Eric Adams Indicted: What’s Next?
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 Ravi to analyze the charges and preview what New Yorkers can expect in the weeks ahead. They discuss the prosecutorial motives behind the case, why some conservatives claim the indictment is part of a conspiracy and some progressives want to shout “I told you so,” whether Adams should resign, and how his legal troubles could impact New York City’s upcoming mayoral race. 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
26 Sep 202437min
Debate Prep, Diddy, Fed Moves
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 the complexities of the Federal Reserve. Ravi and Rob discuss the ripple effects of the Fed's interest rate adjustments on the economy, the current state of commercial real estate and banking, and the challenges of managing inflation and unemployment. 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
25 Sep 202444min
Defining Harris, Conflicting Polls, Declining Crime, Zooming to Class
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 topic. Former West Point professor Mike Kofoed then joins Ravi to discuss his eye-opening study on the effectiveness of remote learning on cadets during the COVID-19 pandemic. They examine what the study’s findings mean for students at typical colleges and K-12 schools, why conventional wisdom about online education might be wrong, and how the results should inform the future of education. Time Stamps: Defining Harris - (00:41) Conflicting Polls - (04:40) Declining Crime - (09:04) Zooming to Class - (15:24) 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
24 Sep 202449min
Scandals to Solutions: How to Save Democracy with Bradley Tusk
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 Mayor Eric Adams' ongoing legal troubles could shake up the 2025 mayoral race—and why Andrew Cuomo is keeping a close eye on the fallout. Are you an undecided voter? We want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 321-200-0570. Make sure to tell us where you're from and the issues that matter most to you. --- 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
19 Sep 202459min
New York's Political Crisis is an American Crisis
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 bureaucracies can impede progress and allow public officials to evade accountability. Are you an undecided voter? We want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 321-200-0570. Make sure to tell us where you're from and the issues that matter most to you. Follow Ross at @rossbarkan 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
19 Sep 202451min
The Ticking U.S. Debt Bomb
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 drive fiscal policy, from immigration and demographic shifts to defense spending. Finally, as the U.S. edges closer to unprecedented levels of debt, they consider the solutions policymakers may propose to stabilize the economy. Are you an undecided voter? We want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at 321-200-0570. Make sure to tell us where you're from and the issues that matter most to you. Follow Dylan at @dylanmatt 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
17 Sep 202454min
Springfield and a Dangerous New Phase of the Campaign
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: 00:00 - Springfield, Ohio 11:57 - Trump Assassination Attempt 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 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/ The Branch channel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-branch/id6483055204 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 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
16 Sep 202419min
The Return of Campus Protests and K-12 Curriculum Wars
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 Liberal Arts Gone Conservative?, and the resurgence of this movement. They discuss the varied interpretations of the movement, the growing debate between promoting shared values and resisting indoctrination, and what the future of public education can look like in an increasingly polarized world. Time Stamps: 08:22 - The Return of Campus Protests 26:49 - K-12 Curriculum Wars 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 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/ The Branch channel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-branch/id6483055204 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 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
15 Sep 202450min
