Lost Debate

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...

Ravi welcomes back Populace CEO Todd Rose to discuss his latest study, the Social Pressure Index: Private Opinion in America. Together, they unpack the disconnect between public opinion and private beliefs on critical issues shaping American society and politics. From education reform to immigration policy, Todd and Ravi examine how the study's revelations challenge conventional wisdom about the n...

Ravi sits down with Doug Lemov to discuss the stark differences between the education systems in the United States and the United Kingdom. Doug shares insights from his recent work with schools in England, highlighting how embracing cognitive science and implementing evidence-based teaching practices has led to rapid improvements and the ways centralized decision-making in the U.K. has supported t...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Wednesday evening on five federal charges, including wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of contributions from a foreign national. Ravi unpacks the 57-page indictment, which details allegations that Adams solicited and directed staffers to accept campaign donations from foreign officials and businesspeople over nearly a decade while receiving gifts, in...

Should JD Vance and Tim Walz debate next week? Ravi explains why both campaigns should consider canceling the event if Trump and Harris cannot agree to a second presidential debate. He also addresses Trump's shifting position on early voting, the Democrats' difficulties in reaching urban, non-college-educated voters, and new data that suggests the electoral college bias may not be as significant a...

Ravi recaps the latest twists in the presidential race, from why the Harris campaign has unexpectedly proposed another debate to the Trump campaign’s reasons for dodging a rematch. He then hops on the polling rollercoaster to explain what the numbers reveal and why results from some states defy traditional expectations. Finally, he turns to the FBI’s newly released crime data, the partisan battle...

Ravi welcomes Bradley Tusk back to the pod to discuss the latest developments in Springfield, Ohio, whether Trump's immigration messaging will help or hurt his campaign, and the Harris camp's decision to deploy a "Rose Garden" strategy. Next, they dive into Bradley's new book, Vote With Your Phone, and explore why mobile voting may be the solution to low voter turnout and how voter apathy impacts...

Journalist and political commentator Ross Barkan joins Ravi to dissect the state of New York City politics under Mayor Eric Adams. They explore the multiple federal probes into Adams’ administration, the unprecedented turnover in key leadership positions, and how the current turmoil could impact the upcoming mayoral race. Ravi and Ross then delve into the challenges of governing in America, from h...

Ravi sits down with Dylan Matthews, senior correspondent and lead writer at Vox, to unpack the complexities of the national debt and deficit in the United States. They explore the historical context of the country's debt, the mechanisms of government borrowing, and the evolving political landscape around fiscal responsibility. Ravi and Dylan discuss how Americans experience the deficit on a day-to...

Ravi takes a closer look at the impact of misinformation and false narratives on communities like Springfield, Ohio, where fraudulent claims from former President Donald Trump, JD Vance, and others have led to real-world consequences. He then takes a step back and comments more broadly on the escalating tensions surrounding the 2024 election, including the politics of hate, the recent assassinatio...

Ravi sits down with The New Yorker’s Emma Green to dive into her latest piece, The Chaos at Columbia Continues. They explore the real-world consequences of ongoing campus protests and focus on the often-overlooked experiences of Columbia’s workers, from security guards to custodians, who continue to navigate the growing tension between the school’s administration and protesting students. Ravi and...

Ravi welcomes Gabriel Debenedetti, New York Magazine’s National Correspondent, to break down Tuesday’s presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They discuss each candidate’s strategy and their effectiveness, the behind-the-scenes dynamics in the spin room, and the potential impact the debate might have on the election. Next, Ravi is joined by Tara Palmeri, Senior Political Corre...

Who won Tuesday night's presidential debate? Ravi breaks down Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump's performances, voter reactions, and Taylor Swift's post-debate endorsement of Harris. -- Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to Ravi’s YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/RadioRavi Follow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/th...

Ravi sits down with Andrew Clark, president of yes. every. kid., to discuss the future of education in America. They explore the state of education reform, changing demographics within alternative school models, and why calls for individualized learning have never been louder. Ravi and Andrew then turn to the political dynamics of Education Savings Accounts, the ongoing debate between public and p...