Awake at the Wheel
Join Clinical Psychologist Dr. Oren Amitay and Registered Psychotherapist Malini Ondrovcik each week as they tackle hot-button issues from every angle. With sharp clinical insights, lived experience, and a bit of out-of-the-box thinking, Malini and Oren dive deep into today’s social and psychological trends, leaving you ready to form your own take.
Malini runs a multidisciplinary clinic and specializes in trauma, ADHD, anxiety, chronic pain, and more, with a strong focus on culturally competent care. She’s worked extensively with first responders and even serves as an expert witness in trauma cases.
Dr. Amitay brings nearly 30 years of expertise in therapy, assessment, and university lecturing, focusing on mood, personality, and relationship issues. He’s a frequent expert witness, well-versed in psychological evaluations, and has a few academic publications under his belt.
Disclaimer: Awake at the Wheel is a platform for open dialogue, critical thinking, and the exploration of diverse perspectives. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts, Dr. Oren Amitay and Malini Ondrovcik, or their affiliated organizations. The inclusion of a guest or discussion of a particular viewpoint does not constitute agreement with, support for, or endorsement of that guest's statements, beliefs, or positions.
The purpose of these conversations is to encourage thoughtful examination of complex issues, not to advocate for any particular ideology or position.
Episodes
91 episodes
Revolutionizing Men’s Sexual Health – The Future of Erectile Fitness!
Valentine’s Day pressure is ruining relationships—but no one talks about why. In this eye-opening conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay dive into the unrealistic expectations surrounding Valentine’s Day and how they often lead to d...
Trudeau RESIGNS! A catalyst for change?
In this episode, Malini Ondrovcik and Doc Amitay discuss the recent resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, exploring the public's reaction, the implications for Canadian politics, and the broader themes of hope and cognitive dis...
Fatherhood: The Need for Positive Masculinity
In this conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay delve into the often overlooked mental health struggles of new fathers, discussing the societal expectations and pressures they face. They explore the impact of feminism on masculinity,...
Holiday Parenting Survival Guide: Navigating Gifts, Social Media, and Santa
In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr Oren Amitay dive into the complexities of holiday parenting. From gift-giving stress and social media pressures to setting family boundaries and debating the magic of Santa Claus, t...
Post-Election Blues and Reds | Are you feeling anxious about the results?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 73In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr Oren Amitay discuss the implications of the recent US election on society and the emotional responses of their clients. They explore themes of chan...
Is Chronic Pain Linked to Your Gut? What Doctors Won't Tell You
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 72 In this episode, Dr. Maggie Yu dives into the intricate world of chronic pain and its often misunderstood relationship with autoimmunity. She addresses the psychological toll of chronic pain, debunks myths surro...
Burnt Out? Dr. Julie Cappel Shares Her Path from Vet Stress to Life Coach Success!
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 71In this episode, Dr. Julie Cappel shares her journey from being a veterinarian to becoming a life coach, emphasizing the importance of mental health and resilience in the veterinary profession. She discusses th...
Too Much, Too Soon? The Smartphone Epidemic Affecting Your Child's Future
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 70In this episode, we dive into the critical conversation around children, smartphones, and social media. Drawing on Jonathan Haidt's advice to delay cell phone and social media use until age 16, we explore the c...
Is Masculinity Toxic? The Real Impact of Feminized Therapy
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 69In this episode, Malini and Orin discuss the issue of men being left out of the conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of psychology. They highlight the growing proportion of women ...
Why Are We So Divided? The Psychology Behind US Politics
Awake at the Wheel Ep 68In this episode, we explore US Politics and why the United States feels more divided than ever. We dive into the psychology behind political polarization, cognitive dissonance, and the impact of social media on o...
How Can You Navigate Grief? Understanding the Stages | Healing Tools
Grief is an overwhelming journey that touches every part of our lives. In this episode, we explore the stages of grief, providing clear, educational insights into the emotional rollercoaster that follows loss. We also dive into the Empty Chair ...
Do Men Feel Safe Sharing Emotions with Women? | Men’s Mental Health | Harmful Narratives
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 66This episode explores the question of whether men feel safe sharing their emotions with women or if they prefer to share with inanimate objects like trees. The discussion highlights the societal expectations an...
Man vs Bear? | How absurd can this get? | Harmful Narratives
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 65In this episode, we delve into the controversial topic of 'Man vs. Bear' and the damaging narratives it perpetuates. We explore the troubling comparison between encountering a bear and encountering a man, highl...
Did Inside Out 2 get it all wrong?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 64In this episode, Malini and Oren dive deep into the movie Inside Out 2 from a psychological perspective. They share their disappointment with the film's portrayal of anxiety, noting its failure to differentiate...
Are Childhood Wounds Secretly Controlling Your Life?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 63The conversation delves into the complexities of attachment wounds, parental relationships, and the impact on adult behavior. It explores the role of personal accountability, the repetition compulsion, and the ...
Transforming Health: Dr. Maggie Yu's Journey to Functional Medicine
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 62Dr. Maggie Yu, a family practice and certified functional medicine physician, shares her personal health journey and the inspiration behind her holistic approach to medicine. She discusses the limitations of tr...
Challenging the Victimhood Mentality
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 61In this episode, Malini and DocAmitay discuss the victimhood mentality that is increasingly prevalent in society. They reference a study called the Dartmouth scar experiment, which showed that individuals who b...
Decoding Scott Adams' Bold Allegations
Awake at The Wheel | Ep 59In this episode, Malini and Oren delve into Scott Adams' controversial assertions, particularly regarding Democrats' mental health, demonic behavior based on body language, and white liberal women's impact on A...
Unraveling the Fallout of Scott Adams' Bold Remarks
Awake at the Wheel | Episode 58In this episode, Malini and Oren discuss the work of Scott Adams, known for his comic strip Dilbert. They explore Adams' controversial statements about race and his criticism of the media, schools, and gov...
Relationship Roulette: Are These Tests Manipulative?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 57The conversation discusses TikTok relationship tests and their impact on relationships. It explores the factors of inequity in relationships, including commitment, investment, sacrifice, and respect. The discus...
Corporate Counseling? The Minefield of Workplace Therapy
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 56The conversation explores the pros and cons of introducing therapy in the workplace, particularly through employee assistance programs (EAPs) and in-house therapists. The limitations of EAPs, such as limited se...
Classrooms to Chaos: An Epidemic of Teen Violence? | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 55
Today's episode explores the increase in bad behavior, particularly among young people, and the lack of action by schools and authorities. It discusses the role of teachers, school boards, and the removal of police from schools. The racializati...
Dissenting Dialogues: Prof. David Millard Haskell on DEI, Freedom of Expression, and Societal Shifts
In this episode, Professor David Millard Haskell discusses his experiences and research on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He shares his involvement in the Lindsay Shepherd affair and the importance of defending freedom of expression. P...
Unpacking Critical Thinking: Can Questions Change the World?
Awake at the Wheel | Episode 53In this episode, Warren Smith discusses his viral video on critical thinking and the power of questions. He shares his background in filmmaking and teaching, particularly at the high school level. The conv...
Whiteboards and White Supremacy: Is Math Racist?
This week, Malini and Oren delve into a thought-provoking discussion surrounding the controversial assertion that "math is racist." The conversation was ignited by a recent court decision that overturned a prior determination deeming a math pro...
