Good Work with Barrett Brooks Barrett Brooks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a neuroscientist, writer, and founder of Ness Labs, a platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of neuroscience and personal development. Not only has she cultivated a thriving online community, she also has a remarkable track record of academic achievements coupled with a deep passion for making scientific research accessible to all. Anne-Laure's journey is one of impressive breadth — from leaving Google to pursue her Ph.D., to embracing her Algerian roots, she embodies the spirit of intentional living and learning. Anne-Laure 

This week, Barrett talks with Anne-Laure about a wide range of subjects revolving around personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and authentic living. They discuss the value of maintaining an anti-library, highlighting the perpetual journey of learning, as well as share their unique approaches to reading and book collection. They also touch on pivotal career decisions, intuitive business partnerships, and the transformative effects of openly sharing knowledge. Anne-Laure also shares her insights on the importance of intuition, acknowledging emotions in decision-making, and embracing one’s cultural identity while navigating the intricate webs of relationships and community building.
In this episode:

[00:00] - Intro

[01:59] - Liminal moments and navigating life's crossroads

[05:41] - Lessons from neuroscience on embracing the in-between

[10:44] - The power of intuition in decision making

[30:07] - Cultural roots and identity

[40:03] - Learning from failure

[46:38] - Ness Labs

[48:34] - The journey of learning and growth

[49:22] - The power of authenticity and community

[50:07] - Embracing personal evolution

[51:35] - The impact of public learning and mistakes

[53:00] - Exploring inner growth through psychedelics

[54:47] - Ayahuasca experiences

[57:42] - The significance of ancestral pain and healing

[01:09:41] - Creative process and the virtue of writing in public

[01:15:44] - Navigating between academic research and public engagement

[01:19:30] - The personal content diet and the anti-library concept

[01:27:53] - Envisioning the future and reflecting on personal growth


Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.