

Lost Debate
The Branch
Lost Debate is a weekly podcast from The Branch that brings you news, ideas, and arguments from around the political spectrum. We engage in the good-faith discussions that too much of our society and media miss. It's hosted by Ravi Gupta, a former Obama staffer turned school principal.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 2, 2024 • 1h 4min
Ozempic’s Promise, SC Primary, Black Swing Voters
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 show to discuss how both party’s South Carolina primaries are shaping up. And, how black voters across the South are feeling about another Trump v. Biden general election.Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9KSubscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/Follow The Branch on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmediaFollow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmediaThe Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

4 snips
Jan 30, 2024 • 34min
Parents Are the Problem with Pamela Paul
Pamela Paul, New York Times columnist, discusses the impact of cell phones on children, the downsides of constant connectivity, and the influence of technology companies on schools. She emphasizes the need for clear cell phone policies in classrooms and explores the contradiction between safety and independence.

Jan 25, 2024 • 41min
Biden v. Trump with David Frum
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 views on the 2024 election’s overarching themes, the prospect of another Biden/Trump match-up, and what another Trump presidency could mean for the country.Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9KSubscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/Follow The Branch on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmediaFollow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmediaThe Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

Jan 24, 2024 • 1h 2min
Bombshell Supreme Court Case, Trump v. Haley, Houthis Crisis
The podcast discusses the crisis in Yemen involving the Houthis and potential US involvement. It also explores Supreme Court cases challenging federal government power. Additionally, it reviews Nikki Haley's chances in the New Hampshire primary and examines politicians' flaws and the perception of corruption.

Jan 18, 2024 • 40min
Crypto’s Rise, Fall, and Rise with Zeke Faux
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! 321-200-0570Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9KSubscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/Follow The Branch on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmediaFollow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmediaThe Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

Jan 16, 2024 • 1h 14min
Trump Dominates Iowa, Overconfidence in Bidenworld, Homeschool Explosion
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 future of homeschooling in America, and why some homeschooling advocates are cautious of a recent push to provide taxpayer funding to families teaching their children at home.Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9KSubscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/Follow The Branch on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmediaFollow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmediaThe Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

Jan 11, 2024 • 53min
Collective Illusions in the Middle East, Education, and Media with Todd Rose
Todd Rose, a guest co-host, discusses America's collective illusions, media polarization, the Israel and Hamas war, the 2024 election, and a new study on college admissions.

Jan 9, 2024 • 49min
Trump Ballot Removal, Jan 6 Revisionism, Post-War Gaza Plans
The podcast discusses the Supreme Court hearing on Trump's eligibility for the ballot. They also explore public perception of the January 6 insurrection and its impact on the 2024 election. The hosts analyze the Israeli government's post-war plans for Gaza and the divisions within.

5 snips
Jan 4, 2024 • 45min
Epstein List, AI Scandals, Pandemic Lessons
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, we explore the lessons, misunderstandings, and errors from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the failure of authorities to recognize the inefficacy and long-term problems caused by school closures to the data concerning masks, vaccines, and more.Time Stamps:0:01 - Epstein List4:42 - AI Scandals 22:34 - Pandemic LessonsLeave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9KSubscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/Follow The Branch on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmediaFollow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmediaThe Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

Jan 2, 2024 • 44min
The Evangelicals with Tim Alberta
Tim Alberta discusses his new book exploring the birth and rise of America's evangelical movement, highlighting deceit, scandal, and fear. He recounts a distressing experience at a funeral where political views and faith were confronted. The intrusion of right-wing politics in the evangelical church and the challenges of evangelizing in a negative perception are explored. The rise of Jerry Falwell Sr. and his influential evangelical political movement is detailed. The experiences of a progressive church leader facing challenges in a conservative atmosphere are also discussed.


