39 Best Forum Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

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.) more

Forum tells remarkable and true stories about who we are and where we live. In the first hour, Alexis Madrigal convenes the diverse voices of the Bay Area, before turning to Mina Kim for the second hour to chronicle and center Californians' experience. In an increasingly divided world, Mina and Alexis host conversations that inform, challenge and unify listeners with big ideas and different viewpoints.Want to call/submit your comments during our live Forum program Mon-Fri, 9am-11am? We'd love to hear from you! Please dial 866.SF.FORUM or (866) 733-6786 or email ****@kqed.org, tweet, or post on Facebook. more

Ideas shape the world. Intelligence Squared brings you the conversations that explain them. In every episode, we bring together leading thinkers, writers, scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs, to challenge assumptions, test ideas and debate the questions shaping our future. If you want to think more clearly about the world and where it's heading, you're in the right place. If you'd like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. more

At the Veritas Forum, we believe we were made to seek truth and be changed by it. We are a community of students, faculty, campus ministers, and more, who are pursuing a vision of the university that seeks and stewards truth and invites people of all backgrounds to explore the ideas that shape our lives. Since 1992, we've shared lectures and conversations with a firm belief that generous dialogue is essential for universities and the Christian faith alike. In this podcast, we're pulling from our archives of recorded events. Learn more about each episode in the show notes and visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and join us as we explore the ideas that shape our lives. more

'Having the deeper discussions mainstream media won't provide.' Founded in 2006, the NCF is one of Britain's leading conservative think tanks. Our mission is to challenge the cultural orthodoxies dominant in our institutions, public life and wider culture. Our goal is to provide what the MSM won't: a platform for leading voices & experts from politics, culture, academia etc to engage in calm, constructive and enlightening discussions on the most critical issues of today. more

The Munk Debate podcasts is home to two of the most popular Canadian current affairs podcasts: Friday Focus with Janice Gross Stein and Munk Dialogues with Andrew Coyne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Reason presents a libertarian-themed debate series recorded monthly before a live audience in New York City. Moderated by former Barron's Economics Editor Gene Epstein, the Soho Forum features Nobel prize winners, radical thinkers, and other public intellectuals facing off over the future of abortion, bitcoin, electric vehicles, government debt, illegal drugs, robotics, sex work, and other controversial topics. more

Trinity Forum Conversations is a podcast exploring the big questions in life by looking to the best of the Christian intellectual tradition and elevating the voices, both ancient and modern, who grapple with these questions and direct our hearts to the Author of the answers. We invite you to join us in one of the great joys of life: a conversation among friends on the things that matter most. more

Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. more

The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's largest public affairs forum. The nonpartisan and nonprofit Club produces and distributes programs featuring diverse viewpoints from thought leaders on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast — the oldest in the U.S., since 1924 — is carried on hundreds of stations. Our website features audio and video of our programs. This podcast feed is usually updated multiple times each week. more

*This series was formerly known as Teleforums. FedSoc Forums is a virtual discussion series dedicated to providing expert analysis and intellectual commentary on today's most pressing legal and policy issues. Produced by The Federalist Society's Practice Groups, FedSoc Forum strives to create balanced conversations in various formats, such as monologues, debates, or panel discussions. In addition to regular episodes, FedSoc Forum features special content covering specific topics in the legal world, such as: Courthouse Steps : A series of rapid response discussions breaking down all the latest SCOTUS cases after oral argument or final decision A Seat at the Sitting : A monthly series that runs during the Court's term featuring a panel of constitutional experts discussing the Supreme Court's upcoming docket sitting by sitting Litigation Update : A series that provides the latest updates in important ongoing cases from all levels of government The Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers. more

Welcome to the Real Black Consciousness Forum—a dedicated space for critical thinking, raw dialogue, and breaking down the illusions that impact our community. We cut through viral headlines, algorithm-driven outrage, and centuries of inherited traditions to examine the facts. From dissecting theological frameworks and cultural myths to evaluating modern media narratives and economic realities, our goal is simple: separate blind faith from objective truth and empower authentic, self-determined consciousness. (Hashtag: #RBCF) more

The Academy of Ideas has been organising public debates to challenge contemporary knee-jerk orthodoxies since 2000. Subscribe to our channel for recordings of our live conferences, discussions and salons, and find out more at www.academyofideas.org.uk more

Alaska's only statewide call-in forum for discussing the issues impacting life on the Last Frontier. Politics, science, culture and current events are covered by host Lori Townsend and members of the Alaska Public Media news team along with guests and callers. more

Our goal is to foster community through conversation. This podcast is a companion to Spectrum, a journal established to encourage Seventh-day Adventist participation in the discussion of contemporary issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the merits of diverse views, and to foster intellectual and cultural growth. For more, go to: https://spectrummagazine.org/ more

Features conversations with people who offer pieces of the puzzle of 'a world that just might work' -- provocative approaches to business, environment, health, science, politics, media and culture. Guests have included Michael Lewis, Ken Burns, Arianna Huffington, Paul Krugman, Temple Grandin, Bill Maher, Cornel West, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Norman Lear. [http://terrencemcnally.net] more

Because democracy needs a pod. Informed conversations on the most important issues facing democracy, in the US and elsewhere, hosted by Rory Truex, Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. more

Kennedy Library Forums are a series of public affairs programs offered by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to foster public discussion on a diverse range of historical, political and cultural topics reflecting the legacy of President and Mrs. Kennedy's White House years. They are conducted as conversations rather than lectures. more

Podcast of The City Club of Cleveland's Friday Forum and other City Club events.

The Canadian Club of Toronto is Canada's preeminent public affairs podium. Since 1897, we have served an ambitious and important mission: to connect Canadians with world-class leaders and newsmakers and be a leading platform for influencers to engage Canadians on what matters most.Over our 125 year history as a not-for-profit organization, we continue to be a forum for Governors General and Prime Ministers, CEOs and Nobel laureates, scientists, artists and innovators. We have a proud tradition of hosting national and international leaders in politics, business, social innovation and the media, and our members and audiences are drawn from an equally diverse and distinguished group of leaders.The Canadian Club addresses routinely generate national coverage across multiple platforms. In addition to reported media coverage and our in-person audience of several hundred people, we make our programming accessible to all Canadians through broadcasts on cable television and webcasts, available online.Events run between September and June in downtown Toronto. As an independent, non-profit organization, we make all our events open to the public. Tickets can be purchased online or through our office at 416-364-5590. more

Founded in 1975 and published biannually, The Fletcher Forum of World Affairs is the student-managed foreign policy journal at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. The publication provides a broad, interdisciplinary platform for analysis of legal, political, economic, environmental, and diplomatic issues in international affairs. The Fletcher Forum podcast will serve as another avenue for The Fletcher Forum and will feature interviews, roundtable discussions, and debates centered around the latest in international affairs. more

The Civics series at Town Hall shines a light on the shifting issues, movements, and policies, that affect our society, both locally and globally. These events pose questions and ideas, big and small, that have the power to inform and impact our lives. Whether it be constitutional research from a scholar, a new take on history, or the birth of a movement, it's all about educating and empowering. more

For over 119 years, the Economic Club of New York has stood as the premier forum for critical conversations among the world's brightest leaders. Its podium has served as a transformative thought platform, shaping the world across domains from business and finance to policy, geopolitics, technology, society, and beyond. For the first time in history, the doors are open for all to experience these conversations guided by our host, CNBC anchor Becky Quick. To learn more about the Club and membership, visit: econclubny.org more

Recorded live at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, The Forum is a series of stimulating conversations about faith, ethics and culture in relation to the important issues of our day. Host and Dean of Grace Cathedral Malcolm Clemens Young invites artists, inventors, philosophers, pop culturists, elected officials and other inspiring guests to share in a civil, sophisticated discourse that engages hearts and minds to think in new ways about the world. more

The Z107.7 FM Up Close Show is a weekly forum to discuss issues important to residents of the Morongo Basin. To join the discussion, call 760-366-8471. Tune in to Up Close Friday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. with your host Gary Daigneault. KCDZ 107.7 FM, Your Community Radio Station. Look for our Podcast online at z1077fm.com or wherever you get your podcasts. more

The Middle East Forum's weekly podcast series featuring discussions from experts, policymakers, staff, and writing fellows on topics relating to the Middle East and countering Islamism.  more

What's On Your Mind is a daily forum to discuss the issues impacting North Dakota, South Dakota, Western Minnesota, and Eastern Montana. Join Scott Hennen and his guests as they take your calls to find out 'What's On Your Mind?' more

SRI's PARC Forum brings together some of the world's most interesting people for conversations at the intersection of business, technology, and society. We explore how research and technology can make our world safer, healthier, and more sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Catholic Forum began as a radio program in Wilmington, Delaware USA in 1939 making it the longest running Catholic discussion (non-liturgical) program in the United States. It is still on the air in the Diocese of Wilmington, but it is now available as a podcast. A new podcast debuts each Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time and includes an update of local, national and international Catholic news and a 20-22 minute interview on a topic of interest to the Catholic community of Delaware, Maryland's Eastern Shore and beyond. more

These podcasts bring you the full audio from World Economic Forum events, including the Annual Meeting in Davos. more

The European Liberal Forum (ELF) is the official think tank and political foundation of the European Liberal Party, the ALDE Party.Together with 56 member organisations we work all over Europe to bring new ideas into the political debate, to provide a platform for discussion and to enable citizens to make their voices heard. more

Welcome to First City Forum, Ketchikan's premier live talk show on KTKN Radio, dedicated to keeping you informed and engaged with everything happening in our vibrant community. From the latest events and business developments to political updates and local stories, First City Forum is your go-to source for all things Ketchikan. Our goal is to update, inquire, understand, and inform, providing listeners with in-depth coverage and insightful discussions on the topics that matter most to our town.Tune in to hear from community leaders, business owners, and everyday citizens as we explore the issues and celebrate the successes that shape life in Ketchikan. Whether you're a long-time resident or a curious visitor, First City Forum offers a comprehensive look at the heart of Alaska's First City. Stay connected and stay informed with First City Forum—where Ketchikan comes to talk. more

Visionary speakers. Bold conversations. Meaningful connections. The Columbus Metropolitan Club cultivates big conversations, bold ideas, and meaningful connections that drive the region forward. For over 50 years, CMC has hosted weekly forums featuring visionary leaders — including CEOs, members of Congress, college presidents, UN ambassadors, artists, and other changemakers — sharing insights and discussion. Together, we examine issues that matter, exchange diverse perspectives, and forge connections that create a better Columbus. Whether it's a topic that impacts our local community, has global implications, or both, CMC participants leave our forums better educated, informed, and engaged. We invite you to join our community conversations each week. All CMC forums are recorded live in Columbus, Ohio. more

The Frederick Faith Debate is designed to be an open an honest forum for local faith community leaders to share and discuss their views of the truth. Lady Bird Johnson once said, 'the clash of ideas is the sound of freedom'. In that spirit, the show seriously wrestles with important ideas… the participant often disagreeing with one another. The hope is that through this wrestling a better understanding of the truth will develop with regards to the most important issues facing the world. more

The Forum is a platform for the discussion of significant issues. Guest speakers typically focus on issues of political, social justice, moral, educational and artistic significance. Each presentation is followed by questions and discussion. more

Democracy Forum, with host Ann Luther, featuring topics in Maine's participatory democracy, encouraging citizens to take an active role in government and politics. more

Everyday Forum Podcast returns with the best of thought-provoking events and celebrated guest speakers recorded live from the Stratford Festival's Meighen Forum.Support for The Meighen Forum is generously provided by Kelly & Michael Meighen and the T.R. Meighen Family Foundation. more

A policy potpourri, The Forum is a space to engage with a grab bag of fresh perspectives and new voices. Each episode features a member of UChicago's Harris policy community sharing their hallway conversations, the concept, intervention, or discussion that has their attention in the public policy space. It's a West Wing walk and talk without the Sorkin script. Pull up a bench and join UC3P in: The Forum. Presented by the University of Chicago Public Policy Podcasts (UC3P). more

Like all vital nonprofit organizations, the Forum on Life, Culture & Society (FOLCS) was born out of a need for conversation. The FOLCS podcast, 'Culture in the Round,' brings FOLCS directly to your ears.Our Conversations and other Event Series are reminiscent of New York culture as it once was: active, alive, participatory, communal, and super smart. And that's why we are able to draw such culturally relevant and distinguished guests to our live and virtual stages. They, too, know that FOLCS provides a unique and enriching experience — one that is symbiotic and captivating.FOLCS goes where the ideas go. more