Episodes

  • A Quadrillion Humans in the Stars with Fil Aronshtein

    A Quadrillion Humans in the Stars with Fil Aronshtein
    Jun 11 2024
    Fil Aronshtein’s journey is one of boundless curiosity, from his childhood dreams of becoming an inventor, architect, and astronaut, to his present-day mission of shaping the future of manufacturing. As the founder of Dirac, a company revolutionizing the manufacturing industry, he faced persistent rejection before finding his breakthrough. This week, Barrett talks with Fil about his vision for transforming manufacturing processes, and how that fits into a wider vision for a more expansive version of humanity. They dive into the intricacies of launching a new company and overcoming persistent rejection, as well as the larger implications of Fil’s work for industries such as aerospace and defense. They also discuss the importance of personal agency and the power of community, exploring how Fil’s early influences and passion for creating things fuels his vision for a more integrated and self-reliant future. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 03:21 - Overcoming rejection 14:52 - Fil's transition to software 19:55 - Why Fil believes nothing is impossible 24:05 - Fil’s go-to-market strategy 25:58 - The problem Dirac is solving 30:22 - How manufacturing affects everyone 41:48 - Why preserving the ability to manufacture is so critical 49:14 - Emotional vs logical reactions to nuclear energy: empathy, education, and exposure 56:19 - Fil’s early interest in science and engineering 01:09:37 - Fil's role models and inspirations 01:15:51 - The compounding effect of community 01:27:30 - Fil's unbearably beautiful future 01:30:42 - Who Fil 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 33 mins
  • Creating a Shared Humanity through Authentic Storytelling with Polina Pompliano

    Creating a Shared Humanity through Authentic Storytelling with Polina Pompliano
    Jun 4 2024
    Polina Marinova Pompliano is the author of “Hiden Genius” and the founder of The Profile, a media organization that studies successful people and companies. Previously, she spent five years at FORTUNE where she covered technology and venture capital. As the author and editor of Term Sheet, FORTUNE’s industry-leading dealmaking newsletter, Polina interviewed the industry’s most influential dealmakers, including Melinda Gates, Steve Schwarzman, Richard Branson, and more. This week, Barrett talks with Polina about her career as a storyteller, personal growth, and the sacrifices required to pursue one's passion. Polina reflects on immigrating to the US from Bulgaria, her career in journalism, and the influence of marriage and motherhood on her ambitions. Together, they discuss building the resilience required to handle life's challenges, the importance of humanizing stories, and the pursuit of meaningful work. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 02:48 - What it’s like to publish a very personal book 05:43 - How Polina's book impacted her relationships 08:44 - Communication emotion in different languages 13:58 - How Polina’s early experiences have shaped her 23:00 - Polina’s fullest version of herself 25:42 - How becoming a parent changes you 31:24 - The transition from curator to profiler 39:31 - The value in sharing personal stories 49:42 - Polina’s and Barrett’s experiences at UGA 56:08 - Can ambitious people have successful relationships? 01:03:37 - How Polina and her husband remain humble and connected 01:10:26 - Why resilience is so important 01:21:08 - On dealing with grief 01:26:40 - When success becomes the obstacle 01:31:06 - Making the right career decisions 01:35:02 - Find something and become the best at it 01:39:01 - Polina’s advice to her younger self 01:41:19 - The future Polina is trying to create 01:43:25 - Who Polina 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 45 mins
  • Matt Mullenweg Is Democratizing Publishing, Commerce, and Messaging

    Matt Mullenweg Is Democratizing Publishing, Commerce, and Messaging
    May 28 2024
    Matt Mullenweg is co-founder of the open-source publishing platform WordPress, which now powers over 40% of all sites on the web. He is the founder and CEO of Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, WPVIP, Day One, Texts, and Pocket Casts. Additionally, Matt runs Audrey Capital, an investment and research company. He has been recognized for his leadership by Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, Inc. Magazine, TechCrunch, Fortune, Fast Company, Wired, University Philosophical Society, and Vanity Fair. Matt is originally from Houston, Texas, where he attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and studied jazz saxophone. In his spare time, Matt is an avid photographer. He currently splits his time between Houston and San Francisco. This week, Barrett and Matt dive into a range of topics, from the importance of making informed decisions as a leader to the impact of sabbaticals on personal well-being. Matt shares insights on hiring philosophy, the future of web development, and the significance of human-centered design. He also discusses vulnerability in leadership, his evolving perspectives on technology, including artificial intelligence and decentralized computing, and his commitment to open-source values. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 02:24 - Matt’s trip to Antarctica and the importance of unplugging 07:51 - Matt’s “ABCs” 10:33 - Transitioning from a scarcity to an abundance mindset 14:08 - How being a musician has shaped Matt’s view of the world 18:48 - The value of music as a metaphor for collaboration and synchronization in creative endeavors 26:45 - Why Matt is described as a “learn-it-all” 28:19 - AI and technological evolution 35:07 - Making smart bets on new technologies 40:00 - Why competition is good for you 45:37 - Pace layering and how to optimize for the right things 53:03 - What Matt learned from taking a three-month sabbatical 01:07:11 - Matt’s mission to democratize publishing, commerce, and messaging 01:13:37 - Why security is critical in the age of social media 01:16:19 - The Automattic Creed 01:22:57 - Finding new ideas and testing vs implementation 01:26:37 - Four qualities Matt looks for when hiring 01:32:15 - Matt's unbearably beautiful future 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 39 mins
  • Reinventing the Way We Build Homes and Communities with Matthew Marshall

    Reinventing the Way We Build Homes and Communities with Matthew Marshall
    May 21 2024
    Matthew Marshall is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of New Story — a nonprofit pioneering solutions to end the global housing crisis. He serves on two nonprofit boards, CNU Atlanta and Citymakers Collective — a nonprofit teaching aspiring citymakers the holistic design principles of resilient, beautiful, and prosperous places. He holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and is a Y Combinator alumni, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper alumni, and Forbes’ 30 Under 30 leader. This week, Barrett talks with Matthew about his experiences in countries like Haiti, Belize, Ghana, and Peru, and how that led to co-founding a nonprofit focused on the global housing crisis. They discuss New Story’s mission to provide real generational change, and their innovative approach to sustainable housing. They also explore the intricacies of creating a meaningful workplace culture, effective leadership, and how emotional health and authentic connection helps achieve organizational goals. In this episode: [00:00] - Intro [07:22] - The heart and “why” of New Story [12:30] - How Matthew and his co-founders decided what mission to pursue [17:34] - Working with purpose [28:40] - Building a culture of innovation and impact at New Story [50:30] - Practices and habits of a strong organizational culture [57:07] - The power of praise in an organization [59:53] - Defining organizational values and culture [01:03:18] - Building community through shared experiences [01:10:28] - Navigating difficult conversations with emotional intelligence [01:16:52] - Growing as a leader and the importance of voice [01:29:42] - Foundational habits for sustaining performance [01:34:59] - The significance of roots and community in personal and professional life 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
  • 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
  • Building Resilience, Embracing Optimism, and Revolutionizing Climate Tech with Sophie Purdom

    Building Resilience, Embracing Optimism, and Revolutionizing Climate Tech with Sophie Purdom
    Apr 23 2024
    Sophie Purdom has built her career in the climate tech industry, helping to bridge the gap between environmentalism and business. As the co-founder of CTVC and the founder and managing partner of Planeteer Capital, Sophie’s work focuses on educating, enabling, and orchestrating significant change within the world of venture capital and companies tackling the climate crisis. This week, Barrett talks with Sophie about a wide range of topics from the personal to the professional. They dive into the desire to make an impact with their careers, the importance of establishing meaningful relationships and partnerships, and the evolution of climate tech. Sophie shares her perspective on the various sectors influenced by the climate crisis and the importance of the right skillset for founders in the industry. Emphasizing the compounding effects of incremental actions and the significance of aiming for long-term relevance, Barrett and Sohpie explore the intersection between personal values, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the collective endeavor to move toward a sustainable future. In this episode: 00:00 - Intro 02:19 - Sophie's unique path to climate tech 04:56 - The intersection of business and environmentalism 05:35 - The power of curiosity and diverse interests 09:45 - Aligning capitalism with environmental goals 12:17 - Sophie's approach to building a sustainable future 17:05 - Navigating challenges and opportunities in climate tech 37:26 - Community building and the value of networks 42:39 - Reflecting on personal wellbeing and professional goals 49:49 - The personal cost of sacrifice and finding balance 52:00 - The early days of CTVC 54:20 - Exploring business, leadership, and impact 01:07:02 - Navigating the climate tech landscape 01:18:32 - Envisioning the future and personal growth Connect with Sophie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiepurdom X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/SophiePurdom Planeteer Capital: https://planeteercapital.com Connect with Barrett Barrett’s newsletter: https://BarrettBrooks.com X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrettabrooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrettabrooks 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 36 mins