The Cabrera Lab Podcast

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The Cabrera Lab Podcast

Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera

85 episodes

16 hours ago

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 their self-concept, blocking feedback that could help them evolve. Through humor, real-world examp...

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Self-Improvement

Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness

All content for The Cabrera Lab Podcast is the property of Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

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 their self-concept, blocking feedback that could help them evolve. Through humor, real-world examp...

Show more...

Self-Improvement

Society & Culture,

Health & Fitness

Episodes (20/85)

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#92: Think It Through: The Feedback You Don’t Want Is the Feedback You Need

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 their self-concept, blocking feedback that could help them evolve. Through humor, real-world examp...

17 hours ago

38 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#91: From Deming to Donella: Rating the Top Systems Thinking Quotes

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 fall apart under scrutiny. From “Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets” (...

1 week ago

30 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#90: Think it Through: Stop Arguing Perspectives, Start Solving Systems

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 a case study, they introduce a powerful move called P Gen S Drop P—a simple way to align marke...

2 weeks ago

33 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#89: Think It Through: Boundaries, Guilt, and Getting Your Time Back

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 without guilt, stop assuming what others think of you, and reclaim your time and energy. From the “2...

3 weeks ago

25 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#88: Think It Through: Parenting, Culture, and Mental Models

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 thinking tools, they break down how to surface, compare, and rebuild shared mental models that actua...

4 weeks ago

38 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#87: Snake Oil, Swamps, and Systems Thinking

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 reveal why most systems thinking resources are either snake oil or rabbit holes, and why practicing...

1 month ago

46 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#86: Teach Your Kids to Think: The Most Important Parenting Skill

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 groceries, frogs, or even sugar packets), and why teaching the structure of thought—not just informat...

1 month ago

35 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#85: Love, Marriage, and Mental Models: Systems Thinking in Relationships

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, embrace honesty, and understand each other better using DSRP and the Love-Reality Loop. Whether ...

1 month ago

39 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#84: Why Our Schools are Failing (And How to Fix Them with Systems Thinking)

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 memorize facts. From the over-management of teachers to the manipulation of public mental models by ind...

1 month ago

41 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#83: The Science of Thinking Fast, Right, and On Purpose

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 special forces, pro athletes, and high performers, they show you how the Six Moves and the Love-Re...

2 months ago

39 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#82: Discipline, Ownership, and Doing It Right (Even When No One’s Watching)

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 = No Freedom, Underpromise & Overdeliver, and the golden rule: The Way You Do Anything Is the Wa...

2 months ago

42 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#81: Systems Thinking for Character, Capacity, and Culture

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 practice Better Every Day. You’ll hear why Being Your Own GOAT matters more than fitting in, how ...

2 months ago

34 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#80: The Culture Code Continued—Hard Truths That Build Strong People

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 Do the Right Thing. With raw personal stories, practical examples, and plenty of humor, they sh...

2 months ago

26 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#79: The Culture Code: What We Practice, Why It Works

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); and why systems thinkers must practice curiosity, evolution, and presence—every single day. The...

3 months ago

45 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

Episode #78: Systems Thinking IRL - Parenting in a Processed World

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. Through systems thinking, they reframe the issue—not as a fight to win tonight, but as a long game of building...

3 months ago

40 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#77: Why the World Needs 8 Billion Systems Thinkers (Above the Standard)

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 degrees don’t equal intelligence, why you are the system, and how practicing six simple thinkin...

3 months ago

35 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#76: Why You Keep Attracting the Same People, Jobs, and Problems

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 externalities and baggage follow you when you don't deal with them, and how turning hard-earned les...

3 months ago

22 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#74: The 12 Gets: Simple, Scientific Rules for a Life That Works

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 Challenged,” each “Get” is both accessible and adaptable—no gimmicks, just real strategies that w...

3 months ago

40 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#73: Earn Your Own Trust—The Real Power of Integrity

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 you've ever struggled to keep commitments (especially to yourself), this episode shows you how t...

4 months ago

27 minutes

The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#72: How High Performers Really Manage Their Time, Energy & Minds

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 mental fitness, stay focused, and stop spinning in circles. Whether you’re neurodivergent or j...

4 months ago

44 minutes