Tightly held values. Loosely held beliefs.

This week Keith and Gerren close out a three-episode arc on identity, truth and the cost of being right. The question driving it all: what are you actually protecting when you defend a belief? And what happens when you build your identity around values instead of roles, labels and group memberships?

They get into identity-protected beliefs and why evidence doesn't break through them, the Kahan paradox, AA's complicated success rate and what it tells us about how change actually works, and why the asymmetry between marginalized and dominant groups matters when we talk about identity protection.

Plus — Keith defines his own identity on mic in a way that might make you rethink yours.

Key Topics: Identity-protective cognition, the Kahan paradox, AA and the value of imperfect solutions, defining identity beyond roles, tightly held values vs. loosely held beliefs.

Resources Mentioned: 📚 AA Research → https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860574/ 🧠 Identity Protective Cognition → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity-protective_cognition

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What are you willing to sacrifice for the feeling of being right?

This week Keith and Gerren get into why needing to win isn't just an ego problem — it's a neurological one. Being wrong activates the same brain regions as physical pain. Your brain generates counter arguments instead of evaluating evidence. And when your identity gets fused to your ideas, any challenge to what you believe feels existential.

They also get into why the Socratic method has never actually changed anyone's mind, what intellectual humility looks like in practice, and the therapist quote that sums up the whole thing in eleven words: you can be right, or you can have a relationship.

Key Topics: The neuroscience of being wrong, identity fusion and belief, the dopamine reward loop of winning arguments, intellectual humility, and what it actually takes to reset how we relate to each other.

Resources Mentioned: 🧠 Charlie Bloom — on being right vs relationships → https://www.huffpost.com/author/charlie-bloom

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Like what you heard? Leave us a comment in your podcast app. It genuinely helps more people find the show. See you next week.

It started with a debate about pie. It went somewhere much bigger.

This week Keith and Gerren get into trust — where it went, why it's so hard to rebuild, and what we're actually asking of each other when we say we want to repair it. From the neuroscience of why distrust is a physiological response to the very real question of whether political fractures can ever fully heal, this one covers a lot of ground without pretending any of it is simple.

Also: only 20% of Americans trust the federal government right now. The most trusted institution? Your employer. We leave that one right there.

Next week they're coming back for identity and what it has to do with all of this. Stay tuned.

Key Topics: The neuroscience of distrust and why it isn't a choice, Dunbar's number and the social architecture of trust, in-group vs. out-group conflict, what accountability actually requires, and the Edelman Trust Barometer's most uncomfortable finding.

Resources Mentioned: 📊 Pew Research — Public Trust in Government → https://www.pewresearch.org 📊 Edelman Trust Barometer → https://www.edelman.com/trust 📚 Dunbar's Number → https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number

Find Us: 🌐 https://www.moreincommonent.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent 🐦 https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent 📘 https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod

Like what you heard? Leave us a comment in your podcast app — it genuinely helps more people find the show. See you next week.

Two guys, a microphone, and zero interest in pretending masculinity isn't having a moment.

This week Keith and Gerren dig into something they've been circling for a while — what masculinity actually means, what it costs when we get it wrong, and why so many men are still performing a version of themselves that was never really theirs to begin with.

From performative bravado to the very real mental health crisis sitting underneath it, this is the conversation your group chat is too scared to start. They get personal, they get honest — and they stick around at the end for Gerren's halftime karaoke debut at a Tijuana Zonkeys game. Yes, really.

Key Topics: Performative masculinity and why the bravado doesn't hold up, the influence of media and online communities on how men define themselves, vulnerability as strength rather than weakness, and what it looks like to actually build space for men to be real with each other.

Resources Mentioned: 📚 Scott Galloway on Masculinity → https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Scott+Galloway 🎬 Inside the Manosphere (Netflix) → https://www.netflix.com/title/81920687 🧠 Men's Mental Health Resources → https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/

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Like what you heard? Leave us a comment in your podcast app — it genuinely helps more people find the show. We'll see you next week.

Summary

In this episode, Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson explore the complex relationship between social media, human psychology, and connection. They discuss groupthink, biases, the neurological impact of social media, and strategies for healthier engagement.

keywords

social media, groupthink, human psychology, biases, neurological impact, connection, emotional awareness, AI, mental health, digital detox

key topics

Groupthink and social influence Neurological effects of social media Bias and perception in digital spaces

guest name

Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson

sound bites

"That's how algorithms work on social media" "They know exactly what hair products to send you" "Our brains tend to choose brighter colors"

Chapters

00:00 The Art of Conversational Dance 01:16 Understanding Groupthink and Its Implications 02:59 The Influence of Algorithms on Decision Making 05:04 Navigating Social Media and Human Connection 08:43 The Impact of Social Media on Face-to-Face Interactions 12:34 Bias, Memory, and Decision Making 16:36 The Role of Emotional Awareness in Conversations 20:04 Generative AI and Its Effect on Reality 21:56 Finding Balance in a Digital World 25:45 Creating Healthy Boundaries with Social Media

resources

Dolly Chug - The Person You Mean to Be - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4X7V4X University of Kentucky Study on Social Media and Face-to-Face Contact - https://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychology_facpub/123 AI and Relationship Dynamics - https://www.example.com/ai-relationships

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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

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

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

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.

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

• 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.

“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.”

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

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