More Than Before

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 mak...

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 th...

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...

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 le...

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 mo...

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...

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...

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 actu...

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...

🔥 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 Bre...

What happens when a woman stops hustling to prove herself and starts living from the truth that she is already worthy? In this episode of More Than Before , Nathan sits down with Tina Townsend — Vice President of the Martin County Chamber of Commerce, Head of Sales and Client Relations for Alpha Omega Leadership, event emcee, wife, mom, and a woman deeply committed to serving others with faith, gr...

What if rebuilding community starts with something as simple as saying hello ? Nathan Cook sits down with leadership mentor and nonprofit founder Chip Webster to talk about microvalidations —small actions that affirm someone’s humanity and reconnect us in a divided culture. After decades developing CEOs and leading executive groups, Chip’s mission has shifted toward something bigger: helping peopl...

What does it look like to live “svelte”—not just in business, but in life? CPA, author, and entrepreneur Duane Deason joins Nathan Cook on More Than Before to share how global childhood experiences shaped his identity, how operational discipline can protect families (not just profits), and why becoming “more than before” starts with redefining success. Duane grew up across South Africa, Saudi Arab...

What happens when your doctor says, “We’ve been fighting to save your eye… now it’s time to fight for your life”? In this powerful episode of More Than Before , Nathan Cook sits down with Diana Fritz —executive leader, mom, woman of faith, and author of Uniquely Imperfect, Uniquely Qualified . Diana shares her journey through a rare cancer near her left eye, multiple surgeries, and ultimately losi...

Most leaders don’t burn out because they’re weak. They burn out because they’re trying to survive a wilderness season with the wrong tools—and with no margin left . In this episode of the More Than Before Podcast , Nathan Cook sits down with pastor and leadership coach Robb Gossen (aka “Shifting the Wilderness”) to reframe burnout, pressure, and hard seasons through a lens of surrender, identity,...

In this episode of More Than Before , Nathan sits down with Joe Buys , performance coach and founder of Buys Family Fitness , to talk about identity, faith, fatherhood, marriage, mentorship, and what it really means to win in life. Joe shares his journey from growing up in small-town Michigan, chasing music dreams in Los Angeles, and grinding through hardship—only to discover that true strength is...

What happens when life forces you to slow down, let go of control, and face your own mortality? In this powerful episode of More Than Before , Nathan Cook sits down with Deb Krier —PR expert, master communicator, and three-time cancer thriver—to talk about what it truly means to live fully when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Deb shares her journey through stage 4 metastatic breast cancer , surviving a...

In this episode of More Than Before , Nathan Cook talks with Noemi Beres —co-founder of Podcast Connections , linguist, artist, and creator of the Silent Thinking Session . Noemi opens up about losing her father and grandmother, losing her business during COVID, and how that season birthed a daily practice of gratitude, silence, and consistent habits that helped her heal and rebuild. You’ll hear h...

🌲 What do childhood explorations in the woods have to do with becoming a Chief Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force—and later getting fired twice by the same boss? In this episode of More Than Before , Nathan Cook talks with leadership coach and Air Force Chief (ret.) **Randy Wilson** about the explorer’s mindset, childhood lessons, and crucible moments that shaped his life, leadership, and fait...

American Idol runner-up Clark Beckham sits down with Nathan Cook for one of the most authentic, vulnerable, and wisdom-filled conversations you’ll hear this year. Clark opens up about: The pressure after American Idol Growing up in a musical family Getting dropped by Quincy Jones Productions Rebuilding confidence after rejection Why curiosity beats talent How sports built the discipline he still r...

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 Adv...

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 ho...

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 maste...

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 equip...

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-to...