Good Work with Barrett Brooks By cover art

Good Work with Barrett Brooks

By: Barrett Brooks
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  • Summary

  • Good Work is a show about what it really takes to make impact at scale. These are long-form interviews with founders, scientists, authors, adventurers, and other talented people using their careers to build a more beautiful future.
    Copyright Unbearably Beautiful Futures LLC
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Episodes
  • Scaling Startups, Reviving Nuclear Energy, and Solving Important Problems with Julia DeWahl

    Scaling Startups, Reviving Nuclear Energy, and Solving Important Problems with Julia DeWahl
    May 14 2024
    Julia DeWahl is a talented entrepreneur with a fascinating background in startups. Her roles at companies like Opendoor and SpaceX gave her a wealth of experience in growing companies and solving hard problems. She is currently the Co-Founder and President of Antares, which focuses on making and distributing small modular nuclear reactors. She is a passionate advocate for nuclear energy, which she talks about on her podcast, Age of Miracles. This week, Barrett talks with Julia about her diverse career trajectory, the nuances of transitioning between major roles, the challenges of shifting from software to hardware, and the exciting potential of nuclear energy. They also discuss leading organizations through massive growth, working with polarizing figures, how creative pursuits shape our careers, and the impact of family and friendship on work and life. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 02:14 - Julia's experience traveling after college 08:49 - How Julia’s creative interests fit into her career path 19:25 - Julia's path into startups 25:33 - Choosing the right problems to work on 31:50 - How financial freedom impacts what projects we work on 43:19 - The transition from software to hardware 51:12 - How family and becoming a parent changes your work 01:08:24 - Joining SpaceX 01:14:32 - Leadership lessons from SpaceX, Elon Musk, and Gwynne Shotwell 01:25:58 - What pulled Julia into the world of nuclear energy 01:32:15 - Why writing in public and launching a podcast is a "Bat Signal" 01:37:03 - Learning more about nuclear 01:42:20 - Launching a nuclear energy startup 01:48:42 - Julia on who she is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.
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    1 hr and 52 mins
  • Building a Legendary Career in Startups, Reinventing Education, and Giving Without Expectations with Ryan Delk

    Building a Legendary Career in Startups, Reinventing Education, and Giving Without Expectations with Ryan Delk
    May 7 2024
    Ryan Delk is an entrepreneur and investor with a deep-seated passion for revolutionizing education. As the latest venture in his career, Ryan founded Primer, a company that aims to disrupt the traditional educational model by integrating the personalized, high-agency principles of homeschooling and microschooling with advanced technology. Although he grew up in the South, he has built deep roots in the Bay Area's startup scene and a record of meaningful contributions with companies like Gumroad and Omni. Now, Ryan is focusing his seemingly endless energy on education reform. This week, Barrett and Ryan dive into a wide array of topics around the current state and future of education, personal growth, and entrepreneurship. They explore Ryan’s homeschooling background and its profound influence on his perspective on learning and efficiency—key principles that now underpin Primer's educational approach. They discuss Ryan’s journey from disillusionment with established bureaucracies to creating a flexible, high-agency learning environment. They also explore the delicate balance between personal ambition and family life, an insider’s view of startup culture, and the critical, sometimes existential, problems that today's founders are choosing to tackle. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - The frozen banana stand 06:37 - From college dropout to Silicon Valley innovator 29:26 - The power of networking and adding value in tech 35:05 - Going the extra mile 39:48 - The importance of tackling hard problems 45:41 - Starting earlier on harder problems 56:15 - Micro schools: a revolutionary approach to education 01:07:22 - The role of teachers and unions in education reform 01:12:06 - Empowering teachers and valuing education 01:15:06 - The impact of transforming education 01:21:59 - Building a culture of ambition and agency 01:23:44 - Unlocking potential and undiscovered talent 01:32:29 - Balancing professional aspirations with family life 01:40:34 - Envisioning a future shaped by high agency and motivation 01:44:08 - Reflecting on personal growth and family dynamics Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.
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    1 hr and 49 mins
  • Technology, Optimism, and Embracing Bold Ideas with Packy McCormick

    Technology, Optimism, and Embracing Bold Ideas with Packy McCormick
    Apr 30 2024
    Packy McCormick is known for his unique insights into technology and startups. As the founder of Not Boring, he’s built a passionate audience of more than 200,000 people through his knack for deep analysis and genuine storytelling. Packy is a vibe-setter with a career spanning writing, investing, and podcasting (to name a few). Over the past four years, Packy has built Not Boring into one of the most trusted, hilarious, and unique publications covering the bleeding edge of deep tech startups working to solve hard but important problems. This week, Barrett talks with Packy about everything from the complexities of creating content that remains true to its roots while expanding to new audiences, to the personal growth that comes from never giving up. They discuss the financial and societal implications of investing in futuristic ideas, the significance of intellectual honesty in storytelling, particularly with contentious topics like nuclear energy, and the importance of optimism despite market downturns and societal challenges. Packy shares his optimistic vision for the future, fueled by technology and innovation, and his dedication to contributing to a world where work not only shapes individuals but drives prosperity for everyone. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 02:12 - Packy’s take on Not Boring’s strategy 09:15 - The personal side of professional growth 15:11 - Embracing change and reflecting on success and the journey ahead 33:48 - An optimistic outlook in a downturn 36:32 - Reflecting on missed opportunities and fundraising challenges 38:20 - Rethinking venture capital 41:43 - VC vs charity for societal impact 47:05 - Imagining the future evolution of Not Boring 53:45 - Building an audience today 01:01:40 - The roots of optimism and its impact on entrepreneurship 01:10:43 - The state of journalism and public perception 01:13:57 - Exploring nuclear energy through podcasting 01:20:46 - Financial and creative dynamics of podcasting 01:24:53 - Reflections on nuclear energy and public sentiment 01:35:40 - Personal growth through creative work Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.
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    1 hr and 42 mins
Leadership Career Success Economics
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