Intelligence Squared U.S. Launches "Discourse Disrupters" Podcast Series

America feels more divided than ever. Hyper-partisanship and polarization are rampant. And we’ve forgotten how to talk to each other. This summer, Intelligence Squared U.S. is tackling the state of American public discourse head-on. In this special interview series, host John Donvan sits down with some of the sharpest minds shaping our national discourse today. From the academy to the media to the world of politics, these top thinkers are disrupting American discourse in bold new ways. And Intelligence Squared U.S. will ask them how they do it. 

"Discourse Disrupters" will be available in the main "Intelligence Squared U.S." feed on all podcast platforms. Hear the first episode "American Hate & The Law: A Conversation with Nadine Strossen & Thane Rosenbaum" now at 

https://intelligencesquaredus.org/news/blog/discourse-disrupters-new-podcast-series

The "Discourse Disrupters" podcast series furthers Intelligence Squared U.S.'s longstanding mission of promoting civil discourse and debating the smartest and most innovative ideas out there today. In their recent season of debates, leaders and luminaries like former Senator Jeff Flake, scientists George Church and David Keith, writers Kurt Andersen and P.J. O'Rourke, MoveOn.org spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, environmentalist Stewart Brand, European Parliament member Marietje Schaake, Minnesota Fed President Neel Kashkari, driverless cars innovator Chris Urmson and dozens more took the Intelligence Squared U.S. stage to engage in head-to-head debates on the key questions facing our society.

Next Friday, August 2nd, Intelligence Squared U.S. brings the conversation to Aspen for a live-streaming debate on the motion " The Recent U.S. Policy Towards China Is Productive." Find more information here: 

https://shorefire.com/releases/entry/intelligence-squared-u.s.-aspen-china-policy-streaming-live-august-2

"Discourse Disrupters" Episode Schedule

Episode 1: American Hate & The Law: A Conversation with Nadine Strossen & Thane Rosenbaum  

Release Date: July 26, 2019 

How should the American legal system cope with a new era of hate speech? In this episode, host John Donvan sits down two top legal minds thinking about free speech today. Join former ACLU president Nadine Strossen and New York University professor Thane Rosenbaum for an in-depth discussion on the future and limits of free speech in America. 

Episode 2: Reason & Risk: A Conversation with Economist Allison Schrager  

Release Date: August 9, 2019 

What happens when an economist walks into a brothel? In this episode, economist and author Allison Schrager talks with host John Donvan about her new book, “An Economist Walks Into a Brothel,” and how you can use reason to assess risk in your everyday life. 

Episode 3: Science & The Economy: A Conversation with Economist Simon Johnson

Release Date: August 16, 2019

Can focusing on science and technology transform how Americans think about the economy and the future of the nation's working class? In this episode, former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson joins host John Donvan for a conversation about his new book, "Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream."

Episode 4: Ideas & Inspiration: A Conversation with TED Curator Chris Anderson  

Release Date: September 6, 2019 

How do good ideas and persuasive arguments change the world? In this episode, host John Donvan speaks with TED curator Chris Anderson about how bringing people together to share new and innovative ideas will shape our collective future. 

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)

A non-partisan, non-profit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. The award-winning debate series reaches over 30 million American households through multi-platform distribution, including radio, television, live streaming, podcasts, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps on Roku and Apple TV. With over 150 debates and counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008. 

Go here for photos, links and more info: http://shorefire.com/client/intelligence-squared-us