The Nathan Barry Show

What does it take to build a million-subscriber YouTube channel, launch a best-selling book, and then walk away from it all for over a year? Noah Kagan, founder of AppSumo, joins Nathan to candidly discuss his journey from full-throttle content creation to a deliberate pause. Noah shares the unexpected internal and external pressures that came with his meteoric rise on YouTube, the strategic decisions that led to viral success, and why, despite achieving his goals, he ultimately stepped back. This conversation offers a rare glimpse into the mindset of a creator who prioritized personal fulfillment over endless growth, and how that decision reshaped his approach to content, business, and life.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:26 The decision to go all-in on YouTube05:15 Noah's internal motivations for content creation07:38 Building the YouTube "dream team"10:14 The early content strategy and challenges13:17 The pivotal "Knocking on Doors" video16:45 The cost of rapid growth and Noah's burnout19:10 The successful content pillars uncovered22:18 The meticulous planning behind viral videos25:34 Seeking timeless wisdom: interviewing the wealthy28:22 Noah's biggest regret with the channel30:58 Finding repeatable content formats33:55 Identifying your unique content edge37:25 The appeal of raw, unpolished content40:31 The impact of fatherhood on content creation43:10 Noah's vision for future content creation45:47 The value of a public presence for business48:29 The challenge of building internal influencers51:04 Brainstorming content ideas for Kit54:20 The power of high-caliber speakers57:38 Content that ties directly to your business1:00:27 Noah's current content philosophy1:02:40 On Twitter: counterintuitive long storiesIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Noah:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahkaganX: https://twitter.com/noahkaganInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/noahkaganWebsite: https://noahkagan.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AppSumoAppSumo: https://appsumo.comFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comAppSumo: https://appsumo.comClickables: https://www.clickableshq.comMillion Dollar Weekend: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Weekend-Money-Freedom/dp/0593796593Highlights:02:15 – Questioning the "Why" of Content Creation08:29 – The Shift from Public Validation to Inner Contentment12:29 – The Audience Cares About Entertainment, Not You17:08 – The Challenge of Following a Viral Hit23:25 – Repeating What Works: The Kinko's Founder Interview36:00 – The Value of Raw, Unpolished Content53:08 – Using Conferences for High-Value Content

What does it take to build a profitable, impactful business while empowering more than 100,000 women? Julia Taylor, founder of GeekPack, shares her incredible journey from the intelligence community to building a thriving company with a mission to reach a million women by 2030. In this episode, Julia unveils her "embedded partnerships framework" – a potent strategy that's catapulted 70% of her revenue this year alone by fostering deep, meaningful collaborations with major brands like Verizon and TikTok. Discover how strategic alignment, win-win-win scenarios, custom integrations, co-creation, and robust impact reporting are key to scaling your business and making a true difference.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:51 From Intelligence to Entrepreneurship06:23 The Confidence Transfer of Digital Skills09:12 What is GeekPack's Current Business & Mission?12:07 Point 1: Partnership Alignment15:19 Point 2: Win-Win-Win Framework17:09 Point 3: Custom Integration & Ecosystem21:04 Point 4: Co-creation and Delivery24:06 Point 5: Measurement and Momentum27:17 Scaling with In-Person Events30:20 CEO KPI: Public Mission Statements34:02 The Sales Process & Team Empowerment36:06 Hiring for Personality & Mission Alignment40:51 The B2B and B2C Flywheel44:17 Overcoming Bottlenecks: Time and Team48:29 Building a Talent Bench52:16 Audience Growth Strategies56:45 Your Role in Social Content CreationIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.com Kit: https://kit.comFollow Julia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliathegeekInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_the_geekWebsite: https://geekpack.comFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comSmall Business Digital Ready (Verizon): https://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/small-business-digital-readyMake: https://www.make.com/enRelay: https://www.relayfi.com SparkLoop: https://www.sparkloop.appHighlights:02:00 – Unpacking the Intelligence Community Past08:00 – The Power of Inspect Tools Confidence13:11 – Verizon and Geographic/Demographic Alignment22:00 – How Impact Reports Drive Momentum32:40 – Nathan's "Four Times a Month" Realization41:30 – Why Predictable Revenue Fuels Creativity54:10 – SparkLoop's Impact on Engaged Subscribers

Chris Hutchins, host of the wildly popular All the Hacks podcast, joins us to crack the code on podcast growth. Most creators dream of building a brand, attracting millions of listeners, and monetizing their passion, but Chris has actually done it, transforming his podcast into a powerhouse through meticulous optimization. If you've ever wondered how successful podcasts truly scale beyond the initial buzz, or how to inject startup-level strategic thinking into your creative venture, this episode is a masterclass. Chris reveals the behind-the-scenes tactics that catapulted his show to millions of downloads, sharing the unconventional strategies that maximize reach and impact.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction07:08 The Underrated Power of Networking11:09 Leveraging Your Inner Circle for Connections15:08 Crafting Pitches That Stand Out20:00 The Value of Deep Expertise23:44 Podcast Growth: Beyond the Numbers28:07 Gauging Podcast Potential with Overcast Ads32:20 Strategic Guesting on Other Podcasts37:57 The Art of Asking to Be a Host42:04 Maximizing Value in Podcast Collaborations46:19 The Untapped Potential of Post-Roll Ads51:00 Subsidizing Growth for Maximum Scale54:15 Reinvestment and Strategic Retreats58:24 Optimizing for Leverage, Not Just Revenue1:01:52 Gaming the Podcast Charts1:08:14 Essential Personal Finance Hacks1:10:00 The Ultimate Hotel Upgrade HackIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Chris:Website: https://allthehacks.comX: https://x.com/hutchinsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishutchinsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishutchinsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chris-hutchinsFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comAll the Hacks: https://allthehacks.comHighlights:02:22 Shifting from Entrepreneur to Creator Identity08:31 The Power Move of Ending a Conversation12:12 Networking by Adding Value to an Inner Circle26:35 Podcast Downloads vs. YouTube Views: Engagement Matters34:04 Treating Your Creator Business Like a Startup45:15 The Strategy of Buying Post-Roll Ads1:08:29 Why You Should Never Leave Cash in a Checking Account

What does it take to scale a business to a multi-million dollar enterprise and beyond, all while maintaining profitability and a thriving culture? Chandler Bolt, founder of selfpublishing.com sits down in his bustling office to reveal the crucial shifts and strategic insights that propelled his company from the initial million-dollar milestone to hitting the ambitious $10 million mark and charting a course for even greater heights. From turning business into a game complete with scoreboards and "green days" to mastering product-market fit and the art of "reverse selling" in hiring, Chandler shares the unconventional wisdom he's gained on his journey. This episode is packed with candid advice for entrepreneurs at every stage, exploring the often-overlooked distinctions between revenue and profit, the true cost of growth, and the surprising benefits of in-person collaboration in an increasingly remote world.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction07:11 The three most important metrics & activities14:26 Is the first million the hardest?21:07 Profit over revenue for scaling27:18 Three ways to grow a business32:00 Reverse selling to attract top talent37:29 Offboarding team members gracefully43:24 The power of implementing strong processes49:50 The need for scalable customer acquisition at $10M+55:23 The shift to an in-person culture01:00:30 Remote vs. in-person debateIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Chandler:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChandlerBoltOfficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realchandlerboltTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realchandlerboltLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandlerboltFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chandler.bolt1Website: https://www.selfpublishing.comBook a call with Chandler’s team: http://selfpublishing.com/work-with-usFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comSelf Publishing: https://www.selfpublishing.com

Steering a company from nascent idea to multi-million dollar revenue is rarely a smooth ride. Often, it's a journey fraught with uncertainty, tough decisions, and the internal battles no one sees. For Nathan, the guiding hand through much of this journey has been his coach, Dan Putt. As a co-founder of Reboot, Dan has spent years working with leaders and executives, helping them navigate growth without losing themselves in the process. In this episode, Dan shares not only his unique coaching philosophy - which emphasizes a deep, inside-out understanding of oneself, but also practical tools and frameworks that address common founder sticking points like imposter syndrome, the fear of conflict, and the allure of the "magic bullet" solution. Get ready to rethink your approach to leadership and personal development.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:23 Dan's coaching philosophy04:36 The Greek God CEO and imposter syndrome07:11 The "have to" versus "get to" reframe10:00 What problems say about identity12:56 Listening to understand: Beyond the words15:46 Inside-out leadership development18:31 The challenge of competitive responses21:52 Journaling for self-discovery25:21 Practical tips for consistent journaling28:11 Getting clear on what you truly want30:26 The "loyal soldier" concept33:53 How personal traits drive ambition38:39 The shift from "need" to "want"41:43 Conflict as progress and care45:34 Tools for navigating conflict50:47 The "net" framework for communication52:23 Avoiding problems vs. facing them55:29 The temptation of the "magic bullet"59:08 Feeling the fear without dwelling1:01:21 The tantruming toddler metaphor for anxiety1:03:00 Leading with curiosity, not fearIf you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave a review. I read every single one.Learn more about the podcast: https://nathanbarry.com/showFollow Nathan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarryX: https://twitter.com/nathanbarryYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshowWebsite: https://nathanbarry.comKit: https://kit.comFollow Dan:Website: https://danputt.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danputtX: https://twitter.com/danputtCompany Website: https://reboot.ioFeatured in this episode:Kit: https://www.kit.comReboot.io: https://reboot.ioThe Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: https://juliacameronlive.com/books/the-artists-way750words.com: https://750words.comThe Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday: https://ryanholiday.com/books/the-obstacle-is-the-wayExtreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: https://echelonfront.com/Extreme-OwnershipHighlights:02:47 Understanding the spectrum of coaching approaches08:24 The danger of linking self-worth to problems13:44 The wisdom found at the emotional level23:25 The clarifying power of daily journaling34:05 How the "loyal soldier" shapes our drives45:51 Why true care often requires conflict53:49 Facing uncomfortable feelings builds resilience1:01:05 Approaching anxiety like a tantruming child1:03:54 Shifting from fear to wonder for better leadership