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 thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com.

🎧 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 thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com and follow @thelivlabpodcast on Instagram for more episodes on risk, purpose, and growth.