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 divide...
90. Can You Build a Political Tribe Out of the Moderates Left Behind? – Paul Chapman
The U.S. House of Representatives used to pass roughly 900 bills per session in the 1950s. Today, that number has plummeted to just 50 or 60. Our legislative branch isn’t just slow—it is structurally paralyzed.
In this episode, we look past the cultural shouting match to expose the structural design flaws fueling our polarization. From sweetheart gerrymandering that leaves 80% of congressional districts completely non-competitive, to the financial incentives driving both major parties to abandon the center, we look at the reality of the "exhausted majority."
To discuss a radical attempt to fill this vacuum, we sit...
DOCUMENTARY - When the State Loses Moral Legitimacy
We tend to think of a nation’s strength in concrete terms—the size of its military, the reach of its laws, or the stability of its economy. But this special audio documentary episode of Outrage Overload pulls back the curtain on the illusion of government permanence to reveal a terrifyingly fragile truth: what if the true foundation of state power is entirely invisible? We explore a provocative perspective on what actually holds a society together, challenging the idea that brute force or legal systems are enough to keep the peace when something deeper begins to rot.
The...
89. The Mentalization Gap - Lura Forcum
Why is it so easy to dismiss "the other side" as irrational or heartless? According to researcher Lura Forcum, the answer lies in a cognitive process called mentalization—and more importantly, what happens when our brains decide to turn it off.
In this episode, we explore the science of how we perceive the minds of others. We dive into the "mentalization gap," a psychological phenomenon that allows us to empathize deeply with our own group while subtly "dehumanizing" everyone else.
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88. The Cost of Purity and the Power of Pluralism – Allison K. Ralph
In this episode, we dive deep into the historical and psychological drivers of political polarization with Dr. Allison Ralph, head of Cohesion Strategy.
Allison shares how ancient metaphors, like the "body politic," are still being used today to justify othering and the dangerous trend of social purification. We move beyond the idea of "mushy middle" dialogue to discuss productive conflict—the essential, often difficult work of building pluralistic solutions and strategic coalitions even when we fundamentally disagree.
If you’ve e...
BONUS - Navigating the Outrage Industry with Corey Nathan
Corey Nathan joins the show to deconstruct the "Rage Merchant" business model and explore how we can strengthen our civic muscle in an era of hyper-polarization. Corey is the host of Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killing Each Other and a partner in The Democracy Group podcast network.
In this conversation, we move past the surface-level bickering of the news cycle to examine why our brains are often more attracted to the dopamine hit of outrage than the slow work of nuance. We discuss the "Exhausted Majority"—the vast segment of the population that feels alienated by extreme rh...
87. The Human Need to Make the World Make Sense
In this episode, we step back from the headlines to conduct a psychological case study on how we form and protect our worldviews. We’re joined by Sidney Pines, whose journey away from the mainstream consensus offers a window into the information ecosystems that define our modern era.
Rather than debating specific claims, we use the "Three Cs" framework—Comprehension, Control, and Community—to analyze the universal human needs that draw individuals toward alternative media systems. We explore how a "cognitive vacuum" created by sensationalist media can lead to a search...
86. Why We Viscerally Resist Talking to the Other Side – Mónica Guzmán
The New Counterculture of Conversation
In a world where political labels have become shields and social media is a minefield of "rhetorical grenades," Monica Guzman argues that the most radical act you can perform is to stay curious. As the Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, Monica has seen firsthand how fear has become the "archvillain" of American discourse.
In this episode, we dismantle the failing left-right paradigm and explore why bridge-building isn't about being "nice" or "middle-of-the-road"—it’s about having the courage to withstand intense disagreement without losi...
BONUS - An Island with No Plan B - Caleb Scharf
We are joined by Dr. Caleb Scharf, NASA Senior Scientist for Astrobiology, to explore the profound implications of the Fermi Paradox. Why, in a galaxy of hundreds of billions of stars, do we find only silence? We move beyond the "geek wonderland" of physics and biology to examine the "Overview Effect"—the shift in perspective that occurs when we realize just how fragile our shared existence truly is.
If humanity is the first species to face the conundrum of its own survival, we have a unique moral responsibility to look past the outrage of the day and sa...
85. Escaping the Filter Bubble: How to Find Consensus in a Divided World - Kristin Jackson
In an age where algorithms are designed to confirm your existing beliefs, finding a shared sense of reality has become nearly impossible. Host David Beckemeyer welcomes Kristin Jackson, co-founder of the Freespoke search engine alternative, to discuss a platform built to help users break out of the echo chamber. Jackson shares that up to 80% of the population has given up on news because they "couldn't figure out what the truth was".
This vital conversation explores the vision behind Freespoke and its mission to deliver unbiased news and help you find the full story.
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84. I Bought a Bar: An experiment in bridge-building - K Scarry
After seven years working in traditional, formal "bridge-building" spaces, K Scarry realized that the people who most needed to connect were the ones least likely to attend a scheduled "dialogue event." Her solution? Move the conversation to where people already go naturally.
In this episode, K Scarry joins David to discuss her journey from civic engagement professional to neighborhood bar owner. We explore how "Third Spaces" serve as essential training grounds for civic grace, the "musculature" of empathy, and the challenge of maintaining your values while staying open to those you disagree with.
BONUS - The “Move to the Center” Strategy Is Distracting Us From What Matters – Frank A. Spring
Is the "move to the center" vs. "lean left" debate a false choice?
Following recent election cycles, the dominant advice for Democrats has been to moderate their cultural messaging and pivot to the middle—a strategy championed by the October 2025 Deciding to Win report. Conversely, many argue the party should double down on a bold, progressive populist agenda to mobilize the base.
In this episode, we challenge this entire left-versus-center framework with Frank A. Spring, Chief of Research at Altum Insight and Managing Partner at Undaunted Ventures.
Through deep qualitative research, Fr...
83. Connection Is Slow, And That’s the Point – Tim Jones
We talk about polarization in terms of media, algorithms, and politics. But what if we’ve simply forgotten how to sit down with people who aren’t like us?
In this episode, David sits down with Tim Jones, founder of Longer Tables, a real-world initiative that brings strangers together over shared meals to rebuild social trust and human connection.
Tim argues that humans are “slow-cooked.” Trust, belonging, and meaningful relationships don’t scale at the speed of technology—and that mismatch may be driving much of our social division.
This conversation explores what happens when...
82. Tribal Thinking Is Eroding Democracy – Timothy Redmond
Episode Description
How does political identity shape what we believe—and whether we accept democracy itself? In this episode, David speaks with political scientist Timothy Redmond, author of Political Tribalism in America: How Hyper-Partisanship Dumbs Down Democracy—and How to Fix It.
Redmond reveals how modern politics has reversed the democratic ideal: instead of forming views and then choosing a party, many people adopt a party identity first and align their beliefs accordingly. This fuels motivated reasoning, selective information consumption, and perceptual biases that make people on opposite sides experience the same even...
81. My Omaha: A Story of Division, Trust, and Family – Nick Beaulieu
What begins as a documentary about racial justice in Omaha becomes something far more personal.
Filmmaker Nick Beaulieu joins Outrage Overload to discuss My Omaha, a film that follows his effort to document activism in his hometown while navigating a deeply strained relationship with his terminally ill father, a staunch pro-Trump conservative.
Rather than trying to change minds, My Omaha explores what it takes to stay in relationship across political, racial, and generational divides. In this conversation, Nick reflects on trust, identity, social media, and how lessons from racial justice organizing shaped the...
BONUS - America’s Lost Generation – Cameron Cowan
Why are so many people exhausted, cynical, or disengaged from politics — even as the stakes keep rising?
In this episode of Outrage Overload, David Beckemeyer is joined by journalist and author Cameron Cowan to explore the deeper forces driving generational inequality, institutional distrust, and political disengagement in the United States.
Cameron is the author of America’s Lost Generation, which examines how economic change, labor markets, and policy decisions have reshaped opportunity for younger Americans who did what they were told and still found themselves falling behind.
Rather than focusing on dail...
80. Small Acts Matter More Than We Think – Luke Berryman
Resisting Nazism
Resistance is often imagined as dramatic and heroic. History tells a different story.
In this episode of Outrage Overload, we speak with historian and educator Dr. Luke Berryman, author of Resisting Nazism: True stories of resistance to the world’s most dangerous ideology from 1920 to the present.
Rather than focusing on famous figures or extraordinary acts, this conversation explores resistance as it was actually lived: through nonconformity, refusal, and small decisions made under extraordinary pressure. Dr. Berryman examines Nazism not just as a historical regime, but as an...
79. When We Stop Sharing the Same Reality – Stephen Maher
Veteran journalist Stephen Maher joins us to explore how the collapse of local news, the rise of algorithm-driven platforms, and shifting newsroom cultures are reshaping democracy. Drawing on decades covering Canadian politics, Maher explains why communities lose more than information when local papers disappear—and how this dynamic parallels what’s happening in the United States.
We dig into polarization, media trust, the “algorithmic public square,” and what might help rebuild a shared civic reality.
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BONUS - A Clear-Eyed Look Back at the Pandemic Divide
COVID may be behind us, but many of the frustrations, myths, and political divides it created are still quietly shaping our social and civic landscape. This bonus episode revisits a conversation originally recorded for Outrage Science Bites—now brought to the main feed because its insights remain deeply relevant.
We take a calm, evidence-based look at what actually happened during the U.S. pandemic response, drawing on findings from The Lessons from the COVID War, one of the most comprehensive investigations into COVID policy and outcomes.
This episode isn’t about relitigating COVID. It’s about...
BONUS - The Congresspeople You’ve Never Heard Of Might Save Democracy – Brad Porteus
While outrage and division dominate the headlines, quiet collaborators in Congress are actually getting things done — you just never hear about them.
In this episode, David Beckemeyer talks with Brad Porteus, founder of Bridge Grades, a data-driven “report card for Congress” that measures who’s building bridges — and who’s tearing them down.
Together, they explore how citizens can shift the incentives in Washington by rewarding collaboration over confrontation.
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78. When AI Becomes the Most Persuasive Voice in the Room – Petter Törnberg
When AI Starts Shaping What We Believe
We often blame social media algorithms for toxic polarization — for the outrage, the misinformation, the “us versus them” dynamic pulling society apart. But what if the real problem goes deeper than the algorithm?
In this episode, University of Amsterdam researcher Petter Törnberg explains why social media is broken by design — and why simply “fixing the feed” won’t solve outrage or polarization.
And now, a new technology is arriving that could reshape politics and public opinion even more profoundly than the platforms that...
BONUS - The America You Don’t See on the News – Adam Mizel
Most Americans are tired of the outrage — and hungry for something better. So how do we unite America when everything feels so divided?
In this episode, we talk with Adam Mizel, co-founder and CEO of US United, a movement focused on ending toxic polarization through everyday actions anyone can take. After traveling the country in a purple pickup truck, Adam found that people from all backgrounds want the same things: respect, listening, and real connection.
We explore political depolarization solutions, the media outrage problem...
77. Issue Salience Polarization - Adrienne Kafka & Troy Campbell
Why We Disagree About What Matters
We often assume political polarization is about beliefs or party loyalty—but what if it’s about which issues we think are worth caring about?
In this episode, behavioral scientists Adrienne Kafka (Duke University) and Troy Campbell (On Your Feet, formerly Disney Imagineering and Netflix) unpack their research on issue salience polarization—how our sense of an issue’s importance changes depending on the solutions attached to it.
They explain how “solution aversion” and “solution attraction” make people minimize or exag...
Okay Boomer – Drowning in Digital Overwhelm - Craig Mattson
Digital Overwhelm: Talking Across Generations
In a world that never stops pinging, how do we stay human—and stay connected across generations?
Host David Beckemeyer talks with communication scholar Craig Mattson, author of Digital Overwhelm, about what happens when Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z all try to navigate the same flood of digital noise.
From “data vs story” to “sender vs listener,” this conversation explores why we’re all drowning in information, why younger workers seem more pragmatic than passionate, and how switching our modes of communication can build re...
76. The Revolt Against the Experts – Hillary Shulman
Why People Stop Trusting Science
Why do so many people reject science—even when the facts are clear?
We are joined by Hillary Shulman, a communication scholar at Ohio State University, to learn about science populism—the growing belief that science is an elite enterprise disconnected from everyday life.
They explore how distrust of experts, polarization and science, and skepticism and belief shape public understanding. Shulman explains why facts alone don’t persuade, how both liberals and conservatives can fall into science populism, and what it takes to rebuild trust in scien...
75. The Hidden Power of the Politically Homeless - Lura Forcum
When the Center Becomes the Rebel
Once, being radical meant picking a side—Rush Limbaugh on the right, Keith Olbermann on the left. But today, that kind of partisanship isn’t radical anymore—it’s predictable.
In this episode, we explore a surprising idea: maybe the true radicals now are the independent thinkers—the bridge-builders—who refuse to be boxed into red or blue.
Our guest, Lura Forcum, President of The Independent Center, shares how her organization is empowering independent voters, holding politicians accountable, and helping the politically homeless find a voice...
DOCUMENTARY - The Manosphere: A Shadow Network of Influence – Havana Mohr-Ramirez
We take a closer look at the online world known as the manosphere—a loose network of communities including incels, Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), men’s rights activists (MRAs), and pick-up artists (PUAs).
These groups may look different on the surface, but they share a common core: resentment toward feminism, nostalgia for traditional masculinity, and a belief that men are the new victims of modern society. With guidance from researcher Havana Mohr-Ramirez, we unpack how these subcultures operate, where they overlap, and why they’ve become such powerful forces in shaping how yo...
74. When Polarized Communities Work Together – Kira Hamman
Why Talking Isn’t Enough to Bridge Divides
What happens when people in deeply divided communities set aside differences to work on real problems together? In this episode, we hear from participants in Southern Oregon and from Urban Rural Action’s Senior Director of Programs about how building trust and taking action can bridge divides, create belonging, and spark lasting change.
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73. Rethinking Autism Advocacy – Ari Ne’eman
What If Inclusion, Not Normalization, Was the Goal?
Too often, conversations about autism happen without autistic voices at the table. In this episode, we talk with Ari Ne’eman, Assistant Professor at Harvard and co-founder of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, about the real divides in autism advocacy and what a better path forward could look like.
Ari brings both lived experience and policy expertise, with service under multiple U.S. administrations, to examine how public policy shapes autism services, support, and the future of neurodiversity.
This conversation challenges common assumptions and po...
72. The Fight to Make Online Spaces Civil Again - Yevgeny Simkin
Why Owning Your Online Identity Matters More Than Ever
Is it possible to fix social media? In this episode, I’m joined by Yevgeny Simkin, Co-Founder of Sez.us, a new social media platform built to encourage civility and healthier online spaces.
We talk about why we need real alternatives to Facebook and Twitter, who controls online conversations today, and how owning your online identity could change the way communities connect. Yevgeny explains why escaping social media giants might be the first step toward better ways to connect on...
DOCUMENTARY - What’s Pulling Young Men to the Right?
Gen Z’s political gender gap is widening. Young women are trending left, while young men drift right—and it’s not just politics. In this episode, we explore the cultural, social, and economic pressures shaping young men’s identities, from the “manosphere” to societal expectations around masculinity and the pressure to be the breadwinner.
We examine the consequences for democracy, social cohesion, and the future of civic engagement—and consider how society can create better spaces for young men to belong, participate, and thrive.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why young men ar...71. Do Facts Really Change Minds? – Nick Stagnaro
The Shift from Certainty to Nuance
We’ve all heard the saying: facts don’t change minds. But new research challenges that idea.
In this episode, David talks with social scientist Nick Stagnaro about what happens when people dive deep into the facts on divisive issues like gun control. The findings? Knowledge can soften extreme positions—shifting people toward a more nuanced middle ground.
But here’s the catch: while attitudes toward policies change, feelings toward people on the “other side” often don’t. That puzzle drives Nick’s research into be...
70. Is There Still Hope for the Internet? - Kristin Hansen
The Hidden Power of Social Norms
Social media often gets blamed for fueling outrage and deepening political divides. But what if the very tools that spread division could be used to bridge it?
In this episode, we talk with Kristin Hansen, Executive Director of Civic Health Project, about Normsy.ai—a groundbreaking initiative using human-plus-AI tools to foster civility and connection online.
Kristin shares her personal journey into bridge-building, why social norms matter just as much as rules, and how we can all play a part in reshaping the online world fo...
BONUS - Teaching Civics in the Age of Outrage - June Klees
What Happens When Students Talk Across Generations?
We sit down with with Dr. June Klees, a historian and educator at Bay College, about the Waging Dialogue initiative — a unique civics program designed to help students develop the confidence and skills to engage in dialogue across generational and ideological divides. Students are paired with older conversation partners in what’s called an “intergenerational dyad,” encouraging sustained, intentional conversations that challenge assumptions, stretch comfort zones, and build common ground.
You’ll also hear directly from students reflecting on their personal experiences, growth, and takeaways from the p...
69. America’s Connection Opportunity - Kate Carney and Calista Small
The Connection Opportunity Report: Hope, Barriers, and the Path Forward
How can we truly connect across political, racial, religious, and class divides? In this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckemeyer dives into the Connection Opportunity report from More in Common with guests Kate Carney and Calista Small.
Discover:
✅ Why most Americans still want connection—even across differences
✅ The biggest barriers keeping us apart
✅ How working together locally can overcome political tensions
✅ Digital tools and organizations fostering healthy dialogue
✅ Practical steps anyone can take to help buil...
68. Is Our Democracy Failing Because We’re Not Thinking Enough? - James Fishkin
Is democracy failing because citizens aren’t truly thinking through the issues?
In this episode, we hear from Prof. James Fishkin, Stanford scholar and creator of Deliberative Polling, a groundbreaking method used around the world to reveal what people would think if they had the chance to deliberate in depth.
Fishkin explains why deliberation is about more than civil conversation. It’s about helping ordinary people make better decisions on complex policy questions. Discover how projects like America in One Room prove citizens can engage thoughtfully, bridge divi...
Outrage on the Mic – Part 3: Rage Sells, But We Don’t Have to Buy It
War, political chaos, economic fears, AI disruption—the world feels like it’s on fire. And the media? It never stops pouring fuel on the flames.
In this final chapter of the Outrage on the Mic series, we explore how outrage has become the currency of media—from the fiery sermons of Father Coughlin to the viral rants of today’s podcasters and political pundits.
Why does outrage work so well? Can creators build something different in a world addicted to anger and fear? And what does it look like to choose nuance over noise—even when...
Outrage on the Mic, Part 2: Outrage Has Always Been With Us
In Part 2 of our special series Outrage on the Mic, we go back in time to explore how public outrage has shaped societies long before the digital age. David Beckemeyer is joined by Outrageous History! host Ernest Granson, who brings his journalist’s eye to scandals, uprisings, and media-fueled conflicts from the French Revolution to the Spanish-American War.
Whether you're a history nerd, media critic, or just trying to make sense of today’s outrage culture, this episode is for you.
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Outrage on the Mic – Part 1: Laughing Through the Outrage
Outrage Overload x Outrage Factory
This week, we kick off our special July series, Outrage on the Mic, with a fun and irreverent crossover featuring the hosts of Outrage Factory—Dale Deruiter and Geoff Gauthier.
We explore the absurdity of online outrage, how humor can both defuse and amplify it, and what it means to build a show around the week’s most ridiculous controversies.
This is Part 1 of our Outrage on the Mic series, where we partner with fellow podcasters to explore how different voices and formats tackle outrage culture.
...
67. AI vs. Ancient Hatreds: Can Tech Ease the Israeli-Palestinian Divide? – 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 this episode, we talk with Adam Boaz Becker, founder of Headon.AI, an AI platform designed to foster political dialogue and bridge divides. Adam shares what he's learned from years of street interviews in Israel and the West Bank, the challenges of creating conversations in conflict zones, and how social media and traditional media often make things worse.
We also explore how AI...
BONUS - Are We Witnessing a Democracy in Crisis? - Lucan Way
Exploring Democratic Erosion and the Rise of Authoritarian Tactics
Is the U.S. Sliding Toward Competitive Authoritarianism? Political scientist Lucan Way joins us to discuss signs of democratic erosion, competitive authoritarianism, and the weaponization of institutions. Drawing from his co-authored New York Times essay, “How Will We Know When We Have Lost Our Democracy?”, Way explains how democratic backsliding may already be underway—and why recognizing it matters now more than ever.
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