What does it take to turn a struggling organization into a high-performing team? For retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Mark Towne, the answer begins with trust.

From a difficult childhood and an unexpected journey into military service to a 34-year Army career, Mark's experiences shaped his understanding of what meaningful leadership requires.

When he inherited a battalion struggling with poor performance and a toxic leadership culture, Mark learned that operational improvements alone wouldn't solve the problem. By prioritizing trust, accountability and the development of his people, the organization climbed from last to first among eight battalions in just two years.

In this episode of Anything But Typical, Mark joins Gary and Ben to discuss the difference between management and leadership, the importance of putting values into action, building trust across different backgrounds and the principles behind his book, Build Trust First: Your Source Code for Leadership That Truly Matters.

A conversation for business owners and leaders who want to build stronger teams and make a lasting difference in the lives of the people they serve.

Connect With Mark

Website: https://vetsleadership.com

Book: Build Trust First: Your Source Code for Leadership That Truly Matters

LinkedIn — Mark Towne

Garth Moulton went from getting laughed out of investor meetings to co-founding Jigsaw, a groundbreaking sales intelligence company eventually acquired by Salesforce.

In this episode of Anything But Typical, Garth joins Gary Frey and Ben McDonald to share the realities of building Jigsaw, raising capital, navigating investor pressure, and creating a community that became the foundation of the company's success.

He also reflects on the decisions he'd make differently, what he learned from the Salesforce acquisition, and why he chose to protect time with his family rather than let entrepreneurship consume his life.

It's an honest conversation about building a business, learning from difficult decisions, and defining success on your own terms.

Resources and Links

• Garthbridge Website: https://www.garthbridge.com/

• Connect with Garth Moulton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garthmoulton

• Anything But Typical Podcast: https://anythingbuttypical.podbean.com/

• Follow Anything But Typical on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/anything-but-typical-podcast

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Michael Schindler had a successful career, a beautiful home, and the outward signs of financial stability. Then, after leaving a high-paying job, he found himself with just $14 in his pocket.

A $17 lunch bill, an unexpected act of generosity, and a meeting with a future business partner became part of a turning point in how he viewed himself and his relationships with others.

But Michael's search for identity started much earlier.

After leaving the U.S. Navy, he went through 14 jobs trying to find the sense of purpose he'd once found in military service. Along the way, he discovered how much of his identity had become tied to external success.

In this episode of Anything But Typical, Michael joins Gary Frey and Ben McDonald to discuss the personal challenges behind his professional journey and the leadership principles he developed from those experiences.

They explore ego, mentorship, accountability, and why some of the most important decisions leaders make have little to do with money.

Michael also introduces his approach to decision-making through VUCA Max and Human 10.0, including practical ways to identify your priorities and navigate uncertainty.

It's a conversation about what happens when success stops being enough, and how to build a life that reflects what actually matters to you.

#AnythingButTypical #Leadership #Entrepreneurship