Four Bars

Ken and Patti Leith
  • 5.0 (1)
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Presented by EDGES, Inc., The Four Bars Podcast is about building stronger, more connected communities through meaningful conversations. Hosted by Ken and Patti Leith, we explore how to foster collaboration, embrace differences, and address challenges together. We believe in creating "Four Bars" in our connections – deeper relationships that enhance personal lives, workplaces, and communities. Drawing on EDGES' innovative team collaboration tool, Inter Face Methods, and our nonprofit initiative, Unform Your Bias™, we share practical strategies to improve communication and reduce bias through storytelling.

  1. 12/18/2025

    Stories That Spark: Community, Cocoa, and Connection

    The square was glowing, the cocoa was free, and our neighbors brought the magic. We set up on Bentonville’s town square to ask one question, what holiday memory still lights you up, and the answers turned into a living tapestry of cookies, carols, midnight meals, first ice skates, and quiet acts of generosity. You’ll hear a childhood tradition of sleeping under a bare tree just to watch the lights, a perfected gingerbread recipe that anchors a family, and a caroling ritual that turns doorsteps into stages. There’s a story of a 12-day giving adventure for a family in need, reminding us that generosity can be playful and profound. The stories travel too: Colombia’s New Year fireworks and street champagne, Honduras’s midnight feast after placing baby Jesus in the Nativity, and the wonder of bringing those traditions into an Arkansas winter. We meet new couples making firsts, grandparents passing down readings from the Bible and The Night Before Christmas, and friends turning thrifted ornaments into unexpectedly beautiful wreaths. Each memory shows how rituals, big or small, become the glue that holds communities together. We share simple prompts to spark storytelling at your own table and practical ways to turn moments into traditions: invite a neighbor to carol, record a voice memo of a family reading, pair a recipe with the story behind it. If you’re craving connection this season, these voices offer a gentle blueprint.  Press play, feel the warmth, and then pass the mic at home. If the stories moved you, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs a little light, and leave a review telling us the tradition you’ll keep or start this year. Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    14 min

  2. 12/04/2025

    Growing Up Together Across Generations

    Feeling stuck between “kids these days” and “OK boomer”? We take a fresh, practical look at how each decade reshapes confidence, learning, health, and contribution—and how those shifts can knit stronger communities at home, at work, and in our cities. Drawing on a five-generation panel we hosted at Blake Street House, we unpack the habits that help you thrive in your 20s, the focus you need in your 30s, the mentoring power of your 40s, the relevance challenge of your 50s, and the surprising peak of impact many people reach between 60 and 80. We trade caricatures for concrete moves. You’ll hear candid stories about early career missteps and bias, the simple scripts that help younger pros earn trust, and the choice mid-career professionals face between people leadership and deep expertise. We also go beyond the office: why movement matters for different reasons each decade, how to adapt when bodies change, and how curiosity keeps the mind young. Our research lens adds depth—from blue zone insights on longevity to evidence that isolation speeds cognitive decline while intergenerational connection protects it. Community is the throughline. We highlight intergenerational housing models, the civic upside of mixed-age neighborhoods, and practical ways to lift others while extending your own healthspan and purpose. Legacy is not a late-life scrapbook; it’s the compounding effect of optimism, learning, and service carried forward year after year. We close with a seasonal challenge to reach across ages during the holidays and beyond—because belonging isn’t found, it’s built. If this resonates, tap follow, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick review. Tell us: what decade are you in, and what’s the one habit you’ll double down on this week? Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    39 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    A Full Signal Panel on Building Stronger Human Connections - Part 3

    Ever wonder why a single broken promise can feel heavier than a hundred kept ones? We dive into trust as a lived currency—earned in tiny deposits, lost in a moment—and trace how reliability, discretion, and protection build bonds that last. From a Marine’s battlefield trust to the everyday courage of sharing a secret, we connect the dots between personal integrity and the health of whole communities. Music and film become our bridge. We talk about the way Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, and even a beloved 80s anthem unlock memories and soften defenses, and how a modern remake can connect a daughter to her mom through the same lyrics in a new voice. Art speaks where words stop, letting grief, humor, and reverence sit at the same table. That shared emotional ground opens deeper questions about class, privilege, and how culture first learned to take young people seriously. The conversation turns practical and personal: is community work or instinct? We make the case for intentionality, showing how listening beats lecturing, and how vulnerability across age lines turns debate into problem-solving. One powerful story reframes a generational divide: older adults could reinvent themselves between summers; younger adults live with an unerasable digital record. That insight helps recast identity exploration as a universal human need to try on selves safely. We also talk tech with humility and grit. Grandkids as patient tutors. Texts over calls. Phones as study tools rather than distractions. Curiosity over comfort becomes the throughline, whether it’s learning a new app or giving grace to different learning styles. And we look ahead to concrete solutions: intergenerational housing, campus-adjacent communities, programs that normalize daily contact, and the role of storytelling in reducing bias and passing wisdom forward. If you’re hungry for practical hope—ways to knit neighborhoods, families, and teams across age, culture, and belief—this conversation offers language, examples, and next steps. Subscribe, share with someone older or younger than you, and leave a review with the song or story that bridges your generation gap. Your story might be the bridge someone else needs. Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    29 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    A Full Signal Panel on Building Stronger Human Connections - Part 2

    Searching for a stronger signal in your relationships than on your phone? We sit down with a multigenerational panel, from a Gen Z builder of virtual villages to a family physician who’s practiced for fifty years, to unpack what actually creates belonging across age, tech, and time. The through-line is simple and surprising: depth happens when we schedule community with the same urgency we chase notifications. We begin with the roots of connection shaped by upheavals, World War II, the Vietnam War, 9/11, and COVID, and explore how those eras formed habits of resilience, service, and community life. A boomer recalls El Paso blocks where any kitchen fed any kid, while a Gen X'er explains the pragmatic career ladder that once defined success. A veteran shows how the military doubled as an education and a crucible. Then Gen Z brings clarity to the pandemic divide: video games and TikTok held friendships together, but the moment the doors opened, long drives replaced laptops because bodies need shared spaces to feel seen. Technology isn’t the enemy or the answer; it’s a tool. We trade MapQuest memories for late-night meme exchanges and learn to read those pings as bids for connection. We also make a case for analog anchors: handwritten notes that cut through crowded inboxes, monthly letters that slow the scroll, and third spaces, libraries, parks, maker labs, faith halls, where different ages collide and ideas cross-pollinate. The panel champions men’s covenant groups, neighborhood rituals, and family storytellers as the glue that holds a community’s memory in place. You’ll leave with practical ideas to build intergenerational community: mix your rooms on purpose, pair digital ease with tangible rituals, and put storytelling back at the center. If this conversation sparks a plan for your block, your team, or your circle, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with one tradition you’ll revive this week. Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    28 min

  5. 10/23/2025

    A Full Signal Panel on Building Intergenerational Communities - Part 1

    What if we chased human connection with the same focus we use to hunt for a full signal on our phones? We put that question to the test by bringing five generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, Boomer, and Traditionalist, onto one stage and asking them to trade real stories. The result is a warm, funny, and eye-opening journey across life stages, tech shifts, and civic pride that shows how much we share and how our differences can actually power stronger communities. We kick off with simple ground rules that protect curiosity and make honest conversation feel safe. From there, each guest steps up with a story that spotlights their lane: Gen Z’s love for listening and contradiction without conflict; Millennial creativity and community-building through music, events, and content; Gen X’s knack for balancing meme-age humor with operational reality at work; Boomer commitment to service and relationships that last decades; and a Traditionalist’s living archive of a city’s growth, health, and everyday wonder. Along the way, we ask what truly drives generational gaps: history, technology, or just where we are in life, and how to build bridges that hold. You’ll hear practical takeaways you can use right away: set the room with clear norms, invite multiple ages to co-own projects, turn stories and songs into shared context, translate across tech comfort with patience, and celebrate small wins that build trust. The conversation keeps a steady pulse on community development, workplace collaboration, and inclusive leadership, offering a grounded playbook for anyone who wants better teams, richer neighborhoods, and more resilient local networks. If the idea of stronger, kinder, more connected communities resonates with you, tap play now. Then subscribe, share this episode with someone from a different generation, and leave a review with one bridge you plan to build this week. Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    18 min

  6. 10/09/2025

    Building Communities at Work

    What if the strongest driver of performance isn’t a strategy deck but the quality of your community at work? We dive into how trust, clear accountability, and psychological safety transform teams from collections of roles into villages that solve harder problems together. Instead of choosing between “personal” and “professional,” we frame community as the shared ground where activities, places, and people meet, your neighborhood, your product squad, powered by the same habits of care and clarity. We get specific about culture as a system: the behaviors you encourage, tolerate, and stop. You’ll hear how top talent leaves when belonging is scarce, and why accountability actually boosts happiness when it’s paired with empathy and role clarity. We unpack a vivid turnaround story from Washington’s NFL franchise, showing how new ownership, professional leadership, and a reflective, documented coaching approach shifted the atmosphere first and performance next, proof that intentional choices can reset trust faster than most expect. We also spotlight employee resource groups as engines of inclusion and practical change, especially when allies step in and executives sponsor outcomes. Then we share simple, repeatable rituals that any team can adopt to build sub-communities, weekly wins, learning circles, cross-functional coffees, and preview what’s ahead: a growth fundamentals series with C-level operators and our live “From Vinyl to Viral” panel featuring five generations in conversation. The thread through it all is simple and powerful: community is a capability you can build, measure, and scale. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a review with one example of a ritual that builds belonging on your team. Your ideas shape where we go next. Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    20 min

  7. 09/25/2025

    Influence Unpacked: Direct or Cautious

    Have you ever wondered why your carefully worded suggestions get ignored, or why someone thought you were angry when you were simply being clear? The answer might lie in your influence style. In this illuminating episode, Ken and Patti Leith delve into the third component of their Interface Methods collaboration tool: influence styles. Building on previous discussions about detail orientation and information processing, they explore the fascinating dynamic between direct and cautious communicators. Direct communicators speak succinctly, state facts plainly, and get straight to the point. Cautious communicators use qualifying words (might, maybe, possibly), provide context, and emphasize diplomacy. While neither style is inherently better, these differences essentially create two different languages, even when both parties are speaking English. Through engaging stories and relatable examples, Ken and Patti demonstrate how these communication differences lead to misunderstandings in both professional and personal settings. A cautious boss saying "you might want to consider waiting" might intend a firm directive, while the direct employee hears merely an optional suggestion. Similarly, when a direct person makes a straightforward statement, a cautious receiver often perceives more intensity or frustration than was ever intended. What makes this challenge particularly difficult is that while we can adapt how we speak relatively easily, it's much harder to change how we hear and interpret others' communication. This places more responsibility on the message sender to adapt their delivery style to match the receiver's preference. The good news? These differences are behavioral, not personality-based, which means they can be recognized and adapted to with practice. By spotting these differences and willingly adapting our approach, we can dramatically improve our connections with others. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in community involvement, understanding these influence styles can transform our relationships. Join us to discover how to bridge these communication gaps and connect more effectively with everyone in your life. Share this episode with someone you think could benefit from understanding these communication differences, and subscribe to catch our exciting plans for the upcoming year! Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    31 min

  8. 09/11/2025

    Community as an Artform

    Art isn't just something to view—it's a catalyst for connection, hope, and transformation. That's the powerful message from Lela Davidson, Chief Operating Officer at Crystal Bridges Museum and the Momentary, who joined us to discuss the future of these remarkable institutions in Northwest Arkansas. Davidson reveals exciting details about Crystal Bridges' ambitious expansion, adding 100,000 square feet through what museums call a "reinstallation"—not simply expanding physical space, but reimagining how visitors navigate collections and experience art relationships. Opening June 6, 2026, the expansion features a new crystal bridge structure, larger exhibition spaces, community engagement areas, and improved educational facilities. Most notably, the museum remains open throughout this extensive renovation process, reinforcing its commitment to accessibility. What sets Crystal Bridges apart is its holistic approach to art as part of wellness. The museum campus now physically connects with the Alice Walton School of Medicine, where medical students incorporate art observation techniques into their training to develop stronger patient observation skills. This integration of art, nature, architecture, and wellness creates a unique destination experience while remaining deeply connected to local community needs. Davidson paints a vivid picture of a museum that serves nearly 100,000 schoolchildren annually while hosting world-class exhibitions (including an upcoming Keith Haring show), outdoor sculptures, concerts, and speaker series. The expansion allows Crystal Bridges to become both a multi-day destination for tourists and a casual drop-in space for locals, all while maintaining free admission so visitors never feel pressured to "get their money's worth." Whether you're a long-time art enthusiast or someone who simply appreciates beautiful spaces, Crystal Bridges offers something transformative. As Davidson says, "I challenge anyone to go on our calendars and not find something that they would like to do." Discover this unique intersection of art, architecture, and nature at crystalbridges.org and themomentary.org. Follow and stay connected: Website: fourbarspodcast.com YouTube: youtube.com/@FourBarsPodcast Instagram: @edges_Inc Facebook: EDGES Inc. LinkedIn: EDGES Inc. Never miss an update—follow, subscribe, and join the conversation!

    27 min
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About

Presented by EDGES, Inc., The Four Bars Podcast is about building stronger, more connected communities through meaningful conversations. Hosted by Ken and Patti Leith, we explore how to foster collaboration, embrace differences, and address challenges together. We believe in creating "Four Bars" in our connections – deeper relationships that enhance personal lives, workplaces, and communities. Drawing on EDGES' innovative team collaboration tool, Inter Face Methods, and our nonprofit initiative, Unform Your Bias™, we share practical strategies to improve communication and reduce bias through storytelling.

Information

  • Creator
    Ken and Patti Leith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Four Bars
  • Show Website
    Four Bars