The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#118: How to Think Clearly in a Crisis

Get 20% off any STSI course with code CRISIS20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore how to think through moments of crisis using systems thinking. They break down a critical first step—questioning whether something is truly a crisis or a product of inflated thinking—and show how unchecked mental models and worst-case assumptions can create unnecessary stress. Using the DSRP framework, they walk through how to set boundaries, break a crisis into parts, examine relationships, and take multiple perspectives to regain clarity and control. They also explore why slowing down is essential in complex and turbulent situations, how misjudging your level of agency can make things worse, and why aligning with reality—rather than reacting to imagined outcomes—is the key to navigating difficult moments effectively. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a situation spiraling out of control, this episode gives you a practical, systems-level way to see it clearly and take action.

#117: The Psychology of Motivation, Emotion, and Thought

Get 20% off any STSI course with code STARTNOW20 — become a motivated systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University break down a powerful systems thinking model for understanding human behavior: the dynamic relationship between cognition (thinking), emotion (feeling), motivation (conation), and embodiment. They explore how these elements constantly interact in feedback loops—how thoughts shape emotions, how motivations frame what we see, and how emotional or motivational “debt” can quietly constrain our ability to think clearly. They also dive into one of the most overlooked drivers of behavior: motivation, and how what you’re truly motivated by (not what you say you are) shapes your decisions, actions, and outcomes. From intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation to self-awareness and behavioral alignment, this episode offers a practical way to analyze why you do what you do—and how to better align your thinking, feeling, and actions with the life you actually want. If you’ve ever wondered why your behavior doesn’t match your intentions, this episode gives you the systems-level lens to understand—and change it.

#116: Why Better Thinking Makes You a Better Person

Get 20% off any STSI course with code ETHICS20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore the deeper layer of systems thinking that most people miss: its connection to ethics, empathy, and human behavior. They break down how the four patterns of DSRP—distinctions, systems, relationships, and perspectives—shape the way we include or exclude others, assign responsibility, regulate emotions, and take perspective. From the idea of the “nerf knife” to the importance of a simple pause before reacting, they show how better thinking doesn’t just improve decisions—it fundamentally changes how we treat other people. They also explore how cognitive biases toward identity, parts, actions, and views can lead to blind spots, and how building the habit of seeing the full structure creates more awareness, accountability, and compassion. If you want to understand how your mental models shape not just what you think—but how you behave—this episode offers a powerful new lens on ethics and systems thinking.

#115: How to Learn When Words Don’t Work for You

Get 20% off any STSI course with code TEACH20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore how systems thinking can transform the way we learn—especially for people who struggle with traditional, language-based learning. They break down why reading alone doesn’t lead to understanding, and how organizing information structurally—through visual, tactile, and object-oriented thinking—can dramatically improve comprehension, memory, and communication. From mapping ideas in the margins of books to building mental models you can “see” and manipulate, they show how shifting from words to structure unlocks a deeper level of learning. They also explore a critical distinction between tokens and value—why we often chase finishing tasks, grades, or surface-level completion instead of true understanding—and how this disconnect limits real learning. If you’ve ever felt like you read something but didn’t truly understand it, this episode will change how you process information—and how you learn for life.

Episode #114: How to Raise Better Thinkers

Get 20% off any STSI course with code LEARN20 — become a systems thinker today! In this episode, Drs. Derek and Laura Cabrera of Cornell University explore a fundamental systems thinking challenge: the tendency to confuse our mental models with reality itself. They unpack how the brain constructs meaning, why we often blend what we think with what actually exists, and how this conflation leads to misunderstanding, poor decisions, and unnecessary conflict. Through systems thinking principles, they show how separating reality from our interpretations creates clarity, improves judgment, and strengthens our ability to navigate complex situations. If you want to think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and make better decisions, it starts with recognizing the difference between the world as it is—and the model you’ve built of it.