In episode 100 of The ROCC Pod, we celebrate a major milestone by revisiting some of our most memorable and impactful moments from the past five and a half (!) years. We kick things off by honoring the co-hosts who helped launch the show, Andrea Arndt and Trish Carruth, and by thanking the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce and its leaders for their continued support.

From there, we relive powerful moments of resilience and entrepreneurship. Mo and Erin of Home Turf Gym share the emotional journey of opening their dream gym, while Siri from Kacha Thai Market explains how she brought authentic Thai cuisine to our community. Jill Gleba (from Episode 1) helps us rethink money as a tool for freedom, not fear. And Jill Plamper at Distinctive Framing inspires with her creativity—turning a wedding gown into a custom art piece.

We hear marketing wisdom from Davaughnu Banks, who reminds us that knowing your brand internally is essential before taking it to the world. Terry Poduska walks us through the legacy of the Royal Oak Women’s Club and their historical contributions to the city. We also reflect on our shared love for pets, with touching stories from Jennifer McCallum of Firefly Pet Photography and Jill Valuet of Radiant Paws, who helped rejuvenate a senior dog’s life with massage therapy.

Kurt Pfister offers a peek behind the curtain of Michigan’s rock history with his work printing for Bob Seger and others, while Jordan Burns gives us relationship advice by advocating for “overnight dating” to keep the spark alive with his wife. Christine Scott’s grit in becoming a licensed plumber after her husband’s illness shows us what determination really looks like. Lindsay Madison’s yoga journey, inspired by her mother’s lung cancer recovery, reveals how inclusivity can reshape wellness spaces.

We’re deeply moved by Bryce Sherman’s story of surviving a traumatic brain injury, defying all odds, and coming back stronger for his family. And Paige Robnett reframes DEI as a “rising tide” that benefits everyone, using powerful example. These were originally intended for specific groups—that now help all of us.

Finally, we end with laughter, thanks to Matthew Stransky’s unforgettable story of walking in on a naked homeowner during a showing—a reminder of the unpredictable realities of real estate.

Through 100 episodes, we've spotlighted grit, growth, community, and humor. To all our guests and listeners—thank you. If you're a Royal Oak Chamber member and haven’t yet been on the show, we want to hear your story next. Lisa and Jon's contact info is below.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) - Welcome to Episode 100
(00:01:23) - The Dream Behind Home Turf Gym
(00:03:00) - Authentic Thai Cuisine with Siri
(00:04:06) - Redefining Money with Jill Gleba
(00:05:24) - Creative Framing with Jill Plamper
(00:07:06) - Building a Brand with Davaughnu Banks
(00:08:45) - Legacy of the Royal Oak Women’s Club
(00:10:20) - Firefly Pet Photography’s Origin Story
(00:12:38) - Pet Massage Success with Radiant Paws
(00:13:46) - Kurt Pfister’s Rock & Roll Print Shop
(00:14:56) - “Overnight Dating” with Jordan Burns
(00:16:09) - Plumbing Against the Odds with Christine Scott
(00:17:27) - Making Yoga Inclusive with Lindsay Madison
(00:18:27) - Bryce Sherman’s Recovery Journey
(00:21:22) - The Truth About DEI with Paige Robnett
(00:24:10) - Naked Encounters in Real Estate
(00:26:20) - Final Thanks and Reflections

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Angela King and Jolene Plotzke from Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union to talk about the importance of financial literacy and their unique approach to serving the community. After some lighthearted conversation about dogs, music, and family, we dive into the core topic—money, debt, and financial education.

Angela and Jolene explain that many people, even high earners, often lack basic budgeting skills. This disconnect leads to financial issues like unmanageable mortgage payments and maxed-out credit cards. At MSGCU, the focus isn’t on sales or fees—it’s about building trust, offering support, and improving financial well-being. Angela shares her role as a branch manager and certified financial counselor, helping members develop personalized plans to manage debt and set financial goals. Jolene, a former music teacher turned financial educator, emphasizes how transferable teaching skills help her connect with people in workshops and one-on-one sessions.

We learn about MSGCU's extensive community outreach efforts. From customized presentations for police and fire departments to classroom education for students, they tailor their financial literacy programs to the needs of each audience. Their approach is personal and word-of-mouth driven, avoiding flashy marketing in favor of real connections. They offer a digital portal with self-paced modules and direct scheduling for those looking to bring financial education to their organization.

The conversation touches on broader cultural shifts too—how financial conversations are becoming less taboo, and the role both Angela and Jolene play in fostering those discussions. In a touching moment, Angela and Jolene share the personal challenges they've stayed committed to—Angela’s lifelong mission to connect through financial counseling and Jolene’s dedication to mentoring her children into financially independent adults.

This episode makes a strong case for why financial literacy is not just important—it’s transformative when done right, and MSGCU is clearly leading that charge.

More:
Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union Website: https://www.msgcu.org/

Email Angela King: AKing@msgcu.org

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/

In this episode of the ROCC Pod, we sit down with Benson Onyegbula, a first-generation Nigerian-American who shares his transition from finance into real estate and the lessons he's learned along the way. We begin by exploring how Benson's early curiosity and drive landed him mentorships with top executives at Trion Solutions while still a junior at Oakland University. That curiosity paid off when a financial advisor offered him a job post-graduation, sparking his initial passion for the financial world.

Benson describes how he dove into finance, earning multiple licenses and working with Ameriprise, where he advised small and mid-sized companies on retirement planning and tax-efficient strategies. His work not only provided insight into the financial structures of companies but also highlighted how many successful clients held significant real estate assets. That realization pushed him to start investing in real estate himself.

He first dipped his toes into single-family properties but quickly saw the long-term value of multifamily investments, thanks to the guidance of his mentor, Brittany. Her example—transforming a boutique motel on Mackinac Island into a million-dollar asset via Airbnb—illustrated the power of leveraging net operating income to build wealth. So Benson began expanding his knowledge base through platforms like the BiggerPockets podcast and STR Wealth, all while continuing to be a networking machine.

We talk about the importance of mentorship, and Benson shares how a chance meeting at an open house led to his current mentor. Their first conversation around rental arbitrage—a strategy where you lease properties for the purpose of short-term rentals—set the tone for a lasting business relationship. He credits this mentorship, along with a trusted network of subject matter experts including mortgage brokers, CPAs, and title companies, for giving him a strong foundation in his new career.

Now licensed with Hub Real Estate Solutions in Plymouth, Benson has officially transitioned to full-time real estate consulting. He emphasizes how his financial background helps him offer a holistic perspective to clients, especially in retirement planning involving real estate. Outside of work, Benson enjoys being in nature, particularly in places like Cranbrook Gardens and downtown Royal Oak, and he’s a fan of real estate TV shows—even if they take some creative liberties.

Throughout the episode, we highlight the importance of mentorship, initiative, and strategic investment planning—reminding listeners that curiosity and courage can open the door to life-changing opportunities.

More:

BiggerPockets: https://www.biggerpockets.com

STR Wealth Conference: https://www.strwealthconference.com

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Century 21 Northland - http://soldbylisab.com/