Burnout and Exhaustion

The Outrage Epidemic: Is Our Anger a Luxury?

On the Outrage Overload Podcast, we recently released Episode 51, focusing on the pervasive issue of burnout and exhaustion. The episode features a thought-provoking conversation with Gary Simmons, MD, a neurosurgeon and educator. Dr. Simmons initially encountered burnout within his surgical team and successfully implemented positive psychology practices to restore balance and resilience.

The discussion expands beyond healthcare, exploring how burnout "eats its way into all of our lives." The constant barrage of outrage and negativity in our hyper-complex world contributes to this exhaustion. We explore the impact of outrage fatigue, the challenges of maintaining critical thinking skills, and the neuroscience behind the fight-or-flight response triggered by constant outrage.

Dr. Simmons and I examine the cyclical nature of burnout, where individuals become trapped in a spiral of anger, frustration, and hopelessness. We discuss the central components of burnout—emotional exhaustion, lack of empathy, and nihilism—and emphasize the importance of self-compassion and self-care.

The episode offers practical strategies for building resilience and breaking free from the burnout cycle.

By implementing these strategies, individuals can cultivate resilience, regain a sense of control, and navigate the complexities of our world with greater ease.

The episode challenges listeners to consider whether the prevalence of outrage and negativity is, in part, a "luxury of being so rich." In a time of relative comfort and abundance, I ask us to reflect on our mindsets and explore opportunities for greater empathy and connection.

---

NaPodPoMo is Back!

November is here, and that means it's time for NaPodPoMo—National Podcast Post Month! For those who don't know, NaPodPoMo is the ultimate podcasting marathon, where podcasters challenge themselves to release an episode every single day throughout November.

This year, Outrage Science Bites is again joining the NaPodPoMo lineup! We’ll be releasing a new mini-episode each day, diving into the science behind outrage, polarization, and how media and technology shape our reactions. Expect brief, powerful episodes (about 5-10 minutes each) covering a range of timely topics like the psychology of tribalism, how algorithms fuel outrage, AI’s role in polarization, and the impact of tech giants on our discourse.

Each week will center on a theme, with the first week dedicated to the role of media and social media in fueling outrage. If you’re curious about the hidden mechanisms that drive outrage culture or are just looking for a way to stay informed in bite-sized doses, Outrage Science Bites has you covered.

Follow along this month, and join us for an outrage-free way to explore some of today's most pressing social issues!

---

Note to Outrage Overload Listeners

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be moderating an important upcoming discussion hosted by Crossing Party Lines, titled:

It's Over, Now What?

🗓 November 14, 2024
🕔 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET
📍 Virtual Event

REGISTER FOR FREE

As election results come in, many of us feel a wave of emotions—joy, relief, frustration, or even loss. This event will be an opportunity to come together and consider positive ways forward, regardless of whether our preferred candidates were successful. We’ll explore how to foster unity and build healthy dialogue in our communities as we move into the post-election period.

---

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.