Can a Debate Champion Improve Your Conversations? A Live Virtual Program from Intelligence Squared U.S., June 8

From abortion to gun control, it seems every day's headlines inject another round of divisive issues into the national bloodstream. It can feel like any attempt to have a civil discussion about them with someone on the other side will lead to yelling and bad feelings. Can strategies from a Debate Champion help you improve these contentious conversations? Is there a better way to engage so that people will listen to you? To listen actively to someone who disagrees and respond in good faith? To discuss hot-button issues with friends and family without it devolving into a shouting match?

Next Wednesday at 6:00 PM ET, America’s debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. hosts a live virtual conversation with Bo Seo. Considered one of the most recognized figures in the global debate community, Seo has won both the World Schools Debating Championship and the World Universities Debating Championship and is the author of the new book Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us To Listen and Be Heard. Seo will discuss not only how he prevails in formal debates, but how his winning strategies can help the average person debate in the more informal sense of the term, discussing issues with people who disagree in an open and useful way and maybe - just maybe – actually changing someone’s mind.

The “Debate Like a World Champion” event will be taped live virtually on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:00 PM ET before airing the following week via public radio and the Intelligence Squared U.S. podcast. Media who join the live taping will be invited to ask questions. Email raypadgett@shorefire.com for press access.

ABOUT BO SEO

Bo Seo is one of the most recognized figures in the global debate community. A two-time world champion debater and a former coach of the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union, Bo has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN, and many other publications. He is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at Harvard Law School, and is the author of a new book, entitled “Good Arguments.”

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)

Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) was founded to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Through its award-winning live debates and associated programming, the nonprofit company serves as a model for responsible media in a new age - fair, intelligent, nonpartisan - while restoring critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to public discourse. Recently recognized as "Best Podcast Event of 2020" by Adweek, Intelligence Squared U.S. reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including public radio (the show airs in all top 25 markets that carry specials), podcasts, video live streaming, newsletters, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps including Roku and Apple TV. With over 190 Oxford-style debates and counting, plus additional podcast and video content, IQ2US has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics for over a decade. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated since 2008.

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or more information on Intelligence Squared U.S., contact Ray Padgett (raypadgett@shorefire.com) or Mark Satlof (msatlof@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media.