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

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/ Sponsors: Factor Meals: http://factormeals.com/factormeals50off and use code “FACTOR MEALS 50 OFF” Rosetta Stone: Unlock 25 languages for life at “ROSETTASTONE.com/passionstruck.” Prolon: Reset your health with 15% off at “ProlonLife.com/passionstruck.” Mint Mobile: Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at “MINT MOBILE dot com slash PASSION.” Hims: Start your journey to regrowing hair with Hims. Visit hims.com/PASSIONSTRUCK for your free online visit. Quince: Discover luxury at affordable prices with Quince. Enjoy free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/PASSION 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. For more information on advertisers and promo codes, visit Passion Struck Deals . Join the Passion Struck Community! Sign up for the Live Intentionally newsletter, where I share exclusive content, actionable advice, and insights to help you ignite your purpose and live your most intentional life. Get access to practical exercises, inspiring stories, and tools designed to help you grow. Learn more and sign up here . Speaking Engagements & Workshops Are you looking to inspire your team, organization, or audience to take intentional action in their lives and careers? I’m available for keynote speaking, workshops, and leadership training on topics such as intentional living, resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Let’s work together to create transformational change. Learn more at johnrmiles.com/speaking . Episode Starter Packs With over 500 episodes, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We’ve curated Episode Starter Packs based on key themes like leadership, mental health, and personal growth, making it easier for you to dive into the topics you care about. Check them out at passionstruck.com/starterpacks . Catch More of Passion Struck : My solo episode on Why Mattering at Work Is the New Metric Leaders Must Track Catch My Episode with Coach Matt Doherty on How You Rebound From Life’s Toughest Moments Watch my interview with Jessica Kriegel on How to Build an Intentional Workplace Can’t miss my episode withJacob Morgan on the Vital Power of Leading With Vulnerability Listen to my interview with Ivo Brughmans on How to Navigate the Paradoxes of Leadership Check My solo episode on Why We All Crave To Matter: Exploring The Power Of Mattering . If you liked the show, please leave us a review —it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally. How to Connect with John: Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel For more insights and resources, visit John’s website Want to explore where you stand on the path to becoming Passion Struck? Take our 20-question quiz on Passionstruck.com and find out today! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .