Lost Debate

4.6 (606)
Politics
Updated Weekly

For the politically eclectic. A weekly show exploring news, ideas, and arguments from across the political spectrum through good-faith conversation. Hosted by Ravi Gupta.

1d ago

The Dark History of School Abuse

Nearly 2,000 claims of child sexual abuse reveal a devastating pattern: schools protecting adults while failing children. Ravi sits down with The 74’s investigative reporter Amanda Geduld to unpack her more than two-year investigation into sexual abuse across New York’s public and private schools. They examine how ignored warnings, quiet resignations, opaque disciplinary records, and legal gaps can allow accused educators to move between schools. The conversation exposes a broader failure in institutions entrusted with children—and what it would take to put their safety first. __________ VOTE NOW for us in the Signal Awards! (It's the last day!) Here's how: Go here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/limited-series-specials/genre/most-inspirational-podcast Find category "Most Inspirational Podcast", Limited Series & Sepecials Vote for Where the Schools Went __________ Amanda Geduld's investigation for The 74: New York Schools Named in Nearly 2,000 Child Sex Abuse Claims For show notes: ⁠⁠https://thelostdebate.substack.com/⁠⁠ Find Lost Debate ◾Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾Follow us - @thebranchmedia Find Ravi Gupta ◾Get your copy of The Invisible List, available now ◾Read Ravi’s Substack - https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Oct 7

The Problem with Nikole Hannah-Jones

Nikole Hannah-Jones’s essay about her daughter’s education has reignited the debate over school integration and parental choice. But are we learning the right lessons? Drawing on his experience as a school principal and superintendent, Ravi examines her account and challenges the idea that integration and more funding can fix what’s failing in public education. He explores charter school results, teachers’ unions, grade inflation, and the barriers to holding educators accountable—arguing for a system built around rigorous teaching, honest assessments, and families’ ability to choose schools where their children can thrive. --> Vote for our podcast, Where the School's Went for "Most Inspirational" in this year's Signal Awards Get your copy of The Invisible List, available now Find Lost Debate ◾Get show notes - ⁠https://thelostdebate.substack.com/⁠ ◾Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾Follow us - @thebranchmedia Find Ravi Gupta ◾Read Ravi’s Substack - https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Sep 24

Nikole Hannah-Jones, WH Press Ban, Ed Sheeran

Ravi is joined by Jeremiah, host of the New Liberal podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with the seemingly endless things people blame on capitalism. Then they take on Nikole Hannah-Jones’s account of choosing a school that reflected her beliefs about integration—and realizing her daughter wasn’t getting the education that was best for her. They also discuss the White House’s restrictions on press access, the Trump administration’s ties to right-wing influencers, and the Ed Sheeran–Macklemore controversy: what happens when trying to silence a message only makes it louder? _____ Show notes - https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Get Ravi’s new book, The Invisible List: https://readinvisiblelist.com/⁠ _____ Find Lost Debate ◾Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾Follow us - @thebranchmedia Find Ravi Gupta ◾Read Ravi’s Substack - https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Sep 22

The Skillbatical

To celebrate the launch of his new book, The Invisible List, Ravi shares an audiobook excerpt about his “skill sabbatical” learning to surf—an exhilarating, difficult, and at times terrifying pursuit. Along the way, he explains how he transformed his life by treating each year like a school year—and himself as his only student. But the chapter isn’t really about surfing; it’s about facing fear, embracing discomfort, and finally tackling the big thing on your invisible list—the one you’ve dreamed of doing since you were a kid. Get your copy of The Invisible List – available now! Find Lost Debate ◾Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾Get show notes and email updates - https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ ◾Follow us - @thebranchmedia Find Ravi Gupta ◾Read Ravi’s Substack - https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Sep 17

Will AI Lead to Socialism?

As AI becomes capable of doing more of the work once reserved for highly educated people, could it push society toward socialism? Labor lawyer and policy thinker Matt Bruenig joins Ravi to imagine a future in which human intelligence no longer carries the same economic value, traditional careers disappear, and education must be reinvented. They examine how people might earn a living and find purpose in a world with far less human labor—and whether AI will reduce inequality or concentrate even more wealth among today’s billionaires. Ultimately, they debate who should benefit from the prosperity AI creates and whether the government can be trusted to distribute it fairly. –––––––– Matt Bruenig’s Work ◾Blog: https://mattbruenig.com/ ◾Think Tank: https://www.peoplespolicyproject.org/ ◾Labor Law Newsletter: https://www.nlrbedge.com/ Pre-order Ravi’s new book, The Invisible List - https://readinvisiblelist.com/ ◾Join the Invisible Posse - https://readinvisiblelist.com/posse ◾See upcoming book events - https://readinvisiblelist.com/events ◾Interested in hosting Ravi for an Invisible List event in your city? Email alexis@orangeboatmedia.com Find Lost Debate ◾Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾Get show notes and email updates - https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ ◾Follow us - @thebranchmedia Find Ravi Gupta ◾Read Ravi’s Substack - https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Sep 8

Did Al-Qaeda lose?

Who was Osama bin Laden—and what did he believe attacking America would accomplish? Journalist Graeme Wood explores how the son of a wealthy Saudi construction magnate became the world’s most notorious terrorist, the fatal miscalculations behind 9/11, and how Al-Qaeda evolved into a powerful global network. He explains where Al-Qaeda remains strongest, whether it still threatens the United States, and how modern surveillance has transformed the fight against terrorism. Graeme Wood’s The Way of the Strangers: Encounters with the Islamic State ––––––––– Find Lost Debate ◾Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾Get show notes and email updates - https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ ◾Follow us - @thebranchmedia Find Ravi Gupta ◾Pre-order Ravi’s new book, The Invisible List:https://readinvisiblelist.com/◾Read Ravi’s Substack - https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Sep 2

Negative Immigration, Trump on Data Centers, Alpha Schools

Ravi examines the economic consequences of Trump’s immigration crackdown as net migration turns negative and labor shortages ripple across the country. He also unpacks Trump’s full-throated support for data centers—even as opposition grows among Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike. Then, educator Dan Meyer joins the show to scrutinize Alpha School, the buzzy AI-powered model promising students twice the learning in just two hours a day. Is Alpha reinventing education—or making bold claims its results can’t yet support? –––––––––– For show notes: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ Pre-order Ravi’s new book, The Invisible List:https://readinvisiblelist.com/ ◾ Join the Invisible Posse:https://readinvisiblelist.com/posse ◾ Find upcoming book events:https://readinvisiblelist.com/events ◾ Interested in hosting Ravi for an Invisible List event in your city? Email alexis@orangeboatmedia.com. Find Lost Debate and Ravi Gupta ◾ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate ◾ Follow the show- https://www.instagram.com/thebranchmedia/ ◾ Read Ravi’s Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com ◾ Follow Ravi- https://www.instagram.com/ravimgupta/
Aug 28

The Future of AI and Education (with Reed Hastings)

Who can best help children learn—AI or humans? In this special episode shared on behalf of Bellwether, a nonprofit transforming education for young people, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings argues that AI could move education beyond the one-size-fits-all classroom toward individualized learning. Education entrepreneur Mike Goldstein pushes back, asking whether technology can overcome students’ lack of motivation—or replace the human relationships and social connection that help them learn. First, Ravi Gupta empties his notebook on the political stories shaping the midterms, from Trump’s economic troubles to the Senate races that could shift the balance of power. Special thanks to Bellwether for sharing this conversation, featuring Reed Hastings and Michael Goldstein and moderated by Andrew Rotherham. -Pre-order Ravi’s new book, The Invisible List:https://readinvisiblelist.com/ -Join the Invisible Posse:https://readinvisiblelist.com/posse -See upcoming book events:https://readinvisiblelist.com/events -Interested in hosting Ravi for an Invisible List event in your city? Email alexis@orangeboatmedia.com. Find Lost Debate and Ravi Gupta -Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LostDebate -Get show notes and email updates: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/ -Read Ravi’s Substack: https://realravigupta.substack.com

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Trailer

Introducing: The Lost Debate

Lost Debate is a non-profit media company founded to tell the stories of those misunderstood, overlooked, or just plain threatening to those with privilege and power. We’re ethically contrarian, which means we challenge conventional wisdom —not to be different or provocative —but to tell stories and highlight issues we believe are valid and underrepresented. Through originally produced podcasts, long and short-form videos, written commentary, and investigative journalism, we’ll build fresh narratives.

Ravi Gupta

Host
Rikki Schlott

Host

4.6

out of 5

606 Ratings

Well done

Jul 7

Will T Gunner

I am a long time listener. I don’t write reviews for things, but I am genuinely impressed with your integrity. I am not a democrat. That being said, I’m proud of you and the way you carry yourself. Well done.
Been Listening

Feb 12

alw61299

on and off for awhile and it was refreshing to listen to two old friends talk about their families, histories, choices, and moving forward tonight. And not just two old friends, but two gentlemen with everything awful going on around us right now. Thanks, guys. 👏🏼
Parroting Trump's line

Feb 5

El Phantsmo

Apparently the release of the Epstein files will be damaging.. To who'm I wonder. What a hack.
All Self Promotion

10/27/2025

AB96Port

This used to be one of my favorite shows because he brought real depth and nuance to important issues. Now, we go weeks without episodes, and when there is a new one, it’s just a reread of his personal substack. Take those rereads to therapy and bring us back the real Lost Debate.

For the politically eclectic. A weekly show exploring news, ideas, and arguments from across the political spectrum through good-faith conversation. Hosted by Ravi Gupta.