Mick Unplugged: Nick Nanton – Winning Gold with Bourbon, Branding, and Bold Moves

Date: August 16, 2025
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Nick Nanton, 22-Time Emmy Award-Winning Director & Entrepreneur

Episode Overview

In this episode, Mick Hunt sits down with multi-Emmy-winning filmmaker and branding mastermind Nick Nanton. The conversation dives into the serendipitous flight that sparked their friendship, the art of storytelling, winning gold with bourbon, the essential nature of branding, and the foundational role that family and purpose play in Nick’s remarkable journey. Expect a mix of humor, candid truth-telling, and actionable insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.

Power of Connection: The Flight That Sparked Friendship

Key Points:

• The episode kicks off with the story of how Mick and Nick first connected—stuck on a rerouted, weather-delayed plane from Vegas to Dallas that landed in Austin instead.
• Despite initial silence (“I just fall asleep on planes”—Nick Nanton, 02:06), the two eventually bonded over conversation, mutual friends, and, notably, bourbon.
• Nick shares his philosophy on meaningful connection:

  "I'm not ever looking for a shallow conversation. I'm looking for deep connections." (03:02)

• A memorable flight moment: Nick offers Mick “The Difference,” a bourbon he co-founded with Chris Voss, and the two share a clandestine drink on board.

  "So I have these little airplane bottles… I happen to have some with me." (04:19)

Notable Quote:

"Had we not talked about our mutual circles, it probably would have been like, 'Hey, I'm Mick. Hey, I'm Nick. Nice to meet you.' And move forward." – Mick (03:02)

Winning Gold with Bourbon: The Story Behind “The Difference”

Key Segments & Insights:

• Launch Story:
  Nick describes meeting Chris Voss and coming up with the idea for a bourbon brand during COVID lockdowns:

  "Eventually my dumb brain spits out, 'Chris, we should start a bourbon, call it The Difference.' … and so that, to me, was permission." (09:59)

• Branding and Community:
  “The Difference” isn’t just a drink; it’s a community for entrepreneurs and leaders. Membership is by invitation, focusing on shared experiences:

  "It's an invite-only community for entrepreneurs, philanthropists and investors… the community is incredible because we set the boundaries right." (19:45)

• Advice on Being Different:

  "Different is better than better. … In whatever it is you're doing in your business, in your life, reframe to what would make me different." (21:20)

Notable Quotes:

• “The world is also saying it. The Difference is the best bourbon that is on the market today.” – Mick (06:36)
• “My idea muscle has gotten strong. … I can execute on anything in a world-class way if I have a world-class team.” – Nick (13:53)
• “Money is the cheapest commodity in the world. I often promise people Roe—Return On Experience—because I can promise that. I cannot promise ROI.” – Nick (21:27)

Timestamps:

• 06:36 – Mick calls The Difference “the best bourbon” he’s ever tasted
• 13:48-22:03 – Nick details the conception, launch, and community aspect of The Difference

Storytelling & Winning 22 Emmys

Key Discussion:

• How Nick, with an initial background in music, stumbled serendipitously into filmmaking—and strategized his way to his first Emmy by literally googling “How to win an Emmy.” (23:31)
• Lessons on submitting for awards and demystifying industry “gatekeepers.”

  “Submit as many as you possibly can, because you never know which one you’re going to have the luck… If I had only entered one, I may have never made another documentary again.” (26:48)

• The unique leverage awards provide in building credibility:

  “Would you rather work with a team or an award-winning team? Clearly, an award-winning team. … It does work very well to open doors for you when you get those type of credentials.” (29:17)

Notable Moment:

• Nick’s first big win was for directing a heartwarming short on a boy with Down syndrome:

  “I won for directing. … That changed my life.” (26:48)

Timestamps:

• 23:31 – Nick’s origin story as a filmmaker
• 26:48-29:17 – Insights on awards and credibility

Branding That Sticks: Your Story Is Your Brand

Insights:

• Nick simplifies branding:

  “Your brand is your story. A great brand is a story that other people tell before you walk in the room.” (31:38)

• If you don’t articulate your brand, others will do it for you (often incorrectly):

  “If you don't articulate your brand for someone, they will articulate it for you the wrong way.” (32:38)

• True branding starts personal:

  “Most of us undervalue our greatest gifts because they came easy. And most undervalue our life experience because we experienced it—it’s not that big a deal… No one knows where to start, start at the beginning.” (33:15)

Purpose, Family, & Living Your “Because”

Key Points:

• Mick highlights that what impresses most is not Nick's business successes, but his role as a husband and father.
• Nick explains intentional family cultivation as the bedrock of accomplishment:

  “My baseline is covered because I've poured into them and they’re there for me. And that’s what makes the rest of it just fun.” (36:42)

Memorable Moment:
Nick’s daughter, when asked what her dad does:

"He cuts deals and makes it rain cash." (36:55)

Rapid-Fire Five – Quick Personal Insights (39:25–43:37)

1. Favorite Directed Doc:
   The Truth About Reading (39:36)
2. Dream Collaboration:
   “I want to do Jackie Chan’s life story. ... Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Mark Wahlberg, Dolly Parton…” (41:04)
3. Book That Changed His Life:
   The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan (41:56)
4. First Concert:
   They Might Be Giants, with Sheryl Crow opening for Blues Traveler a close second (42:09)
5. Daily Habit That Fuels Connectivity:
   “I have to work out. ... I listen to audiobooks or podcasts at 2x ... Talking with my wife and all my kids every day is another massive one.” (42:25)

Closing Reflections & Where to Connect

• Nick plugs his Instagram (@icknanton) and website (nicknanton.com), and mentions a new book in the works.
• Mick urges listeners:

  “Remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” (44:16)

Notable Quotes Compilation

• “Different is better than better.” – Nick, quoting Sally Hogshead (21:20)
• “If you don't articulate your brand for someone, they will articulate it for you the wrong way.” (32:38)
• “My baseline is covered because I've poured into them and they’re there for me.” (36:42)
• “Money is the cheapest commodity in the world. ... I can promise Roe—Return On Experience—I cannot promise ROI.” (21:27)
• “Your brand is your story. A great brand is a story that other people tell before you walk in the room.” (31:38)

Episode Timestamps – Key Segments

• 02:36 – Power of connection in unlikely places (the rerouted flight)
• 06:36 – Birth of “The Difference” bourbon brand
• 13:48–22:03 – Building a unique business and community around bourbon
• 23:31–29:17 – How Nick became an Emmy-winning filmmaker and why awards matter
• 31:29–35:38 – Branding: Stories, strategy, and the importance of defining yourself
• 36:13–39:25 – Family, purpose, and living your "because"
• 39:36–43:37 – Rapid-fire Five: Quick insights into Nick's world

Final Takeaway

This episode is a deep-dive into modern leadership, the power of intentional connection, creative entrepreneurship, and the non-negotiable importance of living and branding authentically. Whether you’re building a company, telling your own story, or seeking motivation to live your “because,” Nick’s journey is packed with actionable inspiration and a refreshing dose of humility.