Exceptionally Good: Leaders for a Better World
We bring you in-depth interviews with exceptional leaders who drive toward a different bottom line — leaders from health care, philanthropy, non-profits, education and rescue services who are doing exceptional work for the good of the world. Exploring their origin stories, their leadership journey and the lessons they learned on their path -- sometimes the hard way -- we bring you close to understand how exceptional leaders tick.
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Exceptionally Good: Leaders for a Better World
19. Brad Barrett - No Margin, No Mission - How the Tenets of Financial Independence Can Enable Your Exceptionally Good in the World
In this episode - Brad Barrett, CPA and co-founder of the ChooseFI Podcast, one of the most influential platforms in the Financial Independence (FI) movement. While Brad’s career began in accounting, it’s his work making FI accessible to everyone that makes him a leader worth learning from.
The FI movement, as Vicki Robin framed it, asks a simple but profound question: your money or your life? At its core, FI isn’t about hoarding wealth... it’s about using intentional financial choices to reclaim your time, create freedom, and build resilience.
Or, as Sister Irene Kraus, leader of a hospital for those in need, once said: “No margin, no mission.” Money is not the mission — but it is a necessary and enabling condition to have the impact you dream about.
And Brad’s work shines light on how to make margin for good.
In this conversation, Brad and I explore:
- How margin (or savings rate) empowers people and organizations to stay on mission.
- The traps of traditional financial services — and why Brad shares freely instead of selling.
- Practical FI principles that help anyone in service, leadership, or social good sustain impact over the long run.
- The importance of aligning financial choices with values and mission.
Margin isn’t just a personal concept—it’s essential for organizations dedicated to social good. Nonprofits, schools, and community groups need breathing room in their budgets to weather crises, survive policy shifts, and keep serving when a grant runs dry. The same holds true for individuals: without margin, mission falters. Financial independence tools provide a framework to create that margin, ensuring both people and organizations can endure and thrive in pursuit of their highest purpose.
Brad could easily have stepped away after reaching FI. Instead, he uses his talents and skills to lead for exceptional good — helping others see through the noise and build a life of intention, impact, and joy.
So dive in and learn how having margin for the mission helps you soar above.
Links:
- a wealth of accessible conversations about financial independence
JL Collins’ Blog – The Simple Path to Wealth
- a brilliant grounding in the principles, the how and why of FI
The Monk and the Minister - a parable about freedom and the trappings of high salary
The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement
From Mr. Money Mustache
Jim Collins (another Collins!) concept of “Preserve the Core / Stimulate Progress”
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Follow us:
More from Exceptionally Good:
📧 ryan@exceptionallygood.org
Work with Ryan:
https://www.exceptionallygood.org/services
Exceptionally Good on Substack:
https://substack.com/@exceptionallygood
Producer, editor and host: Ryan Maxwell
Theme music: Ryan Raddatz
Guitar music: Adeline’s Guitar
The views shared on this podcast are those of my guests and the host and do not necessarily reflect those of any employer past or present.