Michael Sargent
@sargeinpolipsych.bsky.social
I'm an Associate Professor of Psychology, with training in social psychology and interests in political psychology. I often study race, but not always.
The semester got busy and I didn't manage to produce a new podcast episode. So I went into the archives of my old podcast, Tatter, and dug out one of my favorite episodes, featuring my colleague and friend, philosopher Lauren Ashwell, as we discuss slurs over whiskey: circumscription.fireside.fm/11
Tatter Archives: "Slurred Speech"
I'm pulling an episode from the archives of my previous podcast, Tatter. This is a discussion of slurs--especially gendered slurs, as well as racial and ethnic slurs--with philosopher Lauren Ashwell.
circumscription.fireside.fm
November 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The semester got busy and I didn't manage to produce a new podcast episode. So I went into the archives of my old podcast, Tatter, and dug out one of my favorite episodes, featuring my colleague and friend, philosopher Lauren Ashwell, as we discuss slurs over whiskey: circumscription.fireside.fm/11
Reposted by Michael Sargent
Service is the truest measure of patriotism. On Veterans Day, we honor all who have taken the oath and worn the uniform - and our nation recommits to keeping its promises to every veteran who served our country.
November 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Service is the truest measure of patriotism. On Veterans Day, we honor all who have taken the oath and worn the uniform - and our nation recommits to keeping its promises to every veteran who served our country.
Interested in academic freedom? Check out my interview with UT law professor and former AAUP general counsel, David Rabban. circumscription.fireside.fm/10
The Cloth of Protection
A discussion of academic freedom with law professor David Rabban.
circumscription.fireside.fm
November 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Interested in academic freedom? Check out my interview with UT law professor and former AAUP general counsel, David Rabban. circumscription.fireside.fm/10
Interested in academic freedom? Check out my new podcast episode this upcoming Tuesday. I talk with law professor David Rabban, an expert on academic freedom and freedom of speech. Here's a teaser: youtu.be/PSvQzWPI3rE
Circumscription Episode 10--Teaser 1
YouTube video by Michael Sargent
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Interested in academic freedom? Check out my new podcast episode this upcoming Tuesday. I talk with law professor David Rabban, an expert on academic freedom and freedom of speech. Here's a teaser: youtu.be/PSvQzWPI3rE
The new episode went live early this morning. Here's my conversation with Gerald Higginbotham. If you're interested in race and gun rights, check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/9
Triggered
A conversation with social psychologist Gerald Higginbotham about race and gun rights.
circumscription.fireside.fm
October 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The new episode went live early this morning. Here's my conversation with Gerald Higginbotham. If you're interested in race and gun rights, check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/9
Coming up the morning of October 28, a new episode of Circumscription. This new episode is about race and gun rights, and it features my fellow social psychologist, Gerald Higginbotham: youtu.be/99iLylkjb0Q
Circumscription Episode 9--Teaser 1
YouTube video by Michael Sargent
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Coming up the morning of October 28, a new episode of Circumscription. This new episode is about race and gun rights, and it features my fellow social psychologist, Gerald Higginbotham: youtu.be/99iLylkjb0Q
JD Vance's spokesperson: "If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose the training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead."
Wow. "Deadliest" *and* "most lethal." Gotta cover one's bases.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Wow. "Deadliest" *and* "most lethal." Gotta cover one's bases.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Military Plans to Fire Artillery Over California Freeway on Saturday
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
JD Vance's spokesperson: "If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose the training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead."
Wow. "Deadliest" *and* "most lethal." Gotta cover one's bases.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Wow. "Deadliest" *and* "most lethal." Gotta cover one's bases.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
Well, if we aren't in a war with Venezuela that would justify the recent boat strikes, I suppose Trump's plan is to create just such a war. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Well, if we aren't in a war with Venezuela that would justify the recent boat strikes, I suppose Trump's plan is to create just such a war. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
And the new episode with @juliaazari.bsky.social is out! share.fireside.fm/episode/6lb2...
Circumscription Episode 8: Unreconstructed
A conversation with political scientist Julia Azari about three racially transformative presidents, and their backlash successors.
share.fireside.fm
October 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
And the new episode with @juliaazari.bsky.social is out! share.fireside.fm/episode/6lb2...
I didn't expect this Wikipedia entry to be a relevant link to include on the episode page for my next episode, but @juliaazari.bsky.social made sure it became relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faintin...
Fainting goat - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:54 AM
I didn't expect this Wikipedia entry to be a relevant link to include on the episode page for my next episode, but @juliaazari.bsky.social made sure it became relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faintin...
Tomorrow at 5am Eastern, the next episode of Circumscription drops (episode title: "Unreconstructed"), featuring my conversation with @juliaazari.bsky.social about transformative presidents and their backlash successors. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm
Circumscription
Where We Set The Limits
circumscription.fireside.fm
October 14, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Tomorrow at 5am Eastern, the next episode of Circumscription drops (episode title: "Unreconstructed"), featuring my conversation with @juliaazari.bsky.social about transformative presidents and their backlash successors. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm
A new episode of Circumscription drops on Tuesday morning, and it features my conversation with political scientist @juliaazari.bsky.social. For now, a teaser: youtu.be/uGIN3oZvZ4E
Circumscription Episode 8--Teaser 1
YouTube video by Michael Sargent
youtu.be
October 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A new episode of Circumscription drops on Tuesday morning, and it features my conversation with political scientist @juliaazari.bsky.social. For now, a teaser: youtu.be/uGIN3oZvZ4E
New episode is out. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/7
But What About Us?
A discussion with social psychologist Clara Wilkins, about her research on perceptions of victimization among members of dominant groups.
circumscription.fireside.fm
September 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM
New episode is out. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/7
A teaser for my new episode (dropping tomorrow morning) featuring @clarawilkins.bsky.social: youtu.be/kckY12bWTUc
Circumscription Episode 7--Teaser 1
YouTube video by Michael Sargent
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
A teaser for my new episode (dropping tomorrow morning) featuring @clarawilkins.bsky.social: youtu.be/kckY12bWTUc
As an OSU football fan, I was impressed by the Univ. of Washington's talent today. They didn't make it easy for us. And another talent from UW is the guest on my next episode of Circumscription. Social psychologist Clara Wilkins, director of the SPIA Lab at UW joins me: depts.washington.edu/spia/
Social Perceptions and Intergroup Attitudes Lab
depts.washington.edu
September 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
As an OSU football fan, I was impressed by the Univ. of Washington's talent today. They didn't make it easy for us. And another talent from UW is the guest on my next episode of Circumscription. Social psychologist Clara Wilkins, director of the SPIA Lab at UW joins me: depts.washington.edu/spia/
I love The Bulwark, but goddamnit, they just spoiled my otherwise wonderful moment with a glass of single malt Scotch. Or, to put it differently, they give me more reason to drink. Anyway, this is an eye-opening piece. Read it if you dare.
For Democrats counting on the courts to save them from yet another Trump power grab, fuhgeddaboudit.
The Dirty Move Republicans Could Pull to Keep the House
Election-denying Trump allies could use a rare procedural maneuver to overturn a Democratic midterm win in 2026.
www.thebulwark.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I love The Bulwark, but goddamnit, they just spoiled my otherwise wonderful moment with a glass of single malt Scotch. Or, to put it differently, they give me more reason to drink. Anyway, this is an eye-opening piece. Read it if you dare.
Your long wait is over. A new episode of Circumscription just dropped. This one features my conversation with sociologist of religion @profsamperry.bsky.social, as we discuss Christian nationalism, race, and more. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/6
City of God
A conversation about Christian nationalism, with sociologist Samuel Perry.
circumscription.fireside.fm
September 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Your long wait is over. A new episode of Circumscription just dropped. This one features my conversation with sociologist of religion @profsamperry.bsky.social, as we discuss Christian nationalism, race, and more. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/6
*sigh*
"Smart People Don't Like Me": An Analysis of Right-Wing Grievance Politics (2026)
Donald Trump: “smart people don’t like me”
September 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
*sigh*
My next new podcast episode drops on Tuesday morning. I am delighted to share my conversation with @profsamperry.bsky.social. I sang; I laughed; I cried. (Only one of those is a lie.) Seriously, though, he does great work, and it's thrilling to get to share it with listeners.
September 15, 2025 at 1:08 AM
My next new podcast episode drops on Tuesday morning. I am delighted to share my conversation with @profsamperry.bsky.social. I sang; I laughed; I cried. (Only one of those is a lie.) Seriously, though, he does great work, and it's thrilling to get to share it with listeners.
Reposted by Michael Sargent
There’s a way to be respectful in reporting on Charlie Kirk being shot while also refusing to whitewash who he was and what consequences his political activism has had. Obituaries for public figures are a part of history.
September 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
There’s a way to be respectful in reporting on Charlie Kirk being shot while also refusing to whitewash who he was and what consequences his political activism has had. Obituaries for public figures are a part of history.
Reposted by Michael Sargent
We were horrified to hear about the murder of Charlie Kirk. Political violence is never acceptable in any context, and should never be condoned. We are thinking of his family and loved ones at this terrible time.
September 10, 2025 at 10:48 PM
We were horrified to hear about the murder of Charlie Kirk. Political violence is never acceptable in any context, and should never be condoned. We are thinking of his family and loved ones at this terrible time.
On the fourth anniversary of the death of Michael K. Williams, this clip still hits hard: youtu.be/RpST8KE3vSI?...
Michael K. Williams ‘Typecast’ | Question Your Answers | HBO x The Atlantic
YouTube video by HBO
youtu.be
September 6, 2025 at 5:52 PM
On the fourth anniversary of the death of Michael K. Williams, this clip still hits hard: youtu.be/RpST8KE3vSI?...
If you are into voting rights and/or redistricting, I made a podcast episode for you: circumscription.fireside.fm/5
Drawn Out
A conversation with legal expert David Gans, focusing on voting rights and redistricting.
circumscription.fireside.fm
September 2, 2025 at 1:01 PM
If you are into voting rights and/or redistricting, I made a podcast episode for you: circumscription.fireside.fm/5