Lost Debate

Ravi dives into the history and resurgence of tariffs in American politics with economic historian Phil Magness. From the Hamilton-Jefferson debates to the possible implications of Trump’s proposed tariffs, Ravi and Phil explore the complexities of tariffs as both economic tools and political weapons, how these policies have shaped America’s past, and what their resurgence means for the future. Le...

Ravi takes a closer look at President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter, and discusses why the move undermines the president's commitment to integrity, trust, and fairness. He then turns to incoming President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Kash Patel as FBI Director and unpacks how the appointment could impact the rule of law and institutional norms. Finally, Ravi addresses the m...

Ravi dives into the contentious world of education policy and explores how the incoming Trump administration’s agenda could reshape America’s schools. Andrew Clark, president of yes. every kid., and education policy expert Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute join Ravi to unpack pressing issues like the future of the U.S. Department of Education, the battle over vouchers and open enrollm...

Ravi dives into the extraordinary life of Dr. Oliver Sacks, the beloved neurologist and storyteller who humanized medicine. Joined by Bill Hayes – author, photographer, and Sacks’ partner – they explore Sacks’ groundbreaking career, his personal struggles, and the profound empathy he brought to his work that redefined how we understand the human mind. Bill then shares more about Sacks’ creative pr...

Ravi talks with Dr. Neel Shah, Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic and a leading voice in healthcare reform, about the forces shaping U.S. healthcare today. They discuss why public trust in the system has declined, the impact of staffing shortages and burnout among medical workers, and how our health determines whether we undervalue or overvalue healthcare.  Looking to the future, Ravi and Neel...

Ravi dives into the big questions facing America in the wake of the 2024 election, exploring everything from what we can expect from a second Trump administration to how Democrats can confront their party's disconnect from reality. He then responds to listener voicemails about voter psychology, the influence of social movements on political discourse, and the need for grounded, character-driven le...

Ravi sits down with Bridget Phetasy to unpack Trump’s big win and the divides that continue to shape today’s political landscape. They dive into the intense emotions stirred up by the election, the tough truths facing both political parties, and the personal challenges of navigating political differences within families. Together, they explore what this election means for people across the politic...

Ravi takes a closer look at ten key factors that helped pave the way for Donald Trump's return to the White House and what it means for the future of American politics. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show: 321-200-0570 --- Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Lost Debat...

In just two days, Americans will wake up to a stark reminder that they live in a nation divided: roughly half the country will have cast a ballot for a candidate whose vision for America is fundamentally different than their own choice. Ravi takes a step back to discuss this reality, reflecting on the deeply personal nature of political divides and emphasizing the importance of civility and empath...

With Election Day just around the corner, Ravi welcomes back Isaac Saul from Tangle to dive into the final stretch. They discuss voter enthusiasm, how an uptick in turnout among women could impact battleground states like Pennsylvania, and why both campaigns are engaged in a high-stakes battle to control the narrative around election integrity. They then delve into Trump’s Madison Square Garden ra...

Ravi sits down with TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier to unpack new early voting trends and their implications for critical battleground states like North Carolina and Nevada. They also discuss what current turnout numbers reveal about voter enthusiasm and the shifting dynamics that could influence each campaign's final push in these critical regions. Ravi then takes a closer look at the Trump campaign's...

Donald Trump has gained momentum in key battleground states like Nevada and Arizona, while Kamala Harris continues to perform strongly in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Could this set the stage for a close Election Day showdown? Ravi breaks down the latest early voting trends, explaining how the numbers will shape the final days of the election and what to expect from both campaigns in the critical 12...

The latest early voting numbers are in, and they reveal surprising gains for Republicans, including an unexpected lead in Nevada. Meanwhile, Democrats face an uphill battle in key battleground states like Georgia and Michigan. Ravi explains what’s driving these trends and what they suggest about the final stretch of the election. He then welcomes Paola Ramos, MSNBC contributor and author of Defect...

Ravi kicks off the show by taking a closer look at the state of early voting, from trends in battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania to what the latest data means for Harris and Trump. He then sits down with Russell Shaw, head of Georgetown Day School, to discuss lighthouse parenting, or guiding children while allowing them the independence to grow through challenges. Ru...

Ravi welcomes Dr. David Yeager, Ph. D., to discuss his eye-opening new book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier. They dive into the challenges adults face when trying to connect with young people and explore strategies for how to give effective feedback, inspire genuine motivation, and communica...

Ravi speaks with Reason’s Jacob Sullum about censorship, social media bias, and the link between political bias and platform moderation. They then turn to America’s crime rates, analyzing how Trump and Harris have used competing narratives on crime to shape public perceptions in the lead-up to the election and the real factors influencing crime trends. Ravi then welcomes Bloomberg’s Kristen Bellst...

Ravi dives into a new series from The Economist that examines how the U.S. economy has outperformed much of the world over the past 30 years and the key factors driving the country’s success. Next, he sits down with Beth Hawkins from The 74 to discuss the key differences between the presidential candidates’ proposed education policies and how Project 2025 could impact America’s schools. They then...

Will infrequent voters turn out this November? Ravi shares his prediction as he dives into the latest election updates, from new insights on the Harris campaign's ground game and the inner workings of political PACs and influencers to what voters can learn from Trump's recent media appearances. Next, Ravi welcomes Kim Wehle back to the show to explore the reality of election fraud claims, includin...

Ravi sits down with Johns Hopkins medical expert Dr. Marty Makary for a conversation about his latest book, Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health. Together, they explore how long-held medical misconceptions have undermined public health, touching on everything from the real causes of the peanut allergy epidemic and overlooked vaccine risks to the ongoing impact...

Ravi welcomes Lenore Skenazy, author of Free-Range Kids and president of Let Grow, to discuss the state of modern parenting. Dubbed “America’s Worst Mom” for allowing her son to ride the subway alone, Lenore shares her thoughts on how fear-driven media and overprotection have altered childhood. Ravi and Lenore explore the rise of “helicopter parenting,” how giving children autonomy can strengthen...

A new poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris with a three-point lead over former President Donald Trump. Ravi kicks off the show by delving into the latest data and what it reveals about shifting dynamics in key battleground states. He also examines how independent Dan Osborne could shake up the Nebraska Senate race, whether Elon Musk’s appearance at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania this weekend wil...

Ravi welcomes back Isaac Saul from Tangle to tackle the divisive narratives around Hurricane Helene, the damaging effects of misinformation on recovery efforts, and the ways misleading statements by high-profile figures like Elon Musk have amplified confusion and eroded trust on the ground. Next, Ravi and Isaac take a step back to reflect on the first anniversary of October 7, exploring how the pa...

Ravi speaks with Cory Vaillancourt from western North Carolina’s Smoky Mountain News about Hurricane Helene's devastating impact, why inland communities have faced such significant destruction, and the resilience of local residents. They also touch on the disaster's broader political and economic implications and the importance of local news. Then, Ravi welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Tim...

Ravi welcomes Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of FIRE, to discuss the organization's latest report assessing colleges on their commitment to free speech. They also cover the recent pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, the wave of university president resignations, and the complex challenges facing higher education today. Ravi and Greg explore the tension between activism and academic rigo...

Who won Tuesday night's vice presidential debate? Ravi breaks down JD Vance and Tim Walz's performances, the effectiveness of their arguments, and the impact the debate will have on the upcoming election. --- Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Lost Debate is available on the followin...