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Open to Debate

Open to Debate
Donald Trump
American Dream
Republican Party
Immigration
Taxes
Fiscal Responsibility
Income Inequality
Neoliberalism
Solar Geoengineering
Government Spending
Economic Policy
Secure the Border Act
Climate Change
Inflation
Life Expectancy
Wage Growth
Labor Unions
National Debt
Israel-Hamas Conflict
No Labels

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes427Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

As modern warfare becomes increasingly automated and AI-reliant, questions arise about the use of a “kill switch” overriding autonomous weapons in conflict zones. Should the ultimate decision be in humans’ or AI’s hands? Those arguing for human overs... more

It’s been five years since the pandemic began, but was our public health system or society to blame for our country’s failures to stop the spread? Some argue that public health leaders were unprepared, mismanaged the crisis, and provided inconsistent... more

Men are falling behind in our society, and some point to traditional ideas of masculinity as the cause. What does it mean to “be a man” today, and how do labels like toxic masculinity impact that question? For some men, masculinity is a continually e... more

It’s Back to School season, and TikTok has been taking a larger role in helping students learn — but should it? Some teachers argue that using TikTok can help make whatever subjects they study more digestible and adaptable to different types of learn... more

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Recent Guests

Vicky Ward
Co-author of The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy, podcaster, documentary host, and former CNN senior reporter
Open to Debate
Episode: Think Twice: The Idaho Four Tragedy with Vicky Ward
Stephen G. Breyer
Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Episode: Think Twice: Reading the Constitution with Justice Stephen Breyer
Brandi Kruse
Emmy Award-winning journalist and political commentator, host of Undivided.
Episode: Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era
Nadine Strossen
Senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, former national president of the ACLU and author.
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Episode: Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era
Tracy Gendron
Internationally recognized gerontologist and executive director of the Virginia Center of Aging
Virginia Commonwealth University
Episode: Think Twice: Original Sin with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Megan McCardle
Columnist and editorial writer for The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Episode: Think Twice: Original Sin with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Jake Tapper
Emmy Award-winning television journalist and CNN anchor
CNN
Episode: Think Twice: Original Sin with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Alex Thompson
National political correspondent for Axios
Axios
Episode: Think Twice: Original Sin with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson
Alex Sheppard
Senior editor at The New Republic
The New Republic
Episode: Think Twice: Original Sin with Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson

Host

John Donvan
Host and moderator known for his calm insight and friendly style, effectively leading thoughtful discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • 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 month ago
  • The Absolute Best

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    khooks1
    United Statesa month ago
  • Is trump the only debate topic?

    Every single episode is some variation of “is trump good”. We get it, he’s a dumpster of a human. Surely there are other topics of discussion?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jim9864
    United States3 months ago
  • Jake Tapper is a hack wannabe journalist. He betrayed his country, hiding this, then wrote a book about his role in the betrayal.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Radark
    4 months ago
  • 1/2 n 1/2

    Some episodes seem biased and others do not. Overall a very interesting and thought provoking podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    BiggusBallsworth
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast has garnered attention for tackling critical issues with a balanced approach, aiming to restore faith in civil discussion.
Listeners appreciate the civil discourse and diverse perspectives on contemporary issues. Many express gratitude for the thorough and respectful debates, highlighting the value of hearing both sides of complex topics. Some feedback notes frustration with perceived biases or limitations in guest selection, desiring more varied political representation. Several listeners miss the original format featuring live debates and audience participation, suggesting a preference for more interactive and engaging experiences.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Debating the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Q: How should the public health system adopt their communication strategies to fight misinformation?
Collaboration is key, and the health care community must approach communication with humility and a willingness to engage on social media platforms.
Debating the Legacy of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Q: Why do you suppose that your audience just soared during the pandemic? What were you doing that got them to listen to you?
I was there to provide accurate health information as a family medicine doctor when no one else was, which contributed to my audience growth.
Is Masculinity A Prison?
Q: Are men being held back by societal constructs or their own perceptions?
Lux posits that men often trap themselves in a cycle of needing to prove their masculinity, creating a losing game.
Is Masculinity A Prison?
Q: What made each of you think this is an important topic to talk about?
Mike believes that the current discourse on masculinity is not helpful for anyone, aiming to change it. Lux loves discussing gender roles and their impact on society.
Don't Eat Anything With a Face
Q: What would you say to those who cannot financially afford a meat-free diet?
Plant-based diets can be cheaper in the long run, and meat is often subsidized which hides the true cost.

Audience Metrics

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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 fosters meaningful civil discourse by featuring structured debates on topical issues that reflect society's most pressing challenges. It brings together experts from diverse backgrounds—ranging from politics and law to science and culture—to explore differing viewpoints on significant discussions, allowing listeners to gain a multi-faceted understanding of each topic. With a commitment to nonpartisanship, the discussions aim to present fact-driven arguments while encouraging critical thinking and curiosity among its audience. Many episodes tackle contrasting viewpoints to stimulate thought and inspire a more deliberative approach to complex issues.

Notably, this podcast emphasizes respect and clarity in moderating debates, pro... more

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How many listeners does Open to Debate get?

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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 Gray Area with Sean Illing
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. Making Sense with Sam Harris

How many episodes of Open to Debate are there?

Open to Debate launched 19 years ago and published 427 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?

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What guests have appeared on Open to Debate?

Recent guests on Open to Debate include:

1. Vicky Ward
2. Stephen G. Breyer
3. Brandi Kruse
4. Nadine Strossen
5. Tracy Gendron
6. Megan McCardle
7. Jake Tapper
8. Alex Thompson

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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