I recently had the opportunity to join Darren Platt on My Six Cents, and it was an incredible conversation about outrage in politics, the role of the outrage media machine, and how we can break free from the divisiveness that dominates our current discourse.

Darren and I dug deep into the psychology behind political outrage and the ways in which media—whether traditional or social—manipulates our emotions to keep us engaged, often at the cost of our relationships and social cohesion. We discussed how outrage can be addictive, why political identity has become such a defining factor in our lives, and how we can take steps to resist falling into these traps.

One of the most important takeaways from our conversation was the idea that outrage isn’t always organic—it’s often driven by incentives that benefit media companies, politicians, and social media algorithms, rather than the public. The challenge for all of us is to recognize these forces at play and find ways to engage with political and social issues in a more productive, less toxic manner.

We also talked about my journey from tech entrepreneur to podcast host and science communicator. If you’ve ever wondered what led me to start Outrage Overload, I shared the personal experiences and frustrations that drove me to examine the outrage industry and its effects on our mental health and democracy.

Darren and I had a fantastic, honest, and thought-provoking discussion, and I think listeners of Outrage Overload will find a lot to chew on. If you’re interested in understanding the mechanisms behind political polarization and how we can navigate this environment more effectively, this episode is a must-listen.

Let me know what you think after listening! I’d love to hear your thoughts and continue this important conversation.