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 literal,” and why tuning into reality is one of the most liberating things you can do. If you’re ready to communicate with less drama and more clarity, this episode is your guide.

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 mental models, why seeing the structure behind things unlocks creativity, and how this mindset shift can help you solve problems faster, connect better, and see life in 3D. If you’re ready to level up your thinking, this one’s a must-listen.

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 thinking in gradients—not binaries. If you’re tired of feeling confused and manipulated, this episode gives you the mindset tools to break free.

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 episode explores how to guide kids toward independence, metacognition, and a future full of unknowns. If you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone who works with young minds, this one is equal parts heart and strategy.

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 reality builds more self-awareness, resilience, and long-term growth. If you’ve ever wanted a thinking-based approach to healing and personal clarity, this one’s a must-listen.

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 understanding the system is always more powerful than solving the surface issue. If you’re tired of putting out fires, this episode will help you step back, zoom out, and finally see the bigger picture.

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 a time fails, how to use systems thinking tools like zooming, part/whole, and relationship mapping, and why seeing the whole system is the only way to make lasting change—whether it’s in sleep, school shootings, or societal polarization.

If you're tired of oversimplified answers to complex problems, this episode is your roadmap to thinking more clearly and solving more effectively.

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 actually comes from simple rules and relationships—not some vague “greater than” force.

From ant colonies to clowns and kangaroos, this episode explains why the most powerful part of any system lies in the micro, not the macro. If you’ve ever been confused by emergence—or mesmerized by outcomes—this episode will change the way you see systems forever.

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 the RAR Quad move to create a critical pause before acting. Plus, they take on the news, social media, and emotional manipulation, showing you how to separate truth from clickbait.

If you’ve ever found yourself getting worked up over headlines, social media fights, or personal conflicts, this episode will give you real strategies to regain control, think more clearly, and respond with intention instead of emotion. Don't trust—verify.

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, and what real systems thinking actually looks like.

This episode also pulls back the curtain on the peer review process, the difference between academia and real science, and why so many ideas get mistaken for empirical truth. If you’re tired of vague definitions, academic gatekeeping, and empty buzzwords, this episode will set the record straight. Prepare to challenge everything you thought you knew about systems thinking.