Past Shows
The Happiest City in America
06.11.25 | Travel & Leisure has named the Happiest City in America—and the winner might surprise you. On Shop Talk, we highlight four habits we should all stop, or at least pay more attention to. Caught My Eye features a curious story, possibly AI-generated, about a paragliding adventure out of China. And a friendly reminder from the TSA: your Costco card is not a valid form of government-issued ID, even if it has a gold star. Our Business Birthday honors Roland Moreno, the inventor of the smart card.
TFG Unbuttoned: Andrew Christian Takes a Bow
06.10.25 | Famed gay male underwear and clothing designer, Andrew Christian, will release his last collection this Fall. He has not revealed what’s next so get your jocks, briefs, and swimwear now while you can. But first, popular LGBTQ DC destination, Dupont Circle, was to be closed, opened, and ultimately closed for World Pride this past weekend. The National Park Service claims the closure was related to damage done to the park from past Pride Celebrations. Then, Utah GOP hard right homophobe Rep. Trevor Lee is upset about the NHL Hockey team, the Utah Mammoths, changing their logo to honor June Pride. He also is against the Rainbow Flag, but OK with the Nazi and Confederate flags. This is Trump’s America.
ALDI Accused of Copycat Branding
06.04.25 | Across the USA and globally, many once supportive brands are staying quiet or staying away from supporting PRIDE this year. If June was or is your brand’s sole marketing strategy to connect with the LGBTQ consumer, then you need help. Caught My Eye looks at a recycling solution involving plastic Coke bottles in India. Also, Mondelez filed a lawsuit against ALDI for packaging design that is too close to Nabisco products such as Oreos and Wheat Thins. Our Business Birthday celebrates Henry Phillips, of the namesake Phillips Head Screw and Screwdriver.
TFG Unbuttoned: How Much Money Should You Have in Your Wallet?
06.03.25 | Money experts reveal the ideal amount of “real” money you should carry in case of an emergency, your card is declined, or you’re stranded. Listen and let us know if you agree. But first, Donald Trump’s ego military parade on June 14th will cost the taxpayer more than $50 million dollars—including about $16 million of street damage due to heavy equipment. Then, GLAAD commissioned a study about whether people would support a brand that sold PRIDE merch or not. The big reveal is a majority of consumers don’t care.
IKEA’s Serving Drag, Geffen’s Serving Papers, and AI’s Serving Pink Slips—What a Time to Be Alive
05.28.25 | Is the USA ready for AI? The challenges of AI are exposed related to job loss and career on Shop Talk. A software engineer lost his job to AI, his $159K salary, and has sent out 800 resumes with fewer than 10 responses. Caught My Eye celebrates IKEA’s Drag Room display while David Geffen and Barry Diller navigate their marriages. Our Business Birthday celebrates James McLamore, founder of Burger King. Listen, laugh, and learn on this week’s Focus Group.
TFG Unbuttoned: It’s a “Culture War Buffet” This Week
05.27.25 | Despite gutting staff and complaining about “woke programming and anti-American drag shows” at the Kennedy Center, the center’s show roster is full of drag! Then, to combat June PRIDE, a group of Ohio GOP legislators have come up with Natural Family Month to celebrate male led households with a woman and children. No single parents, divorcees, or same-sex parents allowed. Finally, burger chain In-N-Out is changing some recipes to include organic ingredients and natural dues versus processed and synthetic petroleum-based additives. Not a bad idea in our opinion.
LGBTQ Media Expert Todd Evans
05.21.25 | Todd Evans, President of Rivendell Media, joins us during Shop Talk to discuss all things LGBT media as we head into June. Caught My Eye exposes a fake dating site called MAGAMatch, and the creator is ready to release some rather dark findings. Also, a Marlene Dumas painting sets a record for a living female artist. Our Business Birthday this week celebrates William Coffin Coleman, founder of The Coleman Company.
TFG Unbuttoned: Jesus Needs Cash, the GOP Wants Control, and Pittsburgh Could Use a Drink
05.20.25 | The P Town Bar in Pittsburgh was raided early this month for “compliance issues.” This should worry us all as kitted up police stormed the performance of nightlife icon Amanda Lepore for no apparent reason other than a nuisance complaint. Then, MAGA worshipping Senator Mike Lee of Utah, is trying once again to ban pornography in the USA. Finally, our favorite 80’s televangelist and convicted felon, Jim Bakker, shows up looking for a million dollars or he will be on the street. We all fondly remember his wife, Tammy Faye, who died in 2007.
Target CEO Gets a Pay Haircut
05.14.25 | The CEO of Target has taken a pay cut due to slow sales and his poor handling of the DEI and PRIDE month corporate initiatives. It might be the first step to showing him the door as sales continue to slide. We also look at the top 10 brand mascots. Caught My Eye, looks at Trump’s gaudy gilded Oval Office decor. Experts say all the over-the-top vases and golden tchotchkes on the mantle come from England and France. Our Business Birthday this week celebrates Josh Kesselman, founder and creator of RAW Rolling Papers.
TFG Unbuttoned: Rainbows and Road Rage
05.13.25 | The Mayor of Salisbury Maryland has decided to paint over the city’s Rainbow Crosswalks to “maintain neutrality in public spaces.” The Rainbow crosswalks have been part of the city landscape since 2018. Out West, the city leadership in Salt Lake City and Boise have come up with creative work arounds to defy their state legislature’s ban on the Pride and other “special interest” flags. Finally, a road rage incident in the Philly suburbs goes viral when one of the drivers gets out of her car and poops on the hood of the other car. The “Rage Pooper” is also an OnlyFans Foot Fetish model.