I'm Sorry You Felt That Way" Is Not an Apology

I'm Sorry You Felt That Way" Is Not an Apology

From More In Common by More In Common Podcast

May 22, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 235

About this episode

The episode explores the differences between fake and real apologies, discussing their elements and implications.

"I'm sorry you felt that way" is not an apology. This week Keith and Gerren get into the full anatomy of a fake apology versus a real one — what makes one land, what makes the other make things actively worse, and why most of us were taught to do a version that makes us feel less bad and call it the same thing. They work through the five elements of a real apology, the neuroscience of repair, why you are never obligated to accept an apology or reconcile, and what institutional apology without repair actually looks like — from Germany and South Africa to the United States and slavery. The word apology shares a root with repair. What is one without the other? Hard questions. No easy answers. Key Topics: The fake apology anatomy, the five elements of a real apology, neuroscience of repair, receiving vs. accepting an apology, institutional apology and reparations. Find Us: 🌐 https://www.moreincommonent.com 📸 https://www.instagram.com/moreincommonent 🐦 https://twitter.com/MoreInCommonent 📘 https://www.facebook.com/moreincommonpod Gerren Taylor: 🎵 https://www.tiktok.com/@gerrent 💼 https://linkedin.com/in/gerrenT Thinking out loud about what gets in the way of connection. Like…

People in this episode

Hosts: Keith, Gerren

Topics covered

  • fake apology anatomy
  • real apology elements
  • neuroscience of repair
  • receiving vs. accepting an apology
  • institutional apology
  • reparations

Keywords

  • apology
  • fake apology
  • real apology
  • neuroscience
  • reparations
  • institutional apology
  • connection

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Germany, South Africa, United States

Books & works: slavery

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