Let’s Talk
Polarization Podcast
The rise of affective polarization has become a defining feature of 21st-century politics. From abortion to gun control to immigration, the political discourse concerning America’s core issues has become plagued with cross-party intolerance, antipathy, and occasionally even violence.
Olivia Chiang founded Let’s Talk Unite in 2020 to investigate the causes and consequences of this divisive tendency. The podcast features monthly dialogues with leading scholars from around the globe. These episodes unravel the complex interplay between polarization and vital issues such as economic inequality, vaccine hesitancy, and campaign strategy. The podcast aims to present pioneering research papers in an engaging and digestible format for young people, to motivate the next generation of American politicians and voters to participate respectfully and compassionately in American democracy.
Featured Scholars
At Let’s Talk Unite, we recognize the utmost importance of highlighting the historically underrepresented and often overlooked voices of emerging and diverse scholars. Affective polarization is a multifaceted phenomenon that intersects with sociology, neuroscience, and communication, among numerous other disciplines. Moreover, the issues of political fragmentation and partisan antipathy extend to countries and cultures around the world. The inclusion of all socioeconomic, racial, and gender backgrounds in our study of affective polarization is essential to achieving a comprehensive exploration of a broad range of questions. We have made a deliberate effort to contact and dedicate a significant portion of our podcast to emerging and diverse scholars.
All Episodes