The Lies We Tell Ourselves About Success with Matt D. Smith

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Mar 18, 2025

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This week, I talk with Matt D. Smith—better known on the internet as MDS. Matt is a world-class designer and the founder of Shift Nudge, where he’s building the Juilliard of design education. Over his 20-year career, Matt has generated millions in revenue while helping clients craft iconic visual identities. But beyond the work itself, this conversation is about the inner journey behind outward success. We dive into how Matt and his wife built a marriage that serves as the foundation of his career, the three major turning points that shaped his path, and what might have happened had he chosen differently. Most importantly, we explore how Matt transitioned from seeking external validation to being guided by a deeper sense of peace and joy in his work. This is a conversation about success, self-awareness, and the courage to forge your own path. Let’s get to it.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro
(02:20) - Is writing online still relevant?
(09:51) - A pivotal childhood moment
(15:12) - Lessons from crop dusting
(20:54) - Discovering a passion for design
(26:31) - College life and relationships
(29:41) - The early ingredients to Matt's successful marriage
(40:27) - Choosing to settle down in Athens, GA
(43:54) - Raising four kids
(45:31) - Gaining notoriety with the Float Label design pattern
(48:47) - Moving to San Francisco?
(52:04) - Building a community in Athens
(57:56) - The shift to online education
(01:08:50) - The downside of putting all your eggs in one basket
(01:12:17) - Launching Shift Nudge
(01:18:32) - Dealing with self-doubt
(01:23:32) - Launching during COVID
(01:28:16) - The stats behind Shift Nudge's first launch
(01:33:20) - The emotional and psychological challenges of success
(01:40:22) - Dealing with “little t trauma”
(01:54:31) - What makes Matt world-class?
(01:56:38) - Matt's most beautiful future
(01:58:36) - Who Matt is becoming

Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.