In this episode of Beneath the Surface Podcast, host Danny F. and guest Nick Lanier, a veteran, explore the complexities of returning home after military service. They discuss the challenges of identity, belonging, and the importance of chosen family and faith in navigating the transition. Nick shares personal stories of his journey, the role of his wife in grounding him, and the significance of authentic relationships in a world increasingly dominated by superficial connections. The conversation emphasizes the need for vulnerability and the importance of supporting one another through life's challenges.

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Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in hustle culture? In this episode of Beneath the Surface, host Danny Francois sits down with entrepreneur and speaker Brian Cristiano to unpack the real mental and emotional cost of nonstop grinding — and how to rebuild a life rooted in balance, clarity, and purpose.

Brian shares his personal journey of chasing the wrong goals, hitting burnout, and redefining success through mental health and alignment. This conversation is for anyone navigating high‑pressure environments, entrepreneurship, or the weight of unrealistic expectations.

Explore more of Brian’s work at: www.theboldway.com

What you’ll learn in this episode:

* How hustle culture shapes identity and self‑worth
* Early signs of burnout and how to recognize them
* What overwhelm really looks like — and why it’s not failure
* How burnout impacts creativity, relationships, and joy
* Steps to rebuild resilience and realign with your values
* How to choose mental health over constant productivity
* Brian Cristiano’s story of breaking free from hustle culture


Mantra of the episode:
Mental health over hustle isn’t just a choice — it’s a rebellion against burnout culture.

Journal prompt:
What goal am I chasing that isn’t mine? How can I honor my mental health today?

In this moving and inspirational episode, we step into the sacred intersection of faith, trauma, and transformation. Inspired by Isaiah 53 and 61 — “By His stripes we are healed” and “He will give them beauty for ashes” — we explore how God meets us in the ruins, gathers what’s been shattered, and rebuilds us into something new.

Our guest, Kaycee, shares a testimony that moves from rebellion to redemption, from self-destruction to supernatural restoration. Once a homeschooled church girl who ran headfirst into addiction, chaos, and self-harm, she found herself at rock bottom — crying out to God in her car, desperate for a way out. In that moment, she heard the words that changed everything:

“Daughter, it’s time to come home.”

What the enemy meant for evil, God used for good.

Together, we talk through the journey of healing that isn’t just emotional or physical — it’s spiritual. Kaycee opens up about the scriptures that carried her through darkness, the moment she first felt truly glad to be alive, and how God turned her ashes into beauty through sobriety, community, and a renewed relationship with Jesus.

We also dive into the daily practices that keep her grounded: praying Psalm 51:10, learning the difference between God’s perspective and self‑perspective, and discovering how scripture becomes a living, breathing tool for recovery rather than just words on a page.

From therapy and faith to community and accountability, Kaycee speaks honestly about the challenges, the misconceptions, and the moments when faith felt like pressure instead of peace. She breaks down the difference between conviction and shame, why isolation is one of the enemy’s greatest weapons, and how the right mentors can sharpen us into who God intended us to be.

This episode is a reminder that healing is not hypothetical — it’s promised.

Scars become testimonies.

Ashes become beauty.

And no one is too far gone for God to redeem.

If you’re wrestling with faith, trauma, or the weight of your past, Kaycee’s story will remind you that you don’t have to clean yourself up before coming to Jesus. You come to Him to be made clean. Freedom is real, and it’s available.