Past Shows
Happy Earth Day
04.22.20 | Earth Day is 50 this year. Get out and appreciate Mother Earth. Caught My Eye looks at a must-see movie, A Circus of Books, and the comeback of the Hawaiian shirt. Shop Talk looks at the removal of the Native American icon on the Land O’ Lakes butter packaging. Our Business Birthday celebrates Bettie Mae Page, America’s Pin-up Queen.
TFG Unbuttoned: The more things change, the more they stay the same
04.21.20 | Tim and John had a high school history teacher that always said to remember that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” Our stories today certainly fit that advice. From xenophobia in China to LGBTQ discrimination based on religious beliefs. Is this 1980? Finally, a feel-good story that hopefully catches on across the USA.
Advertisers provide hope
04.15.20 | National and local companies have quickly pivoted their advertising messages to one of hope and assurance that we are all in this together and we will all be better for it. This is unprecedented territory for all of us and while we know things will be different, we cannot predict what that will really mean. Caught My Eye takes a look at plastic-eating enzymes and bait-and-switch sleazy consumer tactics at Instacart. Conrad Hubert, of the flashlight and Eveready fame, is our Business Birthday.
TFG Unbuttoned: Teens have love affair with Apple
04.14.20 | A recent study shows that America’s youth is fully engrained in the Apple iPhone culture. The study shows that 88% said their next phone will be an Apple iPhone. Then, many celebrities fail in their attempt to show empathy during this pandemic with rose petal baths and yacht isolation. Finally, Heath Ledger refused to partake in a gay joke at the Academy Awards related to his groundbreaking role in Brokeback Mountain. Ledger said the same-sex relationship in the movie was not a joke, but about love, and he would not joke about it. Thank you, Heath.
No soup for you
04.08.20 | John surprises Tim this week with a birthday greeting from Larry Thomas, aka The Soup Nazi, of Seinfeld fame. Caught My Eye looks at the Finnish practice of drinking in your underpants and 1970′s processed food is having a resurgence. Robert L Johnson, founder of BET, and America’s first African American Billionaire is our Business Birthday. Finally, Shop Talk lets us know that it’s OK to not be productive during the epidemic.
TFG Unbuttoned: National blood supply gets a boost
04.07.20 | The FDA has relaxed the blood ban for gay and bi men, but more still needs to change according to civil rights groups. Then, Malaysia reminds women to not nag their husbands, wear make-up, and dress-up during the virus lockdown. A heartwarming story out of England reminds us of what’s important
Trusted brands take a leadership role
04.01.20 | Shop Talk takes a look at brands that have pivoted their messages, products, and services in light of our new reality. Rachel Maddow is our Business Birthday. There is a push to lift the ban on gay and bisexual men being able to donate blood, and cities are reminding residents that your toilet is not a garbage can.
TFG Unbuttoned: New York City fostering a record number of dogs and cats
03.31.20 | To combat loneliness and have an extra heartbeat in the room, NYC residents are fostering a record number of pets from shelters in the city. But first, a public school requires bible sermons before sports play and Liberty University in VA defies common sense and reopens to students and faculty because Pres. Trump will handle things like “a CEO, not a politician.”
Business Unusual
03.25.20 | The Focus Group soldiers on to bring you new content each week. Tell the other shut-ins, spread the word—not the virus! Sex toy sales explode during global home containment due to the coronavirus and NASA whacks a Mars probe to get it to work. Domino’s Pizza Founder, Tom Monaghan, is our Business Birthday. A one-of-a-kind ventriloquist museum is our Shop Talk and on our list of museums to visit.
TFG Unbuttoned: Abercrombie, Google, and typing class
03.24.20 | Abercrombie adds a plus-size male to its model roster, Google helps track a robbery suspect, and some educators now think typing class may be one of the most important courses we took in school. Thanks to Critic’s Choice Video for sponsoring Unbuttoned since our start. We also welcome Magic Spoon to the program. It’s cereal for adults that want great taste, protein, and few carbs! Go to magicspoon/FOCUS for a special offer.