The Inner Work of Outward Success: Barrett Brooks on Mastery, Fatherhood, and Emotional Growth
Good Work with Barrett Brooks
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This episode is a special one. After a year of interviewing thoughtful, world-class guests, I wanted to share more of my own story. So I asked my dear friend, and episode 01 guest, James Clear, to turn the mic on me. We talk about the formative moments in my life— from childhood patterns and baseball memories to the inner work I’ve done to stop striving without purpose and start accepting myself more fully. I share why I believe that most successful people already know what to do—they just need help getting past their individual emotional blockers. We explore the coaching frameworks I use, the lessons I’m still learning, and why I no longer believe I have to suffer to do good in the world. This is the most personal conversation I’ve ever had on the show, and I’m incredibly grateful to James for holding it with so much care. Let’s get to it!
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In this episode:
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(00:00) - Intro
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(04:37) - Barrett’s favorite exercises for processing change and transition
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(15:12) - How self-awareness evolves
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(20:59) - Barrett's early years and why the Discovery program was so meaningful
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(28:06) - How baseball taught Barrett to deal with pressure
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(37:45) - A compliment Barrett still carries—and what it taught him about self-worth
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(40:18) - What Barrett learned from his dad
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(45:59) - Why Barrett used to wait to ask for help
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(50:04) - Learning to hear “no” without rewriting your self-worth
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(52:23) - Can you do good work and still want credit?
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(55:59) - What shaped Barrett’s curiosity about the world
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(01:00:28) - Seeing the cost of inherited patterns
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(01:04:07) - Reflections on adolescence, faith, and finding purpose
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(01:11:51) - When others see your strengths before you do
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(01:15:01) - Why Barrett left a dream job with no plan
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(01:18:00) - Surrendering to the work you’re made to do
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(01:25:02) - Leading with thoughts or feelings?
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(01:27:13) - What Barrett imagined fatherhood would be—and what it became
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(01:29:02) - Modeling emotional health and growth
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(01:31:27) - What Barrett would learn by trading places with his wife
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(01:32:47) - The truth about balancing family and entrepreneurship
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(01:37:51) - The kinds of people Barrett is best at coaching
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(01:41:07) - What Barrett would teach if given a mic and 30 minutes to prep
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(01:42:22) - Barrett’s proudest achievement—and what’s next
Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.
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