Julia DeWahl is a talented entrepreneur with a fascinating background in startups. Her roles at companies like Opendoor and SpaceX gave her a wealth of experience in growing companies and solving hard problems. She is currently the Co-Founder and President of Antares, which focuses on making and distributing small modular nuclear reactors. She is a passionate advocate for nuclear energy, which she talks about on her podcast, Age of Miracles.
This week, Barrett talks with Julia about her diverse career trajectory, the nuances of transitioning between major roles, the challenges of shifting from software to hardware, and the exciting potential of nuclear energy. They also discuss leading organizations through massive growth, working with polarizing figures, how creative pursuits shape our careers, and the impact of family and friendship on work and life.
In this episode:
- 00:00 - Intro
- 02:14 - Julia's experience traveling after college
- 08:49 - How Julia’s creative interests fit into her career path
- 19:25 - Julia's path into startups
- 25:33 - Choosing the right problems to work on
- 31:50 - How financial freedom impacts what projects we work on
- 43:19 - The transition from software to hardware
- 51:12 - How family and becoming a parent changes your work
- 01:08:24 - Joining SpaceX
- 01:14:32 - Leadership lessons from SpaceX, Elon Musk, and Gwynne Shotwell
- 01:25:58 - What pulled Julia into the world of nuclear energy
- 01:32:15 - Why writing in public and launching a podcast is a "Bat Signal"
- 01:37:03 - Learning more about nuclear
- 01:42:20 - Launching a nuclear energy startup
- 01:48:42 - Julia on who she is becoming
Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.
