Nice To Meet You | The Stories That Shape Us
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.
You lead everybody yet nobody really knows you
You lead everybody — and nobody really knows you. If you're the strong one everyone leans on, here's the loneliness nobody warns leaders about — and the One who knew your name before you ever led a single person.
In this talk I tell you about the last day of my first year teaching high school — the song I wrote for every class, the empty room after the last bell, and what I found sitting on my desk in the corner. Then I'll show you the loneliest leader in the whole Bible, and the quiet voice that came for him whe...
Cinematographer Emma Quirós on Moving Alone to LA and Making Her First Short Film
Cinematographer Emma Quirós grew up in Barcelona, studied healthcare, then moved to Los Angeles alone in 2022 to chase the filmmaking dream she'd had since she was ten.
Rob Pene talks with her about studying cinematography at UCLA, working in the camera department on big commercial sets, and writing, directing and shooting her own short film. She also shares the three-question rule a teacher gave her for deciding which sets are worth your time.
In This Episode
How a childhood hobby in Barcelona became a filmmaking career, after Emma first studied healthcareMoving fr...Why God won't promote fake Christian leaders
Are you a Christian leader who feels exhausted even when the work isn't that hard? That's not burnout. That's the performance trap — and it's silently killing leaders from the inside out.
In this video I break down what the performance trap actually is, why false identity forms in ministry, and how leaders like Moses, Paul, and Peter all had to be stripped of it before God could actually use them.
If you're a pastor, ministry leader, Christian business owner, or parent leading from a role rather than your real self — this is for you.
TI...
The youth ministry vision every pastor is missing
What if the vision for youth ministry you're chasing is actually too complicated? In this video, I break down the 5 pillars every youth pastor needs to disciple teens well — and 3 of them are already happening if you're doing ministry right.
I share the exact framework I use with my own kids and any youth group I'm asked to speak into. You'll learn the non-negotiable foundation, the practical apprenticeship piece most pastors skip, and how to push your teens past the four walls of the church and into the community.
If you're a youth pastor, ministry le...
The Anointing Doesn't Wait for the Right Title
How do you find your calling without quitting your job? You don't leave the field — you let it train you.
The work that pays you isn't the detour. It's the training ground. In this video I show you how to find your calling without walking away from the job that pays your bills. You'll learn why so many people feel stuck at work while the gift they were made for sits quiet inside them — and why your 9-to-5 might be your season of preparation, not your delay.
If you feel stuck at work, you're a teache...
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 any...
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...
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 ho...
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 t...
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...
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 D...
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 identiti...
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 behi...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...
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...
Morgan Smith Bought His Dead Friend's Business & Now Is Changing the Entire Kava Industry
Morgan Smith, owner of Kalm with Kava, shares the story of how he took over a kava business from his late friend Mike Munsell — and turned it into a mission-driven company rooted in respect, education, and long-term sustainability.
In this episode, we dig into:
The redemption arc behind Kalm with Kava — from losing a close friend to carrying on his legacyWhat kava actually is, how it's prepared, and why it's been used for 3,000 years across the South PacificHow Morgan went from pharmaceuticals that "took him out of his mind" to finding a natural alternativeThe $20 billion alcohol surp...From Intern to CEO: How Colleen Joyce Built Lawyer.com Into a Legal Powerhouse
In this episode, Rob sits down with Colleen Joyce, CEO of Lawyer.com, to talk about how she grew a premium domain into a thriving legal marketplace with 150 employees — all without venture capital. Colleen shares her journey from finding an internship in the newspaper classifieds to running a company that connects thousands of consumers with lawyers every month. Along the way, they dig into scrappy marketing, the privacy challenges unique to legal services, vibe coding with her 6-year-old daughter, and why treating every day like a startup keeps the team hungry.
Guest Bio
...
Kurt Avery Shares How This $20 Filter Has Saved More Lives Than Most Governments
Kurt Avery built Sawyer Products from a snakebite kit into the most trusted water filter on the planet. His tech is in 80 countries, used by the Red Cross, World Vision, and the U.S. military. He lost money for 23 of his first 25 years — and kept going anyway.
In this episode, he tells us everything.
What We Cover:
💧 How a 30-cent filter gives someone 10 years of clean water — and why villages that used to wait until age 3 to name their babies now name them at birth
🦟 The JAMA-published study proving Sawyer's f...
Nicholai Allen Fled a Wildfire Then Became a Firefighter and Invented This
Nicholai Allen shares his journey from suburban dad to certified wildland firefighter and entrepreneur. After experiencing the 2018 Woolsey Fire firsthand, he developed Safe Soss—an affordable wildfire prevention system now available at Lowe's. This conversation explores the science behind fire-resistant coatings, the reality of fighting wildfires, and how homeowners can protect their property without massive renovation costs.
Key Topics
The 2018 Woolsey Fire evacuation experience that sparked Safe Soss's creation. Why existing wildfire protection products didn't exist for homeowners. Becoming a certified wildland firefighter to understand the problem firsthand. The chemistry challenge: removing toxic fl...
Tim Milazzo Shares How He Turned Down an 8-Figure Offer, Then Lost Everything.
Guest: Tim Milazzo - Founder, Salt and Wisdom Consulting
Tim Milazzo shares his 8-year startup journey from Inc 5000 (#777) to losing everything. He raised $3.5M, grew revenue from $1M to $7M, turned down an 8-figure acquisition offer, and ultimately exited for nothing. Now he's writing "How Not to Founder" and sharing hard-won lessons about entrepreneurship, faith, and family.
Key Takeaways:
Sell your idea before you build it - customer validation beats product developmentRevenue ≠ profit - cash flow management is criticalVCs want traction, not ideas (unless you're a proven founder)Identity in Ch...Kimber Hardick Talks From Going Invisible to Invincible And Rewriting Your Story
In this episode, host Rob Pene sits down with Kimber Hardick to discuss the powerful journey of "unraveling" societal constructs to find one's true identity. After navigating a divorce in her 50s and battling a Lupus diagnosis, Kimber shares how she moved from a life of performance and people-pleasing to one of embodiment and empowerment.
They discuss the role of plant medicine in her healing, the importance of rewriting old victim narratives, and how she is redefining what it means to age by learning to surf and moving to Panama.
Key Takeaways & Highlights
Katie Vander Meade on The Grounding Mat That Cures Inflammation While You Sleep (Science-Backed)
In this episode, Rob Pene sits down with Katie Vander Meade, founder of The Healthy Living Lady, to explore how living a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to break the bank. Katie shares her journey from a thrifty mom looking to improve her family's health to creating a business around affordable, natural wellness solutions.
Katie Vander Meade is a civil engineer by day and passionate health advocate by night. As the founder of The Healthy Living Lady, she helps people discover simple, affordable alternatives to expensive health products and pharmaceuticals. Katie specializes in DIY natural remedies...
Janel Louise Ohletz is the PhD who Warns Your 'Organic' Food is Destroying Your Gut
🌱 The ONE Thing You Need to Know
Shop the OUTSIDE aisles of the grocery store. Real food is on the perimeter - produce, meat, dairy. Middle aisles = processed junk your body doesn't recognize. Small steps > perfection.
Guest: Dr. Janel Louise Ohletz
PhD in Soil Science | Professional Chef | Author of "Between Farm and Fork" | Grew up on organic farm | Survived heart attack | Director of Sustainable Agriculture
💣 Mind-Blowing Facts
Henry Yoshida on Building the Future of Retirement Investing
🎯 The ONE Thing You Need to Know
Asset LOCATION beats asset selection. Stop obsessing over what to invest in. Focus on WHERE you save first: 401(k) with match (instant 100% return) → IRA (tax deduction) → Taxable account.
Guest: Henry Yoshida
Founder of Rocket Dollar | Former Merrill Lynch (10 years) | Finalist at major fintech competition (judged by Shaq!) | Acquired by retired.com
💰 What is Rocket Dollar?
Platform for investing retirement funds in alternatives: real estate, private equity, crypto. Think Uber for retirement investing...
Frank Scarso Hit Rock Bottom. Then Built an Empire. (His Secret Will Shock You)
In this powerful episode, we sit down with entrepreneur Frank Scarso, who shares his incredible transformation from addiction to building a thriving business in the cash advance industry.
Frank opens up about his personal struggles, the lessons learned along the way, and how his experiences shaped his approach to business and helping small business owners succeed. This conversation is packed with raw honesty, practical business advice, and inspiring insights on resilience, mindset, and entrepreneurship.
Frank Scarso is an entrepreneur and business owner specializing in providing capital solutions to small businesses. With years of e...
Ehmandah Ramsey Can See Through Your Social Media Posts And Here's How
What happens when you shake a soda can and never release the pressure? It explodes. Pastor's daughter turned women's empowerment coach Ehmandah Ramsey reveals why successful women are having public breakdowns - and how to spot the warning signs before it's too late.
In this raw conversation, Ehmandah breaks down the "soda can effect" destroying women's lives, shares how to see through perfect social media facades, and explains why giving advice actually hurts more than it helps.
From her unique perspective as a PK (pastor's kid) to her work creating safe spaces for authentic healing, E...
Why Isabella Bedoya Left a Million Dollar AI Agency to Start Over
Isabella Bedoya went from 2,000 to 13,000 followers in ONE WEEKEND with a single post that hit 1.2 million views. Now she's building AI agents that replace entire sales teams and licensing technology that could make her millions.
In this explosive conversation, she reveals the exact formula she used to spot trends before they blow up, the 3-step AI agent system that creates her content automatically, and why she thinks we're in the biggest gold rush since Bitcoin. Plus: her controversial take on why AI won't steal jobs, it'll create them for the people smart enough to learn.
A Father's Heartbreaking Loss Led to Discovery That's Helping Millions Heal From Pain
Think grief is something you just "get over" with time? Phil Cohen is about to flip everything you know about healing upside down.
Phil has helped thousands navigate their darkest moments after losing his 14-year-old son in a tragic boating accident 10 years ago. But here's what shocked us most: he argues that avoiding grief actually imprisons you, while facing it head-on sets you free.
In this deeply moving conversation, Phil breaks down why our grief-illiterate society keeps people stuck in suffering, how your body is literally tricking you into staying paralyzed, and why...
From 0 to 13 Million Views: The Accidental Viral Formula That's Changing Real Estate Marketing
Think posting boring real estate content is the key to social media success? Renee Gillette is about to flip everything you know about marketing upside down.
Renee has built a massive following and thriving real estate brokerage using nothing but an iPhone and her pet zebras. But here's what shocked us most: her random video of cleaning pool bugs got 13 million views while her carefully planned content barely reaches thousands.
In this eye-opening conversation, Renee reveals why authenticity beats strategy every time, how exotic animals became her secret marketing weapon, and why the "...
Single-Family Rentals Are RISKIER Than $100M Apartment Deals with John Casmon
Think buying one rental house is safer than investing in apartment buildings? John Casmon is about to flip everything you know about real estate investing upside down.
John has helped families invest in over $100 million of multifamily real estate and is about to go "full cycle" on deals that could change his family's life forever. But here's what shocked us most: he argues that owning ONE rental house is actually MORE dangerous than owning 100 apartment units.
In this eye-opening conversation, John breaks down why corporate professionals are perfectly positioned for multifamily investing, how...
From $0 to $100K at 20 Yrs Old And The Church-Like Real Estate Empire That's Breaking All the Rules
In this explosive episode, we dive deep with Christian Rios, who started his real estate journey at just 17 years old and hit six figures by 20. But here's the kicker – his secret weapon isn't spreadsheets or market analysis... it's COMMUNITY.
Christian reveals how New Wealth Advisors Club operates more like a church than a traditional brokerage, with prayer before meetings, Bible studies, beach days, and members literally supporting each other through life's biggest challenges – including deportation.
🚨 Mind-Blowing Revelations:
The "Church Model" for Real Estate:
Weekly door-knocking sessions (like Bible study g...Hollywood Actress Reveals Why She Had to Cut Off Her Own Family
Sammie Ray is a full-time actress, musician, and artist based in Los Angeles. Half Filipino, half Swedish, she's been professionally acting for 10 years and recently got baptized in April after a profound spiritual transformation. She's also a newly certified Pilates instructor launching her business "Take 45."
Key Topics Discussed
Spiritual Journey & Transformation
Baptism in April 2024 - Major milestone after reading the entire BibleFrom Tarot to Faith - 8 years of tarot reading before finding Jesus in 2018"Fully Surrendered" - Her Netflix special concept...Business Acquisition Advisor EXPOSES Why 99% of People Fail at Buying Businesses
Melissa Hostutler - Business Acquisition Advisor specializing in blue-collar businesses (construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, pool companies, etc.)
Nearly 20 years of experience in business acquisitionsHandles deals typically under $5M, with largest acquisition at $110MWebsite: BlueCollarBusinessAdvisors.comThe Reality of Business Acquisitions
Business acquisitions are emotionally and financially demanding processesDeals can take up to 9 months to completeRecent example: A deal delayed 17 days due to poor communication and unprofessional handlingPersonal Brand vs. Business Brand
Build a business with assets, not just a personal brandPersonal brands (like Tony...Speech Therapist Michelle Roberts Reveals The Real Reason You Over-Explain Everything
When anxiety hijacks your words and attachment wounds sabotage your relationships, what's the path back to authentic connection?
The Journey from Broadway Dreams to Brain Rewiring
Meet Michelle Roberts, a licensed speech-language pathologist turned communication coach who's cracking the code on why we struggle to say what we mean, and mean what we say. From panic attacks that lasted for hours to helping performers reclaim their voices, Michelle's story is one of transformation through the science of human connection.
What You'll Discover:
🧠 The Hidden Psy...
The REAL Reason Christian Women Can't Find Good Men with Rachel Smith
In this powerful conversation, Rob sits down with content creator and worship leader Rachel to discuss faith, relationships, and the journey of self-discovery. Fresh off a year of personal transformation that she describes as a "rebirth," Rachel opens up about navigating boundaries in Christian dating, breaking generational patterns as a single mom, and finding her calling in ministry.
Key Topics Discussed
Personal Transformation & Faith Journey
Rachel's "rebirth" story: healing from a difficult relationship and rediscovering her identity in ChristThe difference between inherited faith and personal convictionHow surrendering control led to...Transforming Fear into Your Greatest Superpower with Renata Barletto
Join Rob Pene as he sits down with transformational coach Renata Barletto for a deep dive into emotional wellness, self-discovery, and the radical shift from fear-based to heart-centered living. Renata shares her powerful journey of transformation and reveals the coaching methods that help her clients break through limiting beliefs and step into their authentic power.
https://www.instagram.com/renatabarletto
About Renata Barletto
Renata Barletto is a transformational coach specializing in emotional wellness and personal growth. She helps high-achievers and conscious leaders navigate the delicate balance between being and doing, while...
Netflix Paid This Fantasy Author Millions, Aurora Winter Reveals How It Really Works
Episode Summary: Neuroscientist-turned-publishing mogul Aurora Winter shares her radical midlife reinvention, moving from "safe and boring" to creative powerhouse at 50+. She reveals the brain science behind feeling stuck, her exact formula for helping authors make $250K per speech, and why your story might be worth millions.
🎙️ About This Episode
What happens when a successful neuroscientist decides that "playing it safe" is slowly killing her creativity? Aurora Winter's story will challenge everything you think you know about age, reinvention, and what's possible in the second half of life.
In this raw a...
Pedro Bermudez Made $1 Million on Amazon - Here's His Exact Blueprint
Join Rob Pene as he sits down with Amazon FBA expert Pedro Bermudez to explore the dynamic world of e-commerce and selling on Amazon. This comprehensive discussion covers everything from the fundamentals of Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program to navigating the challenges of tariffs, product sourcing, and building a sustainable online business.
Pedro shares invaluable insights on the evolution of Amazon selling, the importance of mindset in entrepreneurship, and practical strategies for finding profitable products. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to scale your existing e-commerce business, this episode provides actionable advice on overcoming financial...
Down But Never Out: A Journey Through Trauma, Growth, and Human Connection with Amber Fuhriman
Amber Fuhriman: Success Architect, Author, Speaker, Attorney
Episode Highlights
The Netflix Special Question (1:00) Amber opens up about her challenging year, describing it as "Down But Never Out" - a raw look at overcoming trauma while maintaining resilience.
The Shooting Incident & PTSD Journey (2:18)
Experiencing a shooting at an event one year agoThe unexpected onset of PTSD symptomsHow trauma shifted her perspective on victims and defense workThe identity crisis that followed losing her...Neal Thakkar Lost $10 Million Overnight And His Comeback Strategy Will Shock You
From $10M to Bankruptcy: The Raw Truth About Losing Everything
Neal Thakkar built a $10 million supplement company, then lost it all overnight. Bankruptcy, 40 creditors, living at his parents' house at 31. But his comeback strategy will change how you think about failure forever.
What You'll Learn:
Why being your own worst enemy keeps you stuck in failureHow to "rewrite your past" and escape the shame spiralThe superpower you gain when you keep promises to yourself while everything's falling apartWhy most people left when he started winning againThe exact process to transform...