The LIV Lab

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

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

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

What separates those who dream of becoming doctors from those who actually make it? In this episode of The LIV Lab, host Livia Roder sits down with Dr. Ravi Kumar, a neurosurgeon whose journey combines years of rigorous training, an insatiable curiosity about the human brain, and a deep commitment to healing. Dr. Kumar shares how he went from studying marine biology to discovering his passion for medicine, and ultimately, neurosurgery. He reflects on the highs and lows of medical school and residency, from the grueling hours and life-or-death moments to the joy of saving patients against the odds. As a former member of the Texas A&M Medical School Admissions Committee, Dr. Kumar also offers an insider's perspective on what makes a strong medical school application and what aspiring doctors should focus on to stand out. He talks candidly about perseverance, burnout, and the importance of truly loving the path you choose—because medicine is not just a career, but a calling. Whether you're fascinated by the brain, considering a future in medicine, or simply inspired by stories of passion and purpose, this episode invites you to discover the mind behind the scalpel. 00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab with Dr. Ravi Kumar 01:04 Dr. Kumar's Life-Saving Story 04:18 Choosing a Career in Medicine 06:17 The Path to Medical School 07:17 Building a Strong Medical School Application 12:44 Overcoming Rejection and Persevering 15:23 The Intensity of Medical School 17:04 Navigating the Residency Application Process 18:24 Mastering Practice Questions 19:01 Choosing Your Medical Specialty 19:38 Applying to Residency Programs 20:02 The Residency Interview Process 20:28 The Match Process 23:34 Residency Life and Challenges 26:38 A Day in the Life of a Neurosurgeon 28:18 Dealing with Burnout 32:00 The Dr. Kumar Discovery Podcast 35:30 Final Reflections and Advice

Ever wondered what life is like as an undergrad at a top university? In the season one finale of Stem Cast, we wrap up with part two of an in-depth conversation with David Cooper, a biophysics and chemistry student at the University of Michigan. David delves into the intricacies of student life at a large university and gives us a window into the highs and lows. He talks about balancing intense workloads and engaging in cutting-edge research on vitamin B12 in the Biophysics lab. He shares his experiences, from the challenges of cold weather to the rewards of finding a good social and academic balance. The episode is packed with insights for future college students and STEM enthusiasts, making it a must-listen.

Ever wondered what biophysics actually is—or how undergrads find their place in cutting-edge research? In this insightful episode of StemCast, we sit down with David Cooper, a biophysics and chemistry student at the University of Michigan, who shares his candid journey of choosing (and re-choosing) the right path. David explains what biophysics really involves—from studying protein crystal structures to applying physical techniques to solve biological problems. He also talks about what it's like doing research at a major university as an undergrad, the reality of massive lecture classes versus intimate lab work, and why he's now planning to shift from academia to toxicology and public health. We also dive into David's college application experience, his honest reflections on expectations versus reality at Michigan, and his best advice for anyone trying to balance ambition with happiness. If you're curious about finding your fit in STEM, understanding what research looks like at a top school, or figuring out how to design your own path—this episode is for you. Ask ChatGPT

Can you go from strumming guitar chords to writing production-ready code at Big Tech? Matthew Martinez did just that—and more. In this inspiring episode of StemCast, we sit down with Matthew, a former elementary school teacher and music major who pivoted into software engineering through a 12-week coding boot camp. He opens up about the challenges of breaking into tech without a traditional CS degree, landing roles at Meta and Amazon, navigating imposter syndrome, and balancing career growth with parenthood. Matthew also shares how ADHD shaped his productivity systems, why he pursued an MBA, and what keeps him passionate about problem-solving through code. Whether you're considering a career change or curious about what it's really like working in Big Tech, this episode is packed with honesty, insight, and the message that it's never too late to rewrite your story.

Have you ever wondered how scientists bring damaged ecosystems back to life? In this episode, we dive into the world of ecological restoration with Claire Wilhelm Safian, a restoration ecologist at UC Santa Barbara. Claire takes us behind the scenes of North Campus Open Space, a once-degraded wetland that has been transformed into a thriving habitat. From reviving endangered plant species to monitoring biodiversity, Claire shares the science, challenges, and rewards of restoring nature. Plus, they reveal how you can get involved in conservation—no matter your background. Don't miss this fascinating look at rebuilding ecosystems from the ground up!