More Than Before

Nathan Cook

MORE THAN BEFORE, hosted by Nathan Cook, shares stories of leaders, creators, and everyday people who live from identity, not just achievement. Each episode dives into faith, leadership, purpose, and personal growth—revealing how challenges refine rather than define us. Be inspired to live with greater intention, excellence, and authenticity. 🎥 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@MoreThanBeforePodcast

  1. قبل ٢٠ ساعة

    Why Some People Instantly Build Meaningful Relationships | The Secret to Authentic Connection

    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 making Portland "feel like a small town" by having coffee with new people every week, John shares the mindset that has allowed him to build friendships that span decades. This isn't a conversation about networking. It's about becoming the kind of person people genuinely want to know. Along the way, John shares lessons from business, failure, divorce, fatherhood, faith, and one simple decision that completely changed the direction of his life. If you've ever struggled with comparison, self-worth, loneliness, or building authentic relationships, this conversation will challenge the way you think about people—and yourself. In This Episode ✔️ Why authentic relationships always outperform networking ✔️ The surprising power of saying "yes" ✔️ Why comparison quietly steals your joy ✔️ Learning to accept yourself before seeking acceptance from others ✔️ The difference between working and worrying ✔️ How gratitude changes your perspective ✔️ What it means to "dance to your own tune" ✔️ Why everyone simply wants to be seen, known, and valued Chapters 00:00 – Meet John Rice: The Master Connector 01:20 – Making Portland Feel Like a Small Town 05:00 – Entrepreneurship, Cars & Early Business Lessons 07:10 – Why Networking Isn't About Selling 10:10 – The Secret to Connecting with Anyone 12:30 – Self-Talk, Confidence & Wanting Acceptance 16:10 – Faith, Purpose & Asking God One Question Every Morning 20:00 – Lessons Learned Through Divorce 21:00 – Fatherhood, Legacy & Preparing for the Future 24:20 – Near-Death Experiences & Celebrating Life Before It's Too Late 27:30 – The Quote That Changed Everything 29:00 – Why Positive People See the World Differently 31:15 – What Happens When Someone Doesn't Like You? 34:00 – The Hidden Power of Saying Yes 37:00 – Persistence, Mentors & Lifelong Learning 51:00 – The One Question Everyone Should Ask Themselves 52:00 – What Is the Tune Inside You? Connect with John Rice 🎙️ Yes Stories Podcast (If John has a preferred website or social media, add it here.) Connect with More Than Before 🌐 https://morethanbefore.org 🎥 YouTubehttps://youtube.com/@morethanbeforepodcast If this episode encouraged you, would you do us a favor? ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 👍 Subscribe on YouTube. 📤 Share this episode with someone who could use the reminder that authentic relationships are built through genuine connection—not performance. Until next time... Be More. See More. Experience More Than Before.

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  2. ١٨ يونيو

    Why Most People Chase Money and Still Feel Empty | Chad Hufford

    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-death experience changed his perspective forever, what true financial freedom looks like, and why purpose—not money—is the foundation of a meaningful life. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom on stewardship, parenting, leadership, faith, discipline, courage, and living intentionally. In This Episode • Growing up in the Alaskan wilderness • Why uncertainty is one of life's greatest teachers • The career path Chad chose over medicine • How parents model success for their children • Excellence versus perfection • The near-death experience that changed everything • Courage versus confidence • Why many successful people still feel empty • The difference between wealth and being wealthy • Creating a life of purpose and significance Connect With Chad Hufford Website:https://www.veritasalaska.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/veritas.alaska YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@VeritasWealthManagement Podcast:The Blue Collar Millionaire Show Email:ask@veritasalaska.com Book:Forging Financial Freedom Connect With More Than Before Website:https://www.morethanbefore.org Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/morethanbeforepodcast YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@morethanbeforepodcast ☕ Coffee I Personally Recommend I drink Purity Coffee every day and highly recommend it. Their coffee is made from specialty-grade organic Arabica beans, third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, pesticides, and contaminants, and carefully roasted to deliver a clean, great-tasting cup. Check it out here:https://puritycoffee.com/MORETHANBEFORE Affiliate Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through it at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Remember: Be More. See More. Experience More Than Before.

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  3. ١١ يونيو

    What Really Matters? | Jim Boyle

    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 leader, keynote speaker, and Rotary leader. Along the way, he opens up about the internal drive that fueled his success, the identity struggles that shaped his early life, the leadership lessons learned from corporate America, and the widowmaker heart attack that changed everything. This episode is packed with wisdom about risk-taking, personal growth, values, marriage, leadership, faith, and leaving a legacy that matters. In This Episode Growing up as an adopted childThe hidden drive behind achievementEntrepreneurship lessons from childhoodWhy fear stops so many peopleThe difference between success and significanceBuilding a values-driven lifeThe power of servant leadershipMarriage lessons after 47 years togetherSurviving a widowmaker heart attackWhy Jim wrote his own obituaryLiving intentionally in the fourth quarter of lifeThe philosophy of "Go MAD" — Go Make A DifferenceKey Takeaways ✓ Luck is the residue of endeavor ✓ Fear is often false evidence appearing real ✓ Values simplify decision-making ✓ Leadership is about developing others ✓ Success without service is incomplete ✓ The best legacy is helping others become more ✓ Don't wish life were easier. Wish you were better. Connect with More Than Before 🎙 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, growth, faith, mindset, and living with greater purpose. 📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@morethanbeforepodcast 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/yourshowlink 🌐 Website: https://www.morethanbefore.org

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  4. ٧ مايو

    He Built a 6-Figure Coffee Business With $5,000 | Randy Matheny

    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 about ADHD, self-doubt, missions work in Haiti, losing everything when his trailer was stolen, and how curiosity became the foundation for growth. This conversation is full of practical wisdom for entrepreneurs, leaders, creatives, and anyone trying to become more than they were yesterday. Topics include: EntrepreneurshipCuriosity & growthADHD & learning differentlyFaith & identityCommunity buildingHospitality & leadershipThe power of pivotingBuilding a meaningful business☕ Learn more about Intentional Espresso:https://www.intentionalespresso.com Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why Curiosity Fuels Entrepreneurship00:21 – Meet Randy Matheny01:01 – Growing Up in Northern California02:04 – Childhood Responsibility & Addiction at Home03:33 – The Curiosity Mindset05:09 – ADHD, School Struggles & Learning Differently07:48 – Getting His GED at 3210:10 – Limiting Beliefs & Self-Criticism11:23 – Faith, Identity & Transformation15:22 – Discovering Faith in High School17:13 – Meeting His Wife Online20:40 – Haiti Changed Everything24:14 – What Poverty Taught Him31:26 – Why Community Matters35:08 – The Power of Seeing People39:39 – How Intentional Espresso Started43:46 – Losing Everything When His Trailer Was Stolen48:00 – Pivoting Through Failure & COVID50:51 – Coffee as Experiential Marketing55:03 – Becoming a Master of the Pivot58:50 – Why Curiosity Matters1:02:00 – Curiosity Creates Connection1:04:42 – Randy’s Advice for Becoming More Than Before1:06:12 – Final Thoughts SEO Keywords / Tags entrepreneurship podcastcuriosity mindsethow to become successfulcoffee entrepreneurintentional espressoRandy MathenyNathan Cook podcastmore than before podcastfaith and entrepreneurshipADHD entrepreneurentrepreneur motivationresilience storyovercoming adversitybusiness mindsetleadership podcastpersonal growth podcastentrepreneurial curiosityhow to pivot in businesshospitality businesscoffee catering business Key Takeaways Curiosity is often the hidden trait behind successful entrepreneurs.Your past doesn’t have to define your future.Community starts with intentionality and simple acts of kindness.Pivoting is one of the most important skills in business and life.Hospitality is about making people feel seen.Entrepreneurship is about solving problems creatively.Faith and identity can anchor you through uncertainty.Staying teachable keeps you growing.

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  5. ٢٣ أبريل

    Who Are You Without Your Career? | Andi Simon on Identity, Change & Purpose

    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 tenured professor, banking executive, and global consultant, Andi has spent her life helping organizations navigate change. But her greatest transformation came from a deeply personal moment—when her own daughter challenged how she defined herself. This conversation dives into: Why people resist change (even when they want it)The hidden identity crisis behind retirementHow to find purpose beyond achievementThe power of observation and perspectiveWhat it really means to live a rich, meaningful lifeIf you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain about your next step, or questioned your identity beyond your work—this episode is for you. ⏱️ CHAPTERS & TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro: Identity, Change & Becoming More Than Before00:42 – Growing Up in a Family Business05:40 – Lessons Learned from Working at Age 508:09 – Discovering Anthropology & Finding Identity12:23 – The Power of the Dinner Table & Family Influence18:06 – Horses, Observation & Life Lessons22:02 – The Meaning Behind the Giraffe Symbol25:05 – Intentional Living & Designing Your Life26:54 – The “Mirror Moment” That Changed Everything31:19 – Leaving Academia & Entering the Business World35:14 – Why People Resist Change40:00 – Mentors, Influence & Life Lessons46:04 – The Thread Behind Her Books49:50 – Building a Rich Life (Family, Work & Joy)54:00 – Holding Tight & Letting Go57:36 – Time, Gratitude & Living Intentionally1:00:39 – Rethinking Retirement & Identity1:06:39 – Finding Purpose in Every Stage of Life1:07:40 – Final Thoughts: Becoming More Than Before 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS Identity is more than your careerWhat you do is not who you are—and redefining that can change everything.People don’t resist change—they resist the unknownOur brains are wired to protect us, which makes transformation uncomfortable.Observation is a superpowerLearning to truly see people (not just hear them) changes how you lead and live.Retirement isn’t a financial problem—it’s an identity problemMany people struggle not because they lack resources, but because they lack purpose.You can design your next chapter intentionallyA meaningful life doesn’t happen by accident—it’s created.Every stage of life has purposeWhether you’re building, transitioning, or redefining—there is always more ahead. 📚 RESOURCES & LINKS 👉 Connect with Andi Simon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andisimon/Website: https://www.andisimon.com/👉 Explore her work: On the BrinkRethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in BusinessWomen Mean BusinessRethink Retirement: It’s Not the End, But the Beginning of What’s Next👉 Listen to her podcast: On the Brink with Andi Simon 🎯 POWERFUL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE “You don’t see the world as it is—you see the world as you are.” “If you want people to change… make them thirsty.” “I’ll tell you what I do… but who I am is a different story.” “Every day is a gift—treat it like a special one.” 🚀 CALL TO ACTION If this episode challenged the way you think about identity and purpose: ✅ Share it with someone who’s navigating a life transition✅ Subscribe to More Than Before for more powerful conversations✅ Leave a review—it helps more people discover the show And remember… 👉 Be more. See more. Experience more than before.

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MORE THAN BEFORE, hosted by Nathan Cook, shares stories of leaders, creators, and everyday people who live from identity, not just achievement. Each episode dives into faith, leadership, purpose, and personal growth—revealing how challenges refine rather than define us. Be inspired to live with greater intention, excellence, and authenticity. 🎥 Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/@MoreThanBeforePodcast