Outrage Overload: Rethinking politics, division, and media

If politics and media leave you feeling angry, overwhelmed, or exhausted, Outrage Overload is for you.

In about 30 minutes every few weeks, we explore how outrage spreads, how hyper-partisanship distorts perception, and how media and technology amplify emotional extremes.

Through conversations with leading scientists, researchers, and authors, we unpack the psychology, incentives, and systems shaping today’s political climate — and offer practical tools to think clearly, stay grounded, and respond constructively.

Outrage Overload helps listeners with critical questions about outrage culture, political polarization, misinformation, and media manipulation—offering science-based insight, expert interviews, and practical tools to stay grounded in a divided world.

If you’ve ever asked yourself…

• How can I stay politically informed without feeling outraged or exhausted all the time?

• Why is political polarization getting worse, and what can we do about it?

• What exactly is outrage culture, and how does it manipulate us?

• How do I talk about politics without it turning into a fight?

• Am I being misled by the media? How can I tell?

• What’s the psychological toll of living in an outrage-driven media environment?

• How can I build critical thinking skills to make sense of today’s news?

• What role does social media play in fueling outrage and misinformation?

• Is it possible to care about politics without losing your mind?

• What practical tools or insights can help me deal with toxic politics and media?

…then this is the politics show you didn’t know you needed.

Most media is designed to hijack your biology. They have the tactics, but they lack a worldview that respects your intelligence. Outrage Overload uses the tools of modern technology not to capture your attention, but to return it to you. We aren't here to 'fix the algorithm'; we're here to help you outgrow it.

Join host David Beckemeyer—science communicator and founding CTO of EarthLink—as he explores the mechanics of outrage, speaks with experts in psychology, media, and political science, and equips listeners with strategies for navigating today’s high-conflict culture with emotional resilience, critical thinking, and civil discourse.

Podcasting since 2022 • 165 episodes

Outrage Overload: Rethinking politics, division, and media

Latest Episodes

97. Is Academic Research Compromising Its Own Standards – Ashley Rubin

Are political considerations, ideological conformity, and fear of backlash compromising scholarly standards in higher education? When public trust in knowledge-producing institutions breaks down, arriving at a shared baseline of fac...

September 23, 2026 • Episode 97 • 33:15

Spotlight Series: Decoding Democratic Socialism vs. Social Democracy

Are you confused by the constant mix-up of political terms in modern headlines? Is Sweden socialist? What does the DSA actually want? Are Social Democrats and Democratic Socialists the same thing?In this episode, we break down the major ...

September 16, 2026 • 31:23

96. Navigating Uncertainty: The Philosophy of Orientation - Douglas Giles

When the world feels overwhelmingly complex, outrage becomes an easy shortcut. It offers an instant—if temporary—feeling of certainty, control, and moral superiority. But what if our explosive reactions to political and social differences aren'...

September 09, 2026 • Episode 96 • 37:01

BONUS - How to Persuade People Who Disagree With You (Hint: It’s Not Facts) - Karin Tamerius

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 Smar...

September 02, 2026 • 30:42

95. The Legal Glitch That Engineered Our Political Rage – Larry Lessig

Why Overturning Citizens United Isn't the Only Way to Stop Super PACsHost David Beckemeyer speaks with Larry Lessig, the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. Together, they unpack the hidden ...

August 26, 2026 • Episode 95 • 48:12