The Focus Group

Hosted by The Focus Group, Tim Bennett, John Nash, Bleav

Business Marketing News Commentary Health FitnessInterviews guests

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Episodes

600

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Tim Bennett and John Nash—memorable class clowns in high school, now revolutionary LGBTQ marketing and advertising executives—invite you to share in a friendship that spans 40 plus years. Drawing on their combined corporate and entrepreneurial experience, the conversation ranges from the professional to the personal, and everything in between. Entertaining banter, unique voices, and smart content. We’re all business. Except when we’re not.

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60 recent

June 16, 202625 min

TFG Unbuttoned: Happy Pride

TFG Unbuttoned is the 20-minute companion podcast from The Focus Group. Happy Pride! This week Tim and John discuss a PRIDE train in Chicago, and an advertising campaign from Hello Fresh that did not land well—according to PRIDE purists. Also, The Great American State Fair, which is to take place on the National Mall starting June 25th, has seen several states say they will not participate due to costs and partisan politics. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 13, 202655 min

Procrastination Is a Science

Shop Talk this week explores the science behind procrastination, the impact of emotions, and how stress influences our tendency to delay tasks. Caught My Eye asks whether a model, who sits for a painting now worth millions, should get a little more than the initial day rate as a bonus. Also, was Walt Disney really frozen upon death? William Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 9, 202624 min

TFG Unbuttoned: The Topmost Hostile States for LGBTQ Business

Up for discussion? Two articles related to acceptance of marriage equality and states that have a hostile LGBTQ business environment. It will surprise no one that “blue states” are more LGBTQ friendly in all aspects when compared to the current “red states”. Also, a descendant of flag maker Betsy Ross donates her sewing table to the Betsy Ross Museum in Philadelphia as the country celebrates its 250th. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 6, 202644 min

American Entrepreneurs

Shop Talk shares a UK article that advocates understanding your cognitive strengths for better career outcomes. Caught My Eye covers a collector’s missing LEGO collection involving the Bricks & Minifigs franchise. Also, New York, and other US States are cracking down on fake temporary license plates. Jay Van Andel, co-founder of Amway, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 2, 202623 min

TFG Unbuttoned: Pride, Pounds, and Pee

This week, the latest Target misstep around their Pride Collection, Southwest Airlines compromises on their person of size seating, and the Giro d'Italia warns riders not to pee and toss their water bottles to the side of the road. (Why do fans pick them up and drink out of them?) Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 30, 202641 min

The Most Expensive LGBTQ Neighborhoods

Shop Talk this week looks at the top 10 most expensive “Gayborhoods” in the USA. Caught My Eye covers an eye-opening interview by Pam Grier, and a NYC construction worker claims a porta-potty mishap ruined his sex life. David Hans Schmidt, “The Sultan of Sleaze,” is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 26, 202622 min

TFG Unbuttoned: Maine Town Experiments with AI to Mixed Results

Unbuttoned covers the death of LGBTQ congressional icon Barney Frank, a town’s use of AI to create a new logo runs afoul of the residents and ponders why so many people are right-handed. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 23, 202652 min

AI Continues to Disrupt the Workplace

Shop Talk this week looks at the continued disruption and efficiencies that some companies—big and small—are experiencing with Artificial Intelligence. Caught My Eye looks at a lottery winner who never told his family and still wants people to believe he is “just getting by.” Also, Tim has a McDonalds Filet-O-Fish lunch with listener Robb. Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder of energy drink Red Bull, is our Business Birthday. And listener Jill from Texas shares one of her favorite local TV ads. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 19, 202624 min

TFG Unbuttoned: In Memoriam of the Creative Class

Tim and John cover the recent obituaries of three influential figures. Doris Fisher of The Gap, Wendy’s ad creator Joe Sedelmeier, and cranky film critic Rex Reed, highlighting their legacies and contributions to their fields. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 16, 202648 min

Social Security Is Not Going Broke, Benefits Could Change

Shop Talk this week looks at Social Security retirement benefits and whether we will be able to collect what we were promised. It’s a bit more complicated, but Congress needs to fix it. Caught My Eye looks at a found bag filled with Hot Wheels cars, and a hotelier swallowed by a crocodile. Frank Hornby, the UK inventor of Dinky Toys and Meccano, is our Business Birthday. We’re all business. Except when we’re not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW Tunein: bit.ly/1SE3NMb YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.