How Braver Angels is Lowering the Temperature in Political Conversations In this episode, David interviews Luke Nathan Phillips, the Publius Fellow for Public Discourse at Braver Angels. They discuss the mission of Braver Angels and how the organization is working to bridge the political and cultural divide in America. Luke shares the origins of Braver Angels and how it has grown into a national organization dedicated to helping Americans find value in each other without necessarily agreeing on ...
Mar 13, 2024•23 min•Ep. 34
Success Stories: Why You Need the Dignity Index in Your Toolbox Tami Pyfer, Chief of Staff and Project Director for UNITE, returns to discuss the progress of the Dignity Index, a scale that rates speech for dignity or contempt. The goal is to encourage healthy debate and problem-solving by treating others with dignity. The index is being used to score political speech, with the hope of holding us accountable for our language. The focus is on finding higher ground and creative solutions. Listen i...
Mar 06, 2024•30 min
Why even those who value democracy might contribute to its decline Americans across the political spectrum express concerns about the health of democracy. In this episode of the Outrage Overload Podcast, host David Beckmeyer delves into the paradox of democratic erosion with researcher Alia Braley. They discuss the perception that political opponents are ready to subvert democratic norms and how this perception fuels democratic backsliding. The episode explores the potential for reversing negati...
Feb 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 33
How a Fun Game Reduces Political Polarization Discover how a fun online game called GuesSync! is reducing political polarization and fostering empathy across party lines. In this episode, host David Beckmeyer interviews Ashwin Rajadesingan, the creator of GuesSync!, about the surprising results of the game and its potential to lower the temperature in our politically divided society. Find out how the game corrects misperceptions and encourages civil discourse, and learn about the future of this ...
Feb 21, 2024•24 min
How Real-Life Communities Are Tackling Tough Topics in Education In this episode, we meet Ken Futernick, the host of the podcast "Courageous Conversations About Our Schools." We discuss the importance of dialogue over debate in addressing the culture wars and divisive issues in education. Ken shares his concerns about claims of indoctrination in schools and the banning of books. He emphasizes the need for healthy conflict and listening to different perspectives to find common ground. The convers...
Feb 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 32
Is This Podcast Part of the Problem or the Solution? In this thought-provoking episode, host David Beckemeyer takes a deep dive into the Outrage Overload podcast, offering a self-reflective analysis of our approach to navigating the intricate landscape of American democracy. The episode serves as a meta-analysis, scrutinizing our treatment of topics such as polarization, potential pitfalls of false equivalences, potential limitations of civil dialogue, and threats to democracy arising from a rad...
Feb 07, 2024•24 min
How to be the adult in the room, no matter your age. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Kevin Smith, a political science professor, about the challenges of political division and the erosion of democratic norms. Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of gracefully accepting defeat in a democracy and the responsibility of individuals to promote civility and critical thinking. He discusses the role of media consumption, education, and individual agency in combating polarization and rebuilding a health...
Jan 31, 2024•31 min•Ep. 31
Selling Fury: How Television Turned Outrage into a Commodity In this episode, we heard from Professor Robert Thompson about the history of television and its impact on our society. They discuss the evolution of news media, from the golden age of TV to the rise of trash TV and reality shows. They also explore the current state of news commentary and the role it plays in fueling outrage and division. Professor Thompson provides insights into the incentives that drive media companies and the challe...
Jan 17, 2024•45 min•Ep. 30
How distorted memories of the Civil Rights Movement fuel today's divisions In this bonus episode for MLK Day, host David Beckmeyer interviews Hajar Yazdiha, an assistant professor of sociology and author of "The Struggle for the People's King." They discuss the hidden narratives and complexities of the civil rights movement, the misperceptions surrounding Martin Luther King Jr., and how the memory of the movement has been distorted to fuel outrage and political agendas. They also explore the rol...
Jan 15, 2024•24 min
How Outrage Addiction Hijacked Our Conversations Peter Coleman discusses the current state of political polarization in America and offers practical strategies for bridging divides and fostering understanding. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the "exhausted middle majority," the majority of Americans who are tired of the vitriol and division in politics. Coleman explains that the perception gap, where each side believes the other is more extreme than they actually are, contributes to ...
Jan 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 29
How social media gives us what captures our attention rather than what we actually want In this episode we talk to Dr. Steven Rathje, building on research from prior episodes, we look at how out-group animosity drives engagement on social media. Dr. Steven Rathje discussing research that found that social media creates incentives for out-group animosity, which can be a factor in increasing polarization. It is also harmful for mental health and society. In this episode, we talk about the increasi...
Dec 27, 2023•51 min
In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we hear from Matt Levendusky, a professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, about political polarization and bridge building. Levendusky discusses the challenges of political polarization and the toll it takes on our mental and emotional health. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on our shared values and identities to build bridges and find common ground. Levendusky also addresses the role of media in exacerbating polar...
Dec 13, 2023•32 min•Ep. 28
In this one-year anniversary episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we reflect on the past year of diving deep into the outrage machine and searching for ways to lower the temperature. We’re thrilled to welcome back Dr. Peter Ditto, our very first guest, as we reexamine the ongoing challenges of political polarization and the erosion of trust in democracy. One year ago, Professor Ditto warned us about the deepening divide in American politics, the erosion of trust in our institutions, and the ...
Dec 06, 2023•45 min
Late-Night Comedy, Far-Right Talk Shows, and Why You Might Be Wrong In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, host David Beckmeyer interviews Dannagal G. Young, a communication expert who studies how the media influences our political beliefs. They discuss the similarities between late night comedy shows and far right talk shows, the impact of these shows on viewers, and the shared characteristics of their audiences. They also explore the demand side of wrongness and how our need for comp...
Nov 29, 2023•37 min•Ep. 27
How to Overcome Challenges in Challenging the Status Quo Dr. Lawrence Eppard discusses the challenges of ideological conformity in academia and the impact it has on research and knowledge dissemination. He shares personal experiences of facing backlash and reputational harm for challenging orthodoxies in his field. Dr. Eppard emphasizes the need for intellectual diversity and transparency in academia to ensure the quality and objectivity of research. Key Takeaways: Intellectual diversity in acad...
Nov 22, 2023•29 min
Outrage 26 – The Science of Changing Minds David McRaney discusses the concept of changing minds and the challenges of political polarization. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why we want to change someone else's mind and explores the motivations behind our own beliefs. McRaney explains that changing minds requires more than just presenting facts and information. It involves engaging in meaningful conversations, exploring different perspectives, and understanding the underlying moti...
Nov 15, 2023•40 min•Ep. 26
How Crowdsourcing Identified Effective Strategies to Reduce Political Polarization Jan Voelkel discusses the Strengthening Democracy Challenge, a joint project between academics and practitioners aimed at reducing anti-democratic attitudes, support for political violence, and partisan animosity among Americans. The challenge involved testing 25 different interventions to determine their effectiveness in shifting people's attitudes. The results showed that many of the interventions were successfu...
Nov 01, 2023•27 min•Ep. 25
The podcast has been running for over six months and has covered a range of topics related to political sectarianism and the outrage industry. The host and creator, David Beckemeyer, discusses with co-director and co-editor, Austin Chen, key episodes, including interviews with experts like Peter Ditto, Jeffrey Berry, and Stephen Rathje. They explore the role of moral superiority in political divide, the influence of social media on outrage, and the incentive structure that drives the outrage ind...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 3 min
How Recognizing Fear and Pain Can Heal Our Divided Society In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, host David Beckemeyer interviews psychotherapist and author Phyllis Levitt. We discuss her new book, “America in Therapy” in which she describes the anger and division in American society, the importance of listening and understanding different perspectives, and the need for mental health education and awareness. Leavitt emphasizes the role of therapy in promoting healthy relationships and...
Oct 18, 2023•27 min•Ep. 24
What Baker's Ideas on Media Can Teach Us About Democracy Sanjay Jolly discusses the work of C. Edwin Baker, a leading scholar of constitutional law, communications law, and free speech. Baker argued that the First Amendment should protect the public's right to receive information from diverse sources. Jolly explains how media decisions are made, how technology fuels outrage, and the importance of understanding the forces that shape the narratives that impact us. Key Takeaways: The First Amendmen...
Oct 04, 2023•41 min•Ep. 23
How Chronic Conditions Drive Desperation: The High Cost of Naturopathic Care We look at the world of alternative medicine, exploring the clash between naturopathy and evidence-based medicine with former naturopathic doctor Britt Marie Hermes and board-certified physician Dr. Michael Lenz. They offer unique perspectives on the allure of alternative treatments, particularly for those battling chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. We dissect the dangers of misinformation and the role of patient adv...
Sep 27, 2023•40 min
Episode 22 – How the Dignity Index Offers Hope for More Productive Political Discourse Tami Pyfer discusses the Dignity Index, a scale that measures the level of contempt or dignity in public speech. She explains that the index is a problem-solving tool that helps individuals recognize and address contemptuous language. Tami emphasizes the importance of treating others with dignity and engaging in healthy, dignified conversations to bridge the political divide. She shares insights from a pilot p...
Sep 20, 2023•37 min•Ep. 22
How QAnon Impacts Lives: Exploring The Conspiracy's Reach into Homes. Courtney Heard discusses her personal experience with QAnon and how it led her to start the Q-Dropped Podcast. She highlights the emotional toll that QAnon can have on relationships and emphasizes the importance of understanding the human side of the phenomenon. Courtney also explores the role of conspiracy theories in today's society and the challenges of trying to change someone's mind when they are deeply entrenched in thei...
Sep 06, 2023•48 min•Ep. 21
BONUS - Why a Free Press Matters: Yevgeny Simkin's Mission with Samizdat Online David sits down with Yevgeny Simkin, the visionary founder of Samizdat Online, an anti-censorship platform reshaping the dynamics of information flow in autocratic regimes. Join us as we explore the dire need for uncensored news and the role of technology in breaking down barriers. Yevgeny delves into the importance of a free press, the challenges of battling propaganda, and the mission that drives him to empower ind...
Aug 23, 2023•29 min
Episode 20 – How to Break Free from Social Media’s Outrage Cycle – Yevgeny Simkin Yevgeny Simkin discusses the damaging effects of social media and the need for structural changes in the media landscape. He argues that while social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can be harmful, there are other social media platforms like Stack Overflow and LinkedIn that are beneficial because they incentivize positive behavior and focus on reputation. Simkin suggests that social media platforms can be...
Aug 23, 2023•43 min•Ep. 20
Outrage 19 – What do scams and outrage porn have in common? – Christopher Chabris In this episode, David interviews Chris Chabris about his book "Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What to Do About It." They discuss the cognitive habits that make us susceptible to scams and outrage, and how to avoid falling for misinformation and manipulation. They explore the concept of focus and what's missing, the limitations of memory, the power of precision and repetition, and the truth bias that influe...
Aug 09, 2023•40 min•Ep. 19
Sorry Guys, We Stormed the Capitol – Ben Hamilton Ben Hamilton is the author of "Sorry Guys, We Stormed the Capitol: Eyewitness Accounts of January 6th." He is the founder of the Chasing History Project, which aims to document controversial events and provide firsthand accounts. Hamilton has a background in history and has conducted extensive interviews with individuals who witnessed the events of January 6th. Summary: Ben Hamilton discusses his book and the events of January 6th, providing firs...
Aug 02, 2023•45 min
Dave Troy discusses the importance of addressing the underlying cultural factors that perpetuate disinformation and polarization in society. He emphasizes the need to go beyond surface-level analysis and focus on building social connections and trust between people of different backgrounds. Dave suggests that the current political climate in the United States is unsustainable and calls for a reinvention of culture to support a functional democracy. He also highlights the destructive power of dis...
Jul 26, 2023•29 min•Ep. 18
In this episode, we are joined by esteemed guest Jon Marshall, a renowned historian, who provides invaluable insight into the historical significance of this indictment. Together, we examine the profound implications for our democracy and the delicate balance between national security and accountability. However, the story takes an unexpected turn as the indictment becomes highly politicized. We explore the divisive debates and contrasting viewpoints that have emerged, with some perceiving it as...
Jul 19, 2023•48 min
Tobias Rose-Stockwell is our guest for this episode. His brand new book is OUTRAGE MACHINE How Tech Amplifies Discontent and Disrupts Democracy—And What We Can Do About It Together, we’ll examine the historical context of societal stability and the shifts that have led us to this current climate of anger and polarization. We’ll explore the role of media, including social media platforms, in fueling outrage and examine the consequences it has on our mental health and social fabric. If you’ve ever...
Jul 12, 2023•57 min•Ep. 17
