What if the key to building meaningful relationships isn't becoming more interesting...

...but becoming more interested?

In this episode of More Than Before, Nathan Cook sits down with master connector John Rice to unpack a lifetime of wisdom on authentic relationships, faith, personal growth, and why the best connections are never forced.

From growing up in Klamath Falls to intentionally making Portland "feel like a small town" by having coffee with new people every week, John shares the mindset that has allowed him to build friendships that span decades.

This isn't a conversation about networking.

It's about becoming the kind of person people genuinely want to know.

Along the way, John shares lessons from business, failure, divorce, fatherhood, faith, and one simple decision that completely changed the direction of his life.

If you've ever struggled with comparison, self-worth, loneliness, or building authentic relationships, this conversation will challenge the way you think about people—and yourself.

In This Episode

✔️ Why authentic relationships always outperform networking

✔️ The surprising power of saying "yes"

✔️ Why comparison quietly steals your joy

✔️ Learning to accept yourself before seeking acceptance from others

✔️ The difference between working and worrying

✔️ How gratitude changes your perspective

✔️ What it means to "dance to your own tune"

✔️ Why everyone simply wants to be seen, known, and valued

Chapters

00:00 – Meet John Rice: The Master Connector

01:20 – Making Portland Feel Like a Small Town

05:00 – Entrepreneurship, Cars & Early Business Lessons

07:10 – Why Networking Isn't About Selling

10:10 – The Secret to Connecting with Anyone

12:30 – Self-Talk, Confidence & Wanting Acceptance

16:10 – Faith, Purpose & Asking God One Question Every Morning

20:00 – Lessons Learned Through Divorce

21:00 – Fatherhood, Legacy & Preparing for the Future

24:20 – Near-Death Experiences & Celebrating Life Before It's Too Late

27:30 – The Quote That Changed Everything

29:00 – Why Positive People See the World Differently

31:15 – What Happens When Someone Doesn't Like You?

34:00 – The Hidden Power of Saying Yes

37:00 – Persistence, Mentors & Lifelong Learning

51:00 – The One Question Everyone Should Ask Themselves

52:00 – What Is the Tune Inside You?

Connect with John Rice

🎙️ Yes Stories Podcast

(If John has a preferred website or social media, add it here.)

Connect with More Than Before

🌐 https://morethanbefore.org

🎥 YouTube
https://youtube.com/@morethanbeforepodcast

If this episode encouraged you, would you do us a favor?

⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

👍 Subscribe on YouTube.

📤 Share this episode with someone who could use the reminder that authentic relationships are built through genuine connection—not performance.

Until next time...

Be More. See More. Experience More Than Before.

What happens when the life you've worked so hard to build no longer feels like the life you're meant to live?

This week, Nathan Cook sits down with entrepreneur and CEO Brittney Hall for an honest conversation about success, burnout, entrepreneurship, marriage, family, faith, and building a business that aligns with your values.

After building multiple seven-figure businesses, Brittney realized that achievement isn't the same as fulfillment. In this episode, she shares the lessons that helped her redefine success and intentionally create a life centered around what matters most.

In this episode:

• Success without alignment leads to burnout.
• Healthy boundaries create healthier relationships.
• Family deserves intentional time—not leftover time.
• Great marriages are built through honest conversations.
• Entrepreneurship should serve your life, not consume it.
• Faith provides perspective through difficult seasons.

CONNECT WITH BRITTNEY

Website
https://www.therevenueagency.com/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thebrittneyhall/

Revenue Agency Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs this conversation.

Remember...

Be More.
See More.
Experience More Than Before.

What happens when someone spends decades helping people build wealth, only to discover that money alone can never create fulfillment?

In this episode of More Than Before, Nathan Cook sits down with Chad Hufford, founder of Veritas Wealth Management, author of Forging Financial Freedom, and host of The Blue Collar Millionaire Show.

Chad shares lessons learned from growing up in Alaska, how a near-death experience changed his perspective forever, what true financial freedom looks like, and why purpose—not money—is the foundation of a meaningful life.

This conversation is packed with practical wisdom on stewardship, parenting, leadership, faith, discipline, courage, and living intentionally.

In This Episode

• Growing up in the Alaskan wilderness

• Why uncertainty is one of life's greatest teachers

• The career path Chad chose over medicine

• How parents model success for their children

• Excellence versus perfection

• The near-death experience that changed everything

• Courage versus confidence

• Why many successful people still feel empty

• The difference between wealth and being wealthy

• Creating a life of purpose and significance

Connect With Chad Hufford

Website:
https://www.veritasalaska.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/veritas.alaska

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@VeritasWealthManagement

Podcast:The Blue Collar Millionaire Show

Email:
[email protected]

Book:Forging Financial Freedom

Connect With More Than Before

Website:
https://www.morethanbefore.org

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/morethanbeforepodcast

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@morethanbeforepodcast

☕ Coffee I Personally Recommend

I drink Purity Coffee every day and highly recommend it. Their coffee is made from specialty-grade organic Arabica beans, third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, pesticides, and contaminants, and carefully roasted to deliver a clean, great-tasting cup.

Check it out here:
https://puritycoffee.com/MORETHANBEFORE

Affiliate Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through it at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation.

Remember:

Be More. See More. Experience More Than Before.

What happens when you survive something only 8% of people survive?

In this episode of More Than Before, Nathan sits down with longtime friend Jim Boyle for a conversation about leadership, adoption, faith, purpose, resilience, and what it really means to make a difference.

Jim shares his incredible journey from growing up as an adopted child in Chicago to becoming a corporate president, servant leader, keynote speaker, and Rotary leader. Along the way, he opens up about the internal drive that fueled his success, the identity struggles that shaped his early life, the leadership lessons learned from corporate America, and the widowmaker heart attack that changed everything.

This episode is packed with wisdom about risk-taking, personal growth, values, marriage, leadership, faith, and leaving a legacy that matters.

In This Episode

• Growing up as an adopted child
• The hidden drive behind achievement
• Entrepreneurship lessons from childhood
• Why fear stops so many people
• The difference between success and significance
• Building a values-driven life
• The power of servant leadership
• Marriage lessons after 47 years together
• Surviving a widowmaker heart attack
• Why Jim wrote his own obituary
• Living intentionally in the fourth quarter of life
• The philosophy of "Go MAD" — Go Make A Difference

Key Takeaways

✓ Luck is the residue of endeavor

✓ Fear is often false evidence appearing real

✓ Values simplify decision-making

✓ Leadership is about developing others

✓ Success without service is incomplete

✓ The best legacy is helping others become more

✓ Don't wish life were easier. Wish you were better.

Connect with More Than Before

🎙 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, faith, mindset, and living with greater purpose.

📺 YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@morethanbeforepodcast

🎧 Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/yourshowlink

🌐 Website:
https://www.morethanbefore.org

Success doesn’t always look the way we imagined it would.

In this powerful episode, Nathan sits down with Mindee Hardin — entrepreneur, speaker, and author — to talk about the hidden realities behind building a nationally recognized company while losing herself in the process.

Mindee opens up about:

• Building a nationally recognized brand from scratch
• The pressure of trying to “have it all” as a mom and entrepreneur
• Burnout, broken relationships, and identity loss
• Her journey back to faith and peace
• The importance of community and healing
• The story behind “Mom Mafia”
• Her new mission with Miah Families

This conversation is honest, emotional, deeply faith-centered, and full of wisdom for anyone trying to balance ambition, purpose, family, and personal healing.

Resources & Links

• Miah Families
• Donate to Miah Families
• Mindee Hardin on LinkedIn

Favorite Quote

“Faith and frustration do not dance together.” — Mindee Hardin

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope today. And don’t forget to follow the podcast so you never miss future conversations designed to help you become more than before.

What if the key to success isn’t working harder… but staying curious?

In this episode, Nathan Cook sits down with Randy Matheny, founder of Intentional Espresso, to unpack the mindset behind entrepreneurship, resilience, faith, and community.

Randy shares his journey from growing up in a difficult home environment to building a thriving coffee business from just $5,000. Along the way, he opens up about ADHD, self-doubt, missions work in Haiti, losing everything when his trailer was stolen, and how curiosity became the foundation for growth.

This conversation is full of practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives, and anyone trying to become more than they were yesterday.

Topics include:

• Entrepreneurship
• Curiosity & growth
• ADHD & learning differently
• Faith & identity
• Community building
• Hospitality & leadership
• The power of pivoting
• Building a meaningful business

☕ Learn more about Intentional Espresso:
https://www.intentionalespresso.com

Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Why Curiosity Fuels Entrepreneurship00:21 – Meet Randy Matheny01:01 – Growing Up in Northern California02:04 – Childhood Responsibility & Addiction at Home03:33 – The Curiosity Mindset05:09 – ADHD, School Struggles & Learning Differently07:48 – Getting His GED at 3210:10 – Limiting Beliefs & Self-Criticism11:23 – Faith, Identity & Transformation15:22 – Discovering Faith in High School17:13 – Meeting His Wife Online20:40 – Haiti Changed Everything24:14 – What Poverty Taught Him31:26 – Why Community Matters35:08 – The Power of Seeing People39:39 – How Intentional Espresso Started43:46 – Losing Everything When His Trailer Was Stolen48:00 – Pivoting Through Failure & COVID50:51 – Coffee as Experiential Marketing55:03 – Becoming a Master of the Pivot58:50 – Why Curiosity Matters1:02:00 – Curiosity Creates Connection1:04:42 – Randy’s Advice for Becoming More Than Before1:06:12 – Final Thoughts

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Key Takeaways

• Curiosity is often the hidden trait behind successful entrepreneurs.
• Your past doesn’t have to define your future.
• Community starts with intentionality and simple acts of kindness.
• Pivoting is one of the most important skills in business and life.
• Hospitality is about making people feel seen.
• Entrepreneurship is about solving problems creatively.
• Faith and identity can anchor you through uncertainty.
• Staying teachable keeps you growing.

What happens when the identity you’ve built your entire life around… no longer fits?

In this powerful episode of More Than Before, Nathan sits down with Andi Simon—a corporate anthropologist, award-winning bestselling author, and expert on human behavior—to explore one of life’s most overlooked transitions:

👉 Who are you beyond what you do?

From growing up in a family-run business to becoming a tenured professor, banking executive, and global consultant, Andi has spent her life helping organizations navigate change. But her greatest transformation came from a deeply personal moment—when her own daughter challenged how she defined herself.

This conversation dives into:

• Why people resist change (even when they want it)
• The hidden identity crisis behind retirement
• How to find purpose beyond achievement
• The power of observation and perspective
• What it really means to live a rich, meaningful life

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain about your next step, or questioned your identity beyond your work—this episode is for you.

⏱️ CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Identity, Change & Becoming More Than Before
00:42 – Growing Up in a Family Business
05:40 – Lessons Learned from Working at Age 5
08:09 – Discovering Anthropology & Finding Identity
12:23 – The Power of the Dinner Table & Family Influence
18:06 – Horses, Observation & Life Lessons
22:02 – The Meaning Behind the Giraffe Symbol
25:05 – Intentional Living & Designing Your Life
26:54 – The “Mirror Moment” That Changed Everything
31:19 – Leaving Academia & Entering the Business World
35:14 – Why People Resist Change
40:00 – Mentors, Influence & Life Lessons
46:04 – The Thread Behind Her Books
49:50 – Building a Rich Life (Family, Work & Joy)
54:00 – Holding Tight & Letting Go
57:36 – Time, Gratitude & Living Intentionally
1:00:39 – Rethinking Retirement & Identity
1:06:39 – Finding Purpose in Every Stage of Life
1:07:40 – Final Thoughts: Becoming More Than Before

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Identity is more than your career
  What you do is not who you are—and redefining that can change everything.
• People don’t resist change—they resist the unknown
  Our brains are wired to protect us, which makes transformation uncomfortable.
• Observation is a superpower
  Learning to truly see people (not just hear them) changes how you lead and live.
• Retirement isn’t a financial problem—it’s an identity problem
  Many people struggle not because they lack resources, but because they lack purpose.
• You can design your next chapter intentionally
  A meaningful life doesn’t happen by accident—it’s created.
• Every stage of life has purpose
  Whether you’re building, transitioning, or redefining—there is always more ahead.

📚 RESOURCES & LINKS

👉 Connect with Andi Simon:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andisimon/
• Website: https://www.andisimon.com/

👉 Explore her work:

• On the Brink
• Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business
• Women Mean Business
• Rethink Retirement: It’s Not the End, But the Beginning of What’s Next

👉 Listen to her podcast:

• On the Brink with Andi Simon

🎯 POWERFUL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

“You don’t see the world as it is—you see the world as you are.”

“If you want people to change… make them thirsty.”

“I’ll tell you what I do… but who I am is a different story.”

“Every day is a gift—treat it like a special one.”

🚀 CALL TO ACTION

If this episode challenged the way you think about identity and purpose:

✅ Share it with someone who’s navigating a life transition
✅ Subscribe to More Than Before for more powerful conversations
✅ Leave a review—it helps more people discover the show

And remember…

👉 Be more. See more. Experience more than before.

Most people don’t realize it…

They’re living out patterns they didn’t choose.

In this episode, Nathan sits down with Bernii Godwin to explore how trauma, neuroscience, and environment shape the way we think, act, and lead.

This conversation dives deep into:

• Why you repeat the same behaviors
• How your brain tricks you into staying stuck
• The role of safety in personal growth
• What real leadership actually looks like

If you’re ready to break old patterns and step into who you were created to be—this episode is for you.

🔥 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• How trauma influences decision-making
• Why familiarity feels safe (even when it’s harmful)
• How to create environments where growth is possible
• The truth about failure and transformation

🔗 CONNECT WITH BERNII

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berniigodwin/

⭐ CALL TO ACTION

If you enjoyed this episode:

• Follow the podcast
• Leave a review
• Share it with a friend

Let’s grow together—more than before.

Success isn’t always what it seems.

In this episode of More Than Before, Rebecca Faust shares her journey from high-achieving perfectionist to living a life of alignment, courage, and purpose.

After experiencing burnout, anxiety, and the loss of her mother at a young age, Rebecca began to question everything she thought success was supposed to be.

This conversation dives into:

• Why high achievers often feel unfulfilled
• The difference between confidence and courage
• How burnout can actually lead to clarity
• Letting go of perfection and embracing authenticity
• Finding purpose beyond performance

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected—this episode is for you.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Courage vs Confidence
00:13 When Success Feels Empty
05:04 The Drive Behind Overachievement
12:01 Transitioning Into Career Success
17:13 Burnout & Wake-Up Calls
19:07 Loss, Perspective & Purpose
25:00 Authenticity in Relationships
30:15 Anxiety & “Not Enough”
35:08 Expanding Beyond Self-Help
40:15 Breaking Isolation & Taboo Topics
44:06 Speaking Truth & Gaining Clarity
49:03 Identifying Fear Patterns
50:28 Why High Achievers Don’t Stop
52:03 Learning to Step Back
55:56 Creative Growth & Identity
58:28 Living with Presence
1:00:33 Becoming More Than Before

💡 Key Takeaways

• Courage—not confidence—is what creates change
• Burnout is often a signal of misalignment
• You are not your achievements
• Growth requires honesty, vulnerability, and action
• The life you want is often on the other side of fear

🔗 Connect with Rebecca Faust

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-faust/

If this episode impacted you, take the next step:

👉 Share this episode with someone who needs it
👉 Follow the show for more conversations like this
👉 Leave a review—it helps more people find this message

And ask yourself:

Where in your life do you need more courage… right now?

🔥 Episode Summary

Shane Hanno’s story is one of transformation—from addiction and anger to purpose and peace.

After years of alcohol abuse, broken relationships, and identity struggles, Shane reached a breaking point that forced him to confront everything.

What followed wasn’t self-help… it was a complete shift in identity, faith, and direction.

This episode dives into:

• Addiction and identity
• Breaking destructive cycles
• Forgiveness and healing
• Faith and transformation
• Living with purpose

If you’ve ever felt stuck or lost—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

⏱️ Key Moments

• Growing up without direction
• When addiction took over
• The breaking point that changed everything
• The role of faith in transformation
• Why forgiveness is essential
• How to build a new identity

💡 Takeaways

• You are not defined by your past
• Change is possible—but it requires surrender
• Your identity determines your direction
• Community is critical for growth
• True peace comes from alignment, not achievement

📢 CALL TO ACTION

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Follow the podcast
⭐ Leave a review
⭐ Share with someone who needs encouragement🔥 Episode Summary

Shane Hanno’s story is one of transformation—from addiction and anger to purpose and peace.

After years of alcohol abuse, broken relationships, and identity struggles, Shane reached a breaking point that forced him to confront everything.

What followed wasn’t self-help… it was a complete shift in identity, faith, and direction.

This episode dives into:

• Addiction and identity
• Breaking destructive cycles
• Forgiveness and healing
• Faith and transformation
• Living with purpose

If you’ve ever felt stuck or lost—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

⏱️ Key Moments

• Growing up without direction
• When addiction took over
• The breaking point that changed everything
• The role of faith in transformation
• Why forgiveness is essential
• How to build a new identity

💡 Takeaways

• You are not defined by your past
• Change is possible—but it requires surrender
• Your identity determines your direction
• Community is critical for growth
• True peace comes from alignment, not achievement

📢 CALL TO ACTION

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Follow the podcast
⭐ Leave a review
⭐ Share with someone who needs encouragement