Barrett Brooks

A few months ago I logged out of Twitter to take a break. It wasn’t a political decision or in opposition to Elon. It was a reflection of a growing sense that being on this platform was no longer serving me or my business. A few months later I’ve confirmed that hypothesis. I’m mentally stronger, more focused on my own life, and more connected to a strong community of real life relationships. My business is also thriving. Somewhere along the way, Twitter stopped being a place for me to connect with smart and thoughtful peers and started being a source of stress. I’m not exactly sure why, but it happened. I’m officially logging off for the last time. I don’t expect I’ll be back, but I always maintain an open-handed posture with these things. Maybe I’ll change my mind. In the meantime, you can find me on: Podcast: goodworkshow.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barrettabro… Instagram: @coachbarrettbrooks Email: bb@barrettbrooks.com Newsletter: barrettbrooks.kit.com Would love to stay in touch. As always, sending you love and respect. BB

@clayhebert @NWischoff Hey @clayhebert Thanks for the tag! @NWischoff would love to set some time for a quick call to learn a little more about you.

@NWischoff @BarrettABrooks is great as well and if he's not the right fit, he knows some excellent coaches.

Anyone know/work with a great exec coach? Asking for me (and a few other VCs)

@bogumil_nyc Thanks for having me on, Bogumil! This was one of my favorite podcast conversations of the year.

@BarrettABrooks Good Work, A Life Well-Lived, Impact At Scale & More -- check out the new episode of Talking Billions -- see the teaser below, and find the full episode wherever you watch or listen 🎧🎙️ Thank you, Barrett, for the great conversation!

@_MikeSchmitz @marcchampagne Thanks for this, Mike! Appreciate you listening. Andy is the best kind of human. I’m adding Marc to my list of potential future guests. Grateful for the suggestion.

@BarrettABrooks your episode on asking better questions got me thinking: you need to talk to @marcchampagne (quality human and author of Personal Socrates, one of my all-time favorite books). He would be GREAT for your show! Can’t wait to hear the conversation between you two 😊

Easy links to listen to this episode: Show Notes: #show-notes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">goodworkshow.com/how-37-million… Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/07KlJZ… YouTube: youtu.be/rLpm_htWe2g?fe…

Do you consider yourself a failure?” - Person at a party in San Francisco “Not really, why?” - @patio11 You're 30 and you don’t have an exit yet and you’re not a VC. Aren’t those your two options?” - Person … Patrick McKenzie has built a remarkable career on the back of the 4 million words he’s published over the last two decades. In our two-hour conversation we covered many topics including: • Why you don’t have to follow the common scripts for your career (like the one in the conversation above) • How stepping into the void to do the things no one else is willing to do has helped Patrick build a reputation as the kind of person you want to go to work with and for • What differentiates amateurs vs professionals over time And much more. Here’s a teaser clip on common career scripts. Get the full episode wherever podcasts are sold.

On a level playing field, a professional will crush an amateur every time." When I heard @patio11 say this, it felt obvious and true. Yet, there's something about it that feels like it's wrong. Isn't a level playing field supposed to mean everyone has the same chances? Yes, it is. And that's exactly why a professional should crush an amateur when the playing field is level. It's about preparation, skill, talent, and devotion. Acknowledging this is step one to finding a game you want to win.

@caelanhuntress Yeah could be. I've thought a lot about Substack but it goes against my personal ownership interests so it's a moot point for me. It's probably going to look like video content for audience growth --> books for writing.

FWIW, the best active long-form writing community I see right now is substack. Medium was great for a bit, but the audience left. Writing is the best way to articulate your own thinking to yourself. But maybe thats not the publishable step, its the step that gives you the material for multiple short form posts.

I'm shutting down the newsletter (but not the podcast) for the rest of the year. The response and engagement have been minimal for a while now. I think that reflects my lack of enthusiasm for the content. There's something stirring in me that I know is the next chapter of my work, but I need some time to listen in to get it right. It's less operations focused and more people oriented. It's less about spreadsheet outcomes and more about internal change. I'm sure some will interpret that as being less "serious" or less data-driven. But all data is a reflection of human experience, quantified. So I'm going to take the rest of the year to thing about what my work is to do. What messages I really care to send over this next career chapter. What I'm uniquely built for. The podcast continues on unabated and of course coaching is the always-on backbone to everything I do.

@SmothersAaron Yeah bamboo --> lyocell (or whatever iteration it is) is not great on inputs

@BarrettABrooks “Bamboo” as it is used now probably doesn’t make the cut given the chemicals used to process it. Sadly. Cotton, specificity linen, and wool are ideal. Smartwool is a great reference point.

A massive company is going to be built on the idea that our clothes, particularly activewear, are poisoning us. There are near zero options for men's activewear that is not made of polyester and moisture-wicking material. Cotton, wool, bamboo, and other natural fabrics are all options. Who's working on this?

Someone should also take the 59Fifty business model for hats and repeat it with base materials and dyes that aren't bad for us.

I would love to see a study on increase in skin cancer rates relative to the increase in: - Cosmetics, sunscreens, and other personal products containing harmful ingredients - Clothes made from polyester and containing PFAS, etc Yes, of course we know sun exposure creates cancer risk. And also I wonder if everyday dermal chemical exposure increases risk.

I think y'all have great targeting and execution on your ads, which is how I found you. I'm core to your target market (I think?). But the reason I haven't ordered is that I want 7" shorts with a liner. I'm an elder millennial and grew up in the And1 era -- just can't do the tiny shorts at the gym, no matter how much that's what's in style. But not having a liner on the 7" also doesn't work because then I still need something to wear under that's not boxers. n=1 but just offering feedback from a would-be very eager customer

@garrett_ryker_ @RykerClothing Garrett, an item on my wishlist is a 3/4 length tight to play ball in. I get y'all need to stay focused and limit product line, so don't let me overly distract you. But it's not just the gym. I also want to play ball in good gear. This was what I used to wear:

@simonsarris This feels true and useful. I'd rather sacrifice the money part and keep doing interviews I want to do than the other way around. Consistently and actively choosing that seems like the key.

I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask, I do not have a successful media business. But I think you should try to make the interviews that *you* want to make, or you will go insane. Promoting them and finding an audience are important but separate x.com/BarrettABrooks…

my office hours are OPEN what do you need feedback or advice on, what questions do you have, what secret trouble stirs thy breast

@ClbChrstnsn It was accidental but kind of fun nonetheless.

@BarrettABrooks +1 for “non nom” The written description is a nice addition!

It's way over-indexing on food because I had it make me a meal plan last week, but the rest is not far off to be honest. Here was what it wrote when it thought I wanted it to "write me a picture" of my life: "Based on what I know, here’s an image of what your life might look like: You live a balanced, intentional lifestyle centered around family, personal growth, and meaningful work. Mornings may begin with a nourishing, gluten- and dairy-free breakfast shared with your family, with organic ingredients prepared from your favorite cookbooks like Nom Nom Paleo or Everyone's Table. Your home is likely a warm, inviting space filled with natural light, fostering both focus and relaxation. Books on leadership, self-development, and the latest trends in digital marketing might be seen on a desk or a cozy reading nook. Professionally, your life involves podcasting from a well-set-up home studio or a creative space. You research, interview thought leaders, and produce content for Good Work with Barrett Brooks, which aims to empower listeners on their career paths. There's a strong sense of community in your work, shown through your conversations with industry influencers and rising voices in tech and entrepreneurship. You prioritize personal growth, finding ways to incorporate your experiences and those who have influenced you into your work. As someone aiming to reach goals like 10,000 podcast downloads per episode and 100,000 followers on social media, strategic content planning and personal branding are embedded in your daily routine. Family life is pivotal, with time devoted to raising children who feel whole and loved. Wholesome dinners, perhaps recipes from Treasures of the Mexican Table or Ottolenghi, are shared with laughter and stories, building cherished family moments. Evenings might end with quality time with your partner, nurturing your fulfilling marriage. Health and well-being are key, so you probably engage in activities that keep you active and centered, like running, yoga, or meditation. The avoidance of red meat, processed foods, and seed oils suggests a conscious approach to health, reflecting your commitment to holistic living. Overall, your life embodies a thoughtful blend of ambition, nurturing relationships, wellness, and community contribution, driven by your values and long-term goals."

@simonsarris How do I balance the desire to connect with and tell the stories of people I admire with depth, kindness, and authenticity on the podcast with Making money so the podcast can support itself without being subsidized by other business income

Things it gets right: - Natural tones, wood, and interior vibe - House plants - Kitchen - Bookshelf style and density - Lots of veggies - Podcast mic (lol on the dinner table)