Good Work with Barrett Brooks

Mar 18 2025 45 ep. 102 mins 27

Good Work with Barrett Brooks Podcast artwork

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.

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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 journ

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Mom: Ann Brooks on What They Don’t Teach You in Business School

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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 tea

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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 w

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Since the very first episode, Good Work has been about exploring why our work matters and how it helps us become the people and leaders we’re meant to be. Normally, I interview world-class guests, diving deep into their unique stories and insights. But today, I’m sharing my own experiences, lessons, and reflections. I’ve gathered questions from you, my listeners, as well as p