Author: The Branch

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 Bellstrom to the show to discuss her series on the erosion of trust in American institutions. They explore how and why trust has been declining since the 1970s and what can be done to rebuild confidence in government, media, and business.

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

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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 turn to New Orleans, where it’s been nearly two decades since Hurricane Katrina forced a full reinvention of the city’s schools. Ravi and Beth explore the lessons learned over the past 20 years and explain why the future of education policy could hinge on perceptions of New Orleans’ educational progress.

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

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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, including JD Vance's recent comments on the 2020 election and why Hunter Biden's name is back in the news. They then take a broader look at the state of election reform, focusing on changes to election laws in key states like Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and how they may impact the voting process in November.

Finally, Ravi and Kim turn to Kim's new book, Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works and Why, and discuss Trump's promise to pardon January 6th participants and the legal ramifications of these claims.

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

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Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

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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 of dramatic missteps in hormone replacement therapy. They then examine the ways our food system, corruption in health agencies, and media misinformation have fueled a growing crisis of trust in healthcare. Finally, Ravi and Marty turn to patient advocacy, the need to address the root causes of health challenges, and why there's bipartisan interest in improving the system.

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

---

Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

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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 their resilience, and the broader societal implications of a generation growing up with limited freedom.

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

---

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 following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

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

• iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-lost-debate-88330217/

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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 will boost Trump’s standing, and how Harris’s decision to engage with alternative media like the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast has resonated with voters.

Next, Ravi is joined by Kyle Tharp from FWIW, a weekly newsletter that breaks down the digital strategies shaping elections. They explore how social media, digital ads, and online fundraising have transformed the presidential race and the ways the campaigns have strategically leveraged platforms like TikTok and Facebook. They also explore the rise of online misinformation and how it could influence the election.

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

---

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 following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

• Google: 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

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 past year has reshaped both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. They also take a closer look at the global impact of the war and how it continues to influence U.S. politics ahead of the upcoming election.

Time Stamps:

A Hurricane of Misinformation - (00:48)

October 7th Reflections - (16:58)

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

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

• Google: 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

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 Times reporters Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, authors of ‘Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.’ They discuss how the former president squandered his father’s fortune while crafting an image of success, from his real estate ventures to The Apprentice, and where Trump’s finances likely stand today.

Time Stamps:

Helene's Destruction - (00:45)

Trump's Family Finances - (20:42)

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

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Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

• Google: 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

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 rigor, the evolving role of leadership, and the need for political diversity within university faculties. They then highlight new approaches that are encouraging open dialogue and share why they remain cautiously optimistic about the future of free speech in academia.

Finally, Ravi and Greg address how free speech issues continue to unfold across the political spectrum and why both the right and the left have fallen short in defending this fundamental right.

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

---

Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta

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Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Lost Debate is available on the following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

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

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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 following platforms: 

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

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ravimgupta

• Google: 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