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, red herrings, and ad hominem attacks they received—and use them as a case study in how not to argue. Learn what makes an argument fair and ethical, when critical thinking works (and when it doesn’t), and how to engage in real, productive discourse. If you’ve ever found yourself in a frustrating debate, this episode will give you the tools to think sharper and argue better.

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, and adjusting your thinking in real-time. Want to be the smartest person in the room? Forget memorization—learn how to sharpen your adaptability and level up your thinking for life.

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 difference between surface-level jargon and true systems thinking, and what we can do to fix this mess. Get ready for a fun, no-BS look at how to stop pretending and start really thinking systemically.

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 behaviors, and avoid the pitfalls that weaken culture over time. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing culture, this episode will give you the tools to build a culture that sticks, scales, and drives success.

BLOG ON CULTURE MARKETING: https://blog.cabreraresearch.org/culturemarketing
CBG POSTER: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZxdR2boLn0ThGrUMxuZ7j4seI4fERtIZ/view?usp=sharing

If your organization isn’t learning, it’s dying. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore the power of organizational learning—why it’s the backbone of a thriving culture, how to foster it, and the key litmus tests to ensure your team is actually growing, not just going through the motions.

They’ll break down why the best leaders never stop learning and how to create an environment where curiosity, adaptation, and improvement are the norm. Whether you're leading a company, a team, or just looking to level up your approach to learning, this episode will give you the blueprint for getting your organization thinking, growing, and evolving—every single day.

Is your organization running on systems—or just spinning its wheels? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University dive into the concept of organizational capacity: the systems that power your mission statement and ultimately, your vision. They explain why a system of systems is the key to efficiency, adaptability, and long-term success—far superior to a disconnected "bunch of systems".

Learn how to design capacity systems that align with your mission, pass crucial litmus tests, and amplify your organization’s impact. Whether you’re starting fresh or optimizing existing systems, this episode will walk you through creating a cohesive, effective framework for achieving your goals.

Does your organization’s mission statement actually mean something, or is it just corporate fluff? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down the true purpose of a mission statement, how it differs from vision, and why so many organizations get it wrong.

They’ll guide you through a step-by-step process to craft a mission statement that’s clear, actionable, and aligned with your organization’s goals. Plus, they’ll share key litmus tests to ensure your mission doesn’t just sound good—it drives real results. Whether you’re starting from scratch or rethinking an outdated mission, this episode will help you create a statement that inspires action and makes an impact.

What’s your organization’s vision—and is it really driving you forward? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University demystify vision statements, explaining what it is (and what it’s not), why it often gets confused with mission, and how to craft a clear, actionable vision that inspires and aligns your team.

They’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for creating your own vision and share practical litmus tests to ensure it’s both meaningful and effective. Whether you’re leading a startup, a nonprofit, or a Fortune 500 company, this episode will equip you with the tools to develop a vision that sparks action and delivers results.

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack the critical difference between outdated leadership models and systems leadership. They explain why organizations are more like flocks—dynamic, adaptive, and interdependent—than clocks with rigid, mechanical structures.

Learn why traditional approaches like planning, commanding, controlling, and hyper-utilization don’t just fail—they actively prevent your organization from adapting and thriving in complex environments. Through practical insights and real-world examples, they’ll show you how systems leadership fosters agility, resilience, and the kind of results that rigid systems can only dream of. Ready to ditch the old playbook? Tune in and transform your organization.

Forget the usual “new year, new you” clichés. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University dive into how a systems thinker sets New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions have become a hedge for intentional self-improvement. What if instead we just made ourselves a little bit better everyday? 

And because no episode is complete without a little mind-bending fun, they take a fascinating tangent into the concept of free will—and how nobody has it. Listen as they prove that there is no free will, just localized choice. Start your year with clarity, curiosity, and a systems thinking edge.