# Mike Majlak
**Mike Majlak** (also known as "Big Mike") is an American YouTuber, podcaster, author, and entrepreneur, best known as co-host of the podcast *Impaulsive* alongside [Logan Paul](https://www.edgepedia.org/logan-paul)[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). He is the author of the memoir *The Fifth Vital*, which recounts his addiction and recovery, and in May 2026 he joined the Nashville-based AI podcasting platform Rebel Audio as Chief Creator in Residence and partner[2](https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/PODCAST%2BVETERAN%2BMIKE%2BMAJLAK%2BJOINS%2BJARED%2BGUTSTADTS%2BREBEL%2BAUDIO%2BTO%2BBUILD%2B%26quot%3BCANVA%2BFOR%2BPODCASTING%26quot%3B/26441261.html) • [3](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mike-majlak-reveals-his-true-rock-bottom-during-addiction-1362944/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main platform | Co-host of *Impaulsive* with Logan Paul; the channel has 541 million total views[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/) • [4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak) |
| Vlogging channel | Mike Majlak Vlogs, with 2.75 million subscribers, built around the recurring "The Night Shift" series[4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak) • [5](https://socialdiscovery.app/en/youtube/channel/mike-majlak-vlogs) |
| Book | *The Fifth Vital*, a memoir of substance abuse and recovery published in 2020[3](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mike-majlak-reveals-his-true-rock-bottom-during-addiction-1362944/) |
| Recovery | Addicted to opioids and crack cocaine from age 16 to 25; sober since June 23, 2010[6](https://podcastrex.com/shows/the-bryce-crawford-podcast/mike-majlak-gets-brutally-honest-about-faith-addiction-and-still-having-demons-ep-219) |
| Executive role | Chief Creator in Residence and partner at Rebel Audio, announced May 6, 2026[2](https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/PODCAST%2BVETERAN%2BMIKE%2BMAJLAK%2BJOINS%2BJARED%2BGUTSTADTS%2BREBEL%2BAUDIO%2BTO%2BBUILD%2B%26quot%3BCANVA%2BFOR%2BPODCASTING%26quot%3B/26441261.html) |
| Earlier career | Marketing manager at the furniture company Lovesac in Stamford, Connecticut[7](https://community.thriveglobal.com/a-discussion-with-mike-majlak-on-rising-from-the-darkest-points-in-life-and-becoming-successful/) |
| Other ventures | Investor and strategic partner at the dating platform RTHMS (February 2026); founder of the clothing line Shop The Night Shift[8](https://wn-agency.com/2026/02/19/mike-majlak-joins-rthms-as-investor-and-strategic-partner-backing-the-future-of-dating/) • [4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak) |
## Podcasting career
Majlak came to podcasting through brand marketing. As marketing manager for Lovesac in [Stamford, Connecticut](https://www.edgepedia.org/stamford-connecticut), he handled a furniture deal with Logan Paul, then an emerging YouTuber; the two hit it off, and Majlak began appearing in Paul's content before the two co-founded *Impaulsive*[7](https://community.thriveglobal.com/a-discussion-with-mike-majlak-on-rising-from-the-darkest-points-in-life-and-becoming-successful/). The show has hosted guests ranging from [Tom Brady](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-brady) and [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://www.edgepedia.org/neil-degrasse-tyson) to Mark Cuban and President Donald Trump[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). Alongside it, Majlak runs his own vlog channel, Mike Majlak Vlogs, whose "The Night Shift" series features celebrity tours and lifestyle adventures[5](https://socialdiscovery.app/en/youtube/channel/mike-majlak-vlogs).
## Rebel Audio
In May 2026, Rebel Audio, an AI-powered podcasting platform founded by Jared Gutstadt, announced that Majlak had joined as Chief Creator in Residence and partner[2](https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/PODCAST%2BVETERAN%2BMIKE%2BMAJLAK%2BJOINS%2BJARED%2BGUTSTADTS%2BREBEL%2BAUDIO%2BTO%2BBUILD%2B%26quot%3BCANVA%2BFOR%2BPODCASTING%26quot%3B/26441261.html). The company positions itself as "the Canva of podcasting," offering AI tools intended to make producing a podcast as simple as editing a video in the TikTok interface, with creators retaining ownership of their own IP[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). The platform launched in April 2026 with $3.8 million in funding, strategic investors including the state of Tennessee, and [Mark Burnett](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-burnett) among its advisors[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/).
**A hands-on role.** Majlak's duties go beyond promotion: he works on content and product development, recruits other creators to launch podcasts, and has been working with the company's tech team on user experience and product testing[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). Gutstadt said Majlak receives equity in the company[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). Majlak has said he hopes to help aspiring podcasters avoid the "growing pains and obstacles" he faced, and argues that long-form content is what separates creators with longevity from short-form viral success[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). The announcement came amid a wider trend of creators taking C-suite roles, and the podcast industry is projected to be worth $114 billion by 2030[2](https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/PODCAST%2BVETERAN%2BMIKE%2BMAJLAK%2BJOINS%2BJARED%2BGUTSTADTS%2BREBEL%2BAUDIO%2BTO%2BBUILD%2B%26quot%3BCANVA%2BFOR%2BPODCASTING%26quot%3B/26441261.html).
## Business ventures
Majlak has described his pre-creator career on the brand side, at companies including Lovesac, as the source of his business acumen[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/). In February 2026 he joined RTHMS, a behavioral compatibility dating platform that analyzes real-world behavior and lifestyle patterns rather than self-reported profiles, as an investor and strategic partner[8](https://wn-agency.com/2026/02/19/mike-majlak-joins-rthms-as-investor-and-strategic-partner-backing-the-future-of-dating/). He has also founded the clothing line Shop The Night Shift[4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak), and in 2026 he discussed opening two burger restaurants[6](https://podcastrex.com/shows/the-bryce-crawford-podcast/mike-majlak-gets-brutally-honest-about-faith-addiction-and-still-having-demons-ep-219). On sponsorship strategy, he has said that he and other veteran creators once avoided brand equity deals in favor of cash, a stance that changed after the success of creator-founded brands such as [Prime Hydration](https://www.edgepedia.org/prime-drink), Feastables, and Alani Nu[1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/).
## Addiction, recovery, and advocacy
Majlak has spoken publicly about a decade-long struggle with opioid and crack cocaine addiction between ages 16 and 25, and has been sober since June 23, 2010[6](https://podcastrex.com/shows/the-bryce-crawford-podcast/mike-majlak-gets-brutally-honest-about-faith-addiction-and-still-having-demons-ep-219). His 2020 memoir, *The Fifth Vital*, details this period[3](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mike-majlak-reveals-his-true-rock-bottom-during-addiction-1362944/). He credits his faith and the support of friends for his recovery, and has discussed ongoing mental health challenges including OCD and anxiety[6](https://podcastrex.com/shows/the-bryce-crawford-podcast/mike-majlak-gets-brutally-honest-about-faith-addiction-and-still-having-demons-ep-219). He is launching Mike's Bikes, a nonprofit that provides bicycles to people in early recovery[6](https://podcastrex.com/shows/the-bryce-crawford-podcast/mike-majlak-gets-brutally-honest-about-faith-addiction-and-still-having-demons-ep-219).
## Personal background
Majlak grew up in Milford, Connecticut, attending both Catholic private school and public school, and has a twin sister named Abby[4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak). His first professional media role was as an event photographer in [Norwalk, Connecticut](https://www.edgepedia.org/norwalk-connecticut), and he ran a food blog reviewing [Connecticut](https://www.edgepedia.org/connecticut) restaurants before food content became competitive[4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak). His Instagram handle is @heybigmike[4](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak).
## References
1. [Exclusive: Mike Majlak named chief creator in residence of AI podcast platform, The Washington Post (May 2026)](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-creator/2026/05/06/exclusive-mike-majlak-named-chief-creator-residence-ai-podcast-platform/)
2. [Podcast veteran Mike Majlak joins Jared Gutstadt's Rebel Audio to build "Canva for podcasting", PR Newswire via StreetInsider (May 6, 2026)](https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/PODCAST%2BVETERAN%2BMIKE%2BMAJLAK%2BJOINS%2BJARED%2BGUTSTADTS%2BREBEL%2BAUDIO%2BTO%2BBUILD%2B%26quot%3BCANVA%2BFOR%2BPODCASTING%26quot%3B/26441261.html)
3. [Mike Majlak reveals his "true rock bottom" during addiction, Dexerto (May 2020)](https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/mike-majlak-reveals-his-true-rock-bottom-during-addiction-1362944/)
4. [Mike Majlak - Content Creator, Podcaster & Author, YesPress](https://yespress.io/mike-majlak)
5. [Mike Majlak Vlogs: Similar YouTube Channels, Social Discovery](https://socialdiscovery.app/en/youtube/channel/mike-majlak-vlogs)
6. [Mike Majlak Gets Brutally Honest About Faith, Addiction, and Still Having Demons (EP 219), The Bryce Crawford Podcast, Podcast Rex (August 2026)](https://podcastrex.com/shows/the-bryce-crawford-podcast/mike-majlak-gets-brutally-honest-about-faith-addiction-and-still-having-demons-ep-219)
7. [A Discussion With Mike Majlak On Rising From The Darkest Points In Life and Becoming Successful, Thrive Global](https://community.thriveglobal.com/a-discussion-with-mike-majlak-on-rising-from-the-darkest-points-in-life-and-becoming-successful/)
8. [Mike Majlak Joins RTHMS as Investor and Strategic Partner, Backing the Future of Dating, Warrior Network Agency (February 19, 2026)](https://wn-agency.com/2026/02/19/mike-majlak-joins-rthms-as-investor-and-strategic-partner-backing-the-future-of-dating/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Online creators and internet personalities › Podcasters and podcasts*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license