This Might Get Awkward Podcast Por The Second City arte de portada

This Might Get Awkward

This Might Get Awkward

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Could "Yes, and..." mend America's cultural and political divide? Psychologist Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman and comedian Allison Reese put improv's golden rule to the test. They laugh, listen and spar with those on the frontlines of our divide, from polarizing public figures to the social scientists who study it. And if they can't mend it, they'll at least have a good laugh trying.

© 2025 This Might Get Awkward
Ciencia Ciencias Sociales
Episodios
  • The Psychology of Outrage: Dr. Kurt Gray on Finding Common Ground
    Dec 21 2025

    In this episode, social psychologist Dr. Kurt Gray explains why outrage feels so constant in modern politics, and why it’s more real, more human, and more fear-based than we often assume.

    Author of the book "Outraged", Kurt breaks down the steps to quell outrage and find moral ground. He describes why our brains are wired to fixate on harm and the role of social media in creating stress levels that mirror PTSD. He brings in findings from his research to explore why outrage can push people away from productive action.

    The episode ends with an improv game where Kurt playfully reimagines how how famous stories might had gone differently if people had actually tried to understand eachother.

    In the season finale, Scott and Allison learn from Kurt how to expertly bridge our strongest divides.

    00:00 We live in the age of outrage
    05:10 Is outrage real or performative?
    09:45 How social media amplifies fear
    14:30 Why our brains fixate on harm
    18:55 What we’re really protecting
    23:40 Villains, victims, and false binaries
    28:30 How to meet people where they are
    34:10 Why stories change minds more than data
    40:05 Using humor to lower the temperature
    47:30 Improv game: Rewriting famous conflicts

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    57 m
  • Fighting Fascism with Humor: Lessons from Activist Loretta J. Ross
    Dec 15 2025

    In this episode, MacArthur Fellow and lifelong human rights activist Loretta J. Ross shares why humor may be one of the smartest ways to fight fascism, and why outrage alone often falls short.

    Drawing on more than 50 years of activism, including her work deprogramming white supremacists, Loretta explains the philosophy of her new book “Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel.” The discussion explores authoritarian psychology, cancel culture, and what actually helps people change their minds. To finish the episode, Loretta plays an improv game to show how laughter, curiosity, and dignity can open conversations that anger shuts down.

    03:45 Why fascists hate being laughed at
    07:30 Calling in vs. calling out
    12:10 Why outrage often backfires
    16:20 Fighting extremism without losing empathy
    21:40 Lessons from deprogramming white supremacists
    28:05 How fear fuels authoritarianism
    33:10 Calling in family, friends, and strangers
    39:00 When to disengage—and why that matters
    42:40 The improv game: "good advice / bad advice"
    55:10 How to fight fascism without losing yourself

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    58 m
  • Why Admitting Our Errors Could Save Our Political Future with Aaron Dimmock
    Dec 7 2025

    In this episode, former naval officer and Republican candidate Aaron Dimmock talks about what it really takes to stay honest; in politics, in community, and with ourselves. He reflects on polarization, party identity, and the cultural forces that make admitting mistakes feel risky. Through stories from military life, his congressional run, and everyday human moments, Aaron explores why transparency is so hard and why it matters.

    The conversation weaves through psychology themes like threat perception, group identity, and the silent-majority effect—ending with a hopeful look at how love, listening, and shared humanity can shift the tone of our national conversation.

    00:00 — Calling out America’s “Bad Breath”
    02:00 — Aaron’s journey: Navy officer to candidate
    03:20 — The Ted Lasso metaphor for honesty
    08:15 — Why politicians won’t admit mistakes
    14:30 — The Stockdale Paradox & facing reality
    19:30 — Aaron's take on how to mend the divide
    23:40 — Losing friends for running Republican
    34:00 — Fear, pain & why people get loud
    55:50 — Improv game: the halftime speech to save America

    A production of The Second City and the Argosy Foundation

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    1 h y 6 m
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