Apr 20
When bullying and personal attacks are rewarded, kids see them as desirable and effective. Photo: Valentina Nity’s Images|Canva Pro

Do You Want Your Kids Arguing Like a Politician?

U.S. politics teaches kids to handle conflict by fighting dirty, not listening and responding with respect. Those lessons won’t serve them well in their own relationships. Key Points: Kids see politics and social media as tutorials on how power, attention, and winning work Repeated exposure to hostile, winner-take-all conflict is... read more →
Apr 20
Gottman’s four negative communication patterns that predict divorce dominate American politics and threaten democracy. Can this marriage be saved? -Photo: John Summers|Getty Images Signature

U.S. Politics Look Like a Bad Marriage

Psychologist John Gottman identified four communication patterns that predict divorce; all are present in U.S. politics today. Key Points Character attacks, not policy debates, are now the primary mode of political communication Contempt in public discourse trains people to see opponents as “others” who are less worthy and less human... read more →
Apr 01
War memes - propaganda

We’re Being Played: Propaganda, Memes and War

Packaging war in meme-driven narratives uses cultural cues to turn combat into entertainment, normalizing violence and influencing how future conflicts are perceived.Key pointsMemetic warfare uses pop culture symbols, like Call of Duty and Captain America, to frame conflict as heroic and morally right.Social media is flooded with memes that glorify... read more →
Jan 11

The Legacy of Daytime Talk Shows Lives in Your Feed

The talk shows never disappeared. Their conflict, confessions, and emotional manipulation became shareable spectacles on social media. Key Takeaways Talk shows turned emotional exposure into entertainment, but what was episodic is now continuous Algorithms replaced studio audiences and reward emotional intensity, not reflection or accuracy. Social media inherited “talk show”... read more →
Jan 10

Oprah's High Road: Diverging Paths in Daytime Talk Shows

Oprah Winfrey’s shift away from sensationalism reframed vulnerability and altered how audiences engaged with emotional storytelling. Key Takeaways Oprah reframed vulnerability as a tool for growth rather than entertainment. Upward comparison can be motivating when examples are relatable and achievable. Redemption narratives support meaning-making and increase hope. Trust-based parasocial bonds... read more →