What does it take to lead one of the world’s most trusted leadership brands, help launch multiple bestselling books, and still stay grounded in family, faith, and humility?

In this episode of the More Than Before Podcast, host Nathan Cook sits down with Jared Cagle, Executive Vice President at Maxwell Leadership, who oversees publishing, content development, and talent management. From small-town Georgia to shaping global leadership culture, Jared’s story is full of wisdom on identity, gratitude, servant leadership, and choosing progress over perfection.

Through stories of family legacy, crucible moments, and transformative faith, Jared reminds us that “once you’ve tasted significance, success will never satisfy.”

If you’ve ever wrestled with comparison, perfectionism, or the desire to live a life that truly matters — this conversation will help you take your next step toward becoming More Than Before.

00:00 — The Power of Helping Others Win
01:30 — Introduction: Who is Jared Cagle?
03:00 — Growing Up in Gainesville, Georgia
05:40 — Early Dreams, Sports, and Life Lessons
09:45 — Living in His Father’s Shadow & Finding Identity
14:00 — The Gratitude Shift That Changed Everything
18:30 — Competing With vs. Against Others
21:20 — Crucible Moments That Refine Leadership
25:40 — Lessons from a Generous Father-in-Law
28:00 — Saying “Yes” and Stepping into Opportunity
31:00 — Behind the Scenes: Writing with John Maxwell
37:00 — Books vs. Songs: The Art of Connection
40:00 — Coffee, Culture, and Creating Space for People
42:00 — Protecting Family While Pursuing Growth
47:30 — Why Progress Always Beats Perfection
51:00 — The Book He’d Write for His Children
54:30 — Legacy, Leadership & Living More Than Before

“Once you’ve tasted significance, success will never satisfy.” – Jared Cagle
“No one becomes successful by themselves. Gratitude is what allows us to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.” – Jared Cagle
“Leadership isn’t about being above others — it’s about carrying the weight for those you serve.” – Nathan Cook
“Don’t let the size of your goal stop you from taking a small step today.” – Jared Cagle

• Progress > Perfection: Consistency beats comparison every time.

• Significance Over Success: Helping others win leads to lasting fulfillment.

• Faith in the Furnace: Growth happens in the crucible of life’s hardest moments.

• Leadership at Home: Presence is more powerful than productivity.

• Servant Leadership: Steward opportunities with humility and gratitude.

• 🎧 Maxwell Leadership Podcast — Hosted by John Maxwell, Mark Cole & Team

• 📘 From Drift to Drive by Chris Robinson

• 📗 Work With What You’ve Got by Ryan Leak

• ☕️ Craftsman Coffee Co. — “Everyone deserves great coffee.”

• 📖 John Maxwell’s Books — Timeless leadership wisdom

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a leader, friend, or family member who’s ready to grow.

• Subscribe to the More Than Before Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

• Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review and tell us:
  👉 What does progress over perfection look like for you this week?

• Follow @morethanbeforepodcast on Instagram for behind-the-scenes clips and leadership insights.

leadership development, John Maxwell, Maxwell Leadership, servant leadership, personal growth, progress over perfection, faith and leadership, Jared Cagle, Nathan Cook podcast, legacy, family leadership, gratitude, success and significance, Christian leadership, purpose-driven life, coaching, mentorship, writing a book, publishing insights, Craftsman Coffee Company

#LeadershipDevelopment #FaithDrivenLeadership #MoreThanBefore #ProgressOverPerfection #JaredCagle #NathanCook #MaxwellLeadership #ServantLeadership #LegacyLeadership #PurposeDrivenLife #ChristianLeadership #PodcastForLeaders #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipPodcast

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What if true success isn’t about how much you get—but how much you give? In this conversation, The Go-Giver coauthor Bob Burg unpacks the inner game of success, why generosity scales influence, how to turn learning into action, and the surprising gift inside his lifelong battle with OCD. We also talk about the power of loyal mentorship, animal rescue, sales as service, and the simple “small steps” strategy for lasting growth.

Key Topics

• ​The Go-Giver philosophy: value first, influence that lasts
• ​From “shelf-help” to application: turning books into results
• ​Bob’s definition of a system that predictably achieves goals
• ​Personal development > self-help: mindset + skillset
• ​Empathy forged through adversity (living with OCD)
• ​The power of loyalty, integrity, and consistency
• ​Animal rescue, compassion, and standing up for the vulnerable
• ​Taking small steps to expand your comfort zone and confidence

Featured Quote

“The highest thing you could do with your life is to make it so that every moment that passes before you is better off because it did.” — via Michael A. Singer, shared by Bob Burg

Resources & Mentions

• ​The Go-Giver (official): https://thegogiver.com
• ​Bob Burg (official site & “Direct Impact” email): https://burg.com/daily-impact/
• ​Michael A. Singer – Living Untethered, The Untethered Soul, The Surrender Experiment
• ​Classics Bob referenced: Tom Hopkins, Zig Ziglar, Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, David J. Schwartz’s The Magic of Thinking Big, Maxwell Maltz’s Psycho-Cybernetics, George S. Clason’s The Richest Man in Babylon, Og Mandino’s The Greatest Salesman in the World
• ​💬 Comment: What’s one small step you’ll take this week to add value to someone’s life?
• ​🔁 Share: If this helped you, send it to a friend who’s building a generous business.
• ​⭐ Support the show: Follow, rate, and leave a quick review—it really helps!

Bob Burg, The Go-Giver, generosity in business, servant leadership, ethical sales, influence, personal development, mindset, empathy, OCD, loyalty, mentorship, Michael Singer, Living Untethered, purpose, small steps, systems for success

What does it take to lead with resilience, focus, and intentional living when life hits hard? 🚀

In this episode, Paul Gustavson—co-founder & CTO of SimVentions, author of Breaking Average and Face the Mountain, and co-host of the Breaking Average Podcast—shares his journey from near-death experiences and an MS diagnosis to leading a 450-person tech company built on faith, innovation, and collaboration.

We unpack Paul’s 3 C’s of leadership (Competence, Courage, Compassion), why imagination and visualization are critical for performance, how to build systems that protect focus, and his flywheel model for creating unstoppable momentum.

If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone facing challenges, this conversation will inspire you to embrace your story, sharpen your focus, and believe you’re built for this.

👉 Don’t miss this—hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and drop a comment: Which of Paul’s leadership lessons hit home for you?

Resources Mentioned

• 📖 Face the Mountain by Paul Gustafson

• 📖 Breaking Average

• 🎙️ Breaking Average Podcast

• 📚 Good to Great by Jim Collins (Flywheel Concept)

#Leadership #Resilience #Innovation #PersonalGrowth #BreakingAverage #FaceTheMountain

What do sub-zero ice baths, carrots, and Jesus have in common? In this conversation, Matt Chenard—a faith-driven business coach and host of The Lifestyle Engineer Podcast—shares how he went from homeschool hockey kid in Alberta, Canada (and 7 concussions) to a Christian entrepreneur helping men design a purpose-driven life, a 16-hour workweek, and real work-life balance.We cover:Faith, fatherhood, and stewardship: building a Christ-centered home and businessDiscipline → freedom: systems, Parkinson’s Law, and the law of diminishing returnsCold exposure & breathwork: using stress the right way to beat fear and grow characterFurnace moments (refiner’s fire): losing a gym, rebuilding with biblical wisdom and resiliencePurpose over success: why gratitude, presence, and calling matter more than hustle👉 If this encouraged you, Like the video, Subscribe, and Comment below: What’s one area God’s calling you to “be more than before”? Share this with a friend who needs a push toward purpose.

Boredom isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to embrace. In this solo episode of the More Than Before Podcast, Nathan Cook explores how boredom creates space for creativity, mindfulness, and self-reflection.

We live in a culture addicted to technology and constant distractions. From our phones to endless notifications, our attention is being stolen every second. But what if silence and stillness were the keys to greater focus, personal growth, and creativity?

Nathan shares how practicing boredom and mindfulness—through quiet mornings, reflection, and detaching from technology—has transformed his daily focus, relationships, and ability to think clearly.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why boredom is essential for creativity and personal growth

• How silence and mindfulness restore focus in a noisy world

• The hidden cost of technology and distractions on your attention

• Practical ways to practice self-reflection and detach from your phone

• A challenge to create intentional moments of boredom this week

👉 Share this with a friend who needs to reclaim their focus, and let Nathan know how you’re building space for boredom and creativity in your life.

Follow More Than Before:

• Instagram: @morethanbeforepodcast

• YouTube: More Than Before Podcast

• Subscribe for weekly conversations that help you be more, see more, and experience more than before.

In this episode of More Than Before, Nathan Cook sits down with international bestselling author and coach Sarah J. Pitts, whose journey from fitness to coaching entrepreneurs is a powerful story of resilience, identity, and clarity.

Sarah shares how growing up in a small UK village shaped her early identity, how failure at university redirected her path, and how personal injuries led her into decades of helping others heal physically and emotionally. Her transition from the fitness industry to coaching business owners came through the crucible of losing everything during COVID—forcing her to rediscover who she truly was.

Together, Nathan and Sarah explore:

• Why clarity is the foundation of transformation

• How childhood labels can shape (and limit) your identity

• The connection between physical and emotional pain

• The importance of creating a safe space in leadership and business

• Why “multitasking” is a myth—and what to do instead

• How curiosity and playfulness can lead to breakthroughs

• The role of DISC and family dynamics in self-discovery

👉 Sarah’s bestselling book How to Stop Doing It All is a guide for overwhelmed entrepreneurs who want to reclaim their time, energy, and confidence.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unclear, or spread too thin, this episode will inspire you to pause, reflect, and start living more intentionally.

✨ Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review letting us know your biggest takeaway!

In this inspiring episode of More Than Before, Nathan Cook sits down with leadership coach, speaker, and trainer Antoinette Griffin—a “formerly shy, forever introverted” professional—who has transformed her natural wiring into a leadership superpower.

From eating lunch alone in a high school bathroom to speaking on stages, teaching at the University of Texas, and building a thriving YouTube channel for introverts, Antoinette’s journey is proof that confidence can be cultivated—without changing who you are.

You’ll discover:

✅ How to turn introversion into your advantage in leadership & communication

✅ The small, repeatable steps that help you overcome fear and shyness

✅ Lessons from building a 17-year business with your spouse

✅ How journaling, faith, and self-awareness create lasting growth

✅ Why introverts can excel as leaders and entrepreneurs—on their own terms

📌 Don’t just listen—take action!

• Subscribe to More Than Before so you never miss a story that could change your perspective

• Share this episode with a friend, coworker, or loved one who’s introverted but full of untapped potential

• Connect with Antoinette and subscribe to her YouTube channel for weekly insights: ⁠Antoinette’s YouTube Channel

Are you a lifter or a leveler?Your words have the power to build or break — both yourself and everyone you interact with. In this solo episode of More Than Before, Nathan Cook reveals how to identify which one you are, shift your mindset, and choose words that create growth, connection, and purpose.You’ll discover:✅ How your self-talk shapes your identity and limits your potential✅ The difference between constructive and destructive feedback✅ Why gossip silently erodes your relationships✅ The biblical truth about the power of your tongue (James 3)✅ How to speak life so you can lift yourself and othersIf you’ve ever battled negative self-talk, struggled to communicate without criticism, or want to lead with encouragement, this episode will challenge you to speak with intentionality and watch your relationships and mindset transform.⏱ Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Lifters vs. Levelers | Understanding the impact of your words03:00 – Lifting or Leveling Yourself | How self-talk shapes your future05:43 – Lifting or Leveling Relationships | The ripple effect of your words08:20 – Speaking Life or Destruction | The biblical truth about the tongue11:01 – Final Challenge | Choosing intentional, life-giving communication💬 Comment below: Are you a lifter or a leveler?👍 Like this video if it challenged you to speak life.🔔 Subscribe for weekly personal growth tools, faith-based leadership insights, and motivational content.📲 Share this with someone who needs a reminder to lift, not level.#SelfTalk #PowerOfWords #ChristianPodcast #MindsetShift #Encouragement #MoreThanBeforePodcast #PersonalGrowth #James3

Aaron Smith’s life reads like an action movie—Marine, deep sea welder, free diver, spearfishing guide, and psychedelic healing facilitator. But behind the rugged resume is a man in relentless pursuit of peace over purpose. In this in-depth studio conversation, we explore Aaron’s journey through darkness (literal and spiritual), mastering the mind through water and breath, his experience with shallow water blackouts, and what it means to truly love others and yourself.

Whether you’re navigating your own identity, wrestling with pain, or seeking a deeper relationship with God—this episode is for you.

We cover:

• Life in the Marines & combat stories

• Discovering free diving & near-death underwater experiences

• Sensory deprivation and a 5-day dark retreat

• Psychedelic healing vs. spiritual renewal

• Real talk about trauma, faith, and finding peace

• How to love people without trying to fix them

🎯 Final takeaway: “You are one decision away from a new life.”
This episode is a call to action: Don’t stay stuck. Let go. Choose growth.

—

🔔 SUBSCRIBE to More Than Before and never miss a story of transformation.
💬 Leave a comment or review—let us know what resonated with you.
📤 SHARE this episode with someone who needs a fresh start.

#MoreThanBeforePodcast #AaronSmith #WildMan #Transformation #MentalHealth #FaithAndHealing

Ever feel like life is spinning out of control?
Between work, marriage, parenting, and all the unknowns—you’re not alone. In this vulnerable solo episode, Nathan Cook shares what’s really been going on behind the scenes and the biblical insight that’s been grounding him through it all.

Drawing from Proverbs 14:4 —

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” (NIV)

— Nathan reminds us that mess doesn’t mean failure.
In fact, the mess may be proof that something meaningful is being produced in your life.

You’ll hear:

• A raw look into real-life overwhelm

• Why the “mess” may actually be a sign of progress

• How God uses frustration to build strength and perseverance

• A simple but powerful way to hear His voice again

If you're in a season of chaos, pressure, or parenting fatigue—this message is your permission to breathe, refocus, and keep moving forward.

00:00 – Intro: Coming in hot
01:17 – Overwhelmed by real life
02:16 – The oxen and the mess: Proverbs 14:4
03:13 – What life’s chaos might be producing
03:54 – The “patience prayer” backfire
04:36 – Embracing the mess as evidence of growth
05:31 – Hearing God again—start here
05:52 – Final encouragement & challenge

👉 Did this episode resonate with you?
Be sure to subscribe to More Than Before and leave a quick review on your favorite platform. It helps more people find hope and grow in purpose—right where they are.

💬 Let’s talk:
What’s one “messy” part of your life that’s actually producing growth?
Drop a comment below or send a DM on Instagram: @morethanbeforepodcast