Lost Debate

Jon Finer, former Deputy National Security Advisor and longtime Iran and diplomacy expert, joins to unpack America’s muddled Iran strategy. They trace how diplomacy collapsed, revisit the JCPOA’s strengths, and explore why talks now face bigger obstacles. The conversation digs into shifting U.S. credibility, control of the Strait, and a likely permanent limbo in the conflict.

Bradley Tusk, political strategist and entrepreneur who ran Mike Bloomberg’s campaign, offers a sharp take on New York City’s $6B budget hole and where real cuts might land. He dissects why the $40B school system spends so much for middling results. They tackle unions, pension gimmicks, tech-driven admin cuts, public safety, housing pressures, and whether Mamdani can break political constraints.

Tyler Goodspeed, economist and author who led the White House Council of Economic Advisors, challenges the idea that recessions result from built-up excess. He argues downturns come from unpredictable shocks like energy crises, policy mistakes, or global events. The conversation reframes causes, historical patterns back to the 1700s, and what truly makes economies vulnerable.

Bob Spitz, veteran music biographer known for books on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Dylan, discusses the hidden strategies behind the Rolling Stones. He explores image-making versus music, the Mick-Keith dynamic, Brian Jones’ decline and mysterious death, Altamont’s chaos, and why relentless touring kept the Stones together.

When Ravi Gupta was a struggling high school student, he pulled Jon Lee Anderson’s biography of Che Guevara off his mom’s bookshelf—and it became the first book that truly grabbed him, shaping how he saw the world. That personal connection sparks a wide-ranging conversation about how Anderson’s globe-trotting childhood led him to report from the frontlines of history and build trust with everyone from warlords to world leaders. The episode traces Cuba’s dramatic ups and downs—from the economic collapse of the 1990s to Barack Obama’s brief attempt at reopening relations—and why the country now feels closer to crisis again. And it ends with an unforgettable twist: Anderson’s own unlikely role in uncovering what happened to Che Guevara after his death. --> VOTE HERE for Where the School’s Went for Best Health, Science, or Education Podcast ------- Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com  Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where the Schools Went: https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/ 

Ravi Gupta breaks down what he sees as a major U.S. loss in Iran, arguing that Trump’s threats and ceasefire ultimately left Iran with more power and America with less. He also shares clips of Hasan Piker’s commentary, arguing that Democratic candidates and media outlets should stop treating him as a credible political voice. The episode also covers early reactions to Mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days, Anthropic’s warning about a powerful new AI model, and fresh questions about Sam Altman. It’s a sharp, wide-ranging take on politics, media, and the power struggles shaping the moment. Vote for Where the School’s Went Best Health, Science, or Education Podcast - vote here _____________ Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com  Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where the Schools Went: https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/ 

Ravi Gupta sits down with Alexander Hurst, author of Generation Desperation, to unpack his journey from $300 to over $1 million—and the identity he built around the life that money seemed to promise. As his portfolio surged during COVID, meme stocks, and the rise of online trading culture, so did a vision of becoming financially free, creatively unbound, and finally ahead. When the gains reversed and turned into debt, it forced a reckoning—not just with risk, but with how deeply a sense of self can become tied to numbers on a screen. It’s a candid conversation about ambition, illusion, and what his story reveals about a generation pushed to gamble for a different life. Alexander Hurst’s Generation Desperation Ravi’s recent substack, Turning the Camera On Vote for Where the School’s Went Best Documentary Podcast - vote here Best Health, Science, or Education Podcast - vote here -------------- Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com  Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where the Schools Went: https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/ 

What happens when Americans fear AI more than Trump, ICE, or either political party? In this provocative conversation, Catherine Bracy joins Ravi to unpack why voters are deeply skeptical of artificial intelligence — and why neither Democrats nor Republicans have seized the political opportunity. They explore the rising influence of tech billionaires, the possibility of regulating or even “nationalizing” AI, and the surprising new alliances forming across ideological lines. If you want to understand how AI could reshape jobs, democracy, and the next presidential election, this episode is essential listening. Catherine Bracy’s organization Tech Equity and book World Eaters  Ravi’s recent substack post: Go To Camp ––––––– Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 201-305-0084⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ravi at @RaviMGupta Notes from this episode are also available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Read more from Ravi on Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com  Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lost-debate/id1591300785 Listen to more episodes of Lost Debate on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7xR9pch9DrQDiZfGB5oF0F Listen to Where the Schools Went: https://thebranchmedia.org/show/where-the-schools-went/ 

Andrew Chow, a Time reporter who profiled activists battling AI and data centers, discusses a surprising coalition from MAGA skeptics to democratic socialists. Short takes cover local fights stalling massive data projects. They trace money in local politics, risks of AI in weapons and surveillance, and whether companies will honor safety pledges under pressure.

Michael Simon, technologist and CSO at ZenCity and former analytics lead for Barack Obama, discusses OpenClaw, an always-on open-source AI agent that connects to email, calendar and tools. He explains how it acts more like a chief of staff than a chatbot. They cover rapid adoption, practical setup and connectors, real automation use cases, and consequential security, job and economic risks.