The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#113: Why Nothing in Your Life Is Changing

Get 20% off any STSI course with code POSIWID20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore a powerful systems thinking principle: the purpose of a system is what it does—not what it was intended to do. They break down the critical difference between aspirational outcomes and actual outcomes, and why so many organizations, policies, and personal habits consistently produce results that don’t match their goals. Through real-world examples—from corporate incentives to classrooms to everyday behaviors—they show how system structure determines behavior, and why focusing on people instead of structure leads to the wrong fixes. The key insight is simple but uncomfortable: if a system keeps producing the same outcome, it’s designed to do exactly that. Changing the outcome requires changing the structure. If you’ve ever wondered why things aren’t working the way they’re “supposed to,” this episode will change how you see systems—and how you change them. Check out the Rhino video here: https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureIsFuckingLit/comments/1s7pkcf/mama_rhino_outnumbered_but_stands_her_ground/

#112: Think It Through: How to Break Big Changes Into Manageable Parts

Get 20% off any STSI course with code CHANGE20 — become a systems thinker today! In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore how to navigate big life changes without getting overwhelmed. Whether it’s moving, getting married, having a baby, sending a child to college, or making a major career shift, they break down why these transitions can feel so heavy—and how systems thinking can help. They unpack how we often conflate big change into one giant mental cloud, why the future picture in our heads can make things feel even harder, and how breaking change into parts, relationships, dependencies, and perspectives can restore clarity and agency. They also explore a powerful idea: no matter where you go, your mental models go with you. If you’re facing a major transition and feeling the weight of everything at once, this episode offers a smarter way to see it, structure it, and move through it.

#111: Stress Is a Systems Problem (Not Just an Emotional One)

Get 20% off any STSI course with code STRESS20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University unpack a powerful idea: stress is not just something that happens to you—it’s a reaction to the mental model you’re using to interpret what’s happening. They explore how stress grows when we assume we can’t handle a situation, how anxiety comes from projecting those assumptions into the future, and why so much overwhelm is caused by conflating many separate concerns into one crushing mental knot. The conversation also dives into confirmation bias, the way past experiences shape present reactions, and how curiosity can help you pull apart the thoughts that are driving fear. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, trapped in worst-case-scenario thinking, or stuck carrying stress that feels bigger than the situation itself, this episode offers a clearer way to see what’s really going on—and how to respond more effectively.

#110: How to Train Your Brain to Think Systemically

Get 20% off any STSI course with code MODEL20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University answer a listener question: what are the biggest things that prevent someone from becoming a systems thinker? They break down three major barriers—reality bias, confirmation bias, and the lack of deliberate practice in how we organize information. The conversation explores how mental models shape everything we see, why people often confuse their mental model with reality, and how learning the structural “moves” of thinking can dramatically improve decision-making and problem solving. They also explain the Love Reality Loop, the six foundational thinking moves, and why practicing these simple cognitive skills can transform how you understand complex situations, work with others, and navigate the modern information-rich world. If you want to develop the skill of systems thinking, it starts with recognizing the mental models you’re already building—and learning how to align them more closely with reality.

#109: Think It Through: When Reality Isn’t What You Want It to Be

Get 20% off any STSI course with code REALITY20 — become a scientist today! In this Think It Through episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University tackle a hard question: what do you do when reality is showing you something you don’t want to believe? They break down what “love reality” actually means (it’s not about enjoying it), why most “sudden” crises are built one tiny decision at a time, and how fear, denial, and catastrophizing can trap you in a mental model that makes things worse. From being stuck on the side of a mountain to the slow slide toward divorce, they show how separating thoughts from feelings, getting comfortable with discomfort, and aligning your decisions with what’s real is how you get your agency back.