Good Work with Barrett Brooks

This week, I talk with Jon McCormack, the leader behind the iPhone camera at Apple—the most widely used camera in human history. But Jon’s story goes far beyond technology. He grew up on a farm in rural Australia without full-time electricity, dropped out of a PhD to chase an unexpected opportunity in tech, helped build Kindle, and founded schools in Kenya that now serve thousands of children. Along the way, he developed a body of photographic work rooted not in spectacle, but in wonder. We talk about letting go of camera snobbery, building technology that empowers rather than exploits, and why beauty and awe make us more generous and connected. If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between ambition and meaning—or wondered how to use your success in service of something deeper—this conversation is for you. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) Intro (00:41) From camera snobbery to something deeper (03:34) When Jon realized photography isn’t about the gear (06:22) What a photograph means in the age of AI (13:11) The unseen work behind meaningful images (15:51) Beauty, stewardship, and why the environment matters (28:39) Returning to the same landscape—and learning to see (32:16) Growing up in Australia and the roots of Jon's vision (34:38) How colorblindness shaped Jon’s sense of pattern and form (36:07) Dropping a PhD and stepping into tech (38:06) A one-way ticket to Seattle—and an unexpected path (40:10) Building products that connect people to what matters (47:45) The double helix of art and technology (52:46) Leading the iPhone camera and democratizing storytelling (59:56) From safari camp conversation to schools in Kenya (01:11:50) Why Jon stayed quiet about his philanthropy until now (01:15:49) Wonder as a daily practice (01:21:44) Where Jon has become world-class (01:23:11) Filling gaps and shaping a more beautiful future (01:26:53) Rewriting your algorithm with beauty (01:27:53) Who Jon is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks. Apply for 1-on-1 Coaching with Barrett: https://barrettbrooks.com/coaching Subscribe to Tiny Leadership Lessons: https://barrettbrooks.com

This week, I talk with Tiago Forte about far more than productivity systems or note-taking. This one is about what happens after success—when the systems that once fueled your growth start working against you. We talk about burnout, anger, embodiment, and how listening to the body can become a doorway to deeper clarity and determination. Tiago shares the personal journey that shaped Building a Second Brain, why he made the difficult decision to wind down a wildly successful business, and what he’s learned by redesigning his life around alignment rather than optimization. We also explore the changing value of audience, community, and creativity in the age of AI, and why real connection—both locally and globally—matters more than ever. This conversation is about the inner work required to build a life, not just a career, that actually fits. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:54) - Tiago on " highly fit, middle-aged dads" (03:29) – Moving beyond intellect into emotional and somatic awareness (05:37) – How physical pain forced Tiago to listen differently (08:46) – The books, thinkers, and experiences that reshaped Tiago's understanding of healing (13:43) – What changed when Tiago learned to express anger instead of repressing it (17:03) – How a healing system unexpectedly became Building a Second Brain (20:57) – Knowing when success no longer fits (24:27) – Facing the “now what?” phase after shutting down a successful business (28:46) – Why audience size doesn’t mean what it used to (30:32) – Balancing lived fulfillment with the need to stay profitable (32:29) – The psychological transition that comes with midlife (34:41) – How Tiago is organizing work in this next chapter (37:20) – The decision that led Tiago and his family from LA to Mexico (42:11) – How changing environments reshaped Tiago's family relationships (45:22) – Rediscovering cultural identity through place and presence (47:39) – Why where you live may matter more than the goals you set (54:33) – Holding joy and slowness alongside AI-driven productivity (01:00:15) – Using AI as leverage without losing meaning or direction (01:05:08) – What AI is revealing about the future of “good work” (01:07:31) – Creating in a world where value is rapidly shifting (01:10:53) – How AI is changing the way Tiago writes—and edits—his next book (01:15:34) – Navigating local and global communities at the same time (01:18:48) – Creating spaces for real connection and intimacy (01:21:17) – The deeper principles behind Tiago’s masterminds (01:23:46) – The loneliness that sparked a desire to bring people together (01:26:09) – The practices that consistently create the deepest bonds (01:30:10) – How Tiago is working to make the future more beautiful (01:31:45) – Who Tiago is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with Parker Palmer in one of the most intimate and expansive conversations I’ve had on Good Work. Parker is an author, activist, and teacher whose ideas have shaped generations. But what moves me most is his honesty. We talk about the winding path that led him from academic life to community organizing to a Quaker learning community where he rebuilt his inner world. We explore discernment, solitude, “Circles of Trust”, and what it means to listen to the voice of your soul—especially in seasons of burnout or heartbreak. At 86, Parker reflects on aging, democracy, vocation, and his belief that the heart can break in two ways: it can shatter, or it can break open into greater capacity. If you’ve ever felt pulled toward a path you “can’t not do,” or if your inner life is asking more of you right now, this conversation is for you. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (00:42) – “Deep in the oatmeal” and the role of humor in a serious life (02:11) – How Parker’s spiritual life slowly took shape (13:08) – Choosing to stay at Pendle Hill—and what that meant for Parker’s family (23:45) – How to tell the difference between a passing idea and a true calling (31:40) – A radically different way of being in community (40:45) – Why presence matters more than fixing (52:35) – The unlikely beginnings of the Center for Courage & Renewal (01:05:17) – What 30 years of building an organization has taught Parker (01:15:06) – Solitude, nature, and marriage as sustaining practices (01:22:31) – Aging, loss, and staying open to what’s next (01:30:39) – The two ways a heart can break Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with Dr. Emily Anhalt—a clinical psychologist, founder, and writer who’s spent the past 15 years exploring what it really means to be emotionally healthy. You might know her from her TED Talk or her work at Coa, but in this conversation, we go deeper. We talk about growing up in Silicon Valley, the pressure of being a high-achieving kid, and why so many successful people still carry unresolved grief. Emily shares how ADHD shaped her early life, what led her to leave pre-med for psychology, and how emotional patterns from childhood often resurface in our work and relationships. We also dive into what actually makes therapy effective and why hitting your goals doesn’t always bring peace. If you’ve ever built something meaningful but still felt unsettled, or questioned what’s really driving your ambition, I think this episode will speak to you. Let’s get to it. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:52) - How a beanbag chair and snacks helped Emily unlock her best work (08:01) - Growing up inside the Silicon Valley success machine (09:45) - Why high performers need a different kind of therapy (11:53) - The story of Emily’s parents and how they ended up in the Valley (13:54) - Reframing ADHD as a strength, not a stigma (16:33) - The early experiences that shaped Emily’s emotional lens (23:40) - How Emily chose psychology—and what kept her going (28:40) - The moment therapy stopped being about symptoms (33:06) - Why grief is a necessary companion to growth (38:21) - The origin story of a company built around emotional fitness (42:30) - What changes when you go from therapist to founder (45:27) - The qualities of high-integrity therapy (51:26) - How Emily knew it was time to write a book (58:20) - What really keeps entrepreneurs stuck—and how to get unstuck (01:02:09) - What it feels like when success leaves you empty (01:05:32) - How to rebuild when your goals stop making sense (01:07:44) - Why achieving meaning isn’t the same as feeling it (01:11:06) - Why therapy often gets harder before it gets better (01:12:47) - Abandoning hard feelings before healing happens (01:13:40) - The isolation of success—and how to find support (01:21:17) - How overachievers get trapped in burnout (01:29:26) - Healthy ways to process anger (01:33:46) - What makes Emily world-class? (01:34:09) - Emily's most beautiful future (01:34:49) - Who Emily is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with someone who’s been on my dream guest list since day one—Ami Vitale. Ami is a National Geographic photographer and filmmaker whose work has taken her from war zones to wildlife sanctuaries, always in pursuit of the deeper story. But this conversation goes far beyond her remarkable resume. We talk about how picking up a camera transformed her from a shy, introverted kid into one of the world’s most powerful visual storytellers. Ami opens up about what it really means to bear witness, the emotional cost of telling the truth, and why she eventually turned her lens away from conflict and toward hope, healing, and our connection with the natural world. This episode is about dignity, presence, and the quiet leadership that comes from listening well and seeing clearly. I promise, you’ll never look at a photograph the same way again. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:06) - How picking up a camera gave Ami a voice (05:06) - Why introverts might see the world more clearly (06:21) - Knocking on doors with a camera (12:32) - Wanting to be a photographer—and being told “no” (16:27) - Leaving a steady job to bet on herself (23:30) - What war zones taught Ami about storytelling (29:26) - The moment Ami knew she had to walk away from war zones (38:08) - From grief to hope: finding a new kind of story (51:26) - The story that changed everything (59:42) - Why wildlife stories are human stories (01:07:22) - One image that moved the world: Steve Winter’s P-22 (01:13:41) - Capturing moments with dignity and depth (01:15:59) - The relationships behind the photographs (01:25:51) - Reflecting on a life of good work (01:28:02) - Barrett on the fears and hopes behind Good Work Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This episode is a special one. After a year of interviewing thoughtful, world-class guests, I wanted to share more of my own story. So I asked my dear friend, and episode 01 guest, James Clear, to turn the mic on me. We talk about the formative moments in my life— from childhood patterns and baseball memories to the inner work I’ve done to stop striving without purpose and start accepting myself more fully. I share why I believe that most successful people already know what to do—they just need help getting past their individual emotional blockers. We explore the coaching frameworks I use, the lessons I’m still learning, and why I no longer believe I have to suffer to do good in the world. This is the most personal conversation I’ve ever had on the show, and I’m incredibly grateful to James for holding it with so much care. Let’s get to it! Partner DealsProper: Save $500 off onboarding when you mention Good Work at https://workwithproper.com. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (04:37) - Barrett’s favorite exercises for processing change and transition (15:12) - How self-awareness evolves (20:59) - Barrett's early years and why the Discovery program was so meaningful (28:06) - How baseball taught Barrett to deal with pressure (37:45) - A compliment Barrett still carries—and what it taught him about self-worth (40:18) - What Barrett learned from his dad (45:59) - Why Barrett used to wait to ask for help (50:04) - Learning to hear “no” without rewriting your self-worth (52:23) - Can you do good work and still want credit? (55:59) - What shaped Barrett’s curiosity about the world (01:00:28) - Seeing the cost of inherited patterns (01:04:07) - Reflections on adolescence, faith, and finding purpose (01:11:51) - When others see your strengths before you do (01:15:01) - Why Barrett left a dream job with no plan (01:18:00) - Surrendering to the work you’re made to do (01:25:02) - Leading with thoughts or feelings? (01:27:13) - What Barrett imagined fatherhood would be—and what it became (01:29:02) - Modeling emotional health and growth (01:31:27) - What Barrett would learn by trading places with his wife (01:32:47) - The truth about balancing family and entrepreneurship (01:37:51) - The kinds of people Barrett is best at coaching (01:41:07) - What Barrett would teach if given a mic and 30 minutes to prep (01:42:22) - Barrett’s proudest achievement—and what’s next Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with Matt D. Smith—better known on the internet as MDS. Matt is a world-class designer and the founder of Shift Nudge, where he’s building the Juilliard of design education. Over his 20-year career, Matt has generated millions in revenue while helping clients craft iconic visual identities. But beyond the work itself, this conversation is about the inner journey behind outward success. We dive into how Matt and his wife built a marriage that serves as the foundation of his career, the three major turning points that shaped his path, and what might have happened had he chosen differently. Most importantly, we explore how Matt transitioned from seeking external validation to being guided by a deeper sense of peace and joy in his work. This is a conversation about success, self-awareness, and the courage to forge your own path. Let’s get to it. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:20) - Is writing online still relevant? (09:51) - A pivotal childhood moment (15:12) - Lessons from crop dusting (20:54) - Discovering a passion for design (26:31) - College life and relationships (29:41) - The early ingredients to Matt's successful marriage (40:27) - Choosing to settle down in Athens, GA (43:54) - Raising four kids (45:31) - Gaining notoriety with the Float Label design pattern (48:47) - Moving to San Francisco? (52:04) - Building a community in Athens (57:56) - The shift to online education (01:08:50) - The downside of putting all your eggs in one basket (01:12:17) - Launching Shift Nudge (01:18:32) - Dealing with self-doubt (01:23:32) - Launching during COVID (01:28:16) - The stats behind Shift Nudge's first launch (01:33:20) - The emotional and psychological challenges of success (01:40:22) - Dealing with “little t trauma” (01:54:31) - What makes Matt world-class? (01:56:38) - Matt's most beautiful future (01:58:36) - Who Matt is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I’m bringing back one of our most popular episodes—my conversation with neuroscientist, writer, and Ness Labs founder Anne-Laure Le Cunff. When we first spoke in 2024, she was deep in her PhD, balancing academic rigor with writing for a broad audience, all while sharing her journey in public. Now, she’s releasing her new book, Tiny Experiments, which explores how small, intentional experiments can unlock personal growth and creativity. Anne-Laure’s approach to navigating uncertainty, following curiosity, and designing an intentional life is something I deeply align with. And I wanted to revisit this conversation because it’s packed with insights on how world-class creators forge their own paths—without a roadmap. Whether you’re familiar with Anne-Laure’s work or hearing from her for the first time, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s get to it! 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 the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I sit down with someone who’s had an enormous impact on my life—my mom, Ann Brooks. She’s built an exceptional career spanning nearly 40 years in sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship, working for Xerox, Haworth, and Allstate before becoming a financial advisor. As the primary breadwinner for our family, she’s learned what it takes to manage high-performing teams, create scalable systems, and lead with integrity. Beyond business, this conversation is personal. My mom taught me some of the most valuable lessons I use every day—how to build teams, how to sell in a way that feels good for everyone, and how to lead with character. If you’ve ever wondered where my mindset on work and leadership comes from, this episode is a window into that foundation. Whether you call her Ann or Mom, I think you’ll learn something from her story. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03:29) - How Ann became a Georgia Bulldogs fan (08:49) - Growing up in Georgia (10:26) - Family dynamics and sports (15:47) - Cultural heritage and identity (22:25) - On working very early in life (23:49) - Key learnings from Ann's early career (25:11) - The value of hard work early in life (28:46) - How Ann ended up working at Xerox (32:46) - Cultural identity as an immigrant (41:30) - The hard truth about sales (43:13) - How Ann and her husband met and the importance of their partnership (46:52) - The transition to Hayworth (48:47) - Managing teams and building relationships (52:58) - Balancing family and career (57:44) - Navigating a male-dominated industry (01:03:41) - Ann's philosophy on bringing a team together (01:08:09) - On standards of excellence (01:16:05) - Evaluating the real cost of opportunities (01:19:48) - Embracing entrepreneurship (01:21:56) - The first day at the new agency (01:24:09) - How Ann changed the trajectory of her business (01:27:47) - Selling the business (01:35:55) - Working on a business vs working in the business (01:38:46) - What drew Ann to the financial industry (01:42:58) - Where excellence and joy meet (01:44:55) - Ann's beautiful future (01:46:28) - Who Ann is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with Kieran Snyder, the co-founder and former CEO of Textio, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of the AI revolution. Kieran’s journey is one of resilience, leadership, and innovation. We discuss how she transitioned from academia to leading a tech startup, raising more than $40 million in funding, and building equitable, high-performing teams along the way. Kieran opens up about the tough decision to step down as CEO after experiencing burnout and shares her path to recovery and rediscovery. We dive into her passion for building up young female leaders, from coaching girls’ basketball to supporting women in tech, and her talent for transforming surprising data into compelling stories through her newsletter, Nerd Processor. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or just curious about AI’s impact on the workplace, I hope this conversation will inspire and offer some practical insights as well. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:55) - Kieran's 8th grade science project (05:07) - How parental influence shaped Kieran's career path (08:29) - Academic journey in linguistics (17:19) - Kieran's transition to tech (23:47) - Founding Textio (30:11) - Building a company with your spouse (36:18) - Navigating product market fit (46:46) - Burnout and stepping down as CEO (56:35) - Leadership and knowing when to walk away (01:01:23) - Detaching identity from career outcomes (01:05:33) - How Kieran evaluates her performance as a CEO (01:08:39) - The value of a board of advisors (01:11:45) - Kieran's advice for someone recruiting a mentor, advisor or board member (01:15:25) - Starting Nerd Processor and embracing creativity (01:19:14) - How Kieran chooses what to write about (01:23:20) - How to create substantial and insightful content (01:30:11) - What Kieran has learned about hiring execs (01:35:13) - Coaching youth basketball and personal fulfillment (01:41:03) - Kieran's beautiful future (01:42:59) - Who Kieran is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with Ankur Nagpal, founder of Teachable, Carry, and Vibe Capital. Ankur’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From immigrating to the U.S. for college to founding a company that grew exponentially and sold for a life-changing $250 million, Ankur has built a remarkable career. We explore how he went from creating Facebook apps in college to funding his own education at Berkeley, starting and scaling Teachable in New York, and what he learned about himself after the sale. Ankur shares how success has allowed him to focus on what truly matters—family, meaningful relationships, and purpose-driven work. Now with Carry, he’s on a mission to bring elite investment and tax strategies to everyday business owners. This is a story of resilience, authenticity, and leadership. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:51) - What makes cricket a beautiful sport? (06:40) - Growing up in Oman and moving to the US (16:32) - Navigating the US visa system (22:09) - What Ankur learned from his initial success building Facebook apps (32:01) - Making a million dollars and forgetting to pay taxes (33:51) - Finding home in New York (38:07) - How New York has shaped Ankur professionally and personally (43:10) - Teachable and the evolution of the creator economy (49:08) - Challenges of scaling a startup (57:45) - What will change for content creators over the next 10 years? (01:04:35) - Deciding to sell Teachable (01:09:22) - Life-changing realizations (01:12:31) - Ankur's first big purchase after selling the company (01:14:13) - Walking away from CEO (01:16:42) - Investing and family priorities (01:19:36) - What Ankur learned as an investor that he didn't know as a founder (01:24:01) - Traveling self-discovery (01:27:19) - Building a new company (01:38:29) - Ankur's beautiful future (01:40:19) - Who Ankur is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.

This week, I talk with Ruthie Ackerman—a talented author, journalist, and writing teacher who has turned her own journey into a blueprint for helping others find their voice. Ruthie’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Modern Love, and many other renowned outlets, but her true passion lies in empowering others to discover and write their own stories. Through her workshops, one-on-one coaching, and book incubators, Ruthie helps writers connect with their experiences, heal from the past, and find deeper meaning in their lives. We explore Ruthie’s journey—from traveling the world in her 20s, to pivoting into journalism, to teaching creative nonfiction and memoir to students around the globe. We also dive into the deeply personal moments that shaped her path, including her journey to motherhood. Ruthie’s insights on storytelling, healing, and personal growth are inspiring, and I hope our conversation encourages you to reflect on your own story and its potential to create meaning and connection. Let’s get to it! In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (02:48) - How Ruthie ended up in Malawi (10:31) - The path to journalism (13:19) - Brooklyn dreams (18:38) - Reporting from Liberia and Lebanon (28:18) - The Forbes experience (32:05) - Starting Write Your Life (36:12) - How Ruthie teaches writing (47:51) - The importance of memoir (53:25) - Balancing personal and professional life (01:03:55) - The journey to motherhood (01:09:28) - Dealing with changing desires (01:16:14) - Understanding self-silencing and emotional repression (01:24:02) - The reality of fertility treatments (01:28:24) - Dating after divorce (01:33:17) - Finding love and facing heartbreak (01:44:19) - Meeting Rob (01:48:37) - Reflections on the journey and personal growth (01:52:06) - Ruthie's most beautiful future (01:55:09) - Who Ruthie is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.