You can ask him to explain the episodes to you. It might help him reflect on the information and give you something to talk about.
If he’s difficult to “debate” it might be that the format of your conversations are to blame. Sometimes arguing, especially by throwing “facts” and trying to prove someone that their views are wrong, just creates tension and pushback causing the opposite effect. There’s something called Street Epistemology that can help open the door to actual conversations and reflection, instead of antagonistic debating.