Why do some tragedies transcend personal experience to become notorious political events? And does widespread public attention lead to solutions or merely fuel political polarization? In a new episode of Talking Policy, host Lindsay Morgan talks with Tom Beamish, an associate professor of sociology at UC Davis, about his new book, After Tragedy Strikes. Beamish argues that public tragedies have become today's definitive social and political events—with the power to both unite and divide us.

This interview was conducted on March 27, 2024. The audio has been edited for length and clarity.