Are We More Divided Than We Think?

Uncover the truth behind political division—it's not what you think.

Political polarization seems worse than ever. Every day, we hear about escalating tensions, democratic backsliding, and leaders stoking division. But while real threats exist, research shows that misperceptions about “the other side” are making things even worse—pushing people further apart when unity is needed most.

In our latest episode of Outrage Overload, we sit down with James Coan, co-founder of More Like Us, to explore how correcting misperceptions can reduce polarization without ignoring real dangers to democracy. James shares innovative strategies to break through the noise—helping people see each other more clearly, even in contentious times.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How misjudging political opponents deepens divisions—even in urgent crises

• The role of media and social platforms in amplifying fear and distrust

• How we can push back against manipulation while still engaging in honest dialogue

• Small but powerful actions to shift the conversation and strengthen democracy

Autocracy thrives on division. Recognizing the real risks while challenging distorted narratives can help us come together to defend core democratic values.

---

New This Week in Outrage Episode!

It’s everything the Outrage Overload podcast is not. It’s not edited. It’s not scripted. It’s lightly researched. It’s David and Lisa talking about this week in outrage, what was in the news, in the memes, and maybe finding some backstory with a humorous (at least to us) twist.