Why is it so hard to have civil conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ? And can we break through the outrage culture , media tribalism , and polarization that dominate today’s discourse? In this episode, we talk with Adam Boaz Becker , founder of Headon.AI , an AI platform designed to foster political dialogue and bridge divides . Adam shares what he's learned from years of street interviews in Israel and the West Bank, the challenges of creating conversations in conflict zones , ...
Jun 25, 2025•37 min•Ep. 67
Exploring Democratic Erosion and the Rise of Authoritarian Tactics Is the U.S. Sliding Toward Competitive Authoritarianism? Political scientist Lucan Way joins us to discuss signs of democratic erosion, competitive authoritarianism, and the weaponization of institutions. Drawing from his co-authored New York Times essay, “How Will We Know When We Have Lost Our Democracy?”, Way explains how democratic backsliding may already be underway—and why recognizing it matters now more than ever. Text me y...
Jun 18, 2025•31 min
Why are we so divided — and what can we really do about it? In this episode, Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute and author of The New Civic Path , returns to the show to share how communities across America are rebuilding trust and taking action — without waiting on Washington. We talk about how to bring people together, restore belief in each other, and start healing our divided country from the ground up. If you're tired of outrage, political fighting, and feeling stuck, this episo...
Jun 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 66
How Wellness Content Fuels Conspiracies What starts as a search for natural living or homegrown veggies can slowly become something else entirely. In this episode, we follow the personal story of Kavisha Pillay , a digital ethics expert who unexpectedly found herself pulled into the “tradwife” aesthetic while simply exploring homesteading and wellness content online. We explore how seemingly wholesome spaces—like DIY cleaning tutorials and sourdough baking videos—can become subtle entry points i...
Jun 04, 2025•53 min
How a Doctor’s Long COVID Journey Exposed Systemic Failures Millions are still living with long COVID, yet many patients are dismissed, misunderstood, or left without answers. In this episode, Dr. Zeest Khan shares her personal journey—from treating critical patients as a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist to becoming a long COVID patient herself. This conversation isn’t just about COVID—it's about how we listen, how we heal, and what needs to change. Guest: Dr. Zeest Khan, physician, long COVID ad...
May 28, 2025•37 min•Ep. 65
How AmeriCorps Cuts Threaten Our Civic Future Tens of thousands of AmeriCorps service positions are being eliminated. In this episode, we explore how cuts to national service programs are affecting communities, civic engagement, and the future of democracy in America. Maureen Eccleston, Chief Impact Officer at Service Year Alliance and longtime AmeriCorps alum, joins David Beckemeyer to break down what these cuts mean, who’s being impacted, and why service years matter now more than ever. We tal...
May 21, 2025•31 min
Why 500 Organizations Joined Forces to Bridge America’s Deepest Divides We sit down with Karissa Raskin, the new CEO of Listen First Project, a national organization leading a coalition of over 500 groups working to reduce toxic polarization and build stronger communities through connection and dialogue. Karissa shares her personal journey into the bridge-building space, what it’s like to lead a movement that spans ideological divides, and how listening—not debating—can be the first step toward ...
May 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 64
Exploring Media Consolidation, Distrust, and the Future of News Why are major newspapers stepping back from endorsing presidential candidates? What does that say about the Fourth Estate—and its ability to hold power accountable? In this episode of Outrage Overload , David Beckemeyer is joined by journalist and educator Michael Deas , former editor at The Chicago Tribune , to explore the challenges facing journalism today. From media consolidation and self-censorship to the erosion of public trus...
May 07, 2025•37 min
How Perceptions of Harm Drive Moral Outrage and Political Conflict In episode 61, we explored Outraged! with Kurt Gray, discussing the harm-based model of morality and how our perceptions of harm and victimization fuel moral outrage . But there’s so much more to uncover. In this episode, we take a deeper dive into the research behind these ideas with moral psychology researcher Sam Pratt. We examine the paper Morality in Our Mind and Across Cultures and Politics , unpacking how different moral p...
Apr 30, 2025•29 min•Ep. 63
How Systems Like Community Notes on Twitter/X Aim to Break the Cycle of Misinformation Are social media algorithms fueling misinformation and deepening echo chambers—or can they help bridge divides? In this episode, we talk with Paul Resnick , a pioneer in recommender systems and digital trust, about how platforms curate content, the truth behind filter bubbles, and whether fact-checking tools like Community Notes on Twitter (X) can cut through the noise. Can algorithms be redesigned to reduce o...
Apr 16, 2025•35 min•Ep. 62
Why Resistance Matters: Lessons from Postcards to Hitler How does authoritarianism take hold? What warning signs do we often miss? In this episode, we speak with Bruce Neuburger, author of Postcards to Hitler: A German Jew’s Defiance in a Time of Terror , about the rise of political extremism—then and now. Neuburger shares his grandfather’s incredible story of resistance under Nazi rule and explores the modern parallels we can’t afford to ignore. 🔹 How authoritarian regimes normalize oppression...
Apr 09, 2025•35 min
Why is outrage so powerful? And why does it feel so addictive? In this episode, Dr. Kurt Gray joins us to discuss his new book, Outraged! , which offers a groundbreaking look at the psychology of moral fury, social media outrage, and political division. If The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt set the stage for understanding moral differences, Outraged! is the next step—revealing how outrage operates as a social force in the digital age. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd ...
Apr 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 61
A Ritual for Intentional Living In this special bonus episode of Outrage Overload , I share a personal ritual that keeps me grounded and mindful of the ripples we create in our daily lives. Originally recorded for What’s Your Ripple? , this conversation explores the power of small, intentional actions and how they shape the world around us. I sit down with JJ Holley, a retired Air Force Major and founder of Ripple Retreat, an alcohol-free event space dedicated to fostering connection and giving ...
Mar 26, 2025•11 min
In this special PODCASTHON episode of Outrage Overload , we’re spotlighting Dev Mission , a nonprofit dedicated to training and mentoring underserved young adults for careers in tech. We sit down with Leonardo Sosa , founder and executive director of Dev Mission, to discuss how the organization is closing the digital divide , increasing diversity in tech , and helping young people from underrepresented backgrounds break into the industry. Leo shares how his passion for technology and workforce d...
Mar 19, 2025•31 min•Ep. 60
Why do younger generations feel so disconnected from the world their parents grew up in? Are millennials just complaining, or is there something deeper at play? In this special OK Boomer episode of Outrage Overload , host David Beckemeyer sits down with Valerie Beck , a holistic health practitioner and founder of Intrepid Wellness , to explore the complex dynamics between boomers and millennials. From shifting expectations to the weight of generational trauma, Valerie shares insights from her re...
Mar 12, 2025•14 min
How Media Shapes Reality James Shanahan, a leading expert on cultivation theory, joins David Beckemeyer to explore how television, news, and social media influence public perception, fear, and political polarization. They discuss the Mean World Syndrome, the rise of outrage media, and how algorithms amplify division. Tune in to learn how media effects shape our world—and what we can do about it. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Tha...
Mar 05, 2025•34 min•Ep. 59
Is the U.S. presidency becoming too powerful? Imagine a president ignoring court rulings, dismantling government agencies, and bypassing oversight. It’s not just a hypothetical—it’s happening now. In this episode, we explore the rise of executive overreach and its implications for democracy. 🔹 Guests: Professor Kevin Smith – Political scientist specializing in governance and federal agencies. James Goodwin – Legal expert in constitutional law and public policy. 🔍 Topics Covered: ✔️ The shift o...
Feb 26, 2025•59 min
How Correcting Misperceptions Can Heal Political Divides Ever wonder why political conversations feel more heated than ever? It might not be about the issues themselves but how we perceive the other side. In this episode of Outrage Overload , we explore the "perception gap"—the distorted views we hold about political opponents—and how correcting these misperceptions can reduce toxic polarization. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Th...
Feb 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 58
How Biology Challenges the Male-Female Binary In this documentary-style episode, Outrage Overload dives into the intricate and often misunderstood world of sex development, using the controversy surrounding female boxers at the Paris Olympics as a case study. We unpack the science, ethics, and personal stories behind Differences in Sex Development (DSDs), challenging the oversimplified narratives that dominate today’s polarizing debates. Join us as we explore: Why the biology of sex development ...
Feb 12, 2025•43 min
Why Physical Experiences Still Matter in a Digital World Vinyl records are outselling CDs. Instant-print cameras are finding their way back into people’s hands. Even paper notebooks remain a must-have for many. But why are we seeing this resurgence of analog technologies in an overwhelmingly digital world? In this episode, David Sax, award-winning journalist and author of The Revenge of Analog and The Future is Analog, joins us to uncover why these physical experiences hold such enduring appeal....
Feb 05, 2025•39 min•Ep. 57
We're joined by Jason Paul, an attorney, political strategist, and candidate for Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Jason brings his wealth of experience and bold ideas to the table, offering insights on the challenges facing the Democratic Party and his vision for revitalizing its structure and operations. Whether you’re a political enthusiast or someone eager to understand the dynamics of party leadership, this episode offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective. Highlight...
Jan 29, 2025•37 min
How Silicon Valley Elites Decide the Future Without Us Silicon Valley’s technological breakthroughs promise to change the world, but at what cost? In this episode, we sit down with philosopher and technology critic Dr. Émile P. Torres to examine the hidden price of innovation. From AI’s environmental footprint to the ethical failures in its development, we explore how a small, unelected group of tech elites wields enormous influence over our collective future. Dr. Torres unpacks the hype around ...
Jan 22, 2025•47 min•Ep. 56
Do I Know You? A Journey Through Neurodiversity and Inner Lives Journalist and author Sadie Dingfelder takes us on a journey through the hidden diversity of human perception. Diagnosed with aphantasia (the inability to create mental images) and face blindness, Sadie has learned firsthand how drastically inner worlds can differ from person to person. These differences impact how we connect with others, process emotions, and navigate relationships. As we explore Sadie’s personal experiences and he...
Jan 15, 2025•30 min
How to Survive the Age of Misinformation We are joined by Dr. David Helfand, an esteemed professor of astronomy at Columbia University and author of A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age . Dr. Helfand shares practical tools to help listeners sharpen their critical thinking skills, question the narratives they encounter, and distinguish between fact and fiction in today’s hyperconnected world. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). T...
Jan 08, 2025•36 min•Ep. 55
Guest host Ross "Yergz" Yerger flips the script and puts David and Lisa Beckemeyer—the voices behind the podcast—on the other side of the mic! 🎧 Listeners have asked to know more about the people behind the show, so here’s a fun, candid role-reversal episode just for you. Whether you’re driving on Christmas Day, unwinding after the festivities, or simply catching up later, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories and lighthearted moments. We’ll be back next episode with more expert...
Dec 25, 2024•41 min
Why Building Together Is the Key to Healing Divided Communities How can communities overcome disconnection, address anger, and rebuild trust in today’s polarized and often overwhelming world? In this episode of Outrage Overload , Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, discusses the roots of civic disconnection and how media-driven outrage and social media algorithms fuel division. Drawing from his groundbreaking report, Civic Virus: Why Polarization is a Misdiagnos...
Dec 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 54
How Understanding Can Combat Hate: Insights from “The Hate Next Door” In this episode of Outrage Overload, we delve into the unsettling reality of hate and extremism in America with Matt and Tawni Browning, authors of "The Hate Next Door: Undercover Within the New Face of White Supremacy." Matt, a former undercover detective, infiltrated white supremacist groups, offering a unique perspective on the evolving nature of hate and extremism. The conversation explores how hate is no longer confined t...
Dec 11, 2024•21 min
How Social Media Hostility Impacts Democracy Together with our guest, Ariel Hasell, a leading expert in media, communication, and political psychology, we unpack how the outrage fueled by hostile political posts spreads across social media platforms, driving polarization and shaping public discourse based on findings of the research paper "When Social Media Attack: How Exposure to Political Attacks on Social Media Promotes Anger and Political Cynicism." We discuss the role of engagement algorith...
Dec 04, 2024•31 min•Ep. 53
Are We Finally Sick of the Media Outrage Machine? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Selepak, media professor at the University of Florida, for an eye-opening conversation on the shifting landscape of media and its role in stoking public outrage. Selepak explains how the decline in trust toward traditional media stems from several factors, including the media’s shift toward engagement-driven content, the erosion of investigative journalism, the rise of filter bubbles, and an increasingly f...
Nov 20, 2024•27 min•Ep. 52
What Are Voters Really Saying? In this special post-election episode of Outrage Overload , we examine the surprising twists of the 2024 election. What were voters truly trying to tell us, and what drove their choices this year? Join us as we unpack the results with fresh insights from top experts, including political scientists and a computational anthropologist, who reveal what the electorate may really be saying about the direction of the country. From inflation to immigration, economic pain t...
Nov 14, 2024•29 min
