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

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 thelivlabpodcast@gmail.com

Learn more about John Lanza at johnlanza.com and themoneymammals.com

Check out his must-read book: The Art of Allowance

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