The Cabrera Lab Podcast

#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.

#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.