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Welcome to "The Donkey and the Bee," the ultimate podcast where love, business, and financial freedom converge! Join hosts Brett and Laura Chotkevys, a dynamic couple who have unlocked the secrets to thriving in marriage, entrepreneurship, and finances.
With over 17 years of marriage experience, Brett and Laura are more than just partners in life – they're partners in business too. Having embarked on the exhilarating journey of starting and operating four successful businesses together in the past decade, they bring a unique blend of personal and professional experiences to every episode.
Brett and Laura's entrepreneurial ventures are as diverse as they are impressive. They've mastered the art of fixing and flipping over 250 homes across the United States, showcasing their deep understanding of the real estate world. Currently, their ambitions know no bounds as they construct a realm of Memory Care mansions in the heart of Texas, solidifying their position as visionaries in business development.
But it's not just about business achievement. Brett and Laura have achieved financial freedom, a goal that many aspire to reach. And now, they're on a mission to guide you through the very steps that led them to financial abundance. From intelligent investment strategies to navigating the intricacies of entrepreneurship, they're here to demystify the road to economic empowerment.
"The Donkey and the Bee" isn't just another podcast; it's an intimate journey into the lives of two individuals who've not only discovered the secret to a successful partnership but have also translated it into tangible success across various spheres. With candid discussions, heartfelt anecdotes, and practical advice, Brett and Laura will show you how to harmonize love, entrepreneurship, and finances.
Tune in as they share their wisdom, mistakes, triumphs, and insights, proving that the key to a fulfilling life lies in finding the sweet spot between passion, partnership, and prosperity. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a couple seeking relationship inspiration, or someone aiming to take control of their financial destiny, "The Donkey and the Bee" is your compass to navigate the realms of love, business, and financial accomplishment.
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67 Episodes
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In this episode of The Donkey and The Bee Podcast, Bret and Laura dive deep into the uncomfortable but essential conversations about sex and money—the two topics that can make or break relationships. Learn how to set meaningful New Year goals as a couple, tackle vulnerable discussions, and align on expectations to strengthen your partnership. We share insights from our own experiences, practical tips for breaking the ice, and how to create an open dialogue about meeting your partner’s needs....
Ready to unlock the secrets to health, wealth, and success? In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Brett and Laura Chotkevys explore how CrossFit and fitness principles fuel productivity, enhance discipline, and drive financial growth. They share how building physical strength translates into stronger business strategies, better relationships, and a wealthier mindset.Learn how CrossFit builds mental toughness that can be applied to business challenges, the powerful connection between fitn...
In this episode, Brett and Laura share their journey of starting their own business after quitting their jobs and taking the leap into entrepreneurship. They discuss the fears, risks, and uncertainties that come with leaving the safety of a 9-to-5 job to pursue a passion for building something of their own. Reflecting on how they transformed failure into a learning experience, Brett and Laura offer practical tips and tricks for those considering how to become an entrepreneur. From identifying...
In this episode of "The Donkey and the Bee," Brett and Laura reveal how hiring mistakes—including one involving a criminal hire—nearly ruined their business. They share firsthand stories about trusting the wrong people, missing red flags, and the hard lessons learned from employees who nearly destroyed their company. Through these challenging experiences, they’ve developed strategies for protecting their business, from keeping critical areas like payroll and finances under their direct contro...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Brett and Laura discuss the importance of keeping personal expenses low while growing a business. They share personal experiences on resisting lifestyle inflation—even in the face of business success—and highlight the long-term benefits of reinvesting profits back into the business instead of splurging on high-cost liabilities.They share practical examples, from choosing affordable housing to managing expenses like vehicles and vacations, and the imp...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Brett and Laura Chotkevys get into the topic of escaping the middle-class trap and achieving financial freedom. They share two actionable steps that anyone can use to start building their financial future: budgeting like a business and increasing your income. They explain how treating your family finances like a business can help you keep track of your expenses, save more money, and avoid financial pitfalls that often keep people stuck in the middle ...
In this episode of The Donkey and The Bee, Brett and Laura Chotkevys tackle two major topics that most couples find difficult to discuss—sex and money. With 19 years of marriage under their belts, they get into the reasons why these two areas often become wedges in relationships and how open communication can turn them into strengths. They explore how to get on the same page with your spouse when it comes to sexual expectations, intimacy, and finances, even when it feels awkward or uncomforta...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Brett and Laura explore the critical role growth plays in leading a fulfilling life. Drawing from a recent trip to a small town in Texas for a triathlon, they reflect on the contrast between individuals striving for their best and those stuck in a rut, often battling symptoms of depression. They dive into how stagnation affects happiness and why constant growth is necessary for living a fulfilling life. If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, this ep...
Welcome back to "The Donkey and the Bee" with your hosts, Brett and Laura Chotkevys. Today, we’re tackling the topic of setting huge financial goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. If you’re asking yourself, what is a good financial goal or looking for financial goal examples to guide your journey, this episode is for you.In this episode of "The Donkey and the Bee," Brett and Laura Chotkevys dive deep into setting ambitious financial goals and the actionable steps to achieve t...
Welcome back to "The Donkey and the Bee" with hosts Brett and Laura Chotkevys! In this episode, we're exploring why now might be the perfect time to start your own business. Thinking about escaping the 9-to-5 or turning a passion into a profession? You’re in the right place.Curious about what it takes to transition from a stable job to entrepreneurship? We break down the reasons why today's environment is ideal for budding entrepreneurs, from unprecedented access to free resources to global h...
Welcome back to another episode of The Donkey and The Bee. Today we’re talking about the key to reaching true financial freedom: being obsessed with your goals. We’re not talking about a casual interest—this is about becoming a total freak for what you want in life.What does it take to be exceptional? To stand out and achieve the kind of success that others might scoff at? We break down how being obsessed with your goal, whether it’s financial freedom, building a business, or just becoming th...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee with Brett and Laura Chotkevys, we're discussing a topic that isn't talked about enough—what you need to give up to become wealthy and achieve financial freedom. We’re sharing our personal journey from over a decade ago when we made the commitment to transform our lives and our finances. But here's the real question: What are you willing to sacrifice to make your dreams a reality?Ever wondered what it really takes to break free from the conventional p...
Are you struggling to find success in your marriage, business, or finances? In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, we get into what it really takes to push through the ups and downs of life. How do you make those crucial decisions early on that will set you up for long-term success? Laura and I open up about the sacrifices we made, from cutting back on expenses to staying committed when the rewards seemed distant. We’ll explore why consistency is key and how you can keep going when it fee...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, we're getting into a topic that often gets a bad rap—stress. But is stress really the enemy? Or could it actually be a powerful tool for growth? We're exploring how stress plays a critical role in pushing us beyond our comfort zones and helping us succeed both in business and in life.Have you ever wondered if stress is trying to tell you something? Maybe you’ve questioned whether that overwhelming feeling means you’re on the wrong path. In this episo...
In this episode of The Donkey and The Bee, Laura and I tackled a crucial question: How can couples create a unified financial plan to get rich and achieve financial freedom together? If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to align your financial goals with your spouse, this episode is for you. We discuss the common disconnects between savers and spenders, and how these differences can prevent couples from reaching milestones like early retirement or even affording end-of-life care. Have you...
How do you ask for more sex in a relationship without feeling awkward or making your partner uncomfortable? This episode of The Donkey and the Bee gets into the sensitive topic of increasing intimacy in a marriage, particularly from the perspective of men. We explore common questions like: How can a man communicate his sexual needs without seeming demanding? What are the right words to initiate a conversation about frequency and desire? This episode is full of practical advice on how to appro...
How can you achieve financial freedom and create a life where you choose how to spend your time? In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Laura and I share the eight essential steps to reach financial independence. If you're looking to surpass your active income with passive income and gain the freedom to decide when to work and when to relax, this video is for you.What does financial freedom mean to you? How do you set a realistic financial freedom number? We start by breaking down the con...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Laura and I explore a game-changing strategy: cutting out social media to achieve financial freedom. Have you ever wondered how social media might be impacting your finances? Are you curious about how a married couple can navigate the world of entrepreneurship and finances more effectively? We share our personal journey, explaining how we shifted from being passive consumers to active producers in social media. This decision not only boosted our prod...
Ever feel like something is holding you back from reaching your goals? How can you identify and break through those limiting beliefs? Join us in this episode of The Donkey and The Bee with your hosts, Brett and Laura Chotkevys, as we explore the power of overcoming self-doubt and pushing past mental barriers.What does it mean to have a limiting belief, and how is it different from just being insecure? How can surrounding yourself with the right people help you reach your goals? We talk about ...
Ever wondered how to turn financial struggles into a stepping stone for success? Join us on this episode of The Donkey and The Bee with your hosts, Brett and Laura Chotkevys, as we get into our journey from being broke college kids to achieving financial freedom. We want to tell you why it is okay to start poor.How do you build grit and resilience through tough financial times? What can early financial struggles teach you about budgeting and saving? We'll share our personal experiences of sta...
In today's episode, we discuss a very personal topic. Laura and I have met a lot of people and have built a lot of relationships. Sometimes, you outgrow these relationships and need to move on. Other times, these relationships can be harmful to not just you, but your whole family. We talk about what to do when you find yourself in these situations. How do you cut contact with someone that you were once friends with? What are signs and red flags in relationships that could lead to them ha...
Have you ever wondered why multi-millionaires and billionaires still work? They have all the money they could ever need, so why don't they just hang out on a beach all day? We used to think that was the end goal as well. However, as we continued to grow and learn, we discovered the answer to this question. In this episode, we aim to show you how to play the entrepreneurship game.What do we mean by saying that entrepreneurship is a game? How do you create your own game of entrepreneurship? We’...
In this episode, we talk about our favorite game, the game of Financial Freedom. To be able to play this game, you have to know that it’s a game. Our goal with this conversation is to reframe what financial freedom is in your head. We want you to start playing the system and start your own game of achieving financial freedom instead of just being a pawn in someone else’s game. Curious about the steps to transition from being an employee to becoming financially independent? We share our p...
Welcome back to The Donkey and the Bee with your hosts, Brett and Laura. In today's episode, we're talking about some important questions about raising awesome kids and giving them a head start in life. Ever wondered how pushing your kids to their limits can help them grow? Or what the real benefits are when kids face obstacles and even fail sometimes? We're here to chat about how you can build resilience and confidence in your little ones.We'll share practical tips and strategies for helping...
Welcome to another episode of The Donkey and The Bee! Have you ever wondered how to create opportunities for intimacy in your busy schedules? Or why open conversations about sex are so important in a relationship? What about how prioritizing sex can even prevent divorce? In this episode, we talk about these crucial questions and provide practical tips for maintaining attraction and balancing responsibilities in marriage.Have you ever been curious about how mutual effort in the bedroom can lea...
Ever wonder if you should focus on looking successful or actually being successful? In this episode of The Donkey and The Bee, we dig into how trying to look good on the outside can mess up your finances. Have you felt pressured to keep up appearances but know it's hurting your bank account? We share our own story of going broke and what we learned about setting real financial priorities.Do you feel like you’re always spending money to keep up with others? Are you missing out on saving and in...
In this episode of "The Donkey and the Bee" podcast, Laura and I chat about the tricky balance between marriage, entrepreneurship, and financial goals. Ever wonder how to juggle your business and family life without dropping the ball? Curious about how you and your spouse can truly support each other while chasing big dreams? What’s the deal with the cheerleader and co-captain roles in a relationship, and how can they help you both succeed?We'll dive into how figuring out whether you're the c...
In this episode of "The Donkey and The Bee," Laura and I discuss the topic of debt. You've probably seen those "Debt-Free" parties and posts all over social media, where getting out of debt seems like the ultimate goal. But we're here to shake things up a bit and say that's not the only thing you should be aiming for. Instead, why not shoot for bigger financial wins?We've got a lot of questions to tackle in this episode: Why is getting out of debt seen as the end-all goal for so many, and why...
How can you transform your career trajectory and increase your earnings by not just settling for a small pay increase but by acquiring skills that make you indispensable in the marketplace? In this episode of "The Donkey and The Bee," we explore the pivotal question: What skills do you need to significantly boost your income? Oftentimes, we see people remain content with using basic, entry-level skills to transition from one minimal wage increase to another, rather than trying to learn new sk...
In this episode, we talk about how marriages aren’t always 50/50. We are made to believe that marriages should be perfectly equal. Each partner should put the same amount of effort into the relationship. While that is good to strive for, it is heavily unrealistic to be 50/50 at all times. There can even be years of a relationship where it seems one partner is making way more effort than the other. Laura and I discussed times when our relationship was not 50/50 and how we got through tho...
In this episode of "The Donkey and the Bee," Laura and I discuss the importance of being there for each other. We reflect on a time in our marriage when we were younger and still immature. I struggled with alcohol, which had a significant hold on me. I used to feel like I had to get drunk every time we were with friends, at a party, or attending an event. Having now matured, I am able to talk about how I broke free from that cycle with Laura supporting me every step of the way.It all started ...
In this episode, we talk about the importance of having a financial plan. This conversation was brought up because one of our friends' spouses is ready for retirement. However, unfortunately, their spouse hasn’t really saved anything or invested despite having a very high income for many years. They have no assets or anything. This is why creating a financial plan is important. Even if you have a low income, you can plan for retirement and financial freedom.Laura says the most important thing...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, we talk about setting your priorities for your financial goals. There are three main financial priorities we discuss: security, comfort, and riches. Throughout our financial freedom journey, we have prioritized all of these, and we noticed that it correlates a lot to where you are financially. Laura and I go through each of these stages and priorities and break down what it means to prioritize each of these.For example, if you don’t make a ton of mon...
In this episode of The Donkey and the Bee, Laura and I talk about putting the marriage first. It's widely understood that parenting involves significant sacrifices. As a parent, you should always make sure your kids are healthy, safe, and loved. However, this shouldn’t come at the expense of the marriage. A rock-solid marriage is the most important thing when it comes to raising great kids. This is why Brett and Laura say they base their parenting on this principle and why their children's ne...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about growing away from their friends. This is something that we’ve all gone through. Maybe after high school or college, you slowly drift away from your close friends and don’t really communicate with them anymore. A lot of times, people see this as a sad thing. However, Brett and Laura say this isn’t inherently a bad thing. If anything, it can be a great thing.Brett and Laura say that it’s all about growth. It’s not that your old friends are changing; i...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about their financial freedom number. When people hear "financial freedom," their first thought is being rich. However, that’s not what being financially free means at all. The whole point of financial freedom is to reach a point where you don’t have to sacrifice your time for money. If you have a very high-paying salary job, you’re still forced to work those hours to grow your wealth. When Brett and Laura talk about financial freedom, they are referring ...
In this episode, Brett and Laura discuss teaching their kids responsibility. The most important thing Brett and Laura do as parents is that they treat their kids like adults. By treating them as such, they are able to grow and adapt quickly to the responsibilities and tasks given to them. A very common thing Brett says is, "A parent's duty is to teach your kids to be good adults, not to teach them to be good kids." With that goal in mind, Brett and Laura stress how important it is to give you...
In this episode, Brett and Laura Chotkeys talk about starting a new niche! It is very common for people to feel like they are stuck with their professional careers. Maybe they think they don’t have the skills or knowledge to explore a new niche. Maybe they think the barrier of entry is too high. However, Brett and Laura fully disagree with the sentiment that you can’t learn a new niche. Right now, it is the easiest it has ever been to start learning and moving into a new niche; all you have t...
In this episode, Brett and Laura Chotkevys discuss screen time! If you have kids, you know how much social media has integrated with their lives. Social media apps like TikTok and Instagram's largest demographic of users are under the age of 18. Nowadays, it’s their way of sharing pop culture and learning about world events. However, a very scary realization for Brett and Laura is that the average screen time for a kid is over 7 hours long. This is why Brett and Laura wanted this episode to b...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about Valentine’s Day. Brett points out early on that Valentine’s Day is just a way for big companies to charge you more money, social media to put stress on the relationship, and other outside factors trying to tell you how you should love your partner. That is why Brett and Laura have never celebrated Valentine’s Day. The important question that they bring up multiple times in this episode is why should you wait to do something nice for your partner jus...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about investing. People often think that you have to have a lot of money in savings to begin investing. This isn’t true at all. Brett and Laura started investing when they worked at restaurants waiting tables. If you aren't able to invest your money in a deal, then you should instead invest your time. We’ve talked about in this past that you should take the time to learn a niche that you want to invest in. In this conversation, Brett and Laura take this c...
In this episode, Brett and Laura Chotkevys talk about money. A lot of people sometimes feel like the act of chasing money and wealth can be greedy and immoral. Especially in our modern political climate where it seems a lot of people want to move away from capitalism. However, Brett and Laura disagree with this. They think that the act of building wealth is actually a good thing. Money by itself isn’t inherently good or evil; it’s just a tool that helps you be yourself.Brett explains how peop...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about shared bank accounts. This is a relatively controversial topic. If you look up whether it is better to have separate or joint bank accounts, you’ll find a lot of conflicting information. However, Brett and Laura have a strong opinion on this. They believe that the only way to be truly united together is to be on the same page with your finances. For that, the best way to ensure that is to have a joint bank account.Brett and Laura speculate that the ...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about finances. Learning about savings and investing can be a little intimidating. That’s why Brett created a simple way to follow. He created his analogy of Financial Football. This is what brought Brett and Laura to financial freedom. He looks at his finances as three different teams: Offense, defense, and special teams, just like in a football match. All three of these teams are working their way to financial freedom.Brett’s defensive team is the act o...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about how people often lie to themselves. You see it often; you probably do it yourself. When we lie to ourselves, that is us putting our own mental limitations, keeping ourselves from succeeding. This is a passionate topic for both Brett and Laura because they see too often people doing this both professionally and physically.Laura talks about how these self-imposed limitations could be a side effect of how someone was raised. Brett talks about how this ...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about investing. In a previous episode, they discussed how your first investment should be in yourself. Whether through reading, taking classes, learning a new trade, or finding a mentor. In this episode, Brett and Laura discuss what to do after that. Once you've explored all the free learning opportunities and are ready for the next step, what do you do next?Brett and Laura explain the path they took to get where they are. To maximize their learning, the...
Happy New Year! In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about New Year's Resolutions. However, not in the way you may think. Brett and Laura have a negative connotation when it comes to New Year's Resolutions. Too many times, they see people give up on them early in the year when it gets challenging. Also, Brett talks about how often people will only set up a couple of resolutions instead of multiple. This is why instead of Resolutions, Brett and Laura have a goal system that they operate by.Br...
In this episode, Brett and Laura talk about the topic of intimacy. In today's culture, it's commonplace for individuals to engage in sexual activity before marriage or explore relationships with multiple partners. However, Laura shares a unique perspective, revealing that she has only ever been with one person—Brett. Curious about her choice, Brett asks Laura why she chose to wait.Laura explains that she made this decision during her teenage years, deciding to wait until marriage. For her, se...
In this episode, Brett and Laura challenge traditional gender roles, a common occurrence in many marriages where individuals often conform to rigid expectations of what a man and a woman should be in a relationship. Traditionally, the man is expected to be the breadwinner, while the wife takes care of the kids and manages household chores. Brett and Laura have chosen to approach these responsibilities differently. Brett takes pleasure in handling the cooking, while Laura prefers working on ya...
We hope you are doing well! Today we have a new episode of The Donkey And The Bee! Listen in as Brett and Laura Chotkevys discuss their controversial take on work-life balance! Most people, especially younger people, constantly strive for Work-Life Balance. People often quit jobs, change careers, or their mental health spirals out of control due to work-life balance. However, Brett and Laura do not agree with the idea of striving for a healthy work-life balance. Instead, they believe in ...
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