logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2017
23m 9s

How to Debate... Yourself.

Open to Debate
About this episode
Think about your most strongly held political belief. How did you arrive at your position? What experiences, information, or opinions influenced you? In the final installment of our summer podcast series on the state of political discourse today, we dive into an increasingly important skill: the ability to debate yourself. Our host John Donvan sits down with ... Show More
Up next
Apr 23
Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?
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 exacerbate inequality and med ... Show More
53m 15s
Apr 16
Will the AI Bubble Burst?
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 racing ahead of fundamentals and enormous compute and energy costs that could undermin ... Show More
53m 15s
Apr 9
Wartime Kill Decisions: Human or AI?
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 targeting, and drones were heavily used by both sides leading some to fear we’re rapid ... Show More
53m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
Evidence-based ways to teach debate | interview with Przemek Stolarski of TASA Academy
Prefer watching this episode as a YouTube video? Go to: https://youtu.be/Df7iFDCOnys How do we actually help people to improve at debating? Debating is a form of non-formal learning. Most of the time, debate is not taught by teachers or professionals – but by people who debate th ... Show More
55m 30s
May 2025
The science of ideology
What do you do when you’re faced with evidence that challenges your ideology? Do you engage with that new information? Are you willing to change your mind about your most deeply held beliefs? Are you pre-disposed to be more rigid or more flexible in your thinking? That’s what pol ... Show More
51m 41s
Sep 2023
Introducing Perino on Politics
Hello & Welcome Back! Everything Will Be Okay illuminated some great information and perspectives that will help you in your life and career. Now, Dana welcomes an exciting new chapter… Perino on Politics! Dana along with her brilliant friends—people that she trusts in politics—w ... Show More
29m 33s
Sep 2025
Sunday Pick: How to have curious conversations in dangerously divided times (w/ Mónica Guzmán) | How to Be a Better Human
When was the last time you really connected with someone who disagrees with you? Or saw a post on social media that challenged your views? Or listened to a newscast from across the political aisle? Modern life places us in all kinds of echo chambers – so what happens when these d ... Show More
39m 31s
Feb 2025
#401 — Christian Nationalism and the New Right
<p>Sam Harris speaks with Katherine Stewart about her new book, <em>Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy</em>. They discuss Project 2025, Christian nationalism, white supremacy, whether the backlash against wokeness has been overblown, the asymm ... Show More
32m 37s
Sep 2024
GET READY FOR THE TRUMP/HARRIS DEBATE: 20 English Phrasal Verbs, Idioms, and Advanced Vocabulary
<p>In this lesson, we&#39;ll go over important English terms related to debates, with simplified definitions and example sentences. These terms will help you understand key phrases and expressions as we watch the upcoming debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Tru ... Show More
15m 34s
Dec 2024
Do You Have To Choose a Side in Politics? Reason Versus The Bulwark
The Bulwark's Tim Miller and Sarah Longwell debate Reason's Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch on choosing a side in politics. 
1h 26m
Oct 2024
Veep state: the running mates debate
After JD Vance and Tim Walz squared off against each in last night’s vice-presidential debate, our correspondent assesses their performance – and its effect on the US election. In Britain the pro-European cause is popular, but its advocates are ineffective (10:53). And why the gl ... Show More
23m 20s
Jul 2023
Beyond the Twitterverse: Politics, Policy and Identity with Christy Kelly
In this episode, recorded on the road in Howell, Michigan, Vivek hosts an in-depth conversation with Twitter acquaintance and political independent, Christy Kelly. Kelly, an outspoken social media commentator known for her insightful perspectives, discusses topics from race-consc ... Show More
34m 45s
Sep 2020
Matthew D. Wright, "A Vindication of Politics: On the Common Good and Human Flourishing" (UP of Kansas, 2019)
Rancor reigns in American politics. Is it possible these days to regard politics as an arena that enriches and ennobles? Matthew D. Wright responds with a resounding yes in his 2019 book, A Vindication of Politics: On the Common Good and Human Flourishing (UP of Kansas, 2019). Wr ... Show More
1h 43m