Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What does it take to moderate a debate? How do we keep conversations civil when the world feels so polarized? In celebration of our launch on Substack, moderator-in-chief John Donvan joins “Smart Girl Dumb Questions” host Nayeema Raza and Reason’s Nick Gillespie for a lively conversation on the craft of moderation and the art of asking questions that reveal rather than enrage. Featuring audience Q&A and behind-the-scenes insight, this episode offers a candid look at how meaningful dialogue is created today.
Our Guests:
John Donvan, Open to Debate's Moderator-in-Chief and Emmy award-winning journalist
Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions"
Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason
Debates Referenced During this Inside Edition
13:03 - Should America End Birthright Citizenship?
19:22 - Is It Time To Break Up With Dating Apps?
20:34 - Replace Private Insurance with Medicare for All
20:38 - Should We Legalize Drugs?
20:41 - Preserve Net Neutrality: All Data Is Created Equal
21:14 - Is America Too Obsessed With Race?
27:04 - Is the American Dream in Decline?
28:35 - The Universal Basic Income Is The Safety Net Of The Future
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 — Introduction: Inside the Art of Moderation
00:03:13 — Introducing Nick Gillespie and Nayeema Raza
00:03:42 — How Is Moderating Different From Interviewing?
00:07:22 — What Separates Good-Faith Debate From Performative Conflict?
00:09:43 — Does Framing Debates as Questions Limit Growth in the Algorithm Age?
00:12:28 — When Should a Moderator Intervene in a Heated Exchange?
00:18:45 — How Hard Is It to Stay Neutral?
00:23:29 — John Donvan’s Recap Technique
00:24:41 — Audience Management
00:26:17 — What Does a Great Moderator Do That Most People Never Notice?
00:30:18 — Bringing Back The Vote
00:32:14 — Can Debates Change Minds?
00:33:44 — Final Thoughts
What does it take to moderate a debate? How do we keep conversations civil when the world feels so polarized? In celebration of our launch on Substack, moderator-in-chief John Donvan joins “Smart Girl Dumb Questions” host Nayeema Raza and Reason’s Nick Gillespie for a lively conversation on the craft of moderation and the art of asking questions that reveal rather than enrage. Featuring audience Q&A and behind-the-scenes insight, this episode offers a candid look at how meaningful dialogue is created today.
Our Guests:
John Donvan, Open to Debate's Moderator-in-Chief and Emmy award-winning journalist
Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions"
Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason
Debates Referenced During this Inside Edition
13:03 - Should America End Birthright Citizenship?
19:22 - Is It Time To Break Up With Dating Apps?
20:34 - Replace Private Insurance with Medicare for All
20:38 - Should We Legalize Drugs?
20:41 - Preserve Net Neutrality: All Data Is Created Equal
21:14 - Is America Too Obsessed With Race?
27:04 - Is the American Dream in Decline?
28:35 - The Universal Basic Income Is The Safety Net Of The Future
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 — Introduction: Inside the Art of Moderation
00:03:13 — Introducing Nick Gillespie and Nayeema Raza
00:03:42 — How Is Moderating Different From Interviewing?
00:07:22 — What Separates Good-Faith Debate From Performative Conflict?
00:09:43 — Does Framing Debates as Questions Limit Growth in the Algorithm Age?
00:12:28 — When Should a Moderator Intervene in a Heated Exchange?
00:18:45 — How Hard Is It to Stay Neutral?
00:23:29 — John Donvan’s Recap Technique
00:24:41 — Audience Management
00:26:17 — What Does a Great Moderator Do That Most People Never Notice?
00:30:18 — Bringing Back The Vote
00:32:14 — Can Debates Change Minds?
00:33:44 — Final Thoughts
