How Neuroscience Can Help Us Fight Burnout in an Age of Outrage and Division A compelling conversation with Dr. Gary Simonds, a neurosurgeon and burnout expert, to unpack the emotional toll of our outrage-saturated media environment. We explore how the relentless cycle of negative news, social media hype, and political bias can lead to burnout, emotional exhaustion, and even outrage fatigue. Dr. Simonds provides a unique perspective on how these stressors impact our mental health, drawing connec...
Nov 06, 2024•37 min•Ep. 51
How Tech Bros Like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel want to Shape Our Future In this special episode, we're tackling the intriguing—and often troubling—world of "techno-libertarianism." We sit down with tech entrepreneur and researcher David Troy to unpack this movement’s bold vision of a future free from government control and centralized institutions, driven entirely by technology. What You'll Hear: Big Ideas and Bold Players: Discover the ideas of influential figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, ...
Oct 30, 2024•21 min
Why Embracing Complexity and Nuance is Critical for Personal Growth and Informed Decision-Making We sit down with Julie Rose, host of the Top of Mind podcast, to explore her journey from feeling overwhelmed by the negativity in the news to fostering thoughtful, nuanced conversations. Julie shares how she broke free from the media’s tendency to oversimplify and polarize issues, focusing instead on curiosity and complexity. Tune in to hear Julie’s practical strategies for staying informed without ...
Oct 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 50
How to Have Better Political Conversations (Even with Your Most Difficult Relatives) In this episode of Outrage Overload , host David Beckemeyer sits down with Dr. Karin Tamerius, a political psychiatrist and founder of Smart Politics, a nonprofit that helps progressives communicate persuasively while maintaining respect for differing viewpoints. They discuss how political polarization affects both sides of the spectrum, with a focus on how it may impact progressives more deeply. Dr. Tamerius sh...
Oct 16, 2024•31 min
Why We Need Courage, Not Hope, to Face Climate Change In this episode, I dive into new territory, exploring the environmental crisis with Dr. Roger Gottlieb, renowned author of The Sacrifice Zone . Dr. Gottlieb offers a striking perspective on the looming threat of environmental devastation, arguing that our greatest enemy is not just the crisis itself but the avoidance and denial surrounding it. He makes a compelling analogy between humanity’s dependence on fossil fuels and addiction, highlight...
Oct 09, 2024•27 min•Ep. 49
Can Humor Save Election Day? In this episode of Outrage Overload , host David Beckemeyer interviews Jonathan Bernstein, a writer and satirist, about his new visual storytelling project that aims to increase voter turnout through political satire. Bernstein shares how humor can cut through the noise of outrage-driven media and foster civic participation by highlighting shared values and commonalities. He discusses the potential for humor to encourage self-reflection, reduce partisan divisions, an...
Oct 02, 2024•37 min
How Twitter Impacts Our Well-being We explore the intricate relationship between Twitter and society with Victoria Oldemburgo de Mello, a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Toronto. Victoria's research sheds light on the psychological effects of Twitter use, exploring how the platform shapes well-being, mental health, and social connections in a polarized digital landscape. Our conversation unpacks the ways in which social media can amplify feelings of belonging or deepen divides, depe...
Sep 25, 2024•30 min•Ep. 48
How AI Can Help Address Toxic Polarization In this bonus episode of Outrage Overload , we dive into the intriguing potential of artificial intelligence to reduce political polarization in online spaces. Our guest, Steve McIntosh—developmental philosopher, author, and co-founder of the Developmental Politics Project—joins us to discuss his work on DepolarizingGPT , a custom AI chatbot designed to provide balanced perspectives on divisive political issues. "The news is filled with reports of how s...
Sep 18, 2024•28 min
How to Combat the Misinformation Crisis In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Spitali, author of How to Win the War on Truth , to unravel the complexities of misinformation and its impact on society. Samuel offers a deep dive into the history of media polarization, examining key moments like the removal of the Fairness Doctrine and the rise of partisan news outlets. We also explore the psychological factors that make conspiracy theories so enticing, even to those who pride themselves on criti...
Sep 11, 2024•25 min•Ep. 47
How Platforms Like OtherWeb and 1440 Are Changing News Consumption In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of news consumption with Alex Fink, CEO of OtherWeb, and Drew Steggerwald, co-founder of 1440 News. We explore how their platforms are reshaping the way we engage with information, focusing on curating a balanced and healthy media diet. They discuss the challenges of navigating sensationalist content and media fallacies, offering practical solutions to help news consumers stay ...
Sep 04, 2024•25 min
After Trump: Understanding the Continuing Influence of Trumpism We explore the enduring influence of Donald Trump on American politics and media. Despite the controversies and outrage that defined his presidency, Trumpism continues to dominate voter sentiment, political discourse, and media narratives, often amplifying divisions and fueling heated debates about political bias, emotional connections, and the state of democracy. Our special guest, Robert Gutsche, a cultural studies scholar, journa...
Aug 28, 2024•34 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, the conversation revolves around Project 2025, conservative policy proposals, and the potential implications on the administrative state. The discussion examines the nuances of Trump's agenda, the challenges of implementing certain policy changes, and the role of constitutional norms in safeguarding democracy. Dr. Evans offers a balanced perspective on the various aspects of Project 2025 and sheds light on the potential checks and balances that could influence its execution. Tex...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 2 min
How Understanding Intractable Conflicts Can Improve Our Society In this powerful episode of the Outrage Overload Podcast, we dive deep into the roots of our societal conflicts and explore ways to bridge the seemingly intractable divides that are tearing us apart. Our guest, Dr. Guy Burgess, a pioneering figure in conflict resolution, shares his insights on how to foster constructive dialogue and build a more cohesive society. Tune in to hear Dr. Burgess's expert insights and find out how you can...
Aug 14, 2024•28 min•Ep. 45
Why We Need Conservative Perspectives to Combat Polarization In this episode we address concerns about the podcast’s perceived political bias by featuring conservative researcher and author Michael Anderson. Anderson, known for his work on tribalism, offers a conservative perspective on issues like toxic polarization and the impact of social media on public discourse. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show ...
Aug 07, 2024•24 min
How to Build Mental Immunity Against Misinformation and Conspiracies We sit down with science educator Melanie Trecek-King to explore how critical thinking can help us navigate an age dominated by misinformation, outrage fatigue, and polarized media. Together, we uncover strategies for building mental immunity and strengthening cognitive resilience against the emotional manipulation of engagement-driven algorithms on social media. Listeners will learn how to evaluate evidence, recognize the sign...
Jul 31, 2024•38 min•Ep. 44
When “Listen to the Other Side” Isn’t Enough (Emergency Panel) Feeling like "listen to the other side" just isn't cutting it anymore? You're not alone. In this special bonus episode of Outrage Overload, we address your frustration head-on with an "emergency panel" discussion. Communication experts Phyllis Leavitt and Lisa Swallow join us to explore why traditional methods of civil discourse might feel ineffective in today's climate. We'll explore the impact of constant outrage on our ability to ...
Jul 24, 2024•40 min
How Our Brains Are Wired for Political Division We look into the phenomenon of ideological inferences with guest Carsten Sander. The discussion revolves around how individuals instinctively categorize others based on their behavior, hindering civil discourse and perpetuating polarization. Sander's research reveals the complexities of these inferences and offers insights into breaking free from snap judgments to foster understanding and compromise. Sander's study explores the spontaneous nature o...
Jul 17, 2024•27 min•Ep. 43
Why Crossing Party Lines is Essential for a Healthy Democracy In this bonus episode of Outrage Overload, we examine the challenges of political conversations and how to lower the temperature. Featuring Lisa Swallow, founder of Crossing Party Lines, the episode explores the importance of understanding and respectful dialogue across political divides. Lisa shares her journey of starting the nonprofit in 2016 and offers insights into the skills needed for productive conversations. The discussion co...
Jul 10, 2024•31 min
The Trolls Among Us: Understanding and Mitigating Online Toxicity Fed up with the negativity that plagues online political discussions? This episode challenges the conventional wisdom that political topics themselves are the root of the problem. Join us as we delve into a groundbreaking new study that suggests the issue might lie with the people who engage in these conversations, not the topics themselves. Key Takeaways: The Surprising Truth: Discover how the study challenges the idea that polit...
Jul 03, 2024•22 min•Ep. 42
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Okay Boomer series! In this episode, we shift the mic to the younger generation for a conversation about a critical issue: housing. Skyrocketing rents and the seemingly impossible dream of homeownership are leaving many young adults feeling frustrated and hopeless. Our guests, Cameron Lee Cowan (writer) and Jake Didinsky (DJ/Producer with a political science background), offer their perspectives on the housing crisis. Join the Conversation! We want to hear...
Jun 26, 2024•23 min
How Certainty Fuels Outrage and Division In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we delight in a thought-provoking conversation with Ilana Redstone, a leading expert on the psychology of certainty. Redstone introduces the concept of the "certainty trap" and explores how absolute certainty can hinder intellectual growth and impede healthy democratic discourse. The discussion delves into the importance of questioning assumptions, embracing ambiguity, and recognizing the complexities of mo...
Jun 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 41
How Negativity Bias Fuels Toxic Politics In this episode of Outrage Overload, we explore the concept of negativity bias and its role in toxic polarization. We are joined by Travis Monteleone, a private equity investor and depolarization advocate. Monteleone argues that negativity bias is a major factor contributing to toxic polarization because it causes individuals to overemphasize negative information and stereotypes about other people and political issues. The discussion delves into the root ...
Jun 12, 2024•32 min
How to Combat Youth Radicalization Using Learning Psychology In this episode, we explore the rise of youth radicalization and the potential for online platforms to play a role in the radicalization process with Jack Wippell, an expert in extremism and radicalization. Jack shares insights into the factors that make individuals susceptible to radical ideologies and the impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) in preventing young people from falling prey to dangerous online influences. We disc...
Jun 05, 2024•37 min•Ep. 40
I sit down with Lawrence Eppard to explore the complex landscape of media trust in America. How do we grapple with the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and news literacy in an increasingly polarized media landscape? From dissecting the roots of media distrust to exploring strategies for staying informed without succumbing to outrage overload, this conversation offers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of modern media consumption. Tune in as we seek to uncover pathway...
May 22, 2024•42 min•Ep. 39
In this special documentary-style episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we look at the world of electoral politics and the challenges of close elections. Drawing inspiration from the movie "Swing Vote" and real-life insights from history, political science, and contemporary discourse, we explore the trend of close elections and the implications of razor-thin margins. We discuss the importance of understanding how democracy works, the role of swing voters, and the impact of affective political...
May 15, 2024•48 min
How to Rise Above Nasty Politics In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, host David Beckmeyer interviews Thomas Zeitzoff, a professor specializing in political violence and political psychology. The episode explores the concept of "nasty politics" and its impact on political discourse and democracy. Zeitzoff discusses the different forms of negativity in politics, from insults and conspiracy theories to threats of violence and actual violence. He explains that while voters may claim to ...
May 08, 2024•30 min•Ep. 38
Discover how seemingly neutral topics can become politicized in this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast. Host David Beckemeyer is joined by researcher Dino Carpentras to explore the dynamics of polarization and dialogue. They discuss how even simple topics like circles and pencils can become battlegrounds for political ideologies, and the implications this has for our society. Learn how polarization can occur in new topics and how neutral attitudes can become polarized. Gain insights into t...
May 01, 2024•30 min
How Broken Trust is Poisoning American Democracy In this episode, host David Beckmeyer interviews Andreas Schedler about his research on political polarization in the United States. Schedler challenges the traditional understanding of polarization as a simple left-right divide and argues that the breakdown of trust is a fundamental factor driving hostility between political factions. He explains that people increasingly believe the other side is willing to break the rules of democracy to win, le...
Apr 24, 2024•31 min•Ep. 37
Why We Resist Facts & How to Fight Back! In this episode, we explore the concept of knowledge resistance with Dr. Åsa Wikforss. We discuss the complex factors that contribute to knowledge resistance, including confirmation bias and motivated reasoning. The conversation highlights the importance of trust in reliable sources of knowledge and the need for a well-functioning information landscape. Dr. Wikforss emphasizes the social dimension of knowledge and the role of institutions in fostering...
Apr 10, 2024•38 min•Ep. 36
Why we need to abandon the Left-Right political spectrum paradigm We examing the divisive nature of the left-versus-right political framework with our guest, Hyrum Lewis. Together, we explore how this polarized paradigm fuels tribalism, exacerbates political violence, and distorts meaningful discourse. Lewis argues that the traditional political spectrum simplifies complex issues into extremes, encouraging conformity and amplifying outrage rather than fostering understanding. We unpack the role ...
Mar 27, 2024•29 min•Ep. 35
