America feels divided. Hyper-partisanship and polarization are rampant. And we’ve forgotten how to talk to each other. This summer, Open to Debate is tackling the state of American public discourse head-on. In this special interview series, our host John Donvan sits down with the sharpest minds shaping our national discourse today. From the academy to the media to the world of politics, these top thinkers are disrupting American discourse in bold new ways. And we’re asking them how they do it.
American Hate & The Law
Release Date: July 26, 2019
How should the American legal system cope with a new era of hate speech? In this episode, host John Donvan sits down two top legal minds thinking about free speech today. Join former ACLU president Nadine Strossen and New York University professor Thane Rosenbaum for an in-depth discussion on the future and limits of free speech in America.
Reason & Risk
Release Date: August 9, 2019
What happens when an economist walks into a brothel? In this episode, economist and author Allison Schrager talks with host John Donvan about her new book, “An Economist Walks Into a Brothel,” and how you can use reason to assess risk in your everyday life.
Science & The Economy
Release Date: August 16th, 2019
Can focusing on science and technology transform how Americans think about the economy and the future of the nation’s working class? In this episode, former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson joins host John Donvan for a conversation about his new book, “Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream.”
Ideas & Inspiration
Release Date: September 6, 2019
How do good ideas and persuasive arguments change the world? In this episode, host John Donvan speaks with TED curator Chris Anderson about how bringing people together to share new and innovative ideas will shape our collective future.
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