Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week, in celebration of Halloween, we cast our gaze on the classic film An American Werewolf In London. From the Yorkshire Moors to Piccadilly Circus, this film caused a stir upon its release in 198…

Why Embracing Complexity and Nuance is Critical for Personal Growth and Informed Decision-Making We sit down with Julie Rose, host of the Top of Mind podcast, to explore her journey from feeling overwhelmed by the negativity in the news to fostering thoughtful, nuanced conversations. Julie shares how she broke free from the media’s tendency to over…

Crack open the Bolly! It's our 20th episode!! Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week, we cast our gaze on the PR and fashion world inhabited by the icons Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, from the classic BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous…

How to Have Better Political Conversations (Even with Your Most Difficult Relatives) In this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckemeyer sits down with Dr. Karin Tamerius, a political psychiatrist and founder of Smart Politics, a nonprofit that helps progressives communicate persuasively while maintaining respect for differing viewpoints. Th…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we struggle to find anything uplifting to say about the TV film 'Threads' from 1984. Although, considering its subject matter is nuclear armageddon, we'd challenge anyone to put a positive slan…

Why We Need Courage, Not Hope, to Face Climate Change In this episode, I dive into new territory, exploring the environmental crisis with Dr. Roger Gottlieb, renowned author of The Sacrifice Zone. Dr. Gottlieb offers a striking perspective on the looming threat of environmental devastation, arguing that our greatest enemy is not just the crisis its…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we unite once again in the penthouse boardroom of PG Towers. We come bang up to date to cast our gaze over the latest series of Netflix coming of age teen drama Heartstopper. How has LGBTQIA+ r…

In this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckemeyer interviews Jonathan Bernstein, a writer and satirist, about his new visual storytelling project that aims to increase voter turnout through political satire. Bernstein shares how humor can cut through the noise of outrage-driven media and foster civic participation by highlighting shared va…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we cast our Gaze over the smash hit reality TV series 'Love Island' from 2022. Watch as the love stories of the villa unfold week by week. Watch as the line of what's real and what's being mani…

How Twitter Impacts Our Well-being In this episode, we take a look at the complex world of Twitter's societal effects with Victoria Oldemburgo de Mello, a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Toronto. Victoria's research offers a fresh perspective, focusing on the psychological impacts of Twitter use rather than the platform's structural el…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we cast our Gaze over the phenomenon of nostalgia posts on social media. Who exactly wants us to think that the past was so wonderful compared to now? And why? In Steptoe and and Son, a sitcom …

How AI Can Help Address Toxic Polarization In this bonus episode of Outrage Overload, we dive into the intriguing potential of artificial intelligence to reduce political polarization in online spaces. Our guest, Steve McIntosh—developmental philosopher, author, and co-founder of the Developmental Politics Project—joins us to discuss his work on De…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we break out the mince pies and sherry to watch the British Christmas movie 'Love Actually' from 2003. A word of warning! If this film fills you with festive cheer, prepare to have your nostalg…

How to Combat the Misinformation Crisis In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Spitali, author of How to Win the War on Truth, to unravel the complexities of misinformation and its impact on society. Samuel offers a deep dive into the history of media polarization, examining key moments like the removal of the Fairness Doctrine and the rise of pa…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This episode we cast our gaze over 1984's 'The Terminator'. What is hypermasculinity and why was it so prevalent in the 80's? Can a mullet ever look good on a woman? Can the machines really take over? Re…

How Platforms Like OtherWeb and 1440 Are Changing News Consumption In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of news consumption with Alex Fink, CEO of OtherWeb, and Drew Steggerwald, co-founder of 1440 News. We explore how their platforms are reshaping the way we engage with information, focusing on curating a balanced and healthy media…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. For the first time in weeks, Lee and Dave are thrust together in the same room!!! Add raging hangovers and a bottle of medicinal champagne and light the blue touch paper! Join us for our robust explorati…

After Trump: Understanding the Continuing Influence of Trumpism In Episode 46 we examine the enduring influence of Donald Trump on American politics and media. Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Trump continues to shape the political landscape. Special guest Robert Gutsche, a cultural studies scholar and journalist, joins the dis…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we watch the 2004 British film 'Fat Slags'. Universally panned by critics and a flop at the box office, Dave and Dr Lee dig deep to find a redeeming feature. Do we succeed? Also, we deep dive D…

In this episode, the conversation revolves around Project 2025, conservative policy proposals, and the potential implications on the administrative state. The discussion examines the nuances of Trump's agenda, the challenges of implementing certain policy changes, and the role of constitutional norms in safeguarding democracy. Dr. Evans offers a ba…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we watch the supernatural BBC 1 drama 'Ghostwatch' from 1992. Find out why it had the nation in uproar and jammed the BBC switchboard. Just who is Pipes? And dare you enter the Glory Hole? Sadl…

How Understanding Intractable Conflicts Can Improve Our Society In this powerful episode of the Outrage Overload Podcast, we dive deep into the roots of our societal conflicts and explore ways to bridge the seemingly intractable divides that are tearing us apart. Our guest, Dr. Guy Burgess, a pioneering figure in conflict resolution, shares his ins…

Why We Need Conservative Perspectives to Combat Polarization In this episode we address concerns about the podcast’s perceived political bias by featuring conservative researcher and author Michael Anderson. Anderson, known for his work on tribalism, offers a conservative perspective on issues like toxic polarization and the impact of social media …

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we watch the 1990 movie "Pretty Woman" starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Romantic fairy tale or a huge bucket of problematic misogyny? Let's discuss. Also, Lee's big night out in Soho an…

How to Build Mental Immunity Against Misinformation and Conspiracies In this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckmeyer joins forces with science educator Melanie Trecek-King to unpack the power of critical thinking in our everyday lives. They equip listeners with practical tools to become discerning information consumers. Learn how to evalu…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we watch an episode of popular UK sitcom 'Men Behaving Badly." from 1994. Just what was Lad Culture and what was it reacting against? Was it all just an advertisers wet dream? Also, Lee's pigeo…

When “Listen to the Other Side” Isn’t Enough (Emergency Panel) Feeling like "listen to the other side" just isn't cutting it anymore? You're not alone. In this special bonus episode of Outrage Overload, we address your frustration head-on with an "emergency panel" discussion. Communication experts Phyllis Leavitt and Lisa Swallow join us to explore…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we delve into the world of 'Carry On' films with Carry On Girls from 1973. Harmless saucy fun? Feminist classic? Hmmm...... Where can we buy a swanee whistle? Also, just where did Bananarama fi…

How Our Brains Are Wired for Political Division We look into the phenomenon of ideological inferences with guest Carsten Sander. The discussion revolves around how individuals instinctively categorize others based on their behavior, hindering civil discourse and perpetuating polarization. Sander's research reveals the complexities of these inferenc…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we cast the Problematic lens over Madonna's 1990 music video for Justify My Love. Madonna caused another commotion with the release of this video. But looking back on it, did it really warrant …

Why Crossing Party Lines is Essential for a Healthy Democracy In this bonus episode of Outrage Overload, we examine the challenges of political conversations and how to lower the temperature. Featuring Lisa Swallow, founder of Crossing Party Lines, the episode explores the importance of understanding and respectful dialogue across political divides…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we cast the Problematic lens over 'Man About The House', a UK sitcom from 1973. Jo and Chrissie find a strange man in their bath. But can he cook? And a new queen is crowned! All bow to Yootha …

The Trolls Among Us: Understanding and Mitigating Online Toxicity Fed up with the negativity that plagues online political discussions? This episode challenges the conventional wisdom that political topics themselves are the root of the problem. Join us as we delve into a groundbreaking new study that suggests the issue might lie with the people wh…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we take a deep dive into Bullseye, a popular UK TV gameshow from the 80's and 90's. Jim Bowen, Tony Green, Bully's Prize Board! It's all here. Problematic? You bet! Watch the Episode of Bullsey…

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Okay Boomer series! In this episode, we shift the mic to the younger generation for a conversation about a critical issue: housing. Skyrocketing rents and the seemingly impossible dream of homeownership are leaving many young adults feeling frustrated and hopeless. Our guests, Cameron Lee Cowan (writer) and J…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. In this episode we watch the British film 'Victim' from 1961. A classic starring Dirk Bogarde and Sylvia Syms, it was considered the first British film to portray homosexuality in a sympathetic light. Cl…

How Certainty Fuels Outrage and Division In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we delight in a thought-provoking conversation with Ilana Redstone, a leading expert on the psychology of certainty. Redstone introduces the concept of the "certainty trap" and explores how absolute certainty can hinder intellectual growth and impede healthy d…

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. In this episode we watch the pilot episode of Allo Allo! Saucy farce, British airmen, the alluring Michelle of the French resistance. Is War ever funny? When did 'gaslighting' become a dirty word? It's a…

How Negativity Bias Fuels Toxic Politics In this episode of Outrage Overload, we explore the concept of negativity bias and its role in toxic polarization. We are joined by Travis Monteleone, a private equity investor and depolarization advocate. Monteleone argues that negativity bias is a major factor contributing to toxic polarization because it …

Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture of yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This episode explores the Page 3 phenomenon by watching the BBC Documentary ’40 Minutes: Page 3 Girls’ from 1985. Harmless titillation? Misogynistic exploitation? Let’s discuss. Plus: Why is Lee bitter abo…

How to Combat Youth Radicalization Using Learning Psychology In this episode, we explore the rise of youth radicalization and the potential for online platforms to play a role in the radicalization process with Jack Wippell, an expert in extremism and radicalization. Jack shares insights into the factors that make individuals susceptible to radical…

Join Lee and Dave, on their maiden voyage, for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture of yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This episodes subject: '00's Makeover Shows, where we focus on the year 2003. Click here to watch the Episode of "What Not To Wear" Follow us on X and Instagram @podcastgaze And if…

I sit down with Lawrence Eppard to explore the complex landscape of media trust in America. How do we grapple with the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and news literacy in an increasingly polarized media landscape? From dissecting the roots of media distrust to exploring strategies for staying informed without succumbing to outrage ov…

In this special documentary-style episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, we look at the world of electoral politics and the challenges of close elections. Drawing inspiration from the movie "Swing Vote" and real-life insights from history, political science, and contemporary discourse, we explore the trend of close elections and the implications …

How to Rise Above Nasty Politics In this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast, host David Beckmeyer interviews Thomas Zeitzoff, a professor specializing in political violence and political psychology. The episode explores the concept of "nasty politics" and its impact on political discourse and democracy. Zeitzoff discusses the different forms o…

Discover how seemingly neutral topics can become politicized in this episode of the Outrage Overload podcast. Host David Beckemeyer is joined by researcher Dino Carpentras to explore the dynamics of polarization and dialogue. They discuss how even simple topics like circles and pencils can become battlegrounds for political ideologies, and the impl…

How Broken Trust is Poisoning American Democracy In this episode, host David Beckmeyer interviews Andreas Schedler about his research on political polarization in the United States. Schedler challenges the traditional understanding of polarization as a simple left-right divide and argues that the breakdown of trust is a fundamental factor driving h…

Why We Resist Facts & How to Fight Back! In this episode, we explore the concept of knowledge resistance with Dr. Åsa Wikforss. We discuss the complex factors that contribute to knowledge resistance, including confirmation bias and motivated reasoning. The conversation highlights the importance of trust in reliable sources of knowledge and the need…

Why we need to abandon the Left-Right political spectrum paradigm In this episode of Outrage Overload, we explorer the concept of left versus right thinking with guest Hiram Lewis. They discuss the flaws in the left versus right paradigm and how it hinders productive political discourse. Lewis argues that these labels do not represent consistent ph…

How Braver Angels is Lowering the Temperature in Political Conversations In this episode, David interviews Luke Nathan Phillips, the Publius Fellow for Public Discourse at Braver Angels. They discuss the mission of Braver Angels and how the organization is working to bridge the political and cultural divide in America. Luke shares the origins of Br…