More In Common

In this episode of the More In Common podcast, Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson engage with Dadrian Eason, co-founder of the Diversity of Thought Project. They discuss the Pathways to Equity initiative aimed at improving the lives of juvenile detainees in Southern California. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of engaging in online discussions, the importance of curiosity...

In this episode of the More In Common Podcast, hosts Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor explore the significance of political conversations in fostering understanding and community. They discuss the impact of politics on daily life, the importance of empathy in discussions, and the role of media in shaping political discourse. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional engagement and fin...

Summary In this episode of the More In Common Podcast, hosts Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson explore the complex emotions of shame and guilt, discussing their differences and how they manifest in personal and social contexts. They delve into the role of shame in shaping identity, the challenges of navigating group expectations, and the importance of self-compassion in overcoming internal shame....

In this episode of the More In Common podcast, hosts Gerren Kelsaw and Keith Richardson explore the concept of tribalism, its evolution in modern society, and its impact on personal and workplace dynamics. They discuss how tribalism is a natural human instinct that can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, emphasizing the importance of understanding biases and fostering connections across d...

In this episode of the More In Common podcast, hosts Keith Richardson and Gerren Taylor delve into the complexities of emotions, discussing how they influence our interactions and personal growth. They explore the importance of understanding and identifying our feelings, the challenges of navigating emotions, especially in the context of societal expectations, and the significance of self-care and...

In this episode of the More In Common podcast, hosts Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson explore the core tenets of the M.O.R.E. Philosophy, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are. They discuss how assumptions and perspectives shape our interactions, the distinction between empathy and compassion, and the significance of inclusivity in both personal and professional environment...

In this episode of the More In Common Podcast, hosts Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson explore the critical role of active listening in communication. They discuss the importance of creating a safe space for dialogue, the challenges of listening in personal relationships, and the need for compassion and understanding in conversations. The hosts emphasize that listening is not just about hearing w...

After almost 3 years, More In Common is excited to be bringing back episodes in a new format and a new host!! In this episode of the More In Common podcast, hosts Gerren Taylor and Keith Richardson explore the importance of setting boundaries in interpersonal relationships and workplace dynamics. They discuss the challenges of navigating sensitive topics, especially during the holiday season, and...

What does 'being connected with self' actually look like…feel like?  It’s impossible to describe, as we explore with Sydney in part 2 of this conversation.  Whether or not we can describe it, what is true from this conversation is that vulnerability and the willingness to express it with yourself and others is a big step in finding that connection. Once she was willing to be vulnerable with her mu...

What is a fact?  A fact is something that is true.  Yet, today we are so conflicted about our facts because we have decided to conflate them with truth. Truth is subjective.  What is true to you may not be true to me.  You may think The Matrix is the greatest cinematic accomplishment of the 20th century.  I may think that award belongs to Schindler’s List.  What isn’t true is that either sentiment...

In a postindustrial, technology centric, world we are taught to be productive, get a job, work, work, work… We reserve play for short periods of time and for our childhood.  Yet, we are increasingly demanding more productivity of our children to get ahead.  The thing about play, is that it is a necessity of life.  We need it.  We especially need it to improve learning and how we absorb information...

What do you think of when you think someone is homeschooled?  What do you think when someone homeschools their kids? Homeschooling is a great example of the subtle biases we all project onto other because of our cultural influences.  There are many reasons for homeschooling and it’s important to understand when it makes sense for your kids.  In this conversation with Krysten, we get into some of t...

Developing a child is one of the most challenging responsibilities any parent will have in a lifetime. One of the biggest challenges is removing your ego to focus on what the child needs, not what you would need if you were the child. We all struggle to separate these two realities. However, when we can, we will deliver the promise to our children that set them up to live the life they want to liv...

Everyone goes through a journey from the beginning to the end. It's easy to look at our stories and think about our limitations and how they will prevent us from doing more. That voice inside tells you one thing that reality doesn't seem to support. Then we focus so much on "what is" because we can't see "what could be." Lisa is an excellent example of looking at life through the lens of what is p...

No matter how much effort you put into something, it's never done alone. This applies to everyone, including the smartest or most athletic. A genius doesn't create without supplies, funding, or assistance to contribute to their field of study. Like an athlete doesn't get to show their skills if the structure of sport doesn't exist.  This is highlighted by Ben and Fitz in this Part 2 episode of the...

  Culture is an agreed-upon set of values and norms that we accept and embrace. In organizations, if these aren't intentional and established, the company is not likely to operate at its best. Ben and Fitz came to some remarkable conclusions about Culture in the collective time at Google causing them to write their book, Debugging Teams. Their goal is to ensure teams operate at their best by being...

History is always 20/20 if we decide to look.  Looking at history from the present perspective is a flawed exercise loaded with past judgment. Too often, we don't look at history from the present it once represented.  As a result, we don't see the perspectives of those that came before us and what they did to give us what we have today. Paula beautifully discusses this phenomenon relative to those...

We are with award-winning book author, TV writer/producer, and feature screenwriter Paula Yoo.  Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, she loves to spend time hanging with her family and cats.                  Her latest Young Adult narrative non-fiction book, FROM A WHISPER TO A RALLYING CRY: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement, is from Norton Young Reader...

  It's rare these days to get into the field you study in college, especially if you don't go onto a master's or Ph. D. program.  The rising costs of education make it more and more challenging to pursue a field that doesn't set you back financially for a lifetime and aligns with how you want to live your life. Brandon Stover is reimaging how to deliver education.   He envisions a practical approa...

  Time continually evolves our needs and how we access those needs.  We have a thirst for knowledge and education, yet, it is increasingly less accessible to us.  Especially education that captures what we want out of life.  Giving us the practical experience to pursue what we know we are good at, but it falls outside the parameters of traditional education. We now can re-envision what education l...

Pursuing our dreams is not easy, and we want it to be, but it is a grind with daily effort to make our reality what we envision it. Jeremiah Smart is an excellent example of someone living that before his dream is fulfilled.  It is never easy, but it becomes easier when we achieve what we set out to do. However, in the early days, belief and a vision have to drive the perseverance to get where you...

So often, we look in the past to see how people have arrived at the present. It's easy to do because we can pick those we see as a "success" and wonder how they got there. What is impressive about this conversation with Jeremiah Smart is that we get to initially see someone with the dreams and vision for their future that has yet to pan out. We don't know where he will end up, but he does, and he...

  We all have a journey.  On our journey's we take many steps in every direction.  Sometimes, those steps have us walking in a circle, and it seems as if there is no way out. As we talk about Elizabeth's philosophy on taking small pivots, we learn about her story.  We learn about what her first Pivot was that sent her life in a direction she never thought possible. After 20 years in an abusive rel...

  In life, there are significant moments that change the direction we go.  There are also big moments we choose not to take for fear of the unknown and the amount of change all at once.  Many people say it is these moments that are necessary to pursue what you want out of life.  And, there is some truth to that. However, there are so many opportunities to take small steps toward what you want.  Li...

  When we pursue passions, especially in a group, a decision needs to be made that the pursuit of the thing will be a way to make money.  Making sure everyone is aligned to the goal while still maintaining the love for the thing is a challenge many people face.  How do we do this without selling ourselves out? Banana Chant has an amazing outlook on this balance, and as a group, they find that bala...