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As data overwhelms our minds and social media splinters our attention, genuine dialogues feel endangered.
While algorithms amplify outrage and division becomes profitable, how can we safeguard what matters—conversation itself?
In our fractured media landscape, truth sinks beneath waves of tribal certainty. The more siloed we become, the more we’re convinced we alone see beyond our echo chambers.
My guest today is Josh Szeps, a principled provocateur and host of Uncomfortable Conversations, whose voice enlightens without inflaming. He’s intelligent and brings a rare level of intentionality to difficult conversations in today’s landscape. As a former host of Australia’s public radio, Josh witnessed firsthand how legacy media’s cautious groupthink alienated audiences seeking authentic discourse.
Today, we explore why conversation matters as perhaps our most vital tool for maintaining the integrity of not just liberal democracy, but problem-solving in general. We rarely venture outside our bubbles to engage with those who view the world differently. Within that lies a bigger issue—if we can’t even agree on what’s real, how can we cohere as a collective?
“The media should be willing to have much more courageous conversations than they’re having.”
– JOSH SZEPS
Our investigation spans from how social media algorithms shape perception to why personal liberty can only exist when there is a shared responsibility to the commons. As artificial intelligence threatens to further disrupt our sense of shared reality, we examine what it means to maintain good faith dialogue in an era where outrage is currency and division is profitable.
In this rapidly evolving media landscape, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Where once there was amity between differing viewpoints, we now find enmity. When people feel left behind and unheard, they’re drawn to those who promise to tear down the system. Yet, within this chaos, Josh demonstrates why genuine dialogue is our best path forward.
Our conversation navigates how we’ve transitioned from an era where political understanding was possible to one dominated by reaction and division. We survey the vast spectrum of voices in our new media landscape while confronting a crucial question: as trust in journalistic institutions declines, where does that leave us?
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This discussion resonated deeply. It’s more than mere commentary—it’s a masterclass in the art of dialogue, an act of bridge-building, and a vital reminder of what’s possible when we dare to have uncomfortable conversations.
Whether you’re seeking to understand our fragmented reality or hoping to have better conversations across divides, this episode lights the way toward authentic dialogue in these tumultuous times.
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- Connect with Josh: Instagram | X | Youtube | Substack | Website
- Podcast: Uncomfortable Conversations
- TV shows: The People VS | Brink | Weekend Breakfast
- The Psychology Podcast: Josh Szeps || Thinking Freely
- Muck Rack: Articles by Josh Szeps
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Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Dan Drake & Morgan McCrae for video, & editing; graphics by graphics by Alejandro Ribadeneira & Bryan Lawrence; portraits by Davy Greenberg; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
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