In this episode, social psychologist Dr. Kurt Gray explains why outrage feels so constant in modern politics, and why it’s more real, more human, and more fear-based than we often assume.

Author of the book "Outraged", Kurt breaks down the steps to quell outrage and find moral ground. He describes why our brains are wired to fixate on harm and the role of social media in creating stress levels that mirror PTSD. He brings in findings from his research to explore why outrage can push people away from productive action.

The episode ends with an improv game where Kurt playfully reimagines how how famous stories might had gone differently if people had actually tried to understand eachother.

In the season finale, Scott and Allison learn from Kurt how to expertly bridge our strongest divides.

00:00 We live in the age of outrage
05:10 Is outrage real or performative?
09:45 How social media amplifies fear
14:30 Why our brains fixate on harm
18:55 What we’re really protecting
23:40 Villains, victims, and false binaries
28:30 How to meet people where they are
34:10 Why stories change minds more than data
40:05 Using humor to lower the temperature
47:30 Improv game: Rewriting famous conflicts

In this episode, MacArthur Fellow and lifelong human rights activist Loretta J. Ross shares why humor may be one of the smartest ways to fight fascism, and why outrage alone often falls short.

Drawing on more than 50 years of activism, including her work deprogramming white supremacists, Loretta explains the philosophy of her new book “Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel.” The discussion explores authoritarian psychology, cancel culture, and what actually helps people change their minds. To finish the episode, Loretta plays an improv game to show how laughter, curiosity, and dignity can open conversations that anger shuts down.

03:45 Why fascists hate being laughed at
07:30 Calling in vs. calling out
12:10 Why outrage often backfires
16:20 Fighting extremism without losing empathy
21:40 Lessons from deprogramming white supremacists
28:05 How fear fuels authoritarianism
33:10 Calling in family, friends, and strangers
39:00 When to disengage—and why that matters
42:40 The improv game: "good advice / bad advice"
55:10 How to fight fascism without losing yourself

In this episode, former naval officer and Republican candidate Aaron Dimmock talks about what it really takes to stay honest; in politics, in community, and with ourselves. He reflects on polarization, party identity, and the cultural forces that make admitting mistakes feel risky. Through stories from military life, his congressional run, and everyday human moments, Aaron explores why transparency is so hard and why it matters.

The conversation weaves through psychology themes like threat perception, group identity, and the silent-majority effect—ending with a hopeful look at how love, listening, and shared humanity can shift the tone of our national conversation.

00:00 — Calling out America’s “Bad Breath”
02:00 — Aaron’s journey: Navy officer to candidate
03:20 — The Ted Lasso metaphor for honesty
08:15 — Why politicians won’t admit mistakes
14:30 — The Stockdale Paradox & facing reality
19:30 — Aaron's take on how to mend the divide
23:40 — Losing friends for running Republican
34:00 — Fear, pain & why people get loud
55:50 — Improv game: the halftime speech to save America

A production of The Second City and the Argosy Foundation