Karin Tamerius on Why Our Brains Struggle with Modern Politics

Karin Tamerius is a psychiatrist, a political psychologist, and the founder of Smart Politics. She writes the Substack "The Smart Politics Way," which has quietly become one of the most thoughtful guides to how we talk about—and think about—politics.

The truth is, we’re living in a time where the news cycle is relentless. It’s not just a daily onslaught of information; it’s a constant barrage of developments, policies, and crises that seem to demand our immediate attention. And while it’s natural to feel concerned about the state of the world, I can’t help but wonder: are we handling this in the best possible way? What Karin argues is something deceptively simple: our brains were never built for politics.

In this episode, I got a chance to speak with her about why the human brain is not hardwired to deal with politics in a productive way, how empathy shapes peoples' political beliefs, and the kinds of discipline that people can engender within themselves to deal with the news cycle.

Show Notes

"Your Brain Isn't Built for Politics—Here's What to Do About It" by Karin Tamerius, The Smart Politics Way

"Talking with Trump Voters Seems Hopeless—But It's Not" by Karin Tamerius, The Smart Politics Way