The Cabrera Lab Podcast

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...

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 ext...

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 C...

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...

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) buil...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack what they call the “arsenal”—a core set of mental moves that bridge the gap between your professional life and your personal growth. They explore how tools like the RDS Barbell, distinctions, and perspective-taking can radically improve your communication, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. You'll learn why ever...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack how systems thinking helps you handle life’s toughest changes—before they happen. They share a 4-step process for adapting in real time: build mental fitness, love reality, test your mental model, and adapt fast. You’ll learn why we mistake stress and emotion for “overthinking,” how System 3 thinking gets it fast and right,...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore the central thesis of their paper, The Grammar of Reality: that both nature and thought are governed by the same four structural patterns—Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives (DSRP). They explain why nothing in the universe is static, why your mental models shape your experience of reality, and how unders...

In this clear and beginner-friendly episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down the who, what, why, where, when, and how of systems thinking. Spoiler: the “who” is everyone—because if you’re human, you live and work in systems every day. They explain what systems thinking really is (hint: it’s simpler than you think), why it helps you adapt and thrive, and how to get sta...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down one of the biggest misconceptions in both science and everyday life: the false divide between theory and practice. They explain what theory really means (hint: it’s not your opinion about your dog), how science differs from academia, and why a well-tested theory is the most practical tool you’ll ever use. They also expl...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore why so many of our arguments and misunderstandings come from mismatched mental models. They break down why we react emotionally to words, why assumptions fuel conflict, and how asking simple questions like “What do you mean?” can defuse tension. You’ll also hear why blame and credit are lazy shortcuts, how to rethink “bein...

In this eye-opening episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down their powerful formula for meaning: M = IO (meaning equals information plus organization). Using playful examples—like coffee drinks, cocktails, and skincare—they show how the same underlying structures drive innovation, communication, and even conflict. You’ll learn how most arguments stem from mismatched m...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down how echo chambers form, why circular citation networks trick us into believing falsehoods, and how critical systems like science and media are losing public trust. They explain why truthiness matters, why science isn’t the same as academia, and how you can protect yourself by questioning, diversifying your sources, and...

In this powerful episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University reflect on parenting through the lens of DSRP, character development, and a world reshaped by AI. They unpack the difference between giving your kids answers and teaching them to think—between raising performers and building whole humans. With stories from the mountains, the classroom, and their own kitchen table, this ep...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University introduce DSRP Therapy, a systems-based approach that helps people understand, surface, and revise their mental models—at the root of emotion, behavior, and personal change. They walk through how DSRP compares to traditional therapies like CBT, and explain why getting your thoughts “out on the table” and testing them against reali...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University flip the script on one of the most accepted habits in work and life: problem-solving. They explain why jumping straight to solutions is actually a bias—one that blinds us to what’s really happening in the system. With stories, metaphors, and practical insights, they unpack how most “problems” are actually just feedback—and why und...

In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University dive deep into the theme of their upcoming conference—Connect the Dots—and challenge the outdated idea of “root cause” thinking. Instead, they break down how real-world problems emerge from webs of causality, where multiple, interacting factors must be addressed simultaneously to get results. They explain why trying one solution a...

In this special podcast-iversary episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University celebrate one year of the Cabrera Lab Podcast by taking a flamethrower to one of systems thinking’s most stubborn myths: “The whole is greater than its parts.” They dive deep into the real meaning of emergence, why complexity science is not about magic or mysticism, and how all the intelligence in a system...

Feeling overwhelmed? Frustrated? Like the world is just too much? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down the critical difference between thinking and feeling—and why confusing the two can lead to unnecessary stress, poor decisions, and pointless arguments. They’ll teach you how to untangle your emotions from your thoughts, avoid reacting impulsively, and use...

Everyone talks about systems thinking, but does anyone actually know what it is? In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University dive into the messy reality behind the term, exposing why so many so-called “systems thinking” frameworks lack any real scientific backing. They discuss why most frameworks are nothing more than untested opinions, how academia has confused the public,...

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...

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,...

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 diff...

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 behav...

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 cr...