We have all heard it before. Be 'more vulnerable' with people to better connect with them. But man, it's hard and not what we want to do! A friend shares how this has actually been a connection game changer for him - - And a pathway to really seeing other people.

10 episodes in . . . so what do you want to see more or less of?? Check out our poll below - we need to hear from you!

Be sure to like the show and give a podcast player review. This makes the show easier for others to find - - and share the show with your peeps! Thx! - Clint

Resources:

In the TED talk that made her famous, Brene' Brown discusses The Power of Vulnerability (TED Talk; 2011)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

Clint has some musings about life and human flourishing - and we have a great interview with Josh Chapman, a friend who was shaped for relationship in his family of origin and is intentionally building a relational family with his wife. He also serves as a deacon in our church, which is where the practical needs of our folks are met with love and care. Lastly, some good stuff on the negative effects of social media and phones on kids and how Josh and his wife are effectlvely managing it. Good Stuff!

Please continue to share the pod and give a rating to help others find it. Thx!!

Resources:

Link to Article: "Finding the Good Life in an Age of Designer Babies and High Achievers" (Dispatch Faith; Feb 15, 2026). https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/designer-babies-down-syndrome-christianity/

What are Deacons?:

https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=99ae616f7fa66d58&q=Presbyterian+deacons&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKqre7jIWTAxVQC3kGHeTTBI4Q1QJ6BAhIEAE&biw=1280&bih=678&dpr=2

Josh referenced this book about helping people:

Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road; by Tim Keller

https://a.co/d/066itWon

Everyone should read this book!

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness; by Jonathan Haidt

https://a.co/d/06lCodIr

Details of Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg testifying in the Feb 2026 California trial about Facebook targeting youth with potentially very addictive social media - and harms to children - a landmark legal case:

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/18/tech/meta-mark-zuckerberg-testifies-social-media-addiction-trial

I think you will really enjoy this interview with Addie, a young female pastor in the Anglican Church. She combines her heart for people and innate curiosity to serve people in and out of her congregation. A young mother of 2, she is fully engaged in life at work and at home. Themes of compassion, respect and empathy undergird her ability to make connections without judgment.

Don’t forget to follow the show to get the latest! And share with anyone who would like this stuff - thanks - - Clint :)

Resources:

What is an Anglican Church??

https://anglicanchurch.net/anglicanism/

How are pastors different than 'regular' (lay) folks?

https://learn.ligonier.org/qas/are-preachers-and-pastors-more-important-than-other-christians

Jargon decoder: The word 'ordain' means "to set aside for special use". An ordination ceremony is where this is applied to a person in a formal, publicly recognized way.

What is driving this national housing shortage that is affecting Millenials and Gen Z so much? (or, it's not your father's Housing market)

https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/low-inventory-housing-shortage/

https://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/nx-s1-5223561/the-u-s-is-facing-a-severe-housing-shortage-will-trumps-proposals-help

ttps://www.npr.org/2024/12/11/nx-s1-5223561/the-u-s-is-facing-a-severe-h

Feedback please in your pod player comments or directly to me at: ivyleaguetrucker@gmail.com

How does creativity relate to our ability to connect with others? Are the artistic types better at it, or not? My good friend Elaine is a trained artist who also has an innate curiosity about her fellow man. In this interview she links her artistic curiosity with a practice of helping people create AND connect.

Here is a cool article about why creativity is important to all, by Brene Brown

https://www.shortform.com/blog/brene-brown-creativity/

What happens when an older guy and a younger guy actually listen to each other? Today Clint interviews Robert, a Gen Z law student. Robert has great insights about Gen Z, including what's good and bad about his generation - and what they've learned from - and have beef with - the older generation. Good Stuff!!

Resources:

Somewhat relatedly . . . . Great pod interview with Loretta Ross on “Leaning In” to people we would rather cancel.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clear-vivid-with-alan-alda/id1400082430?i=1000745843394

If you like this stuff - please hit the “Share” button on your podcast player and send to friends, colleagues and family! We want to grow a community of those seeking to connect and understand. Also “Follow” the show to get us in your regular feed.

Direct feedback is always welcome. What would you like to hear on the show? - - and always - helpful critiques to: ivyleaguetrucker@gmail.com

What about the 'trucking' in Ivy League Trucker? Clint shares some trucking insider info and the search for lost America. He also shares a point of connection with one of the guys at the tank wash (A very dirty job that is necessary for the liquid tankers Clint hauls) where he gets a chance to use the "Judgement of Charity".

How Truck Brakes Work:

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/truck-brakes.htm

Runaway Truck Ramps!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bJMK6ErcAGw

What's a Tank Wash?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dAM3tU51eM

We love feedback! Please send comments and requests for future show content to: ivyleaguetrucker@gmail.com

It's all about connecting. Clint shares some ideas on that - - and an interview with someone from another part of the world who is good at making connections. I've learned a lot from him. Also, see the show notes below for some good resources on connecting with others.

(Also "Dry Van" means the regular box trailers you see behind most tractor trailers going down the road)

Resources for making meaninful connections - especially if you “aren’t good at it” .

Orion Taraban; 6 minute video on connecting

"Ideas divide, emotions unite"

"They only remember how you made them feel"

https://youtu.be/J6aZhfj9NVM

Brene’ Brown on Empathy (short video)

https://youtu.be/1Evwgu369Jw

A Book Recommendation:

Daniel Goleman; Emotional Intelligence

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=daniel+goleman+emotional+intelligence&crid=1QOC7FGQSU21D&sprefix=daniel+goleme%2Caps%2C262&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_3_13

Feedback! Please email any (useful) thoughts to: ivyleaguetrucker@gmail.com

A long, uncomfortable night leads to some serious reflection - followed by conversation with folks making a living in an interesting way. In another segment Clint shares what he has learned from his conversations with a trucker friend from very far away.

History of Repression of Tibet by China:

https://www.google.com/search?q=history+of+china+tibet+oppression&oq=history+of+china+tibet+oppression&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRiPAtIBCDgyNDlqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QWfRPm0UPmxqw&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

What We Can Learn From Immigrants:

https://jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com/four-things-learn-immigrants/