Good Work with Barrett Brooks

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.

Andrew Farah is co-founder and CEO of Density Inc., where he has spent the last 10 years building real-time radar technologies for measuring how people use buildings. The company works with many in the Fortune 500, manufactures its anonymous radar systems in the United States, and has raised $227m in venture capital. Andrew lives near Golden Gate Park in San Francisco with his spouse, three daughters, and English Shepherd.This week, Barrett talks with Andrew about startup culture, building great teams, reading and contextualizing knowledge, and the essence of enthusiasm in leadership. They discuss the journey of personal and professional growth, the significance of humility in conflict, and the importance of feedback in establishing meaningful relationships and impactful businesses. In this episode: [00:00] - Intro [02:34] - "Skateboard Andrew" [07:47] - LLCs and their impact on global GDP [14:23] - Seriousness vs playfulness in Andrew's career [18:53] - The practicality of having multiple founders [22:05] - Density's three core values [26:49] - Building ambitious and humble teams [33:30] - Enthusiasm vs passion [52:30] - Reading in context [01:01:24] - How boards help you grow as a leader [01:08:07] - Building rapport with board members [01:12:34] - Evaluating and responding to feedback [01:17:41] - Handling negative feedback and the importance of conflict for growth [01:26:27] - How Andrew would design an office space starting from scratch [01:35:39] - How Density's success would change the world [01:36:52] - Who Andrew is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

Join Nathan Barry, Founder of ConvertKit, and Barrett as they discuss building a $40M company, leadership growth, the importance of clear communication, feedback culture, strategies for team relationships, brand differentiation, and personal growth.

Entrepreneur Fil Aronshtein shares his journey creating Dirac to revolutionize manufacturing, emphasizing personal agency and community. Topics include overcoming rejection, transitioning to software, go-to-market strategies, the importance of manufacturing, and the power of community. Fil's early interest in science and engineering, role models, and envisioning a brighter future are also discussed.