Outrage Overload

A Connors Institute podcast

Outrage Bonus – What Happens When Students Talk Across Generations? – June Klees

Aired Aug 13, 2025

In a time of growing political polarization, hostile online discourse, and social fragmentation, how do we teach people — especially the next generation — to truly talk across divides?

In this episode of Outrage Overload, we sit down with Dr. June Klees, historian and educator teaching a Civics Corps program working with Waging Dialogue, to explore how young people can learn to engage in meaningful, respectful conversations with people who hold different beliefs.

You’ll hear directly from students who participated in an innovative program, where they were paired with dialogue partners intentionally different from them in age, background, and worldview. Their stories reveal powerful insights into what it takes to overcome fear, confront personal bias, and discover unexpected common ground.

Why This Matters

As culture wars rage and digital media fuels outrage, our democracy depends on a citizenry that knows how to listen, reflect, and communicate across differences. This episode shows that not only is that possible — it’s already happening in classrooms and communities around the country.

June Klees, PhD, is a historian and educator at Bay College in Michigan. She champions civic engagement and the everyday value of the humanities and social sciences, with academic credentials from East Stroudsburg and Kent State University and certifications in public history and distance education.