Adrien Brody, Acting, and Authenticity

Second Acts: What BlackBerry Can Teach Us About Reinvention feat. Wendy Battles

A simple question about BlackBerry's evolution turned into a much bigger conversation about reinvention. What does it really mean to reinvent yourself? And why do some people embrace change while others struggle to let go of who they’ve always been? This week, I’m joined by Wendy Battles, host of the Reinvention Rebels podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about second acts, identity, and what it takes to start over. We explore why comparison can quietly derail personal growth, how people-pleasing keeps us stuck, whether reinvention is better done publicly or behind the scenes, and why the things that seem like detours in life often become the experiences that shape us most. Whether you’re changing careers, starting a creative project, entering a new chapter, or simply wondering what’s next, this episode is a reminder that reinvention isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about giving yourself permission to begin. Referenced in this episode: * BlackBerry (2023 film) — Available on Netflix * Wall Street Journal: BlackBerry’s QNX Software Powers Millions of Cars — https://www.wsj.com/tech/blackberry-qnx-software-cars-bf2a2280 * Reinvention Rebels — www.reinventionrebels.com

My Brother-in-Law Joined the Chat

As a teacher, parent, and mental health professional, David shares what he’s seeing firsthand when it comes to kids and social media, why he has mixed feelings about government bans, and how schools are navigating the growing push to keep phones out of the classroom. We also dive into AI’s expanding role in healthcare, the surprising ways GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro may be helping beyond weight loss, and whether using them is “cheating” or simply leveling the playing field. Referenced in this episode * Good Morning America: “Should Kids Be Banned from Social Media?”https://youtu.be/ZS1ivHjFhgk?is=Zq4ms7y0znz9Wq6F * NBC News: “AI Helps Diagnose Rare Diseases at Boston Children’s Hospital” https://youtu.be/J65hHZa8oic?is=cgzFdxk0yItivEc0 * The Washington Post: 13 surprising ways GLP-1s may benefit the body, according to sciencehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/03/27/glp1-ozempic-benefits/ * The Washington Post: Science around GLP-1 drugs and cancer is suddenly getting a lot more interestinghttps://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/06/03/science-around-glp-1-drugs-cancer-is-suddenly-getting-lot-more-interesting/

Life After Cancer: The Emotional Reality of Remission and Recurrence feat. Dr. Elizabeth Kacel

When cancer treatment ends, many people expect life to return to normal. But for patients and families, the journey often continues in ways that aren’t always visible. Matti is joined by clinical health psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Kacel to discuss the emotional and psychological challenges that can follow a cancer diagnosis, including uncertainty, anxiety, identity shifts, relationships, and rebuilding a sense of stability. Drawing on years of experience supporting cancer patients, Dr. Kacel offers insight into how people adapt, grow, and continue living meaningful lives after diagnosis. This episode is dedicated in loving memory of Alayna Magnan. About Dr. Elizabeth Kacel: Dr. Elizabeth Kacel is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of PEAR Health Psychology, PLLC, cultivating Purpose, Empowerment, Acceptance, and Resilience among people facing cancer and other medical conditions. Dr. Kacel uses evidence-based psychological treatment approaches to help patients to cope effectively and live meaningfully across all phases of cancer from new diagnosis through survivorship. She has worked with individuals and families with cancer and other medical conditions for more than 15 years. She completed her PhD in clinical health psychology at the University of Florida and a postdoctoral fellowship in psychosocial oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. She has worked in top academic health centers and hospitals, contributed to 20+ peer-reviewed journal articles, and participated in numerous local and national conferences focused on cancer psychology. Dr. Kacel is a native Chicagoan and enjoys living in the city with her husband and two cats. She is an avid traveler, nature lover, yoga practitioner, and amateur photographer.

New Tools, Same Humans: Health, Hollywood, and More Trends w. Cindy

This week, Cindy returns to help Matti tackle a question that seems to be everywhere right now: when something new comes along, why do we immediately assume it’s replacing everything? From AI in healthcare to creator-made movies and Hollywood trends, they explore what changes, what stays the same, and why every new thing doesn’t have to be a revolution. Plus: can someone please help us pronounce "Moldova?"

Patterns, Second Chances, and Our Search for Certainty

This week, three stories from the worlds of government, policy, and technology lead to some core human questions: Why are we so quick to connect dots and create explanations when events seem related? How do we know when it’s worth trying something again—and when it’s time to let go? And who should be responsible for putting guardrails around powerful new technologies? Along the way, we explore pattern recognition, randomness, second chances, AI, and our search for certainty in a complicated world. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Connecting the Dots 05:00 - Pattern Recognition 06:23 - Why We Hate Randomness 09:12 - Second Chances 16:18- Try Again or Move On? 24:01 - AI Safety 29:53 - The Search for Certainty Referenced in the Episode: Anthropic proposing pause in AI development (WSJ): https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/anthropic-urges-global-pause-in-ai-development-flags-self-improvement-risk-99cefb73