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 rare chemo complication that led to septic shock, and how humor, curiosity, faith, and the right people helped her move from simply surviving to living with purpose.

This conversation covers:
• Why curiosity is the key to becoming more than you were yesterday
• How humor heals and creates connection in hard seasons
• What people actually need when facing cancer or crisis
• Why choosing the right tribe matters more than proximity
• How to advocate for yourself when life feels out of control
• What it means to live a life that is truly More Than Before

This episode is honest, hopeful, and filled with laughter—especially for anyone navigating illness, caregiving, leadership pressure, or a season of uncertainty.

👉 If this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who needs hope today.

⏱ Episode Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Don’t wait. Be curious.
00:23 – Meet Deb Krier: cancer thriver, communicator, podcaster
01:38 – Growing up in Walden, Colorado
03:18 – Parents, independence, and early life lessons
05:21 – Outdoor childhood and learning freedom
07:24 – Broadway dreams and law ambitions
11:35 – Early jobs and learning self-advocacy

14:11 – Learning communication at the American Cancer Society
15:12 – Comedy, coping, and emotional resilience
17:40 – The mammogram call that changed everything
21:17 – Chemo complications and septic shock survival
26:51 – Regaining control inside the hospital
31:07 – Listening deeply and human connection
33:41 – Building Wise Women Communications
35:29 – Launching Trying Not To Die
38:47 – How to support someone with cancer
42:05 – Why Deb calls cancer a blessing
45:13 – Marriage, caregiving, and tribe
49:47 – Track the beagle and finding levity
53:34 – Why humor breaks down walls
55:17 – What it means to live More Than Before
56:21 – Final encouragement

Key Takeaways

• Don’t wait to live. Tomorrow is never promised.
• Curiosity fuels growth. Asking better questions leads to becoming more.
• Your tribe matters. Choose people who support, not just surround.
• Be specific when helping others. Concrete support matters more than vague offers.
• Humor heals. Laughter lowers stress and builds connection.
• You get a vote. Advocate for yourself—in health, leadership, and life.

🔗 Guest & Resource Links

Deb Krier• Trying Not To Die: https://tryingnottodie.live

• Wise Women Communications
• Podcast: Business Power Hour (1,100+ episodes)

More Than Before
• Follow on Instagram: @morethanbeforepodcast
• Subscribe for weekly conversations on faith, leadership, resilience, and growth

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 how community can shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance, why silence is a leadership skill, and what it really means to become more than before—with presence, purpose, and compassion.

Chapters

00:00 Grief, loss, and gratitude
00:20 From small-town Hungary to global podcasting
02:28 Feeling like an outsider—books, art, and identity
03:40 Denmark exchange year and the desire to “see the world”
05:11 Travel memories, getting lost, and family influence
07:47 Self-esteem, hard work, and staying consistent
09:47 Frida Kahlo and creating beauty through pain
12:47 Ireland with two suitcases + 1,000 euros
17:40 Cyprus, lifestyle rhythms, and choosing calm
20:10 COVID season: losing loved ones + losing the business
21:00 Healing through art + daily gratitude
22:09 Building Podcast Connections (accidentally)
25:58 Silent Thinking Sessions: what they are and why they work
28:01 What silence teaches: presence and listening
32:43 Motherhood: patience, presence, and trust
36:06 Scarcity vs abundance mindset
39:25 Community: the fastest way to change your energy
41:05 Consistency and rebuilding strength (one step at a time)
44:04 Noemi’s top 3 life foundations
45:20 Faith journey and ongoing growth
48:21 “More Than Before”: purpose, presence, and making people feel seen
49:16 Final encouragement + share with a friend

Links:

• Noemi’s website / waitlist: noemiberes.com

• Follow Noemi on LinkedIn

• Noemi’s YouTube (ASMR reading podcast)

🌲 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 faith. ✨

Randy shares:

• 🌲 Growing up roaming miles of forest in upstate New York

• 🔧 A father who lived by “Make it happen, son”

• 🇺🇸 Rising to the top 1% of enlisted ranks

• 💼 Getting fired *twice* by the same CEO—and choosing integrity

• ❤️ A powerful moment of real forgiveness

• 🎥 How trail cams, nature, yoga, Reiki, and faith all intersect

• 🔥 What it means to trust intuition and hold life lightly

This episode is for you if you want to grow, lead with integrity, or learn how to let go of the weight you’ve been carrying.

––––––––––––––––––––

⏱ **CHAPTERS**

––––––––––––––––––––

00:00 Fired Twice & the Lesson: Don’t Lose Yourself

00:22 The Explorer’s Mindset – Intro to Randy

00:55 Randy’s Humor & Warm Start

01:05 Growing Up in the Woods of Upstate NY 🌲

01:20 Learning Independence & Curiosity

02:48 Dad Working in the 130° Pot Room 🔥

03:29 Encyclopedias, Snow, and Digging Carrots ❄🥕

05:03 Winter Adventures & Early Resilience

05:32 Lessons from His Parents

05:42 A Dad Who Could Fix *Anything*

07:41 Spinning a Truck Tire to Start the Engine 🤯

08:14 Western Novels & Early Dreams

08:30 Choosing the Air Force 🇺🇸

09:42 Outranking His Sister & Life in Korea

10:35 Azores: First Duty Station

10:49 Told He’d Be a Chief One Day

11:54 Accidentally Deleting ALL the Files 💻😂

13:29 Airman of the Quarter at 18

13:57 Why Randy Excelled

15:33 Mentorship that Shaped His Path

17:36 Information vs. Action

18:52 Fired by the Same Boss… Twice 😳

19:13 Turning a $120M Contract Around

23:15 Seeing the Writing on the Wall

25:07 Packing the Office & Staying Calm

25:40 Choosing Integrity Over Bitterness

26:22 Launching His Own Company 🚀

27:31 Crucible Moments: Forgiveness ❤️‍🩹

30:51 What Forgiveness *Feels* Like

33:11 From Military to Entrepreneur

35:36 A Grandmother’s WWII Perspective

36:40 Maxwell, Yoga, Reiki & Leadership

36:47 Trail Cams, Wildlife & Curiosity 🐻

39:14 Sharing Nature with Others

41:29 Biggest Influences

42:46 600 Dairy Queen Blizzards 🍦

44:28 A Gettysburg Battlefield Retirement

45:20 The Power of Human Connection

46:26 Integrity as a Leadership Identity

48:25 Trusting Intuition: God’s Feather vs. the 2x4

51:50 How His Wife Transformed His Faith 💛

56:01 What It Means to Be “More Than Before”

56:42 Closing Thoughts

––––––––––––––––––––

💡 **WHAT YOU’LL LEARN**

––––––––––––––––––––

• How an explorer’s mindset creates resilient leaders

• Why attitude and effort can outpace talent

• The difference between saying you forgive and *feeling* forgiveness

• Why forgiving yourself unlocks freedom

• How intuition, faith, and intention shape decisions

• Why growth matters “until the last minute”

––––––––––––––––––––

🧰 **CONNECT WITH RANDY WILSON**

––––––––––––––––––––

🌐 Website (REEL PD): https://reelpd.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyjwilson

––––––––––––––––––––

🎙 **CONNECT WITH MORE THAN BEFORE**

––––––––––––––––––––

🌐 Website: https://www.morethanbefore.org

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethanbeforepodcast

▶️ Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoreThanBeforePodcast

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If this episode encouraged you, tap **Follow**, leave a 5-star review, and share it with someone who needs these insights.

**Be more. See more. Experience more… than before.**

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 relies on
• Marriage, identity, and what God is teaching him
• Becoming who God says you are — not what success demands

If you’ve ever felt behind in life, unsure of your calling, or tangled in comparison, this episode speaks directly to your soul.

🎵 Clark Beckham’s New Worship EP — Mystery
https://lnk.to/ncs-Mystery?mcp_token=eyJwaWQiOjE0ODE3NTEsInNpZCI6OTQwNzg5OTMxLCJheCI6IjdjZDk4MzhjODAyZjI3N2U3Yzk2YjRiOTQ4ZjVlNzBiIiwidHMiOjE3NjM1NTI0OTgsImV4cCI6MTc2NTk3MTY5OH0.yngBxkckrb3AePqdnCjPdec8df3XSJkY-SGjUj_T2Fo

📸 Follow Clark:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarkbeckham
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClarkBeckhamMusic

🎙️ Listen to More Than Before Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jS375yTkztq8Pr2FxiWwh
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-before/id1714530728

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Striving for acceptance through talent
00:30 – The pressure after American Idol
01:13 – Introducing Clark Beckham
02:19 – Lessons from Quincy Jones Productions
05:02 – The rise of soulful worship
06:11 – “With or without you” confidence shift
07:39 – Serving labels vs. seeking their approval
09:25 – The psychology of finally signing a deal
12:25 – No more excuses: facing the blank check
13:26 – Childhood: growing up musical in Tennessee
15:29 – Loving harmony, hating sheet music
17:53 – How YouTube taught him guitar & piano
19:38 – The identity trap every performer faces
20:47 – Fame magnifying conditional acceptance
22:53 – Separating gifting from calling
24:44 – Cowboy the street mentor
25:32 – Why curiosity & humility beat talent
28:55 – Learning from anyone — the key to growth
30:30 – Sports: discovering your real limits
36:01 – From slowest kid to fastest on the field
38:34 – Clark’s dream VIP tour vision
39:52 – The internal switch that flips
41:12 – Handling rejection while trusting God
43:35 – Belief vs. doubt: what motivates him
44:48 – The ultra marathon breakthrough moment
47:18 – Getting dropped by Quincy Jones Productions
51:11 – Writing “it’s just me who believes in me”
52:33 – Touring, $7 gigs & the fire to keep going
54:21 – The new manager & door God opened
56:51 – Nashville connections
58:53 – What marriage taught Clark about himself
1:03:13 – Marriage gets better every year
1:06:26 – New music & upcoming projects
1:06:43 – How to find your identity when you feel lost
1:11:25 – Final encouragement & closing

🔥 QUOTES

• “Rejection doesn’t decide your destiny — it reveals who’s not part of it.”
• “Curiosity and humility are the superpowers behind greatness.”
• “Do they love me for me… or what I can do?”
• “Marriage is the touchdown no one talks about.”
• “You can’t be anything you want to be — but you can be everything God wants you to be.”

HASHTAGS

#ClarkBeckham #AmericanIdol #MoreThanBefore #NathanCook #ChristianPodcast #WorshipMusic #IdentityInChrist #FaithJourney #PurposeOverPerformance #ChristianContent

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