The holidays can be magical—but they can also be downright stressful. In this special holiday episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University share their top strategies for staying sane during the season. Learn how to challenge your mental models about family, expectations, and traditions to create a more meaningful and less stressful holiday experience.

They’ll show you the power of “loving reality” as it is, not as you wish it to be, and why saying the “crazy part” out loud can defuse tension and spark connection. Whether you’re navigating tricky family dynamics, endless to-do lists, or your own expectations, this episode is your gift for a calmer, happier holiday. 🎄✨

Can you measure thinking? Absolutely—and it might just be the most powerful tool you’re not using. In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera break down how we can measure the quality of our thinking and why doing so is a game-changer for personal growth, leadership, and decision-making.

They dive into the importance of measuring what truly matters, showing how clear metrics for thinking can help you identify blind spots, sharpen your mind, and get better results in every area of life. If you’re serious about improving yourself, your work, and your impact, this episode will give you the tools to measure your thinking—and take it to the next level.

Think you know systems thinking? Think again. In this hard-hitting episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take on the 8 biggest myths—those sacred cows everyone gets wrong—and crush them with straight-up truth and practical fixes.

From the fluff to the fumbles, they’ll show you what’s holding you back and give you no-nonsense replacements to level up your thinking game. If you want to cut through the BS and master real systems thinking, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take you on a journey from the basics of network theory to explaining why understanding networks is critical for making sense of the world. They explore how DSRP theory—Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives—does more than complement network theory; it transforms how we understand nodes and the dynamics of connections.

With practical examples and clear explanations, they’ll show you why network theory matters in your personal and professional life and how DSRP makes it accessible, actionable, and infinitely more powerful. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this episode equips you with the tools to see, understand, and influence networks like never before.

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University, lay out a clear, no-nonsense protocol for practicing systems thinking and DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, Perspectives) in under one minute. Perfect for busy people looking to sharpen their mental game, this quick, practical approach will immediately improve the way you think about problems, people, and possibilities.

Learn how to apply this simple method anytime, anywhere—at work, at home, or in conversation. By mastering this one-minute practice, you'll unlock the mental edge to tackle complexity, make smarter decisions, and stand out as the guy who always sees the big picture.

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University take a hard look at the dissatisfaction with the education system and why it’s failing teachers, parents, administrators, and especially students. They explore how to separate the concept of schooling from true learning, inspiring a lifelong love for discovery and self-improvement.

Beyond personal growth, they share an urgent call to action: how can we give educators and students the tools and support they desperately need to thrive? Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or someone hungry to learn, this episode will ignite your passion for creating a better future—inside and outside the classroom.

In this week’s episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reveal the powerful skill of "hearing the underlying structure" in common phrases, giving you a deeper edge in every interaction. By tuning into these hidden layers, you’ll start to pick up on subtle cues that go beyond words—allowing you to truly understand what others are saying and where they’re coming from. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, this episode equips you to decode conversations and be a sharper, more effective communicator.

Unlock peak mental performance and tackle any challenge with confidence! This episode arms you with five actionable moves to make you more adaptive in every aspect of life. Learn how to spot patterns faster and understand complex systems effortlessly. Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reveal daily practices that will transform you into an intellectual powerhouse. If you're ambitious and ready to be at the top of your game, these essential thinking tools are your new secret weapon.

In this week’s episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera dive deep into the world of thinking and explain why you should be very afraid of "buckets"—those rigid mental boxes that can limit your potential and stunt your intellectual growth. They break down the components of DSRP (Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives) and show how isolating them from each other has serious consequences for the way you understand, interpret, and act in the world. By learning to make your thinking dynamic—flexible, adaptable, and always evolving—you’ll gain an edge in your journey to be the sharpest mind in any room. This episode will challenge your perceptions, expand your mental toolkit, and change the way you approach problems, both big and small.

If you’re ready to upgrade your mental game, tune in!

In this week's episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera take on context. Learn why context is part of a lazy person's conversational toolkit, understand the nuances of context, and finally learn how to use context in a fair and intelligent way. Doing so will help you understand the system far better than everyone else and be the smartest person in the room. Listen now!