The Art of Moderation - Inside the Debate with John Donvan, Nayeema Raza, and Nick Gillespie
Release Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
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
This episode got me re-interested in both Nayeema's and Nick's interview podcasts.