Dr. Caroline Leaf Podcast

Why does political division feel so personal—and so addictive? In this episode, I unpack the neuroscience of ideological entrenchment, how tribal identity shapes our threat response, and why outrage keeps getting rewarded by your brain’s own chemistry. You’ll learn: ✅ How repeated exposure to conflict rewires your brain (ideological neuroplasticity) ✅ Why your nervous system confuses disagreement with danger ✅ The real cost of certainty—and how dopamine drives polarization ✅ A 5-minute micro-tool to break the loop and reclaim mental clarity This isn’t about silencing your values. It’s about staying present in a world designed to keep you outraged—and helping your brain feel safe without rigidity.