Preconceived

For many years, depression has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, better known by its short form, SSRIs. Serotonin, of course, lies at the core of these medications, with the long-held belief that serotonin levels are lower in patients who suffer from depression. But how strong is the correlation between low serotonin levels and depression? Is the neurobiological basis of l...

We are told from a very young age that being honest is a good thing. But most of us don’t really believe that honesty is always the best policy. Most of us allow for exceptions, omissions, and the occasional white lie, if it means sparing someone hurt feelings or avoiding an awkward conversation. Michael Leviton, author of "To Be Honest", spent most of his life not making such exceptions, and bein...

Antarctica is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places on Earth. One of Earth’s seven continents, it is easily the least inhabited, and in many ways, the least known about. To many, the preconception is that Antarctica is this cold, frozen, and desolate places, not fit for human living. But what exactly do we know about this remote continent? Is this unique landscape as inhospitable as on...

We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has persisted since the dawn of human societies. Does its persistence suggest that alcohol may actually be an important factor in the history of our civilization? In Edward Slingerland's book, 'Drunk', he explores the social benefits of alcohol and intoxication. He joins the podca...

There is a preconception that once a romantic relationship ends, the whole relationship ends. Is that always a good thing? And should it be considered the norm, or is the status of the post-breakup relationship something that people should give more conscious thought to? A Little Nudge founder, Erika Ettin, joins the podcast to discuss how we might move forward, if at all, in staying friends with...

There are few dreams as glorified and romanticized as that of becoming an actor in Hollywood. And part of what makes the dream so glorified is that thousands of actors are pursuing the same goal, with so many people setting off for Los Angeles in hopes of the same type of success. But what is it like in reality trying to become a successful actor? And is there really such thing as 'making it' in H...

The Trojan War is one of the most famously described and mythologized accounts from Ancient Greek civilization. It was the passion-fuelled war waged by the Greek States against Troy, which has captivated our imagination for millennia and inspired multiple Hollywood portrayals. But what exactly do we know about The Trojan War? And what can a war from so many years ago teach us about some of the war...

In the United States, the term 'originalists' refers to those who believe that the US constitution should be interpreted today with the same conviction as it was followed when written hundreds of years ago. But how can the ideas and laws from over 200 years ago possibly just simply be accepted today, when we live in a totally different world? So what exactly is originalism? And how has it affected...

For centuries, the terms male and female have essentially been synonymous with man and woman. But for many, this is perhaps a misconception - the idea that one's biological sex they are born with portends a certain gender. In this episode, we explore the role of puberty blockers in children and adolescents who are contemplating transitioning. Is there a 'right' time for someone to begin transition...

We all search for meaning in this world. But as we each embark on our own journey, there are many preconceptions that exist about what that quest 'should' entail. Has the self-help movement veered from its initial goals? Do we tend to put too much faith into supposed 'enlightened' gurus? Lifelong seeker and internationally-renowned author Dan Millman joins the podcast to share some of his insights...

When we contemplate the word ‘career’, it’s natural to think of one singular profession that someone pursues via education and then remains in for a long period of time. When you think of a doctor or an accountant, you usually think of them practicing that profession for decades, the majority if not all of their work years. In the ‘corporate world’, job changes are perhaps more common, but it some...

Zale is joined by his first ever guest from episode one, his mother Robin. On the first episode of this series, Robin discussed the idea of jumping into the unknown and embracing the twists and turns that life has to offer. In this episode, she shares one of her biggest "jump in" experiences, when she founded the charitable organization Pencils for Kids. Pencils for Kids provides education, traini...

Aside from sex being the main method of procreation, it is one of humankind’s greatest pleasures, to which most of us subscribe. But there are indeed people in society who do not partake in sex, or at least with the same regularity as one might expect. There are people who identify as asexual. But what exactly is asexuality? Is it decreased libido? Is it rooted in different physiological urges, or...

When you hear the word ‘hypnosis’, you might think of a swinging pendulum, or envision someone on a stage, showcasing a rare skill to a captivated audience. What you probably don’t think of – is hypnosis being used in a medical setting, by physicians. Stanford Professor Dr. David Spiegel joins the podcast to discuss how he has incorporated self-hypnosis into his medical practice. Check out the REV...

There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be not the biggest deal – but for others, it might significantly impact their lives. But what if there were a way to change your height … to go from shorter to taller? Enter the surgery known as leg lengthening, a procedure designed to help people get taller. Actor Rich Rotella joins the podcast to...

When our history books speak of North American history, it can almost read as if Canada and the United States did not exist until the Europeans settled the lands, while in reality, these lands were populated by indigenous peoples for centuries prior. With the arrival of the Europeans, there were tragic economic implications, massive losses of land and rapid spread of disease that had devastating e...

Many of us don't know what to make of napping; does napping provide health benefits, or is that just something we tell ourselves when we feel guilty for dozing off? Professor Sara Mednick is a cognitive neuroscientist and a leading expert on napping. She joins the podcast to share what she's learned from studying napping in her seven-bedroom sleep lab! Learn more about Sara Mednick: https://www.sa...

There are many preconceptions about what is entailed in transitioning, both from a medical and a surgical perspective. In this episode, Zale speaks with a urologist who specializes in transition-related surgeries at the University of Toronto. Below is a link to a previous episode we ran called 'The Transgender Experience', which delves more into the personal experience of someone who has transitio...

The works and plays of William Shakespeare have endured for centuries. But what is it about Shakespeare that has made his works such a mainstay in our culture for so long? Are his works truly as transcendent as one would think, or are there other reasons that explain his enduring legacy? Cassidy Cash, a historical map illustrator and host of That Shakespeare Life, the #2 Shakespeare history podcas...

Part of 'The American Dream' is predicated on home ownership. Conventional wisdom suggests that it is a financially sound and important decision to buy a home rather than to rent from a landlord. But is this just something we've been indoctrinated to believe, or does the math really add up to support the financial wisdom of owning a home? Brad Barrett of the ChooseFI podcast joins the show. Subscr...

Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, Pisces. These are just a few of the Zodiac signs in the world of astrology. But what exactly is astrology, and why do so many people follow it so closely? Is there any scientific evidence that the movement and positions of celestial objects in the solar system truly influences human affairs? Is astrology more akin to a science, a religion, or neither? Astrologer Mick joins th...

Survivor is the most iconic reality television competition of the last twenty years. And Todd Herzog, the winner of Survivor's 15th season, is one of the show's most iconic winners. Todd joins the show to shed some light on what it's really like to play Survivor, and how his life changed when he came back to regular society. He also shares personal reflections on his battle with addiction and how...

The much anticipated anthology, "Preconceived: Challenging the preconceptions in our lives" launches today on Amazon ! The book is a collection of stories, thoughts, and beliefs of over fifty of the guests who have been featured on our award-winning podcast. In this episode, we provide a sneak peak 'audiobook' look into what the collection has in store, with Zale as well as four contributors readi...

Most people veer away from dangerous places. Yet there are some people in this world, who not only don’t avoid such places, but rather seek them out; journalists who report on some of the most dangerous and devastating conflicts in the world. So why would somebody risk their life, in some cases, to report on deadly conflicts far away? Why would somebody become a war correspondent, and what does th...

You might have heard of the term NFTs, short-form for non-fungible tokens. Some NFTs include virtual memorabilia such as art pieces and virtual real estate, worth upwards of millions of dollars, while other NFTs serve what one might consider more practical purposes. But what is exactly is an NFT, and how does it fit into our economy? Dr. Merav Ozair, a global leading expert on Blockchain and Crypt...