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Lura Forcum: The Pleasure of Outrage vs. The Cost of Division

Outrage is addictive—but understanding it may be our way out. 

Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Lura Forcum, president of The Independent Center and co-host of We Made This Political, for a fascinating conversation about political schadenfreude—the pleasure we feel when our opponents suffer. Drawing from her background in consumer and social psychology, Lura explains how this emotion drives today’s outrage economy, fuels partisanship, and weakens civic trust.

Together they explore how independent voters are reshaping the political landscape and how genuine human connection can heal the divisions outrage creates.

Topics Covered:

• The psychology of schadenfreude in politics
• How outrage is engineered for profit
• Why independent voters hold the key to civic renewal
• Restoring connection and trust in public life
• Moving from political battles to real conversations

Learn more about and connect with Lura Forcum in the full show notes at DerateTheHate.com. 

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

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