Anything but Typical Podcast

"Discipline is freedom." – Robbie Shaw For most of his life, Robbie saw discipline as restriction—rules, limitations, things that took away his freedom. But he learned the hard way that the opposite is true. The more disciplined you are, the freer you become. That mindset shift changed everything. It’s why he’s built a business around intentionality, resilience, &storytelling. As the founder of EVRYBDY Studios, Robbie isn’t just running a digital content studio. He’s creating a space where people can show up, share their truth, & build trust with their audience. He’s also living proof that when you push your limits—whether in business, life, or even cold plunges—you come out stronger, more confident, & more in control of your own path. Want to get out of your own way & build something meaningful from scratch? ?? Download Robbie’s episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast. (Link to last episode in 1st comment.) ?? Connect with him on LinkedIn, follow him @evrybdystudios & check out his podcast, The Champagne Problems Podcast. As Jocko Willink said it like Robbie: “Discipline equals freedom.” Great minds think alike. Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

“If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not doing the job correct.” – Dan Flaherty With a career that has ventured from the disciplined halls of corporate American to unconventional sales & management consulting, Dan’s story comes with a powerful lesson: Growth comes from embracing calculated risk, stepping out of our comfort zones, & learning not to do more but to do it differently. But it’s not all work & no play. This passionate family man & Hellcat racer understands that success is not just about business milestones. It’s about work-life harmony —enjoying breakfast &dinner with his kids while fueling his passion for race car driving. In a world where many cling to a scarcity mindset, Dan embraces abundance—championing collaboration, knowledge sharing, & servant leadership. Whether on the racetrack, in the boardroom, or in the living room, Dan welcomes trial & error as part of his journey. Uncomfortable? Sometimes, but this approach turns every setback into a steppingstone for growth, & that has made all the difference. Are you ready for the blueprint on building a life that’s balanced, impactful, & rewarding? ??Download his episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast (link in 1st comment). ??Connect with him on LinkedIn. Both Dan and Dolly Parton remind us: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

"We're coming to the realization that we're literally designing the future for ourselves.”– Jamey Boiter At first glance, Jamey designs brands. Take a moment to dig deeper, & you’ll realize what he really does: He designs businesses, careers, & cultures. For over 30 years, Jamey has helped some of the biggest companies in the world -- Chick-fil-A, Lowe’s, Snapper -- innovate beyond the status quo. But his real legacy? The way he’s built his own company, Bolt Group, into more than just a design firm. Bolt is a place where strategy, creativity, & leadership collide to create lasting impact. His secret? Collaboration. Jamey knows that great ideas don’t happen in silos. The best solutions emerge when teams break down barriers, challenge assumptions, & co-create the future—whether it's a product, a company, or an entire industry. If you’re ready to deep dive into what it takes to build a brand, a business, & a legacy that lasts: ?? Download Jamey’s episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast —Link in 1st comment. ?? Learn more at Boltgroup.com As Jamey proves, design isn’t just what something looks like. It’s how it works, how it leads, and how it shapes the world. It’s like what former CEO of IBM, Thomas Watson, Jr., said: “Good design is good business.” Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur BOLTGROUP Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

"Everybody says, well, he's just lucky. Well, I'm also a thinker.” – Donald Baker For Don, leadership isn’t about taking—it’s about giving, & his part of that giving is to solve problems others called “impossible.” Through ESOPs, Don turned his pool companies into environments where employees aren’t just workers—they’re stakeholders with a real investment in the business’ success. It’s a bold choice, one that reflects his philosophy: that loyalty, trust, & gratitude are more valuable than any profit margin. But his innovation doesn’t stop there. His groundbreaking developments in the pool industry, which include revolutionizing indoor pool air quality, have saved lives &created lasting change. Now leading of South Carolina’s best workplaces, Don proves that success comes from a relentless drive to do what others won’t. If you’re ready to change how you think about leadership, legacy, & the power of putting people first. ?? Listen to Don’s episode of the Anything But Typical Podcast—Link in 1st comment. ?? Learn more about his companies: Paddock Pool Equipment Company, Pure Aqua Products, and Paddock Construction Company. When Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value,” I think Don Baker was listening. Agree? #anythingbuttypical #ripplemakerz #entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

"Good teams are built by really good leaders, & really good teams validate good leaders.” – Gerard "Jay" Woelkers If you’ve ever wanted to listen to a great leader, this is the time. Jay is second to none. Over his career, he’s commanded sailors, navigated high-stakes missions, & rebuilt culture at one of the most prominent military medical centers in the world. But what set him apart wasn’t just his rank & expertise—it was his relentless focus on building trust & empowering others. Because for Jay, even today, leadership starts with humility & connection. From earning the respect of seasoned sailors as a fresh officer to reviving US Navy pride at Walter Reed, he proves that the heart of leadership is valuing the people you serve. His mantra? “Own your space.” It means taking accountability in every area of life, whether it’s picking up a piece of litter or leading a team into the unknown. If you’re ready for a masterclass on how to lead with authenticity, courage, & purpose: ?? Download Jay’s episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast — Link in 1st comment. ?? Connect with Jay on LinkedIn to gather more of his leadership insights. As Simon Sinek said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” Jay reminds us how true that is. Agree? #AnythingButTypical #RippleMakers #Entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC

“You've got to basically step out there and do something you don't feel like you're ready to do.” – Billy Austin Billy didn’t grow up dreaming of running an engineering firm. In fact, when he chose engineering as a career, he wasn’t exactly sure what engineers did. But that didn’t stop him from diving in, figuring it out, & eventually building a business that thrives on trust, innovation, & relentless learning. From designing missile systems in California to becoming a business owner just before the Great Recession, Billy’s story is full of leaps into the unknown. He’s a self-proclaimed work in progress who proves every day that being unprepared isn’t a roadblock – it’s a reason to start. Whether you’re leading a team, running a business, or just navigating the unknown, Billy’s journey will leave you inspired to take that next step — even if you don’t feel ready – and lead with transparency and calm, especially during a crisis. ?? Download his episode of the Anything but Typical Podcast — Link in 1st comment. ?? Check out ShultzEngineering dot com. Billy’s journey & outlook reflects the philosophy of Theodore Roosevelt who said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Great advice. Agree? #AnythingButTypical #RippleMakers #Entrepreneur Ben McDonald BGW CPA, PLLC George W. (Billy) Austin, Jr., PE, FASHRAE

"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