02.18.25 | While many have backed off DEI Initiatives, Disney has placed them where they belong—internally. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is still important for Disney, but doing your job is the key measure that will move you ahead at the company. Then, retailer Costco, is building a new store in South Los Angeles with 800 apartments on top of the warehouse. Everyone is curious as to how this will work and if it will spread to other markets. Finally, homophobic hecklers at the Dolly Parton inspired musical in the UK, “Here You Come Again,” are not welcome and will be ejected.

02.12.25 | Shop Talk shares three things we can learn from Dolly Parton’s business legacy. Caught My Eye reports that KitKat will be discontinuing the vegan candy bar option so get them now while you can. Also, a new study from Talker Research looks at the pizza habits of America. You will be surprised at which state per capita eats the most pizza. Don Panoz, founder of Chateau Elon and the nicotine patch, is our Business Birthday.

02.11.25 | The Human Rights Campaign, (HRC), joins The Trevor Project and GLSEN in reducing staff and refocusing their efforts in the new political climate. Our question to all these non-profits is, how have you advanced LGBTQ rights in the last few years? Then, an angry customer who purchased a Subaru Outback tried to return it by driving through the dealership. He is now charged with a couple of felonies due to damages of more than 85K. Finally, a Bare Necessities nude cruise left Miami last week on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship and “no-fondling is allowed.”

02.05.25 | Shop Talk looks at the real costs and pitfalls of a brand deciding to invest at least $10 million on a Super Bowl TV spot. Caught My Eye reports that a passenger on a cruise line was charged 47K for flu treatment and insurance does not want to cover. Also, have you heard of “ducking”? It’s. Jeep thing and has turned into a profitable business for an astute entrepreneur. Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, is our Business Birthday.

02.04.25 | “Little House on The Prairie” is scheduled for a reboot through Netflix, and conservative mouthpiece Megyn Kelly threatened to ruin the project if it went woke. Former star of the show, Melissa Gilbert, responded to the Kelly post saying how woke the original series really was and perhaps she should give it a rewatch. But first, Target is booted as a sponsor by Minnesota Pride due to their backpedaling of DEI initiatives. Finally, the cannabis community is helping victims of the LA fires with donations to replace some paraphernalia that may have been lost.

01.29.25 | Shop Talk looks at a concept called Doordom that can help you get through the time between New Years and Spring. Caught My Eye covers a Chinese national who wouldn’t negotiate with the local government, so they built a new highway around his house. He regrets his decision now. Also, don’t write on your Passport. Poland recently denied entry to a woman who wrote the address of the airport on her Passport. Who knew this was a “thing”? Lewis Urry, the inventor of the alkaline battery, is our Business Birthday.

01.28.25 | Under the new administration, apart from two military related flags, only the American flag is to be flown or displayed at government building. An executive order calls out The PRIDE and BLM flags specifically as not allowed. It will be interesting to see how Washington, DC handles World Pride this June. Then, Paul Reubens, of Pee Wee Herman fame, comes out in a soon to be released film entitled, “Pee-Wee as Himself.” Finally, the “corpse flower” is blooming in Brooklyn and people are lining up to smell the putrid plant.

01.22.25 | Shop Talk looks at a New Zealand study that concludes the importance of cultivating Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, in raising children. Caught My Eye covers the journey that leftover cruise ship food takes after not being eaten. It is a surprise. Also, Progresso Soups is selling “soup you can suck” in the form of chicken flavored hard candy to celebrate National Soup Month. Timothy Dexter, Colonial America Businessman and self-proclaimed Lord Dexter, is our Business Birthday.

01.21.25 | In the latest religious right grievance, The US Supreme Court will hear a case this year as to whether employers must cover through insurance the HIV prevention drug PREP. Then, The Trevor Project is faced with budget shortfalls leading to layoffs and a reorganization. Finally, a woman wins the lottery and while her family ignored her as the black sheep, they now think she should share the wealth.