America’s Favorite Dogs 2025 for 3/31/26

We jump from the AKC’s 2025 dog breed rankings to the way people actually choose pets, then widen out into accountability stories that hit tech, celebrity behavior, and everyday relationships. We end with a rare feel-good business moment that asks what real leadership looks like when things go wrong.

• French Bulldog staying number one in AKC registrations and what the top five says about pet trends
• Choosing a breed that fits your personality plus love for mixed breeds and senior dogs
• Meta ordered to pay $375 million and whether social media platforms will ever face real accountability
• Frustration with hacked accounts and the lack of human customer service on major platforms
• Tiger Woods DUI-related arrest details and why repeated crashes change the conversation
• Viral video of a husband sleeping in his car for peace and what it signals about boundaries and burnout
• The “hotter leaders” debate in politics and why presentation only gets you so far
• Five Guys giving $1.5 million in employee bonuses and why frontline appreciation matters

Let us know on our social media pages about the topics we discussed.

If you're in the area, make sure you stop by Flappers on Thursday April 9th to support Meryl.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Transcript

Welcome And Weekend Catch Up

SPEAKER_01 1:12

Hello everyone. Welcome to this week's episode of Thirsty Topics. Hey Meryl.

SPEAKER_00 1:18

Hey, hey, hey.

SPEAKER_01 1:20

How are you? I am doing fantastic. How are you?

SPEAKER_00 1:24

Good. Drinking some iced coffee.

SPEAKER_01 1:28

Oh, nice, nice. Did you have a good weekend?

SPEAKER_00 1:32

I did. We went to a town called Idlewild, which is like a mountain town for anyone in California, which is cool. Um, but it was very fun. I think I'm spoiled though. Like I'm I'm spoiled with mountain towns around us. So it was cool. How about you?

SPEAKER_01 1:49

Um, just basically stayed around the house. Um, did some get some grocery shopping stuff like this, you know, paying for the gun. Oh my gosh, how much gallon for gas on the skin?

SPEAKER_00 2:00

I was just gonna say grocery shopping now is like the same price as like a trip to Europe or something.

SPEAKER_01 2:05

Oh my god, yes. Something that used to cost 50 bucks is now about 150.

SPEAKER_00 2:11

Yeah, I know. I know the other day I bought like a sandwich and I spent it was$34 for like the makings of just one sandwich. I'm like, this is crazy.

SPEAKER_01 2:20

Yes, yes. I have a feeling it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

AKC’s Most Popular Dog Breeds

SPEAKER_00 2:24

I know. Okay, well, I'm so excited. You want me to start us off today? Yes. Yay! Okay, well, this is the event. This is like my Super Bowl that I look forward to every year as a dog lover and dog breed lover. Um, the AKC released its most popular dog breeds of 2025. So AKC is the American Kennel Club for uh people that might not know. And every year they release their annual rankings. Um, and this year the French Bulldog remained the most popular dog breed in the United States for a fourth year in a row. The top five for 2025 were French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, uh, German Shepherd, and Dachshund. And so the rankings are based on AKC registration statistics. So they reflect registered purebred dogs. Of course, we love a pound dog and we love a mixed dog here. So like all dogs I love, maybe chihuahuas might be at the bottom of my ranking, but but I think like that's so cute. Um, I'm not the biggest French Bulldog fan. Like I'm more of a big dog girl, but I think that's so cute. And congratulations to all the French Bulldogs and their owners out there.

SPEAKER_01 3:39

Oh, yeah, I think what you also just showed is insight into because I always wonder how do they choose not only which dog, but which breed that's going to you know become best in show. So basically the registrations play a huge part in it, it looks like.

SPEAKER_00 3:57

Yes, yeah, definitely. And also, too, like the popular whoops, the popularity of like who's getting a type of dog and which you know which kind. Now, I I'm as a basset hound person too. I loved when um there was one year where I think like the bloodhound and the basset hound were up there, so I was very excited about that. Do you have a favorite dog breed?

SPEAKER_01 4:21

I don't know. I mean, I like several different dog breeds. I mean, I love um the dog I have, which is a um which is a Yorkie. Um but like the bigger dogs, you know, um, like the Kane Corso. Um designer dogs, too. Uh like the golden woodles. It'll be interesting to see if they ever come up with a um a category for designer dogs, um, which is basically a fancy way of saying a mixed breed.

SPEAKER_00 4:50

So oh yeah, it's because they have the toy breeds. That's funny because I feel like the swing from a Yorkie to a cane corso is very different, but you have a good diversity lineup there. Um, my favorite overall, like you said, is more of the mixed, like I love senior dogs, like big, big senior dogs to me are just amazing. Like when I see there's one outside that we I see like in the in the neighborhood and it's gray and it just like sits outside with its little gray muzzle, and it just is so cute.

SPEAKER_01 5:23

Yeah, I mean, I think all dogs to heart are are worthy of that award. Um, just because they don't come from a pure breed status doesn't mean they're not a great dog, you know.

SPEAKER_00 5:33

Exactly, exactly. But I I also think too, it's good for people to have breeds that you know that you love and breeds that it's okay for me to people if like I'm not the biggest chihuahua person, and that's that's fine. And other people I think I have some friends that don't want to go anywhere near big dogs that I love because they drool.

SPEAKER_01 5:50

Yeah, that's true. I mean, that's one of the problems with a cane corso, is not only the obvious side uh size, but they also shed and then they drill and I heard the drilling could be really overwhelming at times.

SPEAKER_00 6:07

Exactly. And I think they they go in the category of ones that I love, but I'm a little bit intimidated by, like, and I would probably never be able to own myself just because I'm like not an alpha owner, like you know, pit bulls, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Cane Corsos, I think they're beautiful and wonderful. I'm just like, I know I'm not a good owner for those, so I say I I respectfully stay my distance and like like them from afar.

SPEAKER_01 6:31

And actually, that's a good point too, Merrill, is um especially with a cane corso. Kane Corso, I I mean I've never owned one, but I've heard they're great family dogs. But the thing is, it's not the type of dog for a first-time dog owner because you need to have firm hand. Now, when I say firm hand, that doesn't mean abuse or anything like that, but you have to be very firm with that type of dog. Otherwise, a dog is stinked, they're running the house.

SPEAKER_00 6:56

Exactly, exactly. That's why I love I loved having a basset hound because they're like someone said that they were the clowns of the dog bring. I'm like, that's perfect. I need one that is okay if I'm not the biggest like alpha owner, and like I need I need I need a clown dog just like me.

SPEAKER_01 7:13

Well, you know what? They always say that you need to make sure that your dog matches your personality.

SPEAKER_00 7:18

Exactly, exactly. And this one would just stop in the middle of walks and be like, I'm done. And I'm like, you know what, I'm done too.

SPEAKER_01 7:28

Oh, very fun. And actually, I would love to find out from people what is your favorite dog breed? Let us know on our social media pages.

SPEAKER_00 7:35

Yeah, I love, I love hearing it. I love hearing it.

SPEAKER_01 7:40

Well, my first topic today um is actually a very interesting one. And I know we've talked about this uh several episodes, but uh Meta, which is the owner of Facebook and Instagram, also YouTube, were ordered to pay$375 million uh in penalties. So what's interesting about this case is that um taking a look at this.

SPEAKER_00 8:13

Well, you look, I'm like, how do we get in on this? I want to I want a slice of that pie.

SPEAKER_01 8:18

So basically, this follows uh a couple of mid-court cases where uh they were being sued by by individuals that stated that um because of their algorithms and also um the way that they use their algorithms to make money, it has caused people to have um insecurities, possible bullying, uh issues with with self um with self-esteem, all the kind of things that we talked about before. But now I guess that um that uh the courts have agreed now as far as whether or not this amount will stay, we don't know because again they're they said they're gonna appeal this. But I'd like to find out from you, Merrill. Do you think that we're starting to see a trend in the accountability of these social media platforms?

SPEAKER_00 9:18

Um, yeah, I still think they'll probably unfortunately win in the end just because they have so many like lawyers and politicians in their pocket and judges and all that stuff. Um, and to them it might just be a drop in the bucket of what they, you know, say they have to pay out like a huge lawsuit that might just be like a little thing for them, a little blip in the radar, and then they're kind of back up and and running and printing money basically. Um so yeah, I think in many ways it's Facebook and Meta and um uh with the FX and all these ones are so like they're just so uh user not friendly, basically. You know, like there's not a lot of accountability, is what I'm saying. And they're so like talk about capitalism and not really serving the people, even though they seem like they are. So yeah, I think this is the first of a lot that we'll see, but unfortunately, I don't think it will make like real change or a dent. Really? Yeah, that's just what I think. Maybe I'd be love to I'd love to be proved wrong, but I just feel like these are so um even like having an issue with Instagram. I know a lot of people get their accounts hacked and like people that I know have their business pages taken down and just the lack of customer service and like helping when um so many of us spend our whole, you know, spend a whole bunch of hours a day on these sites, and then like when you actually need their help, they're not there. So that kind of makes me feel like they're not there for the people in every way.

SPEAKER_01 10:46

Yeah, the very few times I've I've had issues, I found it to be almost impossible to get help. I know there's literally no one you can talk to, they force it where you have to go through their online chat and other resources to reach them. You will never get a real person, which I never understood, especially if you're a business that you pay into their service every month. So that part really surprises me, and I hope that that changes as well.

SPEAKER_00 11:16

Me too. I feel like there should be some law, like that's crazy if you can't reach an actual person. And there's like I was hacked, my Instagram was hacked a few years ago, and I've had other people, and it's not only that like I can't access it, but someone is actively reaching out to my contacts and like posting photos, and you know, and so it's just like it's crazy, and uh they make it so so so hard to reach an actual human being that that sound that just seems so illegal when they're such a big entity making so much money.

SPEAKER_01 11:48

That's true, and we all see the power of their algorithms because again, we've talked about this many times. Have you ever looked up something and then all of a sudden you get like 50 advertisements of what you just looked at?

SPEAKER_00 12:04

Yeah, and it makes me not want to put like all my eggs in their basket. Like after the Instagram thing happened, I really did take pause in how much I used it as a platform. And of course, I have to like throw up show flyers and all that kind of stuff every now and then, but I think it made me be like, okay, well, if this platform does not care at all about the user experience or like helping humans or like who's using it, then I'm gonna definitely scale back on what I you know post on there.

SPEAKER_01 12:32

I don't blame you, Merl. I do not blame you at all.

Tiger Woods DUI Crash Debate

SPEAKER_00 12:36

Good. Well, someone that I am blaming a lot again and again, um, Tiger Woods was arrested after a rollover crash in Florida. Uh he was arrested March 27th uh in Florida and later released a roll uh uh and he was later released after a rollover crash that led to misdemeanor, uh misdemeanor charges of DUI with property damage and refusing a lawful test. Um there's multiple reports that said that he was obviously impaired, but then he reportedly tested negative for alcohol on a breath test, raising questions about whether medication or drugs may have been uh involved. And he was released about eight hours in custody. So I'm sure you have lots of thoughts too. Like to me, it's just how many times is this person gonna like have a crash and and everything? And I just think, of course, he's a celebrity, we think he's cool, you know, all that stuff. But this, but if if this person was just a random everyday person and they had so many crashes on their record, and it's like it's one thing if you want to struggle with drugs and issues on your own, but when you involve like driving and other people, you know, he could have killed a family, he could have killed the person walking down the street. So at this point, like I just don't think it's cute or interesting. I'm like, just either like get help or like stop driving altogether, and it's just it's like irritating to me.

SPEAKER_01 14:00

Yeah, I mean, there's several thoughts that come to mind for me. The first is I was very shocked at how many crashes he was involved in over the last seven years. That shocked me. I mean, several. Yeah. The other thing too to keep in mind, too, is that after he passed the field sobriety test, I guess I'm a little confused and I don't know the law very well. But how is he charged with DUI if he passed the field sobriety test just because he refused to give blood and urine? I mean, maybe I don't know, I don't know the law again. But I would think that if he passed the field sobriety, why are you going further with it? Um also people have to understand he's a celebrity, he's a big name celebrity, so his lawyers have probably drilled it into his head what to say, what to not to say, and make sure you ask for an attorney. Doesn't mean you're innocent, but when you're a celebrity, you are really coached hard by your legal team on what to say and not to say. It doesn't necessarily mean guilt or innocent.

SPEAKER_00 15:12

Exactly. And what's that saying? Like like driving is a privilege and not a right, you know. So it's like if you do, and I I do feel for him if he's on like if it's serious and he's not drunk and he's on like all these medications and we don't know, you know, what he's on, like obviously if he needs to take a bunch of medications, that's fine. But then if that alters you to the point where you can't drive, like I'm sorry, but you're like you're rich, so get a Waymo all the time or get an Uber, or like I feel like he could afford a driver at this point. So I don't know. It at this at this point, I'm like, they should just not allow him to drive. Because I I just think when you're in the on the road, it like and yeah, like you said, this is his numerus crash, then maybe like take a break for a few years and get a driver.

SPEAKER_01 15:58

Yeah, that's the one that's the other thing too that bothers me. Now, no one should be drinking and driving, period. You have Uber, you have Lyft, there's several different options that you have in order to get home safely. But when you are a very rich, wealthy entertainer, which he is, he's a he's a he's a professional money is not an issue. You can hire a limo or let's say an SUV to come pick you up and bring you home or bring you to where you need to go. There is zero reason for you to be driving drunk or even intoxicated. That part really shocks me. It's almost like the arrogance portion of it because again, when you're the average person, you know how much money. There's an argument to be made there, which I don't agree with, but I can see the argument there. When you have the resources that the average person don't have and probably never will have, to me, there's no excuse for that. There really isn't exactly.

SPEAKER_00 17:00

Yeah, exactly. I think that's what annoys me the most about this is like he's one of the best or was one of the best athletes in the world, and really had all the money and access and all the things he could be doing to like help children, or just you know, like I don't know, it it's it's annoying to see someone that has like the most uh opportunity in the world kind of squander it, but whatever.

SPEAKER_01 18:23

That is true.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

If I was a police person, I'd be like, whatever. Could you imagine if I was a judge, I would I would just be like, this annoys me next.

SPEAKER_01 18:37

That call won't go too well after that comment.

SPEAKER_00 18:40

Exactly. I'm just like, Tiger Woods, you're annoying me. Guilty, okay, bye. Depending on like how much coffee I've had and if I'm hungry or not. It's a good thing I didn't go into law, I'm sure all of us agree.

Sleeping In The Car For Peace

SPEAKER_01 18:56

Well, we have another story regarding the automobile. Now, this is an interesting one. I would love to get your take on this. Uh, but there's a viral video going around of a wife who found her husband sleeping in his car to get some peace and rest. So the viral video shows a wife discovering her husband sleeping in his car after work to gain peace and rest, highlighting a need for personal space. The man refused to come inside, citing a need for quiet, leading to discussions about mental health, relationship strain, and the need for decompression time.

SPEAKER_00 19:41

Wow. I I mean, obviously, like he I mean, I he's right. We all need time to decompress. I don't know how long. Like if someone's in there 15 or 20 minutes, that's okay. If it's like going on four hours, you need to come in and like this was your choice to have a kid's and a baby. So, like, you know, live with it, lay in your bed, literally. But uh, I mean, we I'm sure you do it too. Like, a lot of times I will take an extra few minutes just to sit in my car. Like, if I went to the grocery store and I just want to be in my car to like check my messages and just and a lot of times then my boyfriend will message me and be like, I'm looking at your location. Are you coming in? So I I know how that dad probably feels where you just need some alone time, but I feel like if you're a family, you can work it out where maybe like everyone gets a half hour in the bedroom to just decompress by themselves and like the other one helps or not, you know.

SPEAKER_01 20:37

That's true. That's true. For me, I I can understand this um to a certain point. When you come home, you know, I'm guilty of it two, six times. You get on your phone and it takes you a few minutes to get in the house.

SPEAKER_00 20:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:55

But he actually not only did he fall asleep in the car, but when his wife came out to the car, he refused to get out of the car. Yeah, that's bad. It's a whole different set of circumstances.

SPEAKER_00 21:08

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 21:10

I mean, if you really feel that bad where you don't want to go into the house with your husband or your wife, and you really need to sit in your car for I don't know, hours or an hour just to get away from them, I think you have much deeper problems in your relationship than you are admitting.

SPEAKER_00 21:28

Exactly. Like there's times where I'll just tell Jack, like, hey, I need to flop on the bed and like in air conditioning and just be by myself and you know, look at my Pinterest page or something. And so we communicate though, like I need 45 minutes alone. And then you but and then it sounds like also the wife didn't really know how long this was gonna take. So I feel like if the dad was just to say, like, I'm gonna go for a walk by myself for an hour, and like I promise when I come back, I'll be in a better mood and I'll be more helpful, and like, you know, I'll help you with the kids, and now you could be free for two hours. That would be one thing, but like, yeah, hiding in the car and not coming out is is maddening.

SPEAKER_01 22:05

Oh, yeah. And what was so crazy, I saw the video, and the wife even offered, Well, I'll sit in the cart with you. He's like, No. I'm like, whoa, okay.

SPEAKER_00 22:15

Whoa, yeah, that's kind of weird. I would just drive away if I was happening.

SPEAKER_01 22:22

I don't know, Merrill. Do you think you would be you you would circle away if if your boy is like sitting in the car, he doesn't want to come in, he don't want you in the car with him. He can't go anywhere now, he's just sitting in the car, he just don't want to be near you.

SPEAKER_00 22:36

No, then that's a sign that I think he need they need to build in better structure throughout their day that they could get even like 20 minutes alone. And also, I would just say come into the house and like have you can relax like in the bedroom or in a basement, or you know, you don't need to be like sitting in your car the whole time. But um, I don't know, that sounds weird. Part of me, the paranoid part of me is like, is he texting someone else? Or like I don't want to jump to the fact that they're having an affair, but I also feel like that's that's like a sign that I feel like when people are having that type of stuff, they tend to like sit in the car and text on their phone for a really long time and not come into the house. So if I was that wife, I'd be like, I would check his messages too. Not to make it toxic, but okay, okay.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

Well, that's it doesn't surprise me from that response. Most women will probably feel the same way.

SPEAKER_00 23:26

Exactly. Like, yeah, like if if my boyfriend was spending a long time in the car just acting weird, I'm like, what what else is going on? But maybe it's innocent and maybe he really just does need time. But I I'd still it sounds like they really need to work out some like boundaries of just when they each get to unwind by themselves.

SPEAKER_01 23:45

That's true, that's true. But I guess I am a little surprised that when she offered to sit in a car with him, he went no. That's surprising. Yeah. There's a lot of women would at that point go from zero to a hundred at that point.

SPEAKER_00 24:01

I know. I know exactly. And of course, like all of we all have moments where our partner irritates us and everything, but it's like you guys should be able to relax together and just de-stress and you know, de whatever together. Not it sounds like they're like adversaries, too, you know.

SPEAKER_01 24:18

That's true. That is so, so true. I would love to find out from our listeners. If you were the guy, do you think he's right and wanted to have that peace and quiet away from his wife in his car, away from her? Or if you're the wife, do you think he's wrong for that? And maybe why? So I would love to know that from our listeners.

Should Politics Demand Hotter Leaders

SPEAKER_00 24:42

Exactly. The other day, I I would have understood actually if my boyfriend needed a break, because we were on like a four-hour road trip, and he said that I had like pool noodle man energy where I kept on using my arms and I in the passenger seat. And he's like, I was very animated and like talkative the whole time. And so I think, but he we went inside and he was he was fine. But I'm like, I would have understood if I was needing a break from my pool noodle. Um okay, well, something that not to completely change the subject, but I thought this was so interesting and really um, you know, just something I thought we we would have fun talking about. Where uh there was an article that came out uh was sparked by the Bull Work, an article uh earlier in March published by, yeah, published by a site called The Bull Work titled First Traps Over Think Tanks. Democrats want hotter candidates on the ballot, um, which then spilled over into both Fox News and New York Times, which of course they talked about how, like, of course, they they jumped on the fact of talking about that Democrats don't have any attractive candidates and blah, blah, blah. So this just kind of opened up a conversation on if we need hotter leaders in politics and if that will help. Um, and so, you know, I always think back to like JFK and Bill Clinton and Obama for a certain, you know, for a lot. And I find they were all considered like pretty good looking, sharp pee, you know, sharp-looking people. And then we got into it, no offense. I think I think Joe Biden was a very nice-looking man when he first started, but it's not his fault. He's just a little bit older. So, you know, he didn't really have the same kind of like appeal that I feel like some of our younger, more, you know, viral leaders had. Um, and then there's just talk, I feel like in the Democrat Party about I mean, and obviously, like I'm not saying right now Republicans are killing it either with some of the choices and some of the leaders, but basically they were saying, are we in a hotness deficit? And would that help moving forward for the Democrat Party? And I know like some people find Gavin Newsom very attractive. Our our governor here, a lot of people call him Zaddy and stuff, and and other people think he looks really slimy. Um, I know like AOC, a lot of people think she's beautiful. So I wanted to ask you like, do you think that this is just like could a hotter, more charismatic uh candidate help moving forward? And if that's something we need to actually be thinking about.

SPEAKER_01 27:12

Well, having a quote unquote attractive or hot candidate, as some people call it, is great for the initial wave. In other words, yeah, okay, you can get them to pay attention to you, but that only gets you so far. Because at some point you're gonna have to start speaking on what you're gonna do, what your platform is. And we've all heard the saying that a person is beautiful until they open their mouth. And yeah, their mouth either is gonna keep them being a beautiful person or turn them to a very ugly person.

SPEAKER_00 27:48

Yes, yes, totally, and you're right. And I think it does help in terms of, I mean, I think just naturally, like we're going to trust people a little bit more that just look presentable and that are pleasing to our eye. I feel like we're just like it doesn't have to mean like standard attractiveness. I feel like there's lots of people that are attractive that aren't like supermodels, but they just have that certain something about them. Um, and so I think that I don't know, we we vote in like who we want to invest in and believe. And I think that could be um that's true. And to me, that if if like a political leader looks like they take care of themselves, like that was something I really loved about uh wait, Kamala, come on. I don't know why I'm saying it weird, but like she looked just presentable and put together and just someone that I want to trust because I'm like, okay, this looks like someone that is investing in themselves and like appearing you know nice and put together. So that makes me just whether it's like subliminally or not, like trust them a little bit more.

SPEAKER_01 28:46

Oh, sure. And and and the other thing too is a lot of people do prefer their politicians to look professional. Professional doesn't always mean showing up in a suit and tie every day, it could be your slacks, but in other words, you look presentable. Now there are some politicians, and I'm not gonna name any names, that would come to the floor in jeans or you know, two shorts and a hoodie. Um everyone has their own style. And I've I've always learned that especially when you're in the political arena or even in the business arena, um, your looks dictate the first thing that people perceive about you. Whether it's right, whether it's wrong, whether it's fair or not, that is the first thing that they look at to form their opinion about you. So I don't think there's anything wrong with being professional how you look. I really don't.

SPEAKER_00 29:50

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I'll tell you here, there's one um this is the last thing I'll say on the subject too, but it like it's so uh emotional for me or whatever. But there was a rep uh Katie Porter that I think she was like, I mean, she's a California, she's a representative from California, but a video of her went around of her like yelling at one of her subordinates. I think we talked about it a while back, but um she was like off mic or she didn't know she was recording, and she's there's a few videos of her treating some of her staff like really, really bad. And just I don't care. She's not a beauty queen in any means, but if she was, like I don't care at all what someone looks like. And I actually don't care what party they are, like I don't care if she's Democrat or Republican. That to me, like I hate that. And I feel like that is like I would rather vote for someone that's like nicer, that's not in my party that than someone that I know like off the books is like a complete fraud and just treats their staff horribly. So, like right away, like I like I don't want to say like I hate her because I don't know her, but she uh I that is someone that I would like never ever ever vote for. And I have such a bad taste in my mouth because it's like you see what they're really like, and then it's just it's like horrible. And she was like an evil witch, and I just think that's really annoying to me.

SPEAKER_01 31:05

Oh, yeah, I agree with you. In fact, I remember that. And let me tell you, those mics, they take off the veil, they release the curtains, and you see what that person is really really like because just like everyday people, most people are different in front of a camera than they are behind that camera. So you can see what they're really like, and you're like, wow.

SPEAKER_00 31:30

I know I would I would someone rather have opposing viewpoints to me, but be like a kinder person or be at least who they say they are than see something like that. Like that to me, I was like, egg god, like just drop out of the race right now.

Five Guys Shares Bonuses With Staff

SPEAKER_01 31:47

Yes, I can definitely understand that. Well, for my last topic, we're gonna end on a great note here. So I'm quite sure everyone has heard of five guys. Yeah. So five guys gives out one point five million dollars in bonuses to 1,500 employees.

SPEAKER_00 32:08

Wow, I love that.

SPEAKER_01 32:12

So five guys CEO handed out$1.5 million in employee bonuses after failed buy one get one deal. I don't want anyone shooting me. Okay, it was a crazy statement to make, but okay.

SPEAKER_00 32:29

That's crazy.

SPEAKER_01 32:31

So uh basically the CEO sought to make things right with his employees after a February 17th buy one-get one deal that overwhelmed the stores. So after a failed buy-one get one offer to celebrate the Burger Chain's 40th anniversary, CEO Jerry Merle 82 gave out 1,500 checks,$1,000 per impacted store, um, to his employees, totaling a value of$1.5 million for an interview with Fortune. So he stated that I don't want anyone shooting me in the back or anything after that first day because we really screwed it up. We had no idea that we were going to get that kind of response. He joked. Merrill jokingly said that he got the money for the bonuses from funds he was going to use to buy his wife a fur coat. Wow, what the fur coat is that?

SPEAKER_00 33:32

But anyway, exactly.

SPEAKER_01 33:35

So still, uh she still looks at me like I'm stupid, he said. But I thought it was worth it. They worked so hard, they were so overwhelmed. That is a feel-good moment. I love that. What about you, Maryland?

SPEAKER_00 33:50

Me too. I do too, and I feel like in a world where I mean we just talked about like Facebook and Meta and Katie Porter and all these people not treating their employees very well, and it's so nice to hear a place that invests in their people and um is just yeah, I think that's amazing. That will make me now maybe for dinner tonight. I'll get a five guys.

SPEAKER_01 34:10

There you go. Now, I may be ignorant on this question, and maybe you may know better. What the hell kind of coat is is he buying for$1.5 million?

SPEAKER_00 34:21

I know exactly, because I feel like even the fancy, fanciest coats are like$10,000. Like, I think that would have to be the most rare uh jacket and animal people have ever seen.

SPEAKER_01 34:33

Exactly, but you know, it kind of highlights another thing, Merle, that we don't talk about too much is when you're the owner or CEO of a major organization, yes, you are going to get paid and compensated very well. We all know that. Okay, I get that. That's part of business. But I'm not saying give away everything, but you know, show some appreciation to the people on the front lines because without them, you wouldn't be enjoying their lifestyle.

SPEAKER_00 34:58

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 35:00

So that was a great way to end our segments.

Listener Prompts And Upcoming Show

SPEAKER_00 35:04

That's a feel good one. I love that one.

SPEAKER_01 35:06

Well, Meryl, talking about feel good, what do you have coming up?

SPEAKER_00 35:11

Yay. Well, I'm excited about a show Thursday, April 9th at Flappers in Birmingham, which is actually strangely enough, very close within walking distance of a five guys. So there you go.

SPEAKER_01 35:25

Dinner and a comedy show.

SPEAKER_00 35:27

Exactly.

SPEAKER_01 35:29

Well, everyone, thank you so much for watching and listening to us. And also, to give us some feedback on some of the things we talked about today. I would love, me and Meryl would love to know your opinions on these items.

SPEAKER_00 35:42

Exactly. I'm sure you have opinions. And if someone, yeah, I'm not gonna say it. Never mind. I was gonna get us in trouble. Never mind.

SPEAKER_01 35:50

Well, if you're in the if you're in the area, make sure you stop by Flappers to support Meryl. She would love to see you. I would. Well, everyone, thank you so much for watching and listening to us. I'm Lauren Selrod.

SPEAKER_00 36:04

I'm Meryl Klimo.

SPEAKER_01 36:06

Take care, everyone.

SPEAKER_00 36:08

Bye bye.