Same Words, Different Worlds is a practical, funny talk on why smart, sincere couples miss each other at the worst moments. Using Ken Wilber’s color language (early-to-mature Orange, Green, early Teal) and Terri O’Fallon’s STAGES model (3.0–3.5 and 4.0–4.5), I show how conflict often comes from different meaning-making “operating systems,” not bad intentions.

At 3.x (Orange), truth tends to mean accuracy, virtue means competence, conflict is a problem to solve, and repair means clear agreement. At 4.x (Green to Teal), truth expands into lived meaning, virtue leans toward care and inclusion, conflict is a rupture in safety/recognition, and repair requires contact and integration.

Same words, different worlds. With huge consequences.

We’ll use AI to show how couples can map this themselves, and bridge the communication gap as if it were a typology rather than a developmental divide.