Dogma Debate

Rooftop Rants is David C. Smalley and Michael Regilio overlooking Los Angeles talking.During the discussion about the Epstein files, Regilio mistakenly says the “Katie Miller case.” It’s actually the Katie Johnson case.As to Marla Maples denying that she told the mother of a 14-year-old girl to keep her daughter away from the men at Mar-a-Lago, especially her husband: She didn’t accuse Coleman of fabricating the encounter altogether; she specifically denied saying the part about Trump. Separately, later reporting found former Mar-a-Lago employees who said Maples did warn staff that something about Jeffrey Epstein was “wrong” and “off,” and that she was concerned about Epstein’s influence on Trump.

Rooftop Rants is David C. Smalley and Michael Regilio overlooking Los Angeles talking.

Rooftop Rants is David C. Smalley and Michael Regilio overlooking Los Angeles talking.

David and Michael sit down for an unfiltered live reaction to President Trump’s election speech, pausing throughout to discuss the claims being made, election integrity, media coverage, and where they believe American politics is headed. The conversation then shifts into a classic Rooftop Rant, covering everything from drug policy and immigration to policing, homelessness, criminal justice, comedy, joke theft, and David’s upcoming BBQ channel.As always, it’s unscripted, uncensored, and full of rabbit trails.Topics include:Live reaction to Trump’s election speechElection integrity and voting claimsThe SAVE ActVoter ID and election securityImmigration and border policyThe War on DrugsPolicing and criminal justiceHomelessness and rehabilitationComedy, joke theft, and Kill TonyThe new Smoke & Smalley BBQ channelTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro & Trump’s election speech begins01:00 Live reaction and fact-check discussion13:15 Election fraud claims, China, and voting systems36:00 Post-speech analysis50:45 The War on Drugs and legalization debate1:16:30 Immigration, labor, and corporate incentives1:34:00 Shoplifting, policing, and criminal justice2:11:30 Drug policy continues2:27:45 Tony Hinchcliffe joke theft discussion2:34:00 Smoke & Smalley BBQ channel update2:35:00 Outro

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 debatesFact-checking and investigating claims together in real timeReacting to news stories and current eventsRevisiting classic Dogma Debate episodesThe challenge of finding guests willing to engage honestlyMost 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 downDebate burnout and repetitionTikTok debate cultureBen Shapiro, Bill O’Reilly, and high-profile guestsThe hidden workload behind podcast productionResearch vs debateFuture directions for the showComedy, purpose, and creative fulfillmentIf Dogma Debate returns, it may look very different than before.But the search for truth isn’t going anywhere.

This episode is a replay from the Dogma Debate archive. Originally released as Episode 472, this conversation features a debate with a Christian missionary living in Africa. It’s one of the more discussed episodes from earlier seasons, revisiting core questions about belief, evangelism, and worldview. While new episodes are on the way, we’re highlighting past conversations that listeners continue to revisit and engage with.

Well, one of His most loyal followers, at least.

Former prison inmate and born again Christian, Antonio Muniz, has a unique view of what atheists really believe. We discusses faith, slavery, and his time in prison.

This didn't happen. Or did it?

Emery Emery joins David C. Smalley to discuss beliefs with a Christian from Egypt.