Nice To Meet You | The Stories That Shape Us

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

    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)

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

    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

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

    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

    30 min
  4. From Iowa Farm Girl to Global President: Nashay Naeve's Unbelievable Journey

    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

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

    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

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

    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

    28 min
  7. Be Alink Shares The Secret Frequency of the Jungle That Rewires Your Mind

    FEB 22

    Be Alink Shares The Secret Frequency of the Jungle That Rewires Your Mind

    In this profound conversation, Rob Pene sits down with BE Alink, a "gender weirdo" inventor, author, and humanitarian. BE shares her incredible journey from the slums of Kenya to the ruins of Afghanistan, ultimately leading to a mystical "download" in the Amazon jungle. This episode explores the constructs of belief, the science of brain entrainment, and why BE Alink believes that fear is merely a control mechanism designed to keep us in a cycle of consumerism. Whether she is discussing the invention of the Alinker walking bike or her seven-part musical composition designed to trigger deep sleep and restoration, BE challenges us to step out of our "boxes" and anchor ourselves in love. Key Highlights The Netflix Reflection: Why BE’s last 12 months are a story of "sensing and surrendering" to become a complete channel.The Symphony of the Jungle: The story behind a prolific seven-hour composition recorded in the Amazon to help people remember who they are.Lessons from Afghanistan: A life-altering encounter with an old woman in 2001 that taught BE about the "light" we find when we close our eyes.Fear as a Construct: Understanding how repetitive exposure to violence and scarcity normalizes fear, and why it doesn't actually exist in our hearts.The Science of Deep Sleep: How stress keeps our fight-or-flight system activated, and how frequency music can "trick" the brain into restorative sleep.Choosing Kindness: Why being a "sovereign person" in a capitalistic system requires conscious choices about what we consume and how we treat the earth.The Alinker: The origin of the walking bike that proves "mobility is medicine".Connect with BE Alink Personal Website & Composition: bealink.world The Alinker: thealinker.com (or search "Alinker") Book & Audio: Memoirs (available on Spotify and major platforms)

    42 min
  8. Scaling the Mountain with Jason Wong on the Reality of Global Manufacturing

    FEB 22

    Scaling the Mountain with Jason Wong on the Reality of Global Manufacturing

    In this episode, Rob Pene sits down with Jason Wong, a seasoned entrepreneur who has moved from building e-commerce brands to mastering the massive, often overlooked world of manufacturing and packaging. Jason shares his journey of "climbing the mountain" over the last year, explaining why he chose to sell "shovels" (packaging) instead of chasing the latest "gold rush" in SaaS or info products. From utilizing AI avatars to generate 50 million views to navigating 155% tariffs and global supply chains, Jason provides a masterclass on building tangible equity and why the "unsexy" industries often have the highest ceilings. Key Highlights The "Climb" of the Last 12 Months: Jason reflects on the intense challenges of the past year and why it felt like a "free solo" mountain climb.Why Packaging?: Discover why Jason moved away from brand ownership to focus on a "common denominator" product that every physical brand needs.Building a Content Engine: How Jason "cloned" himself using AI (ElevenLabs and HeyGen) to drive 50 million annual views to a manufacturing business.The Equity Play: Why Jason believes tangible products offer better long-term value and "empire building" potential compared to info products.The Reality of "Made in America": A candid look at the infrastructure challenges of bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and the impact of tariffs.The 3-Star Service Model: How Jason’s company, Packing Duck, differentiates itself by offering a "Michelin star" experience in a "Holiday Inn" industry.Connect with Jason Wong Website: packingduck.com Instagram: @duck

    30 min
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3 Ratings

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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.

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