Lost Debate

Latest Episodes:

Biden Impeachment, AI Hearings, COVID censorship, PragerU Edu Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden this week. Will the GOP find evidence of wrongdoing, or is this a last-ditch effort by McCarthy to convince members of his party to pass pending spending bills and help avoid a government shutdown?

Tech titans like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates have descended on Capitol Hill for a closed-door meeting regarding future AI regulations. Ravi and Rikki discuss what they hope to see from this session, but more importantly, will we finally get the cage match we’ve been promised?

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Biden admin, health officials, and the FBI likely violated the First Amendment when they pushed tech companies to take down or suppress posts on COVID and elections. The hosts debate the key takeaways from the ruling and how we should address the threat of misinformation in the future.

Finally, Ravi and Rikki look at the red states that have greenlit PragerU’s controversial K-12 curriculum. Is the company’s curriculum a new form of indoctrination or simply an additional resource for educators?

Time Stamps:

Biden Impeachment - 0:28

AI Hearings - 8:07

COVID censorship - 19:07

PragerU Edu - 36:47

VM - 47:03

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

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

Lessons from WeWork’s Fall (With Jamie Hodari) Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Ravi interviews Jamie Hodari, the founder of Industrious, one of the world’s largest flexible workspace providers. Ravi and Jamie discuss a sustainable path for startups in the era of VC money, the future of office work, and some wild run-ins with WeWork’s Adam Neumann.

New episodes of Sweat the Technique drop every Wednesday here.

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

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

NYC’s Migrant Crisis, Virtual Reality School, Military’s Gen Z Problem Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

The hosts kick off today’s show with a round-up of the latest immigration updates, from August’s record-high number of border crossings and a new ruling on Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s floating border barrier in Rio Grande to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ latest proclamation that the migrant crisis will destroy his city.

Should students be able to attend virtual reality schools? Ravi and Rikki take stock of the merits, pitfalls, and politics of this new schooling option in Florida.

America’s military faces a recruitment crisis: multiple branches will fall short of their enlistment goals this year, and only 9% of 16- to 21-year-olds say they would consider service. The hosts debate the possible reasons behind this trend and what can be done about it.

Time Stamps:

NYC’s Migrant Crisis - 0:27

Virtual Reality School - 15:38

Military’s Gen Z Problem - 29:00

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

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

Sextortion, Population Collapse, Mailbag Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Is there a massive spike in “sextortion” among teenagers in America? Ravi and Rikki discuss what sextortion is, why more people should be aware of the signs, and what the numbers tell us.

Many experts predict that our global population will never again be as high as it is now. The hosts take stock of the reasons behind an impending population decline and the profound economic consequences.

Finally, Ravi and Rikki respond to a listener's feedback about our recent segment on abolishing the Department of Education.

Time Stamps:

Sextortion - 0:28

Population Collapse - 19:25

Mailbag - 38:44

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

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

The Regressives | When Unions Sell Out Their Members Sep 03, 2023

Show notes

New York City’s guaranteed medical coverage for every active and retired city worker has served as a major selling point over the past 57 years for people who would otherwise choose jobs with higher wages and lower stress. In a city where over 70,000 retirees survive on pensions of less than $1,500 a month, retired or disabled workers have relied upon the city’s promise to cover 100% of their medical expenses through Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance.

But in 2021, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio made a pact with public sector unions to switch retirees from their public Medicare supplemental insurance to a privatized Medicare Advantage plan. Cited as a way to save the city hundreds of millions of dollars annually, the move meant that nearly a quarter of a million retired New York City employees — people who have risked their lives for fellow New Yorkers as firefighters, police officers, nurses, and teachers — would no longer be able to access effective or essential healthcare.

City retirees have sued the city to keep their current coverage. Attorney Jake Gardener, counsel to the retirees, sat down with Ravi to discuss the case, the politics behind the city’s relationship with its unions, and why preserving access to Medicare for current and future retirees in New York is essential, not just for New York City, but people all over the country.

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

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/

Subscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Elite Populism, Prigozhin’s Death, Two Types of Progressives Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

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

More eyes are on Vivek Ramaswamy and his populist brand of politics after a breakout performance in last week’s Republican primary debate. Ravi and Isaac break down the true meaning of the term, explore the disconnect between so-called populist leaders and ‘ordinary’ Americans, and whether this strategy will ultimately prove successful for candidates with elite backgrounds.

Will the plane crash that left Yevgeny Prigozhin and nine others dead serve as a reminder of why Ukraine continues to fight against authoritarian rule? The hosts debate this question and whether there’s any possibility for normalized relations with Russia while Vladimir Putin remains president.

Finally, a recent article from Matthew Yglesias argues there are two types of progressives: moralists and pragmatists. Ravi and Isaac discuss the current state of progressivism, the role of economics and moral issues within the ideology, and why public and private sentiments often diverge and result in exploitation by some media outlets.

Time Stamps:

00:16 - Elite Populism

18:06 - Prigozhin’s Death

35:43 - Two Types of Progressives

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

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/

Subscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

Defund the DOE, Tennessee vs. Tennesseans on Guns, Listener Mailbag Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Four GOP candidates pledged to abolish the U.S. Department of Education during last week’s presidential primary debate. Rikki and Ravi debate the candidate’s arguments, the current state of the department, and the future of the federal government’s role in K-12 education.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee convened a special legislative session on public safety after a school shooter killed six people in Nashville this spring. Most Tennesseans support increased gun regulation, but the seven-day session ended this week without any major policy changes. What does this say about the country’s ability to move bipartisan issues forward?

Finally, the hosts respond to recent audience voicemails about childcare, sex education, and Oregon’s opioid policies. Want to be part of the next mailbag roundup? Leave a voicemail for Rikki and Ravi at 321-200-0570.

Time Stamps:

00:48 - Defund the DOE

26:43 - Tennessee vs. Tennesseans on Guns

42:17 - Listener Mailbag

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

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/

Subscribe to our Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/

GOP Debate, Childcare Crisis, Ronan Farrow on Musk Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

With front-runner Donald Trump skipping the first 2024 Republican presidential primary debate, eight candidates brawled for second-place status last night. Who came out the best? Who had a bad night? And did we even learn anything new?

There is a childcare crisis in America. And, billions in federal subsidies for childcare providers are set to run out September 30th, leading to some calling a “childcare cliff.”

Ronan Farrow just published an eye-opening article on Elon Musk in The New Yorker. Alleging an alarming portrait of Musk’s considerable sway over the U.S. government.

Time Stamps

GOP Debate - 0:28

Childcare Crisis - 27:58

Ronan Farrow on Musk - 39:17

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

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

Debate Preview, America Got Rude, Canceling Sex Ed Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

The first Republican primary debate is tomorrow. Ravi and Rikki take stock of who’s in, who’s out, and predict the winners and losers.

In a new piece in The Atlantic, David Brooks asked why Americans have become so mean. Is he right? The hosts debate this question and what we should do about what Brooks calls a “morally inarticulate, self-referential world”.

Finally, Rikki and Ravi take stock of the movement to ban sex education. They break down whether the movement is real, its origins, and the evolution of sex ed instruction across the country.

Time Stamps

00:43 - Debate Preview

15:23 - America Got Rude

36:34 - Canceling Sex Ed

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

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

Progressives’ Invisible Walls (With Richard Kahlenberg) Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

Ravi interviews Richard Kahlenberg for a special episode about America’s housing crisis, the challenges that caused it, and what we can do to fix it. Kahlenberg is a housing and education expert and author of “Excluded: How Snob Zoning, NIMBYism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Don’t See.”

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

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