Good Work with Barrett Brooks

Inside Pat Flynn’s World: Family, Fishing, Pokémon, and Smart Passive Income

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This week, I talk with Pat Flynn, a legend in the creator economy and founder of Smart Passive Income. Pat’s journey began in 2008 when he was laid off as an architect during the recession. Since then, he’s built an online empire by experimenting with niche projects and side hustles, teaching modern, effective principles to entrepreneurs worldwide. We dive deep into his journey—from building Smart Passive Income to leading with empathy and authenticity. Pat shares how he turned his love of Pokémon cards into a million-subscriber YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, and how hobbies and family keep him grounded and inspired. This conversation is personal, insightful, and packed with actionable lessons for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone wanting to build a meaningful career while staying true to your values. Let’s get to it!

In this episode:

  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (02:58) - Kayak bass fishing tournaments?
  • (10:50) - The importance of getting outside regularly
  • (14:38) - The hardest part of Pat's lifestyle change
  • (21:38) - Parenting and dealing with negativity online
  • (38:08) - How Pat built his career around family
  • (41:26) - Being present with family
  • (43:54) - Involving family in business
  • (46:18) - How Pat created open communication with his children
  • (49:24) - Standing out and embracing uniqueness
  • (55:33) - Pat on losing his first architecture job
  • (59:13) - The journey to online business
  • (01:02:56) - Launching the first online product
  • (01:08:29) - Learning from mistakes and moving forward
  • (01:10:00) - Embracing just-in-time learning
  • (01:12:39) - Overcoming the inner conflict of perfectionism
  • (01:16:18) - The importance of mentorship
  • (01:17:23) - Hiring a Fortnite coach
  • (01:18:13) - Triathlon Training with Jeff McMahon
  • (01:18:58) - The art of asking for help
  • (01:21:47) - Embracing consistency and iteration
  • (01:22:29) - Mastering storytelling and content creation
  • (01:30:33) - Building relationships with an audience
  • (01:37:49) - Finding success by making content community-driven
  • (01:41:08) - Teaching by example vs telling people what they should do
  • (01:45:23) - Pat's beautiful future
  • (01:46:46) - Who Pat is becoming


    • Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.

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

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    Good Work with Barrett BrooksBy Barrett Brooks
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