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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 misunderstanding, poor decisions, and unnecessary conflict. Through systems thinking principles, they show how separating reality from our interpretations creates clarity, improves judgment, and strengthens our ability to navigate complex situations.

If you want to think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and make better decisions, it starts with recognizing the difference between the world as it is—and the model you’ve built of it.