Lost Debate

Ravi and guest host Bradley Tusk — a venture capitalist, writer, and political strategist — jump straight into the facts of the Trump indictment and whether they believe Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s charges against former President Donald Trump will hold water. Then the duo switch to the multiple interpretations and definitions of effective altruism and how humankind can build a bette...

In this special episode, Ravi jumps in to give his thoughts on the indictment of former President Donald Trump. Then, Ravi interviews Republican Pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson where they discuss viable challengers in the 2024 GOP primary, DeSantis’ potential presidential run, the GOP’s appeal to younger voters, and whether education will be a focal point issue in the primary and general election...

In this special episode, Rikki interviews Greg Lukianoff, the CEO and President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Greg, a free speech advocate and author, co-wrote the 2018 book “The Coddling of the American Mind.” Greg and Rikki sit down to talk about free speech on college campuses, the partisan shift of free speech politics, and the antidote to cancel culture. You c...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe jump into #TrendyThursday, looking at five trends that are reshaping America: Americans having fewer kids, a steep decline in patriotism, wealthy men pivoting to working less hours, a dip in kids reading for fun, and declining IQ scores. [02:21] - Americans having fewer kids [14:53] - Decline in patriotism [25:58] - Work-life balance [34:02] - Kids no longer reading for fun [3...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe start by diving into a tight race in Chicago to decide who will be the city’s next mayor, Paul Vallas or Brandon Johnson, after a historic loss by incumbent Lori Lightfoot. Then we head north to Minnesota, where a new bill to universalize free school meals is reigniting a national debate about student hunger and nutrition. Finally, we welcome LD researcher Aryaan on the show t...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe start by stitching in their opinions on TikTok, as the social media app’s CEO Shou Chew prepares to testify in front of Congress. Then we turn to Southborough, Massachusetts, where a woman sued her local select board and won in state Supreme Court, striking down the town’s civility code as unconstitutional after getting into a spat and calling a board member “a Hitler” during...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe jump into the fray on the rumored indictment of former President Donald Trump over his reported involvement with a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Then the trio turns to the aftermath of Silicon Valley Bank’s implosion from last week, and the economic ricocheting that killed Signature Bank, cratered First Republic Bank’s stock, and forced Credit Suisse to sell to...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe start by looking at the merits and consequences of school districts increasingly moving towards a 4-day school week. Then we turn to a newly reintroduced bill aiming to open up research pathways for certain psychedelics, currently barred under the country’s most stringent Schedule I drug classification. Finally, we look back to a bizarre pandemic-era showdown between Californi...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe start by revisiting the wave of ChatGPT discourse and looking at some new data on how it’s affecting America’s classrooms. Then we turn to classrooms in Arkansas, where new Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is setting down an early marker on her education policy: the LEARNS Act. Finally, we look to some new reporting from the New York Times and try to answer a provocative questi...

We’ve got a special episode today to cover a wild weekend in financial news, as Silicon Valley Bank fails and regulators and investors alike brace for the aftershocks. Ravi sits down with Brad Hargreaves, the Founder and Chairman of Common, to talk about what led to SVB’s demise, whether its failure poses systemic risks, how it’s affecting the tech ecosystem in particular, and to give their predic...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe start with two trends in education: universities moving away from SAT/ACT requirements, and a growing defection from the U.S. News college rankings. Then we turn to the doctor’s office and try to unravel why men aren’t seeking out preventive care. Finally, we sit down with The Atlantic’s George Packer on his recent piece about the pitfalls of equity language.  [02:42] - SAT/AC...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe start with a major announcement from drugmaker Eli Lilly on coming price caps for its insulin products before turning to the complex web of regulatory loopholes that defines American pharmaceuticals and health care altogether. Then we turn to a new survey from FIRE, detailing self-censoring among college professors and students when it comes to academic freedom and speech. Fin...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe kick things off with the latest chapter in a long-simmering debate around the origins of COVID-19, now that the Department of Energy is endorsing the once-derided “lab leak theory.” Then we head down to Florida, where a politically charged curriculum fight is playing out over a proposed AP African American Studies course. [04:43] DOE Leans Lab Leak [36:01] Florida vs. AP Afric...

Ravi, Rikki, and Joe jump into #TrendyTuesday, looking at five trends that are reshaping America: declines in driving, religious faith, marriage rates, and sex, as well as a rise in multigenerational living.  [03:02] - Driving Downturn [10:19] - Declining Religiosity [22:01] - Multigenerational Living [31:04] - Sex Recession [40:31] - Falling Marriage Rates Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts...

Ravi and Rikki review all the frightening and frustrating developments in East Palestine, Ohio, where a derailed train released huge quantities of hazardous chemicals and left a community uncertain of its safety. Then, Ravi sits down with the Washington Post’s Paul Farhi to discuss Dominion’s defamation suit against Fox News.  [03:32] - East Palestine Train Derailment [24:15] - Dominion vs. Fox Ne...

The federal government has been adamant for decades about the need to improve schools so that every child receives a proper education. The pandemic and subsequent school lockdowns reinforced the urgency of this issue, with a recent study from Populace reporting that 71% of Americans believe more things about the educational system should change than stay the same. Ravi talks with Rick Hess, Senior...

Introducing Lost Debate's newest weekly podcast, Sweat the Technique, which is taking over the Lost Debate feed for a special episode! The new show features a group of pathbreaking educators who come together to answer the question: how do we get better, faster? Our hosts apply lessons from the classroom to all areas of life — from parenting to relationships, to sports, to hobbies, and more. In th...

Ravi and Rikki start by unpacking what’s been a mysterious week of spy balloons, UFOs, and global power tensions. Then we take a look at how quickly deepfake technology has improved, further complicating our online lives. Finally, Rikki sits down for an interview on the nuclear power industry with journalist Jonathan Rauch. [04:05] Spy Balloon [19:00] Deepfake [33:39] Interview with Jonathan Rauch...

Ravi sits down with Populace CEO Todd Rose to discuss two data sets we’ve been covering on the Lost Debate: the gap between Americans’ private and public beliefs, and what the American public wants out of the education system. Through those two lenses, we try and assess how divided the country actually is versus how divided it so often seems.  Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 3...

America faces two inextricable problems: a growing homelessness crisis, and a dire lack of affordable housing. As the gravity of those issues grows more visible, lawmakers are under increasing pressure to solve them. We sat down with The New York Times' Binyamin Appelbaum to talk about how the state of California -- so often the poster child for how not to handle homelessness -- is making gradual...

Ravi and Rikki lead things off with their reactions to President Biden’s State of the Union address and what it says about the state of political polarization today. Then we turn to YouTube extraordinaire MrBeast, why he’s courting controversy over cataract surgeries, and the merits of effective altruism. Finally, we head to the grocery aisle and ask a question that’s surprisingly hard to answer:...

Ravi and Rikki take a closer look at the Biden administration’s fair housing plan, potentially including one controversial proposal: rent control. Rikki then turns us to her recent reporting on the mental health effects of the pill and the nuances of birth control. Finally, we take stock of the school choice measure making waves across red and purple America: Education Savings Accounts.  [04:26] -...

Introducing "The Hardest Step," which is taking over the Lost Debate feed for a special episode! Topeka K. Sam is a shining example of the power of redemption. While in federal prison for drug trafficking, Topeka witnessed firsthand the many challenges and injustices that women, particularly women of color, face behind bars. After her release in May 2015, she launched The Ladies of Hope Ministries...

Ravi and Rikki start with the weight-loss drug that’s sweeping TikTok, Hollywood, and the nation: Ozempic. Then we turn to the dark side of your rewards card, and ask some oft-ignored questions about where all those points really come from. Finally, we check in on the latest iteration of the Fair Tax Act and what the saga that produced it says about American policymaking today.  [03:29] - Ozempic...

Ravi and Rikki first welcome today’s guest host, David Dayen, before turning to the Justice Department’s antitrust suit taking aim at Google’s digital ad business. Then we discuss the state of civics education in America, asking what schools should do to mold better citizens. Finally, we take a hard look at what we’re coining the Fake Reviews Industrial Complex and whether it can be unraveled.  [0...