Episodes 462
Avg. Duration 53m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.6 (2,117)
Since Sep 2009
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Open to Sponsors Features Guests

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
90%
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

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About This Podcast

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.)

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Recent Episodes

Should America End Birthright Citizenship?

Jun 05, 2026 53m

Birthright citizenship guarantees citizenship to anyone born within the United States’ territory, regardless of a parent’s nationality. But should this legal principle be removed from the…

Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: Are the Parents Alright?

May 29, 2026 53m

These days, it can feel like raising kids has become a minefield. Somewhere along the way, older generations started looking at younger generations and asking, “Are the parents alright?” In this…

Government as Shareholder: Proactive Competitive Strategy or Last Resort?

May 22, 2026 53m

Global powers are increasingly shaping markets and taking equity positions in strategic industries. But recently, Washington’s role in the economy has expanded, with stakes in companies like Intel,…

Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse?

May 14, 2026 53m

Modern science has given us the ability to edit our genes, life-saving vaccines, and glimpse the origins of the universe. But is the same system holding itself back? Critics argue that the pressure…

Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?

May 07, 2026 53m

For centuries, museums in Europe and the U.S. built their collections during eras of empire and unequal power. Now, institutions face growing calls to return artifacts taken through colonial rule or…

Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?

Apr 30, 2026 53m

It turns out your favorite artist is a monster. Say they committed murder, advocated genocide, or engaged in some other act so outside the scope of a dignified, respectable society that it cannot be…

Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?

Apr 23, 2026 53m

Your doctor tells you that, should you wish to have a child, that child is likely also to carry the disease. But a new gene-editing technology could ensure that your baby is -- and remains --…

Will the AI Bubble Burst?

Apr 16, 2026 53m

Artificial intelligence has ignited one of the most spectacular surges of investment, hype, and technological promise, but some worry that the enthusiasm is resembling a bubble, with valuations…

Wartime Kill Decisions: Human or AI?

Apr 09, 2026 53m

Even with a fragile ceasefire in place between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, we wanted to revisit this prescient debate from last fall. In the past few weeks of war, autonomous systems, AI-driven…

Think Twice About The Meaning of Your Life with Arthur C. Brooks

Apr 02, 2026 53m

At some point, we all ask: “Is this what I’m meant to do?” In this "Think Twice" episode, social scientist Arthur C. Brooks joins Open to Debate's CEO Lia Matthow to explore why meaning feels harder…

Should the U.S. Prioritize Settling Mars?

Mar 26, 2026 53m

NASA is preparing for the Artemis II mission — a major step back into deep space to explore the Moon. But as NASA, SpaceX, and other private companies are also working on plans to make Mars…

Has Legalizing Sports Gambling Become A Bad Bet?

Mar 19, 2026 53m

Sports fans can place bets on their favorite teams and athletes faster and easier than before, thanks to legalized sports gambling. But was it the wrong bet to make? Advocates say it’s been good for…

The Future of Film: Big Screen or Stream?

Mar 13, 2026 53m

Where do you watch the latest movie everyone’s talking about—on Netflix at home or in a packed theater? Are theaters the irreplaceable heart of cinema, creating cultural moments and spectacle, or is…

Will AI Make Work Obsolete?

Mar 06, 2026 53m

AI can write code, diagnose diseases, design buildings, and create art. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude and autonomous robots are transforming industries once seen as automation-proof, fueling fears of…

Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: The Golden Age of News Media

Feb 26, 2026 53m

Are we in a News Media Golden Age, or a fragmented era? In this “Generational Divides” episode, Reason editor-at-large Nick Gillespie brings together Baby Boomer, Millennial, and Gen Z voices to…

Smart Girl Dumb Questions: Will the Market Crash in 2026? With Andrew Ross Sorkin

Feb 24, 2026 1h 22m

Today we're playing you an episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, a show hosted by journalist and frequent Open to Debate guest moderator Nayeema Raza. She speaks to Andrew Ross Sorkin about some…

Think Twice About War, Tech, & Dirty Supply Chains: The Elements of Power with Nicolas Niarchos

Feb 20, 2026 53m

Your smartphone feels sleek and futuristic—but the supply chain behind it is anything but. In this conversation with moderator-in-chief John Donvan, journalist and “The Elements of Power” author…

Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human?

Feb 13, 2026 53m

Love in the time of AI? Some people seeking romance or friendship are turning to AI chatbots to fulfill those desires, but could they surpass traditional human relationships? Those who say they can…

Is U.S. Control of Limited Territory in Greenland A Strategic Necessity?

Feb 06, 2026 53m

Greenland has become a geopolitical flashpoint. President Trump wants control of it, or at least sovereignty over some areas for military purposes, arguing that the United States gaining some…

Legalize Assisted Suicide?

Jan 30, 2026 53m

In December of 2025, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that after months of negotiations with the state legislature, she was finally ready to sign into law a new bill allowing some…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Open to Debate have?

Open to Debate has published 462 episodes since September 2009, covering topics in Education, News.

Is Open to Debate still active?

Open to Debate is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 53m.

How do I contact Open to Debate for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Open to Debate, including email and social media links.

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