Lost Debate

Now that the general election is set for a Biden v. Trump rematch, Ravi kicks off the show by running through the ten most important questions that will define the race.  Then Ravi talks with Adam Harris of The Atlantic about his recent article, "Private Equity Has Its Eyes on the Child-Care Industry." They discuss why a corporate takeover of child care poses concerns and explore sensible solution...

Ravi kicks off the show with an update on the latest legal developments in Trump world, including the Supreme Court's decision to overturn a Colorado court verdict that excluded Trump from the state's Republican presidential primary ballot. Former Congressman Carlos Curbelo then joins Ravi to discuss the evolving dynamics of Hispanic voters' allegiance, the failed push for immigration reform and s...

School choice programs have expanded dramatically over the past several years, in part due to the creation of education savings accounts (ESA). The movement for ESAs has been spearheaded predominantly by Republicans and met with widespread skepticism from Democrats. But should Democrats support ESAs? Ravi joined Marcus Brandon, executive director of North Carolina Campaign for Achievement Now, Gra...

A recent Gallup poll shows that immigration is now the most important issue for Americans. New York Times White House correspondent Michael Shear joins Ravi to explore the poll’s implications, including what it means for 2024 and how Biden has adjusted his policies in response to the ongoing migrant crisis. They also delve into the prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza and today’s Michigan presidential...

A New York judge ruled last week that Donald Trump must pay over $350 million in penalties for business fraud and banned him from running companies in the state for three years. Ravi explains where the case went wrong, from New York Attorney General Tish James’s motives in bringing the case to issues with the judgment itself. Is the end of the Hunter Biden scandal near? Ravi takes a closer look at...

Russian authorities have announced that the country's most prominent opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has died while in prison. Navalny, one of Putin's most outspoken critics, had been jailed in some of Russia's most punishing prisons since 2021. Ravi reacts to the news and reflects on the legacy Navalny leaves behind. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show: 321-200-0570 Subscribe t...

Should President Biden drop out of the 2024 race? Ravi addresses the growing skepticism over Biden’s ability to hold office for four more years and what he thinks the Democrats should do about it. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K Subscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Follow The Branch o...

Ravi interviews Benjamin Herold about his new book “Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America’s Suburbs,” an important and eye-opening exploration of the history of suburban communities in the U.S. Ravi and Ben discuss why the magical thinking that fueled suburbia’s boom was always a ticking time bomb, and what it means for today’s suburban families as they grapple with failing in...

A federal appeals court ruled that Trump does not have presidential immunity in the January 6 case. This ruling sets the stage for a spring court date. Isaac Saul from Tangle joins Ravi to discuss what happens next, and if the Supreme Court will take up the case. On Sunday, Senate negotiators released the text of their $118 billion bill aimed at improving security on the U.S.-Mexico border while p...

First, Ravi talks to Dr. Dhruv Khullar about Ozempic’s breakthrough and the potential impact it could have on medicine. They dive into the stigma and cost associated with the drug, as well as the long-term effects and potential price reduction. They also explore the rise of private sector full-body MRI scans and the pros and cons of this trend. Finally, New York Times reporter Maya King joins the...

New York Times columnist Pamela Paul joins Ravi to discuss her recent articles on the impact of cell phones on children and the role parents should play in setting rules and boundaries. She challenges the notion that cell phones provide safety and independence, explores the downsides of constant connectivity, examines the influence of technology companies on schools, and emphasizes the need for ed...

Last week, President Biden announced the “Agenda for Student Achievement,” which includes the education issues he’s asked the government to prioritize in 2024. Ravi breaks down the plan, its focus on tackling chronic absenteeism, offering more tutoring services, and extending learning time, and shares how he’d advise the administration on the next steps. David Frum then joins Ravi to discuss his v...

Who are the Houthis, and why did the US hit back after their multiple attacks on ships in the Red Sea? Ravi and guest host Isaac Saul discuss the Yemen-based group, how the Israel/Hamas war may have influenced the attacks, and whether it will drag the US into a bigger fight in the region. Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. D...

Ravi is joined by Zeke Faux from Bloomberg to discuss his new book, "Number Go Up." The book takes readers on a rollercoaster journey through the crypto world, covering everything from its shady beginnings and huge leap into the limelight to its dramatic crash. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K Subscribe to our...

Ravi speaks with Gabriel Debenedetti from New York Magazine about Trump's resounding victory in Iowa, the prospect of another Trump vs. Biden election, and Gabriel’s recent reporting on whether the Biden team should be more concerned about their odds in 2024. Ravi also speaks with writer and commentator Bridget Phetasy about the roots of the culture war, comedians' role in social commentary, the f...

Guest co-host Todd Rose joins Ravi to discuss America’s collective illusions and how it has driven people into reflexive positions that may not map to their (or the rest of the country’s) privately held views. They tackle the Israel and Hamas war, the media’s role in driving polarization, the 2024 election, and a new study by the New York Times on how college admissions offices were wrong to turn...

Should Trump be allowed to stay on the ballot? As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on the former president’s eligibility due to his role in the January 6 insurrection, Ravi and guest co-host Isaac Saul discuss the legal and constitutional merits of the pending decision. The American public also has January 6 on its mind, with a new poll showing that a quarter of Americans believe the F...

Dozens of previously sealed court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have become public. Ravi and guest co-host Bethany McLean discuss what we know so far about the new revelations. What really happened with Sam Altman being ousted and then returning to OpenAI? It remains unclear what made the board decide to act. Our hosts tackle the secrecy around this and other recent tech scandals. Lastly, w...

Tim Alberta joins Ravi to discuss his new book, “The Power, the Glory, and the Kingdom." The book takes an in-depth, personal look at the birth and rise of America’s evangelical movement and explores how deceit, scandal, and fear have contributed to the wreckage it stands on today. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/z...

It’s Lost Debate’s last episode of 2023, and Ravi and Rikki take us through their Year in Review, from their favorite segments to the year’s best scandals. They then share their 2024 hot takes and predictions. Share your own by leaving us a voicemail! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia...

Rob Copeland joins Ravi to discuss his eye-opening new book “The Fund.” The book offers a searing look into Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, and explores how founder Ray Dalio’s “Principles” may prove to be the firm’s undoing. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K Subscribe to our Substack: ht...

Ravi is joined by Adam Harris from The Atlantic to discuss the genesis of American education, the Reconstruction-era leaders who ensured “education for all,”  and how the trials and tribulations from that era still plague today’s schools.  Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K Subscribe to our Substack: https://thel...

Harvard, MIT, and UPenn’s presidents testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce last week, and the controversy over their statements regarding antisemitism on campuses has already led to UPenn president Liz Magill’s ouster. As calls intensify for Claudine Gay (Harvard) and Sally Kornbluth (MIT) to resign, Ravi and Rikki parse through the outrage over the hearings and asses...

President Biden issued an unexpected rebuke of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the state of Israel on Tuesday, condemning its military actions and warning that the government must change in order to maintain U.S. support. Tangle’s Isaac Saul joins Ravi to discuss this new development and the broader state of the war. We then turn to Ukraine, where all eyes are on President Zelensky’s meetings in Wash...

Bethany McLean joins Ravi to discuss her new book The Big Fail, a groundbreaking indictment of how greed and lack of leadership left us unprepared for a global pandemic. Bethany McLean is a journalist and contributing editor for Vanity Fair. She has co-authored multiple bestselling books, including The Smartest Guys in the Room with Peter Elkind and All the Devils Are Here with Joe Nocera. Leave u...