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.

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.

• 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

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.

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.

emotional awareness, emotional intelligence, modern masculinity, male identity, leadership, mental health, vulnerability, communication, conflict regulation, personal growth, masculinity studies, podcast

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

• 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

• “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.”

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.

communication curiosity emotional intelligence conflict resolution active listening social conditioning power dynamics self-awareness relationships More in Common podcast

• 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

“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.”

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

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