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Outrage Overload: Finding calm through science and balanced perspectives
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Outrage Overload: Finding calm through science and balanced perspectives

Author: David Beckemeyer

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If you're a curious person fed up with outrage culture and looking for thoughtful, balanced discussions, this podcast is for you. 40 minutes every few weeks. It will change your life.

Outrage Overload is a show dedicated to exploring the pervasive impact of outrage in society and politics, and providing strategies to lower the temperature. In each episode we explore a different aspect of the outrage industry with leading scientists, researchers, authors, community leaders, and other experts. Topics include political polarization, outrage exhaustion, extremism, civility, incivility, healthy conflict, disinformation, information literacy, outrage fatigue, stress, media, social media, and even technology and artificial intelligence.

Join us to rediscover humanity in your rivals, improve your mental health, and find practical solutions to navigate the landscape of outrage.

84 Episodes
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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 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, ...
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 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...
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 s...
Why We Need Courage, Not Hope, to Face Climate ChangeIn 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, highligh...
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, a...
How Twitter Impacts Our Well-beingIn this episode, we take a look at the complex world of Twitter's societal effects with Victoria Oldemburgo de Mello, a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Toronto. Victoria's research offers a fresh perspective, focusing on the psychological impacts of Twitter use rather than the platform's structural elements.Our conversation explores the nuances of Victoria's findings, emphasizing the challenges of establishing causality in social media research. ...
How AI Can Help Address Toxic PolarizationIn 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 so...
How to Combat the Misinformation CrisisIn 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 crit...
How Platforms Like OtherWeb and 1440 Are Changing News ConsumptionIn 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 sta...
After Trump: Understanding the Continuing Influence of Trumpism In Episode 46 we examine the enduring influence of Donald Trump on American politics and media. Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Trump continues to shape the political landscape. Special guest Robert Gutsche, a cultural studies scholar and journalist, joins the discussion to provide insights from his extensive research on political journalism and media coverage. The episode explores the persistence of Tr...
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.T...
How Understanding Intractable Conflicts Can Improve Our SocietyIn 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 ca...
Why We Need Conservative Perspectives to Combat PolarizationIn 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, DavidSupport the showS...
How to Build Mental Immunity Against Misinformation and ConspiraciesIn this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckmeyer joins forces with science educator Melanie Trecek-King to unpack the power of critical thinking in our everyday lives. They equip listeners with practical tools to become discerning information consumers. Learn how to evaluate evidence, identify your own biases, and build mental immunity against the constant barrage of misinformation. The episode also dives into naviga...
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...
How Our Brains Are Wired for Political DivisionWe 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 ...
Why Crossing Party Lines is Essential for a Healthy DemocracyIn 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 ...
The Trolls Among Us: Understanding and Mitigating Online ToxicityFed 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...
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...
How Certainty Fuels Outrage and DivisionIn 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 ...
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