The LIV Lab

You finally get the thing you wanted… and somehow, it still doesn't feel like enough. The new gym set. The hoodie. The car. The house. The "this is gonna change everything" purchase. For a moment, it does feel exciting. And then… it fades. And suddenly, you're onto the next thing. So what's actually going on? This week on The LIV Lab, I sit down with John Lanza, author of The Art of Allowance and creator of Money Mammals, to talk about money, but not in the way you're used to. Not just budgets or investing. But the feeling behind it all. Because money is more than math. It's emotional and psychological. This episode is part mindset shift, part practical tools, and part "wait… why do I do that?" In this episode, we explore: • Why buying things doesn't lead to lasting happiness • The difference between wanting something and actually valuing it • Why money is more emotional than logical (yes, even for you) • The 3 core habits: saving, spending, and investing, simplified • How to stop impulsive spending (without guilt) • The concept of "paying your future self" • What financial independence actually means (and why it looks different for everyone) • Why there is no "perfect" career path, and why that's okay The LIV Call to Action Learn: Start noticing your patterns. The next time you want to buy something, pause and ask: Do I actually want this… or do I want how I think it will make me feel? Innovate: Create a system that works for you. A one-week waiting rule, a spending cap, or even just a quick "check-in" before purchases. Build a little friction. Venture: Make one intentional money decision this week. Skip one impulse buy, or choose something that truly adds value to your life. 📩 Share your week's LIV! Email me at [email protected] Learn more about John Lanza at johnlanza.com and themoneymammals.com Check out his must-read book: The Art of Allowance

What do a maxed-out credit card, a gas station meltdown, and one of the biggest money podcasts in the country have in common? Joe. This week on The LIV Lab, I sit down with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of Stacking Benjamins, to talk about the story he doesn't hide: the messy one. Before the awards. Before the financial advice. Before helping millions of people feel confident about money. There was confusion, and a few (a lot of) questionable decisions. And some very real wake-up calls. Joe shares how he went from feeling completely out of control to building systems, surrounding himself with the right people, and redefining what "success" actually means. We talk about money, but we also talk about identity, creativity, leadership, risk, and the difference between security and opportunity. In this episode, we explore: • Why making more money doesn't automatically fix anything • The mindset shift that changed everything • "Who not how" and why community matters more than we think • The illusion of security in careers and life • How creativity became his unexpected superpower • What money can do, and what it absolutely cannot The LIV Call to Action Learn: More money will not fix bad habits. Learn one new system this week. Talk to someone who is good with money, watch something, or read something that stretches you. Innovate: It is not about working harder. It is about building better systems. Create one small habit that makes your future easier. Venture: Have one uncomfortable but important money conversation. Be honest about where you are at. 📩 Share your week's LIV! Email me at [email protected] Learn more about Joe at https://joesaulsehy.com/. Read his (awesome) book: Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Managemen Listen to his (fantastic) podcast: Stacking Benjamins at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/

What if the problem isn't your ideas, but just how they're landing? You can be smart, prepared, and genuinely onto something… and still watch your message float right past the room. Painful. Confusing. Weirdly common. In this episode of The LIV Lab, I sit down with Carmine Gallo, who's spent decades studying why some messages stick—and others quietly disappear, no matter how good they are. This isn't about talking louder, adding more slides, or using bigger words. It's about understanding how humans actually pay attention, why simplicity is so hard (and so powerful), and what storytelling has to do with getting people to lean in—at work, in interviews, and even in your relationships. We talk about persuasion without the salesy energy, clarity without dumbing things down, and why being "interesting" has very little to do with being flashy. There's also a reality check on AI, attention spans, and the myth that great communicators are just born that way. If you've ever thought, "I know this makes sense—why isn't it clicking?" This conversation might finally give that question a shape. Learn more about Carmine Gallo at carminegallo.com Check out his new audio original, Viral Voices, when it gets released on February 24, 2026! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6UyZ3VQrWsCq7tCFOedjkq?si=88cbaeae1e6d4593&nd=1&dlsi=c0b92289942347bc Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/viral-voices/id1746109065?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=books_box_link Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Viral-Voices-Audiobook/B0D488T3BV 📩 Share your thoughts: Carmine talked so much about stories, so I want to hear one of yours. Tell me about a moment that stuck with you—and why it still does. Email me at [email protected]. 🎧 Listen in—and stay curious. 00:00 Introduction: The Power of Communication 01:21 Meet Carmine Gallo: Communication Expert 02:20 The Importance of Communication Skills 04:00 Misconceptions About Persuasion 06:49 The Role of Storytelling in Communication 19:21 Simplifying Complex Information 25:28 Thinking Like a Movie Director 32:05 Debunking the TikTok Brain Myth 33:33 The Power of Concise Communication 35:31 The Art of Storytelling 37:48 Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in Modern Communication 41:39 Leveraging AI in Communication 49:53 The Importance of Soft Skills 55:35 The Lab Notes

What if you ran your life the way great founders run their companies? In this episode of The LIV Lab, I feature a blogcast by Jeff Burgess, founder of BCD Video and author of It Worked for Me. Jeff shares ten business principles that helped him build a $100 million company — from trusting your gut to holding yourself accountable. Throughout the episode, I connect these ideas to everyday life through one central theme: you are your business. Your values shape your culture. Your actions are your product. And your reputation is your brand. As the new year begins, this episode encourages you to aim high, move forward without waiting for perfect clarity, and build trust through confidence, listening, and integrity. 00:00 Welcome to The LIV Lab 00:24 Introducing Jeff Burgess and His Business Philosophy 01:46 10 Easy Business Rules That Apply to Everyday Life 01:51 The Power of OPFD: Speed, Accountability, and Quality 04:18 10 Business Commandments for Entrepreneurs 05:05 Connecting Business Principles to Personal Life 13:08 Final Thoughts and Reflections 17:47 Lab Notes

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 [email protected] and follow @thelivlabpodcast on Instagram for more episodes on risk, purpose, and growth.