In the first interview episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia sit down with Drs. Noha Youssef and Mostafa Elshahed, as they chat about microbial ecology, anaerobic fungi, and offer up career advice. Along the way, Sam and Julia learn more about their bosses, determine who is the ‘best’ liar, and try to answer the ultimate question: do PIs ever actually leave the lab?