Is paying for sex a personal choice, or a reflection of who holds power when money is on the table? Watch the debate now: https://bit.ly/4jJHae5

Join our new CEO Lia Matthow and Moderator-in-Chief @JohnDonvan, as they discuss her vision for the next era of Open to Debate. 📍 Live on Substack 🗓️ Thursday, January 15 at 3 PM ET Link to join: https://bit.ly/4qVinWK

Did feminism empower women by changing the system, or did it fail by denying how different men and women actually are? Inez Stepman and Wendy Walsh debate, with guest moderator Xenia Wickett. Watch the full episode now. https://bit.ly/48Y3iMM

Whether you’re participating in Dry January, struggling with your own relationship with alcohol, or supporting someone you love, this week’s debate takes on the real, often complicated paths to sobriety. Featuring authors Dan Griffin and Adi Jaffe. https://bit.ly/49wunHc

Ever felt torn between needing a paycheck and wanting a life that feels meaningful? Inez Stepman and Dr. Wendy Walsh dig into what happens when ambition meets survival. Watch, then share your views.

Has Feminism Hurt Women? Freedom was the goal. Fulfillment was the hope. So why do so many people feel conflicted? Hear Inez Stepman and Wendy Walsh debate feminism’s legacy. Watch on YouTube and tell us where you land: https://bit.ly/48Y3iMM

Join us as we revisit our debates on faith and religion during this season of reflection. Streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube: Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic?

Dating apps made life easier. They also made walking away effortless. Esther Perel and journalist Lauren Vinopal unpack why modern relationships feel so fragile — and why Gen Z is lonelier than ever.

Are you guilty of “Kitchen sinking?" Or conversely, has this happened to you in relationships? Esther Perel explains it on our podcast. Listen now.

In this memorable episode, psychotherapist Esther Perel provides her signature wisdom and insights on navigating personal conflict with honesty, grace, and care. Streaming now on Spotify, Apple, and podcast platforms everywhere: https://bit.ly/4pS7bKc

“Companies do incredibly stupid mergers all the time.” Matt Stoller says breaking up corporate power is a moral imperative — even if it’s imperfect. Geoffrey A. Manne says government breakups are a totally different beast with massive consequences.

This holiday season, skip the humdrum sweaters. Give an Open to Debate Substack subscription—a lasting gift that sparks smarter conversations and challenges curious minds. More Info: https://bit.ly/4oQiqBC

Has Big Tech become too powerful? Watch the new live debate: https://bit.ly/3XOEpOz Featuring: Bharat Ramamurti, Matt Stoller, Geoffrey A. Manne and Jennifer Huddleston. John Donvan moderates.

As the holidays inspire reflection and generosity, we’re asking: Does the Effective Altruism Movement Get Giving Right? This debate dives into the ethics and impact of how we give, sparking thoughtful conversations with family and friends. Watch here: https://bit.ly/4pqgaSg

The U.S. is launching military strikes against cartels, deploying warships, and reshaping foreign policy in real time. Is this a necessary response to a growing threat—or a dangerous step toward endless conflict? Watch the debate now. https://youtu.be/1UVYAs9sDE0

Today's special bonus podcast episode features our founder, Robert Rosenkranz, in conversation with Spencer Greenberg of the Clearer Thinking Podcast. Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-why-debate-matters-robert-rosenkranz-on-clearer/id216713308?i=1000737389670

Which generation is the most screwed? Watch journalists representing Gen X, Gen Z, and Baby Boomers debate this charged topic.

Should everyone get Social Security if they don’t need it? America’s Social Security clash comes into sharp focus in this exchange: one side argues the system can only survive by expanding the workforce, while another says benefits shouldn’t go to wealthy retirees who don’t need them.

"Make America like France again?" Ending birthright citizenship sounds simple — until you ask what hospitals, parents, and even families with uncertain paternity are supposed to do. Should the U.S. follow countries like France and Australia, or stand by its founding promise?

If parents come to America seeking opportunity and give birth, should their children be denied citizenship — or is that the very promise of being American? Featuring @cnewman.bsky.social, @markskrikorian.bsky.social, Horace Cooper, and @azagmayes.bsky.social. Watch the full debate on YouTube.

Should birthright citizenship remain an unshakable American right—or is it time to reconsider who’s entitled to it? This debate was produced in partnership between Open to Debate, ASU’s Institute of Politics, and Arizona PBS as part of the PRO/CONversations series. Watch: https://bit.ly/3Jf1C8Q

Why are women still excluded from being ordained Catholic Deacons? Casey Stanton says it’s becoming “untenable” to worship where women’s voices aren’t heard — but Pia de Solenni, argues Jesus “knew what he was doing” and calls for going deeper. Watch the debate now. https://youtu.be/tIywKOgWRrs

In a world without a “global police,” is war just human nature—or a choice we keep making? Dylan Motin argues that power and survival drive nations to fight. Gabrielle Rifkind counters: war isn’t inevitable—it’s a failure we choose. Watch the debate now. https://youtu.be/8SdiPACjsCQ

Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace plan which could potentially put an end to the two-year war. But will peace take root after generations of violence?

From ancient battles to modern conflicts, war has been a constant in human history. With rising global tensions and new technologies shaping the battlefield, we ask: Is War Inevitable? Watch now on YouTube, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. https://youtu.be/8SdiPACjsCQ

It was a privilege to represent the @icrc.org debating the role & limits of human agency in AI-enabled warfare with @opentodebate.bsky.social last month. We took a scary, heady topic out of boomer/doomer hype and into practical opportunities & challenges opentodebate.org/debate/warti...

Are we losing humanity by letting AI make life-and-death decisions? Or could AI weapons actually reduce harm by acting without fear, anger, or revenge? Featuring: Laura Walker McDonald of @icrc.org & Michael C. Horowitz of @perryworldhouse.bsky.social

AI companions: A threat to love, or an evolution of it? techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/a... @techcrunch.com got the exclusive video to this debate from @opentodebate.bsky.social, moderated by the funny and smart @nayeema.bsky.social

President Trump signed the Big, Beautiful Bill Act, prompting a range of reactions. Hear two conservatives, Manhattan Institute's @jessicabriedl.bsky.social and the Heritage Foundation's Diana Furchtgott-Roth, for a debate on what’s in the bill and who stands to gain...or lose. youtu.be/Kk-doC3FNvg

This week on Open to Debate: youtu.be/wTaibJRRngw

Is speech freer under Trump 2.0, or more fragile than ever? In partnership with the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival, @nickgillespie.bsky.social dives into the evolution of free speech under Biden and Trump: youtu.be/sR9kVqQABzk

As Israel navigates a volatile geopolitical landscape, Trump’s role remains polarizing. Einat Wilfe and Jeremy Ben-Ami debate Trump’s legacy and what it means for the region. Watch now: youtu.be/rxO3_G7YD5g

Excited for tonights @opentodebate.bsky.social debate on AI import controls

Are sanctions an effective policy tool? Join us at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum on May 26 for a high-stakes debate hosted by @hrf.org and @opentodebate.bsky.social, featuring expert voices on both sides of this timely question.

What can ancient philosophy teach us about modern success? Investor and Open to Debate founder Robert Rosenkranz sits down with host John Donvan this week to discuss his new book, The Stoic Capitalist. Tune in for an insightful conversation: youtu.be/QJOR0LFG9p0

With Trump’s tariffs and China’s rising global power, many fear U.S.-China economic ties empower a hostile regime. This week, in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations, we debate: youtu.be/KyCJ6… Featuring Isaac Stone Fish, Derek Scissors, Susan Shirk, and Benn Steil.

For decades, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East relied on soft power — diplomacy, aid, and broadcasting democratic values. Under Trump, that approach changed. Faisal Saeed Al Mutar debates Jeffrey Gedmin on Trump's approach to soft power. Watch the full debate → youtu.be/3ETx7lbJJTQ

It’s live! This debate was intense but very fun. Thank you @opentodebate.bsky.social and @npr.org opentodebate.org/debate/shoul...

Stanford Law School Professor Michael McConnell is featured in a recent episode of the @opentodebate.bsky.social podcast, "Is Musk’s DOGE Dodging the Law?" Listen here: opentodebate.org/debate/is-mu...

Newsflash: #Longevity is a behavior problem, not a technology problem. Instead of focusing on dramatically extending lifespans beyond what’s natural, we should prioritize encouraging #healthybehaviors as a society. Hear my perspective on @opentodebate.bsky.social: opentodebate.org/debate/could...