Good Work with Barrett Brooks

From Burnout to Wholeness: Solitude, Nature, and Social Change with 86-Year-Old Author and Teacher Parker Palmer

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 [https://goodworkshow.com]. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks [https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks].

Craft Over Scale: The Quiet Pursuit of Meaningful Work with Jeff Sheldon

This week, I talk with Jeff Sheldon, designer and founder of Ugmonk. Jeff’s story is about more than building a successful brand—it’s about choosing craft over scale and staying true to what you love. We talk about why he turned down Shark Tank at the peak of a viral Kickstarter, how his childhood love of drawing grew into a career in design, and what he’s learned about perfectionism, entrepreneurship, and the emotional cost of mastery. We also explore the quieter parts of his journey: the role his marriage has played, his philosophy of work and life, and how he continues to create intentionally 16 years in. If you’re trying to make meaningful things without losing yourself in the process, this conversation is for you. Let’s get to it. Partner Deals Proper: Save $500 off onboarding when you mention Good Work at https://workwithproper.com [https://workwithproper.com]. In this episode: * (00:00) – Intro * (01:55) – Why Jeff turned down Shark Tank * (04:35) – The foresight behind saying no * (06:59) – Jeff’s philosophy of work and life * (10:04) – First steps into design * (13:08) – Nurturing creativity * (19:13) – Why Jeff doesn’t call himself an entrepreneur * (25:49) – A relentless standard of excellence * (34:46) – The emotional cost of mastery * (42:48) – Doing vs. learning on the internet * (46:43) – Partnership and support * (54:15) – Keys to a lasting relationship * (01:01:00) – Winning his first t-shirt contest * (01:04:31) – From $18k goal to $430k raised * (01:08:06) – Gather vs. Analog * (01:16:08) – Success without wealth * (01:22:30) – The tradeoffs of a bespoke business * (01:25:03) – Lessons from early struggles * (01:32:36) – Holding to an ethos in a bigger culture * (01:35:56) – Becoming world-class * (01:39:34) – Jeff's most beautiful future * (01:40:35) – Who Jeff is becoming Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com [https://goodworkshow.com].Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks [https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks].

The Hidden Grief Behind High Achievement with Emily Anhalt

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 [https://goodworkshow.com].Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks [https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks].

Mark Manson: What Happens After You Get Everything You Wanted?

This week, I talk with Mark Manson—best known for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck—about what success really costs and why it often leaves us wanting more. Mark and I go deeper than I’ve heard him go before: we explore his upbringing, the complex role faith and community have played in his life, and how he’s learned to follow his internal compass—even when it meant walking away from huge opportunities. After climbing to the top of the publishing world and getting a taste of Hollywood, Mark has returned to where he started: creating online for the joy of it. This conversation is about more than career moves—it’s about identity, meaning, and the choices that define a thoughtful life. If you’ve ever achieved a big goal and asked, “Now what?”—this one’s for you. Let’s get to it. In this episode: * (00:00) – Intro * (02:32) – The golden egg mindset that changed Mark's career * (04:49) – Lessons from a “high-volatility” childhood * (09:46) – Mark’s secret to depth (and viral hits) * (13:51) – Losing faith—and what Mark misses most * (17:58) – The loneliness no success can solve * (28:09) – What real friendship looks like * (31:19) – How to go deeper with the people who matter * (36:51) – What happens after success? * (41:47) – Chasing Hollywood—and hitting a wall * (45:38) – Why Mark turned away from traditional media * (49:23) – The lingering pull of prestige and the trap of status * (50:48) – Why Mark is still in LA—and what he found there * (51:40) – How to know what to say yes to (and what to walk away from) * (56:27) – What Mark is optimizing for today * (59:02) – The one thing Mark wants to be excellent at * (01:02:35) – The “shit sandwich” Mark’s happy to eat * (01:03:58) – Turning down a seven-figure book deal * (01:18:28) – YouTube vs writing * (01:21:34) – How much thought goes into Mark’s content * (01:25:04) – Is the business sustainable? * (01:27:03) – Reinventing the podcast—again * (01:33:19) – Mark’s most beautiful future * (01:36:33) – Who Mark is becoming Key Takeaways * Be the goose, not the egg hunter. Rather than chasing after “golden eggs” of success, become the kind of person who can generate them consistently. Mark’s father taught him that real security and fulfillment come from developing your own capacity to create value again and again—not from trying to protect or hoard what you’ve already made. * Choose depth over status when building community. Mark reflects on how true community—like that found in religious, family, or workplace settings—is built on commitment and shared legacy. Recreational groups and hobbies, while enjoyable, often lack the deeper sense of belonging. If you’re feeling lonely or disconnected, consider what you’re willing to commit to. * Build a life that prioritizes fun over status. After years of high-profile projects and burnout, Mark realized that chasing prestige wasn’t worth the cost. His new rule: if it’s not fun, he doesn’t do it. With success comes more invitations to chase status—but the most fulfilled people are those who stay grounded in what brings them joy and meaning. * Don’t confuse cultural clout with real impact. Despite already having a massive online audience, Mark admits being drawn to traditional media for its perceived prestige. He ultimately found that building directly with his audience—via his creator business and YouTube—was more rewarding and impactful. Recognition is nice, but it shouldn’t dictate your creative choices. * The best relationships are honest, non-transactional, and earned through time. Deep friendships grow through vulnerability, shared values, and a willingness to say the hard thing. In a world increasingly shaped by status, the relationships that matter most are built on trust, not utility. Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com [https://goodworkshow.com]. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks [https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks].

From War Zones to Wildlife: Ami Vitale’s Journey to Hope Through Photography

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 [https://goodworkshow.com].Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks [https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks].