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Preconceived
Preconceived
Snack Labs

Preconceived, hosted by Zale Mednick, dives deep into the intricacies of human experience, challenging the assumptions that shape our understanding of the... more

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Episodes

The Benefits of Getting A Bit Drunk

We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has... more

29 Oct 2024 · 45 minutes
259. How To Debate

In a world that increasingly feels like it’s falling into disarray, heated debates are taking place about a multitude of... more

22 Oct 2024 · 34 minutes
258. Hitler and Trump - A Comparison

For many years now, the media and general population has loved making comparisons between Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler. On the... more

15 Oct 2024 · 54 minutes
257. Regret and Decision Making

‘Regret’ is a word that many in society hesitate to use. At its core, it implies we made the wrong decision,... more

08 Oct 2024 · 38 minutes
256. Could our 'Peaceful World' Devolve Back into War?

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

01 Oct 2024 · 38 minutes
255. Too Much Therapy?

It seems like more and more people are seeing therapists on a regular basis. And while that is not a bad... more

24 Sep 2024 · 44 minutes
254. 'Purity Culture' - No Sex Before Marriage

We all grow up in different communities with varying value systems, traditional, and social norms. But the ‘rules’ of some communities... more

17 Sep 2024 · 32 minutes
253. Optimism

We all know that optimism is a good thing.  And in life, there is indeed much to be optimistic about.  But the... more

10 Sep 2024 · 30 minutes
Memory - How Reliable Is It?

How accurate is the human memory? Dr. Elizabeth Loftus is a world-renowned psychologist who has devoted her career to studying... more

03 Sep 2024 · 39 minutes
252. 'God is Good'

From a young age, many of us are brought up believing that God is the embodiment of perfection - that... more

27 Aug 2024 · 43 minutes
251. Apologies and Forgiveness

We all make mistakes – sometimes they are innocent mistakes, and sometimes they are true lapses in character judgement that... more

20 Aug 2024 · 49 minutes
250. Reflections

In this 250th episode of Preconceived, Zale revisits segments from some of his favourite episodes whose messages truly resonated with... more

08 Aug 2024 · 32 minutes
249. The Olympics - 'Heroes in Our Midst'

There are few cultural events that grasp the world’s attention as much of The Olympics.  Regardless of what might be going... more

01 Aug 2024 · 45 minutes
248. Is Islam Violent?

When a Muslim father was asked by his son if Islam is inherently a violent religion, he was taken aback.... more

23 Jul 2024 · 46 minutes
247. 'Wisecracks' - Can a Joke Go Too Far?

Pranks, Joshing, Deception, Practical Jokes ... Humor takes shape in many forms. But can a joke go too far?... more

16 Jul 2024 · 56 minutes
Fall of the Aztecs

The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we know... more

09 Jul 2024 · 44 minutes
246. The Only Child

There is a certain stigma about only children - the idea that they may become more self-centred, and the concern... more

02 Jul 2024 · 36 minutes
245. Is a Bachelor of Arts Degree Useful?

The Preconceived or ‘status quo’ path in life typically includes a variety of steps; one major milestone is graduating from... more

25 Jun 2024 · 49 minutes
244. Travel - The Joys and Complexities

For many people, travel provides some of the most profound experiences of their lives.  Whether it’s a short excursion or a... more

18 Jun 2024 · 35 minutes
243. Stockbrokers- Do You Need Them?

When it comes to our finances, it’s natural for many to follow the traditional approach to investing by using a... more

11 Jun 2024 · 49 minutes
242. Zionism - Two Perspectives

Since the October 7th massacre and the ensuing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, much world attention has been given to... more

28 May 2024 · 1 hour, 50 minutes
Is it Normal to Have Pets?

The relationship between humans and non-human animals is a fascinating one. In particular, the pet-owner relationship begs many questions. The... more

21 May 2024 · 49 minutes
241. Inheritance

There is often an expectation that when parents die, their children will be left with some form of inheritance. But... more

14 May 2024 · 33 minutes
240. 'Make It Stick' - The Science of Successful Learning

When we go through elementary school, high school, and college, we are tasked with learning and memorizing mounds of information.... more

07 May 2024 · 34 minutes
239. Thirty Years to Live

What if you knew from the beginning of your life that you would die at age 30?  How would you choose... more

30 Apr 2024 · 58 minutes
238. Iran - Ideology, Nuclear Capability, and Threat to the West

On April 13th, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones over Israel.  While Israel’s missile defensive system was able to mitigate... more

23 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
237. 'Sickboy' - How to not be Awkward around Sick People!

We all know people who have been sick, whether with acute illness or chronic disease.  But despite how common it is... more

16 Apr 2024 · 52 minutes
236. 'The Work Life Balance Myth'

‘Work-life-balance’ is a common phrase, a buzzword even, that refers to the way we find balance in our professional lives... more

09 Apr 2024 · 32 minutes
235. Solar Eclipse - What You Need to Know!

As excitement grows regarding the upcoming solar eclipse, so do feelings of anxiety and fear amongst many people.  What exactly... more

04 Apr 2024 · 29 minutes
My Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

In this episode, Zale opens up about his own experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. What is an obsession, and what... more

02 Apr 2024 · 1 hour,
234. Why Empires Fall - Rome, America, and the Future of the West

The Roman Empire is thought of as one of the most powerful empires in human history.  But as we all... more

26 Mar 2024 · 44 minutes
233. Cannibalism

The idea of one human eating another human is almost unfathomable to most of us.  Even when stories have surface... more

19 Mar 2024 · 43 minutes
232. How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming Education?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on the rise, influencing many facets of our lives.  With the emergence of ChatGPT and other... more

12 Mar 2024 · 42 minutes
Predicting The Oscars

The Oscars is considered the most prestigious awards ceremony in the entertainment industry. There is a certain magic about the... more

08 Mar 2024 · 34 minutes
231. The SATs

The SATs have been a hallmark of the college admissions process for decades in the United States. But this popular... more

05 Mar 2024 · 35 minutes
230. Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are listed in the DSM – the bible of psychiatric diagnoses – as a distinct set of psychiatric... more

27 Feb 2024 · 38 minutes
229. North Korea

There is perhaps no country in the world more perplexing and bewildering than North Korea. Considered by many as a... more

20 Feb 2024 · 1 hour,
228. Pedophilia

Pedophilia, understandably, is a word that conjures up negative thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Acting on pedophilic thoughts is a horrible... more

13 Feb 2024 · 49 minutes
Life Extension (Part 2) - Do you really want to live forever?

The idea of 'life extension' has become trendy over the past several decades. If we take the right supplements and... more

08 Feb 2024 · 43 minutes
Life Extension (Part 1) - What does the science show?

The idea of 'life extension' has become trendy over the past several decades. If we take the right supplements and... more

05 Feb 2024 · 41 minutes
227. The Retirement Myth

In the typical preconceived framework in which we tend to view our lives, there are many steps … growing up,... more

30 Jan 2024 · 50 minutes
226. Free from Desire - No Sex, No Romance

Sex and romance are core aspects of most people's lives; yet for some, the role they play is different. Aline... more

23 Jan 2024 · 51 minutes
225. Jihad

When people hear the word 'Jihad', they likely think of extremism, terrorism, and utter disdain for the West. But what... more

16 Jan 2024 · 44 minutes
Love and Anxiety - Relationship OCD

There are so many adages in regards to love and relationships. Many hinge on the notion that we must be... more

10 Jan 2024 · 43 minutes
224. Climate Change - 'Science for People Who Give a Shit'

For most of us, it’s a known that global warming and climate change are real and problematic Yet at the... more

03 Jan 2024 · 54 minutes
223. Taylor Swift - What's all the Hype?

Taylor Swift is arguably the most famous person in the world – a pop star the likes of whom many... more

19 Dec 2023 · 50 minutes
222. Salem Witch Trials

Sometimes our convictions can be so indoctrinated that it’s tough to separate them from reality and the facts in front... more

12 Dec 2023 · 47 minutes
221. Female Sexual Pleasure

At its core, sex is supposed to be pleasurable. It’s typically considered much easier for a male to reach... more

05 Dec 2023 · 38 minutes
220. Botox and Fillers

With the advent of botox and fillers, cosmetic procedures have become much quicker to administer and more accessible to the... more

28 Nov 2023 · 53 minutes
Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He is often mentioned alongside names such... more

21 Nov 2023 · 59 minutes
219. Choosing a Baby Name

Choosing a baby name can be stressful. While a name is just a name, it will follow your child around... more

14 Nov 2023 · 40 minutes
218. America The Great

We often hear American politicians recite lines like, ‘The United States is the greatest country in the world’. Especially when... more

07 Nov 2023 · 47 minutes
217. Criminal Lawyer Turned Clown

One of the most significant preconceptions that governs our lives revolves around our career trajectory. For the most part, the... more

31 Oct 2023 · 37 minutes
216. 'Wellness' and 'Mental Health' - Gone Too Far?

The terms ‘wellness’ and ‘mental health’ have been around for many years, but over the last decade, it’s taken on... more

24 Oct 2023 · 38 minutes
215. Terror In Israel

On October 7th, Israel experienced its bloodiest day since its founding in 1948. In the immediate aftermath of these crimes,... more

16 Oct 2023 · 42 minutes
Dopamine Nation

We live in a world in which we have easy access to almost anything we want. We see something online... more

10 Oct 2023 · 50 minutes
214. The Truth About Recycling

Pretty much everyone knows that recycling is important. But what exactly is recycling? The concept that’s been disseminated to society... more

03 Oct 2023 · 41 minutes
213. Artistic Authenticity - Actor and Author Limitations?

Over the past several years, there has been controversy in many fields of the art world, including literature, film and... more

26 Sep 2023 · 41 minutes
212. Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is an oft-misunderstood condition by the public. It can be tough to comprehend, because it requires an understanding... more

19 Sep 2023 · 38 minutes
211. Is Torture Justifiable?

Torture is generally thought of as a bad things - an unacceptable means to an end. But what if... more

12 Sep 2023 · 46 minutes
Money - A Made Up Thing

Money did not always exist in its current form. There was a time when goods and services were just exchanged... more

05 Sep 2023 · 47 minutes
210. The Sports Agent

In the life of an athlete, one of the major decision points is getting a sports agent to negotiate on... more

29 Aug 2023 · 36 minutes
209. Do You Believe in Jesus?

With over two billion followers worldwide, Christianity is the most popular religion in the world. For some, the preconception is... more

22 Aug 2023 · 50 minutes
208. The Film Critic - What Makes a Great Movie?

In the wake of 'Barbenheimer', there is perhaps more excitement surrounding the moviegoing experience than there has been in many... more

15 Aug 2023 · 37 minutes
The Atomic Bomb

Shinji Mikamo is a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. His daughter, psychologist Dr. Akiko Mikamo, joins... more

08 Aug 2023 · 44 minutes
207. Whole Body MRI

What if you could undergo a scan of of your whole body once a year to screen for any tumors,... more

01 Aug 2023 · 51 minutes
206. Plant-Based Food

Most of us are familiar with the ethical quandaries of eating meat, and in particular the large-scale abuse of animals... more

25 Jul 2023 · 45 minutes
205. Ice Baths and Cold Showers

Over the past several years, plunges into freezing cold ice baths have become increasingly popular – trendy even. There are... more

18 Jul 2023 · 47 minutes
Israel and Palestine - A Complex History

The conflict in Israel and Palestine predates even the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. This episode explores... more

11 Jul 2023 · 2 hours, 1 minute
204. A New Era of Parenting

When one thinks of traditional parenting, one might remember a stern talking to, or maybe even punished. In many ways,... more

04 Jul 2023 · 46 minutes
203. Euphemism Treadmill - Have We Become Too Sensitive?

If one looks at the English language, there are many terms now considered offensive that were considered commonplace, perhaps even... more

27 Jun 2023 · 39 minutes
202. The Musician Myth

When one of thinks of a musician, the first image that might come to mind is their favorite recording artist.... more

20 Jun 2023 · 34 minutes
201. Germany - A Complicated Legacy

In modern times, Germany is considered one of the more progressive Western countries in the world. During the Syrian refugee... more

13 Jun 2023 · 45 minutes
200. The Ultimate Preconceptions

In our 200th episode, Zale highlights some of the greatest preconceptions that have come to light for him over the... more

06 Jun 2023 · 41 minutes
199. The Art of Conversation

We’ve all been to a party and felt a bit awkward walking around, immersing ourselves in some conversations that go... more

30 May 2023 · 42 minutes
198. Male Birth Control

When one thinks of birth control, it might be natural one might think of women before thinking of men. ... more

23 May 2023 · 43 minutes
197. Attention Span

Do you ever feel like you can’t simply sit down and do one task uninterrupted? When you sit down... more

16 May 2023 · 42 minutes
Regretting Motherhood

Few would admit to regretting their decision to become parents. But that doesn't mean there are not people who do... more

09 May 2023 · 55 minutes
196. Myths of Human Evolution and the Ancient Past

The history of humankind has been contemplated for millennia. How did we come to be the dominant life form... more

02 May 2023 · 31 minutes
195. The Beatles

There are certain things that are just ‘knowns’ in the world, preconceptions in the sense that we take particular facts... more

25 Apr 2023 · 44 minutes
194. Before Evil - The 'Humanization' of Dictators

When you think of some of the most brutal 20th century dictators, your mind likely conjures up images of ruthlessness,... more

18 Apr 2023 · 48 minutes
193. The Sex Club

One of the paradoxes of sex is that while it is so common, it’s something we often feel uncomfortable talking... more

11 Apr 2023 · 31 minutes
192. Mushrooms and Other Psychedelics

For decades, there has been substantial stigma associated with psychedelic drugs. After psychedelics’ association with counterculture in the 1960s,... more

04 Apr 2023 · 42 minutes
191. Self-Harm and Cutting

We learn from an early age that it’s not acceptable to harm others. Many would say it’s something we... more

28 Mar 2023 · 47 minutes
190. The Aztecs - The Story from Their Perspective

The Aztec Empire famously fell following the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. Much of what we... more

21 Mar 2023 · 45 minutes
189. Serotonin Theory - Do We Actually Understand Depression?

For many years, depression has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, better known by its short form, SSRIs. Serotonin,... more

14 Mar 2023 · 41 minutes
Too Honest?

We are told from a very young age that being honest is a good thing. But most of us don’t... more

07 Mar 2023 · 55 minutes
188. Antarctica

Antarctica is one of the most fascinating and mysterious places on Earth. One of Earth’s seven continents, it is easily... more

28 Feb 2023 · 55 minutes
187. 'Drunk' - An Argument for Intoxication

We all know about the potential abuse and addiction associated with alcohol and other drugs. Yet despite this, alcohol has... more

21 Feb 2023 · 47 minutes
186. Staying Friends with Exes, and 'The Apps'

There is a preconception that once a romantic relationship ends, the whole relationship ends. Is that always a good thing?... more

14 Feb 2023 · 36 minutes
185. 'Making It' in Hollywood

There are few dreams as glorified and romanticized as that of becoming an actor in Hollywood. And part of what... more

07 Feb 2023 · 47 minutes
184. Troy - The Motives of War

The Trojan War is one of the most famously described and mythologized accounts from Ancient Greek civilization. It was the... more

01 Feb 2023 · 39 minutes
183. Originalism, The Supreme Court, and America's Future

In the United States, the term 'originalists' refers to those who believe that the US constitution should be interpreted today... more

24 Jan 2023 · 49 minutes
182. Puberty Blockers

For centuries, the terms male and female have essentially been synonymous with man and woman. But for many, this is... more

17 Jan 2023 · 46 minutes
181. Way of the Peaceful Warrior

We all search for meaning in this world. But as we each embark on our own journey, there are many... more

10 Jan 2023 · 32 minutes
180. A Career Change

When we contemplate the word ‘career’, it’s natural to think of one singular profession that someone pursues via education and... more

20 Dec 2022 · 47 minutes
Pencils for Kids - Giving Back this Holiday Season

Zale is joined by his first ever guest from episode one, his mother Robin. On the first episode of... more

13 Dec 2022 · 58 minutes
179. Asexual

Aside from sex being the main method of procreation, it is one of humankind’s greatest pleasures, to which most of... more

06 Dec 2022 · 30 minutes
178. Self Hypnosis

When you hear the word ‘hypnosis’, you might think of a swinging pendulum, or envision someone on a stage, showcasing... more

29 Nov 2022 · 42 minutes
177. Leg Lengthening - Surgery to Become Taller

There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be... more

22 Nov 2022 · 57 minutes
Residential Schools

When our history books speak of North American history, it can almost read as if Canada and the United States... more

15 Nov 2022 · 45 minutes
176. Napping

Many of us don't know what to make of napping; does napping provide health benefits, or is that just something... more

08 Nov 2022 · 33 minutes
175. Transition-Related Surgery

There are many preconceptions about what is entailed in transitioning, both from a medical and a surgical perspective. In this... more

01 Nov 2022 · 29 minutes
174. Shakespeare - What's all the fuss?

The works and plays of William Shakespeare have endured for centuries. But what is it about Shakespeare that has made... more

25 Oct 2022 · 41 minutes
173. To Buy or To Rent?

Part of 'The American Dream' is predicated on home ownership. Conventional wisdom suggests that it is a financially sound and... more

18 Oct 2022 · 52 minutes
172. Astrology - science, religion, or neither?

Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, Pisces. These are just a few of the Zodiac signs in the world of astrology. But what... more

04 Oct 2022 · 42 minutes
171. Sole Survivor - A glimpse into reality TV

Survivor is the most iconic reality television competition of the last twenty years. And Todd Herzog, the winner of Survivor's... more

27 Sep 2022 · 50 minutes
170. Preconceived - A Collection of Insights

The much anticipated anthology, "Preconceived: Challenging the preconceptions in our lives" launches today on Amazon ! The book is a... more

21 Sep 2022 · 31 minutes
169. The War Correspondent

Most people veer away from dangerous places. Yet there are some people in this world, who not only don’t avoid... more

14 Sep 2022 · 34 minutes
168. Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

You might have heard of the term NFTs, short-form for non-fungible tokens. Some NFTs include virtual memorabilia such as art... more

06 Sep 2022 · 46 minutes
Would Being a Millionaire Make You Happier?

“Money can’t buy you happiness” … so the adage goes. But deep down, most people would probably still... more

30 Aug 2022 · 42 minutes
167. Midwives and Home Births - An 'Alternative' Pregnancy

In modern 'Western' society, it is routine for women giving birth to be under the care of a physician in... more

23 Aug 2022 · 43 minutes
166. The Talent Agent - Finding the Next Star

Many actors do their best to 'make it' in the entertainment industry. But does talent always win out? What are... more

16 Aug 2022 · 52 minutes
165. 'Relationship OCD' - The Anxiety of Love

There are so many adages in regards to love and relationships. Many hinge on the notion that we must be... more

09 Aug 2022 · 42 minutes
164. The Metaverse

For a long time now, people have been ‘living online’, so to speak, communicating and maintaining friendships via social media,... more

02 Aug 2022 · 42 minutes
Children of Nazis (Re-Post)

How would you react if you found out that your parent was a monster? This hypothetical situation isn't far... more

26 Jul 2022 · 40 minutes
163. Disciplined Minds - The Subordination of Professionals

We urge people to be creative, with phrases like ‘think outside the box’, and ‘push the envelope’. But for the... more

19 Jul 2022 · 36 minutes
162. Financial Independence - ChooseFI

Do you feel like you truly have a good grasp on your finances? Or do you ever wonder if you're... more

12 Jul 2022 · 51 minutes
161. 'Sage on the Stage' - Are Lectures Passé?

Doctors have been trained in pretty much the same way for many decades. Prior to any hands-on practical training, medical... more

05 Jul 2022 · 32 minutes
160. 'The New I Do' - Reimagining Marriage

Divorce is so common that it's reasonable to call into question the establishment of marriage itself. Does marriage in its... more

27 Jun 2022 · 45 minutes
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Description

How would you react if you found out that your parent was a monster? This hypothetical situation isn't far off from... more