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.
Get ready for lively discussions, and insightful perspectives.
Episodes
86 episodes
The Lost Boys Report: Are Boys Really Falling Behind?
In this conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr Oren Amitay discuss the various challenges boys face in society today, focusing on education, employment, mental health, and family dynamics. They highlight alarming statistics that reveal boys are ...
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Season 1
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Episode 84
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58:29
Rethinking Adolescence: Are We Failing Boys’ Mental Health?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 83In this episode, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay take a critical look at how boys’ mental health is portrayed in a popular new TV series—and where it gets things right, wrong, or dangerously oversimplified...
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Season 1
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Episode 83
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39:13
The Silent Struggles of Modern Men: Identity, Mental Health & Masculinity
In this conversation, Malini Ondrovcik discusses the crisis of masculinity, focusing on the psychological distress men face in modern society. The discussion covers the barriers men encounter in psychotherapy, the impact of societal expectation...
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Season 1
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Episode 82
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39:14
The Honesty Experiment: Journaling, Masculinity, and Healing
In this compelling conversation, Eric Ruth shares his remarkable journey from a childhood shaped by homelessness and trauma to becoming a passionate advocate for men’s mental health through his initiative, the Honesty Experiment. Drawing from p...
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Season 1
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Episode 81
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51:42
Unmasking Manipulation & Bias: Dr Dina McMillan on Abuse, DEI, and Empowerment
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 80In this powerful episode of Awake at the Wheel, social psychologist Dr. Dina McMillan takes us on a deep dive into the hidden dynamics of manipulation, bias, and abuse. She shares her personal journey through a...
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Season 1
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Episode 80
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1:03:47
The Dynamics of Friendships in Adulthood: What are you doing wrong?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 79In this episode of Awake at the Wheel, Malini Ondrovcik and Dr. Oren Amitay explore the complexities of adult friendships and the challenges of forming and maintaining meaningful connections. They dis...
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Season 1
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Episode 79
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42:46
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 78
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47:39
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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34:56
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,...
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Season 1
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Episode 76
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37:08
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 75
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32:40
Is Academia Broken by Gender Politics?
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 74In this conversation, Malini Ondrovcik and Leigh Revers explore the feminization of academia, the dynamics of gender in higher education, and the implications of equity versus equality in academic settings. The...
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Season 1
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Episode 74
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1:44:10
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 73
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39:42
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 72
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48:18
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 71
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45:34
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 70
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36:33
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 69
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51:53
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 68
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39:24
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 67
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36:55
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 66
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44:49
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 65
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28:58
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 64
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42:52
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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41:27
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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1:02:30
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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28:12
The Dangers of DEI Initiatives
Awake at the Wheel | Ep 60In this episode, the hosts discuss the topic of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and its potential harm. They explore the idea that the hyper-focus on race and the importance placed on it can be problemat...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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30:38
