191. Beyond the Lab Bench: Karl & Erum on Human Connections as the Ultimate Biotech Moat

With Episode 200 coming up, Karl and Erum switch roles and interview each other the way they usually interview their guests. Karl shares why he decided not to become a doctor, how interviewing bands in college taught him to connect with anyone, and what he learned about storytelling during a decade in public relations before starting Messaging Lab. Erum talks about her unexpected path from studying forensic chemistry and working in pharmaceutical labs to executive coaching, joining a startup accelerator on a ship traveling around the world, and working in energy policy from the Navajo Nation to Brussels. They also discuss what waiting tables taught them about sales and humility, why early-stage startups should sometimes stay quiet until they have real traction, and why strong relationships are something AI cannot replace. Along the way, they revisit favorite moments from past guests, including Vishaal Bhuyan, Casey Lardner, Glennis Mehra, Linnea Fletcher, Elizabeth Hénaff, Phil Morle, Michael Specter, and Sabriya Stukes. Their conversation is a reminder that there is no single path into the bioeconomy. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and speak with the leaders and innovators using biology to change the world. Biology is the world’s oldest technology, and it can be engineered. So, what are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters: (00:00:00) Karl and Erum interview each other ahead of Episode 200 (00:06:45) Erum’s experience building a startup at sea with the Unreasonable Institute (00:13:30) Genspace’s Break Into Biotech program and lessons from college (00:19:58) Leaving the pharmaceutical lab for positive psychology and executive coaching (00:26:40) What working in restaurants teaches about sales, empathy, and humility (00:33:20) How energy and water policy work with the Navajo Nation shaped Erum’s perspective (00:40:02) Why staying quiet can be better than making a big launch announcement for an early-stage biotech company (00:46:31) Michael Specter discusses mistrust in science and the need for greater biology education (00:53:15) Career changes, layoffs, and staying adaptable in the age of AI (00:59:58) Advice for their younger selves and quick-fire questions Links and Resources: 45. Insuring Your Lunch: Aanika’s Vishaal Bhuyan Cracks the Microbial Code of Food Security 139. Cultivating a Culture of Cultures? Genspace's Casey Lardner on Community Biotech 30. Breaking into Biotech: Linnea Fletcher's Inclusive Education and Workforce Upskilling at InnovATEBIO 117. From Lab Coats to CEO Notes: BioLabs' Glennis Mehra on Biotech Business in NYC 104. Unseen Worlds: Exploring Environmental Microbiomes and Their Secrets of Human and Climate Impact with Dr. Elizabeth Henaff 149. Beyond Capital: Phil Morle of Main Sequence Ventures on Collaboration as the New Competitive Edge 44. Spec-Tacular Science: A Chat with Michael Specter on Denying Denialism 39. From Microbe to Unicorn: IndieBio's Sabriya Stukes on the Journey of Biotech Startups AI Value Pyramid Grow Everything LinkedIn BioInnovations Events - For 25% off use code: Grow Everything Topics Covered: community biotech, biotech storytelling, biotech founders, biotech communications, life lessons in biotech, biotech careers, science entrepreneurship, biotech media, biotech community building, biotech journey Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media