Publishing knowledge. Inspiring transformation. Books, reports, essays and working papers from LOVE AND BLISS.
LAB Press
The publishing arm of LOVE AND BLISS
LAB Press carries our books, reports, essays, working papers and thought leadership — and publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Positive Psychology, Agapology and Spirituality.
Constitutional instrument · Version 1.0 — August 2026
The LAB Publishing Charter
A publishing ecosystem in which scholarship is judged by scholarship, not by the author's ability to pay.
Six principles — Merit Before Money, Editorial Independence, Universal Access, Scholarly Reciprocity, Mission-Based Sustainability and Human-Governed AI — bind The LAB Institute, LAB Press, JPPAS and every future LAB journal, book, report and convening.
Read the CharterOur publishing mission
The LaB Press—home to the Journal of Positive Psychology, Agapology and Spirituality—is dedicated to inspiring and equipping a new generation of thinkers, scholars, and practitioners from Afro-descendant and other marginalised communities worldwide. Our mission is to make knowledge both academically rigorous and practically accessible, promoting the embodiment of bliss—a state of holistic well-being—while empowering communities to spark a ripple effect of healing, resilience, and transformation.
We give particular priority to publishing work that advances the flourishing of Afro-descendant communities globally. We welcome interdisciplinary interventions that challenge conventional structures and cross institutional boundaries, drawing from fields such as political economy, critical race studies, decolonial thought, post-structuralism, and beyond. Contributors are expected to resonate with the journal’s ethos and vision, as set out in our manifesto.
Our commitment to open-access publishing ensures that this knowledge does not remain locked within academia but reaches wider audiences, enabling real-world application and global impact.
Peer-reviewed publishing
Journal of Positive Psychology, Agapology and Spirituality (JPPAS) is our peer-reviewed scholarly journal. Its articles are held separately from general LAB Press writings.
Visit JPPAS →Books
Every soul longs for purpose. Every story has power. Love, Adversity and Bliss is more than a book—it’s a divine invitation into healing, transformation, and true flourishing. Right now, you can help deliver this message to someone searching for meaning in the middle of their…
Agapology
Reports
Authors: Mvikeli Ncube, Ph and Professor Matthew Hall Published in Issue 1. 0 // The LaB http://doi.org/10.63994/veaodh K ey words: Zimbabwean diaspora, migration, culture, relationships, domestic violenceT, Spirituality, Bliss, Flourishing, Adversity Abstract Political…
Diaspora communities · Safeguarding
https://doi.org/10.63994/veaodh
Working papers
- Working paper
9 September 2025
Dr Noel Maturlu, Dr Jesse Omoregie, Dr Philip Nukpe, Parvaneh Sara Pakshir Published in Issue 1.2 // LaB Press http://doi.org/10.63994/5b43rx KEYWORDS : Family disruption; Broken homes; Impacts of family disruption; Impact of broken homes; Adolescent mental health. Abstract…
Family disruption · Young people
https://doi.org/10.63994/5b43rx
Essays
Dr Noel Maturlu Published in Issue 1.2 // LaB Press http://doi.org/10.63994/xiaph2 KEYWORDS : Kavotemia; Differential Bliss Receptibility; Adversity; Flourishing; Spirituality. Abstract Kavotemia is introduced as a novel interdisciplinary construct that describes the capacity to…
Adversity · Kavotemia
https://doi.org/10.63994/xiaph2Dr Noel Maturlu Published in Issue 1. 2 // The LaB http://doi.org/10.63994/y01a4i K eywords: Unrealistic Expectations, Intimate Relationships, Myths, Marriage, Resilience Abstract Unrealistic and unspoken expectations are a major but often overlooked cause of dissatisfaction and…
Relationships · Agapology
https://doi.org/10.63994/y01a4iDr Noel Maturlu Published in Issue 1.2 // LaB Press http://doi.org/10.63994/xiaph2 KEYWORDS : Kinship; Human flourishing; Divine love; Family bonds; African religiosity Abstract Kinship, especially the family bond between parents and children, forms the foundation of human…
Family & kinship
https://doi.org/10.63994/xiaph2
Commentarys
Noel Maturlu//Issue 1. 1 It’s one thing to be loved, but it’s another to know—deep in your soul—that you are loved. When love is truly understood and appreciated, it has the power to transform every aspect of your life. What if I told you that you are Christ’s chosen lover,…
One of the most life-giving scriptures I have ever encountered is found in John 15:16: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last, and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." Let that…
There is a profound theory suggesting that the contrast between having and losing—or losing and regaining—magnifies our perception of value. For example, recovering from illness makes us keenly aware of the benefits of health because we have experienced its absence. The same…
We are still at the beginning of a new year, and for many is the time for resolutions, prayers, supplications and wishing—wishing for better days, new opportunities, and a fresh start. Now, imagine you suddenly find yourself in the presence of our generous God—the One who owns…
Among Afro-communities, spiritual manifestations—such as miraculous deliverance, healing, and even resurrection—are common. However, these same spiritual powers have yet to produce sustained economic prosperity. African descendants—both on the continent and in the diaspora—tend…
Hi, and Happy New Year, 2025! As we step into this new chapter, I’m reminded of the importance of reflecting on where we’ve been and envisioning where we’re headed. Many of you may know about my lifelong passion for exploring the nature of prosperity, the role of adversity, and…
Attaining a PhD, the highest academic degree, is a significant achievement, one for which I am profoundly grateful. Yet, while the title of "Doctor" carries immense pride, the scientific discoveries that emerged from this journey are far more meaningful to me. For me, the PhD…
Many of us love to hate adversity, and it’s easy to see why—it often brings loss, pain, and discomfort. But what if adversity is actually a blessing in disguise? My recent research suggests exactly that. When we cultivate spirituality—a personal, secure relationship with a…
Challenges in business are a given, but it’s our response to them that defines our trajectory. Looking beyond the immediate obstacle, there lies a realm of opportunity and learning.
In the ever-evolving world, the art of forging genuine connections remains timeless. Whether it’s with colleagues, clients, or partners, establishing a genuine rapport paves the way for collaborative success.