Outrage Overload: Staying grounded through science and balanced perspectives
If you're angry, frustrated, or scared about the state of politics and media and looking for thoughtful, balanced discussions, this podcast is for you. About 30 minutes every few weeks. It will change your life.
Outrage Overload explores the extreme polarization and political bias dominating politics and media today. We dive into the anger and outrage that drive divisions between people, distort the news, and fuel political violence. Each episode features leading scientists, researchers, authors, and community leaders tackling topics like outrage fatigue, toxic polarization, extremism, healthy conflict, disinformation, social media's role in outrage, and the influence of technology and artificial intelligence.
Join us to rediscover humanity in your rivals, improve your mental health, and find practical strategies to feel less stressed and more in control in a world fueled by outrage.
Episodes
115 episodes
67. Can AI Help Us Talk About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict? – Adam Boaz Becker
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 ...
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Episode 67
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36:42
BONUS - Are We Witnessing a Democracy in Crisis? - Lucan Way
Exploring Democratic Erosion and the Rise of Authoritarian TacticsIs the U.S. Sliding Toward Competitive Authoritarianism? Political scientist Lucan Way joins us to discuss signs of democratic erosion, competitive authoritarianism, and t...
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30:53
66. What It Really Takes to Fix the Division in America – Rich Harwood
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 rebu...
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Episode 66
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29:47
BONUS - The Crunchy to Radical Pipeline
How Wellness Content Fuels ConspiraciesWhat 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, ...
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52:31
65. Grief, Fatigue, and the Aftermath of COVID - Zeest Khan
How a Doctor’s Long COVID Journey Exposed Systemic FailuresMillions are still living with long COVID, yet many patients are dismissed, misunderstood, or left without answers. In this episode, Dr. Zeest Khan shares her person...
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Episode 65
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37:00
BONUS - Crisis in National Service Undermines Civic Engagement – Maureen Eccleston
How AmeriCorps Cuts Threaten Our Civic FutureTens 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, an...
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30:40
64. Our Democracy Is Fraying—Here’s How We Start Repairing It - Karissa Raskin
Why 500 Organizations Joined Forces to Bridge America’s Deepest DividesWe 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 to...
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Episode 64
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37:58
BONUS - Crisis in Journalism with Michael Deas
Exploring Media Consolidation, Distrust, and the Future of NewsWhy are major newspapers stepping back from endorsing presidential candidates? What does that say about the Fourth Estate—and its ability to hold power accountab...
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37:18
63. Moral Psychology and the Harm-Based Roots of Political Polarization - Sam Pratt
How Perceptions of Harm Drive Moral Outrage and Political ConflictIn episode 61, we explored Outraged! with Kurt Gray, discussing the harm-based model of morality and how our perceptions of harm and victimization fuel ...
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Episode 63
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29:14
62. Reducing Online Outrage: What Role Can Community-Driven Algorithms Play - Paul Resnick
How Systems Like Community Notes on Twitter/X Aim to Break the Cycle of MisinformationAre social media algorithms fueling misinformation and deepening echo chambers—or can they help bridge divides? In this episode, we talk with...
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Episode 62
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35:04
BONUS - How Authoritarianism Creeps In: Lessons from Postcards to Hitler - Bruce Neuburger
Why Resistance Matters: Lessons from Postcards to HitlerHow 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 Je...
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34:42
61. Outraged! The New Science of Moral Outrage - Kurt Gray
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 po...
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Episode 61
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38:20
BONUS - From Outrage to Reflection
A Ritual for Intentional LivingIn 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 ...
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11:18
60. PODCASTHON: Bridging the Tech Divide with Dev Mission - Leonardo Sosa
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 Sos...
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Episode 60
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31:24
Okay Boomer - Mental Health - Valerie Beck
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...
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13:56
59. Outrage, Fear, and Perception: Understanding Cultivation Theory - James Shanahan
How Media Shapes RealityJames 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 dis...
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Episode 59
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33:34
BONUS - The Imperial Presidency? Executive Overreach and the Constitution
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 ri...
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59:03
58. The Truth Behind Political Division: Are We Really That Different? - James Coan
How Correcting Misperceptions Can Heal Political DividesEver 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 epi...
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Episode 58
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26:36
BONUS - Fairness, Biology, and Outrage: The Complexity of Sex Development
How Biology Challenges the Male-Female BinaryIn this documentary-style episode, Outrage Overload dives into the intricate and often misunderstood world of sex development, using the controversy surrounding female boxers at...
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42:42
57. The Surprising Revival of Vinyl Records, Instant Cameras, and Analog Joys - David Sax
Why Physical Experiences Still Matter in a Digital WorldVinyl 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...
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Episode 57
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38:31
BONUS - Behind the Curtain: A Conversation with DNC Chair Candidate Jason Paul
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...
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36:58
56. The Cost of Innovation: Who Pays for Silicon Valley’s Bold Experiments? - Émile P. Torres
How Silicon Valley Elites Decide the Future Without UsSilicon 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. Torr...
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Episode 56
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46:53
BONUS - Aphantasia, Face Blindness, and the Diversity of Inner Worlds - Sadie Dingfelder
Do I Know You? A Journey Through Neurodiversity and Inner LivesJournalist and author Sadie Dingfelder takes us on a journey through the hidden diversity of human perception. Diagnosed with aphantasia (the inability to create mental...
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29:31
