Barry Rutherford
Writer. Podcaster. Strategic Advisor. Proving pivots are possible.
After 45 years building businesses, now building stories
Photography by Griffin Rutherford
Writer. Podcaster. Strategic Advisor. Proving pivots are possible.
After 45 years building businesses, now building stories
Photography by Griffin Rutherford
Forty-five years building businesses across four continents. Graduated at 21 with an English Literature degree, became CEO of a design and manufacturing company by 23, spent decades in boardrooms from Texas to Hong Kong to El Salvador, grew companies, managed global operations. Lifelong motorcyclist, licensed bartender, perpetual traveler. Now based in Santa Fe.
Stepped away from the corporate world at 70. Now I write, podcast with my son Griffin about Gen Z masculinity, curate ideas, and help companies with strategic assessments and navigating AI options. Back to where I started—just with better stories.
A podcast exploring Gen Z masculinity, culture, and generational evolution. Conversations between father and son—Barry and Griffin—bridging perspectives across decades.
Visit Malestrum →
Strategic consulting for mid-market companies navigating AI implementation. Drawing on decades of operational experience to help leaders make informed decisions about technology adoption.
Visit Breakwater →
Griffin Rutherford is a photographer and creative professional based in [location]. His work captures [brief description - will pull from CC bio]. Featured throughout this site.
Full gallery coming soon
Essays and fiction exploring the intersection of business experience, cultural observation, and personal narrative.
New work coming soon
In the meantime, check out what I'm reading and thinking about.
Books, films, articles, and ideas worth your attention
Essential reading on how social media is reshaping young minds. Directly relevant to our Malestrum conversations about Gen Z.
Leadership lessons that remain relevant decades later. Lincoln's ability to manage strong personalities offers timeless insights.
Big-picture thinking about human history and where we're headed. Changes how you think about business, culture, technology.
Documentary examining social media's impact on society. Must-watch for understanding the world my son's generation navigates.
Meditation on craftsmanship, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. Resonates with anyone who's spent decades mastering their work.
Corporate life, travel, and what we sacrifice for work. Hits different when you've lived it.
Daily habit. Essential for staying informed on culture, politics, and ideas shaping the world.
Still learning after 45 years. Best source for understanding how business thinking evolves.
Long-form journalism that actually thinks deeply about culture and society.
The next wave of disruption won't be factory workers—it's the middle management layer that's most vulnerable. Worth thinking through now.
Gen Z's loneliness epidemic makes more sense when you realize they have no "third places"—spaces between home and work/school where community happens.
As a lifelong rider, watching the industry grapple with electrification feels familiar—like watching manufacturing shift from US to Asia decades ago.