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
106 episodes
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
55. Surviving the Age of Misinformation - David Helfand
How to Survive the Age of MisinformationWe are joined by Dr. David Helfand, an esteemed professor of astronomy at Columbia University and author of A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age. Dr. Helfand share...
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Episode 55
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35:53
BONUS - Special: The Hosts in the Hot Seat!
Guest host Ross "Yergz" Yerger flips the script and puts David and Lisa Beckemeyer—the voices behind the podcast—on the other side of the mic! 🎧Listeners have asked to know more about the people behind the show, so here’s a fun, candid ...
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41:24
54. Civic Renewal: Fighting Polarization with Local Solutions That Work - Rich Harwood
Why Building Together Is the Key to Healing Divided CommunitiesHow can communities overcome disconnection, address anger, and rebuild trust in today’s polarized and often overwhelming world? In this episode of Outrage Overload<...
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Episode 54
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34:32
BONUS - The Hate Next Door: Unmasking the New Face of White Supremacy - Matt and Tawni Browning
How Understanding Can Combat Hate: Insights from “The Hate Next Door”In this episode of Outrage Overload, we delve into the unsettling reality of hate and extremism in America with Matt and Tawni Browning, authors of "The Hate Next...
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21:21
53. The Impact of Political Attacks on Social Media - Ariel Hasell
How Social Media Hostility Impacts DemocracyTogether with our guest, Ariel Hasell, a leading expert in media, communication, and political psychology, we unpack how the outrage fueled by hostile political posts spreads across s...
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Episode 53
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31:08
52. Nobody wants to be an idiot - Andrew Selepak
Are We Finally Sick of the Media Outrage Machine?In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Selepak, media professor at the University of Florida, for an eye-opening conversation on the shifting landscape of media and its role i...
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Episode 52
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26:52
BONUS - Post-Election 2024 Special: What Are Voters Really Saying?
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? J...
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28:35
51. The complex interplay between burnout, outrage, and societal challenges - Gary Simonds
How Neuroscience Can Help Us Fight Burnout in an Age of Outrage and DivisionA compelling conversation with Dr. Gary Simonds, a neurosurgeon and burnout expert, to unpack the emotional toll of our outrage-saturated media environment...
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Episode 51
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36:44
BONUS - Tech Bro Apocalypse Dreams - David Troy
How Tech Bros Like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel want to Shape Our FutureIn this special episode, we're tackling the intriguing—and often troubling—world of "techno-libertarianism." We sit down with tech entrepreneur and researcher Dav...
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21:20
50. I got to the point where I just didn't even want to consume the news anymore - Julie Rose
Why Embracing Complexity and Nuance is Critical for Personal Growth and Informed Decision-MakingWe sit down with Julie Rose, host of the Top of Mind podcast, to explore her journey from feeling overwhelmed by the negativit...
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Episode 50
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29:04
BONUS - You can't influence someone you are not connected to - 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...
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30:42
