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

What happens when you stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them?

In this episode, I sit down with Libardo Lara Peñaranda, Principal Partner Technical Specialist at IBM, whose story shows how taking agency can transform your career and your life. Growing up in Colombia, Libardo began in mechanical engineering but made the bold choice to add a second degree in systems and software. That decision set him on a path that carried him from designing his first system for a nonprofit, to solving complex data problems for banks and telecoms at IBM, to moving to the U.S. for a master’s in data science at Johns Hopkins—all while balancing work and family.

We dig deep into what taking agency really looks like: making decisions before you feel fully ready, planning your next step even while excelling in your current role, and learning to balance sacrifice with vision. Along the way, Libardo opens up about the world of data science—what the work actually involves day to day, how math and statistics underpin the field, and where AI is heading as it becomes an everyday tool rather than a job replacer.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re working hard but not steering where you’re headed, this episode is a reminder that agency—not chance—is what shapes your future.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab

00:44 Introducing Lo Bardo: A Journey from Columbia to Data Science

02:01 Career Reflections and Advice from Lo Bardo

03:27 Educational Background and Career Beginnings

05:24 Transition to Software Engineering

11:40 Consulting and Data Analytics at IBM

14:12 Pursuing a Master's in Data Science in the US

25:01 The Role of Math and Statistics in Data Science

28:40 Current Role and Future of AI

36:52 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

How do you carve your own path when the well-worn ones don’t fit?

For Anna Harutyunyan, the answer started with walking away. She stepped back from a corporate software career that didn’t excite her, held out for the right role in a competitive analog mission, and embraced the unknown until she became Armenia’s first analog astronaut.

Anna’s journey spans robotics engineering studies in Germany, leading a NASA EL Space engineering team, conducting cognitive performance research on astronauts, and training with international crews in Armenia, Poland, and Switzerland. She is also the founder of Rocket Space Academy, working to expand Armenia’s presence in the space sector, and host of the Mission Analog podcast, amplifying the work of analog astronauts worldwide.

In this episode, Anna shares how persistence, self-reflection, and even imposter syndrome shaped her into the leader and innovator she is today. From living in simulated space habitats to presenting research at global conferences, her story proves that turning down the wrong opportunities can be just as important as chasing the right ones.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the right track—or wondered what it takes to transform childhood passions into groundbreaking work in space and robotics—Anna’s story will leave you rethinking the power of “no” and the possibilities it can open.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Saying No

00:27 Meet Anna Harutyunyan: The Armenian Analog Astronaut

01:35 Dancing Khari: Cultural Bonding in Space

02:47 From Programming to Robotics: A Journey of Passion

04:39 Rediscovering Childhood Dreams

09:11 University Life and Mars Exploration

13:11 Leading at NASA: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

17:51 Joining the Armenian Analog Mission

24:15 Analog Missions: Testing and Simulations

24:58 Living in a Simulated Environment

25:56 Joining the Polish Analog Astronaut Training Center

26:39 First Experience as an Analog Astronaut

28:36 Daily Life in the Habitat

30:45 Mental Math Research

32:19 Simulated Axiom Four Mission

35:05 Challenges and Team Cohesion

40:42 Starting the Mission Analog Podcast

41:51 Rocket Space Academy and EOS Mission

44:24 Final Reflections and Advice