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
Body Positivity: Healthy or Harmful?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 51In this episode, Malini and Oren delve into a critical examination of the body positivity movement. They question the movement's underlying intentions, exploring whether it is fostering a constructive perspecti...
Are fake disorders taking over social media?
In recent years, social media has seen a rise in the portrayal of fake disorders like Tourette's, DID, and CPTSD. This video dives into the controversy and impact of these portrayals and the implications it has for those who actually live with ...
Is Marriage Really Difficult?
Is marriage really as difficult as people make it out to be? In this video, we'll be exploring this topic and sharing some valuable marriage advice based on our own experiences and professional expertise.From TikTok challenges to popula...
Escaping the Entitlement Epidemic: How to Break Free
Join Malini and Oren in a thought-provoking discussion on the entitlement epidemic and how to break free from its grip. Watch as they react to viral videos and share insightful perspectives on the impact of entitlement on society. Don't miss th...
Breaking the Silence: The Untold Crisis of Men's Mental Health
In this video, guest Mark Tuggle talks about his book, and about the struggles that men and boys face in a world where they are taught to remain silent. Despite the cultural pressure for men to stay silent about their feelings, it's important f...
Should we ban cell phones?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 46In this episode Malini and Oren discuss the recent resurgence of calls for outright cell phone bans in classrooms and school boards or districts across North America, and the controversy surrounding them. Touch...
Is Pretty Privilege Real? | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 45
Malini and Oren analyze popular videos addressing "pretty privilege"—the belief that conventionally attractive individuals receive preferential treatment in various aspects of society, including education, careers, and the legal system. The hos...
Understanding PTSD | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 44
Malini and Oren critically engage with trending videos addressing trauma and PTSD, exploring the reliability of online creators in delivering precise information with the necessary context and nuance. In this episode, our hosts delve into the i...
New Year, Same you, just better. | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 43
Malini and Oren explore the common pitfalls of New Year's Resolutions and propose a shift towards setting specific, achievable goals. They provide practical advice and strategies to make these goals more realistic. As you approach the new year,...
Find Your Own Kevin | Awake at the Wheel | Rev. Kevin Saunders | Ep 42
In this episode of 'Awake at the Wheel,' Malini and Oren are joined by Reverend Kevin Saunders for an engaging exploration of religion, morality, psychology, and community. Can one lead a moral life without the guidance of religion? The convers...
Not So Happy Holidays | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 41
In this episode, hosts Malini and Oren address the challenges that the holiday season can bring, acknowledging that despite its reputation as the "most wonderful time of the year," it often comes with stress. They highlight various sources of s...
Social Work, Adversity, and Diversity | Awake at the Wheel | Shara Ruffin | Ep 38
Social Work, Adversity, and Diversity | Shara Ruffin | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 38Malini and Oren welcome Shara Ruffin, a distinguished guest with an impressive array of professional titles: LCSW, QCSW, ACSW, C-SWHC, BC-TMH. Shara is not...
Do you have ADHD? | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 37
Oren and Malini dive into a discussion on identifying ADHD in this podcast episode. Together, they react to three widely watched videos on the subject, dissecting the valuable information within them while also addressing the shortcomings and g...
Could TikTok Save Your Marriage? | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 36
Join Malini and Oren as they provide a professional, critical analysis of three popular TikTok videos on marriage and relationships. They explore topics like reasons for staying in challenging relationships, infidelity, privilege, and the stage...
Do You Know What Your kids Are Watching? | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 35
Malini and Oren delve into the concerning trend that has emerged in recent years: the proliferation of low-quality, misleading, and harmful content targeting children. Join them as they dissect the multifaceted issues arising from this tr...
In the Shadow of Tragedy: Perspectives on Israel-Palestine | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 34
Malini and Oren discuss the far-reaching effects of the recent escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict following the devastating attack on October 7th. They explore its impact on different populations worldwide and strategies to combat divi...
Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Intimacy | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 33
Oren and Malini discuss the potential advantages of pornography, such as its potential to enhance one's sexual vocabulary and potentially break down barriers in a relationship. Additionally, they explore the topic of sexual dysfunction within m...
Parenting: Real Questions, Real Strategies | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 32
In this episode, Dr. Amitay and Malini tackle everyday parenting challenges, including techniques to improve children's listening skills, strategies for effective discipline, and navigating the sea of misinformation and bad advice on today's so...
Pornography: Risks and Realities | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 30
In this episode, Oren and Malini delve deeper into the subject of pornography. They analyze the findings of current research and insights from clinicians in this field. The discussion covers the associated risks, potential advantages, and psych...
Birds and Bees in 2023 | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 28
How do you talk to your kids or teens about sex in the modern age? The landscape has been changing for some time, and the change has only grown more rapid in recent years. Malini and Oren dig in to this conversation, tackling issues such as g...
Fighting Fair | Jonah Part 3 | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 27
In this final part of the conversation, Malini and Oren weave together all the threads of their conversation, delivering a comprehensive conclusion. They peel back the layers of their discussion, delving into the intricacies of dating and the a...
Empowerment... or oppression? | Jonah Part 2 | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 26
In this continuation of a previous conversation (https://youtu.be/p6wCliTbUyo), Malini and Oren delve deeper into the Jonah Hill texts, which leads to a discussion about modern female empowerment, and whether it is truly empowering, or is just ...
Everyone's a therapist... | Jonah Part 1 | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 25
In this captivating episode, Malini and Oren engage in an exploration of the rise of acceptance surrounding discussions about mental health. They delve into the remarkable repercussions stemming from this shift, including the emergence of what ...
Parenting: Raising a Winner Pt 2 | Awake at the Wheel | Dr Henry Svec | Ep 24
In this continuation of their discussion (https://youtu.be/aarUsM2rtjk), Malini, Oren, and Hank discuss the ten steps to being a lifetime loser (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7077966836822130688), the challenges and a...
Parenting: Raising a Winner Pt1 | Awake at the Wheel | Dr Henry Svec | Ep 23
In part 1 of this Rounds Table episode of Awake at the Wheel, Oren and Malini welcome retired psychologist Dr Henry Svec, to discuss the importance of winning across various contexts, including parenting, and instilling those values into our ch...