

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

Jan 27, 2022 • 44min
Ep 20 | Rogan x Peterson, Cardi B & Sarah Palin, Supreme Court Shakeup, Good Music
Ravi, Cory, and Rikki start on Jordan Peterson’s much-criticized comments on climate change in a marathon interview with Joe Rogan. We then discuss Biden’s promise to nominate a Black woman to fill the new opening on the Supreme Court. Ravi walks us through the alarming forecasts of a market “superbubble,” and lawsuits from Cardi B and Sarah Palin have libel laws in the spotlight. Finally, we check the charts, which beg an age-old question: does new music suck? [1:25} Jordan Peterson’s interview with Joe Rogan[13:45] Supreme Court Opening[19:22] "Superbubble"[32:49] Cardi B and Sarah Palin have libel lawsuits[39:47] Old vs. New MusicSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFSticher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-lost-debateiheart: 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-debateLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Follow Lost Debate on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 26, 2022 • 56min
Ep 19 | NYC Crime Surge, Less Sexy M&Ms, Ukraine, Affirmative Action, Covid Fault Lines
Ravi, Cory, and Rikki begin with an alarming spike in crime in New York, including the fatal shooting of two NYPD officers this weekend. We go through new Mayor Eric Adams’ plans to address gun violence and the nationwide rise in crime. Then we discuss the looming possibility of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, where the U.S. figures in and how Biden might respond going forward. Then we take a look at two major cases on college admissions before the Supreme Court and they could spell the end of affirmative action. Then we review the fault lines in the liberal debate around Covid restrictions, including Bari Weiss saying “I’m done” with the pandemic. Finally, we touch on the biggest issue facing America: the prospect of a less sexy green M&M.[1:26] NYC Crime[12:42] Ukraine vs. Russia[21:22] Supreme Court & Affirmative Action[31:00] Bari Weiss vs. Ritchie Torres[47:44] Sexy M&M'sSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 21, 2022 • 45min
Ep 18 | Florida CRT Fight, Biden’s First Year, China Hypocrisy, Tish & Trump, England Reopens
Ravi, Cory, and Rikki start off on a bill making its way through the Florida state legislature that would ban schools and companies from making people feel guilty on account of their race. Then we look at President Biden, one year in. How rough are his approval ratings, and does he have any hope of turning things around? Our hosts take a wider lens to the controversy around Chamath Palihapitiya’s dismissal of the Uyghur crisis. Are the people criticizing him just as wrong as he is? Then Ravi argues that the New York Attorney General’s investigation of the Trump Organization has been compromised from the start. Finally, Rikki argues we should welcome the end of most Covid restrictions in England and follow suit here in the U.S.[0:56] Florida's CRT Bill[12:46] President Biden, One Year In[23:06] Chamath Palihapitiya’s dismissal of the Uyghur crisis.[31:44] Tish James vs. Donald Trump[38:49] England's New Covid PolicySubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 18, 2022 • 45min
The Regressives Ep. 2 | Blue State Hypocrisy on Housing
America has a housing crisis, and it cuts both red and blue. But blue strongholds like Illinois, New York, and California struggle even more than their red counterparts to live up to a progressive policy ideal: affordable, equitable housing. Ravi interviews the New York Times' Conor Dougherty, whose new book, "Golden Gates: The Housing Crisis and a Reckoning for the American Dream" takes a critical lens to San Francisco's housing crisis and the liberal hypocrisy that perpetuates it. They discuss the unique position land occupies in our society, what really defines a 'progressive city,' and the stubborn nature of Nimbyism.Subscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 13, 2022 • 53min
Ep 17 | Voting Rights, Origins of Covid-19, Trump-DeSantis Booster Beef, School Boards & Culture Wars
Ravi, Cory, and Rikki dive into a jam-packed episode, starting with a new push from President Biden to pass a series of bills expanding voting rights. Then we get into a sweeping discussion about the Wuhan lab leak theory and how the more we learn, the more plausible it appears to be. Trump takes a subtle jab at DeSantis on vaccines and booster shots. The growing controversy around Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and the National School Boards Association. Finally, Cory introduces us to an Australian bride-to-be saying “I do” to Omicron.[1:05] Biden Voting Rights[12:52] Wuhan Lab Leak Theory[30:44] Trump vs. DeSantis[34:35] National School Boards Association Controversy[46:22] Australian Bride-to-be and OmicronSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 12, 2022 • 43min
Ep 16 | Vax Mandates, Race In Healthcare, Dems Rebrand, Metaverse, College Closures
Ravi, Cory, and Rikki start on the vaccine mandates before the Supreme Court, then turn to states prioritizing Covid treatments by race and ethnicity. Democrats are rebranding ahead of this year’s midterms, but can they head off a red wave? Then Ravi takes us into the Metaverse and Rikki goes through Covid crackdowns on college campuses.[0:50] Supreme Court Vax Mandate[14:07] Covid treatments by race and ethnicity[21:05] Democrats are rebranding[29:48] Metaverse[36:09] College ClosuresSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 6, 2022 • 35min
Ep 15 | January 6, Pandemic Politics, Chicago Cancels Class
Ravi and Cory welcome new co-host, Rikki Schlott, to the show. Rikki is a contributor to Reason and the New York Post and brings a more libertarian, conservative. viewpoint to our debate. Together they reflect on the one-year anniversary of January 6 and all the alarming changes to our country since that day. President Biden is sticking with a Covid refrain: “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Is the early data on omicron undercutting that narrative? Finally, classes are canceled in Chicago; conservatives and liberals agree we shouldn’t accept full-scale school closures at this point in the pandemic.[1:38] January 6, One Year Later[13:02] Pandemic Of The Unvaccinated[20:43] Chicago Cancels Classes AgainSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Jan 4, 2022 • 45min
Ep 14 | Omicron, Twitter Bans, Bad Takes, Arne Duncan
Ravi and Cory discuss the latest Covid surge and whether or not Omicron could end up being a good thing. Twitter permanently suspended Marjorie Taylor Greene’s personal account. Are Twitter bans doing more harm than good? Why this approach to managing misinformation might be self-defeating. Cory analyzes the news media’s worst takes from last week’s top stories. Finally, Ravi sits down with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who during the Obama administration, modernized America’s education system.[1:03] Omicron[12:42] Twitter bans Marjorie Taylor Greene [15:12] Section 230[22:52] Bad Takes [23:14] Kids of politicians[24:33] Gen Z v. Millennials[26:31] Candace Owens [31:28] Arne Duncan InterviewSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Dec 20, 2021 • 45min
The Regressives Ep. 1 | The Worst School Board in America?
San Francisco’s school board is facing a recall as parent anger boils over about school closures and efforts to promote ‘equity.' What does this fight tell us about our national debates about covid restrictions, critical race theory, and teacher’s unions? Ravi interviews parents and experts -- and even sits down with the school board’s chair (a target of the recall) to discuss what’s driving frustration and why it’s a cautionary tale for progressives. Producers:Ravi Gupta, Micky Ayoub, Joseph Engelbrekt, Sarah Moller,Research support by Joe Garvey with help from Pete Cook.Subscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate

Dec 16, 2021 • 55min
Ep 13 | Julian Assange, Stop WOKE Act, Religion Declining, Libertarian Liz
Ravi and Cory delve into:[1:44] Wikileaks founder facing extradition to the US[10:42] Ron DeSantis proposed CRT legislation[18:20] An Arizona mother accused of child neglect[25:46] Declining religious affiliation within the US[30:48] There's a new rap musical based on President William Henry Harrison.[32:44] Plus an interview with jounralist Liz Wolfe on the latest dispute between Elon Musk and Elizabeth WarrenSubscribe to The Lost Debate’s YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Gs5YTFLOST DEBATE ON SOCIAL:Follow Lost Debate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostdebate/Like Lost Debate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lostdebateFollow Lost Debate on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelostdebate


