Open to Debate

Latest Episodes:

Fast Fashion: Shop or Stop? Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Fast fashion has taken over the fashion industry, but is less expensive, trendy clothing really worth the purchase? Those who say to “stop” argue fast fashion harms the environment in many ways and exploits workers in countries with lax regulations. Those who say “keep shopping” argue it’s up to shoppers to choose, as fast fashion offers affordable options, supports jobs, and boosts local economies. Now we debate: Fast Fashion: Shop or Stop?

Arguing Stop: Kenneth Pucker, Former COO of Timberland; Professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Arguing Shop: Katherine Mangu-Ward, Editor-in-Chief at Reason

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates

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Is Our Productivity Culture Toxic? Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

The pressure to constantly be productive and achieve has become an aspiration one should aspire. But is this mindset worth the effort? Those claiming it’s toxic argue it creates impossible standards, opening the door for anxiety, burnout, and disconnection. But some argue the problem isn’t productivity itself, but how we’ve come to define success — and the unrealistic expectations that come with it. Now we debate: Is Our Productivity Culture Toxic?

Arguing Yes:

Jennifer Moss, Workplace Culture Expert; Author of "The Burnout Epidemic"

Rahaf Harfoush, Digital Anthropologist and New York Times Best-Selling Author

Arguing No:

David Allen, Creator of the "Getting Things Done" Time Management Method and Author

Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates

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Is It Time for the Catholic Church to Ordain Women as Deacons? Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Pope Leo XIV’s accession could mean a new opportunity to reform the Catholic Church by allowing women as ordained deacons. Those advocating for this change argue that allowing women would represent a return to early Church tradition and showcase an evolving Church ready for modernity. Those against this argue that it would blur theological lines and that women already play substantial leadership roles within the Church. Now we debate: Is It Time for the Catholic Church to Ordain Women as Deacons?

Arguing Yes: Casey Stanton, Co-director of Discerning Deacons

Arguing No: Pia de Solenni, Theologian; Former Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in California

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator.

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Think Twice: The Idaho Four Tragedy with Vicky Ward Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

The shocking 2022 murder of four University of Idaho students have resulted in a life sentence for the killer and still-unanswered questions — about new genealogy tech, media exposure, lessons for law enforcement —worth Thinking Twice about. John Donvan sits down with journalist Vicky Ward, who co-authored with James Patterson “The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy,” and discuss what drew her to the case, how collaborating with Patterson changed her process, and reconsidering elements of the criminal justice system.

Our Guest: Vicky Ward, Co-Author of "The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy"

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates

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Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human? Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

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 argue that AI can offer empathy and safety, and it’s a solution for those left out of traditional dating. Those saying they can’t argue that intimacy is complicated and cannot be replicated in code. Now we debate: Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human?

Arguing Yes: Thao Ha, Associate Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University

Arguing No: Justin Garcia, Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute; Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com

Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator.

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Two Conservatives Debate: Is the Big, Beautiful Bill a Disaster? Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

President Trump has officially signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act into law. There is debate among conservatives about whether it will end up driving economic growth or increasing our debt. One side argues that ordinary Americans will pay the price and the long-term fiscal outcome is terrible. Another side argues these policies will encourage investment, growth, and job creation. Now, two conservatives debate: Is the Big, Beautiful Bill a Disaster?

Arguing Yes: Jessica Riedl, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute

Arguing No: Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Director of the Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment and the Herbert and Joyce Morgan Fellow in Energy and Environmental Policy at The Heritage Foundation

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates

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Did Harvard Have It Coming? Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration enacted severe actions against Harvard University that threaten its endowment, funding, and ability to enroll international students, based on accusations of antisemitism. Do these actions go too far? Prominent voices long affiliated with Harvard – former university president Larry Summers and law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz — engage in a nuanced debate and provocative discussion: Did Harvard Have It Coming?

Arguing Yes: Alan Dershowitz, Emeritus Professor of Law at Harvard Law School

Arguing No: Lawrence Summers, President Emeritus of Harvard; Former Secretary of the Treasury

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates

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Think Twice: Reading the Constitution with Justice Stephen Breyer Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

As an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court for almost three decades, Stephen Breyer was no stranger to hearing arguments for different sides in major cases. In this episode, our moderator-in-chief, John Donvan, and Chief Content Officer, Lia Matthow, interview Justice Breyer and discuss his book “Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, not Textualism.” He discusses how he used this philosophy to guide his decisions and why he thinks jurists should choose this approach.

Our Guest: Stephen Breyer, Former United States Supreme Court Justice

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan and Lia Matthow, Chief Content Officer of Open to Debate, moderates

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Are Sanctions An Effective Policy Tool? Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Open to Debate, in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation and the Oslo Freedom Forum, is examining a strategy employed by many countries to respond to aggressive or authoritarian regimes. In recent years, these have been levied against countries such as Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, which have ranged from freezing assets and trade bans to travel restrictions and full embargoes. But do sanctions work in deterring repression? Those arguing that they’re effective claim that they’re a nonviolent way to force change and serve as a deterrent for other countries. Those who are skeptical about the efficacy of sanctions say they are leaky, don’t lead to regime change, and can harm civilians and exacerbate humanitarian crises.

Now with this background, we debate the question: Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?

This debate was produced in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation and was recorded at the Oslo Freedom Forum in Oslo, Norway, on May 26, 2025.

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Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally? Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Under President Trump, America’s role on the global stage is being redefined — but can other countries trust its allyship under his leadership? Critics argue his transactional approach and threats to abandon allies undermine trust and force nations to reconsider their security. Supporters counter that demanding more from partners is “tough love” that will lead to stronger, more balanced alliances. Now we debate: Is Trump’s America a Reliable Ally?

Arguing Yes:

Joshua Shifrinson, Associate Professor at University of Maryland's School of Public Policy; Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute

Kelly Grieco, Senior Fellow with the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center

Arguing No:

Liana Fix, Fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations

Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Professor of International Affairs at Georgetown University

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