#668 - Dogma Debate Reflection

June 17
56 mins

Episode Description

After more than a decade of debates, thousands of hours of conversations, and countless guests, one question keeps coming up:Is Dogma Debate dead?In this episode, David Smalley explains why Dogma Debate slowed down, what changed in the debate landscape, and why stand-up comedy, content creation, and the rise of TikTok debate culture made the original format increasingly difficult to sustain. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about booking guests, producing the show, dealing with debate fatigue, and why so many potential guests stopped accepting invitations.David also discusses possible futures for Dogma Debate, including:
  • Research-focused conversations instead of traditional debates
  • Fact-checking and investigating claims together in real time
  • Reacting to news stories and current events
  • Revisiting classic Dogma Debate episodes
  • The challenge of finding guests willing to engage honestly
Most importantly, he reflects on what made the show successful in the first place: a commitment to evidence, critical thinking, and following the facts wherever they lead.  Topics Covered:
  • Why Dogma Debate slowed down
  • Debate burnout and repetition
  • TikTok debate culture
  • Ben Shapiro, Bill O’Reilly, and high-profile guests
  • The hidden workload behind podcast production
  • Research vs debate
  • Future directions for the show
  • Comedy, purpose, and creative fulfillment
If Dogma Debate returns, it may look very different than before.But the search for truth isn’t going anywhere.
See all episodes