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.)

 

#438

Tech Titans or Tyrants: Should the U.S. Government Break Up Big Tech?

Has Big Tech become too powerful? Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft shape how w... more

12 Dec 2025

53 MINS

53:15

12 Dec 2025


#437

INSIDE THE DEBATE with John Donvan, Nayeema Raza, and Nick Gillespie

What does it take to moderate a debate? How do we keep conversations civil when the world ... more

05 Dec 2025

34 MINS

34:26

05 Dec 2025


#436

Does the Effective Altruism Movement Get Giving Right?

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

28 Nov 2025

52 MINS

52:07

28 Nov 2025


#435

Should the U.S. Militarize the War on Drugs?

he Trump administration is taking the War on Drugs in a bold direction, using aircraft car... more

21 Nov 2025

53 MINS

53:15

21 Nov 2025


#434

BONUS: Why Debate Matters — Robert Rosenkranz on Clearer Thinking

We are pleased to share an episode from the Clearer Thinking Podcast featuring Open to Deb... more

19 Nov 2025

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:37

19 Nov 2025


#433

Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie

How big is the divide between different age groups? In this inaugural episode of a new Ope... more

14 Nov 2025

53 MINS

53:15

14 Nov 2025


#432

Is Europe Too Late to Compete in the Chip War?

The U.S. and China are the two largest competitors in the race for semiconductors and in c... more

07 Nov 2025

53 MINS

53:15

07 Nov 2025


#431

Think Twice: The Seven Rules of Trust with Jimmy Wales

At a time when misinformation thrives, institutions crumble, and algorithms mediate truth,... more

31 Oct 2025

53 MINS

53:15

31 Oct 2025


#430

Should America End Birthright Citizenship?

Birthright citizenship guarantees citizenship to anyone born within the United States’ ter... more

24 Oct 2025

53 MINS

53:15

24 Oct 2025


#429

Will the Future Be Abundant?

Today, humanity is thriving, but there are fears the good times will not last. Will tomorr... more

17 Oct 2025

53 MINS

53:15

17 Oct 2025


#428

Is War Inevitable?

From ancient battles to modern proxy wars, conflicts have been a constant in human history... more

10 Oct 2025

53 MINS

53:15

10 Oct 2025


#427

Wartime Kill Switch: Human or AI?

As modern warfare becomes increasingly automated and AI-reliant, questions arise about the... more

03 Oct 2025

53 MINS

53:36

03 Oct 2025


#426

Debating the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic

It’s been five years since the pandemic began, but was our public health system or society... more

26 Sep 2025

53 MINS

53:15

26 Sep 2025


#425

Is Masculinity A Prison?

Men are falling behind in our society, and some point to traditional ideas of masculinity ... more

12 Sep 2025

53 MINS

53:50

12 Sep 2025


#424

TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?

It’s Back to School season, and TikTok has been taking a larger role in helping students l... more

10 Sep 2025

53 MINS

53:15

10 Sep 2025


#423

Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?

In some policy circles, the idea of the U.S. electing a CEO-style dictator running the cou... more

05 Sep 2025

1 HR 18 MINS

1:18:43

05 Sep 2025


#422

Don't Eat Anything With a Face

More Americans are moving away from eating meat toward a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Bu... more

02 Sep 2025

53 MINS

53:15

02 Sep 2025


#421

Fast Fashion: Shop or Stop?

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

26 Aug 2025

51 MINS

51:59

26 Aug 2025