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Open to Debate

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes480Founded20 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Social Security has long been a cornerstone of American retirement, but as the trust fund grows closer to depletion by 2032, should the system be repaired or replaced with new standards? Those advocating for phasing it out argue its unsuitability for... more

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The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that supporters say could strengthen ties, advance normalization, and give Washington greater influence over the kingdom’s nuclear ambitions. Critics warn that without strong... more

YouTube

As world attention descends on the United Nations General Assembly, Open to Debate is once again casting a critical lens on this over 80-year-old global organization. To this day, questions are still mounting as to whether the United Nations itself i... more

What shapes us more: our DNA or the way we’re raised? The “nature” camp points to genetic research and studies of twins raised apart, arguing that traits from personality to abilities are strongly influenced by inherited biology, limiting how much pa... more

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Recent Guests

Amos Hochstein
Managing partner at TWG Global; Biden administration negotiator on Middle East issues related to nuclear power
TWG Global / Former Biden administration negotiator
Episode: Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests?
Daniel Poneman
Former Deputy Secretary of Energy; CEO of Centris Energy; nuclear negotiator in discussions with Saudi Arabia
Centris Energy / Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy
Episode: Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests?
Joe Cirincione
Policy analyst and author with four decades in DC; nuclear security expert
Independent/nuclear policy analyst
Episode: Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests?
Sharon Squassoni
Nuclear energy and security expert; GWU professor
George Washington University
Episode: Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests?
Rajan Menon
Political scientist and professor at the City College of New York
City College of New York
Episode: Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore)
Angela Kane
Former German diplomat, former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
United Nations (former)
Episode: Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore)
Nile Gardiner
Historian and commentator, Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
Episode: Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore)
Mohammad-Mahmoud Mohamedou
Former Mauritanian Foreign Minister; scholar
Scholar/Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritania
Episode: Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore)
Robert Plomin
Professor of Behavioral Genetics, King's College London
King's College London
Episode: Is Parenting Overrated? (Encore)

Host

John Donvan
Host of Open to Debate

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Great show but…

    Enough with the reruns. There should be many engaging topics to discuss that can help you avoid posting the same debate twice within a year.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    consumer1156
    United States4 months ago
  • Intellectually stimulating & well organized and moderated...!

    Intellectually stimulating & well organized and moderated...!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shel Lynn
    United States7 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 States10 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciation for nuanced, data-driven arguments from multiple perspectives.
Critiques include calls for more diverse viewpoints and live formats.
Overall, impressions highlight thoughtful discussions and high-quality guests.
Listeners praise civil discourse and strong moderation.
Some reviews note topic repetition and debate format changes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#191
India/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#239
Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#249
Argentina/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore)
Q: Do you agree with them that we do need a global UN-like type of organization?
The debate center argues whether the UN is indispensable or outdated; some participants assert the UN's mandate remains unique and essential, while others say reform, not abolition, is needed to adapt to modern geopolitics.
Is Parenting Overrated? (Encore)
Q: Are IQ, income, educational attainment, religious preference, and other traits determined by DNA?
They are not deterministic; DNA influences probability and predisposition, but environment and experiences shape how traits express themselves, with varying degrees of heritability across traits.
Can Humans Adapt to Climate Change? (Encore)
Q: Given that it's all very uncertain, how do we go about making a decision whether or not we're going to spend on this problem?
The panelists discuss balancing costs and benefits, comparing mitigation investments that yield long-term returns with adaptation that provides immediate protection, and considering policy tools like carbon taxes vs. adaptation investments.
Who Is Winning the Iran War: Tehran or Trump?
Q: How do you define victory in a war where the regime remained in power and the strategic aims were not fully realized?
Suzanne argues that true victory requires a lasting change in regime behavior and strategic outcomes, which she says the war did not achieve; Matthew counters that strategic gains, such as degraded Iran's nuclear program and increased U.S. deterrence, constitute a form of victory.
Government as Shareholder: Proactive Competitive Strategy or Last Resort?
Q: What about governance concerns, such as the golden chair and potential conflicts of interest?
Guardrails, transparency, and clear institutional design are essential to mitigate conflicts of interest while preserving the ability to influence strategically important firms.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

Open to Debate is a structured, moderator-led forum that brings diverse, well-informed voices to contested topics across politics, science, technology, and culture. Episodes typically feature two to four debaters presenting data-driven arguments, with live crossfire, audience questions, and live voting or polling to surface shifts in perception. The show emphasizes civil discourse, rigorous reasoning, and a broad, sometimes provocative range of perspectives—from elections reform and constitutional rights to bioethics, foreign policy, and cultural heritage. A standout is its habit of pairing specialists with varying viewpoints to illuminate trade-offs and foster nuanced understanding, making it useful for listeners who want clarity on comple... more

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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. Freakonomics Radio
3. KCRW's Left, Right & Center
4. Planet Money
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of Open to Debate are there?

Open to Debate launched 20 years ago and published 480 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Open to Debate?

Recent guests on Open to Debate include:

1. Amos Hochstein
2. Daniel Poneman
3. Joe Cirincione
4. Sharon Squassoni
5. Rajan Menon
6. Angela Kane
7. Nile Gardiner
8. Mohammad-Mahmoud Mohamedou

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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