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Ep. 29: Thanksgiving Special with Kurt Gray on Outrage

Ep. 29: Thanksgiving Special with Kurt Gray on Outrage

We Made This Political Podcast · Lauren Hall, Lura Forcum, and Kurt Gray

November 24, 20251h 4m

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Show Notes

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall talk with Kurt Gray, author of ‘Outraged.’ They explore strategies for managing political conversations with family during Thanksgiving, emphasizing the importance of connection, curiosity, and validation to prevent conflict. The conversation delves into the social psychology of outrage, the impact of tribalism, and practical tips for maintaining calm and constructive dialogue during the holiday season.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts

00:36 Meet the Hosts and Guest

01:43 Introducing Kurt Gray and His Work

02:54 Handling Political Conversations with Family

04:46 The Role of Curiosity in Conversations

08:22 Physiological Responses to Outrage

15:24 Parenting and Managing Big Feelings

17:17 The Importance of Validation in Conversations

21:07 Legitimate Outrage vs. Reactive Outrage

26:16 Perceptions of Harm and Moral Condemnation

30:24 Setting Ground Rules for Difficult Conversations

31:29 The Importance of Beginnings

31:51 Communication Patterns in Families

32:16 Mark Rober’s Friendly Car Horn

33:06 Social Engineering and Road Rage

34:05 The Power of Asking Questions

35:31 Parenting and Moral Emotions

37:00 Relinquishing the Self in Conversations

38:05 Navigating Anger and De-escalation

42:18 Tribalism and Affective Polarization

47:50 Practical Tips for Holiday Conversations

59:37 Optimism in One-on-One Interactions

01:01:56 Conclusion and Where to Find More



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