Awake at the Wheel

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 79 In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay explore the complexities of adult friendships and the challenges of forming and maintaining meaningful connections. They discuss how friendships evolve from childhood to adulthood, the impact of life demands, and the dynamics of toxic relationships. The conversation delves into the differences be...

Valentine’s Day pressure is ruining relationships—but no one talks about why. In this eye-opening conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay dive into the unrealistic expectations surrounding Valentine’s Day and how they often lead to disappointment in the bedroom. They’re joined by Dr. Elliot Justin, Founder and CEO of FirmTech, who’s revolutionizing men’s sexual health with cutting-edge...

In this episode, Malini Ondrovcik and Doc Amitay discuss the recent resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, exploring the public's reaction, the implications for Canadian politics, and the broader themes of hope and cognitive dissonance in political identity. They delve into the emotional responses to Trudeau's leadership, the challenges of navigating political beliefs in...

In this conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay delve into the often overlooked mental health struggles of new fathers, discussing the societal expectations and pressures they face. They explore the impact of feminism on masculinity, the importance of communication in relationships, and the need for a balanced approach to parenting roles. The discussion highlights the detrimental effect...

In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr Oren Amitay dive into the complexities of holiday parenting. From gift-giving stress and social media pressures to setting family boundaries and debating the magic of Santa Claus, they explore how parents can thoughtfully navigate the season while balancing childhood wonder and critical thinking. Tune in for practical tips and insights...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 74 In this conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Leigh Revers explore the feminization of academia, the dynamics of gender in higher education, and the implications of equity versus equality in academic settings. They discuss the controversial perspectives surrounding these topics, the role of women in science, and the challenges of accommodating students with varying needs. T...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 73 In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr Oren Amitay discuss the implications of the recent US election on society and the emotional responses of their clients. They explore themes of change, extremism, resignation versus acceptance, disappointment in female leadership, and the dangers of political isolation. The conversation emphasizes the importan...

 Awake at the Wheel | Ep 72 In this episode, Dr. Maggie Yu dives into the intricate world of chronic pain and its often misunderstood relationship with autoimmunity. She addresses the psychological toll of chronic pain, debunks myths surrounding fibromyalgia as a 'trash can' diagnosis, and highlights the powerful connections between long COVID, gut health, and overall well-being. Dr. Yu...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 71 In this episode, Dr. Julie Cappel shares her journey from being a veterinarian to becoming a life coach, emphasizing the importance of mental health and resilience in the veterinary profession. She discusses the challenges faced by veterinarians, including compassion fatigue, client emotions, and financial pressures, while offering strategies for coping and finding fulfi...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 70 In this episode, we dive into the critical conversation around children, smartphones, and social media. Drawing on Jonathan Haidt's advice to delay cell phone and social media use until age 16, we explore the challenges parents face in today's tech-driven world. From monitoring phone usage and setting healthy boundaries to addressing the addictive nature of soc...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 69 In this episode, Malini and Orin discuss the issue of men being left out of the conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of psychology. They highlight the growing proportion of women in the field and how this has led to biased research and a lack of understanding for men seeking therapy. They critique the American Psychological Association&apos...

Awake at the Wheel Ep 68 In this episode, we explore US Politics and why the United States feels more divided than ever. We dive into the psychology behind political polarization, cognitive dissonance, and the impact of social media on our beliefs. Discover how isolation, loneliness, and the lack of critical thinking contribute to the growing divide, and learn how these factors can lead to the bre...

Grief is an overwhelming journey that touches every part of our lives. In this episode, we explore the stages of grief, providing clear, educational insights into the emotional rollercoaster that follows loss. We also dive into the Empty Chair Theory, a therapeutic tool that empowers individuals to process their emotions in a tangible way. Whether you're personally navigating the storm of gri...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 66 This episode explores the question of whether men feel safe sharing their emotions with women or if they prefer to share with inanimate objects like trees. The discussion highlights the societal expectations and stereotypes that contribute to men's difficulty in expressing their emotions. It also touches on the manipulation and weaponization of emotions in relations...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 65 In this episode, we delve into the controversial topic of 'Man vs. Bear' and the damaging narratives it perpetuates. We explore the troubling comparison between encountering a bear and encountering a man, highlighting issues of gender bias, toxic feminism, and the impact on children and teens. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, media...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 64 In this episode, Malini and Oren dive deep into the movie Inside Out 2 from a psychological perspective. They share their disappointment with the film's portrayal of anxiety, noting its failure to differentiate between normal and disordered anxiety. They critique the movie for its ethnocentric viewpoint and lack of representation of diverse experiences, highlighting...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 63 The conversation delves into the complexities of attachment wounds, parental relationships, and the impact on adult behavior. It explores the role of personal accountability, the repetition compulsion, and the use of therapy modalities like EMDR to reconcile difficult feelings. 00:00 Addressing Attachment Wounds and Parental Relationships 08:32 The Role of Personal Accou...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 62 Dr. Maggie Yu, a family practice and certified functional medicine physician, shares her personal health journey and the inspiration behind her holistic approach to medicine. She discusses the limitations of traditional healthcare and the impact of her own illness on her perspective as a physician. Dr. Yu also delves into the challenges of the healthcare system, the deve...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 61 In this episode, Malini and DocAmitay discuss the victimhood mentality that is increasingly prevalent in society. They reference a study called the Dartmouth scar experiment, which showed that individuals who believed they were at a disadvantage perceived discrimination even when it didn't exist. They highlight the crisis of replication and poor methodology in socia...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 60 In this episode, the hosts discuss the topic of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and its potential harm. They explore the idea that the hyper-focus on race and the importance placed on it can be problematic. They argue that the emphasis on one's race or color of skin as the most important aspect of their identity feeds into a race-obsessed narrative. They also...

Awake at The Wheel | Ep 59 In this episode, Malini and Oren delve into Scott Adams' controversial assertions, particularly regarding Democrats' mental health, demonic behavior based on body language, and white liberal women's impact on America. They critique Adams' dichotomous framing of Democrats and Republicans, as well as his portrayal of wokeism and DEI efforts as self-harm...

Awake at the Wheel | Episode 58 In this episode, Malini and Oren discuss the work of Scott Adams, known for his comic strip Dilbert. They explore Adams' controversial statements about race and his criticism of the media, schools, and government for stoking interracial division. They also discuss Adams' use of framing and persuasion techniques, as well as his self-proclaimed narcissism. T...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 57 The conversation discusses TikTok relationship tests and their impact on relationships. It explores the factors of inequity in relationships, including commitment, investment, sacrifice, and respect. The discussion highlights the unhealthy dynamics and gaslighting present in the first test video. It also addresses the manipulation and recording of conversations in relati...

Awake at the Wheel | Ep 56 The conversation explores the pros and cons of introducing therapy in the workplace, particularly through employee assistance programs (EAPs) and in-house therapists. The limitations of EAPs, such as limited sessions and insufficient training, are discussed. The conflicts of interest and lack of trust that arise when therapists work directly for the company are highlight...

Today's episode explores the increase in bad behavior, particularly among young people, and the lack of action by schools and authorities. It discusses the role of teachers, school boards, and the removal of police from schools. The racialization of issues and the complex factors contributing to violence are also examined. The conversation highlights the normalization of violence, the lack of...