More In Common

More In Common Podcast
  • 5.0 (46)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the More In Common Podcast — where curiosity meets courage. Hosted by Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor, this show explores the human side of connection, communication, and emotional intelligence. Every week, we dive deep into real conversations that challenge assumptions, build trust, and help us all navigate complex relationships — at work, at home, and in our communities. 🎙️ From mindful parenting to leadership, political division to self-awareness — we ask the hard questions and model the tools to stay in the conversation when it matters most. ✅ New episodes every Friday 🎧 Listen in for practical insights, heartfelt stories, and a better way to be in the world — together. 🔔 Subscribe now if you’re ready to grow, stay curious, and connect more deeply.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Cycle of Generational Judgment and How to Break It

    summary Explore generational differences, societal perceptions, and strategies for fostering understanding and connection across age groups. Kelly Brinkman, Keith Richardson, and Gerren Taylor delve into the roots of generational stereotypes, the impact of social media, and practical ways to build empathy and resilience.  keywords generations, social media, empathy, mental health, workplace, youth development, social change  key  topics Generational stereotypes and their origins Impact of social media on youth and mental health Strategies for fostering empathy and understanding across generations  guest  name Kelly Brinkman, Keith Richardson, Gerren Taylor Titles Bridging Generational Gaps: Understanding and Empathy in a Changing World The Cycle of Generational Judgment and How to Break It  sound bites "This cycle of judgment repeats every 20 years." "We want our kids to succeed but judge them harshly." "Embrace your regional identity and differences." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Generational Perspectives 03:29 The Cycle of Generational Judgment 06:24 Cognitive Bias and Memory 09:10 The Impact of Environment on Behavior 12:19 Navigating Youth Sports and Competition 15:20 Understanding Generation Z's Mental Health 18:23 Mentorship and Support for Gen Z 21:13 Cultural Shifts and Emotional Well-being 24:26 Concluding Thoughts and Practical Takeaways  resources Bridgeworks on Generational Dynamics - https://bridgeworksonline.com Understanding Social Media's Impact on Youth - https://www.example.com/social-media-impact Mentorship Strategies for Young Employees - https://www.example.com/mentorship-strategies  guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/kellybrinkman Twitter - https://twitter.com/keithrichardson    content  type Interview  primary  goal Discussion

    31 min

  2. MAR 6

    The Future of Work: Adapting Leadership for Generational Diversity

    Summary Join us as Kelly Brinkman, a generational dynamics expert, explores the nuances of workplace stereotypes, generational differences, and how leadership can adapt to a rapidly evolving workforce. This episode offers research-backed insights and practical strategies for fostering collaboration across generations. keywords generational differences, workplace stereotypes, leadership, collaboration, work culture, remote work, generational traits key topics Generational stereotypes and their impact on workplace dynamics How leadership can adapt to generational differences The role of technology and remote work in shaping new work norms sound bites "Every individual is a unique snowflake." "Leadership must be flexible and adaptable." "Generational cycles repeat every 80 years." Chapters 00:00 Generational Dynamics and Cultural References 05:21 Understanding Stereotypes and Their Impact 10:02 Navigating Workplace Communication Across Generations 15:27 The Evolution of Work Expectations 19:59 Leadership in a Multigenerational Workplace 25:09 Future Generations and Societal Cycles resources BridgeWorks - Generational Insights - https://bridgeworks.com/ The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe - https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Turning-Annealing-Crisis-Change/dp/0761514001 ChatGPT by OpenAI - https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/  guest links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybrinkman/ BridgeWorks - https://bridgeworks.com/   More In Common Website | https://www.moreincommonent.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent Twitter | https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod

    31 min

  3. FEB 27

    Bridging Generations: How Formative Years Shape the Modern Workplace | Kelly Brinkman

    Episode Description  In this episode of More In Common, Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor sit down with Kelly Brinkman, generational dynamics expert at BridgeWorks, to unpack how formative experiences shape workplace behavior across generations. From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, Kelly explains how brain development, cultural context, technology, and major world events influence how each generation approaches trust, loyalty, feedback, authority, and ambition. Using neuroscience and sociology, the conversation explores why workplace friction isn’t about age — it’s about context. Kelly breaks down how neural pathways formed during adolescence create “rumble strip” moments when we encounter unfamiliar behaviors, and how understanding this can transform conflict into collaboration. If you’ve ever wondered why Gen Z seems impatient, why Gen X values independence, or why Millennials blend personal and professional identity — this episode provides clarity. At its core, this conversation is about one thing: building stronger human connection across differences. Keywords generational differences, workplace culture, Gen Z in the workplace, Millennials at work, Baby Boomers leadership style, Gen X independence, formative years psychology, neural pathways and behavior, workplace conflict resolution, generational trust, loyalty in the workplace, generational communication styles, neuroplasticity, generational dynamics expert, More In Common podcast Core Themes & Takeaways Generations are shaped by formative brain development, not just age. Technology influences expectations of speed, access, and advancement. Trust and loyalty look different across generations. Neural pathways formed early in life create behavioral defaults. Workplace tension is often contextual, not personal. Neuroplasticity allows us to adapt — but it takes intention. Understanding context reduces judgment. Sound Bites “It’s not about age — it’s about context.” “Those deep neural pathways formed in our formative years become our default lane.” “If you drive on the shoulder, you hit the rumble strips — and your instinct is to get back in your lane.” “Gen Z isn’t entitled — they’ve grown up in a world where change happens every six months.” “Trust is innate for some generations. For others, it has to be earned.” Chapters / Time Stamps 00:00 – Neural Pathways & The “Rumble Strip” Analogy 02:00 – Meet Kelly Brinkman & BridgeWorks 03:10 – What Defines a Generation? Formative Brain Development 06:30 – Baby Boomers: Authority, Loyalty & Structure 09:15 – Gen X: Independence, Disruption & Skepticism 12:45 – Millennials: Collaboration, Identity & Technology 15:30 – Gen Z: Speed, Smartphones & Imposter Syndrome 18:40 – Trust & Loyalty Across Generations 22:00 – Feedback, Advancement & Workplace Expectations 25:00 – Neuroplasticity & Breaking Out of Default Patterns 28:45 – Context vs Age: Reframing Workplace Conflict 32:20 – Final Reflections & Personal Insights Episode Through-Line This episode reframes generational tension through neuroscience and sociology. The friction we feel isn’t about “kids these days” or “outdated leadership.” It’s about deeply wired expectations formed during our most impressionable years. Understanding that context doesn’t eliminate differences — but it gives us a path to bridge them. More In Common Website | https://www.moreincommonent.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent Twitter | https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod

    33 min

  4. FEB 20

    Navigating the Truth: A Conversation with Jen Oliver

    Episode Description  In this episode of More In Common, Keith Richardson sits down with Jen Oliver for a deeply personal and grounded conversation about truth, recovery, relationships, and self-awareness. Jen opens up about her lived experience navigating honesty in recovery, the subtle ways we distort truth to protect ourselves, and how self-protection can quietly erode intimacy. The conversation explores how unspoken narratives shape relationships, how motives influence communication, and what it takes to build trust when honesty feels risky. This episode isn’t about abstract philosophy — it’s about the practical, emotional work of telling the truth when it costs you something. Together, Keith and Jen unpack how emotional maturity develops, how recovery sharpens self-awareness, and why integrity in relationships requires both courage and humility. If you’ve ever struggled with hard conversations, protecting yourself in conflict, or reconciling your internal truth with what you present to the world, this episode will hit close to home. Keywords truth in relationships, honesty in recovery, emotional maturity, self-protection, emotional intelligence, relationship conflict, communication skills, recovery journey, personal accountability, relational integrity, vulnerability, navigating honesty, growth mindset, modern relationships Core Themes & Takeaways Truth often reveals itself through tension. Recovery sharpens awareness of motive. Self-protection can become isolation. Integrity requires alignment between inner and outer truth. Honesty in relationships is built, not assumed. Emotional maturity is developed through discomfort. The stories we tell ourselves shape how we show up. Sound Bites (Aligned to Episode Tone) “Sometimes the truth isn’t what we say — it’s what we’re avoiding.” “You can protect yourself right out of connection.” “Recovery forces you to look at your motives.” “Honesty doesn’t mean being harsh. It means being aligned.” Chapters / Time Stamps 00:00 – Introduction & Framing the Conversation 02:18 – Finding Your True Voice in a Noisy World 08:07 – The Impact of Untruths in Relationships 14:25 – Motives, Self-Protection & Emotional Safety 20:40 – Honesty in Recovery: What It Really Requires 26:15 – Conflict, Accountability & Growth 32:48 – Navigating Truth Without Losing Compassion 38:10 – Living in Alignment with Your Values 42:30 – Final Reflections on Integrity & Connection Episode Through-Line Jen is on the show to explore how truth functions as a muscle — one strengthened through recovery, relationship friction, and self-examination. Throughout the conversation, the recurring thread is this: Truth isn’t just about accuracy — it’s about alignment. When our motives, words, and actions drift apart, connection erodes. When they realign, trust grows. This episode reinforces a central More In Common idea: growth happens when we’re willing to examine ourselves honestly — especially in the places we’d rather not. /// More In Common Website | https://www.moreincommonent.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent Twitter | https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod

    38 min

  5. FEB 13

    Navigating the Truth: When Honesty Builds (or Breaks) Connection

    Episode Description What does it really mean to “speak your truth”? And when does honesty strengthen connection—or quietly damage it? In this episode of the More in Common Podcast, Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor sit down with Jen Oliver—speaking coach, podcast host, and founder of Speaking Real Communications—to explore the emotional, relational, and cultural complexity of truth-telling. Jen shares her personal “no lying” experiment inspired by Martha Beck, unpacking how small, socially acceptable untruths create distance in relationships. Together, they examine the difference between honesty that’s true, kind, and necessary, and honesty that’s self-serving, avoidant, or unintentionally harmful. From intimate relationships and parenting to recovery culture and modern “speak your truth” rhetoric, this conversation challenges black-and-white thinking and offers a more human, compassionate framework for emotional honesty. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Time Chapters 00:00 – Cold open & unexpected honesty Nudist colonies, hats, and why this episode immediately goes off-script. 03:00 – Meet Jen Oliver Speaking coach, podcast host, and her mission to help people stop performing and start connecting. 04:45 – The “no lying” challenge Inspired by Martha Beck: what counts as a lie—and why saying “yes” when you mean “no” matters. 07:30 – Giving people the dignity of their response Why telling the truth isn’t about managing someone else’s emotions. 10:45 – Honesty vs. emotional responsibility Where truth ends and self-protection begins in relationships. 14:30 – The Three Gates of Honesty Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? 18:00 – Parenting, protection, and selective truth Why something can be true—but still not kind or needed. 21:30 – Truth as a barrier or a bridge How untruths quietly erode connection over time. 24:00 – Leaving certainty behind Jen reflects on religion, dogma, and the discomfort of emotional ambiguity. 27:15 – “Do I look good in this?” A cultural landmine—and why there’s no universal right answer. 30:30 – Why this conversation continues Honesty isn’t black and white—and that’s the work. Key Topics & Keywords Emotional honesty Speaking your truth Authentic communication Emotional intelligence Relationship communication Truth vs kindness Boundaries and self-trust Vulnerability and connection Masculinity and emotional awareness Conflict navigation About the Guest Jen Oliver is a speaking coach, podcast host (Listen for Real), and founder of Speaking Real Communications. Her work focuses on helping leaders and creatives communicate with authenticity, courage, and emotional clarity—without performing or people-pleasing.

    31 min

  6. FEB 6

    Emotional Awareness, Masculinity, and Learning to Pause

    Episode Description In this episode of More in Common, Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor are joined by Zach Amatore to explore the journey of emotional awareness and how masculinity is shaped by environment, leadership, and lived experience. Zach reflects on growing up in high-pressure, male-dominated spaces — from sports culture to family business — and how those environments influenced how emotion, anger, and authority were expressed. The conversation examines how men often confuse intensity with aggression, why emotional regulation is misunderstood as weakness, and how learning to pause can radically change relationships at work and at home. Throughout the episode, Zach connects his personal growth back to the emotional intelligence tools he learned through More in Common alongside Keith — emphasizing listening without fixing, managing tone, and creating safety in male relationships. Rather than rejecting masculinity, the discussion reframes it as something that evolves through awareness, accountability, and intentional practice. This episode is for anyone navigating leadership, fatherhood, relationships, or self-growth — especially men learning how to hold strength and emotional clarity at the same time. Key Topics & Keywords emotional awareness, emotional intelligence, modern masculinity, male identity, leadership, mental health, vulnerability, communication, conflict regulation, personal growth, masculinity studies, podcast Episode Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & setting the conversation 02:10 – Early influences: sports culture, masculinity, and emotion 06:45 – Anger vs intensity: how tone gets misread 11:30 – Learning emotional regulation in male spaces 16:20 – Taking over the family business & leadership pressure 20:50 – Listening without fixing: lessons from More in Common 25:40 – Redefining masculinity through awareness 30:10 – Modeling healthier masculinity in relationships 34:00 – Growth without perfection: final reflections Takeaways Emotional awareness is learned, not innate Masculinity isn’t broken — it evolves Regulation creates trust, not weakness Listening is often more powerful than solving Growth happens through practice, not perfection Sound Bites “Masculinity isn’t about being louder — it’s about being steadier.” “Sometimes the pause is the most powerful move.” “Strength without awareness turns into damage.”

    30 min

  7. JAN 30

    Emotional Intelligence in Action: Leadership Beyond the Title

    Episode Description In this episode of More in Common, Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor sit down with Zach Amatore to explore what it actually looks like to practice emotional intelligence in real life—at work, in leadership, and in moments of pressure. Zach’s appearance on the show isn’t accidental. As he shares in the conversation, his approach to emotional regulation, listening, and supporting others was deeply shaped by the More in Common learning he experienced alongside Keith. That foundation—slowing down before reacting, staying present in hard moments, and choosing curiosity over control—runs through every part of this discussion. Together, they unpack why “staying calm” isn’t about suppressing emotion, but about creating space for clarity, trust, and better outcomes. From workplace dynamics to being heard without overpowering others, this episode explores how emotional mastery shows up not as perfection, but as practice. This conversation is for anyone navigating leadership, teamwork, or personal growth—and wondering how to respond more thoughtfully when it matters most. Keywords communication curiosity emotional intelligence conflict resolution active listening social conditioning power dynamics self-awareness relationships More in Common podcast Key Takeaways Curiosity can disarm conflict when it’s rooted in care, not performance Listening isn’t passive—it’s an intentional skill We often react to discomfort before we understand it Slowing down creates room for better conversations You don’t need to fix someone to show up for them Sound Bites “Curiosity isn’t about being right—it’s about staying open.” “Listening well changes the temperature of the room.” “Most conflict comes from moving too fast with too little information.” “We confuse reaction with honesty.” Chapters / Time Stamps 00:00 – Opening & episode framing Setting the tone: curiosity, communication, and why this conversation matters 02:15 – Why curiosity feels risky How social conditioning shapes the way we enter hard conversations 06:40 – Listening vs. reacting Why most of us respond before we actually hear each other 11:30 – Power, identity, and discomfort How dynamics of power affect communication and emotional safety 17:10 – Slowing the conversation down Creating space instead of escalation 22:45 – Curiosity as an act of care When questions build connection instead of control 28:30 – What it looks like to stay present Letting go of the need to fix, prove, or win 33:20 – Final reflections & listener takeaway How to practice better conversations in real life   \\\   More In Common Website | https://www.moreincommonent.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent Twitter | https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod

    30 min

  8. JAN 23

    What Are Men Supposed to Do Now?

    More In Common Podcast In this episode, Keith Richardson, Gerren Taylor, and Nicholas Miller unpack the confusion, pressure, and possibility surrounding modern masculinity. As social expectations shift, many men are left asking: What am I supposed to do now? Rather than framing masculinity as something broken, this conversation reframes it as evolving—and explores how healthier models of masculinity can foster connection, purpose, and emotional resilience. The episode examines male identity, privilege, vulnerability, and the importance of supportive male relationships, while challenging shame-based narratives that leave men isolated. Through personal stories and sociological insight, the hosts offer a grounded, human approach to masculinity that prioritizes listening, growth, and belonging. 🕒 Episode Chapters 00:00 — Introduction Why masculinity feels confusing right now 02:03 — Masculinity in a Changing World What happens when social expectations shift without a roadmap 06:45 — “What Am I Supposed to Do?” The emotional cost of uncertainty for men 09:52 — Privilege, Backlash, and Defensiveness Understanding positional power without shame 14:20 — Masculinity Isn’t Broken Why masculinity evolves instead of disappears 15:52 — Healthier Models of Masculinity Strength paired with empathy and accountability 20:43 — Male Friendship and Community Why men struggle to build emotionally supportive relationships 24:10 — Listening Without Fixing The power of presence over performance 27:51 — Finding Belonging Beyond Bars and Gyms Rethinking how men connect socially 31:44 — Closing Reflections What growth-oriented masculinity can look like moving forward 🧠 Key Takeaways Masculinity isn’t broken—it’s evolving Men are navigating shifting expectations without clear guidance Vulnerability strengthens connection, not weakness Privilege is positional, not personal Listening without fixing is a critical relational skill Healthy masculinity requires community and support 💬 Memorable Quotes “Masculinity isn’t broken—it evolves.” “We don’t need less masculinity, we need healthier models of it.” “Sometimes, you just need to listen without fixing.” 🔑 Keywords & Topics modern masculinity, male identity, men’s mental health, privilege, vulnerability, gender roles, emotional intelligence, male friendship, masculinity studies, social connection, More In Common Podcast More In Common Website | https://www.moreincommonent.com/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent Twitter | https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod

    35 min
See All (223)

5
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Welcome to the More In Common Podcast — where curiosity meets courage. Hosted by Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor, this show explores the human side of connection, communication, and emotional intelligence. Every week, we dive deep into real conversations that challenge assumptions, build trust, and help us all navigate complex relationships — at work, at home, and in our communities. 🎙️ From mindful parenting to leadership, political division to self-awareness — we ask the hard questions and model the tools to stay in the conversation when it matters most. ✅ New episodes every Friday 🎧 Listen in for practical insights, heartfelt stories, and a better way to be in the world — together. 🔔 Subscribe now if you’re ready to grow, stay curious, and connect more deeply.

Information

  • Creator
    More In Common Podcast
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    223
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    More In Common