Episode Summary:

In this episode of Two Shrinks on a Farm, we delve into the concept of openness to experience, one of the key traits in the NEO Personality Profile. Join Dr. Robyn McKay and Dr. Barbara Kerr as they explore the joys and challenges of being highly open—how it fuels creativity and connection but also invites vulnerability and the need for grounding.

With stories from the farm, professional insights, and reflections on their own personalities, this conversation is perfect for creatives, healers, and anyone curious about what openness means for their lives.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The six facets of openness to experience and how they show up in daily life.
• The interplay between imagination, emotional creativity, and intellectual curiosity.
• The risks of hyper-empathy and how to differentiate what’s "yours" versus someone else’s.
• How neuroticism influences openness and the potential for imaginative rabbit holes.
• Practical tools for balancing curiosity with grounding and discernment.

Key Quotes from the Episode:

• "They can take away a lot of things... but they can never take away your vision. They can never take away your mission."
• "Having a sense of calling—nobody can take it away from you. It’s always yours, no matter what the ups and downs are."
• "Being highly imaginative means I can track with almost anybody, but I’ve had to learn how to differentiate: Is this mine or somebody else’s?"
• "We've both had to learn to maintain our own truth and find a balance with our tolerance because we're able to tolerate so many differences and such a variety of human experiences."

Farm Highlights in This Episode:

• Romance in the pasture: Bill and Dusty may have sparked a connection on the trails.
• A honey locust thorn leads to a dramatic kitchen-table operation, Civil War-style.
• Reflections on how the rhythm of nature provides stability during chaotic times.

Resources Mentioned:

• NEO Personality Profile (learn how to measure your own openness to experience).
• Contact Dr. Robyn McKay at [email protected] to learn more about personality testing or to schedule your session.

Join the Conversation:

How open are you to new experiences? Share your thoughts and questions with us on Instagram @twoshrinksonthefarm. Don’t forget to tag us if you’re listening—your insights might just inspire our next episode!

if you're interested in having your personality tested and interpreted by the two of us, or you're ready to bring us in to work with your teams, Get started by sending an email to [email protected] and we'll help you start the process.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram for more behind the scenes fun from the farm, creative insights, and plenty of laughs from the reels that I'm constantly posting in stories. You can find us on instagram at @twoshrinksonthefarm.

Last thing: we'd really love it if you'd rate and review our podcast on whatever platform you listen to us on - and share us with your buddies - the more the merrier!