We’re kicking off 2026 the right way—Dry January style.

In the first episode of the year, Ben sits down with Patrick Aleshire, founder of Milwaukee’s first non-alcoholic beverage passport and the man behind Zero Proof Ventures.

Patrick shares his personal journey of quitting alcohol after 20 years, what surprised him most about going alcohol-free, and how that decision sparked a fast-growing NA passport program now featuring 22 local establishments. From Guinness Zero and Blue Moon NA to mocktails, spirits, and sober-curious culture, this episode dives into the booming NA movement, shifting drinking trends, and why sobriety doesn’t mean boring.

They also get real about sleep, anxiety, social pressure, Dry January expectations, and why Gen Z is leading the charge toward zero-proof options. If you’re sober curious, cutting back, or just curious what’s next in beverage culture—this one’s for you.

👉 Want to learn more, collaborate, or bring Zero Proof to your city?

Connect with Zero Proof Ventures

🌐 zeroproofpass.com

📸 Instagram: @zeroproofpass | @414_Milwaukee

📘 Facebook: @zeroproofventures

🎙️ Interested in being on the show or partnering with Business Over Beer?

Connect with Ben Surratt

📧 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast | @ben_surratt

🌐 www.bizoverbeer.com

We talk about her 10-year hustle building G Dogz, how her background in mental health shaped the way she coaches dogs (and supports the humans attached to them), and why “it’s okay to not be okay” isn’t just a phrase — it’s a way of life. Coach G also shares the wild story of breaking her neck early in her business journey… and how community, mindset, and asking for help helped her push through.

Oh — and yes… she shows up with Spotted Cow. Because Wisconsin finds you no matter where you run. 🧀🍺

Follow Coach G Instagram: @g_dogz

Website: gdogz.com

X: @bizoverbeer

Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast

TikTok: @bizoverbeer

Follow Ben: @ben_surratt on Instagram

Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess.

https://linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast

www.bizoverbeer.com

#BusinessOverBeer #SmallBusinessStories #PodcastEpisode #WisconsinVibes #DogTraining

Tara Tinsley is back for her third appearance on the Business Over Beer Podcast, and this one feels like catching up with an old friend right before Thanksgiving. We dive into everything she’s been up to — from her evolution as a singer and public speaker, to how her faith continues to guide her journey, to her unexpected new adventures in farming down in Texas. 🌾🎶

We talk food, we talk life, we talk growth… and of course, we laugh our way through the entire episode. This is one of those conversations that reminds you why staying connected with good people matters.

Follow along, share it with a friend, and have a happy Thanksgiving, folks. 🍂🍻

Follow & Connect: with Tara

Follow & Connect: with The BOB

X: @bizoverbeer

Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast

TikTok: @bizoverbeer

Ben: @ben_surratt

Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast

In this quick but punchy episode, Ben sits down with John Roots, owner of Natty Oaks in West Allis a man who has survived the wild ride of restaurant ownership, community building, and more dad jokes than any human should legally be allowed to use.

John breaks down what makes West Allis so special, why community matters, and what D-B-A-B means, and what every restaurateur/bar owner learns sooner or later. 👀

Oh, and did I mention the bad dad jokes? Yeah… there are plenty. So brace yourself.

🍻 Follow Natty Oaks: @the_real_nattyoaks

🍻 Follow John: @rootsrootsbaby

🍻 Follow Biz Over Beer:

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• X: @bizoverbeer
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• Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast
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• TikTok: @bizoverbeer
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• Follow Ben: @ben_surratt
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• Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess
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🌐 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast

What happens when you mix Midwest humor, viral videos, and a heart that’s all Wisconsin? You get @meg_voss — better known as Midwest Meg. 💛

In this episode of the Business Over Beer – Midwest Edition, Ben sits down with Meg to talk about how one simple video about “blinkers” (yep, a true Wisconsin term!) sparked thousands of followers and opened the door to a community built on laughter, authenticity, and real talk. From going viral to getting vulnerable, Meg shares her journey of embracing the ups and downs of social media, staying true to herself, and using her platform to talk openly about mental health and life in the Midwest. 🍻

Grab your favorite brew and settle in for a conversation that’s equal parts funny, honest, and pure Wisconsin energy.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube!

🌐 www.bizoverbeer.com

🍺 @ben_surratt

💬 Guest: @meg_voss

🎙️ Business Over Beer – Halloween Special: The Paranormal Side of Storytelling (feat. Jim Harold)

This Halloween, the Business Over Beer Podcast goes beyond the veil. 👻

Ben sits down with Jim Harold, host of Jim Harold’s Campfire and The Paranormal Podcast, to explore the mystery, meaning, and magic behind storytelling. From spine-tingling tales of the unexplained to the real-world lessons of building a loyal audience, Jim shares how curiosity, faith, and consistency built one of the most trusted brands in podcasting.

They dive into:

💀 Why people are drawn to ghost stories and what they reveal about us

🎙️ The business of podcasting and storytelling in a changing world

🍺 How community, belief, and connection transcend the paranormal

Grab a beer (and maybe a nightlight) — this episode will have you thinking, laughing, and maybe even looking over your shoulder.

🎧 Listen now on all major podcast platforms!

🌐 www.bizoverbeer.com

🔗 linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast

Follow & Connect:

🩵 X: @bizoverbeer

📸 Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast

🎵 TikTok: @bizoverbeer

👤 Follow Ben: @ben_surratt

🌱 Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess

• Website (main): jimharold.com (jimharold.com)
• Podcasts landing (free shows): jimharold.com/jims-podcasts/ (jimharold.com)
• Instagram: @thejimharold (instagram.com)
• YouTube channel: youtube.com/jimharold (youtube.com)
• Plus Membership page (premium/back catalog): jimharoldplus.com (jimharoldplus.com)
• His flagship podcast “The Paranormal Podcast”: jimharold.com/show/the-paranormal-podcast/ (jimharold.com)

#BusinessOverBeer #MidwestEdition #JimHarold #HalloweenSpecial #ParanormalPodcast #GhostStories #PodcastCommunity #StorytellingMatters #SmallBusinessStories #MidwestPodcasters #BizOverBeerPodcast #BOBPodcast #PassagesToSuccess #CraftBeerCulture #EntrepreneurStories #BelieveInBetter

What happens when a passion for horror, community, and entrepreneurship collide? In this Business Over Beer Midwest Series episode, Ben sits down with Tanner from the Sheboygan Haunted Asylum — one of Wisconsin’s most talked-about haunted attractions. From the early days of transforming an abandoned asylum into a full-scale business, to the challenges of running a seasonal operation that relies on creativity, trust, and local support, Tanner shares how he’s turned fear into opportunity. This isn’t just about ghosts and jump scares — it’s about vision, grit, and building something that truly brings a community together. 💀🏚️🍺

So grab a cold one and get ready for a conversation where business gets scary. Tanner and Ben dive deep into what it takes to lead a team, engage an audience, and keep the doors open when your business depends on chills, thrills, and connection. Whether you’re a small-business owner, a lover of haunted history, or just here for the spooky stories, this episode will leave you inspired (and maybe a little on edge). 👻🎧

🔗 Listen & Watch: www.bizoverbeer.com

X: @bizoverbeer

Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast

Follow Ben: @ben_surratt

Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess

#BusinessOverBeer #BOBMidwestSeries #HauntedAsylum #SheboyganHauntedAsylum #HauntedWisconsin #SpookyBusiness #SmallBusinessStories #HauntedEntrepreneur #WisconsinBeerCulture #SupportLocalBusiness #WisconsinMade #CommunityOverCompetition #GhostStoriesAndBeer #EerieEntrepreneurs #BusinessGetsScary #OctoberVibes

In this episode of Business Over Beer, Ben sits down with April Salsbury, founder and CEO of Salsbury & Company, a small business consulting firm based in Vancouver, WA that helps businesses with HR, bookkeeping, payroll, and medical billing — especially in the integrative healthcare space.

Over a non-alcoholic beer and a cup of chamomile tea ☕🍺, Ben and April dive into what it takes to grow and sustain a small business in today’s ever-changing economy.

From leaving her corporate CEO role to starting her own consulting business, April shares how she took a calculated leap of faith, hired her first employee, and built a team that serves small businesses with practical tools, real data, and a no-nonsense approach.

They discuss:

• Common financial mistakes small business owners make 💸
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• The difference between consulting and coaching
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• Why AI is transforming small business operations 🤖
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• The importance of aligning company culture with client expectations
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• How approachable leadership can shape a thriving workplace
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• And why planning for your exit strategy from day one matters
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April’s insight is straight talk for business owners ready to face their fears, value their time, and plan their success with intention.

🎧 Tune in for real talk, honest lessons, and a fresh look at what it means to build and lead a small business with confidence and care.

👉 Follow April at salsburyandco.com

👉 Follow Business Over Beer:

X: @bizoverbeer | Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast | TikTok: @bizoverbeer

Follow Ben: @ben_surratt on Instagram

Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess

🌐 www.bizoverbeer.com

In this episode of Business Over Beer, host Ben Surratt sits down in the newly upgraded Oostburg Studios with longtime friends Dana and Mike Haucke, owners of Haucke Plumbing & Heating and proud members of the Plymouth community.

This conversation goes beyond pipes and furnaces — it’s about life as a married couple running a family-owned business, the lessons they’ve learned from years of ownership, and how they manage to stay positive in a world full of negativity. From balancing marriage and business to giving back to their community, Dana and Mike share their heart, their humor, and their outlook on what it means to truly build a life together.

🍻 Tune in for laughs, positivity, and a real reminder that business, marriage, and community are all about building connections that last.

📲 Connect with Haucke Plumbing & Heating:

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• Website: hauckeplumbing.com

On this episode of Business Over Beer Untapped, I catch up with longtime friend and fellow Passages to Success member, Todd Brefeld, a mortgage industry veteran with over 25 years of experience.

Todd’s journey has taken him from Chicago to Hawaii, Japan, and finally the Pacific Northwest, but one thing has stayed consistent: his commitment to building authentic relationships. In this episode, Todd shares how personal connections—not algorithms—continue to drive his business forward, even in a challenging mortgage market.

We dive into:

• Todd’s unique career path and his time living abroad
• The entrepreneurial mindset required in the mortgage world
• His strategy of making 20 calls a day to build and maintain relationships
• Mortgage market insights: why now could still be a great time to buy
• How buyers can leverage seller concessions and rate buy-downs
• Why balancing social media with in-person networking matters more than ever

Whether you’re in real estate, lending, or just running your own business, Todd’s insights on consistency, authenticity, and strategic thinking will resonate.

🎧 Grab your favorite beer and join us for this conversation all about connection, business, and finding success the relationship-first way.

💻 Connect with Todd Brefeld:

Website: www.financingbytodd.com

Instagram: @toddbrefeld.lender

Facebook: Todd Brefeld-Mortgage Lender

🔗 Stay Connected with Business Over Beer:

X: @bizoverbeer

Instagram: @bizoverbeerpodcast

TikTok: @bizoverbeer

Website: www.bizoverbeer.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast

Follow Ben: @ben_surratt on Instagram

Follow Passages to Success: @passagestosuccess