{"podcast":{"title":"Open to Debate","slug":"open-to-debate-610487","podcast_index_feed_id":610487,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/PNP1207584390","website_url":"http://opentodebate.org","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/bcc042ec-fb48-11e5-b604-930d2eb6cae2/image/91ce7bbfeea734ae7e63a6e6e8a9cd70.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Open to Debate","episode_count":459,"summary":"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 analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united democracy with the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate. (Formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.)","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-to-debate-610487"},"episode":{"title":"Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic?","slug":"can-religion-cure-the-loneliness-epidemic","published_at":"2025-12-26T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-to-debate-610487/can-religion-cure-the-loneliness-epidemic","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-to-debate-610487","url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL4932772515.mp3?updated=1766680674","audio_url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL4932772515.mp3?updated=1766680674","summary":"America is suffering from a loneliness epidemic. Some groups have suggested religious communities may be key to solving it. Could it help? Those arguing “yes” say it gives people regular social contact, support systems, and a sense of purpose that could combat isolation. Those arguing “no” say that secular options would provide better, broad-based solutions. Now we debate: Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic? Arguing Yes: Harold Koenig, Director of Duke University’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health Chris Murphy, Senator from Connecticut Arguing No: Ruth Whippman, Author of \"America the Anxious: How Our Pursuit of Happiness Is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks\" and \"BOYMOM: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity.\" Dan Barker, Co-President of the Freedom from Religion Foundation Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices","meta_description":"America is suffering from a loneliness epidemic. Some groups have suggested religious communities may be key to solving it. Could it help? Those arguing “…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3235,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/open-to-debate-610487/episodes/can-religion-cure-the-loneliness-epidemic/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/open-to-debate-610487/can-religion-cure-the-loneliness-epidemic.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}