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 clarityThis 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.