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 polarization 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.
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.
Outrage Overload: Rethinking politics, division, and media
BONUS - Post-Election 2024 Special: What Are Voters Really Saying?
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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 to cultural divides—this episode goes beyond headlines and sound bites to explore the messages behind the votes. Why were some major concerns like democracy and rule of law met with mixed reactions? And what does the shifting support among working-class and minority groups signal for the future of our political landscape?
Whether you’re hopeful, frustrated, or just curious about this election's impact, this episode offers a nuanced look at where we’re headed. Perfect for anyone looking to cut through the noise and understand what’s truly at stake. Listen now for a deep dive into the most important takeaways of the 2024 election.
🎙️ Featuring guests: Dr. Sean Evans, Dr. Kevin Smith, and Dr. Andrew Van Horn
Show Notes:
https://outrageoverload.net/
Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com
HOTLINE: 925-552-7885
Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode
If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it.
Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload
Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites.
Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.
Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.
Outrage Overload, a Conners Institute podcast, ...
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