More Than Before

Pastor Jim Domen shares a transparent journey from brokenness to freedom — from identity confusion and loss to faith, family, and purpose.He opens up about childhood struggles, same-sex attraction, loss of his daughter Samantha, and how God redeemed his story through grace and healing.Nathan and Jim talk about fatherhood, mentorship, Ironman discipline, and the power of surrender.

⚠️ Content Advisory: This episode contains discussion of miscarriage and the loss of a child, along with themes of identity and faith, and brief mild language. While most episodes of More Than Before are family-friendly, this one is best heard without little ears nearby.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro & sensitivity note (Nathan)00:29 – Jim shares about losing baby Samantha01:06 – Nathan’s intro & episode overview02:23 – Childhood & not fitting in07:54 – Accepting Christ at seven08:52 – Early goals & ambition10:07 – Discovering same-sex attraction10:46 – Relationship with dad and identity13:49 – Bond with mom & faith roots15:22 – Sex talk that never happened17:37 – Raising kids without media influence21:23 – College & career focus22:24 – Identity spiral and coming out25:32 – The pull of the lifestyle27:33 – Losing everything & calling out to God29:34 – “I feared God would change me”30:32 – Friends who stood by him33:18 – Healing on the farm34:39 – The $5 lesson of provision36:56 – Seminary & equipping the church38:29 – Global Rainbow Crossers movement39:55 – Meeting Amanda & falling in love45:48 – Ironman training & discipleship51:01 – Gethsemane and Paul’s thorn54:28 – Fatherhood and intentional parenting59:08 – Losing Samantha & Shane — grieving well1:09:48 – “Do you want to be healed?”1:12:53 – Repentance & closing reflection

💬 QUOTES

• “I feared God would change me if I read His Word.” (29:34)• “Your temptation doesn’t define you.” (1:11:25)• “Keep fighting — don’t give up.” (1:09:48)• “Even in the hardest moments, God is still writing a story of redemption.” (1:13:42)

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS

🔥 Freedom comes through surrender, not perfection.💔 Loss can create a language of empathy for others.👨‍👩‍👧 Intentional parenting builds secure identity.💪 Discipline and community produce healing.🙏 Your temptation doesn’t define you — Christ does.

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Not a Mistake: Parents’ Hope for Their Gay Son – Jim Domen
• Breaking Sin’s Grasp: Your Temptation Doesn’t Define You – Jim Domen
• The Button Kids Series (children’s books)
• ⁠www.jimdomen.com⁠

🤝 CONNECT

Follow Pastor Jim Domen → ⁠www.jimdomen.com⁠Follow Nathan Cook & the More Than Before Podcast on YouTube & Spotify

🚀 CALL TO ACTION

🔔 Subscribe for new episodes each week.💌 Share this episode with someone who needs hope.⭐ Leave a review — your story helps others find freedom too.

🏷️ KEYWORDS

Brokenness to Freedom, Jim Domen testimony, faith and identity, Christian redemption, healing after loss, Nathan Cook, More Than Before Podcast, freedom in Christ, Christian leadership, repentance, spiritual growth

What does it mean to be all in, real, and bold?

In this inspiring episode, Nathan Cook talks with Tim Novak, Maxwell Leadership faculty member, bestselling author, and co-founder of Christian Youth Theatre. Tim shares how a single moment — and six powerful words — redefined his life, his faith, and his influence.

You’ll hear real stories of redemption, marriage, leadership, and purpose. Learn how to lead from authenticity, grow through challenges, and discover the power of intentional influence.

👉 Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode inspires you to be more, see more, and experience more than before.

Resources & Links:

• TimNovak.com

• RealLeadershipDevelopment.com

• Remarkable Influence by Tim Novak (Amazon)

• Follow Nathan: @morethanbeforepodcast

Keywords:
Tim Novak, Nathan Cook, More Than Before, Remarkable Influence, Maxwell Leadership, authenticity, real leadership, faith in business, influence, personal growth, transparency, leadership mindset

What if the hardest moment of your life was the one that shaped who you were created to be?

In this powerful conversation, Nathan Cook talks with Justin Hughes—husband, father, global IT leader, and Marine veteran—about walking through depression, facing failure, and finding strength in perseverance and faith.

From wanting to quit Marine bootcamp to leading global teams, Justin’s story is a masterclass in mindset, endurance, and spiritual growth.

⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 Bootcamp Breaking Point
13:00 Discovering Culture & Curiosity
20:30 From Video Games to the Marines
24:54 The Call That Changed Everything
30:00 Battling Depression – “Siege Warfare”
37:30 Leading Through Crisis
44:30 Fatherhood & Marriage Lessons
51:00 Be the Salt – Enhancing & Preserving Others

💡 Takeaways:

• Mindset changes everything.

• Perseverance is learned—don’t quit.

• Depression is a battle, not weakness.

• Leadership starts before the title.

• Salt enhances and preserves—be that for others.

💬 Quotes:

“If you quit this, you’ll keep quitting for the rest of your life.”
“Nothing changed but my attitude—and everything got easier.”
“Salt doesn’t make things salty; it makes them more themselves.”

📚 Resources:
Maxwell Leadership • Zig Ziglar • Dale Carnegie • Indiana Wesleyan • SMC Corporation • The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann • Mental Health America • 988 Lifeline

🎧 Listen & Follow:
🔗 YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
📱 Instagram: @morethanbeforepodcast

#MoreThanBeforePodcast #Leadership #Mindset #Faith #Resilience #Growth #BeTheSalt #JustinHughes #NathanCook

Mike Harbour’s journey proves that leadership isn’t born in a boardroom—it’s forged through grit, growth, and grace.

Raised in small-town Arkansas, Mike overcame a violent home, failure in school, and years of anger before discovering purpose through the Army, mentorship, and faith.
Now, as the founder of Harbour Resources, host of the Lead Up Podcast, and author of Quit Losing Talent, he equips thousands of leaders to lead from values first.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:
• How pain and adversity can forge your purpose
• Why values matter more than titles
• How the military shaped Mike’s leadership mindset
• The balance between drive and emotional intelligence
• How faith, marriage, and family anchor long-term growth

If you’ve ever felt lost, stuck, or unsure of your calling—this conversation will remind you it’s never too late to become who you were created to be.

00:00 – Leadership beyond classrooms
01:10 – Growing up in Malvern, Arkansas
03:55 – Sports and performance as an escape
06:00 – Struggles in school & joining the Army
09:16 – The grandmother who believed first
13:18 – Why the military & lessons from boot camp
18:02 – Discovering personal growth: Covey & Maxwell
21:30 – Drive, dominance & emotional intelligence
28:21 – Doing leadership vs. being a leader
34:00 – Marriage, faith & raising a family
38:57 – Life lessons from hunting with his daughter
42:14 – Faith, miracles & transformation
46:30 – Learning from great leaders without idolizing
53:00 – Authentic leadership & humility
55:10 – Finding direction & purpose at every age
1:01:00 – Mike’s six core values

“Without self-awareness and emotional intelligence, you’ll always hit your leadership lid.” — Mike Harbour
“Leadership isn’t something you do—it’s who you become.” — Mike Harbour
“Transparent lives transform lives.” — Nathan Cook
“If you climb the mountain and end up alone, you’re a hiker, not a leader.” — John Maxwell (via Mike Harbour)

• 📘 Quit Losing Talent (Expanded Edition) — Buy Here

• 🎧 The Lead Up Podcast — Listen Here

• 📚 Developing the Leader Within You — John C. Maxwell

• 📗 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey

🌐 Website: harbourresources.com
🎧 Podcast: Lead Up Podcast
💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikeharbourhar

🌐 Website: morethanbefore.org
📺 YouTube: @MoreThanBeforePodcast
📸 Instagram: @morethanbeforepodcast

leadership development, values-based leadership, faith-based leadership, John Maxwell Team, personal growth, emotional intelligence, purpose-driven life, servant leadership, marriage and leadership, resilience, transformation, growth mindset

#MoreThanBeforePodcast #MikeHarbour #LeadershipDevelopment #FaithBasedLeadership #ValuesDriven #PersonalGrowth #QuitLosingTalent #NathanCook #BeMoreSeeMoreExperienceMore

If this episode inspired you, please follow, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts.
Your review helps others discover stories that empower them to be more, see more, and experience more than before.

💬 Question of the Episode:
Which of Mike’s six values—Purpose, Excellence, Action, Ignite, Drive, or Deliver—resonates most with you?

ChaptersMemorable QuotesResources MentionedConnect with Mike HarbourConnect with Nathan CookKeywords (SEO-Enhanced)HashtagsCall to Action

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

🕒 Episode Chapters & Timestamps:💬 Memorable Quotes:🔑 Key Takeaways:☕️ Resources Mentioned:🚀 Call to Action:🔍 SEO Keywords:🧩 Hashtags:

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!