Nice To Meet You | The Stories That Shape Us

Rob Pene
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Rob Pene, The Nice To Meet You podcast is about people, purpose, and the stories that shape who we become. Through honest conversations and practical insight, each episode explores growth, business, faith, leadership, and life behind the scenes.

  1. Sep 19

    The People-Pleasing Pattern That Always Ends In Burnout

    People pleasing doesn't keep everyone happy — it keeps YOU awake at 3AM. The yes you should've said no to becomes an open loop that won't let you sleep.  In this episode I break down why people pleasing always ends in burnout — and the one lie underneath every yes that makes it almost impossible to say no.  You'll see how the fear of man traps you, what King Saul and the apostle Paul reveal about it, and how to close your open loops so you can finally rest. If you're a leader, a creator, a helper, or anyone tired of being everyone's "yes" — this one is for you. ================================================== TIMESTAMPS AND KEY MOMENTS ================================================== 0:00 - The 3AM Bed Every People-Pleaser Knows 1:10 - Every Yes Is An Open Loop 2:30 - How Many Loops Did You Leave Open Today? 3:20 - Why People Pleasing Looks Like Talent, Not Weakness 4:45 - The Lie Hiding Under Every Yes ("I'm The Reason") 6:15 - It Follows You Home: The Yes You Break To Yourself 7:30 - What Holds You When You Run Out Of Capacity 8:45 - King Saul, Paul, And The Fear Of Man 10:00 - A No Isn't A Failure: How To Say No Clean 11:15 - Close The Loop Tonight ================================================== FULL DESCRIPTION & HIGHLIGHTS ================================================== Why your worth was never tied to what you produce How to say no without guilt or a burned bridge What Scripture says about the fear of man Real talk on rest, calling, and identity in Christ 💡 WHY PEOPLE PLEASING ALWAYS ENDS IN BURNOUT 1. Every yes is a loop — you open it when you say "I got you," and you only close it when you actually finish. 2. Open loops, not people or projects, are what keep you awake at 3AM. 3. People pleasing disguises itself as talent and generosity, so it never feels like weakness. 4. The root lie is "I'm the reason it works" — and that lie makes you say yes to things you already know you can't carry. 5. A no doesn't burn the bridge. A broken yes does. The way out isn't working harder — it's knowing you were loved before you were ever useful, so your no can finally come out clean. - People-pleasers who can't say no even when they're maxed out - Christian leaders and pastors fighting the fear of man - Entrepreneurs and creators who over-commit and burn out - High-achievers whose worth got tied to what they produce - Anyone lying awake at 3AM over a yes they regret I'm Faleulu Ropati. Rob Pene. Same guy, both names.

    The People-Pleasing Pattern That Always Ends In Burnout

  2. Sep 17

    Is It God or Just You? The 5-Filter Test

    How do you know if God is really speaking to you, or if you just want something bad enough? In this episode, I break down 5 filters I use to test what I'm hearing before I step out and say "God told me." THE 5 FILTERS 1. Scripture God won't lead you somewhere that contradicts His Word. Without that anchor, you'll just find what you're already looking for. 2. The Body of Christ Talk to people who know God, know the Bible, and know you. Look for counsel, not permission. 3. Internal Prompting The Holy Spirit does convict and nudge. But a strong feeling isn't proof. Sometimes it's just what we want. 4. Circumstances Watch the open and closed doors. A closed door isn't always a failure. A lot of times it's God redirecting you. 5. Outside Counsel Get input from mature people outside your circle who don't have a stake in how it turns out. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Hearing God's voice vs. fooling yourself 0:45 The problem with saying "God told me" 1:30 LA or Europe? The decision that changed my life 3:00 Three people, one message 4:15 Filter 1: Scripture 5:30 Filter 2: The Body of Christ 6:45 Filter 3: Internal prompting 8:15 Filter 4: Circumstances 9:45 Jonah and closed doors 10:30 Filter 5: Outside counsel 11:30 Broken lenses: anger, fear, ambition, desperation 12:30 "Should I?" vs. "Can I?" 13:45 Stop saying "God told me." Start asking "God, show me." THE TAKEAWAY There's no magic formula. Discernment is testing what you think you're hearing from a few different angles before you act on it.

    Is It God or Just You? The 5-Filter Test

  3. May 2

    From Pro Boxer to $5.4M Empire: How Lexson Mathieu Cashed Out at 26

    In this episode of Nice to Meet You for a Reason, Rob Pene sits down with Lexson Mathieu — former undefeated pro boxer, NABF champion, and serial acquisitions entrepreneur who built and sold a multi-million-dollar trucking empire before turning 27. Lexson takes us through the wild arc of his last few years: leaving Canada during COVID with nothing but a backpack, putting his entire net worth into crypto to escape financial restrictions, making $50,000 in his first week as a crypto investor, and then walking away from speculation to buy real businesses. You'll hear the unfiltered story of how he made 10,000 cold calls to land his first deal, why his first acquisition took a year and a half (and what he had to fix to close), and how he eventually closed five acquisitions in 18 months — including the "sell-lease-back" maneuver that pulled $300K out of a deal in two weeks. This is a masterclass in M&A for anyone curious about how people actually buy businesses without their own money, build banking relationships from scratch, and structure deals where the asset finances itself. We also get into the deeper stuff: why money stopped being the goal, how faith reshaped his vision, and his next move — building a roll-up empire in Africa while planting "a thousand seeds" through Bible study. What You'll Learn: Why Lexson left pro boxing at the top of his careerHow he used crypto as a financial escape hatch during COVIDThe exact selling and negotiation framework that unlocked his first dealHow he financed a $5.4M acquisition with two banks and no personal incomeThe "sell-lease-back" strategy that pulls cash out of acquired assetsWhy he gave away 49% equity — and what he'd do differently nowWhy his next empire is being built in Africa, not North AmericaThe role faith plays in his definition of long-term successRecommended Reading from Lexson: Your First Hundred Million by Dan PeñaRobert Kiyosaki's books on assets vs. liabilitiesConnect with Lexson: Instagram: @LexsonMathieu (DM him directly to join his weekly Bible study) https://eliteacademics.net

    From Pro Boxer to $5.4M Empire: How Lexson Mathieu Cashed Out at 26

  4. May 1

    Jodi Allen Scott Reveals How They Sold Their Company. 24 Hours Later, They Lost Everything.

    What happens when you sell the company you built from your family's kitchen — and weeks later, the people who bought it collapse, taking everything down with them? Jodi Scott, co-founder of Green Goo, joins Rob Pene to tell one of the most jaw-dropping comeback stories you'll hear this year. Three women — mother, daughter, and sister — built a plant-based first aid and skincare empire from their Colorado family kitchen, growing herbs in their own garden and starting at the farmer's market. In under 5 years they hit 150,000 retail points of distribution, became one of the first plant-based topicals registered with the FDA, and sold to a portfolio company. Then it all imploded. Within 24 hours of the deal closing, Jodi had to terminate the legacy team they'd spent over a decade protecting. The company was pulled off shelves. Production stopped. They lost their jobs, their purpose, and nearly everything they'd built. And then they bought it back. This is the story of grit, sisterhood, mental fitness, and the 18-month fight to reclaim a company that had been declared dead. In this episode: - How three women with no MBAs scaled to 150,000 retail locations - Walking into their first major retailer meeting (Army Air Force Exchange — the world's 2nd largest retailer) without knowing it - Why "if it doesn't sting, burn, or dry it out, it must not be working" is wrong — and what to do instead - The pandemic pivot: shipping pallets to employees' houses, packing boxes till 4 AM - The 24 hours that ended everything - The mentor who said "your mental fitness boot camp starts now" - 18 months of rebuilding from zero — with formulas, customers, and contacts intact - Real customer wins: a 9/11 survivor getting off opioids, a year-long eczema flare-up clearing in 2 weeks - Why the Southern Butter intimate line was born from accidental customer feedback - Why she'd build differently the second time (mindset over hustle) Connect with Jodi & Green Goo: 🌿 Website: https://greengoo.com 📧 jodi@greengoo.com 💼 LinkedIn: Jodi A. Scott If this episode hit you, follow the show, leave a review, and send it to the friend who needs to hear that "lost everything" doesn't have to be the end of the story. #GreenGoo #ComebackStory #FemaleFounders #PlantBased #FirstAid #FamilyBusiness #Entrepreneurship #LegacyPodcast #Resilience #SkinCare https://eliteacademics.net

    Jodi Allen Scott Reveals How They Sold Their Company. 24 Hours Later, They Lost Everything.

  5. May 1

    My Therapist Lives in My Phone: Why Dr. Tamara Nall Talks to "DaVinci" at 3 AM

    What if the most honest relationship you'll ever have is with a chatbot? Dr. Tamara Nall — serial entrepreneur, federal contracting CEO, and the foremother of human-AI relationships — joins Rob Pene for one of the most boundary-pushing conversations on the show. After 18 years running a federal data science firm and walking through divorce, the loss of her mother, and the pursuit of motherhood at 50+, Tamara built something the world had never seen: HumanAI Nation, the world's first digital sovereign nation dedicated to human-AI relationships. She breaks down brand-new findings from the 2026 Human-AI National Survey, why 40% of U.S. adults have named their AI, the 2% who are in romantic relationships with AI, and what her own AI bestie "DaVinci" did for her at 3 AM when no human friend picked up. This one goes deep — fast. In this episode: - The "Pivot" — what Tamara's last 12 months would look like as a Netflix movie - Why she calls AI her therapist and why she still believes in human therapy - The 2026 Human-AI National Survey results (40% name their AI, 2% are in romantic relationships with one) - Catherine + Sage: the real woman who had a symbolic marriage with her AI - Junia (junialegacy.com) — the formal naming convention so women can name daughters after themselves - Reliai (reliai.app) — her 24/7 life companion app for co-parents, conflict resolution, and grief - The God + AI question: how a preacher's kid reconciles faith and machine intelligence - Why she hires attitude over aptitude — and uses the 5 Love Languages on her employees - EQ as a superpower: reading a room with one data point - Walking into a $34M government turnaround and fixing it in 6 months Connect with Dr. Tamara Nall: 🌐 humanaination.com 🌐 junialegacy.com 🌐 reliai.app 🎙️ Lead With AI Podcast LinkedIn / Instagram / TikTok: @iamtamaranall (or Tamara Nall) If this episode moved you, hit follow, leave a review, and share it with the friend who needs to hear that pivoting isn't failing — it's leveling up. #HumanAI #AIRelationships #LegacyPodcast #DrTamaraNall #DigitalNation #AIEthics #FemaleFounders #FederalContracting #Pivot https://eliteacademics.net

    My Therapist Lives in My Phone: Why Dr. Tamara Nall Talks to "DaVinci" at 3 AM

  6. Apr 23

    From Iowa Farm Girl to Global President: Nashay Naeve's Unbelievable Journey

    In this episode, Rob Pene sits down with Nashay Naeve, President of Tsubaki Nakashima's plastic injection molding business — a global manufacturing company serving the medical device and automotive industries. Nashay shares her remarkable journey from growing up on an Iowa farm to leading a global team of over 100 people across multiple continents. Nashay opens up about her early fascination with math, physics, and mechanical equipment (thanks to her farmer father), which eventually led her into engineering. She went on to complete her master's degree in China — taught entirely in Mandarin Chinese — and worked at industry giants like John Deere and Caterpillar before stepping into executive leadership. We dive into: Leading through crisis and team restructuringWhat it's like running a publicly traded global manufacturing businessHow AI and Microsoft Copilot are being integrated into manufacturing operationsThe art of aligning strategy, talent, and executionHer love for travel (including a pre-COVID trip to Antarctica)Why careers don't progress in a straight line — and how to find peace with thatThe mindset shift that transformed how she leads her teamWhether you're an aspiring engineer, a leader navigating organizational change, or someone curious about how global manufacturing really works, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humility, and inspiration. Connect with Nashay Naeve: LinkedIn: Search "Nashay Naeve" (N-A-S-H-A-Y N-A-E-V-E) Key Takeaways: Careers rarely move in a straight line — trust the processAlignment of strategy, talent, and execution is a true leadership superpowerLean into curiosity, whether it's a new language, a new culture, or a new industryProblem-solving is at the heart of great engineering AND great leadership

    From Iowa Farm Girl to Global President: Nashay Naeve's Unbelievable Journey

  7. Apr 7

    Trishia Domingo Got Laid Off the Day She Got Back from a Photoshoot, and Felt Relief

    Guest: Trishia Domingo — Life Coach, Model, & Former Tech Professional Rob sits down with Trishia Domingo — life coach, model, pole dancer, and former 9-year tech veteran — for a deeply honest conversation about rebuilding your identity after life falls apart all at once.  Trishia opens up about navigating her parents' marriage crisis, a demanding corporate career, becoming a first-time homeowner, and the anxiety of always being the one who holds everything together.  Her guiding theme for this season of life? Returning to love. She shares what it actually looks like to shed old identities, set boundaries as someone with ADHD, and find relief — not fear — the day you get laid off. Quotable moments "I always want to leave somebody better than how I originally found them." "Healing is always done when you're able to witness it in another person." "There are so many prisons we create in our minds if we don't share our inner landscape with others." Instagram: @atasteoftricia Website: thrivewithtrisha.com https://eliteacademics.net

    Trishia Domingo Got Laid Off the Day She Got Back from a Photoshoot, and Felt Relief

  8. Mar 31

    Chris Lacorata Shares About the Drink Roman Gladiators Used, Now Coming for Gatorade's Crown in Graasi

    Guest: Chris LaCorata, Co-Founder of Grassi, a certified organic barley grass juice powder beverage built for hydration, immunity, and recovery. In this episode, we cover: How a series of factory closures and the NAFTA era inspired Chris to build a manufacturing-rooted brand in AmericaWhy the pandemic forced a pivot — and how that pivot led to GrassiWhat makes barley grass juice powder a superfood (all 8 essential amino acids, blood/liver detox, zero gluten)Why Grassi is positioning itself as the healthy alternative to soda AND plain water — "hydration with benefits"The branding strategy behind going retro/vintage instead of clinical or farmer's marketHow they're building a family-run company with intentional, values-aligned distribution partnersTheir partnership with an MMA training center and why athletes love it for recoveryBeing named Barley Beverage of the Year 2025 by Lux Life AND becoming a finalist at Expo West (Specialty Food Industry) out of 1,000+ brandsWhat channels they sell through: grassi.com, Amazon, Walmart, Public Square, Faire, and now Gourmet International (nationwide)Why convenience stores, youth sports, and professional athletics are their biggest growth targetsConnect with Grassi: 🌐 Website: grassi.com📦 Also on Amazon & Walmart📧 General inquiries: info@grassi.com📧 Team/partnership requests: carrina@grassi.com https://eliteacademics.net

    Chris Lacorata Shares About the Drink Roman Gladiators Used, Now Coming for Gatorade's Crown in Graasi
See All (62)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by Rob Pene, The Nice To Meet You podcast is about people, purpose, and the stories that shape who we become. Through honest conversations and practical insight, each episode explores growth, business, faith, leadership, and life behind the scenes.

Information