Is Parenting Overrated? (Encore)
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, arguin...
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News & Politics
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates bring Oxford-style debate to America – one motion, one moderator, two panelists for the motion and two against. From clean energy and the financial crisis,...
Episodes
20 of 479 episodes
Is America Ready for a Four-Day Work Week?
A century after Henry Ford helped popularize the five-day, 40-hour week, could working 32 hours be next? Supporters say shorter weeks can im...
Is Capitalism Broken?
Capitalism has long been credited with driving innovation and prosperity, yet many Americans increasingly believe the system is no longer wo...
Can Humans Adapt to Climate Change? (Encore)
The dangers of climate change are “no longer over the horizon.” Humanity may soon pass the “point of no return.” These are the phrases U.N....
Is Death Final? (Encore)
Near-death experiences have long challenged our understanding of consciousness and mortality. Some who come close to death report leaving th...
Are Primary Elections Ruining Democracy? (Encore)
The midterms are coming up this fall, and right now we are in the middle of a contentious primary season, with a lot of new faces challengin...
America 250: Is It Time To Stop Idolizing the Founders?
As America celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, the legacy of the Founders is under renewed scrutiny. Were they visio...
Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished?
Fifty years after the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment, the death penalty remains one of America's most divisive issues. Supporte...
Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: Are We Overcomplicating Love and Sex?
Forget "happily ever after." As marriage and birth rates fall, young adults have less sex, and assumptions about love and commitment are bei...
Who Is Winning the Iran War: Tehran or Trump?
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding in June, the U.S. and Iran entered a delicate peace. As negotiators worked toward a permanent de...
BONUS: The Blessings of Liberty: Jeffrey Rosen & Ken Burns on America’s 250th
As a bonus, today we’re sharing a special episode of The Blessings of Liberty, a new podcast from Open to Debate debater Jeffrey Rosen and o...
Is the American Dream in Decline?
The American Dream – the idea that anyone can achieve success in the U.S. through hard work and determination – is under scrutiny, and some...
The Pursuit of Happiness: Virtue or Pleasure?
Happiness is a complex emotion and mental state that can be achieved through virtue or pleasure. But should it be for the good of the indivi...
World on the Brink?
As the Iran war reshapes the Middle East and raises new questions about America’s role in the world, Danielle Pletka and Julia Ioffe join mo...
Is It Ethical To Cooperate With Chinese State Institutions To Secure Incremental Change?
As democratic governments, universities, and civil society organizations grapple with how to engage China, an ethical question persists: sho...
Should America End Birthright Citizenship?
Birthright citizenship guarantees citizenship to anyone born within the United States’ territory, regardless of a parent’s nationality. But...
Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: Are the Parents Alright?
These days, it can feel like raising kids has become a minefield. Somewhere along the way, older generations started looking at younger gene...
Government as Shareholder: Proactive Competitive Strategy or Last Resort?
Global powers are increasingly shaping markets and taking equity positions in strategic industries. But recently, Washington’s role in the e...
Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse?
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 sy...
Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts?
For centuries, museums in Europe and the U.S. built their collections during eras of empire and unequal power. Now, institutions face growin...