Good Work with Barrett Brooks

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.

This week, I talk with Tina Tower, founder of Her Empire Builder, a membership community helping women start and scale online course businesses. Tina’s journey to success has been anything but straightforward. She launched a tutoring center at 20, built a franchise that nearly broke her, and sold it in a deal that taught her some tough lessons about business and burnout. We dive into what she learned from scaling too fast, how to avoid the potential pitfalls of selling a company, and how she transitioned from a high-stress business to running a wildly profitable $2 million-a-year company—with less stress and more joy than ever before. If you’ve ever wrestled with balancing wealth, meaning, and a lifestyle you truly love, this conversation is for you. Let’s get to it!In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:52) - How a toy bear became a symbol of Tina's entrepreneurial journey (04:29) - Tina's chaotic childhood and leaving home at 14 (06:58) - Discovering Tony Robbins and rewriting her story (13:00) - Tina's mindset shift from survival to entrepreneurship (16:05) - “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”—or can you?  (19:00) - Hustling to stay afloat (22:19) - Hitting rock bottom and facing failure (31:00) - Scaling too fast—when growth becomes a trap (36:00) - When success feels like a burden (39:43) - Selling the business—a deal that was too good to be true (46:10) - Running away to find herself again (52:05) - Accidentally starting a seven-figure business (01:01:00) - What it’s like running a $2M/year business without burning out (01:04:20) - Letting go of overworking (01:09:00) - Choosing success without sacrifice (01:13:00) - When ambition clashes with contentment (01:18:00) - Realizing success doesn't mean burnout (01:23:45) - Barrett's approach to coaching (01:34:36) - What makes Tina world-class? (01:34:54) - Tina's most beautiful future (01:35:47) - Who Tina is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist, writer, and founder of Ness Labs, discusses her new book, 'Tiny Experiments,' revealing how small, intentional actions can unlock creativity and personal growth. She explores the importance of navigating life's crossroads and following intuition in decision-making. Anne-Laure shares insights on embracing vulnerability through psychoactive journeys and the significance of cultural identity. Her reflections on healing generational wounds and fostering authenticity encourage listeners to embrace their true selves for transformative growth.

Bonnie Wan, a trailblazing strategist with 30 years in advertising, shares her inspiring journey from a bullied immigrant to a leading figure in brand strategy. She discusses her transformative tool, The Life Brief, and how storytelling can drive social change, including a national campaign against child pornography. Bonnie reflects on embracing vulnerability as a leader, navigating the complexities of gender dynamics in personal growth, and the importance of confronting trauma to foster empowerment. Her insights challenge us to redefine what truly matters in our lives.

Ann Brooks, a seasoned expert with nearly 40 years in sales and leadership, shares invaluable insights on navigating the corporate world. She discusses building high-performing teams and the balance between support and accountability. Ann reflects on her early career at Xerox and the challenges of being a primary breadwinner in a male-dominated environment. Personal stories filled with humor and resilience emphasize the importance of cultural identity, hard work, and leading with integrity in both life and business.

Join Justin Moore, founder of Creator Wizard and a seasoned YouTuber, as he shares his journey through the highs and lows of the creator economy. He candidly discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, especially after facing a setback when his agency collapsed during the pandemic. Justin elaborates on his transformative experiences, from launching a YouTube channel to navigating online negativity. His story is a testament to resilience, the importance of family time, and the ever-evolving dynamics of modern parenthood.

Kieran Snyder, co-founder and former CEO of Textio, dives deep into her transformative journey from academia to tech leadership. She shares insights on raising over $40 million in funding while building equitable teams. Kieran candidly discusses her experience with burnout and the difficult decision to step down as CEO. Passionate about mentoring women, she highlights her efforts in coaching girls' basketball and her unique storytelling approach in her newsletter, Nerd Processor. This conversation offers both inspiration and practical advice for aspiring leaders.

This week’s guest is Pat Flynn, the founder of Smart Passive Income, renowned for his genuine approach in the creator economy. He discusses the pivotal moment of being laid off as an architect, which led him to online success. Pat shares his passion for kayak bass fishing and how it fosters connection with nature and community. He emphasizes the importance of open communication with his children, blending family with business. With insights on navigating negativity and embracing uniqueness, Pat inspires entrepreneurs to stay true to their values while building meaningful careers.

Ankur Nagpal, founder of Teachable and Carry, shares his inspiring journey from immigrant student to entrepreneur. He discusses the hurdles of navigating the US immigration system and the lessons learned from his early Facebook app success. Ankur reflects on the evolution of the creator economy and the challenges of scaling Teachable. He emphasizes the importance of family and meaningful work after selling his company for $250 million, while also exploring the future of content creation and his mission to democratize investment strategies for business owners.

Reflecting on essential business strategies, joy in entrepreneurship, and personal growth, the host shares insightful lessons gleaned from past guests. They tackle the unique challenges faced by $1M+ creators and highlight the transformative power of meaningful conversations. With humor, they recount youthful entrepreneurial adventures and discuss the intricate journey of podcasting, from production to distribution. Emphasizing resilience, authenticity, and the lasting impact of relationships, the episode inspires listeners to embrace their own journeys.