Psyched-Up Politics
@psycheduppolitics.bsky.social
We analyze political messaging through psychology: why messaging works (or doesn't) & fundamentals of effective strategy. Promoting democracy by explaining how to share purpose through truth.
Newsletter: https://substack.com/@psycheduppolitics
Newsletter: https://substack.com/@psycheduppolitics
Pinned
Stop Telling Us Not to Tune Out of Politics
Do This Instead
psycheduppolitics.substack.com
Left-wing media shouldn't be telling us to tune back in after a little self-care.
It should be doing this instead.
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/stop-telli...
It should be doing this instead.
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/stop-telli...
Sometimes, I get criticized for only offering advice and constructive criticism to Democratic figures.
That's fair.
I do it because I want to give them their best shot at being their most effective.
But in the interest of balance, here's some advice for the other side:
That's fair.
I do it because I want to give them their best shot at being their most effective.
But in the interest of balance, here's some advice for the other side:
Jim Carrey: Stop Breaking The Law!
ALT: Jim Carrey: Stop Breaking The Law!
static.klipy.com
September 13, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Sometimes, I get criticized for only offering advice and constructive criticism to Democratic figures.
That's fair.
I do it because I want to give them their best shot at being their most effective.
But in the interest of balance, here's some advice for the other side:
That's fair.
I do it because I want to give them their best shot at being their most effective.
But in the interest of balance, here's some advice for the other side:
Left-wing media shouldn't be telling us to tune back in after a little self-care.
It should be doing this instead.
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/stop-telli...
It should be doing this instead.
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/stop-telli...
Stop Telling Us Not to Tune Out of Politics
Do This Instead
psycheduppolitics.substack.com
September 13, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Left-wing media shouldn't be telling us to tune back in after a little self-care.
It should be doing this instead.
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/stop-telli...
It should be doing this instead.
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/stop-telli...
Reposted by Psyched-Up Politics
"No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level - I mean the wages of decent living." .. (Franklin. D. Roosevelt) ..(cartoon Nick Anderson)
September 5, 2026 at 6:23 PM
"No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level - I mean the wages of decent living." .. (Franklin. D. Roosevelt) ..(cartoon Nick Anderson)
News used to be the way you stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world.
Now it's a crapshoot of whether they will cover one political disaster to avoid talking about a different one, or if they will avoid all and only talk about:
- storms everywhere
- a shooting somewhere
- plane problems
Now it's a crapshoot of whether they will cover one political disaster to avoid talking about a different one, or if they will avoid all and only talk about:
- storms everywhere
- a shooting somewhere
- plane problems
September 5, 2026 at 5:42 PM
News used to be the way you stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world.
Now it's a crapshoot of whether they will cover one political disaster to avoid talking about a different one, or if they will avoid all and only talk about:
- storms everywhere
- a shooting somewhere
- plane problems
Now it's a crapshoot of whether they will cover one political disaster to avoid talking about a different one, or if they will avoid all and only talk about:
- storms everywhere
- a shooting somewhere
- plane problems
we won't help you with the costs rising because of our choices, and we won't do more on screwworm, but shoot a wolf if it'll make you feel better. It's always a wolf that's the problem in cartoons so probably it'll help.
Ranchers are visibly uncomfortable as Trump tells them they’re now empowered to kill wolves even though it’s illegal
September 4, 2026 at 8:50 PM
we won't help you with the costs rising because of our choices, and we won't do more on screwworm, but shoot a wolf if it'll make you feel better. It's always a wolf that's the problem in cartoons so probably it'll help.
Well that inspires confidence...
For an admin slamming vegans, this seems like a great ad for becoming one.
For an admin slamming vegans, this seems like a great ad for becoming one.
Trump on marked down imported ground beef: It's coming from different places, it's coming from Argentina. It's coming from Brazil. It's very clean, it's very good
September 4, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Well that inspires confidence...
For an admin slamming vegans, this seems like a great ad for becoming one.
For an admin slamming vegans, this seems like a great ad for becoming one.
I don't know what the movie does with the theme, but I CAN'T watch "Coyote vs. Acme"
The story in the cartoons is that a customer orders items from (and ostensibly pays his money to) a big company that sells everything and it always bites him in the ass but no fallout for Acme.
Too real.
The story in the cartoons is that a customer orders items from (and ostensibly pays his money to) a big company that sells everything and it always bites him in the ass but no fallout for Acme.
Too real.
August 31, 2026 at 8:01 PM
I don't know what the movie does with the theme, but I CAN'T watch "Coyote vs. Acme"
The story in the cartoons is that a customer orders items from (and ostensibly pays his money to) a big company that sells everything and it always bites him in the ass but no fallout for Acme.
Too real.
The story in the cartoons is that a customer orders items from (and ostensibly pays his money to) a big company that sells everything and it always bites him in the ass but no fallout for Acme.
Too real.
Shock gloves, Flock cameras, data centers, and these things...
Tech doesn't actually have to screw us this hard unless our funding structure favors the malign.
Tech doesn't actually have to screw us this hard unless our funding structure favors the malign.
Ordinarily, if you are recorded against your will, you can try to leave the area or otherwise resist.
But many people are encountering smart glasses for the first time while at their job, especially those who interact with the public.
Read more from @miasato.bsky.social: buff.ly/NCRVnoe
But many people are encountering smart glasses for the first time while at their job, especially those who interact with the public.
Read more from @miasato.bsky.social: buff.ly/NCRVnoe
August 20, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Shock gloves, Flock cameras, data centers, and these things...
Tech doesn't actually have to screw us this hard unless our funding structure favors the malign.
Tech doesn't actually have to screw us this hard unless our funding structure favors the malign.
Freudian slip...
Trump: "We're also in the very beginning of a revolution in fictional and financial -- you take a look at some of the things that are being done on a financial basis ... "
August 19, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Freudian slip...
This needs to be said:
While the right is freaking out about women in power not being taken seriously by the left, are they really trying to say that a woman rising in power on the merits of her talent is exemplified by one using language like, "you're all that matters to me" to her boss?
While the right is freaking out about women in power not being taken seriously by the left, are they really trying to say that a woman rising in power on the merits of her talent is exemplified by one using language like, "you're all that matters to me" to her boss?
August 19, 2026 at 7:20 PM
This needs to be said:
While the right is freaking out about women in power not being taken seriously by the left, are they really trying to say that a woman rising in power on the merits of her talent is exemplified by one using language like, "you're all that matters to me" to her boss?
While the right is freaking out about women in power not being taken seriously by the left, are they really trying to say that a woman rising in power on the merits of her talent is exemplified by one using language like, "you're all that matters to me" to her boss?
James Talarico's ad is great.
Many of Paxton's offenses are not relatable. But who doesn't think you're a jerk if you steal someone's stuff?
Many of Paxton's offenses are not relatable. But who doesn't think you're a jerk if you steal someone's stuff?
August 18, 2026 at 2:41 AM
James Talarico's ad is great.
Many of Paxton's offenses are not relatable. But who doesn't think you're a jerk if you steal someone's stuff?
Many of Paxton's offenses are not relatable. But who doesn't think you're a jerk if you steal someone's stuff?
Hey Claude, WTAF?!?!
Clark approached Epstein after he had already been convicted for soliciting prostitution.
Who Is Cami Clark? Anthropic CEO’s Wife Asked Epstein To Invest In Porn Business
Clark approached Epstein after he had already been convicted for soliciting prostitution.
www.forbes.com
August 15, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Hey Claude, WTAF?!?!
What's "electability"? The political answer and the psychological one aren't the same...
Why our frame should change and how:
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/what-is-el...
Why our frame should change and how:
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/what-is-el...
What Is Electability?
And Why Can't We Figure It Out?
psycheduppolitics.substack.com
August 15, 2026 at 2:26 AM
What's "electability"? The political answer and the psychological one aren't the same...
Why our frame should change and how:
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/what-is-el...
Why our frame should change and how:
psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/what-is-el...
I'm wondering how much of this is correlation not causation. Yes, there is more remote work. But also, companies downsize and expect remaining workers to make up the difference without pay raises & to answer emails and phones 24/7.
Maybe if they had $ & time off they could socialize on THEIR terms.
Maybe if they had $ & time off they could socialize on THEIR terms.
Recent research suggests that remote work has been a major contributor to deteriorating mental health between 2011 and 2024, confirming a concern that many leaders have felt as remote work has become more prevalent.
The Downsides Of Remote Work For Employees
Research suggests narcissistic leaders prefer in-office work. But empathetic leaders have compelling reasons for bringing people together, too—like employee well-being.
www.forbes.com
August 14, 2026 at 5:26 PM
I'm wondering how much of this is correlation not causation. Yes, there is more remote work. But also, companies downsize and expect remaining workers to make up the difference without pay raises & to answer emails and phones 24/7.
Maybe if they had $ & time off they could socialize on THEIR terms.
Maybe if they had $ & time off they could socialize on THEIR terms.
Some people watch Disney and want someday to meet Prince Charming.
Some people want to be friends with all the animals. (that's me)
And some people want a bedazzled ballroom.
Some people want to be friends with all the animals. (that's me)
And some people want a bedazzled ballroom.
August 14, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Some people watch Disney and want someday to meet Prince Charming.
Some people want to be friends with all the animals. (that's me)
And some people want a bedazzled ballroom.
Some people want to be friends with all the animals. (that's me)
And some people want a bedazzled ballroom.
We perpetually expect people to share our knowledge base and logic systems. They don't.
You still have to convince people even of things you take for granted. And per the elaboration likelihood model, don't expect them to just engage out of high need for cognition.
Engage them.
More:
You still have to convince people even of things you take for granted. And per the elaboration likelihood model, don't expect them to just engage out of high need for cognition.
Engage them.
More:
August 14, 2026 at 12:34 AM
We perpetually expect people to share our knowledge base and logic systems. They don't.
You still have to convince people even of things you take for granted. And per the elaboration likelihood model, don't expect them to just engage out of high need for cognition.
Engage them.
More:
You still have to convince people even of things you take for granted. And per the elaboration likelihood model, don't expect them to just engage out of high need for cognition.
Engage them.
More:
Please share.
and stay to that last line 😂
and stay to that last line 😂
We just dropped our newest ad — and this one’s special.
It features my PawPaw — a Baptist preacher who taught me to follow the two great commandments: love God & love neighbor.
Those teachings led me to public service and they’re why I’m running for the U.S. Senate.
It features my PawPaw — a Baptist preacher who taught me to follow the two great commandments: love God & love neighbor.
Those teachings led me to public service and they’re why I’m running for the U.S. Senate.
August 13, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Please share.
and stay to that last line 😂
and stay to that last line 😂
Next time someone makes fun of Pete Buttigieg or implies that he wasn't good at his job, let's remind folks that they think THIS is being good at the job.
He wants us all dead.
FOX News just thinks this is great !!
How about you ?
FAA TO HIRE GAMERS to be Air Traffic Controllers and only give them 5 MONTHS TRAINING when it should be Two Years
One of the most stressful jobs ever
What could go wrong ?
This is insane
How about you ?
FAA TO HIRE GAMERS to be Air Traffic Controllers and only give them 5 MONTHS TRAINING when it should be Two Years
One of the most stressful jobs ever
What could go wrong ?
This is insane
August 13, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Next time someone makes fun of Pete Buttigieg or implies that he wasn't good at his job, let's remind folks that they think THIS is being good at the job.
This is the nonsense I scream into the void about.
It's not about whether someone is "progressive" or "moderate." There are no hard and fast lessons about political lean.
It is 100% on candidate ability to:
SEE PROBLEM -> FIX PROBLEM for public
Why are we so bent on learning the wrong lessons?!
It's not about whether someone is "progressive" or "moderate." There are no hard and fast lessons about political lean.
It is 100% on candidate ability to:
SEE PROBLEM -> FIX PROBLEM for public
Why are we so bent on learning the wrong lessons?!
A DSA Candidate Lost a Messy Race for Wisconsin Governor #MotherJones
www.motherjones.com
A DSA candidate lost a messy race for Wisconsin governor
twp.ai
August 12, 2026 at 6:21 PM
This is the nonsense I scream into the void about.
It's not about whether someone is "progressive" or "moderate." There are no hard and fast lessons about political lean.
It is 100% on candidate ability to:
SEE PROBLEM -> FIX PROBLEM for public
Why are we so bent on learning the wrong lessons?!
It's not about whether someone is "progressive" or "moderate." There are no hard and fast lessons about political lean.
It is 100% on candidate ability to:
SEE PROBLEM -> FIX PROBLEM for public
Why are we so bent on learning the wrong lessons?!
"It says here on your resume that you have over 30 years of experience?"
"Yeah I beat every Star Fox that came out, so I'm pretty much ready to run a tower."
"Yeah I beat every Star Fox that came out, so I'm pretty much ready to run a tower."
August 11, 2026 at 12:44 AM
"It says here on your resume that you have over 30 years of experience?"
"Yeah I beat every Star Fox that came out, so I'm pretty much ready to run a tower."
"Yeah I beat every Star Fox that came out, so I'm pretty much ready to run a tower."
Long-term strategy got Republicans into power as they are today.
One simple frame shift can change our whole strategy and get Democrats on track.
Read how: psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/the-succes...
One simple frame shift can change our whole strategy and get Democrats on track.
Read how: psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/the-succes...
The Success on the Horizon(s)
We Have to Rethink How We Plan
psycheduppolitics.substack.com
August 11, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Long-term strategy got Republicans into power as they are today.
One simple frame shift can change our whole strategy and get Democrats on track.
Read how: psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/the-succes...
One simple frame shift can change our whole strategy and get Democrats on track.
Read how: psycheduppolitics.substack.com/p/the-succes...
Writers will explain that the hardest thing to write is a "genius" character because you have to be smart enough to show their depth of intelligence.
It's gotta be hard to be an official pretending to have intelligent thought when you don't.
It's gotta be hard to be an official pretending to have intelligent thought when you don't.
August 9, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Writers will explain that the hardest thing to write is a "genius" character because you have to be smart enough to show their depth of intelligence.
It's gotta be hard to be an official pretending to have intelligent thought when you don't.
It's gotta be hard to be an official pretending to have intelligent thought when you don't.
Remember when:
- Gates said a workweek would be 2 days
- Dimon said ~4 days
- Musk said work would be OPTIONAL like a "hobby"
all because of AI and automation?
Well...
- Gates said a workweek would be 2 days
- Dimon said ~4 days
- Musk said work would be OPTIONAL like a "hobby"
all because of AI and automation?
Well...
huh wonder why people are rebelling against this technology oh well guess we’ll never know
August 8, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Remember when:
- Gates said a workweek would be 2 days
- Dimon said ~4 days
- Musk said work would be OPTIONAL like a "hobby"
all because of AI and automation?
Well...
- Gates said a workweek would be 2 days
- Dimon said ~4 days
- Musk said work would be OPTIONAL like a "hobby"
all because of AI and automation?
Well...
"I will do something I know is wrong. I'll be criticized for that. What's new?"
Nothing. That's the problem. Nothing is new.
Most intelligent life forms adjust behavior when the natural outcome is bad. You will not. Instead, you flaccidly shake your fist at the natural consequence of your action.
Nothing. That's the problem. Nothing is new.
Most intelligent life forms adjust behavior when the natural outcome is bad. You will not. Instead, you flaccidly shake your fist at the natural consequence of your action.
Cassidy: "I will vote for Mr Blanche. I will be criticized for this vote. What's new?"
August 7, 2026 at 9:23 PM
"I will do something I know is wrong. I'll be criticized for that. What's new?"
Nothing. That's the problem. Nothing is new.
Most intelligent life forms adjust behavior when the natural outcome is bad. You will not. Instead, you flaccidly shake your fist at the natural consequence of your action.
Nothing. That's the problem. Nothing is new.
Most intelligent life forms adjust behavior when the natural outcome is bad. You will not. Instead, you flaccidly shake your fist at the natural consequence of your action.
Given how much this administration loves awkward workout videos set to music, I'm wonder why there is no video of McConnell crushing his exercises at home.
If he's well enough to go home, he's well enough for someone to get a 5-second video of him doing anything. At all.
If he's well enough to go home, he's well enough for someone to get a 5-second video of him doing anything. At all.
August 7, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Given how much this administration loves awkward workout videos set to music, I'm wonder why there is no video of McConnell crushing his exercises at home.
If he's well enough to go home, he's well enough for someone to get a 5-second video of him doing anything. At all.
If he's well enough to go home, he's well enough for someone to get a 5-second video of him doing anything. At all.