Press and Media

Press releases, recent articles, and media resources for Open to Debate

Recent Headlines

Open to Debate Podcast Goes Live On Wokeness In Comedy

It’s on conservative talk shows that you’ll hear the charge that “wokeness is killing comedy.” These pundits contend that so many topics are off limits to comedians that “stand-up comics can’t be funny anymore,” as…

Substack

Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?

An Open To Debate event featuring Michael Ian Black and Lou Perez, moderated by me. Is Wokeness Killing Comedy? Michael Ian Black (right) makes a point to me (center) and Lou Perez (left). …

Substack

Weekend reads: Rebels with a cause - Wokeness killing comedy

Amy Poehler's agitprop, wokeness killing comedy, wrongthink in dance - and other tales of ideological capture in the arts. (Plus, my essay on women and cancel culture) It used to be that when life…

Business Times

Nancy Pelosi Targets No Labels' Third-Party Presidential Ambitions

In a significant public stand, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi vehemently voiced her concerns regarding the centrist group No Labels' aspiration for a third-party presidential bid. Speaking at a breakfast event orchestrated by Democratic-centrist assembly Third…

Pelosi launches an all-out attack against No Labels

The former House speaker became the most high-profile Democrat to oppose the organization’s bid. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi on Thursday became one of the highest-profile elected Democrats to go public with her concerns about the centrist group…

New Florence, New Renaissance

Will the Future be Abundant?

I was invited yesterday to a live taping of an hour-long debate and audience Q&A on the topic “Will the Future Be Abundant?”. The debate will be released in December via public radio, video and…

Inside the White House's No Labels strategy

Top White House officials are anxiously watching a potential third-party challenge from No Labels, while studiously avoiding any public attacks that could give the group oxygen for its bipartisan presidential ticket. Why it matters: The historically unpopular prospect of a Trump…

Pod-Alization

"Open to Debate" Podcast: Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets? -- Virtual Debate Taping September 19

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, economic sanctions were imposed on Russia by multiple countries, including the US and the EU. These sanctions targeted Russian individuals and entities, along with finance, aerospace, and other industry…

WAMU 88.5

Debate over debates: Are the presidential debates still important?

NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to presidential historian Michael Beschloss about whether those political debates are still valuable or if they’ve turned into a mere spectacle in recent years. Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit…

D&I Weekly News Round Up

D&I Weekly News Round Up: Speak up culture, Racism, and more

Welcome to the latest edition of our Diversity & Inclusion News Round-Up. Today we are talking about the importance of speak-up culture, reasons for dads staying at home, a guaranteed-income pilot in the US, and…

Think Advisor

Would a Higher Social Security Claiming Age Boost the Economy?

Raising the retirement age for Social Security benefits would accelerate economic growth by encouraging more work and higher levels of private savings, according to an analysis by Marc Goldwein, senior vice president at the Committee for…

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

The Case for Raising the Social Security Retirement Age

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget’s Marc Goldwein recently appeared on the “Open to Debate” podcast to discuss the benefits of raising the Social Security retirement age. Taking the other position was Teresa Ghilarducci, Professor of…

Press Releases

Explore All

Open to Debate (Mock) Tries Trump for the January 6th Attacks, Live Virtual Taping December 14

Lanny Davis for the Prosecution Sara Azari for the Defense On December 14, Open to Debate (formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.) introduces a new debate format: “Mock Trial.” This new format brings Open to Debate’s…

November 25, 2023

Peter Diamandis and Peter Zeihan Debate the Future, November 1st from Open to Debate

Will tomorrow be better than today? From the start of agriculture to the Industrial Revolution and beyond, humanity has changed and thrived at a level previously unseen in history. Globally, we are more prosperous than…

October 23, 2023

No Labels and MoveOn Leaders Debate No Labels’ Impact on the 2024 Election

Livestreamed debate taping October 30 from Open to Debate In recent months, the centrist group No Labels has stirred up a lot of discussion about its well-funded efforts to put a third-party ticket on the…

October 19, 2023

Michael Ian Black and Lou Perez Debate: “Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?”

Live Open to Debate taping at the Comedy Cellar’s Village Underground, September 20 From comedy specials to TV shows and movies, what makes us laugh has come under scrutiny. Some old jokes and racy…

September 12, 2023

“Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets?” Virtual Debate Taping Tuesday, September 19 from Open to Debate

Larry Summers argues YES; Benn Steil argues NO After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, economic sanctions were imposed on Russia by multiple countries, including the US and the EU. These sanctions targeted Russian individuals…

September 7, 2023

“Does America Need A Third Party?” Open to Debate Tapes Virtual Debate Wednesday, August 23

Andrew Yang argues YES; Daniel DiSalvo argues NO In advance of a presidential election in which polls show many voters less than thrilled with either leading candidate, groups like No Labels are calling for…

August 15, 2023

Open to Debate and TED Partner on Virtual Debate Monday, July 24

Jamelle Bouie argues YES; Coleman Hughes argues NO A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, with the majority saying that giving some races priority in college admissions violates the Constitution’s equal…

July 19, 2023

Open to Debate Taping “Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?” at Memphis FreedomFest Friday, July 14

This Friday (1pm) at Memphis FreedomFest, nonpartisan media company Open to Debate is taping a live debate on the motion “Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?” According to an October 2022 Pew survey, “88% of US…

July 14, 2023

Intelligence Squared U.S. Is now “Open to Debate”

Combating extreme polarization, information silos, and echo chambers through the framework of formal debate. Welcome to our new platform! Today Intelligence Squared U.S., the leading nonpartisan platform for debate in the country, is relaunching…

April 11, 2023

Bill De Blasio Debates New York vs Florida This Friday, April 15

“Is Florida Eating New York's Lunch?” De Blasio argues NO, Reihan Salam argues YES Last year was a banner year for those trading the New York chill for the Florida sun. More Empire Staters packed…

April 10, 2023

Is the Democratic Party Too Far Left? Open to Debate Tapes Virtual Debate on March 21

Congressman Jamaal Bowman Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza vs. Manhattan Institute fellow Coleman Hughes Political scientist Ruy Teixeira Free registration to attend virtually now available here Defund the police. Abolish ICE. Redistribute the wealth.…

March 13, 2023

Is America Too Obsessed With Race? Open to Debate Debates Live at NYC’s Village Underground, March 20

Freethink’s Kmele Foster debates New Georgia Project’s Nsé Ufot Some claim that America has become overly concerned with race, to a level of obsession, pointing to things like critical race theory and diversity, equity,…

February 27, 2023

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Press and Media

Recent Headlines

Open to Debate Podcast Goes Live On Wokeness In Comedy

Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?

Weekend reads: Rebels with a cause - Wokeness killing comedy

Nancy Pelosi Targets No Labels' Third-Party Presidential Ambitions

Pelosi launches an all-out attack against No Labels

Will the Future be Abundant?

Inside the White House's No Labels strategy

"Open to Debate" Podcast: Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets? -- Virtual Debate Taping September 19

Debate over debates: Are the presidential debates still important?

D&I Weekly News Round Up: Speak up culture, Racism, and more

Would a Higher Social Security Claiming Age Boost the Economy?

The Case for Raising the Social Security Retirement Age

Press Releases

Open to Debate (Mock) Tries Trump for the January 6th Attacks, Live Virtual Taping December 14

Peter Diamandis and Peter Zeihan Debate the Future, November 1st from Open to Debate

No Labels and MoveOn Leaders Debate No Labels’ Impact on the 2024 Election

Michael Ian Black and Lou Perez Debate: “Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?”

“Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets?” Virtual Debate Taping Tuesday, September 19 from Open to Debate

“Does America Need A Third Party?” Open to Debate Tapes Virtual Debate Wednesday, August 23

Open to Debate and TED Partner on Virtual Debate Monday, July 24

Open to Debate Taping “Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?” at Memphis FreedomFest Friday, July 14

Intelligence Squared U.S. Is now “Open to Debate”

Bill De Blasio Debates New York vs Florida This Friday, April 15

Is the Democratic Party Too Far Left? Open to Debate Tapes Virtual Debate on March 21

Is America Too Obsessed With Race? Open to Debate Debates Live at NYC’s Village Underground, March 20

Media Kit

Logos

Access our logo library

Press Contacts

Mark Satlof

Ray Padgett

DEBATE COMMUNITY

EDUCATIONAL BRIEFS

SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE

Be Curious. Be Open-Minded. Be Open to Debate.