Author: The Branch

In one of the most important cases in American history, former President Donald Trump was indicted on Tuesday by Special Counsel Jack Smith in connection with Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Rikki and Ravi talk through the indictment, the strength of the case, and Trump’s best defense. 

A recent study found young men now play video games more than ever before. What are the repercussions of this post-pandemic spike? 

Finally, a fight is raging over a new religious charter school in Oklahoma. The hosts unpack the state's thorny first amendment debate and question if this crosses the line between church and state.

Time Stamps

 00:31 - The Most Serious Trump Indictment

 23:06 - Male Gaming Spike

 32:55 - Religious Public Schools?

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

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Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

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Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

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A wave of major developments at America’s southern border has pitted the Biden administration against a host of forces, including liberal advocacy groups, the Texas governor, and border towns.

A new series of eye-opening studies from Science and Nature may challenge the way we view social media and polarization. The results seem to be counterintuitive to the common narrative of social media’s role in polarization, which begs the question – how polarizing is social media?

Finally, this year marks the largest drop in church attendance in American history. What's driving this trend, and will there be any repercussions?

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

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Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debate

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 

The Department of Education launched a civil rights investigation into Harvard’s legacy admissions policy. Is this the next domino to fall for college admissions?

In a bombshell congressional hearing, three retired military veterans spoke about the government’s knowledge of UFOs. Rikki and Ravi debate whether this finally confirms the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Finally, the hosts unpack some new and counterintuitive data about how parents view their public schools. Are parents actually happier with their schools than we initially thought?

[00:40] Legacy Admissions

[25:10] UFO Hearings

[46:00 ] Parent Poll

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

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The Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/

Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

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Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/752ca262-2801-466d-9654-2024de72bd1f/the-lost-debate

A new report from the World Health Organization suggests that aspartame, the widely used artificial sweetener, may cause cancer. Should Americans worry about this?

Chief diversity officers were some of the hottest hires in corporate America two years ago, but some high-profile companies have started to say goodbye to this role. Ravi and Rikki dissect the new trend and question whether this is the beginning of the end for corporate America’s push for social justice.

Lastly, the hosts review a new poll that shows what Americans want at work in order to achieve happiness, impact, and adequate pay.

[00:43] Trump Trial Date

[5:08] Diet Coke & Cancer

[14:47] End of Chief Diversity Officer

[30:43] Best/Worst Jobs

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K

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The Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/

Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debate

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

Ravi is joined by guest co-host Isaac Saul, founder and author of the popular newsletter Tangle.

Senate Democrats plan to push a bill that will impose new ethics rules on the Supreme Court. Does Congress have the authority to act?

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court backed a Colorado web designer's claim that the First Amendment allows her to reject building wedding websites for same-sex couples. Ravi and Isaac break down the ruling and discuss whether it marks a setback for LGBTQ rights.

Earth experienced the hottest days on record earlier this month. Is it finally time to tie current extreme weather events to climate change?

[00:28] SCOTUS Ethics Bill

[18:30] Gay Rights Ruling

[34:40] Extreme Weather

Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K

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Subscribe 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/@thebranchmedia

Follow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmedia

The Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/

Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debate

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

The Biden administration announced their Plan B for student debt relief. Will it become another legal battle? Ravi answers this and breaks down the political implications of the new proposal.

Hollywood faces its first industry wide shutdown in more than 60 years now that SAG-AFTRA has joined the Writers Guild of America on strike. With AI and streaming at the center of the disputes, how could this impact the future of the entertainment industry?

Lastly, we listen to recent audience voicemails in a mailbag roundup.

Time Stamps

[5:00] Student Loans

[12:50 ] Hollywood Strike

[28:50] Your Questions Answered

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K

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Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/

Follow The Branch on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmedia

Follow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmedia

The Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/

Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debate

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

The hosts break down Marc Andreessen’s op-ed “Why AI Will Save the World” and the tech billionaire’s optimistic, but potentially controversial, takes. They then parse through Sarah Silverman’s copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Meta and discuss the government’s role in regulating AI before turning to the ways artificial intelligence could revolutionize healthcare and potentially save lives. Finally, Ravi and Rikki explore Google’s new generative AI search tool and discuss whether it will change how we seek information.

[3:00] Andreessen’s op-ed

[21:45] Open AI lawsuit

[39:10] AI and healthcare

[42:28] Google's new AI search tool

Show notes: 

Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTF

Subscribe 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/@thebranchmedia

Follow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmedia

The Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/

Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debate

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

Meta kicked off the ultimate social media war with their launch of Threads. The Twitter alternative has quickly become the fastest growing social media network in history. Ravi and Rikki discuss the new platform’s extraordinary rise. They also debate what it might mean for Elon Musk.

SCOTUS struck down Biden’s student-loan forgiveness program. The hosts weigh in on the ruling, Biden’s new plan, and what this all means for borrowers.

Lastly, writer and education expert Richard Kahlenberg joins to break down the Supreme Court’s groundbreaking decision on affirmative action, the future of college admissions, and what we can do to create a more equitable higher education environment.

[1:45] Threads vs. Twitter

[17:10] Student Loans

[32:25] Affirmative Action

Show notes: 

Subscribe to our feed on Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTF

Subscribe 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/@thebranchmedia

Follow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmedia

The Branch website: http://thebranchmedia.org/

Lost Debate is also available on the following platforms: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785

Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vTERJNTc1ODE3Mzk3Nw 

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debate

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

Ravi sits down with Corey DeAngelis, a self-described “school choice evangelist” and one of the most controversial figures in education policy circles. Corey is a Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, where he writes and advocates in support of vouchers and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). 

ESAs and vouchers are among the most important policy issues in K-12 education right now, and Corey and Ravi spend the beginning of this conversation on common ground on high-level theories around educational freedom. They then turn to areas where they either disagree – or where they interpret data differently.

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

Subscribe to Lost Debate:

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• Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTF
• Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/
• Imbroglio Substack: https://imbroglio.substack.com/

Follow The Branch:

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In this special episode, Ravi reacts to yesterday's groundbreaking decision by the Supreme Court to end affirmative action as we know it.

Listen to our previous episodes on this case:

• A Funeral for Affirmative Action (Regressives, 10/30/22): https://thebranchmedia.org/show/regressives/a-funeral-for-affirmative-action/
• The Problem With College Admissions (Regressives, 12/22/22): https://thebranchmedia.org/show/regressives/the-problem-with-college-admissions/

Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570

Subscribe to Lost Debate:

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785
• Spotify: http://bitly.ws/zC9K
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTF
• Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Follow The Branch:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebranchmedia
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmedia
• Website: http://thebranchmedia.org/