Open to Debate podcast

Open to Debate

America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united democracy with the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate. (Formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.)

America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united democracy with the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate. (Formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.)

 

#390

UNRESOLVED: The Future of the Supreme Court

In recent years, multiple proposals have been made to change how the U.S. Supreme Court op... more

07 Feb 2025

53 MINS

53:15

07 Feb 2025


#389

Has Legalizing Sports Gambling Become a Bad Bet?

Sports fans can place bets on their favorite teams and athletes faster and easier than bef... more

31 Jan 2025

53 MINS

53:15

31 Jan 2025


#388

Prescription Weight Loss Drugs for All?

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have opened doors for people to lose weight... more

24 Jan 2025

53 MINS

53:15

24 Jan 2025


#387

Could Identity Politics Help Democrats Engage Men?

In the 2024 election, the Democrats did not have messaging that resonated with men, some s... more

17 Jan 2025

53 MINS

53:15

17 Jan 2025


#386

PODCAST BONUS RELEASE: Should the U.S. Ban TikTok?

The clock is ticking on TikTok. The popular video sharing app is facing a looming deadline... more

14 Jan 2025

55 MINS

55:09

14 Jan 2025


#385

Can America and Its Allies Tolerate A Nuclear Iran, or Is It Time to Stop Them Now?

Iran is getting closer to developing its first nuclear weapon. With tensions rising in the... more

10 Jan 2025

53 MINS

53:15

10 Jan 2025


#384

Does AA Work?

Millions of people have credited Alcoholics Anonymous with helping them stay sober from al... more

03 Jan 2025

53 MINS

53:15

03 Jan 2025


#383

Could Longevity Science Extend Your Health Span By Decades? Should the Government Fund It?

How long would you like to live, and could science and technology make it possible?  Longe... more

27 Dec 2024

53 MINS

53:15

27 Dec 2024


#382

The Pursuit of Happiness: Virtue or Pleasure?

Happiness is a complex emotion and mental state that can be achieved through virtue or ple... more

20 Dec 2024

53 MINS

53:15

20 Dec 2024


#381

Psychedelics for Mental Health: Help or Hype?

Some scientific studies have shown evidence that psychedelic drugs, when used in controlle... more

13 Dec 2024

53 MINS

53:15

13 Dec 2024


#380

Global Leaders Debate Money, Truth, and Power

From economic turbulence and the dilemmas posed by artificial intelligence to the big-pict... more

06 Dec 2024

53 MINS

53:15

06 Dec 2024


#379

Fast Fashion: Shop or Stop?

Fast fashion has taken over the fashion industry, but is less expensive, trendy clothing r... more

29 Nov 2024

53 MINS

53:15

29 Nov 2024


#378

Thinking Twice: Revenge of the Tipping Point with Malcolm Gladwell

In 2000, New York Times bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell released the groundbreaking bo... more

22 Nov 2024

53 MINS

53:15

22 Nov 2024


#377

Is the Republican Party’s Refusal to Raise Taxes Fiscally Irresponsible?

Whether to extend four trillion dollars in tax cuts or raise them next year is in question... more

15 Nov 2024

53 MINS

53:15

15 Nov 2024


#376

Is the American Dream in Decline?

The American Dream – the idea that anyone can achieve success in the U.S. through hard wor... more

08 Nov 2024

53 MINS

53:15

08 Nov 2024


#375

Nate Silver on The Art of Risking Everything: Politics, Money, Power

 At the moment of this episode’s release, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are neck-and-neck... more

01 Nov 2024

53 MINS

53:15

01 Nov 2024


#374

Has The Electoral College Outlived Its Usefulness?

Five American presidents — two in the last 20 years — have assumed office without winning ... more

25 Oct 2024

53 MINS

53:15

25 Oct 2024


#373

Will Kamala Harris or Donald Trump Be Better For America?

Would Vice President Kamala Harris or Donald Trump be better for America? In a unique twis... more

18 Oct 2024

53 MINS

53:15

18 Oct 2024


#372

Should Israel Strike Iran?

Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated in recent months and are at a low point af... more

11 Oct 2024

53 MINS

53:15

11 Oct 2024


#371

Were Israel's Actions in the Gaza War Justified?

The Israel-Hamas War has led to increasing death tolls and instability in the Middle East.... more

04 Oct 2024

53 MINS

53:15

04 Oct 2024


#370

Election 2024: Are Identity Politics Holding Us Back?

During election seasons, Democrats and Republicans leverage identity-based platforms to en... more

27 Sep 2024

53 MINS

53:15

27 Sep 2024


#369

Should We Legalize the Market for Human Organs?

Over 103,000 people need organ donations in the U.S. Some economists and health experts wo... more

20 Sep 2024

53 MINS

53:15

20 Sep 2024


#368

Is the ICC’s Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu Justified?

The ICC has requested an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conc... more

13 Sep 2024

53 MINS

53:15

13 Sep 2024


#367

Wokeness in Public Schools: Helping or Hurting Students?

Public schools have in recent years begun incorporating topics around race, sex, and gende... more

06 Sep 2024

53 MINS

53:15

06 Sep 2024


#366

Does America Need a Third Party?

While the two-party system has been the standard in the US government, third parties have ... more

30 Aug 2024

53 MINS

53:15

30 Aug 2024


#365

Does the Effective Altruism Movement Get Giving Right?

Effective altruism is a philosophical and social movement that uses empirical data to maxi... more

23 Aug 2024

53 MINS

53:15

23 Aug 2024


#364

America the Dysfunctional with Brian Tyler Cohen

American politics today has been marred by increasing levels of “us vs. them” thinking, le... more

16 Aug 2024

53 MINS

53:15

16 Aug 2024


#363

Can Israel Make Peace with Hamas?

After the October 7th attack, Israel vowed to eradicate Hamas and began its counteroperati... more

09 Aug 2024

53 MINS

53:15

09 Aug 2024


#362

Is the Two-State Solution Still Viable?

The two-state solution proposes establishing a separate Palestinian state alongside Israel... more

02 Aug 2024

53 MINS

53:15

02 Aug 2024


#361

Mock Trial: Should Trump’s Conviction Stand?

Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, but lega... more

26 Jul 2024

53 MINS

53:15

26 Jul 2024