Kurt Gray on How to Bridge Moral Divides and Rebuild Trust | EP 591

Mar 28, 2025

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In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Kurt Gray, professor of psychology and author of the new book Outraged, joins John R. Miles to explore why we live in such a morally charged world—and what we can do to repair it. Together, they unpack the psychology behind outrage, the evolutionary roots of our moral minds, and why our perceptions of harm often drive us apart.

Kurt shares powerful stories and groundbreaking research to help us understand competitive victimhood, moral typecasting, and the dangers of social media-fueled moral panics. They also dive into practical strategies—like intentional listening, empathy, and storytelling—for bridging divides in families, communities, and politics. Whether you're trying to heal a relationship or navigate the culture wars, this episode is a must-listen.

Full Shownotes here: https://passionstruck.com/kurt-gray-on-how-to-bridge-moral-divides/

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Harm Is the Master Key: Our moral minds evolved to detect and respond to harm—especially within our groups. This evolutionary lens explains much of today's outrage.
Social Media Fuels Moral Panics: Platforms are wired to pair threats with virality, causing us to spiral into outrage and reactivity.
Moral Typecasting Limits Empathy: We label people as either victims or villains, which prevents us from seeing their full humanity.
Outrage Is Often Rooted in Unseen Pain: People’s perceptions of harm are deeply personal, shaped by past trauma, loss, or unacknowledged suffering.
Mattering Matters: Feeling unseen or dismissed heightens moral conflict. Recognizing someone’s pain helps defuse moral tension.

Connect with Kurt Gray: https://www.kurtjgray.com/

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Next on Passion Struck:
In the next episode of Passion Struck, John sits down with Anne Marie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, sports journalist, and leadership expert. Anne Marie has spent years breaking barriers in sports media, navigating high-stakes environments, and coaching top athletes and executives on leadership, resilience, and communication. In our conversation, we'll dive into the mental frameworks of high performers, the art of storytelling, and how to build confidence in any field.

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