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Gary Frey & Ben McDonald host round table conversations discussing entrepreneurship, leadership, and success on your own terms.
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4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary Frey and Ben McDonald sit down with Ben Kinney, publisher of Business North Carolina, SouthPark Magazine, and North Carolina Tribune.
Ben shares how growing up as the son of a journalist, moving from city to city, and constantly being the new kid shaped his ability to communicate, adapt, and connect with people. What started as a life of transition eventually became a career built around storytelling, leadership, media, and relationships.
The conversation explores Ben’s unexpected path from studying history and planning to become a teacher, to working in advertising sales, to stepping into leadership at Business North Carolina during a difficult season for the company. Ben also talks about the evolution of media, leading through uncertainty, surviving the Great Recession and COVID, and why authentic storytelling still matters in a world increasingly shaped by digital noise and AI.
This episode is a thoughtful conversation about resilience, connection, leadership, and the power of having a real voice in business.
In This Episode
- Gary, Ben McDonald, and Ben Kinney discuss:
- Ben’s childhood moving through Burlington, Winston-Salem, New York City, South Florida, and Charlotte
- How being the “new kid” helped Ben learn communication, adaptability, and connection
- Why Ben originally planned to become a high school history teacher
- How he fell into classified advertising and business media
- What it was like stepping into leadership at Business North Carolina after tragedy
- The challenges of working in a family business
- How media has changed across print, digital, newsletters, podcasts, video, and social platforms
- Why great content still matters, even as distribution continues to evolve
- How Business North Carolina adapted through the Great Recession and COVID
- Ben’s leadership philosophy and the importance of hiring the right people
- Why authenticity, voice, and storytelling still matter in the age of AI
- The value of strong editing, concise writing, and human connection
Key Takeaways
- Connection is often built through life experience. Ben’s ability to connect with people came from years of adapting to new environments, new schools, and new communities.
- Leadership sometimes begins with simply stepping in to help. Ben did not enter publishing with a perfect master plan. He stepped in when the family business needed him and learned through pressure.
- Content is still king, but distribution has changed. Strong journalism and storytelling still matter, but today’s media companies have to think across print, email, social media, podcasts, video, and digital platforms.
- Survival requires thoughtful reaction. Ben explains that small businesses have to move quickly, but leaders still need to respond with care, perspective, and intention.
- Authenticity creates trust. Ben’s personal writing in The Daily Digest connected with readers because it felt genuine, human, and different from typical business commentary.
- AI cannot replace real storytelling. AI may help generate information, but it cannot replace voice, judgment, perspective, editing, and authentic human connection.
Memorable Quotes
“He knows a lot of folks. He’s got a great sense of humor. And he really can connect people.”
“I always like to talk about myself growing up as my parents and I grew up together.”
“I was always the new kid at every school.”
“It was trial by fire. It was trial by volcanic fire.”
“You gotta kinda react to things in a thoughtful way.”
“But it can’t replace storytelling, and that’s what we’re all doing, is telling stories.”
“The key is be entertaining, be engaging, and have a voice.”
“Good editing is so hard to find.”
Connect with Ben Kinney
LinkedIn: Ben Kinney
Business North Carolina: businessnc.com
SouthPark Magazine: southparkmagazine.com
North Carolina Tribune: nctribune.com
Email: bkinney@businessnc.com
X/Twitter: @BenKinneyBNC
Tuesday May 19, 2026
Tuesday May 19, 2026
Discover the story of Mark McLean’s impressive journey from early influences to leading a multi-billion-dollar company. Learn how culture, relationships, humility, and strategic growth propel organizations through transitions and challenges.
Main topics:
Building a career in insurance and financial services, rooted in mentorship and family lessons
Navigating growth: from founding to billion-dollar company, merger, and acquisitions
The importance of company culture, relationships, and core values in long-term success
Personal resilience through life's challenges including health, family, and entrepreneurial pivots
Timestamps:
00:00 - Defining what takes Mark McLean out in public
00:29 - Interests beyond work: sports, golf, and family
01:54 - The role of sports and family fun in shaping his values
02:40 - Favorite golf locations and social activities
03:10 - Humble introduction and the significance of titles
04:13 - Career overview: from Senior Managing Principal to Senior VP
06:46 - The importance of faith, family, and friendships in reputation
07:49 - The influence of Jeff Warner and mentorship connections
08:42 - Early motivations: lessons from family and mentors
09:30 - Growing up in Florence, South Carolina, and early career influences
11:12 - College journey, changing majors, and love for insurance
12:42 - Industry insights: relationship building, trust, and reputation
15:36 - Industry trends, industry change, and mentorship in risk management
17:45 - Industry challenges, trust, and business growth
20:04 - Licensing, early sales experiences, and building business foundations
22:02 - The role of creativity and relationship management in success
23:11 - Industry evolution and personal insights into trend anticipation
24:46 - Handling life’s challenges, family, and career pivots
25:36 - The importance of good culture and team alignment
27:24 - Transition from employment to entrepreneurship: the leap into owning and growing businesses
32:51 - Building Turnkey Benefits, sale, and subsequent ventures
36:16 - Growth from 25 to 170 employees, industry innovation
40:54 - Navigating partnership changes, relationships, and success
44:11 - Transition into digital organizations, culture, and values
50:46 - Building a unified message, controlling quality and trust
54:45 - Personal experiences: family, loss, and professional resilience
56:55 - Adapting to industry and market changes post-Obamacare
58:26 - Balancing growth, personal life, and company focus
62:22 - About joining One Digital, the corporate culture, and long-term vision
66:00 - The role of private equity, strategic capital, and maintaining independence
70:01 - The secret sauce: company culture as a competitive advantage
73:51 - Leadership values: integrity, humility, and people first
77:08 - The importance of intentional culture, talented leadership, and long-term vision
78:45 - Family, blended families, and parenting insights about nurturing strong values
79:03 - Final thoughts — being discerning, strategic, and building legacy
Resources:
Connect with Mark McLean
Tuesday May 05, 2026
Tuesday May 05, 2026
In this episode, Stacey Brown Randall shares her inspiring journey from business failures to becoming a trusted referral expert, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and intentional branding. Discover her tactics for building meaningful relationships, protecting your IP in the age of AI, and shifting the traditional mindset around referrals.
Key topics:
- Stacey’s entrepreneurial journey: from failed startups to strategic branding
- The significance of being intentional about brand consistency, especially with signature colors
- How understanding your “why” fuels resilience through business setbacks
- Reevaluating success: shifting from financial milestones to personal fulfillment
- Practical strategies for generating referrals without asking
- Distinction between word-of-mouth, introductions, and true referrals
- How building relationships with referral sources differs from prospecting and marketing
- Adapting business models over time based on market shifts and personal life changes
- Protecting intellectual property in a rapidly evolving AI landscape
- The impact of consistent content like books and podcasts on long-term trust-building
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Stacey’s background: from embarrassment to branding
02:07 – What others might say about Stacey at her kids’ baseball game
03:29 – The importance of being on brand and intentional with style choices
04:34 – Stacey’s book: Generating Business Referrals Without Asking & Referable Client Experience
05:49 – The pivotal moment: learning from her first business failure
06:46 – The evolution from corporate America back to entrepreneurship
07:16 – Why entrepreneurship is in her blood and the desire for control and freedom
08:32 – How Stacey’s lifestyle aligns with her brand values
09:23 – Defining success beyond revenue: family, fulfillment, and authenticity
10:13 – The yearly reset ritual to realign goals and priorities
11:12 – How setbacks and life surprises shape her resilience and business approach
12:26 – The importance of understanding your true “why”
13:51 – Navigating businessduring life changes and market shifts 14:19 – Developing her core strategies: referrals, client experience, and new client acquisition
15:50 – Lessons from her first HR consulting firm & the value of scaling
16:47 – Why she returned to corporate America before launching her second business
17:13 – Recognizing opportunity in necessity & the power of strategic niche selection
18:55 – Building a productivity coaching business through genuine relationships
20:19 – Transitioning into her current focus: referral systems and relationship building
22:08 – Overcoming the early hype and misconceptions around referrals
23:29 – The three-legged stool approach: referrals as a separate, relationship-based pillar
24:54 – Humanizing referral conversations and avoiding gimmicks
26:16 – Tracking referral sources accurately and avoiding self-referrals
27:57 – Finding your niche and leveraging your personal network for referrals
29:26 – Creating scalable programs that meet clients where they are
30:56 – Adjusting business models based on market preferences
32:41 – Protecting your IP in a digital age & AI considerations
36:46 – Authentic connection strategies: permission, intentionality, and specificity
38:19 – The evolution of her business offerings & online vs. in-person strategies
41:23 – Teaching clients how to get referrals without asking directly
44:47 – Moving away from traditional “ask for referrals” tactics
47:31 – Reframing referrals as part of the core relationship-building process
49:35 – The “Go-Giver” mindset & serving genuinely for the long term results
51:52 – Strategic introductions & the importance of context & permission
54:36 – How true referrals differ from word-of-mouth buzz or accidental introductions
56:08 – The importance of data in understanding referral dynamics
57:23 – Overcoming objections to referral strategies and unlearning misconceptions
58:52 – The influence of books and podcasts on long-term trust-building
62:19 – Planning future content and strategic themes for ongoing growth
63:21 – The process of writing her latest book & foundational referral strategies
66:01 – Combining book, podcast, and relationship-building for sustained growth
67:32 – Diversifying client acquisition channels to reduce risk
68:22 – The “why” behind her entrepreneurial drive: from freedom to meaningful impact
70:49 – Lessons from setbacks: blessings in disguise and resilience
73:00 – Protecting your business in the AI era: authentic human connection matters
76:21 – Ensuring confidentiality & IP protection in today’s digital world
77:55 – The future of AI: leveraging tools without compromising core values
78:48 – The irreplaceable role of human emotion & intuition
79:33 – Final thoughts & how to connect with Stacey
Resources & Links:
Generating Business Referrals Without Asking by Stacey Brown Randall
Referable Client Experience by Stacey Brown Randall
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
Tuesday Apr 21, 2026
In this episode, hosts sit down with Stephen Phelan, Chief Spiritual Integration Officer at Faith-Driven Entrepreneur, to unpack a powerful idea: what if business wasn’t just about profit—but about people?
Stephen shares the story behind Movement Mortgage and how a bold vision during the 2008 financial crisis led to a company built on love, purpose, and impact. From redefining leadership to transforming communities through education and service, this conversation challenges the way we think about success in business.
If you’ve ever wondered how faith, purpose, and entrepreneurship can actually work together—this one hits deep.
Core Takeaways
- Love can be operationalized in business — it’s not just a feeling, it’s systems and structure
- Great companies meet human needs, not just market needs
- Purpose scales culture faster than profit ever will
- You don’t have to separate faith and business—but you also don’t force it
- Real leadership development happens outside comfort zones
- Generosity + boundaries (financial finish lines) unlock impact
The 4 Needs of the Human Heart (Framework)
- Help in crisis – People want support when life hits hard
- Friends at work – Belonging and relationships matter
- Purpose – People want their life and work to mean something
- Faith / deeper meaning – An opportunity to explore something bigger
Notable Quotes
- “We exist to love and value people.”
- “If your teammates thrive, your business will thrive.”
- “Don’t run from broken systems—redeem them.”
- “Set a financial finish line. Decide what ‘enough’ looks like.”
- “Put people on a plane. That’s the best leadership development.”
Calls to Action
- Reflect: What’s your business really built on—profit or people?
- Identify one way you can serve your local community this month
- Share this episode with another entrepreneur or leader
- Leave a rating/review if this conversation impacted you
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Brief summary of show:
Jamie Ledford, President of Golf Pride, shares his journey from growing up in
Walla Walla, Washington, to leading a global brand. Through stories of farm life, mentorship,
international experiences, and career pivots, Jamie reflects on leadership, humility, and the importance
of people in shaping both personal and professional success. This episode explores how life’s
unexpected turns often lead to the most meaningful opportunities.
Key topics discussed & time stamps:
• Early life in Walla Walla and farm influences (00:08)
• Lessons from Jamie’s grandfather and work ethic (00:10)
• Leadership mindset and desire to lead (00:22)
• Career pivots and unexpected opportunities (00:25)
• International experience in Italy and global perspective (00:32)
• Consulting, Starbucks, and business growth strategies (00:38)
• Transition into Callaway and Golf Pride (00:45)
List of resources mentioned in episode:
• Golf Pride
• AT Kearney Consulting
• Johns Hopkins SAIS
Calls to action:
• Follow the Anything But Typical Podcast
• Share this episode with a friend or colleague
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Brief summary of show:
What can Navy SEAL training teach you about leadership, business, and life?
In this episode of Anything But Typical, Gary and Ben sit down with retired Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Tim Cruickshank, founder of Bone Frog Coffee Company, to break down the mindset, discipline, and team-first philosophy that shaped his journey.
Tim shares how elite military training—including BUD/S and combat deployments—built the mental toughness and adaptability he now uses as an entrepreneur. More importantly, he reveals how his business was born out of a deeper mission: honoring fallen teammates and supporting Gold Star families.
This episode is a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and what it truly means to put others first—in business, family, and life.
Key topics discussed:
- 00:01:00 – The “heartbeat question” and defining your legacy
- 00:05:00 – Military upbringing and lessons in integrity and trust
- 00:09:00 – How Tim decided to become a Navy SEAL
- 00:18:00 – What BUD/S training is really like (mental + physical)
- 00:29:00 – Building mental toughness: “30 seconds at a time” mindset
- 00:33:00 – Combat lessons: adaptability, leadership, and trust
- 00:38:00 – Transitioning from military to entrepreneurship
- 00:39:00 – The origin story of Bone Frog Coffee Company
- 00:41:00 – Starting a business with no experience + finding mentors
- 00:47:00 – Building during COVID and learning from customers
- 00:49:00 – Leadership lessons from Navy SEAL training applied to business
- 00:54:00 – Scaling impact and giving back to Gold Star families
Key takeaways:
- Leadership starts with serving others first, not yourself
- Mental toughness is built through small, repeatable wins under pressure
- The best teams are built on trust, accountability, and shared hardship
- Entrepreneurship requires adaptability, humility, and constant learning
- Purpose-driven businesses create deeper loyalty and long-term impact
- Surrounding yourself with mentors accelerates growth significantly
Common questions answered in this episode:
What is BUD/S training like?
BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) is one of the most intense military training programs in the world, designed to push candidates mentally and physically. It focuses heavily on teamwork, resilience, and mental endurance, with extremely high attrition rates.
How do Navy SEALs build mental toughness?
Navy SEALs develop mental toughness by breaking overwhelming challenges into smaller time increments (like 30 seconds at a time), controlling their mindset, and learning to operate under extreme stress and discomfort.
What leadership lessons come from Navy SEAL training?
Key leadership lessons include:
- Put your team before yourself
- Adapt quickly under pressure
- Communicate clearly in chaos
- Earn trust through consistency and action
How do you start a business with no experience?
Tim’s approach:
- Surround yourself with experts and mentors
- Start small and iterate quickly
- Listen to customer feedback
- Stay consistent and adaptable
What makes a purpose-driven business successful?
A purpose-driven business builds deeper customer loyalty by aligning its mission with impact. In this case, giving back to Gold Star families and honoring fallen heroes creates emotional connection and long-term brand trust.
Keywords:
Navy SEAL mindset, leadership lessons, mental toughness, entrepreneurship journey, purpose-driven business, startup advice, team culture, business leadership, resilience training, Bone Frog Coffee, veteran-owned business
Resources mentioned:
- Bone Frog Coffee Company – https://www.bonefrogcoffee.com
- GovX (military & first responder discounts)
Calls to action:
- Visit: https://www.bonefrogcoffee.com
- Get 10% off your first order
- Military & first responders: 20% off via GovX
- Support a mission that gives back to Gold Star families
- Follow Anything But Typical for more real conversations on leadership & business
Social handles:
Instagram: @trustbgw
Facebook: BGW CPA, PLLC
TikTok: @bgw.advisors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trustbgw/
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Episode live date:
March 10
Name of show:
Anything But Typical Podcasts
Episode number and title:
Episode 164: The Power of Relationships in Business and Life with Ashley Tison
Brief summary of show:
What if the most important business question has nothing to do with business? In this episode, Ashley Tison shares the powerful question he returns to over and over again: “If I were given six months to live, what would be my regrets?” Through years of walking alongside entrepreneurs navigating growth, exits, and major life transitions, Ashley has seen how success often gives way to a deeper realization — that time, relationships, and meaning matter more than most people expect. This conversation explores the tension between building something significant and not losing your life in the process.
Bullet points of key topics discussed & time stamps:
0:00 – Opening reflection: the question that changes everything
1:12 – Why entrepreneurs eventually start asking deeper questions
2:48 – The hidden cost of building, growing, and chasing success
4:15 – Why founders often realize too late what mattered most
5:42 – Family, experiences, and meaning in the next chapter
7:03 – How the “six months to live” question reframes priorities
8:21 – Why the next chapter people want is often the one they’ve delayed
9:37 – Closing thought: sometimes business conversations become life conversations
List of resources mentioned in episode (including sponsors):
OZ Pros
OZPros.com
Annie Dillard quote: “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
Calls to action:
Learn more at OZPros.com
Visit trustbgw.com
Follow Anything But Typical and BGW on social media:
Instagram: @anythingbuttypical
LinkedIn: BGW CPA, PLLC
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
New city. Commission-only real estate sales. Kids who could sense that the math at the kitchen table didn’t quite add up.
Joe Cherry III’s sons didn’t understand spreadsheets or market cycles. But they knew this: there were opportunities that would have paid well — and their dad said no.
They heard late conversations about faith & risk. About whether protecting a client’s long-term future mattered more than protecting their family’s short-term comfort. About what it means to live with your name on the door.
And they saw what conviction costs: Discount groceries. Honest family meetings. The quiet weight of doing the right thing.
Then they left.
One entered Ranger School. The other commanded tanks.
Different arenas. Same refining fire.
When they came back, it wasn’t to inherit something easy. It was to join something tested.
Today, when the three of them sit across from a client, the conversation doesn’t sound like three salesmen competing for airtime. It sounds like three men asking what’s right for the client — & then doing the work to make it happen.
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
“I’ve been poor before. That doesn’t bother me.” – Cathy Maday
Cathy didn’t grow up around startup jargon or leadership books. She grew up on the Bad River Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin.
Work wasn’t a phase. It was how you made things possible.
You did chores, took odd jobs, & learned early that no one was coming to rescue you. There was freedom in that.
By 12, Cathy was holding her first paper paycheck.
She hasn’t stopped working since — not always because she had to, but because work meant agency. Motion. A steady sense of “I can handle what’s next.”
That assurance followed her from childhood into college, into technology, & into corporate environments where she saw it clearly: systems weren’t failing. The people inside them were carrying too much, alone.
Eventually, Cathy did what entrepreneurs do. She chose the harder path & built the solution — Wingspan — from the same instinct that had always guided her: if you want options, you create them.
This episode isn’t about hustle or reinvention.
It’s about knowing when the instincts that made you strong are asking for something completely new.
To learn more, connect with her at WingspanPerformance.com.
Entrepreneurship isn’t about escaping where you come from. It’s about carrying what made you — and knowing what to set down.
As Wendell Berry wrote, “It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work.”
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
“I closed the biggest deal of my life playing Candy Crush on my phone over Zoom… I could do this in my sleep at this point.” — Lauren Goodell
One moment, Lauren Goodell was operating at the highest level — thriving in corporate tech, leading the room, closing deals most people never touch.
And then, something became clear.
The work wasn’t hard anymore. The risk was gone. The challenge had faded.
What once demanded everything she had now required very little.
In that moment, her future shifted.
Not because she failed — but because she succeeded. And she knew that mastery without growth is just another form of standing still.
So, she walked away.
What followed wasn’t instant clarity.
It was friction. Failure. Momentum earned the hard way.
Today, Lauren is building technology that handles the prep work she got bored of — so people can focus on the conversations that actually matter.
That moment — the quiet realization — is where her story really begins.
Connect with her on LinkedIn & learn more at getZinnia.ai
Success doesn’t always signal arrival. Sometimes, it’s the cue to begin again.
Anaïs Nin said it best: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”