Sign in
Education
Society & Culture
Snack Labs
Preconceived, hosted by Zale Mednick, dives deep into the intricacies of human experience, challenging the assumptions that shape our understanding of the world. In each episode, Zale engages with leading experts, thought leaders, and individuals with unique perspectives to uncover the layers beneath societal norms and expectations. From exploring cultural phenomena to dissecting scientific breakthroughs, Preconceived invites its listeners to question their preconceptions about love, life, technology, health, history, and beyond.With a blend of curiosity and critical thinking, Zale navigates through complex topics, offering his audience a chance to gain new insights and broaden their horizons. Whether it's debunking myths, confronting biases, or simply indulging in the joy of learning something new, Preconceived is more than just a podcast; it's an invitation to view the world through a different lens.Join Zale Mednick every week on Preconceived for enlightening conversations that promise to inspire, inform, and intrigue. Perfect for the inquisitive mind, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone eager to challenge their understanding of the world and embrace the complexity and beauty of human existence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49. Capitalism: Fairness and Equal Opportunity?
Living in a capitalist society, it is easy to believe that it is the best and most fair economic system. We often hear messages that capitalism allows equal opportunity for all and that the rewards you reap in the system are directly correlated with the effort you put in. But is this truly the case? Or is this something we have convinced ourselves of in order to justify a system that may not be as fair as we'd like to think? Taylor Scollon, publisher of Passage and co-founder of North 99, joins the podcast to share his perspectives on capitalism and socialism. Publisher of Passage and co-founder of North 99 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43:1526/05/2020
47. Virtual Healthcare
As healthcare continues to evolve, particularly in these times of COVID-19, many services that used to be strictly offered in person are now being offered virtually. Telemedicine is increasingly being used to minimize patient visits. Doctors are reviewing patient charts remotely and chatting with them over the phone. But how can doctors provide virtual healthcare without compromising the health of their patients? Can patients still feel assured that their concerns are being sufficiently addressed if the scope of virtual healthcare increases? Dr. Ian Plener, CEO of Diagnose at Home, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30:4321/05/2020
46. The Era of Personalized Medicine
The field of medicine is rapidly changing. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, computers are often able to make faster and more accurate diagnoses than doctors. As DNA testing becomes more exact, the potential for more tailored and personalized treatments continues to grow. Kashif Khan, CEO of The DNA Company, joins the podcast to discuss how functional genomics is heralding an era of personalized medicine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
34:1818/05/2020
45. Wealthsimple: A New Way to Invest
Mike Katchen, co-founder and CEO of Wealthsimple, explains how his company challenges the traditional paradigm of investing. When should we start investing? How much should we be investing? Mike also shares his perspectives on buying a home and explains how people tend to overestimate their risk tolerance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42:1312/05/2020
44. The Pickup Artist: Mystery from The Game
The Pickup Artist community is one that is easily misunderstood. At its core, pickup artistry involves techniques that help men to feel more confident in approaching women in whom they are romantically interested. As society becomes more digitalized and dating is increasingly initiated via apps and text messaging, many men feel unequipped in meeting women naturally and navigating the dating world. Mystery, featured in the generational book The Game, is one of the most famous master pickup artists in the world. He joins the podcast and shares how men can become more adept at approaching women and why this is so important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
34:1705/05/2020
43. Helicopter Parents: How to Raise an Adult
When Julie Lythcott-Haims worked as Stanford Dean of Freshmen, she became concerned by the seemingly increasing lack of independence of her students. Whereas students once came to college prepared to take on the world, she and other faculty began to notice an increasing reliance on parents for even the simplest of tasks. In her bestselling book How To Raise An Adult, Julie explores how the new style of over-involved parenting developed, and more importantly, why it can have such detrimental long-term effects on the next generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:0428/04/2020
42. Religion, Faith and God: Nobody Knows
Karen Silberman had a successful corporate career as an accountant and then a headhunter. But in her forties, she made an unexpected pivot in her life when she decided to become a Rabbi. During Rabbinical school, she was faced with one of the worst tragedies imaginable - the death of her son Scott. Karen joins the podcast to discuss her views on faith, religion and how she looks at the concept of God. She speaks about how her faith helped her through the most trying time of her life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37:2621/04/2020
41. Cannabis: Turning a New Leaf
Cannabis was legalized in Canada over a year ago. But has public perception towards cannabis changed since its legalization? How is cannabis viewed in comparison to traditionally more accepted substances such as caffeine and alcohol? How has cannabis fared economically from a market perspective? Brett Chang, co-founder of Leaf Forward, joins the podcast to discuss the topic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37:5614/04/2020
40. COVID-19: A Canadian Update
CBC's Dr. Brian Goldman joins the podcast to discuss the current state of COVID-19 in Canada. What is it like for healthcare workers on the front lines of hospitals? Where is Canada on the curve compared to other countries? What are the current recommendations regarding masks and social distancing? What can we expect to lie ahead? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:0909/04/2020
39. Influencers
Influencers have taken the worlds of social media and marketing by storm. As this new type of public figure emerges and continues to shape society, it is helpful for people to understand what exactly qualifies someone as an influencer. What types of value do influencers offer, and perhaps more important, how should consumers of social media decide who they allow to influence them? Tracy Komlos, founder and CEO of Pangea Dreams, joins the podcast. @tracykomlos www.pangeadreams.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
41:0107/04/2020
38. Unsettled: Working Remotely and Traveling Differently
As the coronavirus pandemic changes much about the world, two of the most affected domains in our lives have been work and travel. Yet as many shift to working remotely, the concept is not entirely new. "Digital nomads" have existed for some time and is a term that describes those who defy the conventions of a typical working life and have found a way to combine both work and travel on a daily basis. What can we learn from digital nomads as we shift to working remotely? And despite travel bans, what elements of travel and values we ascribe to it, can we still incorporate into our lives as we sit in quarantine? Jonathan Kalan, co-founder of the digital nomad travel company Unsettled, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
41:3331/03/2020
37. Most Likely to Succeed: Exploring Education Reform
Most of us assume that we couldn't have gotten to where we are today if it weren't for the rigorous education system we had endured. But what if that's not true? What if both the teaching methods and the content being taught are outdated? Ted Dintersmith, author of "What School Could Be" and executive producer of the documentary "Most Likely to Succeed", a feature selection at Sundance, joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40:4724/03/2020
36. Love Drugs: the Chemical Future of Relationships
Can you imagine if there was a drug that helped you get over a tough breakup? What about medications to reinvigorate the romance in your relationship? Well, some of these drugs DO exist. Brian Earp, a Yale and Oxford ethicist and co-authour of the book "Love Drugs", joins the podcast to explore how commonly used drugs are already affecting our romantic relationships and how currently illicit drugs will likely be legalized in the future as an adjunct to couples counselling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42:4817/03/2020
35. Coronavirus: Fact and Fiction
Coronavirus has taken the world by storm, and amidst the important facts that have emerged, many preconceptions and misconceptions have also developed. Dr. Gerald Evans, Infectious Disease Professor at Queen's University, joins the podcast to explain just what we are dealing with in this pandemic, how it developed, what we can expect, and what steps we can all take to keep our communities healthy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44:5312/03/2020
34. Indie Musicians - Talent, Risk and Fame
In the world of musicians, are the most famous ones the most talented? Is skill level truly what differentiates the mega pop star from the lesser known artist? And do you have to have a certain level of risk tolerance if deciding to pursue a career in this difficult to penetrate competitive industry? Tiz McNamara is an Irish singer-songwriter whose songs have racked up over eight million streams on Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36:2210/03/2020
33. CTE - The Sports Concussion Problem
Contact sports are dangerous. But just how dangerous? Evidence regarding the dangers of repeated concussions has emerged over the last several decades that make one take pause as an athlete, a coach, a parent and a fan. CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is a disease associated with repeated concussions, which is characterized by Alzheimer's-like changes in the brain. It can lead to severe mental health disorders include anxiety and depression, and there are cases of professional athletes who have committed suicide, thought to be attributable to the condition. Dr. Charles Tator, a neurosurgeon who has devoted much of his career to the study of CTE, joins the podcast to discuss the science of concussions, the current evidence regarding CTE, and the morality of participating in high contact sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
38:5203/03/2020
32. Home Schooling
Many parents might debate which school to send their kids, but there usually isn't a debate as to whether they should send their kids to a school at all. Josh Steimle is an entrepreneur, and he and his wife were dissatisfied with the state of the current education system. As opposed to just lamenting the present school system as an foregone reality, they decided to take action and home school their kids. He joins the podcast to discuss what home schooling is and why he believes this can be a more effective way for kids to learn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39:4623/02/2020
31. Public Speaking: Fear, Failure and Authenticity
Eric Silverberg and Eli Gladstone, founders of Speaker Labs, shed light on why it is ingrained into our DNA to fear public speaking and how we can look at public speaking "failures" in a more favourable light. Why is public speaking so important, and how do we decipher an authentic public speaker from a charismatic phoney? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48:1611/02/2020
30. Athletes - The Psychology of High Performance
What separates an elite athlete from others in their sport? Is there a psychological and physical recipe to becoming an athlete on the world stage? Which factors are associated with high performance and what characteristics can lead to an athlete's downfall? Beorn Nijenhuis was a Dutch Olympian speedskater who went on to study the neuroscience and psychology of high performance athletics. He joins the podcast to explore what contributes to the psyche of an elite athlete. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49:3404/02/2020
29. What are Life Coaches?
The life coaching industry has really taken off over the past decade. Some people swear by having a life coach, while others don't actually understand what a life coach is. How is a life coach different from a therapist? What kinds of qualifications and certifications does a life coach have? Is there any difference between hiring a life coach and just seeking the advice of your trusted friends and family? Kiki Ura, life coach and founder of the Namaslay brand, joins the podcast to share her experiences and provide clarity to those who might be skeptical. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40:5828/01/2020
28. Intellectual Disabilities
What is it like to live with an intellectual disability? Jeffery Masci was deprived of oxygen during his birth, which led to lifelong challenges with intellectual disability. This manifested as slower information processing, as well as language and speech difficulties. While his condition has led to significant social and professional challenges, Jeffery has persevered to accomplish much during his life. He joins the podcast to discuss preconceptions regarding his disability and to challenge the notions that many people have regarding what is possible for him to achieve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
24:5321/01/2020
27. Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima
Shinji Mikamo is a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. His daughter, psychologist Dr. Akiko Mikamo, joins the podcast to share her father's story of survival and resilience in the face of the most deadly bomb to ever be dropped on the planet. She speaks about some of the common historical misconceptions regarding the necessity of dropping the atomic bomb and shares her father's lessons of forgiveness and empathy that he has urged others to adopt throughout his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42:5913/01/2020
26. Hypnosis
What exactly is hypnosis? And how much do we truly understand about the subconscious and the thoughts that lurk deep in our minds? Hypnotist Luke Chao joins the podcast to discuss both the theories of hypnosis and the practical applications of hypnotherapy that are often used to help people quit smoking and conquer fears such as public speaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43:1608/01/2020
25. Filming in The Wild
Mike Holding is a wildlife cinematographer who makes wildlife films in the heart of Africa’s wilderness. Based out of Botswana, he has collaborated on many wildlife documentaries including the critically acclaimed series Planet Earth. Mike joins the podcast to discuss common preconceptions regarding the wildlife filmmaking process, what he has learned from his time living amongst animals and how humans can become more connected to our natural environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
55:5404/01/2020
24. Life Reconceived
Amit Gupta was a successful entrepreneur by all accounts, having started several very innovative and successful companies. But when he was suddenly diagnosed with leukemia at a young age, his whole life changed immediately. At one point being given less than 25% chance of surviving, Amit's story is a phenomenal recount of resilience, friendship and reflection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43:0010/12/2019
23. Circumcision: A Moral Dilemma
Circumcision of newborns is a Jewish and Muslim tradition. Beyond that, demographic studies suggest that over 50% of males in the United States are circumcised. Yet ultimately, circumcision in the typical circumstance equates to performing an elective surgical procedure on a non-consenting newborn. How has the situation come to be as such? Yale and Harvard Ethicist Brian Earp joins the podcast to discuss the ethical considerations and preconceptions surrounding both male and female circumcision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39:2403/12/2019
22. Ageism
When we meet somebody, we immediately apply certain stereotypes to try and “figure out” who they are. The first three things that we subconsciously assess in any encounter are a person’s age, gender and race. Yet while the anti-racism and anti-sexism movements are prevalent in society, the widespread issue of discrimination on the basis of age is rarely considered. Dr. Rachael Stone joins the podcast to explain how stereotypes develop, and in particular, how stereotyping based on age contributes to many false preconceptions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:2426/11/2019
21. Should Doctors Help Patients Die?
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) encompasses both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In Canada and many parts of the world, MAID is slowly becoming incorporated into medical practice, in order to help end the suffering of patients who no longer wish to live. But how will the medical field adjust to this change in paradigm, which is in many ways contrary to the traditional role that doctors have always had in saving lives, not ending them? Palliative Care physician Dr. Craig Goldie joins the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40:1518/11/2019
20. Guns in America
It can be tough to understand how so many Americans are on the "pro-gun" side of the gun debate. For many, the issue seems simple - "guns are bad, and we should do everything we can to limit them". But what is the background of gun legislation? What is the often well-informed and intelligent perspective of many people who support gun rights yet also share the same goal of lowering crime rates in the United States? Trevor Burrus of the Cato Institute joins the podcast to shed some light on this complicated issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
50:4311/11/2019
19. Do you have to love your job?
Society conditions us to have particular expectations regarding our careers. Many believe that our work must align with our passions. As the adage goes, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. But is that realistic? And should blending passion with your career always be the goal? Entrepreneur Seira Flores joins the podcast to challenge the preconceptions regarding what makes a fulfilling career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
37:5605/11/2019
18. The Death Penalty
The Death Penalty is the most severe sentence that can be passed down onto someone in the judicial system. John H. Blume of Cornell University is the Samuel F. Leibowitz Professor of Trial Techniques and the Director of the Cornell Death Penalty Project. He joins Zale to discuss the preconceptions regarding capital punishment and some of the disturbing realities of arbitrariness, unreliability and prejudice that are embedded in its sentencing patterns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39:1528/10/2019
17. Yoga Beyond the Poses
Yoga teacher Karina Guthrie shares her insights on yoga and what it can unlock for those who practice it. How and why did yoga in Western culture develop differently from its origins in the East? When referring to concepts like "energy" and "soul", are these meant metaphorically, or as real entities? Karina is a yoga teacher and coordinator at The Practice in Bali, Indonesia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:1920/10/2019
16. Blindness: A perspective on disabilities
What is like to lose your vision? What is like to live with a disability? Taylor Katzel joins the podcast to discuss his experience losing his vision from a rare hereditary condition and what it has taught him about life and disabilities in general. Does he like when people ask him about his blindness, or can it sometimes come off as odd small talk? How has losing his sight affected the various domains of his life? And find out how losing one's vision can compound issues you probably wouldn't even have thought of, such as body dysmorphism and mental illness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49:1707/10/2019
15. Advertising
We are constantly exposed to advertisements, whether we are always aware of it or not. Forbes 30-under-30 award-winning marketer Tyler Rochwerg joins the podcast to discuss which tools a marketer uses to captivate its target market, some of the ethical concerns surrounding advertisements, and some of the preconceptions about marketing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
35:3222/09/2019
14. Toronto Mayor Crombie on Politics
Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie was known as "The Tiny Perfect Mayor", and as the name reflects, he is one of Toronto's most beloved political figures from the last many decades. Mayor Crombie joins the podcast to share some thoughts on politics and to impart some wisdom on life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48:4409/09/2019
13. The Baby Decision
How does one make the ever important decision of whether or not to have kids? And do enough people really approach this milestone as a conscious decision, or do their preconceptions of what a normal life entails get in the way? Merle Bombardieri, author of The Baby Decision, joins the podcast to offer her insights on the choice of having kids versus having a child-free life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43:2026/08/2019
12. Wine Deconstructed
Have you ever sat down at a restaurant and felt out of sorts pretending to know which wine to order? What stories and backgrounds can be told in one bottle of wine? Sommelier Svetlana Atcheva of Pearl Morissette winery breaks down wine in a way that can help the novice appreciate it without feeling intimidated, while discussing new trends and perspectives in the global wine market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44:0611/08/2019
11. Happiness Roundtable
Zale is joined again by Eli Gladstone and Eric Silverberg of Speaker Labs for a deep dive on happiness. What makes us happy and what are some of the biggest barriers to happiness? Has the importance of happiness been exaggerated in modern culture? Zale and the guests explore and debate their different perspectives on the topic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:5922/07/2019
10. Animal Intelligence
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40:5008/07/2019
9. Empathy With Brian Goldman
Dr. Brian Goldman joins the podcast to discuss his latest book, "The Power of Kindness: Why Empathy is Essential in Everyday Life". Is empathy innate, or can it be learned? What are some common threads that can be found amongst the most empathic people in society? Dr. Goldman walks Zale through the journey of his worldwide search to better understand empathy and the concurrent exploration of his own inner kindness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:5524/06/2019
8. The Opioids Crisis
What has led to the escalating opioid crisis in North America? Why has opioid addiction increased in recent years? What are some of the best ways to combat the problem? How does mental illness factor into one's reliance on opioids? And why is society so judgmental of those who struggle with addiction? Dr. Sarah Elliott joins the podcast to discuss the history of opioids and what has led to the current opioid crisis. 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
46:4710/06/2019
7. Immigration In America
In this episode from May of 2019, anthropologist Juanita Duque Serrano joins the podcast to discuss nationalism, borders and territories, and how these concepts inform the way we look at immigration. Leaning on her background in anthropology and on her own experience migrating to the United States from Colombia in 2002, Juanita delves into philosophical questions such as whether immigration is a right or a privilege, and what kind of assimilation is reasonable for a host country to expect of new immigrants. With a particular look at the situations in Europe and the United States, we question the ways we typically look at borders, countries and immigration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49:0103/06/2019
6. Food Culture
Food photographer and co-founder of food company Fidel Gastro's, Kyla Zanardi joins the podcast to discuss her experiences in Toronto’s food industry. How has social media shaped the way we look at food? How does Kyla reconcile her involvement in foodie culture with the bigger issues of hunger and waste that face society? What are some of the challenges that she has experienced as a woman in the food industry, and what was it like to run a successful downtown Toronto restaurant with her partner and chef Matt Basile? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42:2306/05/2019
5. Tattoos - a Timestamp
How does someone go from having no tattoos to a body covered in them? How do one's views on living in the moment, permanence and preoccupation with others' perceptions factor into one's decision to get tattoos? Oren Jourdan sits down with Zale to discuss his transformation from no tattoos to many tattoos and explains why he is just getting started! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39:3322/04/2019
4. Nothing Matters
In the grand scheme of the universe, it can be tough to truly ascribe meaningful value to the brief and minuscule existence of our lives on earth. This can be a terrifying prospect or potentially a liberating one. Do any of our experiences in life truly hold any inherent meaning ? And if not, how do we decide to give our lives a meaning of our own choosing? Zale is joined by the owners of Speaker Labs to delve into the perplexing yet liberating philosophy on life that Nothing Matters. 325450 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
41:1511/04/2019
3. Fictional Characters: what they can teach us
Why is it that certain fictional characters resonate so much with the public at large ? What is it that we learn from our favourite television and movie characters that we find so compelling ? Would we truly cherish our favourite characters on Game of Thrones if they were real people in our lives? How would we connect with compelling but flawed characters such as Mad Men's Don Draper if they de-fictionalized? Why do we root for a television character's redemption but have trouble giving the benefit of the doubt to those closest to us? Zale and Mike break down some of our most beloved characters and question why we often gravitate towards deeply flawed characters we would be unlikely to befriend if they were real people in our lives. 325450. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48:5825/03/2019
2. Abortion: Reproductive Justice
People typically have strong views on abortion. What informs these views ? Is the Pro choice vs. Pro life argument an overly simplistic framework of dissecting the issue ? An obstetrician who specializes in abortion services joins the podcast to share her insights on reproductive justice and to inform our listeners regarding the medicine, legislation and ethics regarding abortion. 325450 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39:1021/03/2019
1. Jump In!
Does age really matter ? Is life so simple that it can be broken down into milestones typically associated with specific ages ? Zale breaks down the preconceptions of aging with his mother Robin Mednick, who has taken many twists and turns in her life, starting with an extensive education in law, economics and politics, but ultimately veering in completely different career paths. Robin challenges the notions that "younger is better" and urges us to continue to "Jump in" to new facets of life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39:5205/03/2019
Preconceived
Welcome to Preconceived, a podcast where we examine the preconceptions that shape how we view the world and challenge the paradigms by which we have been conditioned to live our lives. We explore philosophical themes such as aging and the pursuit of happiness, examine practical issues such as mental illness and our political and economic institutions, and dive into more seemingly simple topics, such as how someone winds up with a body full of tattoos. The show is hosted by ophthalmologist Zale Mednick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01:3025/02/2019