Ravi welcomes Dr. David Yeager, Ph.D., to discuss his eye-opening new book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier. They dive into the challenges adults face when trying to connect with young people and explore strategies for how to give effective feedback, inspire genuine motivation, and communicate in ways that truly resonate. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 ---...
Oct 17, 2024•46 min
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...
Oct 16, 2024•46 min
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 reinve...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 18 min
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. T...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 11 min
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, co...
Oct 10, 2024•53 min
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 free...
Oct 09, 2024•56 min
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 ...
Oct 08, 2024•54 min
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 ...
Oct 07, 2024•51 min
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 H...
Oct 03, 2024•45 min
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...
Oct 02, 2024•47 min
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: ...
Oct 02, 2024•16 min
Ravi welcomes back Populace CEO Todd Rose to discuss his latest study, the Social Pressure Index: Private Opinion in America. Together, they unpack the disconnect between public opinion and private beliefs on critical issues shaping American society and politics. From education reform to immigration policy, Todd and Ravi examine how the study's revelations challenge conventional wisdom about the nation's ideological divides. They explore America's fixation on meritocracy and the unexpected resur...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Ravi sits down with Doug Lemov to discuss the stark differences between the education systems in the United States and the United Kingdom. Doug shares insights from his recent work with schools in England, highlighting how embracing cognitive science and implementing evidence-based teaching practices has led to rapid improvements and the ways centralized decision-making in the U.K. has supported this transformation. Ravi and Doug then discuss the reasons the U.S. education system remains fragmen...
Sep 29, 2024•44 min
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted Wednesday evening on five federal charges, including wire fraud, bribery, and solicitation of contributions from a foreign national. Ravi unpacks the 57-page indictment, which details allegations that Adams solicited and directed staffers to accept campaign donations from foreign officials and businesspeople over nearly a decade while receiving gifts, including free luxury international travel, in exchange for political favors. Bradley Tusk then joins ...
Sep 26, 2024•37 min
Should JD Vance and Tim Walz debate next week? Ravi explains why both campaigns should consider canceling the event if Trump and Harris cannot agree to a second presidential debate. He also addresses Trump's shifting position on early voting, the Democrats' difficulties in reaching urban, non-college-educated voters, and new data that suggests the electoral college bias may not be as significant as it has been in previous elections. Ravi then welcomes Rob Copeland back to the pod to demystify th...
Sep 25, 2024•45 min
Ravi recaps the latest twists in the presidential race, from why the Harris campaign has unexpectedly proposed another debate to the Trump campaign’s reasons for dodging a rematch. He then hops on the polling rollercoaster to explain what the numbers reveal and why results from some states defy traditional expectations. Finally, he turns to the FBI’s newly released crime data, the partisan battle over what the data reveals, and how strategic ad wars have helped shape public perception on the top...
Sep 24, 2024•50 min
Ravi welcomes Bradley Tusk back to the pod to discuss the latest developments in Springfield, Ohio, whether Trump's immigration messaging will help or hurt his campaign, and the Harris camp's decision to deploy a "Rose Garden" strategy. Next, they dive into Bradley's new book, Vote With Your Phone, and explore why mobile voting may be the solution to low voter turnout and how voter apathy impacts the political landscape. Finally, Ravi and Bradley turn to New York City politics, examining how May...
Sep 19, 2024•59 min
Journalist and political commentator Ross Barkan joins Ravi to dissect the state of New York City politics under Mayor Eric Adams. They explore the multiple federal probes into Adams’ administration, the unprecedented turnover in key leadership positions, and how the current turmoil could impact the upcoming mayoral race. Ravi and Ross then delve into the challenges of governing in America, from how the struggles in New York mirror those faced by cities and towns nationwide to the ways complex b...
Sep 19, 2024•51 min
Ravi sits down with Dylan Matthews, senior correspondent and lead writer at Vox, to unpack the complexities of the national debt and deficit in the United States. They explore the historical context of the country's debt, the mechanisms of government borrowing, and the evolving political landscape around fiscal responsibility. Ravi and Dylan discuss how Americans experience the deficit on a day-to-day basis, including the true cost of healthcare spending, before turning to the key forces that dr...
Sep 17, 2024•55 min
Ravi takes a closer look at the impact of misinformation and false narratives on communities like Springfield, Ohio, where fraudulent claims from former President Donald Trump, JD Vance, and others have led to real-world consequences. He then takes a step back and comments more broadly on the escalating tensions surrounding the 2024 election, including the politics of hate, the recent assassination attempt on Trump, and the broader implications for political discourse in the country. Time Stamps...
Sep 16, 2024•20 min
Ravi sits down with The New Yorker’s Emma Green to dive into her latest piece, The Chaos at Columbia Continues. They explore the real-world consequences of ongoing campus protests and focus on the often-overlooked experiences of Columbia’s workers, from security guards to custodians, who continue to navigate the growing tension between the school’s administration and protesting students. Ravi and Emma then shift to Emma’s reporting on classical education, including her recent piece, Have the Lib...
Sep 15, 2024•51 min
Ravi welcomes Gabriel Debenedetti, New York Magazine’s National Correspondent, to break down Tuesday’s presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They discuss each candidate’s strategy and their effectiveness, the behind-the-scenes dynamics in the spin room, and the potential impact the debate might have on the election. Next, Ravi is joined by Tara Palmeri, Senior Political Correspondent at Puck News and host of the Somebody’s Gotta Win podcast, to discuss the key players, powe...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Who won Tuesday night's presidential debate? Ravi breaks down Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump's performances, voter reactions, and Taylor Swift's post-debate endorsement of Harris. -- Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 Subscribe to Ravi’s YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/RadioRavi Follow The Branch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebranchmedia Follow The Branch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/ Visit The Bra...
Sep 11, 2024•28 min
Ravi sits down with Andrew Clark, president of yes. every. kid., to discuss the future of education in America. They explore the state of education reform, changing demographics within alternative school models, and why calls for individualized learning have never been louder. Ravi and Andrew then turn to the political dynamics of Education Savings Accounts, the ongoing debate between public and private schooling, and how competition within education could lower costs and improve quality. Leave ...
Sep 08, 2024•1 hr
As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump prepare for their September 10 presidential debate, Ravi takes a closer look at the history of presidential debates. He starts with the TV era, from JFK and Nixon to Kerry and Bush, and explores how the format, impact, and strategy of debates have shifted over time. This episode is part one. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q-EMB1CUm8&t=20s Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 -- Subscribe to Ravi’s...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 45 min
Ravi sits down with Ann Bauer to discuss her piece, "America’s Families Are Not Okay" and the growing crisis of family estrangement. Ravi and Ann first explore why over one in four millennials and Gen Zers say they are estranged from at least one family member before turning to the role that TV, film, and social media may play in familial expectations and interactions. Finally, they look to the future and discuss why younger generations might learn from this current era of familial dynamics and ...
Sep 01, 2024•44 min
A priest said he was threatened. The community said they felt ignored. In part two of the series, Ravi visits Rosebank, a neighborhood on Staten Island’s northeastern shore, to investigate another chapter in the migrant shelter controversy. Through conversations with neighbors and the people at the center of the issue, he searches for common ground and a path forward. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570 -- Subscribe to Ravi’s YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/Rad...
Aug 29, 2024•33 min
In the summer of 2023, Staten Island erupted in protests over the opening of an emergency migrant shelter at a former Catholic school. As New York City grappled with an immigration crisis, some islanders insisted it wasn’t their problem. In part one of this two-part series, Staten Island native Ravi Gupta explores the forgotten borough’s complex history that led to this moment, revealing larger truths about the American experience. Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-057...
Aug 27, 2024•28 min
Ravi kicks off the show by reflecting on the final day of the DNC convention, how the past four days could impact Democrats’ chances against Trump in November, and the implications of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s pending withdrawal from the race. Ravi then welcomes New York Times housing reporter Conor Dougherty to the show to discuss the current state of the housing crisis, how political dynamics influence progress, and why Obama may have decided to use his speech at the DNC to advocate for reform w...
Aug 23, 2024•56 min
Ravi kicks off the show by taking a closer look at Tim Walz's claims that his family benefited from IVF treatments, new comments from Andy Beshear about JD Vance's stance on abortion, and increased speculation that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will exit the presidential race later this week. He then turns to the Democratic National Convention and breaks down the key moments from nights one and two. Finally, Ravi hands the mic to the audience and responds to listener voicemails on topics including the H...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr
