fm for some great summer music. The Founder of Dunkin' Donuts, William Rosenberg, is our Business Birthday.
We're all business. Except when we're not.
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June 8, 2020 • 21 min
A slight silver lining, to all that we have encountered in 2020, is that HIV and STD transmission rates have plummeted since people have social distanced. Cutting down on infections means less spread later. Good news. Then, the Trump 2020 campaign is selling Pride T-Shirts despite supporting many anti-LGBTQ initiatives and The Village People have asked that Trump stop using their music at rallies.
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June 5, 2020 • 60 min
Shop Talk explores 8 things that smart people never reveal about themselves at work. Some are obvious, and others both Tim and John may be guilty of sharing. But first, Darth Vader, Queen, and Redneck Cowboy Boot Sandals. Norman Brinker, often credited for the "invention and popularity" of the salad bar is our Business Birthday.
We're all business. Except when we're not.
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June 1, 2020 • 21 min
Who's there? A sexual fantasy goes awry when the man who hired two men to carry out the scene were given the wrong address. The man's fantasy included being tied up and tickled with a broom. Truth is always stranger than fiction. Then, Japan has requested that amusement park goers not scream on rides when the parks reopen this month and LGBTQ bars are dealt an additional blow with new social distancing rules.
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May 29, 2020 • 50 min
Jeff Bezos of Amazon says that failure is an important part of growth and companies should not beat themselves up about it. We agree. An “out of this world” rancher in Pittsburgh, and an astronomical demand for eggs Caught our Eye this week. Amelia Jenks Bloomer is our Business Birthday.
We're all business. Except when we're not.
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May 25, 2020 • 20 min
Discover this one joyful activity, over all others, that transcends age, race, economic status, and gender. Then, China defines marriage with no surprises, and Americans are overwhelming thrift stores with donations.
If I read another article about how we’ll all work from home after “The Event,” I might throw up. The office is far from dead, and I think you might agree that working from home can be super challenging and sometimes ...
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May 22, 2020 • 61 min
KFC and Hershey both made news this week with LGBTQ friendly actions in support of diverse workplaces. But first, The Inn at Little Washington has set up mannequins to enforce social distancing, and bike sales are surging in the US. Bob Switzer, the co-inventor and founder of fluorescent paint is our Business Birthday.
We're all business. Except when we're not.
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May 18, 2020 • 22 min
When it comes to electric cars, it is all about battery range, charging, and recycling. Tesla promises this month to address all of these issues, and more, as they reveal a battery that creates electric car pricing parity with that of gasoline powered vehicles. An unemployed massage therapist takes a job at an Amazon warehouse and while the hours are longer and the work harder, he now has health insurance. Finally, don't expect...
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May 15, 2020 • 50 min
A new web site lets you recreate the sounds of the office—in case you were missing it. Twitter announces that working from home will be permanent if you want, and a look at how LGBTQ seniors are navigating the whole shelter in place directive. Luciano Benetton is our Business Birthday and put “Hollywood” and “Dead to Me” on your Netflix list.
We're all business. Except when we're not.
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May 11, 2020 • 17 min
Fiddleheads, a restaurant in Michigan City, Indiana is delivering curbside take-out to customers using drag queens. It has been well received and puts a smile on everyone's face. But first, a postcard is delivered 33 years late and Turkey is forbidding children from drawing rainbows because it is an LBGTQ plot for acceptance.
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May 8, 2020 • 55 min
Will the business handshake go the way of the dinosaur? While shaking hands is not acceptable right now, the conventional wisdom is it will survive and be back…someday. Soloflex and other home gym equipment is seeing a resurgence, and listener Rob shows his baby Yoda dolls. Microsoft wants you to not hit the space bar twice at the end of a sentence, and Dan Gerber of Gerber Baby Food is our Business Birthday.
We're all busines...
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May 4, 2020 • 20 min
Rats in major metro areas are dealing with food shortages based on our new normal, which has forced them to extreme behaviors. A Muslim Cleric in Turkey, with the support of Pres. Erdogan, has popularized an anti-LGBTQ slur of "Go to Holland." Finally, Facebook doubles down on the insanity of what is right and wrong content on its platform. A lesbian wedding announcement was banned because Facebook classified it as a "s...
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May 1, 2020 • 47 min
Companies are questioning their decisions to move away from a traditional office format to the open floor plan. With concern now about social distancing many companies will have to figure out how to configure these open spaces with many shared touch points. Caught My Eye explores poppers, Star Wars Lego heads, and what Tim and John are reading. Karl Drais, a prolific inventor, is our Business Birthday.
We're all business. Exce...
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April 27, 2020 • 20 min
Walmart has seen a sales jump for shirts and blouses as people want to give the appearance of being put together on video conferences. While many are in pajama bottoms, shorts, or sweats they are all business on top. Working at home has made people more productive than expected, but fear of burn-out is a real thing as you cannot get away from work while in lockdown. Finally, the Queer as Folk USA cast reunites to help raise money f...
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