Outrage Overload

A Connors Institute podcast

Outrage 70 – Is There Still Hope for the Internet? – Kristin Hansen

Aired Aug 20, 2025

We’ve all seen it: social media overflowing with anger, division, and outrage. But what if we could actually fix toxic social media? What if the same tools fueling division could be used to build healthy online conversations and fight online hate?

In this episode of Outrage Overload, we sit down with Kristin Hansen, Executive Director of Civic Health Project, to explore Normsy.ai—a bold new initiative using AI for good to promote constructive online dialogue and reclaim the internet for better civic life.

Kristin shares her journey from tech executive to bridge builder, and how she’s helping create tools that reduce political polarization, encourage responsible tech use, and make it easier for everyday people to talk across differences—even online.

This conversation is full of hope, real-world action, and insights into how we can all take part in making social media better.

Kristin Hansen is Executive Director of Civic Health Project, a nonpartisan organization supporting efforts to reduce polarization and strengthen civil discourse. She co-chairs national and global initiatives on democracy and social cohesion, serves on multiple advisory boards, and lectures frequently at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Previously, she held executive roles at IBM, Intel, and startups. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in International Policy Studies from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.