The Cabrera Lab Podcast

Episode #133: The Real Reason People Get So Triggered Aug 19, 2026 1796 Get 20% off any STSI course with code IDENTITY20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera explore why everyday disagreements can escalate so quickly.They explain how identity works as a boundary—and why people often feel threatened when their beliefs, opinions, roles, politics, or preferences are challenged. The problem is not disagreement itself, but identity

#132: Goop Is Everywhere—And It’s Making Us Worse Aug 12, 2026 1698 Get 20% off any STSI course with code GOOP20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera expand the idea of “goop” beyond food and into the systems all around us.They explore how heavily processed food, social media, education, news, consumer products, and even AI can become forms of goop: things that appear useful, nutritious, or informative, but are often strip

#131: How Healthy Couples Handle Conflict Aug 5, 2026 1963 Get 25% off any STSI course with code FIGHT25 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera answer a personal question from Training Camp: how do they handle conflict as a couple?They explain how understanding mental models changes the way people disagree. Instead of seeing conflict as “you versus me,” they show how many disagreements are really differences between

#130: How to Adapt When Everything Changes Jul 29, 2026 1778 Get 20% off any STSI course with code STUDIO20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cabrera Research Lab explore what really happens when we go through change.Using their move to Montana and the new podcast studio as a starting point, they unpack the difference between change itself and the transition into a new reality. They explain why change often fe

#129: Stop Putting Out Fires—Fix the System Jul 22, 2026 1507 Get 20% off any STSI course with code PATTERN20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore why the same problems keep showing up in organizations, relationships, and teams—even when they look different on the surface.They break down the difference between an instantiation and a pattern, showing how people often get stuck solving ind

Episode #128: What I Wish I Knew as a Neurodivergent Kid Jul 15, 2026 1931 Get 20% off any STSI course with code NEURO20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore neurodivergence through a systems thinking lens.Derek reflects on what it means to understand your own mind, why neurodivergence itself is not the problem, and how friction often comes from living inside systems designed around the neurotypical

#127: How to Make Invisible Thinking Visible Jul 8, 2026 1687 Get 20% off any STSI course with code OOT20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explain the power of OOTing: object-oriented thinking.They explore why getting ideas out of your head and into visible, movable objects—whether blocks, drawings, sticky notes, whiteboards, or even visual objects in your mind—can dramatically improve think

#126: How to Stop Misalignment Before It Starts Jul 1, 2026 1195 Get 20% off any STSI course with code ISISNOT20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down one of the simplest and most powerful systems thinking tools: the Is/Is Not List.They explain why this move is not just about making a list, but about building a strong distinction—one that clarifies what something fundamentally is, what it

#125: Stop Holding Everything in Your Head Jun 24, 2026 1220 Get 20% off any STSI course with code LIST20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore one of the simplest but most powerful thinking tools we use every day: lists.They break down why lists are more than just a way to remember tasks—they are a systems thinking tool that helps us distinguish what matters, break overwhelming wholes i

#124: How to Take Feedback Without Getting Defensive Jun 17, 2026 1357 Get 20% off any STSI course with code FEEDBACK20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore what happens when someone gives you difficult feedback—and why your first reaction may not be the most useful one.Starting with a question about being perceived as “argumentative,” they unpack the difference between reacting and understanding

#123: Think It Through: Why Smart Teams Still Don’t Work Together Jun 10, 2026 1352 Get 20% off any STSI course with code TEAM20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University answer a common leadership question: why do talented people often struggle to work together as a team?They explore the difference between a group and a true team, showing how friction, duplicate effort, competing priorities, and communication breakdowns

#122: What Great Leaders Understand About Culture Jun 3, 2026 1709 Get 20% off any STSI course with code CULTURE20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore a powerful idea: culture may be the single greatest advantage an organization can create—and most leaders fundamentally misunderstand how it works.Starting with an unexpected question about marketing, they unpack why changing minds—not promoti

#121: Why “I’m Trying” Is Often a Cop-Out May 27, 2026 1449 Get 20% off any STSI course with code YODA20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore the difference between “trying” and “doing”—and why that distinction matters more than most people think.They unpack how words like “trying” or “I didn’t mean to” can function as subtle ways of avoiding reality, ownership, and feedback. Through e

#120: You’re Already Thinking — Just Badly May 20, 2026 2488 Get 20% off any STSI course with code SYSTHINK20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle three common misconceptions that stop people from becoming systems thinkers.They explore the difference between unconsciously using DSRP patterns and purposefully applying them with awareness, why more information does not automatically lead t

#119: You’re Not Responsible for Everyone’s Feelings May 13, 2026 1919 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore one of the most difficult systems thinking challenges in relationships: understanding responsibility for our emotions.They unpack the dynamic between action and reaction, why emotional regulation creates agency and empowerment, and how faulty mental models can lead people to either take responsibility for everyone else’s f

#118: How to Think Clearly in a Crisis May 6, 2026 1256 Get 20% off any STSI course with code CRISIS20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore how to think through moments of crisis using systems thinking.They break down a critical first step—questioning whether something is truly a crisis or a product of inflated thinking—and show how unchecked mental models and worst-case assumption

#117: The Psychology of Motivation, Emotion, and Thought Apr 29, 2026 1872 Get 20% off any STSI course with code STARTNOW20 — become a motivated systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down a powerful systems thinking model for understanding human behavior: the dynamic relationship between cognition (thinking), emotion (feeling), motivation (conation), and embodiment.They explore how these elements constantly intera

#116: Why Better Thinking Makes You a Better Person Apr 22, 2026 1801 Get 20% off any STSI course with code ETHICS20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore the deeper layer of systems thinking that most people miss: its connection to ethics, empathy, and human behavior.They break down how the four patterns of DSRP—distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives—shape the way we include or e

#115: How to Learn When Words Don’t Work for You Apr 15, 2026 2023 Get 20% off any STSI course with code TEACH20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore how systems thinking can transform the way we learn—especially for people who struggle with traditional, language-based learning.They break down why reading alone doesn’t lead to understanding, and how organizing information structurally—through

Episode #114: How to Raise Better Thinkers Apr 8, 2026 2298 Get 20% off any STSI course with code LEARN20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore a fundamental systems thinking challenge: the tendency to confuse our mental models with reality itself.They unpack how the brain constructs meaning, why we often blend what we think with what actually exists, and how this conflation leads to mi

#113: Why Nothing in Your Life Is Changing Apr 1, 2026 1577 Get 20% off any STSI course with code POSIWID20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore a powerful systems thinking principle: the purpose of a system is what it does—not what it was intended to do.They break down the critical difference between aspirational outcomes and actual outcomes, and why so many organizations, policies, a

#112: Think It Through: How to Break Big Changes Into Manageable Parts Mar 25, 2026 1744 Get 20% off any STSI course with code CHANGE20 — become a systems thinker today!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore how to navigate big life changes without getting overwhelmed. Whether it’s moving, getting married, having a baby, sending a child to college, or making a major career shift, they break down why these transitions can feel so he

#111: Stress Is a Systems Problem (Not Just an Emotional One) Mar 18, 2026 1875 Get 20% off any STSI course with code STRESS20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack a powerful idea: stress is not just something that happens to you—it’s a reaction to the mental model you’re using to interpret what’s happening.They explore how stress grows when we assume we can’t handle a situation, how anxiety comes from pro

#110: How to Train Your Brain to Think Systemically Mar 11, 2026 1508 Get 20% off any STSI course with code MODEL20 — become a systems thinker today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University answer a listener question: what are the biggest things that prevent someone from becoming a systems thinker?They break down three major barriers—reality bias, confirmation bias, and the lack of deliberate practice in how we organize information. The co

#109: Think It Through: When Reality Isn’t What You Want It to Be Mar 4, 2026 2076 Get 20% off any STSI course with code REALITY20 — become a scientist today!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a hard question: what do you do when reality is showing you something you don’t want to believe?They break down what “love reality” actually means (it’s not about enjoying it), why most “sudden” crises are built one tiny decision at

#108: Stop Believing Frameworks That Haven’t Been Tested Feb 25, 2026 2019 Get 20% off any STSI course with code VALID20 — become a scientist today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack one of the most overlooked distinctions in science—and in life: the difference between studying whether something exists and studying its effect.Before you measure outcomes, before you test benefits, before you publish results, there’s a deeper questio

#107: Love Is a Behavior, Not a Feeling Feb 18, 2026 1706 Get 20% off any STSI course with code LOVE20 — start loving reality today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack a radical but deeply practical idea: love is not a feeling — it’s a behavior.While most of us are taught to think of love as romance, chemistry, or intense emotion, the Cabreras argue that those experiences are often hormonal surges or evolutionary dr

#106: Passive-Aggression Isn’t Passive—It’s Just Dishonest Feb 11, 2026 1201 Get 20% off any STSI course with code INTEGRITY20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack one of the most uncomfortable—but important—distinctions in human behavior: the difference between being passive-aggressive and being direct.They challenge the common belief that passive aggression is somehow “nicer” or less harmful

#105: Think It Through: Helping Others See What They’re Missing Feb 4, 2026 1577 Get 20% off any STSI course with code SIMPLE20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a deceptively hard question: what do you do when someone is overwhelmed, talking a mile a minute, and stuck inside their own thoughts and emotions?Rather than offering advice or arguing content, they show how to slow a

#104: It’s Not Too Much Information—It’s Too Little Organization Jan 28, 2026 1689 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a problem nearly everyone feels but few can name: constant overwhelm in a world flooded with information. From social media and news to work demands and family pressures, it feels like there’s simply too much coming at us all the time.But the real problem isn’t information overload—it’s organization overload. The Cabreras e

#103: Think It Through: When You Know What to Do—but Don’t Do It Jan 21, 2026 1525 Get 20% off any STSI course with code THINKING20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle one of the most frustrating human experiences: knowing exactly what you should do—and doing the opposite anyway.Is this a motivation problem, a discipline problem, or something deeper? Using systems thinking and real

#102: Mental Fitness Explained: Why Intelligence Is More Than IQ Jan 14, 2026 2209 Get 20% off any STSI course with code MOTIVATION20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack a new research paper on mental fitness and challenge nearly everything we think we know about intelligence, burnout, and mental health.Mental fitness, they explain, isn’t a trait, a feeling, or a mindset—it’s a complex adaptive sys

#101: Think It Through: The Negative Inner Voice That’s Holding You Back Jan 7, 2026 1758 Get 20% off any STSI course with code MENTALFITNESS20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore a struggle many people quietly live with every day: a negative inner voice that puts you down, limits your confidence, and distorts what you believe about yourself.They explain how this voice often isn’t truly

#100: The Top 10 Systems Thinking Lessons from 100 Episodes Dec 31, 2025 2748 Get 20% off any STSI course with code 20FOR100 — start building your mental fitness today!In this special milestone episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University celebrate the 100th episode of the Cabrera Lab Podcast by doing something big: ranking the top 10 themes that have emerged across the entire show.From simple rules creating complex results to embracing both-and thinking, fro

Episode #99: How to Reflect the Right Way Using Systems Thinking Dec 24, 2025 1429 Get 20% off any STSI course with code REFLECT20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack what reflection actually is—and why most people misunderstand it. Reflection isn’t a feeling, a yearly ritual, or a vague act of looking back. It’s a structural process rooted in how the mind organizes information.Using systems thinki

#98: Think It Through: Why Having the “Perfect Holiday” Is the Fastest Way to Ruin It Dec 17, 2025 1853 Get 20% off any STSI course with code HOLIDAY20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this holiday edition of Think It Through, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle one of the most common—and least talked about—seasonal struggles: why fully capable adults suddenly feel like children again the moment they walk into their childhood home.They break down how identity shift

#97: What Can Systems Thinkers Do That Others Can’t? Dec 10, 2025 2479 Get 20% off any STSI course with code SYSTEMS20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a deceptively simple question they were asked at a social event: “What can you do that other people can’t do if you’re a systems thinker?”Their answer is grounded in research, not hype. They break down the stunning cognitive law showi

#96: Think It Through: The Hidden Cost of Always Doing What You’re Told Dec 3, 2025 1791 Get 20% off any STSI course with code THINKITTHROUGH20 — start building your mental fitness today!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down a problem facing kids, college students, and professionals alike: what do you do when you do exceptional work—but the system only rewards strict compliance?Using a real classroom story, workplace examples,

#95: Think It Through: Teaching Your Kids to Love Reality Nov 26, 2025 2209 Get 25% off any STSI course with code THANKS25 - Happy Thanksgiving!In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a listener’s real-life parenting dilemma: a 10-year-old boy terrified of monsters lurking in his house. What begins as a bedtime fear unfolds into a profound lesson on mental models, evidence, and how we teach kids to tell what’s real from

#94: Fast. Right. Adaptive. The Power of Practicing Is/Is Not List Nov 19, 2025 2026 Get 15% off any STSI course with code THINK15 — start training your brain today!In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore one of the simplest—but most profound—thinking skills: drawing the boundary between what something is and what it is not.They unpack how this move, called Is/Is Not List, sits at the core of systems thinking and shows up in everything from team

#93: O-Based Education: How to Build Smarter, Freer, More Adaptive Humans Nov 12, 2025 2000 Get 15% off any systems thinking course with code ST-15 - become a professional systems thinker today: https://www.stsi.pro/category/credentialIn this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University revisit two of their most powerful ideas about the future of education: “We teach humans, not subjects,” and “What if we taught thinking through content, not content through thinking?”They

#92: Think It Through: The Feedback You Don’t Want Is the Feedback You Need Nov 5, 2025 2336 In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack one of life’s most universal challenges: how to take feedback that clashes with your self-image. What starts as a simple question—“How do I handle feedback that hurts?”—turns into a deep exploration of identity, ego, and growth.They reveal how most people unconsciously build mental “castle walls” around the

#91: From Deming to Donella: Rating the Top Systems Thinking Quotes Oct 29, 2025 1809 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take a rapid-fire tour through some of the most famous systems thinking quotes from legends like Donella Meadows, Peter Senge, Russell Ackoff, W. Edwards Deming, and even the Buddha.Laura reads each quote, and Derek rates them 1–10 on validity, reliability, and usefulness—revealing which ideas stand up to science and which ones fa

#90: Think it Through: Stop Arguing Perspectives, Start Solving Systems Oct 22, 2025 2024 In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle two everyday problems that reveal the hidden power of systems thinking. They start by breaking down why theory and practice are never truly separate, showing how real solutions emerge when people think structurally—whether they’re leading teams or navigating family life.Using a 7% market growth challenge as

#89: Think It Through: Boundaries, Guilt, and Getting Your Time Back Oct 15, 2025 1557 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University help a listener untangle a familiar problem: saying yes to everything and ending up exhausted, resentful, and burned out.They diagram the hidden mental model behind overcommitment—a self-made loop of guilt, fear, and misplaced responsibility—and show how systems thinking can break it. You’ll learn how to set real boundaries withou

#88: Think It Through: Parenting, Culture, and Mental Models Oct 8, 2025 2296 In this practical episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University show how the same underlying mental structures shape both family life and organizational culture.From a frustrated parent arguing with a teen about driving to a CEO dealing with conflicting rules in the workplace, the problem isn’t people—it’s the invisible mental models guiding their behavior. Using simple systems think

#87: Snake Oil, Swamps, and Systems Thinking Oct 1, 2025 2793 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take a wrecking ball to the confusion surrounding systems thinking. Whether you’re brand new to the field or knee-deep in its many (often conflicting) methodologies, this episode will save you years of frustration by cutting straight to the core: what systems thinking is, what it’s not, and how to actually get good at it.They reve

#86: Teach Your Kids to Think: The Most Important Parenting Skill Sep 24, 2025 2103 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University answer a simple but urgent question from a parent: “Can you teach systems thinking to kids?” Spoiler: not only can you, you should—and it may be the most important thing you ever do.They break down why kids are actually better systems thinkers than adults (fewer bad habits), how to teach the Six Moves in everyday life (with grocer

#85: Love, Marriage, and Mental Models: Systems Thinking in Relationships Sep 17, 2025 2340 How do two people work together, parent together, and live together every day without driving each other nuts?In this personal and powerful episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University share the six systems thinking principles that transformed their relationship—and how you can apply them to yours. They break down the practical tools that help them avoid blame, navigate patterns, em

#84: Why Our Schools are Failing (And How to Fix Them with Systems Thinking) Sep 10, 2025 2508 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University confront a hard truth: our schools are failing because we're teaching information, not thinking.They expose the real problem behind education’s struggles—what they call the tyranny of “Content is King”—and make the case for O-based education: teaching students how to organize information and build mental models, not just memo

#83: The Science of Thinking Fast, Right, and On Purpose Sep 3, 2025 2342 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University challenge the binary of Kahneman’s System 1 (fast but often wrong) and System 2 (slow but usually right) thinking—and introduce a third way: System 3 Thinking.System 3 is both fast and accurate. But it doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built through metacognition and daily practice. Drawing on research and real-world examples from spe

#82: Discipline, Ownership, and Doing It Right (Even When No One’s Watching) Aug 27, 2025 2548 In this final chapter of the Culture Code series, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University share the last 12 guiding principles that shape their team's character, cohesion, and capacity to adapt. These aren’t just nice ideas—they’re lived systems of belief and behavior.You’ll explore ideas like Carhartts & Cufflinks (being comfortable anywhere), Extreme Ownership, No Discipline

#81: Systems Thinking for Character, Capacity, and Culture Aug 20, 2025 2090 In this next installment of the Culture Code series, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reveal the next 9 culture principles that guide their team, their leadership, and their lives. These aren’t corporate slogans—these are lived mental models rooted in systems thinking, science, and character development.They unpack what it means to Get the GETs, be Vitruvian, Make Monergy, and pr

#80: The Culture Code Continued—Hard Truths That Build Strong People Aug 13, 2025 1563 In the follow-up to Episode #79, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University continue walking through their organization’s Culture Code—a set of shared values and mental models that drive everything from personal growth to organizational excellence.This time, they explore seven powerful principles: Love Reality, Find Your Fit, Serve Others, Be Vulnerable, Have Integrity, Be Courageous, and

#79: The Culture Code: What We Practice, Why It Works Aug 6, 2025 2709 In this new episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack the first six principles in their organization’s Culture Code—a practical, modular set of mental models that shape character, guide behavior, and build real culture from the inside out.You’ll learn why culture isn’t about surface-level swag, but shared mental models; how to truly listen (with more than just your ears);

Episode #78: Systems Thinking IRL - Parenting in a Processed World Jul 30, 2025 2455 In this special “IRL” (in real life) episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University sit down with a parent struggling to navigate one of the most common and emotionally charged family issues: what kids eat.Their guest, "John," opens up about his 8-year-old daughter’s ultra-processed diet, his fear for her long-term health, and how dinner has turned into a battleground. Throu

#77: Why the World Needs 8 Billion Systems Thinkers (Above the Standard) Jul 23, 2025 2152 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down their updated vision for global transformation: not just 8 billion systems thinkers—but 8 billion above the standard.They unpack the science behind mental fitness, the difference between awareness and practice, and how changing your default thinking patterns can unlock faster, smarter decisions. You’ll learn why IQ and

#76: Why You Keep Attracting the Same People, Jobs, and Problems Jul 16, 2025 1350 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack a deceptively simple idea that has massive implications: never leave a place—only go to a place. What started as a personal insight turned into a powerful life rule that breaks the cycle of self-sabotage and repeating patterns.They explore how seeing patterns—not just events—gives you the power to change your life, why exte

#74: The 12 Gets: Simple, Scientific Rules for a Life That Works Jul 9, 2025 2457 In this inspiring episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reveal the 12 Gets—a simple, science-backed system that helped Derek shed 130 pounds, reverse pre-diabetes, and reclaim his life.Born from a sabbatical of deep systems thinking and personal transformation, the 12 Gets offer a blueprint for health, longevity, and mental fitness. From “Get Moving” to “Get Smart” to “Get Ch

#73: Earn Your Own Trust—The Real Power of Integrity Jul 2, 2025 1663 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack one of the most misunderstood (and underrated) skills: integrity. It’s not just about being a “good person”—it’s about alignment between what you say and what you do.They explore why integrity starts as a relationship with yourself, how overpromising wrecks trust, and how to build integrity through purposeful practice. If y

#72: How High Performers Really Manage Their Time, Energy & Minds Jun 25, 2025 2689 Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take on the everyday challenge of self-management—breaking it down into 3 essential tools: structure, rules, and distributed intelligence.From taming your to-do list and calendar chaos to creating space for flow, they share how systems thinking helps high performers (and the rest of us) build

#71: Think Better, Live Better—Why Systems Thinking Isn’t Just for Work Jun 18, 2025 1968 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack what they call the “arsenal”—a core set of mental moves that bridge the gap between your professional life and your personal growth.They explore how tools like the RDS Barbell, distinctions, and perspective-taking can radically improve your communication, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. You'll learn why every

#69: Overthinking, Adaptability, and the Fast-and-Right Mindset Jun 11, 2025 1956 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack how systems thinking helps you handle life’s toughest changes—before they happen. They share a 4-step process for adapting in real time: build mental fitness, love reality, test your mental model, and adapt fast.You’ll learn why we mistake stress and emotion for “overthinking,” how System 3 thinking gets it fast and right,

#68: The Grammar of Reality Jun 4, 2025 2611 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore the central thesis of their paper, The Grammar of Reality: that both nature and thought are governed by the same four structural patterns—Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives (DSRP).They explain why nothing in the universe is static, why your mental models shape your experience of reality, and how underst

#67: The Beginner’s Guide to Systems Thinking (In Under 20 Minutes) May 28, 2025 1174 In this clear and beginner-friendly episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down the who, what, why, where, when, and how of systems thinking. Spoiler: the “who” is everyone—because if you’re human, you live and work in systems every day.They explain what systems thinking really is (hint: it’s simpler than you think), why it helps you adapt and thrive, and how to get star

#66: There's Nothing More Practical Than a Good Theory May 21, 2025 2257 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down one of the biggest misconceptions in both science and everyday life: the false divide between theory and practice. They explain what theory really means (hint: it’s not your opinion about your dog), how science differs from academia, and why a well-tested theory is the most practical tool you’ll ever use.They also explo

#64: Stop Taking It Personally—Why Meaning Gets Lost in Translation May 14, 2025 2198 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore why so many of our arguments and misunderstandings come from mismatched mental models. They break down why we react emotionally to words, why assumptions fuel conflict, and how asking simple questions like “What do you mean?” can defuse tension.You’ll also hear why blame and credit are lazy shortcuts, how to rethink “being

#63: The Simple Formula Behind Every Thought May 7, 2025 1624 In this eye-opening episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down their powerful formula for meaning: M = IO (meaning equals information plus organization). Using playful examples—like coffee drinks, cocktails, and skincare—they show how the same underlying structures drive innovation, communication, and even conflict.You’ll learn how most arguments stem from mismatched me

#62: Echo Chambers, Fake News, and the Collapse of Credibility Apr 30, 2025 2383 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down how echo chambers form, why circular citation networks trick us into believing falsehoods, and how critical systems like science and media are losing public trust.They explain why truthiness matters, why science isn’t the same as academia, and how you can protect yourself by questioning, diversifying your sources, and t

#61: From Outward Bound to AI—Lessons in Raising Thinkers, Not Robots Apr 23, 2025 2647 In this powerful episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reflect on parenting through the lens of DSRP, character development, and a world reshaped by AI. They unpack the difference between giving your kids answers and teaching them to think—between raising performers and building whole humans.With stories from the mountains, the classroom, and their own kitchen table, this epi

#60: Beyond the Couch: DSRP Therapy for a New Mental Model Apr 16, 2025 2416 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University introduce DSRP Therapy, a systems-based approach that helps people understand, surface, and revise their mental models—at the root of emotion, behavior, and personal change.They walk through how DSRP compares to traditional therapies like CBT, and explain why getting your thoughts “out on the table” and testing them against realit

#58: Stop Solving Problems—Start Understanding Systems Apr 9, 2025 1454 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University flip the script on one of the most accepted habits in work and life: problem-solving. They explain why jumping straight to solutions is actually a bias—one that blinds us to what’s really happening in the system.With stories, metaphors, and practical insights, they unpack how most “problems” are actually just feedback—and why unde

#57: Connect the Dots—Why Root Cause Thinking Isn’t Enough Apr 2, 2025 1792 In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University dive deep into the theme of their upcoming conference—Connect the Dots—and challenge the outdated idea of “root cause” thinking. Instead, they break down how real-world problems emerge from webs of causality, where multiple, interacting factors must be addressed simultaneously to get results.They explain why trying one solution at

#56: The Whole Is NOT Greater Than Its Parts (Here’s Why) Mar 26, 2025 1716 In this special podcast-iversary episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University celebrate one year of the Cabrera Lab Podcast by taking a flamethrower to one of systems thinking’s most stubborn myths: “The whole is greater than its parts.”They dive deep into the real meaning of emergence, why complexity science is not about magic or mysticism, and how all the intelligence in a system

#55: Don’t Trust, Verify—How to Separate Your Thoughts from Your Feelings Mar 19, 2025 2677 Feeling overwhelmed? Frustrated? Like the world is just too much? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down the critical difference between thinking and feeling—and why confusing the two can lead to unnecessary stress, poor decisions, and pointless arguments.They’ll teach you how to untangle your emotions from your thoughts, avoid reacting impulsively, and use

#53: The Emperor Has No Clothes: Exposing the Truth About Systems Thinking Mar 12, 2025 2868 Everyone talks about systems thinking, but does anyone actually know what it is? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University dive into the messy reality behind the term, exposing why so many so-called “systems thinking” frameworks lack any real scientific backing. They discuss why most frameworks are nothing more than untested opinions, how academia has confused the public,

#52: Critical Thinking is Biased Thinking Mar 5, 2025 3230 Critical thinking gets thrown around as the gold standard of thinking—but is it really? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down why critical thinking is actually an antiquated form of thought, useful in some situations but totally inadequate in others.Sparked by a social media post that stirred up controversy, they unpack the onslaught of illogical arguments,

#51: The #1 Indicator of Real Intelligence (It’s Not What You Expect) Feb 26, 2025 1878 What does it really mean to be smart? Spoiler: it’s not your IQ score, your degrees, or your job title. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down the truth about intelligence—why being smart is less about what you know and more about how well you adapt to an ever-changing world.They’ll explore how true intelligence is about seeing patterns, making connections,

#50: Slapping “Systems” on It Doesn’t work—How to Think Systemically for Real Feb 19, 2025 1951 Just because something has the word systems in it doesn’t mean it’s actually systemic thinking. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University expose how disciplines from business to biology love to throw around the term “systems” without actually applying systems thinking—and why that’s a problem.They’ll break down what real systemic thinking looks like, how to tell the diffe

#48: The Ultimate Playbook for Building a Winning Culture Feb 12, 2025 2603 Your organization has a culture—whether you designed it or not. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down how to take control of your organizational culture using culture marketing and the culture building graph to shape a thriving, high-performance environment.Learn actionable strategies to get everyone in your organization on board, reinforce the right behavi

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