Anything but Typical Podcast

"I had to create a platform where I could facilitate something where everybody brought their show to town.” – Linda Reeb When Linda & Lloyd Reeb step into a room, the impact is felt. For 40+ years, they’ve been building — but not in the way you think. They’re building people, legacies, & platforms that help others make a difference. Through the Halftime Institute, Lloyd helps leaders shift from "success to significance." Linda, through MomsMentoring.com, leads a grassroots movement for moms navigating parenting, family, & faith. Together, they’ve created a legacy of mentorship, family, & faith-driven leadership. Their story is about purpose. More than that, it’s about clarity, courage, & community. From humble beginnings to global impact, Linda & Lloyd have proven that business isn't just about profit — it’s about people. This one will have you rethinking what it means to win in life AND business. To learn more: 👉 Download their episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast — Link in 1st comment. 👉 Learn more at Halftime.org & MomsMentoring.com If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘Am I just chasing success?’, this episode will help you aim for something far greater. It’s like Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." Agree? #AnythingButTypical #RippleMakers #Entrepreneur BGW CPA, PLLC Ben McDonald

"Egos have to be completely out the door. If you can make that happen, then it's a great opportunity to be successful. —Daniel Zimmer Business partnerships can be tricky, but Justin Cunningham & Daniel Zimmer have cracked the code. Justin, the analytical investment banker turned entrepreneur, & Daniel, the hands-on operations guru, combine their skills to tackle complex challenges. Whether it's helping a laundry startup land on Shark Tank or showing businesses how to save millions, these two redefine what it means to add value. But when you listen to their story, you’ll find something even more meaningful, characteristics that make them & their business truly unique: shared family-first values (they each have three kids!) & a passion for empowering “Davids” to take on industry “Goliaths.” Their complementary strengths—Justin dives into the weeds, while Daniel sees the big picture – add to the value they bring their clients. And above all, humility rules. What a powerful combination. To learn more: 👉Download their episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find them at KlarVentures dot com. Teamwork, trust, & no egos allowed. It’s a fool-proof recipe for success. It's like Michael Jordan said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork & intelligence win championships." Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC klarventures

"Culture is not jellybeans at the center of a table at Easter. Culture is a methodology of accountability & the way we treat each other." – Charlie Workmon We've all seen the stories (or, sadly, felt the effects) of a company that grew too fast, whether by acquisition or other forces, & lost its very essence in the process. Core values, mission, & purpose got lost in the furious attempt to grow, & not even the brightest business minds could save it. How, then, does a small logistics company in Charlotte, NC, led by a college dropout from Ole Miss, grow from $13M to $400M in just four years & not lose its soul? For its leader, Charlie, the answer is clear: culture. Not "words on the wall" culture, but a non-negotiable culture that centers on love, service, & improvement; directs every decision, even during times of growth; and values & empowers people while connecting them to something bigger—game-changing culture. If driving both profit & purpose resonates with you: 👉Download Charlie's episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find him on LinkedIn or RLX dot us. Charlie must have taken a page out of Richard Branson's playbook. "Purpose-driven companies attract the best talent, have the most loyal customers, & ultimately achieve greater success." Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald Riverstone Logistics BGW CPA, PLLC

"Well, you got to find the internal courage…& in order to do that, you gotta get over yourself." – Fabi Preslar It's often said that a lesson best learned is learned the hard way. That's certainly true for Fabi. After a few failed attempts in entrepreneurship, including getting fired by her own company, Fabi needed to rebuild again. With no formal education in business & a family legacy of entrepreneurial failure, on top of her own mistakes, the future looked dim. That is, until a mentor "held up a mirror" & showed Fabi a vision of success rooted in her most authentic self & not in her business. Almost immediately, Fabi embraced the freedom to grow on her terms, lean into failure, shed the need for a perfect image, & trust her own voice. In doing so, she built a (highly successful) company that reflects those lessons & celebrates authenticity & a journey that's less about the endgame & more about growing with grace. Talk about a transformation. To learn more: 👉Download Fabi's episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find her at SparkPublications dot com. Live, learn, & move forward with purpose. It's like Henry Ford said, "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently." Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

"I think anyone can do anything they put their mind to." – Brian Ondrako Getting started doesn't have to be complicated, & sometimes, the simplest steps lead to the biggest changes. That's the mindset of Brian Ondrako, & he's on a mission to help others overcome procrastination, fear of failure, & worrying about others' opinions – the three hurdles that hold them back the most – by taking small, achievable steps toward their dreams. Want to write a book? Start with 500 words. Want to get in shape? Start with a 10-minute walk. Climb mountain? Take the first step. Just start. The beauty is in the simplicity. Embrace the simplicity of just starting, & watch the magic unfold as you build momentum. What's even more beautiful? Anyone can do it. Brian is living proof. To learn more: 👉Download Brian's episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find him at BrianOndrako dot com. You can't help but think of James Clear's exceptional book, Atomic Habits, when you listen to Brian's story & perspective. "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." Great minds think alike. Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

“We really wanted to create a culture where people could be helplessly themselves.” – David Hickman Husband & wife David & Monica may have set out to transform community building through unforgettable luxury events & experiences that make people fall in love with their cities, but their approach to leadership has resulted in something truly spectacular: making people fall in love with their jobs. That’s because the Hickmans’ company culture values people above all else, & that’s not just lip service. Want a piece of the “PIE”? That’s the heartbeat of Social Hub: People-driven, Integrity always, and Exceptional service, & it drives this team comprised mostly of young women as they grow personally & professionally. Their company isn't just about building communities; it's about building a culture where both employees and clients feel valued and connected. We could use more of that. To learn more: 👉Download David & Monica’s episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find them at SocialHubCompany dot com. When teamwork, individual growth, & customers are equally valued, the results are unstoppable. It's like Phil Jackson said, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

"I really do want to be known for getting the most out of the people around me and helping them grow."— Danny Mizrahi From New York's breakneck pace to building powerhouse companies, Danny Mizrahi is the ultimate growth champion. Whether launching tech startups or scaling businesses to the Inc. 5000, his approach is all about helping others reach new heights—personally and professionally. It's how he built his own companies, Contango & Sunbird, and helped 46 entrepreneurs hit that coveted million-dollar mark in revenue. His secret? Building relationships, hustling hard, & always giving more than you get. So simple but so impactful. If you're looking for common sense entrepreneurial inspiration that values people over everything (delivered by one of the most unstoppable guests we've ever hosted): 👉Download Danny's episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find him on LinkedIn or by Googling "Danny Sunbird." Danny's style is reminiscent of a quote by John C. Maxwell. "Coaching is not just about giving advice; it's about building relationships that empower others to discover their own solutions and grow." Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

"Character and integrity and honesty are at the forefront of who I want to be." – Titus Bartolotta What do you think about salespeople? Overly aggressive & laser-focused on closing the deal at any cost? Those unfortunate stereotypes are often well-deserved, so finding a sales expert like Titus, who aims to serve, not sell, is refreshing. He just doesn't fit the mold. Or any mold, for that matter. Molds tell people to 'play the victim' because of their hardships as children or setbacks as young entrepreneurs. Molds keep people stuck. Titus perseveres. Drawing deeply from his faith, he has learned to view setbacks as refining moments. And by remaining grounded in gratitude, consistency, & a commitment to helping others, he is a living testimony to how those things, above all else, lead to meaningful success. To learn more: 👉Download Titus' episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast. (link in 1st comment). 👉Find him at RiseCafe dot com or CollaborativeBusinessSolutions dot com. Listening to Titus, a famous quote from Dwight Eisenhower came to mind: "The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office." Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

“Passion on its own is like having hope as a strategy. It just doesn’t work. Passion plus work, business modeling, business thinking… those combined do really good things for everybody.” — Will Jones Novice leaders tend to resemble hamsters on a wheel. Incredibly busy & seemingly hard at work but accomplishing very little. With no real destination, the running around is pointless (& the hamster never seems to notice!). Seasoned & truly effective leaders know that, to become productive & grow (vs. just survive), you need to clarify your mission, prioritize what counts, & train up others so you can delegate effectively & focus on growth. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what counts. That’s the approach Will took when he inherited a $5 million deficit plaguing one of Charlotte, NC’s largest non-profit organizations. The mission of the organization was clear. What needed transformation was strategy. What happened next is a story you’ll want to hear no matter your industry. To learn more: 👉Download Will’s episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast. (Link in 1st comment.) 👉Find him on LinkedIn & thompsoncff dot com Michael Porter said, “Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different.” Will got the memo. Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

“We aren’t meant to walk this path or our journey alone. It’s impossible.” – Johan Koornhof Johan hasn’t walked the easiest path. In fact, he’s fought for his life on more than one occasion, rebuilding his life after his business and first marriage failed, and surviving a mountain bike accident and COVID-19, which left him with fibrotic lungs and a prognosis of less than a year to live. With each struggle, he managed to restore happiness, peace, and a sense of purpose in his life. How? It’s all about relationships. Johan discovered in his darkest hours that the WHO of life matters more than the what, the when, and the how. We need authentic connection and a transparent relationship with at least one other person. Don’t have that person? That’s where Johan steps in. He’s made it his life’s mission to connect authentically with others and be “that person”—especially for business owners and leaders who too often lead solitary lives. In doing so, he restores them just as he has himself. If you are hungry for ‘real’ and a fresh perspective on leadership: 👉Download Johan’s episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). 👉Find him at BeReal dot co dot za or on LinkedIn. Brene Brown sums it up perfectly: “Connection gives purpose and meaning to our lives.” Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur BGW CPA, PLLC BGW CPA, PLLC