This episode of Business Over Beer is different—and it needed to be.

No beer. Just coffee, conversation, and a mission that hits straight in the chest.

Host Ben Surratt sits down with Dustin Rucker, founder of Warm Kids Wisconsin, a nonprofit working directly with elementary schools to make sure kids across the state have what they need to survive Wisconsin winters: boots and snow pants.

It all started with one giving tree request:

“I just want snow pants so I can play with my friends.”

That moment changed everything.

In this episode, Dustin shares:

1. Why coats aren’t the biggest need—boots and snow pants are
2. How one small idea turned into helping hundreds of kids across Wisconsin
3. Why teachers and counselors are often quietly filling the gap
4. What people misunderstand about nonprofits and donations
5. His own childhood experience growing up without winter gear
6. How community, connection, and saying “yes” keeps this mission moving forward

Warm Kids Wisconsin now works with schools from Chippewa Falls to Sheboygan, helping 30–40 kids per school, with 100% of donations going directly to kids—no salaries, no overhead, no nonsense.

This episode is a reminder that:

1. Small donations matter
2. Community still shows up
3. And sometimes the biggest impact starts with the simplest question: “What do you need?”

🎧 Listen. Share it. Then do something with it.

Follow and connect with Warm Kids Wisconsin on social media

📲 @warmkidswisconsin

Donations accepted via PayPal & Venmo

(Search Warm Kids Wisconsin)

Current needs:

1. Boots & snow pants (neutral colors preferred)
2. Storage totes & vacuum storage bags
3. Volunteers with time, skills, or ideas to help

🌐 www.bizoverbeer.com

🔗 https://linktr.ee/Bizoverbeerpodcast

📩 [email protected]

🎬 Produced by WAWI Productions

📩 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @wawiproductions

In this episode of Business Over Beer, Ben sits down with Tami, co-owner of Waldo Hemp Works, for a conversation that breaks down the stigma, confusion, and curiosity surrounding the hemp industry.

This is a first for the podcast—diving into a business many people have questions about but don’t always understand. Tami shares how Waldo Hemp Works got started, what hemp-derived products actually are, and why education and transparency matter so much in this space. We talk laws, misconceptions, customer hesitation, and what it’s really like owning a hemp business in today’s climate.

No sales pitch. No hype. Just an honest, educational conversation about entrepreneurship, community, and an industry that’s still widely misunderstood.

Whether you’re hemp-curious, a small business owner, or just here for a good conversation—you’ll learn something from this one.

Connect with Waldo Hemp Works:

📸 Instagram: @waldohempworks

🌐 waldohempworks.com

Connect with Business Over Beer:

🎧 Listen & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts

📸 Instagram / TikTok / X: @bizoverbeer

🌐 www.bizoverbeer.com

Produced by WAWI Productions:

📸 Instagram: @wawiproductions

📧 Email: [email protected]

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