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

What if success isn’t about climbing the ladder faster, but about how you climb it?

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Abou-Alwan, a lawyer, mentor, and author of How to Navigate Your Career Like a Legend. With over 25 years in global law and energy, Natalie shares what true “legend status” really means—why respect, integrity, and human connection matter far more than titles or promotions.

We talk about how to balance ambition with authenticity, build a meaningful network, and lead without ego. Natalie opens up about her own nonlinear career path, the moments that taught her resilience, and the importance of recognizing burnout before it takes over. She also shares powerful lessons from her favorite icons, like Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald, about mentorship, confidence, and helping others rise with you.

For me, this conversation was a reminder that being a legend isn’t about chasing validation—it’s about how you show up, treat others, and stay grounded in your values.

As you listen, I’d love for you to think about this: when people talk about you—in your work, school, or community—what do you hope they say? Is it about what you achieved, or how you made them feel? What do you think it means to live your career like a legend?

Email me your reflections at thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com

Learn more about the podcast at thelivlabpodcast.com

Purchase Natalie's book here

During our conversation, Natalie shared two books that have shaped her outlook on careers and growth: The 100-Year Life by Lynda Gratton and The Portfolio Life by Christina Wallace

Both explore how modern careers are no longer linear—and how embracing flexibility, purpose, and reinvention can help us live and work like legends.

What if getting fired—or dropping out—wasn’t a setback, but the start of something bigger?

In this episode, we dive into the story of Jeff Burgess, who went from a college dropout with no direction to the founder of a multimillion-dollar tech company. His journey isn’t about luck—it’s about grit, self-belief, and learning how to sell yourself long before selling any product.

From his father’s tough-love wake-up call to building a $100M business without a degree, Jeff shares the lessons that schools don’t teach: how to bet on yourself, lead with confidence, and turn every “no” into a new opportunity. Whether you’re chasing your first internship or redefining your path, this episode will remind you that your biggest asset isn’t your résumé—it’s your mindset.

For more of Jeff Burgess, check out his latest book, It Worked For Me: My Life Seizing Opportunity and Building Success, and view his work at https://jeffburgessauthor.com/.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab

00:38 Introducing Jeff Burgess

01:52 The Universal Salesman

02:50 Jeff's Early Career Struggles

08:47 Finding Success at Tech Aids

18:11 Starting His Own Company

31:13 The Importance of Mentorship

32:53 Get Connected!

College applications don’t have to control your life.

If you’re anything like me, this season feels overwhelming — essays, deadlines, decisions, and the constant chatter of where everyone else is applying. It’s easy to feel like your future depends on every choice you make right now. But what if it doesn’t?

In this solo episode, I share my honest reflections as a high school senior in the middle of it all. From the late-night worries to the unexpected advice I’ve picked up along the way, I’ll take you behind the scenes of what it really feels like to navigate this process. My hope is that you leave not only with more clarity, but also with a little less weight on your shoulders and a reminder that this journey is about you.

00:35 The Stress of College Applications

01:18 Five Key Tips for College Applications

02:11 Tip 1

06:44 Tip 2

09:10 Tip 3

12:22 Tip 4

14:17 Tip 5

16:03 Recap and Final Thoughts

What really drives a career forward—raw talent, perfect timing, or sheer determination?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, Dr. Daniela Seabra Oliveira reveals how all three shaped her journey from a math-loving student in Brazil to receiving the Presidential Early Career Award at the White House.

Daniela opens up about the challenges of moving to a new country, navigating language barriers, and finding her footing in a male-dominated field. Along the way, she shares why passion often follows talent, how luck and serendipity quietly influence success, and why the early years of your career are the best time to take bold risks.

Her story is both inspiring and practical—showing that true drive comes from within, and that embracing uncertainty can unlock opportunities you never imagined. Whether you’re exploring careers in STEM, considering graduate school, or simply searching for direction, this conversation will push you to rethink what it means to build a meaningful path.

00:00 Introduction: Challenging the Passion Narrative

00:58 Meet Dr. Daniella Seabra: A Journey of Passion and Drive

02:18 High School Days in Brazil: Discovering a Love for Math and Logic

06:24 University Life: From Undergraduate to Master's

09:08 First Industry Role: Leading a Team in Brazil

13:38 Transition to the US: Pursuing a PhD at UC Davis

25:07 The Role of Luck in Success

26:02 Finding Mentors and Role Models

27:38 PhD Journey and Research Focus

29:09 Teaching at Bowden College

33:03 Receiving the Presidential Early Career Award

37:37 Transition to University of Florida

42:32 Advice for Aspiring PhD Students

47:37 Current Role at the National Science Foundation

50:19 Reflections and Career Advice

We’re always told to dream big: land the perfect job, get into the most prestigious school, or chase the ultimate achievement. But what if those big goals — the ones meant to drive us forward — are actually holding us back?

In this episode of The LIV Lab, I sit down with Jordan Grumet — a hospice doctor, author, and personal finance podcaster — to talk about something we all feel pressure around: purpose.

Jordan shares his journey from becoming a doctor after losing his father, to burning out in medicine, to finding deeper meaning in hospice care. We discuss his idea of Big P Purpose versus little p purpose, and why chasing small things that light us up often leads to more joy and impact than striving for huge, unattainable goals.

Our conversation also dives into the future of work, the power of storytelling, and the role money plays in building a meaningful life. Jordan explains why money should be seen as a tool instead of the goal, how financial independence opens up space for purpose, and why authentic connections matter more than wealth or achievements. What I loved most is that he doesn’t frame purpose as something you must find, but as something you can build step by step.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:14 Dr. Jordan Grumet's Early Life and Career

04:40 Transition to Hospice Care and Financial Independence

07:44 Discovering Purpose and Financial Independence

10:03 The Purpose Paradox and Social Media's Role

20:43 Big P vs. Little p Purpose

29:31 Finding Purpose and Purpose Anchors

32:29 Baseball Cards and Childhood Joys

33:04 The Art of Subtraction

33:43 The Spaghetti Method

34:07 Reflecting on Childhood Passions

37:23 Goal Setting and Purpose

41:23 Money and Happiness

45:53 Financial Independence and Purpose

53:03 Incorporating Purpose into Your Career

01:00:55 Final Thoughts and Advice