10.12.21 | China has a problem in suburban areas with loud dance music from “dancing grannies,” sometimes late into the night. One man has invented a remote-control device that he now sells—20K units to date—that will shut off the speakers and thus shut-down the dancing granny parties. Then a CEO sits on a toilet for 50 hours to raise awareness and money for sanitary products for the developing world. He raised over $30 million for Who Gives a Crap. Finally, the US Mint will release 5 new quarters in 2022 celebrating trailblazing women of America.

10.06.21 | Shop Talk discusses electric cars with the latest entry promising over 500 miles on one charge. It will cost you though. Caught My Eye celebrates the naming of a Michigan Post Office in honor of American Icon and National Treasure Aretha Franklin. Also, Venezuela lobs some zeros off its currency and a George Lucas doll akin to Jesus is in the works! Our Business Birthday is Lonnie Johnson, born October 6th and he is 72 today. Johnson invented the Super Soaker Water Gun among 250 other patents while an aerospace engineer with NASA and working on the Stealth Fighter and Jupiter Space programs.

10.05.21 | A museum says they gave a Danish artist $84,000 in cash to use in artwork they wanted updated. He delivered blank canvases and titled them “Take the Money and Run.” But first, Dollar General is now raising prices beyond the dollar mark—no complaints from consumers thus far as the pandemic has increased the cost of goods on all levels. Then, Disney Actor Tommy Kirk, best known for his role as Travis in Old Yeller, died this week at 79. after being outed to Disney execs at 21, his career never recovered and died poor.

09.29.21 | Shop Talk discusses Oliver Burkeman’s new book, “Four Thousand Weeks.” That’s about the average number of weeks in a lifetime, and a good lens to look at time management through. Caught My Eye looks at the antics that may or may not take place on private jets and a marble gravestone is returned to Michigan cemetery. The marble slab was used for the last 100 years or so to make fudge in the home of a woman who recently was moved to a nursing home. Two Business Birthdays this week: Our very own John T. Nash celebrates his birthday Thursday the 30th along with Laszlo Biro, who was born on September 29th in 1899. Biro made millions having invented the ballpoint pen and selling the patent to Marcel Bich and collecting royalties. BIC has sold over 100 billion pens worldwide.

09.28.21 | Finance savvy TikTokers find success mimicking the stock buys from members of Congress. Many believe politicians may be in the know, but a recent study says that they are just as unlucky as the rest of us picking stock winners at times. Then, an ad agency in NC creates a vaccination campaign around a non-existent funeral home in order to encourage people to get the shot. Finally, Elvira, Cassandra Peterson, comes out and dishes the dirt in her memoir “Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark.”

09.22.21 | Shop Talk looks at long term care options that some of us may face in our retirement years. Caught My Eye relays that several states are starting to see shortages of certain alcohol brands. If you like champagne, cognac, tequila, or bourbon—stock up now! The world’s first stewardess, and America’s first flight attendant, Ellen Church is our Business Birthday. Born on September 22 she was a trained nurse and started the “Sky Girl” profession. Thanks to Deep Discount and Criterion for providing discs to give away for ‘Pick That Flick’ as we celebrate the Criterion Collection Sale.

09.21.21 | Venerable Sears continues its decline with the closing of the last large format store in their home state of Illinois. Sadly, what was once America’s largest employer is down to fewer than 300 stores. Reuben Klamer died last week at 99. He created the number two selling board game of all time: Life. Finally, a new report shows that at least half of LGBTQ employees say they have experienced some sort of workplace discrimination over the past year. It is the Criterion Collection Sale, so play ‘Pick That Flick’ in the show today for a chance to win a Criterion Collection disc.

09.15.21 | Shop Talk covers an article that predicts the changing nature of business travel. Better tech, efficiencies with staying put, and helping with carbon emissions mean many Fortune 500 CEOs are rethinking the role travel plays. Caught My Eye takes John and Bob to visit listener Billy at a small plane meet-up. John now wants flying lessons and got a cool Nash auto hood ornament from Billy. China is concerned about the influence of Japanese and South Korean K-Pop, so they have banned “sissy men” from public TV. Max Factor, born September 15th, and the founder of Max Factor Cosmetics is our Business Birthday. Factor is responsible for creating the make-up industry beyond just the theater set.

09.14.21 | The Taliban inherited billions of dollars’ worth of NATO and American military hardware including planes and Humvees. The Pentagon made sure most of it can never fly or be used again. Then, more states are starting to employ a zipper merge approach for highway lane closures. So, the next time a sign says, “lane closed ahead,” stay in it and turn at the last minute. Research says this is best—despite the dirty looks and gestures you may get! Finally, ABBA returns with new music this November after a 40-year break.