Good Work with Barrett Brooks

Barrett Brooks
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Good Work with Barrett Brooks

Good Work is a show about what it really takes to make impact at scale. These are long-form interviews with founders, scientists, authors, adventurers, and other talented people using their careers to build a more beautiful future.

  1. Mom: Ann Brooks on What They Don’t Teach You in Business School

    FEB 11

    Mom: Ann Brooks on What They Don’t Teach You in Business School

    This week, I sit down with someone who’s had an enormous impact on my life—my mom, Ann Brooks. She’s built an exceptional career spanning nearly 40 years in sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship, working for Xerox, Haworth, and Allstate before becoming a financial advisor. As the primary breadwinner for our family, she’s learned what it takes to manage high-performing teams, create scalable systems, and lead with integrity. Beyond business, this conversation is personal. My mom taught me some of the most valuable lessons I use every day—how to build teams, how to sell in a way that feels good for everyone, and how to lead with character. If you’ve ever wondered where my mindset on work and leadership comes from, this episode is a window into that foundation. Whether you call her Ann or Mom, I think you’ll learn something from her story. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:29) - How Ann became a Georgia Bulldogs fan (08:49) - Growing up in Georgia (10:26) - Family dynamics and sports (15:47) - Cultural heritage and identity (22:25) - On working very early in life (23:49) - Key learnings from Ann's early career (25:11) - The value of hard work early in life (28:46) - How Ann ended up working at Xerox (32:46) - Cultural identity as an immigrant  (41:30) - The hard truth about sales (43:13) - How Ann and her husband met and the importance of their partnership (46:52) - The transition to Hayworth (48:47) - Managing teams and building relationships (52:58) - Balancing family and career (57:44) - Navigating a male-dominated industry (01:03:41) - Ann's philosophy on bringing a team together  (01:08:09) - On standards of excellence (01:16:05) - Evaluating the real cost of opportunities (01:19:48) - Embracing entrepreneurship (01:21:56) - The first day at the new agency  (01:24:09) - How Ann changed the trajectory of her business (01:27:47) - Selling the business (01:35:55) - Working on a business vs working in the business (01:38:46) - What drew Ann to the financial industry (01:42:58) - Where excellence and joy meet (01:44:55) - Ann's beautiful future (01:46:28) - Who Ann is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 50m
  2. How Justin Moore Reinvented His Career After a Crushing Failure

    FEB 4

    How Justin Moore Reinvented His Career After a Crushing Failure

    This week, I talk with Justin Moore—founder and CEO of Creator Wizard, longtime YouTuber, and entrepreneur who’s spent more than 15 years navigating the creator economy. But this conversation isn’t just about business. It’s about the tension between entrepreneurship and family life, the ups and downs of building something meaningful, and the resilience required to start over after failure. Justin shares how he and his wife, April, built a thriving business on YouTube, only to face a major setback when his agency collapsed during the pandemic. We talk about the lessons he’s learned, how he’s doing things differently now, and why his ultimate goal has always been to support his family. This is a deeply human story of commitment, reinvention, and making work matter. I think you’re going to find a lot to relate to in this one. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:22) - How Justin ended up in a metal band (06:18) - Music as an escape (12:47) - Starting a YouTube channel (19:49) - Why make videos? (25:22) - Transition to full-time creators  (32:53) - Justin's first time dealing with online negativity (35:43) - How Justin and his wife worked through the transition of careers and (roles) - in their marriage (37:43) - Gender roles and family dynamics (41:57) - Dealing with judgmental people (44:48) - Life as a content creator (46:20) - The importance of family time (52:06) - Reflecting on parenting choices (56:21) - Adapting to new environments (01:03:57) - How Justin built a business from scratch (01:10:38) - The moment Justin decided to shut down his business (01:15:55) - The power of asking for help (01:27:17) - How Justin built the business he's always wanted (01:32:04) - Justin's beautiful future (01:33:17) - Who Justin is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 38m
  3. The Hardest Decision of My Career: Inside Kieran Snyder’s CEO Journey

    JAN 28

    The Hardest Decision of My Career: Inside Kieran Snyder’s CEO Journey

    This week, I talk with Kieran Snyder, the co-founder and former CEO of Textio, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of the AI revolution. Kieran’s journey is one of resilience, leadership, and innovation. We discuss how she transitioned from academia to leading a tech startup, raising more than $40 million in funding, and building equitable, high-performing teams along the way. Kieran opens up about the tough decision to step down as CEO after experiencing burnout and shares her path to recovery and rediscovery. We dive into her passion for building up young female leaders, from coaching girls’ basketball to supporting women in tech, and her talent for transforming surprising data into compelling stories through her newsletter, Nerd Processor. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or just curious about AI’s impact on the workplace, I hope this conversation will inspire and offer some practical insights as well. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:55) - Kieran's 8th grade science project (05:07) - How parental influence shaped Kieran's career path (08:29) - Academic journey in linguistics (17:19) - Kieran's transition to tech (23:47) - Founding Textio (30:11) - Building a company with your spouse (36:18) - Navigating product market fit (46:46) - Burnout and stepping down as CEO (56:35) - Leadership and knowing when to walk away  (01:01:23) - Detaching identity from career outcomes (01:05:33) - How Kieran evaluates her performance as a CEO (01:08:39) - The value of a board of advisors (01:11:45) - Kieran's advice for someone recruiting a mentor, advisor or board member (01:15:25) - Starting Nerd Processor and embracing creativity (01:19:14) - How Kieran chooses what to write about (01:23:20) - How to create substantial and insightful content (01:30:11) - What Kieran has learned about hiring execs (01:35:13) - Coaching youth basketball and personal fulfillment (01:41:03) - Kieran's beautiful future (01:42:59) - Who Kieran is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 47m
  4. Inside Pat Flynn’s World: Family, Fishing, Pokémon, and Smart Passive Income

    JAN 21

    Inside Pat Flynn’s World: Family, Fishing, Pokémon, and Smart Passive Income

    This week, I talk with Pat Flynn, a legend in the creator economy and founder of Smart Passive Income. Pat’s journey began in 2008 when he was laid off as an architect during the recession. Since then, he’s built an online empire by experimenting with niche projects and side hustles, teaching modern, effective principles to entrepreneurs worldwide. We dive deep into his journey—from building Smart Passive Income to leading with empathy and authenticity. Pat shares how he turned his love of Pokémon cards into a million-subscriber YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, and how hobbies and family keep him grounded and inspired. This conversation is personal, insightful, and packed with actionable lessons for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone wanting to build a meaningful career while staying true to your values. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:58) - Kayak bass fishing tournaments? (10:50) - The importance of getting outside regularly (14:38) - The hardest part of Pat's lifestyle change (21:38) - Parenting and dealing with negativity online (38:08) - How Pat built his career around family (41:26) - Being present with family (43:54) - Involving family in business (46:18) - How Pat created open communication with his children (49:24) - Standing out and embracing uniqueness (55:33) - Pat on losing his first architecture job (59:13) - The journey to online business (01:02:56) - Launching the first online product (01:08:29) - Learning from mistakes and moving forward (01:10:00) - Embracing just-in-time learning (01:12:39) - Overcoming the inner conflict of perfectionism (01:16:18) - The importance of mentorship (01:17:23) - Hiring a Fortnite coach (01:18:13) - Triathlon Training with Jeff McMahon (01:18:58) - The art of asking for help (01:21:47) - Embracing consistency and iteration (01:22:29) - Mastering storytelling and content creation (01:30:33) - Building relationships with an audience (01:37:49) - Finding success by making content community-driven (01:41:08) - Teaching by example vs telling people what they should do (01:45:23) - Pat's beautiful future (01:46:46) - Who Pat is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 52m
  5. How Ankur Nagpal Turned Adversity into a $250M Empire

    JAN 14

    How Ankur Nagpal Turned Adversity into a $250M Empire

    This week, I talk with Ankur Nagpal, founder of Teachable, Carry, and Vibe Capital. Ankur’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From immigrating to the U.S. for college to founding a company that grew exponentially and sold for a life-changing $250 million, Ankur has built a remarkable career. We explore how he went from creating Facebook apps in college to funding his own education at Berkeley, starting and scaling Teachable in New York, and what he learned about himself after the sale. Ankur shares how success has allowed him to focus on what truly matters—family, meaningful relationships, and purpose-driven work. Now with Carry, he’s on a mission to bring elite investment and tax strategies to everyday business owners. This is a story of resilience, authenticity, and leadership. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:51) - What makes cricket a beautiful sport? (06:40) - Growing up in Oman and moving to the US (16:32) - Navigating the US visa system (22:09) - What Ankur learned from his initial success building Facebook apps (32:01) - Making a million dollars and forgetting to pay taxes (33:51) - Finding home in New York (38:07) - How New York has shaped Ankur professionally and personally (43:10) - Teachable and the evolution of the creator economy (49:08) - Challenges of scaling a startup (57:45) - What will change for content creators over the next 10 years? (01:04:35) - Deciding to sell Teachable (01:09:22) - Life-changing realizations (01:12:31) - Ankur's first big purchase after selling the company (01:14:13) - Walking away from CEO (01:16:42) - Investing and family priorities (01:19:36) - What Ankur learned as an investor that he didn't know as a founder (01:24:01) - Traveling self-discovery (01:27:19) - Building a new company (01:38:29) - Ankur's beautiful future (01:40:19) - Who Ankur is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 43m
  6. What I’ve Learned About Excellence, Purpose, and Showing Up: AMA with Barrett Brooks

    12/17/2024

    What I’ve Learned About Excellence, Purpose, and Showing Up: AMA with Barrett Brooks

    Since the very first episode, Good Work has been about exploring why our work matters and how it helps us become the people and leaders we’re meant to be. Normally, I interview world-class guests, diving deep into their unique stories and insights. But today, I’m sharing my own experiences, lessons, and reflections. I’ve gathered questions from you, my listeners, as well as past guests, covering a wide range of topics: business advice, lessons learned from podcasting, life philosophy, and how I approach my own work. This episode is a chance to connect on a different level as I reflect on the year and answer your questions. I hope it brings value and inspiration as we wrap up the year together. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:44) - What's the number one process business owners need to have to stay happy and engaged?  (05:14) - What are the biggest tactical challenges that $1m+ creator/founders struggle with? (14:05) - What are the common threads in the life ambitions or mentality of the people you've had on the podcast? (27:25) - How have you changed, matured, or grown as a result of something you've learned from a guest on Good Work? (31:22) - What have you learned about podcasting that you didn't know or didn't expect when you started? (39:14) - Has podcasting changed anything about your views on the impact and importance of various forms of media in society at large? (44:16) - Of all the people you talked to, for whom did your respect increase the most after all the research and conversation, and why? (47:44) - What's up with the podcast artwork? And is there any meaning behind the studio design? (56:50) - What is your definition of "enough"? (01:04:04) - What are some challenges you're proud of solving, and how did you solve them?  (01:13:21) - Over the last 10 years, what's become more important to you, and what's become less important? Does his weekly calendar match the answer? (01:16:14) - What are you avoiding just because it will take longer than you'd like? (01:17:09) - What was most surprising about 2024, and how are you feeling about 2025? (01:19:07) - is there anything you've learned in your life that you wish you didn't know? (01:22:23) - What six-month period of your life was the most energizing and fun, and what can you learn from the answer? (01:32:26) - How do you manage your day and your week? (01:38:27) - What would young Barrett think of the work you're doing today? (01:44:43) - If you were the teacher for your kids and a few other local kids, what's one class or curriculum you'd love to teach them and why? (01:48:08) - Why are garbage trucks stinky? And what makes buses awesome? (01:49:56) - Final thoughts Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 53m
  7. The Power of Owning Your Story with Ruthie Ackerman

    12/10/2024

    The Power of Owning Your Story with Ruthie Ackerman

    This week, I talk with Ruthie Ackerman—a talented author, journalist, and writing teacher who has turned her own journey into a blueprint for helping others find their voice. Ruthie’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Modern Love, and many other renowned outlets, but her true passion lies in empowering others to discover and write their own stories. Through her workshops, one-on-one coaching, and book incubators, Ruthie helps writers connect with their experiences, heal from the past, and find deeper meaning in their lives. We explore Ruthie’s journey—from traveling the world in her 20s, to pivoting into journalism, to teaching creative nonfiction and memoir to students around the globe. We also dive into the deeply personal moments that shaped her path, including her journey to motherhood. Ruthie’s insights on storytelling, healing, and personal growth are inspiring, and I hope our conversation encourages you to reflect on your own story and its potential to create meaning and connection. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:48) - How Ruthie ended up in Malawi (10:31) - The path to journalism (13:19) - Brooklyn dreams (18:38) - Reporting from Liberia and Lebanon (28:18) - The Forbes experience (32:05) - Starting Write Your Life (36:12) - How Ruthie teaches writing (47:51) - The importance of memoir (53:25) - Balancing personal and professional life (01:03:55) - The journey to motherhood (01:09:28) - Dealing with changing desires  (01:16:14) - Understanding self-silencing and emotional repression (01:24:02) - The reality of fertility treatments (01:28:24) - Dating after divorce (01:33:17) - Finding love and facing heartbreak (01:44:19) - Meeting Rob (01:48:37) - Reflections on the journey and personal growth (01:52:06) - Ruthie's most beautiful future (01:55:09) - Who Ruthie is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 59m
  8. Andy Crissinger: The Art of Asking Better Questions

    11/19/2024

    Andy Crissinger: The Art of Asking Better Questions

    This week, I talk with Andy Crissinger, a world-class coach and master facilitator who has guided leaders at some of the world’s most renowned startups and companies. Andy’s journey to coaching is remarkable, weaving through ministry, startup leadership, and eventually finding his calling as a coach. In the first half of our conversation, we explore his personal story, which is deeply relatable and filled with lessons about growth and resilience. In the second half, we dive into a coaching curriculum built around five transformative books, offering practical insights for personal and professional development. These resources can help you grow into the leader, partner, and parent you aspire to be. I loved this conversation with Andy about finding purpose, building trust, and achieving meaningful growth, and I think you will too. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:05) - Who is Leonard? (03:25) - What music represents for Andy (07:28) - Family, integrity, and sense-making (14:15) - Andy's transition to ministry (17:09) - What Andy learned about community through ministry (23:13) - Coaching vs teaching (30:20) - The journey through infertility (39:16) - How impact and joy of fatherhood (43:15) - Transitioning to coaching (48:00) - Founding Worksong (01:00:23) - Humble Inquiry by Edgar Schein (01:13:11) - Inherited Family Trauma (01:19:42) - Andy's beautiful future (01:22:18) - Who And is becoming (01:24:19) - Trees by Howard Nemerov Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

    1h 30m
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4.9
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About

Good Work is a show about what it really takes to make impact at scale. These are long-form interviews with founders, scientists, authors, adventurers, and other talented people using their careers to build a more beautiful future.

Information

  • Creator
    Barrett Brooks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Unbearably Beautiful Futures LLC
  • Show Website
    Good Work with Barrett Brooks

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