Preconceived, hosted by Zale Mednick, dives deep into the intricacies of human experience, challenging the assumptions that shape our understanding of the... more
Does Alternative Medicine actually work? If it does work, why is it still branded as 'alternative'? And if... more
It’s hard to think of more devastating news for a parent than hearing that their child is dealing with a... more
We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has... more
In a world that increasingly feels like it’s falling into disarray, heated debates are taking place about a multitude of... more
For many years now, the media and general population has loved making comparisons between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. On the... more
‘Regret’ is a word that many in society hesitate to use. At its core, it implies we made the wrong decision,... more
While wars are still waged today and atrocities still occur, many argue that this is actually the most peaceful period of humankind. Is this true? And if so,... more
It seems like more and more people are seeing therapists on a regular basis. And while that is not a bad... more
We all grow up in different communities with varying value systems, traditional, and social norms. But the ‘rules’ of some communities... more
We all know that optimism is a good thing. And in life, there is indeed much to be optimistic about. But the... more
How accurate is the human memory? Dr. Elizabeth Loftus is a world-renowned psychologist who has devoted her career to studying... more
From a young age, many of us are brought up believing that God is the embodiment of perfection - that... more
We all make mistakes – sometimes they are innocent mistakes, and sometimes they are true lapses in character judgement that... more
In this 250th episode of Preconceived, Zale revisits segments from some of his favourite episodes whose messages truly resonated with... more
There are few cultural events that grasp the world’s attention as much of The Olympics. Regardless of what might be going... more
When a Muslim father was asked by his son if Islam is inherently a violent religion, he was taken aback.... more
Pranks, Joshing, Deception, Practical Jokes ... Humor takes shape in many forms. But can a joke go too far?... more
The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we know... more
There is a certain stigma about only children - the idea that they may become more self-centred, and the concern... more
The Preconceived or ‘status quo’ path in life typically includes a variety of steps; one major milestone is graduating from... more
For many people, travel provides some of the most profound experiences of their lives. Whether it’s a short excursion or a... more
When it comes to our finances, it’s natural for many to follow the traditional approach to investing by using a... more
Since the October 7th massacre and the ensuing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, much world attention has been given to... more
The relationship between humans and non-human animals is a fascinating one. In particular, the pet-owner relationship begs many questions. The... more
There is often an expectation that when parents die, their children will be left with some form of inheritance. But... more
When we go through elementary school, high school, and college, we are tasked with learning and memorizing mounds of information.... more
What if you knew from the beginning of your life that you would die at age 30? How would you choose... more
On April 13th, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones over Israel. While Israel’s missile defensive system was able to mitigate... more
We all know people who have been sick, whether with acute illness or chronic disease. But despite how common it is... more
‘Work-life-balance’ is a common phrase, a buzzword even, that refers to the way we find balance in our professional lives... more
As excitement grows regarding the upcoming solar eclipse, so do feelings of anxiety and fear amongst many people. What exactly... more
In this episode, Zale opens up about his own experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. What is an obsession, and what... more
The Roman Empire is thought of as one of the most powerful empires in human history. But as we all... more
The idea of one human eating another human is almost unfathomable to most of us. Even when stories have surface... more
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on the rise, influencing many facets of our lives. With the emergence of ChatGPT and other... more
The Oscars is considered the most prestigious awards ceremony in the entertainment industry. There is a certain magic about the... more
The SATs have been a hallmark of the college admissions process for decades in the United States. But this popular... more
Personality disorders are listed in the DSM – the bible of psychiatric diagnoses – as a distinct set of psychiatric... more
There is perhaps no country in the world more perplexing and bewildering than North Korea. Considered by many as a... more
Pedophilia, understandably, is a word that conjures up negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Acting on pedophilic thoughts is a horrible... more
The idea of 'life extension' has become trendy over the past several decades. If we take the right supplements and... more
The idea of 'life extension' has become trendy over the past several decades. If we take the right supplements and... more
In the typical preconceived framework in which we tend to view our lives, there are many steps … growing up,... more
Sex and romance are core aspects of most people's lives; yet for some, the role they play is different. Aline... more
When people hear the word 'Jihad', they likely think of extremism, terrorism, and utter disdain for the West. But what... more
There are so many adages in regards to love and relationships. Many hinge on the notion that we must be... more
For most of us, it’s a known that global warming and climate change are real and problematic Yet at the... more
Taylor Swift is arguably the most famous person in the world – a pop star the likes of whom many... more
Sometimes our convictions can be so indoctrinated that it’s tough to separate them from reality and the facts in front... more
At its core, sex is supposed to be pleasurable. It’s typically considered much easier for a male to reach... more
With the advent of botox and fillers, cosmetic procedures have become much quicker to administer and more accessible to the... more
Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He is often mentioned alongside names such... more
Choosing a baby name can be stressful. While a name is just a name, it will follow your child around... more
We often hear American politicians recite lines like, ‘The United States is the greatest country in the world’. Especially when... more
One of the most significant preconceptions that governs our lives revolves around our career trajectory. For the most part, the... more
The terms ‘wellness’ and ‘mental health’ have been around for many years, but over the last decade, it’s taken on... more
On October 7th, Israel experienced its bloodiest day since its founding in 1948. In the immediate aftermath of these crimes,... more
We live in a world in which we have easy access to almost anything we want. We see something online... more
Pretty much everyone knows that recycling is important. But what exactly is recycling? The concept that’s been disseminated to society... more
Over the past several years, there has been controversy in many fields of the art world, including literature, film and... more
Bipolar Disorder is an oft-misunderstood condition by the public. It can be tough to comprehend, because it requires an understanding... more
Torture is generally thought of as a bad things - an unacceptable means to an end. But what if... more
Money did not always exist in its current form. There was a time when goods and services were just exchanged... more
In the life of an athlete, one of the major decision points is getting a sports agent to negotiate on... more
With over two billion followers worldwide, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. For some, the preconception is... more
In the wake of 'Barbenheimer', there is perhaps more excitement surrounding the moviegoing experience than there has been in many... more
Shinji Mikamo is a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. His daughter, psychologist Dr. Akiko Mikamo, joins... more
What if you could undergo a scan of of your whole body once a year to screen for any tumors,... more
Most of us are familiar with the ethical quandaries of eating meat, and in particular the large-scale abuse of animals... more
Over the past several years, plunges into freezing cold ice baths have become increasingly popular – trendy even. There are... more
The conflict in Israel and Palestine predates even the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. This episode explores... more
When one thinks of traditional parenting, one might remember a stern talking to, or maybe even punished. In many ways,... more
If one looks at the English language, there are many terms now considered offensive that were considered commonplace, perhaps even... more
When one of thinks of a musician, the first image that might come to mind is their favorite recording artist.... more
In modern times, Germany is considered one of the more progressive Western countries in the world. During the Syrian refugee... more
In our 200th episode, Zale highlights some of the greatest preconceptions that have come to light for him over the... more
We’ve all been to a party and felt a bit awkward walking around, immersing ourselves in some conversations that go... more
When one thinks of birth control, it might be natural one might think of women before thinking of men. ... more
Do you ever feel like you can’t simply sit down and do one task uninterrupted? When you sit down... more
Few would admit to regretting their decision to become parents. But that doesn't mean there are not people who do... more
The history of humankind has been contemplated for millennia. How did we come to be the dominant life form... more
There are certain things that are just ‘knowns’ in the world, preconceptions in the sense that we take particular facts... more
When you think of some of the most brutal 20th century dictators, your mind likely conjures up images of ruthlessness,... more
One of the paradoxes of sex is that while it is so common, it’s something we often feel uncomfortable talking... more
For decades, there has been substantial stigma associated with psychedelic drugs. After psychedelics’ association with counterculture in the 1960s,... more
We learn from an early age that it’s not acceptable to harm others. Many would say it’s something we... more
The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we... more
For many years, depression has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, better known by its short form, SSRIs. Serotonin,... more
We are told from a very young age that being honest is a good thing. But most of us don’t... more
Antarctica is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places on Earth. One of Earth’s seven continents, it is easily... more
We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has... more
There is a preconception that once a romantic relationship ends, the whole relationship ends. Is that always a good thing?... more
There are few dreams as glorified and romanticized as that of becoming an actor in Hollywood. And part of what... more
The Trojan War is one of the most famously described and mythologized accounts from Ancient Greek civilization. It was the... more
In the United States, the term 'originalists' refers to those who believe that the US constitution should be interpreted today... more
For centuries, the terms male and female have essentially been synonymous with man and woman. But for many, this is... more
We all search for meaning in this world. But as we each embark on our own journey, there are many... more
When we contemplate the word ‘career’, it’s natural to think of one singular profession that someone pursues via education and... more
Zale is joined by his first ever guest from episode one, his mother Robin. On the first episode of... more
Aside from sex being the main method of procreation, it is one of humankind’s greatest pleasures, to which most of... more
When you hear the word ‘hypnosis’, you might think of a swinging pendulum, or envision someone on a stage, showcasing... more
There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be... more
When our history books speak of North American history, it can almost read as if Canada and the United States... more
Many of us don't know what to make of napping; does napping provide health benefits, or is that just something... more
There are many preconceptions about what is entailed in transitioning, both from a medical and a surgical perspective. In this... more
The works and plays of William Shakespeare have endured for centuries. But what is it about Shakespeare that has made... more
Part of 'The American Dream' is predicated on home ownership. Conventional wisdom suggests that it is a financially sound and... more
Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, Pisces. These are just a few of the Zodiac signs in the world of astrology. But what... more
Survivor is the most iconic reality television competition of the last twenty years. And Todd Herzog, the winner of Survivor's... more
The much anticipated anthology, "Preconceived: Challenging the preconceptions in our lives" launches today on Amazon ! The book is a... more
Most people veer away from dangerous places. Yet there are some people in this world, who not only don’t avoid... more
You might have heard of the term NFTs, short-form for non-fungible tokens. Some NFTs include virtual memorabilia such as art... more
“Money can’t buy you happiness” … so the adage goes. But deep down, most people would probably still... more
In modern 'Western' society, it is routine for women giving birth to be under the care of a physician in... more
Many actors do their best to 'make it' in the entertainment industry. But does talent always win out? What are... more
There are so many adages in regards to love and relationships. Many hinge on the notion that we must be... more
For a long time now, people have been ‘living online’, so to speak, communicating and maintaining friendships via social media,... more
How would you react if you found out that your parent was a monster? This hypothetical situation isn't far... more
We urge people to be creative, with phrases like ‘think outside the box’, and ‘push the envelope’. But for the... more
Do you feel like you truly have a good grasp on your finances? Or do you ever wonder if you're... more
How would you react if you found out that your parent was a monster? This hypothetical situation isn't far off from... more