> how well moderated a discussion among experts can be
I've been listening to the podcast for years. I don't think the format counts as a 'discussion among experts'. It's more like Melvin asks prepared questions individually to each expert--a hub and spoke model. The experts rarely talk to or debate each other, although they often agree which each other. Melvin largely controls the narrative and direction, which I think works better. Guests do get to free-wheel at the end of the podcast, however.
He’s really, really good. Whenever I listen to the show I’m amazed at how precise his questions are - he’s perfect in the role of the intelligent non-expert, often asking about the exact thing that was confusing to me in the expert’s previous reply.