Listener Fatigue Post-Election: Let’s Talk About It

Post-Election Decline, Plus Our NaPodPoMo Recap and New Episodes!

If you've been following the news about media trends, you may have heard that outlets like MSNBC are experiencing dramatic viewership declines after the 2024 election. According to recent reports, MSNBC has lost nearly half of its audience since Election Night. Some viewers say (surprise!) they're exhausted by the relentless focus on Donald Trump and political outrage. Others feel betrayed by perceived shifts in tone or priorities at the network.

This trend got us thinking about Outrage Overload and how these patterns might be playing out in the podcast world, too. Like MSNBC, we’ve noticed some drop-off in listeners since the election. But unlike cable news, our mission has always been to avoid the outrage-inducing tactics that dominate traditional media. We aim to explore the outrage industry thoughtfully, provide balance, and lower the temperature—yet it seems even nuanced discussions might feel like "too much" for some listeners right now.

We’d love to hear your thoughts:

• Have you been tuning out post-election? If so, why?

• Are there specific topics you’d like us to focus on (or avoid) as we move into the new year?

• Do you think our mission of avoiding outrage-inducing content still resonates with you?

As we plan for upcoming episodes, we want to ensure that Outrage Overload remains a space for meaningful conversations and fresh perspectives, even in times of political fatigue. Drop us a line with your thoughts, suggestions, or even just to say hello—we’re always listening.

Thank you for being a part of this community.

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The Outrage Machine: How Social Media Shapes Our Political Emotions

Social media has an uncanny ability to amplify hostility. Political attacks in your feed aren’t just noise—they’re powerful tools designed to evoke anger, sow division, and undermine trust in our democratic systems. But have you ever stopped to think about why this works so well or what it’s doing to us collectively?

This week’s podcast episode examines this phenomenon with Ariel Hasell, a researcher whose work shines a light on how exposure to political attacks on social media fuels anger and cynicism. But before you hit "play," let’s zoom out and consider an important dimension: the role you play in this ecosystem.

Every like, comment, and share feeds algorithms that prioritize engagement over truth or nuance. The platforms don’t just show you what’s popular—they show you what will keep you scrolling. So, here’s a challenge for you: for the next week, take a step back when you encounter political content online. Ask yourself:

• Is this content encouraging dialogue or division?

• Am I reacting emotionally or thoughtfully?

• Do I want this type of post to be amplified?

In the episode, Ariel breaks down why anger is so powerful—and addictive—and why cynicism, far from being apathy, can actually drive mobilization (sometimes in troubling ways). She also shares strategies for resisting the outrage machine and fostering healthier online habits.

Listen Now to discover the psychology behind these dynamics, and learn what small steps you can take to reshape your relationship with the digital world.

P.S. What’s your take on navigating the outrage machine? Hit reply—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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NaPodPoMo Concludes

We wrapped up the November challenge to produce and publish 30 episodes in the month - NaPodPoMo (National Podcast Post Month) with two special episodes:

• Lessons from NaPodPoMo - Day 29

  What we’ve learned over the month

• Call to Action - NaPodPoMo 2024 - Day 30

  Six simple options to reduce outrage and build bridges

You can check out all 30 “bite-sized” episodes on the companion podcast called Outrage Science Bites on the web or subscribe with your podcast app of choice.

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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.