Trust didn't collapse all at once. It broke in three acts over six decades: first our communities, then our institutions, then our information environment, each one stacking on the last. In this episode, Dwayne sits down with Keiron McCammon, a dear friend and host of the new Spark of Trust podcast, to unpack why the show exists.
It starts with a wrong answer: Keiron looked for what broke in 2022, blamed social media, and found something beneath it. No single fix, founder, or organization can repair trust alone; it's going to take a network of builders and doers. Over the next hour and a half, Dwayne and Keiron dig into that unraveling: why the honest response isn't a solution, it's a signal, and what people are actually doing about it, from community tech to proof-of-personhood protocols to mission-locked companies.
In this episode:
The Three Acts Framework: how trust broke down first in our communities (Robert Putnam's "Bowling Alone"), then in our institutions (from 77% trust in Washington in 1964 to 17% today), then in our information environment, and why you can't fix one without the others
From tech optimist to trust researcher, Keiron's journey from early Web 2.0 startups (a Pinterest precursor called Kaboodle) to realizing the attention economy he helped build reshaped society in ways he never intended
Why small business and the military are the only two institutions still above 50% trust and what that reveals about personal connection versus faceless power
Rebuilding trust through community tech: how companies like Nabo are using AI as a "super neighbor" to facilitate useful connections rather than replace human relationships
The Internet of Humans: why proof-of-personhood protocols may be the missing layer of the internet stack, and how to know who (or what) you're really talking to online
Defining trustworthy AI: the case for AI having a fiduciary responsibility to act in your best interest, not just its own profitability
Mission-locked companies: how businesses like Costco protect their founding mission through governance structure, and why that leads to better outcomes for shareholders, not just employees and customers
The consumer power most people forget they have: how everyday spending choices can push capitalism toward trustworthiness
⏱️ Time Stamps:
00:00 Spark of Trust
02:14 Meet Keiron McCammon
05:26 From Tech Optimism To Trust
06:39 Three Acts Framework
10:17 Builders Not Bystanders
16:52 Community Trust Tech
25:49 Institutions In Decline
32:46 Rebuilding Worthy Institutions
41:35 Information Age Breakdown
44:47 Internet Of Humans
46:12 Proof of Personhood
47:17 Defining Trustworthy AI
49:48 AI for Truth Seeking
51:43 Capitalism and Trust Firms
53:13 Agents Need Identity
56:03 Rebuilding Trust Optimism
59:05 Network Building Playbook
1:02:33 From Listeners to Action
1:05:26 Community and Capital
1:12:41 Mission Locked Companies
1:19:08 Character and Consumer Power
1:25:36 Closing
💬 If this conversation named something you've been feeling, share it with someone who needs it. And follow the show wherever you listen; it helps the right people find it.
Connect with Spark of Trust:
https://sparkoftrust.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@SparkofTrust
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparkoftrust
https://www.instagram.com/sparkoftrust/
https://www.facebook.com/sparkoftrust
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/spark-of-trust/id6807994008
https://open.spotify.com/show/3XYhVqgSkTCGMpUYiRZDAQ?si=befe38707d834864
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Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com
Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
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