02.23.22 | Shop Talk revisits John and Bob’s trip to coastal Delaware where we talk about ice cream and Delaware black license plates. Daymond John is 53 today and he is our Business Birthday. Daymond is the founder of FUBU and one of the stars of Shark Tank. Caught My Eye explores a new museum about the vagina outside of London and an Olympian with Polar Penis.

02.22.22 | In ten years the USA LGBTQ population has doubled according to a new Gallup/NBC Poll. 7.1 percent of the USA population now identifies as LGBTQ with Gen Z—those 18-25—having 21% of their cohort identifying as such. It really is about people being more comfortable in living their authentic selves. Then, the Chinese government has censored lesbian and other story lines deemed unfit for Chinese viewing. Many fans of the show in China are not happy and question why streaming services are even showing it if censors are going to be so heavy handed. Finally, a 3rd person has been cured of HIV. While the treatment is not ready for primetime, it is a step in the right direction to eradicate HIV AIDS.

02.16.22 | Shop Talk reveals a hiring method that Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary uses in his hiring decisions. While we agree with the overall premise, the hiring landscape has become so automated in the front-end that his tactic, while in theory sounds nice, is not realistic. Caught My Eye acknowledges the death of visual effects superstar, Douglas Trumbull. Also, Mazda vehicles in the Seattle area are experiencing radio trouble with the channel stuck on NPR. No fix in the near term, nor reason for the glitch. Richard McDonald, co-founder of McDonald’s with his brother Maurice, is our Business Birthday.

02.15.22 | The resistance to Canada’s Trucker protest is using a Porno-Metal song about Gay Cowboys to disrupt communication. The raunchy song, Ram Ranch, has caused quite a stir and is having an effect. Then, forgetting things is found to be a normal brain function. Studies show that our brain selects what information we will easily remember and what things can be filed away or forgotten. Bottomline, don’t be upset and falsely diagnose yourself when you forget certain events or names. Your brain is most likely fine. Finally, Sandy, OR Mayor Stan Pulliam is slated to run for Governor of Oregon. It was recently discovered that he and his wife were part of a swinger’s group in Portland. Stan tells us this is normal, it was in his past, and most importantly he is heterosexual. Stay tuned.

02.09.22 | Shop Talk invites LGBTQ Advertising Expert Mike Wilke to the program to discuss this week’s Big Game. Mike is the founder of AdRespect.org and continues to consult with Fortune 500 companies in their DEI marketing efforts. Lydia Pinkham is our Business Birthday. She is the inventor of a uterine sedative that you can still purchase today at your local pharmacy! (Can you say, VitaMeataVegamin?) Caught My Eye profiles a young author from Idaho and the joys of magnet fishing in Florida.

02.08.22 | Former HRC President Alphonso David has sued the HRC for racial discrimination after his earlier termination from the organization for his assisting NY State Governor Cuomo with his sexual misconduct allegations. As more book bans take hold, MAGA supporters were told the story of Lot from Genesis 19—who had sex with his daughters—and agreed the book should not be available to children. Imagine their surprise when they learned the story came from the Bible. Also, The Bengals are #1 when it comes to positive mentions related to LGBTQ stories on social media, and a robot vacuum breaks free from a Travel Lodge in England.

02.02.22 | Shop Talk explores same-sex couples collecting spousal benefits from Social Security. Prior to marriage equality, same-sex couples did not enjoy the benefits of marriage and Social Security payments. That is changing now, and the government is taking an active role to get the message out. Howard Deering Johnson, born February 2, 1897, is our Business Birthday. Johnson was the founder of Howard Johnson’s and revolutionized the independent operator franchise model. Caught My Eye covers a complicated yet inexpensive alternative energy source and Prince Andrew’s obsession with Teddy Bears.

02.01.22 | Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran got rid of his smartphone and “began living life.” He claims life connected to his phone became sad and anxious and he just uses email now every few days. Spotify is trying to navigate pushback from super stars, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who pulled their song catalogs over what they say is misinformation regarding COVID by podcaster Joe Rogan. Spotify paid $100 million to be the exclusive content provider for Rogan. Is this censoring free speech? Some think so. Finally, a famous Swiss Photographer, 85-year-old Rene Robert, “died of indifference.” He slipped and fell on a bitterly cold street in central Paris and was ignored for 9 hours. He died of hypothermia. Sad.

01.26.22 | We have a guest! Pianist and Focus Group fan, Jeff Cubeta, joins us to talk about virtual piano lessons in the age of the event. Also, the worker shortage is not because of what many may think. Bessie Coleman, born January 26th, 1898, and died tragically doing what she loved at 34 is our Business Birthday. Coleman, known as Brave Bessie or Queen Bessie, was a trailblazer in aviation being the first African American and Native American woman to get a pilot’s license. Caught My Eye looks at a Michigan Judge who backtracks after humiliating an elderly man with cancer for not properly caring for his lawn. Also, IRI Research released the Top 10 Cereal Brands for 2021. You may be surprised.