But Why is Politics so Messy? | Part 1: The Psychology of Political Paralysis

Part 1 of our new series: But Why is Politics so Messy?In a world on fire, why do so many people double down, look away…or stay stuck?

In this episode, Kristin and Laura explore the psychology of political identity and why some people cling to harmful ideologies while others retreat into silence, shock, or denial.From Terror Management Theory to psychological flexibility, we unpack how identity, fear, and social safety shape what we believe, and why it’s so hard to change.

This episode breaks down:

The difference between denial, ambivalence, and complicity

Why some people become radicalised and others stay silent

The myth of neutrality (spoiler: objectivity is a political position)

How systems reward disengagement and punish empathy

The emotional exhaustion of being engaged, and why rest is a privilege

We also introduce our new model of “political stuckness”: a framework to understand how people stay passive, reactive, or comfortable while harm accelerates.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, burnt out, or just trying to understand how we got here, this series is for you.

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