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Open to Debate

Open to Debate
Donald Trump
China
Israel
United States
Mental Health
Artificial Intelligence
Tiktok
Republican Party
Free Speech
Democratic Party
Iran
Democracy
Public Health
Climate Change
First Amendment
Russia
Hamas
Joe Biden
Feminism
Ukraine

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes460Founded19 years ago
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Society & CultureNews

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Latest Episodes

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 to publish and fierce competition for funding reward... more

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 war, from the Benin Bronzes to Indigenous objects. ... more

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 redeemed. What now? Must you throw the art out with... more

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 -- healthy. Should you do it? Critics say the technology will... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Marlowe
Professor of Art and Director of the Museum Studies Program, Colgate University
Colgate University
Episode: Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
Graham Bolley
Investigative reporter who covers the world of culture
The New York Times
Episode: Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
Chika Okeke-Agulu
Artist and curator; professor of art, archaeology and African American studies at Princeton; director of Princeton's Africa World Initiative
Princeton University
Episode: Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
Leila Amineddoleh
Art and cultural heritage lawyer
Law firm (unspecified)
Episode: Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
Dominic Selwood
Historian, barrister, and author
Independent historian; author on British Museum project
Episode: Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
Mario Trabucco della Torretta
Classical archaeologist
Independent scholar
Episode: Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
Aruna D'Souza
Writer specializing in art and politics with focus on feminism
Writer
Episode: Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?
Randy Cohen
Writer and humorist, former ethicist columnist for The New York Times
Writer/Humorist
Episode: Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?
George Church
Renowned geneticist who helped develop the first direct genomic sequencing method
Harvard/Genetics community
Episode: Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?

Host

John Donvan
Host of Open to Debate

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Intellectually stimulating & well organized and moderated...!

    Intellectually stimulating & well organized and moderated...!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shel Lynn
    United States2 months ago
  • The most valuable podcast in America

    John Donvan is extraordinary as a moderator. The guaranteed thing we will takeaway when well qualified debaters take each other on in a respectful manner is just how nuanced and complex the issues are. Something our political climate would never admit.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dklc
    United States5 months ago
  • You couldn’t find a better boomer than Joe Nocera??

    As a 73 year old, I’ve heard a lot of quibbling, interrupting, know-it-all curmudgeons. Put Nocera in a rocking chair on the porch to yell at passersby, but please, no more debates.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    No props 4 neurotic rich..
    United States6 months ago
  • Open to Debate = Liberals and Leftists vs. Liberal Republicans

    I have listened to this for years and rarely is there a true conservative on here. Most times I see a conservative, it’s one of the “I’m a conservative, BUT obviously I hate Trump and he’s a horrible human being and I vote Democrat now.”

    John Donovan is pretty fair but he and his OTD team don’t seem to understand everyday GOP voters—they bring in the limousine, Ivy League elitist GOP-ers to debate. Like or hate Trump, his views are held by a majority of the right half of the country today and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ConstitutionalConservativeVet
    United States8 months ago
  • The Absolute Best

    The civil discourse and timely topics give me life! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    khooks1
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the structured and respectful debates that illuminate complex issues.
Overall, the podcast is recognized for its mission to foster civil discourse in a divided political landscape.
There are criticisms regarding perceived biases in guest selections and the overall balance of viewpoints.
Many find the content intellectually stimulating, highlighting the diversity of perspectives presented.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#190
Singapore/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse?
Q: Dimari asks who is responsible for risk aversion in the system and what can be done to change it.
Kate and Brandon point to the ecological and structural factors—tenure norms, funding priorities, and institutional cultures—and advocate for more multidisciplinarity, independent science organizations, and programs that empower researchers to pursue high-risk ideas without being pigeonholed by funding agendas.
Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse?
Q: Leon asks about the social and existential risks of certain types of research and the role of democracy in managing them.
Kate Biberdorf emphasizes that democracy provides checks and balances and that risk management should involve transparent communication about both potential risks and benefits, while science must continue to pursue ambitious goals with public understanding and consent.
Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?
Q: What role should museums play in this debate, when deciding what to display?
Aruna argues museums bear moral responsibilities and should not simply reward or excuse harmful behavior; she emphasizes that displaying certain works without critical context risks endorsing the artist's behavior.
Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?
Q: Should we separate the art from the artist, yes or no?
Randy argues yes, saying the beauty and merit of the artwork can exist independently of the artist's personal failings, though he acknowledges nuances and potential limits.
Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?
Q: Is there evidence that gene editing will disproportionately benefit the wealthy?
There is concern about equity and access, but some argue that with proper regulation and global health applications, benefits can be distributed more equitably; others warn the risk of a widening gap remains.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Open to Debate

What is Open to Debate about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on fostering civil discourse around contentious issues, bringing together diverse perspectives for structured and respectful debates. It covers a wide array of topics including politics, technology, culture, and global affairs, aiming to provide a platform for expert analysis and good-faith arguments. The format encourages listeners to engage critically while appreciating the nuances of varying opinions, striving towards a more balanced public dialogue. Notably, it seeks to counteract the polarization prevalent in contemporary discourse and has evolved from its previous iteration as a debate series into a platform emphasizing understanding and respect in debates.

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How many listeners does Open to Debate get?

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What are the audience demographics for Open to Debate?

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How many subscribers and views does Open to Debate have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Open to Debate?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Open to Debate:

1. Intelligence Squared
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. KCRW's Left, Right & Center
5. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

How many episodes of Open to Debate are there?

Open to Debate launched 19 years ago and published 460 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Open to Debate?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Open to Debate?

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What guests have appeared on Open to Debate?

Recent guests on Open to Debate include:

1. Elizabeth Marlowe
2. Graham Bolley
3. Chika Okeke-Agulu
4. Leila Amineddoleh
5. Dominic Selwood
6. Mario Trabucco della Torretta
7. Aruna D'Souza
8. Randy Cohen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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