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
