Bridging Divides

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21 JAN

80. The Quiet Choices That Shape History – 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 ideology with recurring patterns—some of which remain visible today. The episode also asks a harder question: why do so many people wait for heroes? And what happens when resistance feels too risky, too rare, or like someone else’s responsibility? This is a historically grounded, non-alarmist conversation about how dangerous ideologies take hold—and how ordinary people have resisted them, often quietly, and without recognition. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

21 Jan

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32 min
22/10/2025 · BONUS

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 young men see themselves and their place in the world. Drawing on insights from Laura Bates, author of Men Who Hate Women, and sociologist Ellis Cashmore, the episode examines whether the manosphere is an organized movement or something more elusive that still influences real attitudes, politics, and violence. This documentary episode goes beyond headlines and outrage to ask deeper questions about identity, belonging, and what happens when online spaces built around grievance start reshaping the world outside the screen. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

22/10/2025 · Bonus

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41 min
10/12/2025

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 came before: AI systems that can influence our beliefs without us noticing. This conversation will change the way you think about the future of media, power, and what autonomy means in a world where technology shapes how we see reality. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

10/12/2025

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42 min
10/09/2025 · BONUS

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 are drawn to exclusionary spaces onlineHow societal pressures around masculinity and economic roles influence political choicesThe role of both the left and right in widening the gender gapWhy this divide matters for democracy and social stabilityPaths toward healthier engagement and belongingGuests: Rev. Angela Denker, award-winning author and journalistMark Sutton, gender expert and author of How Democrats Can Win Back MenEric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics and author of The Third Awokening Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

10/09/2025 · Bonus

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35 min
12/11/2025

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 scientific institutions. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

12/11/2025

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29 min
12/07/2023

17. The billion dollar question for democracy - Tobias Rose-Stockwell

Tobias Rose-Stockwell is our guest for this episode. His brand new book is OUTRAGE MACHINE How Tech Amplifies Discontent and Disrupts Democracy—And What We Can Do About It Together, we’ll examine the historical context of societal stability and the shifts that have led us to this current climate of anger and polarization. We’ll explore the role of media, including social media platforms, in fueling outrage and examine the consequences it has on our mental health and social fabric. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the constant stream of outrage, or if you’re simply curious about the impact it has on our society, this episode is for you. Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

12/07/2023

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57 min
15/01/2024 · BONUS

MLK Day Special - Hajar Yazdiha

How distorted memories of the Civil Rights Movement fuel today's divisions In this bonus episode for MLK Day, host David Beckmeyer interviews Hajar Yazdiha, an assistant professor of sociology and author of "The Struggle for the People's King." They discuss the hidden narratives and complexities of the civil rights movement, the misperceptions surrounding Martin Luther King Jr., and how the memory of the movement has been distorted to fuel outrage and political agendas. They also explore the role of race in American society, the importance of critical and spiritual education, and the need for a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. Episode originally aired 1/15/2024 Text me your feedback and leave your contact info if you'd like a reply (this is a one-way text). Thanks, David Support the show Show Notes: https://outrageoverload.net/ Contact me, David Beckemeyer by email outrageoverload@gmail.com. Follow the show on Instagram @OutrageOverload. We are also on Facebook /OutrageOverload. Check out our Subtstack https://outrageoverload.substack.com HOTLINE: 925-552-7885 Got a Question, comment or just thoughts you'd like to share? Call the O2 hotline and leave a message and you could be featured in an upcoming episode If you would like to help the show, you can contribute here. Tell everyone you know about the show. That’s the best way to support it. Rate and Review the show on Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/OutrageOverload Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites. Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C. Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.

15/01/2024 · Bonus

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24 min
27/11/2025

How to Confront Disinformation Without Pushing People Away - NaPodPoMo 2025 Day 27

Day 27 of our 30-day challenge, continuing our deep dive into bridging our divides. Earlier in the series — on Day 9 — we explored how disinformation fuels division with Kamy Akhavan. Today, we’re returning to that same challenge from a new angle. Because sometimes, trying to correct someone’s “facts” can feel like you’re criticizing them — their judgment, their community, even their identity. And that can shut down a conversation faster than anything else. So our audience question today is: What are ways to address disinformation without alienating those who value their own “facts”? To help us with this, we’re joined by Kate Ullman — lifelong educator and Executive Director of Legislative Semester. Kate specializes in helping young people engage across differences and think more deeply about where their beliefs come from. She offers practical strategies for truth-seeking together — without shame, blame, or humiliation. Learn more: OutrageOverload.net Join the movement to lower the temperature: Count Me In for Calm Get full access to Outrage Overload Newsletter at outrageoverload.substack.com/subscribe

27/11/2025

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4 min
12/11/2025

Can You Bridge Without Moving to the Middle? - NaPodPoMo 2025 Day 12

Day 12 of our 30-day challenge exploring what it really takes to bridge our divides. Throughout this series, we’ve talked about how to disagree without being disagreeable and how to turn talk into action. On Day 6, we asked whether productive debate requires people to become more moderate. Today, we’re revisiting that question through another lens — because not every disagreement is solved by compromise. Can people with strong, even extreme, convictions still have productive, respectful conversations? Or do we have to meet in the middle to get along? To help us unpack that, we’re joined by Tania Israel, professor of counseling psychology and award-winning author of Beyond Your Bubble and Facing the Fracture. Tania shares practical insights on how to stay true to your beliefs while keeping curiosity, empathy, and connection alive — even across deep divides. Get full access to Outrage Overload Newsletter at outrageoverload.substack.com/subscribe

12/11/2025

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5 min
21/11/2025

What Is Bridging? A Political Commentators Perspective - NaPodPoMo 2025 Day 21

Day 21 of our 30-day challenge, continuing our deep dive into bridging our divides. Throughout this series, we’ve heard from bridge-builders, psychologists, and civic leaders — people who spend every day thinking about how to bring us back together. But today, we’re stepping outside the inner circle of the bridging movement. Because if bridging is going to work, it can’t be just insiders talking to insiders. So we’re revisiting our very first question: What exactly is “bridging”? And today’s answer comes from someone who approaches the idea with a different lens — Ross “Yergz” Yerger, host of the podcast and radio show Up the Middle. Yergz works in the world of everyday political conversation — where most Americans live — and offers a grounded, practical take on what bridging looks like when the microphones are off and the neighbors are talking. Check out his perspective. Get full access to Outrage Overload Newsletter at outrageoverload.substack.com/subscribe

21/11/2025

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5 min

Feeling overwhelmed by toxic news cycles and political conflict? Bridging Divides offers a better way. Our shows help you stay informed without the outrage, understand the forces pulling us apart, and discover practical ways to stay engaged—without losing your mind.

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