When you’re standing at a fork in the road, it’s tempting to wait for certainty — the “perfect” sign that you’re making the right choice. But what if the people who build the most meaningful careers aren’t the ones who feel 100% sure… but the ones who learn how to take smart risks without losing their purpose?

In this episode, I sit down with Charles Levin — founder of Mu Avenue Press, novelist, former tech and business leader, and lifelong reinventor — to unpack what it really takes to choose a path when the future isn’t guaranteed. Charles shares how he went from studying philosophy and ancient Greek to launching businesses, writing bestselling thrillers, and building a publishing company — and what every pivot taught him about resilience, reinvention, and momentum.

We talk about the 40–70% rule for decision-making (why waiting for 100% certainty can cost you opportunities), what poker taught Charles about calculated risk, and why purpose isn’t just a mission statement — it’s the people you impact along the way. If you’ve been stuck trying to pick the “right” option, this conversation will help you move forward with courage, clarity, and a compass.

📩 Share your thoughts:

What’s one thing you’re 40–70% sure you should try — a project, a class, a leap, a conversation? Commit to it for one week and tell me what you chose. Email me at thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com and follow @thelivlabpodcast on Instagram for more episodes on risk, purpose, and growth.

What if the thing you’ve spent your whole life trying to hide… is actually the thing that makes you powerful?

In this episode, I talk with Maya Chupkov. She is a podcast host, storyteller, documentary director, and lifelong stutterer. Growing up, Maya’s stutter shaped the classes she was placed into, the way adults perceived her, and the confidence she carried into college and her career. But instead of letting it limit her, she learned to see it as a strength.

We talk about how she built a career in communications despite the very thing people told her would hold her back, how she learned to stop hiding and start owning her voice, and why vulnerability became her greatest professional asset. Maya also shares the story behind her successful podcast, Proud Stutter, and the powerful documentary she’s directing on stuttering, identity, and generational trauma.

If you are feeling bounded to your challenges, let Maya's story be proof that your struggles don't disqualify you from success. You don’t need a perfect voice, a perfect résumé, or a perfect level of confidence to pursue the career you want. You just need the courage to start where you are.

📩 Share your thoughts:

What part of yourself have you been hiding in school or in your career because you think it makes you “less than”? How have you (or how can you) use it as a strength?

Email me at thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com, and follow @thelivlabpodcast on Instagram for more stories on leadership, purpose, and growth.

Learn more about Maya’s work and her podcast at proudstutter.com.

What if the real mark of a great leader isn’t how much they know — but how willing they are to listen?

In this episode, I talk with Nelson Mattos, former Vice President at IBM and Google, whose career has spanned continents, industries, and leadership styles. From managing billion-dollar global teams to now running Karimu, a nonprofit that’s transforming rural communities in Tanzania, Nelson has seen leadership from every angle — and he believes its core has nothing to do with hierarchy.

We explore how humility and curiosity can redefine leadership in the modern world. Nelson shares how learning to admit what he didn’t know made him a more effective executive, why diverse teams make better decisions, and how vulnerability and trust can drive innovation more than any management strategy ever could. He also opens up about his transition from tech to humanitarian work — and how purpose, empathy, and patience became the cornerstones of his second career.

📩 Share your thoughts: Would you have invested in Pokémon Go when it didn’t meet the quota? Email me at thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com, and follow @thelivlabpodcast on Instagram for more stories on leadership, purpose, and growth.

Learn more about Nelson’s work with Karimu Foundation at karimufoundation.org.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and The Love Lab Podcast

01:33 Nelson Matos' Early Influences and Mentors

03:00 The Importance of Seeking Advice and Mentorship

03:59 Recognizing and Nurturing Talent

07:22 Pursuing a Career in Computer Science

09:37 Managing Burnout and Work-Life Balance

14:08 Building and Leading Effective Teams

23:11 Making Difficult Decisions as a Leader

27:12 Learning from Mistakes and Embracing Innovation

29:42 Listener Engagement and Social Media

30:03 The Essence of Leadership Without a Title

31:36 Navigating Hierarchical and Non-Hierarchical Environments

34:33 Adapting Leadership Styles to Situations and Cultures

41:26 Transition to Volunteering and Its Impact

47:20 Challenges and Adaptations in Tanzania

55:31 Final Reflections on Leadership and Personal Growth