"We lose sight of God when we remove human agency from creation. In a world increasingly automated, what happens to authenticity and true craftsmanship?"

In this episode, Ryan James Miller sits down with jeweler Nicholas Hayford to explore the intersection of faith, craftsmanship, and authentic living. What starts as a discussion about jewelry unexpectedly unfolds into a deep dive on manhood, marriage, and God-given purpose. From custom black diamond rings to the art of handcrafting pieces that last generations, Nicholas shares why he believes jewelry can be a powerful symbol of relationships and legacy.

Key Takeaways:

1. Authenticity and Handcrafted Art: Nicholas emphasizes the value of "old-world" hand fabrication over computer-aided designs, comparing hand-built pieces to pre-fab cabinets. This process brings him joy, knowing that he’s making something personal and meaningful—like the heirloom jewelry passed from one generation to the next.
2. Faith and Purpose in Craftsmanship: Ryan and Nicholas discuss how true fulfillment in work is found by aligning one’s skills with God’s calling. Nicholas believes his purpose is creating timeless pieces that honor relationships and reflect beauty, mirroring God’s creativity.
3. Marriage as a Foundation: A recurring theme is the vital role of marriage and family. Nicholas speaks on the influence of his parents' long-lasting marriage and how, for him, creating meaningful jewelry strengthens couples' connections. He considers his role as not just a jeweler but as someone helping men show appreciation for their wives in a lasting way.
4. Stewardship Over Success: Nicholas views his talents and career as gifts from God, something to steward rather than exploit. Ryan reflects on how men are often tempted to chase visible “greatness” but miss the opportunity to simply live out their calling with humility and integrity.

This episode speaks to men who want more than success; they want purpose, alignment, and a legacy that speaks to God’s call in their lives.

Whether you’re a craftsman or a corporate leader, this conversation encourages you to embrace authenticity, serve others, and steward your gifts faithfully.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on personal growth, faith-driven entrepreneurship, and building success with integrity!

Don’t forget to leave a comment—what can you add to this topic?

And check out the links below to learn more about our retreats, coaching, and free resources to help you achieve greatness. 👇

Links:

Become a Man of Greatness - https://coach.ryanjamesmiller.com/mog

Free Guide: Identifying and Challenging Negative Thoughts - https://coach.ryanjamesmiller.com/Identifying-and-Challenging-Negative-Thoughts-UG

Let's keep the conversation going!

Connect with Nicholas - https://x.com/sirnicholasch

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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjmsalespro

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How can real estate become a mission? And what does it look like to build wealth while serving others?

In this compelling episode, Ryan James Miller speaks with Scott Choppin, a visionary in the real estate world, about his transformative journey and his commitment to affordable housing for California's middle-income families. Scott shares the challenges he faces in a market often limited by high costs and complex policies, emphasizing a fresh, family-centered approach to development. From integrating faith into his entrepreneurial journey to rethinking the role of multi-generational housing, Scott underscores the need for real estate solutions that uplift communities and foster resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• Mission-Driven Real Estate: Scott is on a mission to create housing options for the underserved middle class, challenging the norm of government-only solutions with market-driven approaches.
• Family-Centered Solutions: Many families share housing costs across generations, highlighting the need for multi-generational living spaces.
• Faith and Wealth in Business: Scott views wealth as a means to serve, aligning his faith with his business strategy to promote ethical and sustainable community growth.
• Engaging in Local Politics: Advocacy for better housing policies begins at the local level, where community voices are essential in shaping housing solutions.

"Much is given, much is required. We’re not just building homes—we’re creating space for families to thrive."

https://coach.ryanjamesmiller.com/

Take the next step toward unlocking your potential.

Connect with Scott: https://x.com/ScottChoppin

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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjmsalespro

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Twitter – https://twitter.com/theryanjamesmil

What if you stopped arguing for change and started designing it?

In this episode of Unlocking Greatness, Ryan James Miller hosts Stephen Courson, an executive coach, to tackle the essential questions behind "life design" and intentionality. The conversation unfolds with practical insights for those feeling stretched thin by distractions yet striving for true alignment in work, family, and faith. Courson opens with a memorable post that resonates deeply: "Imagine if people channeled the energy spent on politics into transforming their own lives." He dives into how the distraction of politics or other noise can deter people from fulfilling their unique purpose.

Main Takeaways:

1. Prioritizing Self-Design over Distractions: Courson emphasizes that one’s “most valuable resources—time, energy, attention, and money—should reflect personal values, not distractions like politics or screen time.”
2. Effective Boundaries for True Success: Whether it's setting social media limits or avoiding "good distractions" (even well-intentioned projects), Courson explains that focusing on what genuinely aligns with your calling brings growth and fulfillment.
3. Clarity in Goals through Essential Questions: Courson’s three guiding questions—What do you want? Why do you want it? How will you get it?—form a framework for building a meaningful and sustainable life strategy.
4. Redefining “Hero” Through Sacrifice: Both Courson and Miller point out the powerful truth: sacrifice is essential to genuine achievement. Heroes don’t emerge by chance but by commitment to a vision and readiness to sacrifice.

"Priorities aren't the things we say; they're the things we do." Courson drives home that it’s not about making time for what’s easy but committing to what’s worthwhile, even if it means saying no to less aligned opportunities.

This episode will leave listeners inspired to reevaluate their own paths, make intentional sacrifices, and approach their goals with conviction and clarity.

Subscribe to stay connected with more transformational content, engage in the comments with your thoughts, and check out links below to join my retreats, access coaching programs, and download free resources like “A Guide to Identifying and Challenging Negative Thoughts.”

https://coach.ryanjamesmiller.com/

Take the next step toward unlocking your potential.

Connect with Stephen - https://x.com/StephenCourson

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