Good Work with Barrett Brooks

In this discussion, Steph Smith, a renowned writer and podcaster, shares insights from her journey as a curator of the internet. She delves into the impact of the nomadic lifestyle on personal growth and relationships. Steph reflects on how early exposure to diverse experiences shapes adaptability. The conversation also touches on balancing specialization with exploration, and how the pandemic influenced her search for stability. As a multiracial individual, she discusses identity and its role in her entrepreneurial spirit and creative projects.

Laura Behrens Wu, co-founder and CEO of Shippo, shares her journey as one of the few female CEOs of a billion-dollar company. She discusses transforming shipping logistics for e-commerce, empowering small to medium-sized businesses, and how her global upbringing influences her leadership. The conversation dives into challenging customer feedback, building a strong co-founder relationship, and promoting company culture in remote teams. Wu emphasizes authenticity in leadership and the importance of resilience, blending optimism with the realities of business challenges.

Emily McDowell is an advisor, thought partner, and coach to creative entrepreneurs in the product space, helping to save their time, money, and sanity. As founder of the stationery and gift company Em & Friends, she inspired a sea change in the greeting card industry with Empathy Cards, a more honest and supportive alternative to traditional sympathy cards, and for nearly a decade, some element of her work was in a constant state of “viral.” In 2022, Em & Friends was acquired by Union Square & Co / Barnes & Noble, and Emily exited the business. She is also the co-author and illustrator of There Is No Good Card for This: What to Say and Do When Life Gets Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love (HarperOne, 2017), and offers unsolicited advice and cautionary tales in her newsletter, Subject to Change, a Substack Featured Publication of 2023.This week, Barrett talks with Emily about their mutual experiences of burnout, identity loss, and recovery after leaving significant professional roles. Emily shares her journey from a high-stress advertising career to creating a company focused on empathy cards, driven by her experience surviving cancer. Emily and Barrett discuss the rapid growth and subsequent burnout she experienced, the emotional and mental toll of such high stress, and the importance of reconnecting with one's authentic self amidst professional pressure. They cover a wide range of topics, including personal stories of financial insecurity, the search for purpose, self-acceptance, and the balance of ambition with self-care, emphasizing the significance of internal work and the healing power of genuine human connections and new beginnings.In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (05:19) - Emily’s advertising background and first viral card (11:30) - Navigating business growth and challenges (18:42) - Merging with Knock Knock and burnout (27:04) - Barrett’s story of burnout (32:06) - The aftermath of leaving a successful role (39:14) - Embracing quitting and self-discovery (55:53) - Facing setbacks and choosing a new path (01:01:55) - Redefining success and ambition (01:13:53) - A shift in self-perception (01:16:21) - Embracing vulnerability (01:18:25) - Letting go of burdens (01:22:14) - Rediscovering self-worth (01:24:58) - Navigating new ambitions (01:40:55) - Emily’s beautiful future (01:41:48) - Who Emily is becoming (01:45:41) - Barrett’s poem Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

Tamara Winter, the Commissioning Editor at Stripe Press, brings a wealth of knowledge from her background in strategy and writing. She discusses her journey from philanthropy to publishing, emphasizing the power of storytelling and its ability to connect people. Tamara shares insights about the importance of surrounding oneself with high achievers and fostering meaningful relationships. The conversation dives into her vision for blending technology with narrative, as well as the impact of mentorship and personal growth in achieving excellence.

Kanyi Maqubela, Managing Partner at Kindred Ventures and co-founder of Heartbeat Health, shares his compelling journey from apartheid South Africa to the U.S. venture capital scene. He discusses how his diverse upbringing shapes his identity and approach to work. The conversation touches on the impact of COVID-19 on venture capital, the evolution of technology, and the importance of supporting diverse cultural spaces. Kanyi also highlights the significance of intentional parenting and its influence on children's futures, blending individual aspirations with collective growth.

Benji Backer, Executive Chairman and Founder of the American Conservation Coalition, is a leading voice in youth environmentalism. He shares his early inspirations in political activism and the bullying that fueled his resilience. Benji candidly discusses experiencing burnout, the decision to step back as CEO, and his commitment to bipartisan environmental solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of building coalitions across political lines and the therapeutic power of nature in his journey toward effective advocacy.

Austin Mann, a talented photographer and technology influencer, shares his inspiring journey from hustling for a job at National Geographic to collaborating with Apple on the 'Shot on iPhone' campaign. He discusses the significant role of technology and AI in modern photography, the importance of curiosity and purpose in storytelling, and how his relationship with wife Esther Havens shapes their socially impactful work. Austin emphasizes photography's power to connect people with the beauty of the world and his quest for self-discovery through creativity.

Josh Scott, the creator and president of JHS Pedals, shares his rich journey through the world of guitar technology and community-building. He discusses how authenticity in marketing and storytelling fuels his success despite online criticism. Josh dives into the importance of collaboration over competition, balancing creativity with business demands, and the evolution of branding through platforms like YouTube. His insights on navigating team dynamics and fostering genuine relationships highlight the emotional power behind every JHS pedal.

Bestselling author Josh Kaufman and Barrett cover a range of topics from entrepreneurship to parenting, discussing letting go of assumptions, strategic self-publishing, setting priorities, emotional clarity for creativity, and defining success. They explore the trap of pursuing status, evaluating priorities, long-term thinking, and the power of playing the long game.

Michelle Tam is the co-creator of the Saveur Award-winning food blog, Nom Nom Paleo. Together with her husband, Henry Fong, they’ve also produced a two-time Webby Award-winning cooking app, authored three New York Times bestselling cookbooks, have been nominated for a James Beard Award, and created a best-selling line of paleo spice blends.This week, Barrett talks with Michelle about her journey from pharmacist to pioneer in the Paleo community, and her transition to food and wellness. She discusses the creative process of developing cookbooks with her husband Henry Fong, their balanced approach to Paleo eating, and the foundational role of family in their business. Barrett and Michelle cover a wide range of topics including the importance of creative integrity, handling audience feedback, dealing with criticism, the impact of community, and the joys and challenges of running a food blog and app. Michelle also shares her insights on climate change, the importance of professional relationships, maintaining authenticity, and her undying passion for food which continues to drive her work and life.In this episode: [00:00] - Intro [02:43] - James Beard Award nomination [06:32] - Family and food philosophy [08:49] - The journey of Nom Nom Paleo [15:02] - Cultural reflections and family dynamics [27:45] - Career choices and immigrant influence [35:57] - Embracing playfulness in work and life [37:13] - Balancing passion and partnership [41:04] - The creative process behind cookbooks [48:21] - The impact of night shifts and discovering Paleo [52:23] - Food as medicine and personal growth [01:00:28] - Reflecting on success and personal standards [01:11:55] - Learning from trolls and thoughtful feedback [01:13:03] - Evaluating which opportunities to pursue [01:18:09] - Connecting with the food community [01:25:02] - Balancing life between two cities [01:30:45] - Designing the perfect kitchen [01:34:02] - Reflecting on personal and professional growth [01:36:57] - The importance of quality friendships [01:43:11] - The beautiful future Michelle is trying to create [01:44:38] - Who Michelle is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.