Open to Debate is a nonpartisan debate podcast from the Open to Debate Foundation, formerly Intelligence Squared U.S., covering politics, culture, science and global affairs. It has 481 episodes released weekly, typically about 53 minutes long. Estimated downloads are 20,000 to 80,000 per episode, with an estimated rate of $360 to $2,000 per episode.
Weekly nonpartisan debates reaching a politically engaged, older American audience
- Reviews of 2,134 Apple Podcasts ratings show a strongly positive 4.6 average, indicating an engaged listener base.
- A 481-episode archive and weekly cadence give a sponsor a consistent placement schedule.
- Format is structured and civil, so host-read messages sit alongside serious policy discussion.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- structured debate, moderated panel, encore rebroadcast
- Tone
- measured, civil
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 53 to 66 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
The show lists a donate link on its website and no sponsor mentions appear in the feed or the last 20 episode titles.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles such as 'Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished?' and 'Who Is Winning the Iran War: Tehran or Trump?' show heavy political and war-related content, though the format is civil and nonpartisan.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | opentodebate.org |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id216713308 |
| RSS feed | feeds.megaphone.fm/PNP1207584390 |
Benchmark score: 100 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Should Extinct Animals Stay Extinct? (Encore) | 2026-10-16 | 1 h 39 min |
| Think Twice: Navigating the Election Cycle & Civic Power with Eric Liu | 2026-10-09 | 1 h 4 min |
| Should We Phase Out Social Security? | 2026-10-02 | 1 h 6 min |
| Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests? | 2026-09-25 | 1 h 20 min |
| Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore) | 2026-09-18 | 1 h 1 min |
| Is Parenting Overrated? (Encore) | 2026-09-09 | 1 h 27 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 3 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned…
About Open to Debate
Open to Debate is a nonpartisan debate podcast produced by the Open to Debate Foundation, formerly known as Intelligence Squared U.S. The show brings together experts with differing views on politics, culture, science and global affairs, according to the feed and the show's website. It has released 481 episodes, currently on a weekly cadence, with a median episode length of about 53 minutes.
The show's website describes it as a nonprofit media platform. Apple Podcasts shows 2,134 ratings with an average of 4.6 out of 5. Listener figures are not published, so the estimate of 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode is derived from ratings volume, catalogue age and weekly cadence rather than measured data.
No sponsors are visible in the feed or recent episode titles. Based on an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads, a host-read mid-roll would be priced at roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode. Brands in financial services or education are likely to suit this audience.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Open to Debate can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Open to Debate
How much does Open to Debate charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on estimated downloads of 20,000 to 80,000 per episode, a host-read mid-roll would be roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode. This is an estimate, not a published rate card.
What is Open to Debate about?
Open to Debate is a nonpartisan podcast featuring structured debates on politics, culture, science and global affairs. It was formerly known as Intelligence Squared U.S. and releases episodes weekly.
How do I contact Open to Debate about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked.
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