Lost Debate

Ravi kicks off the show by unpacking the latest economic headlines, from inflation trends to the impact of Trump’s unpredictable trade policies and how they could impact businesses and consumers. He also takes a closer look at Elon Musk, explaining why unlikely voices like Bill Burr and Dave Portnoy have criticized the billionaire over the past week and what it might mean for Musk’s future at the...

Ravi welcomes back Dr. Dhruv Khullar, a physician, assistant professor at Cornell, and contributing writer at The New Yorker, for a deep dive into the latest shifts in American science and nutrition. They begin with Dhruv’s latest New Yorker piece, Trump’s Agenda Is Undermining American Science, and examine how the DOGE-led budget cuts could disrupt medical innovation and public health. Next, they...

Ravi sits down with Emily Oster, New York Times bestselling author, professor of economics at Brown University, and founder and CEO of ParentData, to discuss the measles outbreak in Texas, the rise of vaccine hesitance, and the growing influence of misinformation on public health. They also break down the failures of COVID-19 messaging and the lasting consequences for experts now struggling to reg...

Is there a crisis facing young men in America? Richard Reeves, the president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, joins Ravi to explain why boys are falling behind in school, struggling with their mental health, and feeling more isolated than ever—and what we can do about it. Ravi and Richard explore the reasons both major politica...

Journalist and author Ross Barkan returns to the show to discuss why traditional media is in crisis, whether we’re living in a new romantic age, and why 2025 may be the year we resist the lure of technology.  Ravi and Ross then turn to the political landscape and explain why we’re seeing a shift away from hyper-online politics. They also examine the Democratic Party’s future and what to make of th...

The FBI is undergoing a major shift with the appointment of Kash Patel as director and Dan Bongino as his deputy. Ravi kicks off the episode by diving into both men’s backgrounds and explains what their leadership could mean for the FBI’s operations, public trust, and national security. He then sits down with Dorsey Hopson, former superintendent of Shelby County Schools, and Sarah Carpenter, execu...

Why should we care about the legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni? Ravi takes a closer look at the deeper implications of Hollywood’s latest feud and what it tells us about the cultural and political moment we’re living in. He then dives into what we can learn from the ways traditional, alternative, and online media have shaped the story’s narrative, what it signals about the evolv...

Is Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) actually saving taxpayers money, or is it just political theater? Ravi sits down with Zach Liscow, Yale Law professor and former Chief Economist at the Office of Budget and Management at the White House, to break down the reality behind government spending, infrastructure inefficiencies, and the myths of tax cuts. They dive into whether cur...

Kyle Chayka joins Ravi to discuss his book, Filterworld, an exploration of how algorithms shape our world and influence culture. They dive into how algorithms dictate our tastes, homogenize cultural experiences, and replace human gatekeepers with digital ones. Using coffee shops as a case study, they unpack the concept of aesthetic memes and how algorithm-driven trends spread across industries. Th...

As the battle over the future of education intensifies, Ravi takes a step back to ask a bold question: What if we could redesign K-12 education from the ground up? He breaks down what’s working, what policymakers and educators have gotten wrong, and the bold, forward-thinking innovations that can best serve students in a rapidly changing world. In this special episode, Ravi explores everything fro...

Ravi welcomes Nicholas Carr to discuss his thought-provoking new book, Superbloom, which examines how social media and digital communication have reshaped human relationships and society. They dive into the history of communication technologies and explore the deeper issues of modern society’s dependence on these tools. Carr challenges the idea that more communication is always better, stressing t...

Is America’s place in the world at a crossroads? The New York Times’ Michael D. Shear returns to unpack the first two weeks of Trump's second term and the domestic and international response to an emboldened executive branch wielding unprecedented power. Ravi and Michael first review the administration’s high-stakes opening moves, from sweeping tariffs to an immigration crackdown, and discuss how...

Is this the most powerful presidency in modern history? Ravi welcomes Tyler Austin Harper back to the show to dig into Trump’s aggressive executive orders, the GOP’s split response, and what “malicious compliance” really means. They also discuss the chaos and backlash resulting from the executive overreach and the broader implications of Trump testing the limits of his presidential power. Ravi and...

Political technologist Eric Wilson joins Ravi to explore the rapidly changing world of political campaigning. They discuss why podcasts were a major player in the 2024 election, the ways the new media landscape will continue to shape politics, and what campaigns should do in response. Ravi and Eric also explore the fragmentation of media consumption, how traditional field operations have struggled...

Ravi sits down with New York Times education reporter and bestselling author Dana Goldstein to unpack the Trump administration’s early moves on education policy. They begin by examining the administration’s immigration agenda, its potential impact on the 700,000+ undocumented school-age children in the U.S., and why there’s still much to learn about how policy changes could be enforced. They then...

Ravi sits down with Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust, to explore the groundbreaking education reforms that have elevated Indianapolis into a national example of excellence in public education. From charter schools to innovative community-driven models, Brandon shares how educators and advocates have harnessed the three pillars of success—autonomy, accountability, and leadership—to build a sust...

Ravi welcomes Jeff Asher, a leading crime data analyst, to break down the complexities of crime statistics in America. They discuss Jeff’s report, "Crime in 2024: A Historic Drop in Murder with Declining Violent and Property Crime" and his predictions for 2025 crime trends. Jeff highlights the recent decline in crime rates across the country, particularly in New Orleans, and examines the factors c...

Ravi welcomes Bradley Tusk back to the show for a wide-ranging conversation on some of today’s most pressing issues. They kick things off with an analysis of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, exploring the geopolitical forces at play and the role Trump’s impending return to the White House may have had on its timing. They then shift focus to New York City politics. Can Eric Adams pull off a reelect...

Ravi welcomes M. Nolan Gray, city planner and housing expert, to discuss his insightful Atlantic piece, “How Well-Intentioned Policies Fueled L.A.’s Fires.” They dive into the Los Angeles fires, the media narratives surrounding the crisis, and the politicized responses. Ravi and Nolan examine how certain housing policies exacerbated the disaster and explore the challenges posed by insurance, land...

Ravi kicks off the show by reflecting on the devastating California wildfires, delving into their economic impact, the challenges state and local officials face, and the looming threat of a home insurance crisis that could reshape the state’s future. Next, Ravi sits down with New York Times reporter Roni Rabin to unpack two critical public health issues: fluoride in drinking water and alcohol cons...

Meta announced today that it will end its fact-checking program as part of the company’s repositioning ahead of the upcoming Trump presidency. Ravi takes a closer look at the decision, what it suggests about Big Tech’s approach to the shifting political landscape, and the broader civic implications of Trump’s presidency. Vanity Fair’s Katherine Eban then joins Ravi to discuss the rise of the MAHA...

Ravi welcomes bestselling author Charles Duhigg to dive into the intricacies of habit formation and the nuances of effective communication. From rethinking New Year’s resolutions to understanding the psychology of “super communication,” they unpack practical strategies to reshape behavior and foster meaningful relationships. Charles shares stories from his groundbreaking books, The Power of Habit...

Journalist Helen Lewis of The Atlantic joins Ravi to dive into her new piece, "The ‘Mainstream Media’ Has Already Lost," as they explore the shifting media landscape and its implications for politics. They discuss the rise of independent media, its challenges to traditional outlets, and the complex role of podcasts and influencers in shaping public opinion. Helen offers insights into the evolving...

Is DEI fixing higher education – or breaking it? Ravi explores this question with New York Times journalist Nick Confessore and University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker, using Michigan as a case study to better understand what happens when a university’s mission collides with ideology.  Nick shares more about his investigative reporting on how diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have gr...

Ravi welcomes back journalist and author Bethany McLean to explore the contentious public response to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, what it reveals about the growing normalization of political violence, and the deepening anger towards America’s healthcare system. They then turn to the rise of forces like private equity and the Make America Healthy Again movement as they...