Reviews
I used to really like this pod. It brought different perspectives together and had a contested debate. Now its turned into another echo chamber without real debate. Really disappointing imo.
Dannydanny8 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/10/24
This was at one time my favorite podcast. In the past two to three years the debates are more of the “everyone gets a trophy” talks. The topics are soft and a bit bubble gummy for lack of a better description. It would be wonderful to get back to the shows that were of substance.
Fearsgirl via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/05/24
The problem with this show is the selection of debaters. Instead of modeling civil discourse between two very different points of view (say right v. Left) they consistently choose debaters who are left vs. far left. A great example is the gender pay gap episode. Instead of having the hard debate...Read full review »
nirok12 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/12/24
I do appreciate the purpose of this show. It models the seemingly lost art of disagreeing without demonizing or demeaning. I especially enjoyed listening to the debate about color blindness between Jamelle Bouie and Coleman Hughes. Thank you so much for this work.
westatpod via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/27/24
I enjoyed both sides of the debate. 9/29/2023 Cultural Exchange is important. The 'but' analogy was horrific but funny at 27:32 minutes into the show, and I felt embarrassed for them. Funny. Dated 9/29/2023 And Esther Perel is fantasticRead full review »
Andante' via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/23/24
Loved Nayeema Raza's moderation on the debate on the American dream! She was excellent. Refreshing to hear some thought provoking debate instead of the echo chambers we've gotten used to.Read full review »
RebelSphinx via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/19/24
Really enjoyed intelligence squared a few years ago and came back to start listening again - only to find a new title and format? Really confused how any of this is an improvement; miss the old show.
MHipple via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/24/23
I am waiting for the discussants to agree to parameters and cease to argue apples vs oranges. The other problem with setting philosophers on the task is their universally poor understanding of history and especially historical context.
419758633 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/04/23
The pre-2020 episodes with 4 debaters and a live audience are stellar and absolutely worth listening to, but the show took a BIG downturn after COVID hit. The zoom-meeting episodes are hard on the ears, and even when they DO get back to a live audience setting, the debates are lacking in quality....Read full review »
Marclemore via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/09/23
There is hope for the world yet. A show that actually has two sides (!) and asks important, tough questions. Love John Donvan. He should moderate my family dinners and the presidential debates.
NycLabgirl via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/07/23
Is it really a debate when one of the parties at this “debate” comes to it with a written statement from which he reads? How much can he defend his position if he cannot do it impromptu? I’m talking about Len Downey Jr. trying to defend his position against Bret Stephens’.
Pionexteer via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/01/23
I have enjoyed what was Intelligence Squared for many many years. And I’m fine with the name change to Open Debate. But I miss the original format where there was either a live or online vote that determined which side won. It’s not so much about winning or losing but instead to hear the...Read full review »
Scott Faver via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/31/23
Does color blindness perpetuate racism?? Dafuq???
cdp007 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/11/23
Very good civilized debates
Sunnycreek via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/07/23
I will continue listening, but the one on one format is not as good as two on two. I have generally found either side underserved by the single debater and feel like civility has suffered as well. John can’t penalize a debater for poor behavior by giving them less airtime without shutting down a...Read full review »
NickIsTryingToLeaveAReview via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/04/23
I'm a high school debate team captain on the East Coast. I suggest that you do one of my recent topics; "Resolved: The Supreme Court of the United States of America ought to be stern Limited." Essentially, Supreme Court member should not have life appointments.Read full review »
Debater Dude via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/11/23
So balanced and sensible. Sam, FinancialSamurai.com
Financial Samurai via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/07/23
I tried to listen with an open mind but this was highly politically charged. My husband is a fierce moderate and even he thought it was basically debating extreme politics and putting it on two states. Mayor Bill sayin MAGA Extremism over and over turned my stomach.
Jacqplet via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/24/23
I’ve greatly enjoyed this podcast; however, frequently ideas are debated with two individuals from the Left. Calling Trump followers idiots is unprofessional as they did in the Jan 6th debate. Please continue to endeavor to represent both sides and avoid shaming the right.
Ninjastar12345 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/08/23
This show has become such a sham to the originan intelligence squared that it pains me to listen to.
H82W8 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/24/23
That last debate was great, but please understand that by having intellectually dishonest people on your show, it dissuades me from watching. I have lived in FL for 25 years and listening to Rufo lie time and time again about what he thinks and when called out accuses the other debater of not...Read full review »
Jameses the Great via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/19/23
I used to really enjoy this podcast, and listening to it have me the idea that I could hear a good version of both sides of an argument. Recently, since the pandemic, I’ve noticed there is a tendency to have a left wing argument and a lefter wing argument. On some issues, like the state of...Read full review »
Austin Ashcraft via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/23/23
This was my favorite podcast pre-Covid with the Oxford style format in front of a live audience, live questions from attendees, and the winners announced at the end. The new format is rarely worth listening to.
Burly Blend via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/21/23
Saw her 2011 TED Talk, can’t hear a difference. If you’re going to tease a bold new strategy, don’t lie to me.
C.M. Talbert via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/20/23
The question before the house: has marketing doomed us to generic, bland show names and a sea of same-samey logos? But this is a great podcast.
Neal Dewing via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/19/23
Too many podcasts are people with similar views pumping each other up, and putting the “others” down. Intelligence Squared is so refreshing, and exactly what we need.
Ben N (Pittsburgh) via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 04/09/23
nothing there when i rapidly typed in the url. probably made a mistake. phones and tablets require more user friendly options: just something to tap (the link). just say “tap the link in the show notes, the survey takes less than x minutes” and you’ll get folks to respond. love the show.
JCASEA via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/03/23
Absolutely love the show, and personally, enjoy the topics which are relatable (ai not on topics exclusively specific to the US). Please consider adding names of debaters to info section of episode?
andainck via Apple Podcasts · South Africa · 02/17/23
It’s so refreshing to be able to listen to a podcast that enables constructive challenge of ideas, thought, information and positions. The world is so polarised at the moment - this shows that different points of view can engage each other for productive sharing of information.
kkkkklllllrrrrr via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 02/14/23
As a fan of Intelligence Squared, I moved the debate up in my listening list. Sounded like great concept. I was very disappointed! Both debaters were ardent Trump haters. This detracted. The woman on the pro side mostly talked in pseudo-intellectual word salads. The guy on the No side...Read full review »
Ljoconnor via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/07/23
Before giving criticism I am making it clear that this podcast is great an I listen weekly to make sense of the world so tune in/subscribe/donate. My complaint about this podcast is that the selection of guests/topic framing is done a continuum from center right/left to far left leaving out...Read full review »
epg- bookish via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 12/16/22
Kmele Foster’s comments on Public Radio Relevancy and how DEI initiatives are causing it to miss the mark are incredible.
Nickelous208 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/23/22
A debate should include opposing sides. Having two radical Democrats debate this issue and spend most of t he time trashing President Trump was shameful for this podcast. The moderator didn't challenge them so this was not a "debate". Such a disappointment!Read full review »
AZ Voter via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/06/22
This is the first time I listened to this podcast and I must say I was impressed. There were two very different points of view each presented without any questions or interruptions. I will say though that only one of the debaters (Kmele Foster) stated his point in a persuasive manner, the...Read full review »
Greg from 59 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/06/22
Been listening since 2016 and the “Agree to Disagree” series is good, on occasion. However, lately that is the only content provided. It feels disappointing to have an interesting topic without a formal debate, which is what I used to love about IQ2. The quality of discourse is night and day...Read full review »
Brock Fiouris via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/16/22
John does a great job of moderating debates and discussions like agree to disagree, but this episode disappointed me. John asked pertinent questions that the guests sometimes failed to answer, not new. But this conversation was interesting to me almost wholly due to the aspect I thought the...Read full review »
nostoc2020 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/03/22
I really find this show interesting, and these sorts of genuine, smart, thoughtful debates almost never happen in our current media culture. Well done and keep it coming! BUT occasionally the questions are so poorly devised that people end up on the same side of the argument. Or the listener...Read full review »
ncmdyogi via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/24/22
This has to be one of the least objective and most bias debate podcasts I’ve ever heard. The debate of whether or not Trump should be indicted featured three people who were definitively and unmistakably anti-Trump, the two debaters and the host. How is that a fair debate?? All they did was spew...Read full review »
Cdp81 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/15/22
This is the pinnacle of podcasting. If we’re not using this medium to have healthy, fair discussions, then what are we doing here? Each debate is excellent. If everyone listened to these discussions, the world would simply be a better place.
Guy Gallo via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/14/22
This went from the best podcast to the worst at an alarming rate. Absolute trash now. Remarkably, it’s gotten even worse in the past few months. The latest motion is whether to indict Trump and for debaters they choose a political scientist and a never-Trump politician, both of whom strongly...Read full review »
just some schmuck via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 08/12/22
First time I’ve stopped listening to an episode. Unserious display of partisanship. I expect more from this typically engaging podcast, including the curation of guest debaters. Please don’t regress to three letter news network babble.
Usually happy, but yikes via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 07/15/22
I greatly enjoy what it is Intelligence Square debates seeks to do which is have intelligent and civil debates. I’ve had my mind changed by debaters just as often as I’ve had facts confirmed. While some of its specialist aren’t always 100% correct, the goal of the podcast is great and it meets...Read full review »
QuartesDM via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/22/22
Great debates but it sounds like they recorded the show on Edison’s prototype phonograph. Unlistenable.
Red morning via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/18/22
this was my first listen to the podcast and i was unimpressed by the guests. the host did a good job corralling them to answer the questions he asked, but they did now cite any facts or point to explain how any of the studies that were mentioned were carried out or what specific methods of study...Read full review »
proop8 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/18/22
Had to delete show. Getting too far left
qsrgukonvgdxsg via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/04/22
Interesting topics, civil discourse, stimulating debates... one of my favorites.
Ian Saylor via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/14/22
This podcast very much lives up to its goal of having civil discourse to debate topics. John Donovan is great at moderating, as he really sums up peoples’ arguments and moves the conversation in a great way. I much prefer when there are only two people per side, as it gives each side more time to...Read full review »
Questionably a Superfan via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/07/22
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