As an Independent for almost 40 years, I just call balls and strikes and find this podcast one of the best for that. When opinions are given it’s clearly noted as such and usually given while balancing with the other side of the argument, and it doesn’t feel like their trying to win me over by manipulating emotions like fear and outrage. It’s nice to get a break from the incessant stream of Jerry Springer Shows that seem to flood our news and government.

I love how much great content is available for free. And I usually don’t give bad reviews. It’s just disappointing to listen to someone who calls their podcast a debate but just talks about one side ignoring facts that don’t aline with their narrative. I’m not a right wing person or left wing person I just enjoy a real debate with ideas that challenge each other. I hope for an actual debate in the future instead of just a left leaning gripe fest.

As a Democrat, I have been seeking out discourse that is in between the Morning Wire and Pod Save America to get different perspectives. I am sick of the current climate where we cannot debate and have different opinions without being outcast from the party. This is by far my favorite political podcast. Ravi does a great job of making clear what his opinion is, and is open that he is left leaning, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. He doesn’t force the listener to agree; he strives to have conversation with others who do not necessarily feel the same way. I also think that The Dispatch does a good job too. It is refreshing to listen to Republicans who aren’t Trump supporters, even if I don’t agree with everything.

While I do like most of the episodes you have to go in knowing it will be slanted towards the left. If more biased media bothers you skip this one. If you are interested in some of the topics give it a go.

I’ll be the first one to admit I have some bias options especially when it comes to politics and government. So to find someone willing to be critical and objective as possible is not only refreshing but helpful. We need more people that are willing to look at our politics and help us do so objectively. Great pod. Thanks for helping me question both sides.

Only news/politics show I can listen to since the election. These guys actually know what’s going on in this country.

Never thought I would miss Rikki on this show but definitely do now. In recent months since she left it has become incredibly one sided and has lost the sense of any sort of "political eclectic" or debate. I'll continue to listen and certainly update this review if it changes

I may not always agree with Ravi, but I appreciate his point of view. I want to be pushed to consider new ways to govern! We need good solutions and I hear many here.

Ravi for President!

When Rikki was on there was a debate. Now it’s just one sided politics, which I could get from 50 other podcasts. At least rename the show.

I have read and been inspired by Oliver Sacks books for many years. To hear your interview with his friend was so moving to me.

I appreciate Ravi’s balanced perspective on news of the day, as well as his willingness to interview people with a range of views on the political spectrum. Ravi’s a democrat - which he isn’t shy about admitting - but he’s really more of a centrist who leans left. He is clearly someone who approaches news primarily as a critical thinker, free of political allegiance, and he is ready and willing to call out his own party for acts of irrationality. There’s an emphasis on education issues/news on this show, which makes sense; Ravi is a former educator and school administrator. The interview portions of The Lost Debate feel like NPR’s Consider This without the subtle undertones of political bias, though I think I most appreciate Ravi’s thoughts on current events and news that generally open the show, before the interviews begin.

I love podcasts, but this is the ONLY one that I search for new episodes before they are out. When something big happens in the country, one of my first steps is to search for a new drop to hear the perspective and discussion. Thank you! Keep up the amazing reporting/interviewing.

Love this guy he slays (sorry I’m a 24 year old gen z’er)

I listen to a lot of political podcasts, and this is one of my favorites. I love the examination of an issue, divorced of politicization. Common sense and kindness aren’t dead!

This podcast is great— so insightful, great guests, terrific interviews. What I love most is that the host is not only witty and knowledgeable but kind. His heart really seems to be in the right place—an empathetic approach to political commentary

I felt like I needed some facts about Palestine and Israel. I really felt like I got those from Ravi’s two part “unbiased” report. While it was liking drinking from a fire hose (with few minimal exceptions) I believe I got a distillation of some of the key facts, while appreciating much simply had to be left out in the sake of time. I am left hungry to try to understand more. Thank you.

I’ve been trying for years to focus my political podcasts on honest and open debate which I had high hopes for with this podcast. For reference I’m a DeSantis style conservative, and it has been almost impossible to find any body who claims to be unbiased to actually be unbiased and informed on what people like me think, which is a prerequisite for honest debate. I just listened to my last ever episode because Ravi thinks honestly thinks he’s being fair and unbiased and sophisticated, but then uses ‘Project 2025’ as a primary reference point for the conservative side. It’s just so weird and disappointing how Democrats seem to force their understandings of Republicans into idiotic cartoons and still think they have a sophisticated and superior understanding. Ravi seems like a nice well meaning guy but if you’re looking for real honest debate that accurately represents half of the country I would keep looking.

Been listening to this show for a year or 2 now and its really my favorite when it comes to politics. I just recently listen to the US debt episode and I like how well it was explained and the debunking common misconception. Which is why I love this show. You always speak on proven facts. There’s no left lean or right lean... well maybe a little right lean but nothing absurd. Speaking of right lean, when are you going to get a new co-host? I do miss Rikki but she been gone long enough. Time to get a new right leaning co-host. Anyways, keep up the good work!! P.S. Why did you cut off Dylan Matthew's like that? Lowkey rude

I appreciate Ravi’s brevity when it comes to hot button issues in our current political atmosphere. I’ve been a long time listener and find that the episodes without Rickie are easier to listen to and more engaging. It’s no shot (Shlott?) towards Rickie but her style often just made it sound like more of an argument than a true debate as she wouldn’t concede points even when presented with undeniable fact. Ravi has maintained a sense of providing middle ground on issues and even when I vehemently disagree with him I find that his takes are at least well presented. Give it a listen, his background on the Israel/Gaza conflict is deeply informative and brings context to an issue many of us don’t have the full picture of.

Wonderful & informative discussion about estrangement. Thank you.

I enjoy Ravi’s common sense perspective and thoughtful insights. The topics are timely and interesting. I especially appreciate that this podcast is not just a partisan tirade, but a more balanced view. I commend Ravi for not towing the party line and sharing his concerns with the current state of the democratic party. Keep up the open,balanced, and mostly non-partisan discussions.

Ravi really needed Rikki as a counterweight to his natural-born and ever-creeping leftism. I’m disappointed. But, thankfully, I can unsubscribe and have lots of more worthy alternatives.

I am so grateful for the work in this podcast to educate and add nuance to political discussion! More please!!

On a recent show, Tyler Austin Harper used the second pronunciation, while Ravi Gupta used the first. Great show, but seriously. She might be the next president of a MER i cuh. …

I’m an independent, I think Ravi is fair to both sides of the political spectrum. This podcast is refreshing to listen to and I look forward to it every week!

This podcast, along with Tangle, has forced me to consider opposing points of view, and has helped me find alternatives to partisan echo chambers. Don’t always agree but always appreciate the effort. Great stuff!

The Lost Debate is a well-rounded and informative podcast that has exposed me to a number of issues that I might have not otherwise thought about in my daily life. On a political front, I appreciate very much that while Ravi has political leanings like all of us, he is not a partisan hack and is willing to call out his own side, something that is both sorely lacking by so many partisans and sorely needed today. This is a terrific podcast for those who want to broaden their horizons about our country and the world. Thank you to Ravi and the team at The Branch!

Love the show, have pretty much listened to every episode… miss Rikki a bit though. Maybe some more celebrity appearances from her? Keep up the good work mate

I don’t always agree with Ravi’s take, and thats ok. I really appreciate his attempts to present balanced arguments around complex issues. Great show!

Buck up buttercup you are wrong. Biden has done a fantastic job and still will.

The ‘unlistenable’ clip was perfectly fine. I’ve seen clips that were genuinely troubling of Biden (and trump, and other pols). That one was fine, sounded above average among all politicians even. I don’t get it. Update- Appreciate Ravi responded to this point- not sure if it was to me or someone else. Great show.

First and foremost I loved The Lost Debate. I have listened from it's inception and remember its evolution from where it fell short of its mission, successfully got there and now it’s fallen again. I am only one listener so take that for what it is worth, but I feel like since Rikki left the show has lost its' original mission. There now is rarely any debate, and in a lot of episodes now it seems like it is just your passion project where you talk about things that interest you. While some of the recent episodes talking about the state of India have been intriguing, it does not adhere to why I believe you started the lost debate and why, in my opinion it can be a great and needed show. Even the Amanda Knox interview really wasn't about changing your mind when you feel passionate as very little about that show was about that, it more was just a great conversation with an interesting person. I would subscribe and be a listener to Ravi's Passion Project Podcast that could house a lot of the shows that you've published when Rikki has been gone, or that have been absent an opposing view point to your own, I just hope to hear Lost Debate get back to what you said you created it for.

The topic is who would one want as a leader? Someone broadly educated, interested and passionate, born in the United States, young enough, open minded, fair, resilient, active listener, seemingly willing to be decisive, accountable and have integrity. A history in politics and public service…. And the podcast is great.

I just finished listening to your latest podcast. It was amazing, thank you so much for being a voice of compassion, balance, and reason!

I can not stress enough how important these episodes are for people to listen to given the state of the world and our country’s exceedingly divisive political status. I also found it amazingly refreshing to get an unbiased fact-based presentation on the Israel / Hamas war. All episodes pertaining to that subject matter are a MUST listen to all, no matter what opinions you already have!

Eric Schlosser was great guest, the whole conversation was interesting, I’ll listen again.

I really appreciate this show. I do miss Rikki, but regardless I really appreciate Ravi’s thorough, patient, and nuanced look at so many topics of todays news. I love the guests he has on - I am definitely introduced to new voices and new ways to look at subjects I am familiar and not familiar with! Keep it up!

I listen to the Lost Debate weekly. It really helps me understand issues in a more nuanced, less political manner than other sources of media.

I enjoyed the civil debates with Rikki. I also appreciated hearing from a younger generation. I’m at the very beginning of Gen X.

Ok coming back to revise my review because I do really enjoy Ravi’s thoughtful solo takes and the guests that have been on recently (even though I still do miss Rikki!) ----- I’ve been listening for a while and I used to love this show but have lately been missing Rikki’s perspective. I hope the debate aspect of this show can come back; there was a refreshing and excellent balance is not there for me at the moment.

If you are tired of the dumbed-down, knee-jerk, pick your camp type of the current mainstream public discourse, this pod is for you.

I’m a huge fan of this podcast. Been listening to a while. Ravi takes great care to report and discuss various sides of all topics while sharing his views which don’t necessarily follow party lines. Refreshing!

I listen to this show regularly. I appreciate the sanity that Ravi and his guests provide to issues that are often covered with hysteria. This show helps to give me hope that we can solve today’s issues with honest, civil conversations and practical, informed policy. Thank you!

This is my favorite podcast, which I’ve been listening to for a long time and only today realized I’d never left a review. The program caters to “political eclectics”, those who see the world for the many shades of grey that exist on every subject, vs. populist takes for those posturing to their left or right bases. You will leave every episode having learned something and seeing things perhaps a bit differently than you started. I enjoy both Ravi (a rational progressive) and Rikki (a reasonable conservative), and I appreciate their respectful but vigorous exchanges. Always measured and never shrill, I look forward to every episode.

Is Rikki still on this show? Where’s the debate?all leftist now.

I enjoy this show as a fresh & different perspective on current events & public policy. Ravi is great and I like the guests & topics, but I miss having the other side/perepective (Rikki)! Please bring her back, even if only as a guest host once a month or so!

Without Rikki Ravi’s Trump derangement syndrome takes over the show. Need to keep the train on the rails!!

It’s nice to have a source of thoughtful analysis that is painstakingly agenda-less. With the current war in the Middle East, this show has become a go-to for a balanced, factual take.

There have been a few unlistenable episodes but after the Todd Rose episode, I realize this is just the trend of this show. Todd Rose saw CCTV footage of oct 7 and was rightfully horrified by people laughing at executing children and bemoans the binary way Israel/Palestine is discussed then does just that. If you’re anti-Israel, you’re pro-Hamas. Ravi does the same. He will digress for 2 seconds “I know some people know the history and are pro-Palestine” but then spends the bulk of the interview trying to diagnose what could possibly drive the “ignorant” young people away from Israel. Must be “collective illusion.” Must be a deluded sense of “brown vs white.” “They don’t even know the river in “River to the Sea” etc. (seriously, that bit is so old). But they never consider or discuss in thoughtful ways the fact that a lot of people are witnessing Israel’s brutality against the people of Gaza in real time and think Israel is a bad actor, inflicting evil on a scale much higher than the atrocities we saw on 10/7. Maybe watching live footage of babies dying and children having amputations on dirty hospital floors does something to people and it doesn’t matter if they know the river is the Jordan River. A lot of those people in the US and across the word blame Israel for all of it. I’ve never heard them talk specifically about the hateful rhetoric pouring out of Israeli leadership or the awful videos of IDF soldiers mocking their victims. He mentions in the abstract occasionally, but never seeks to tell these stories. Israel is literally starving the population of Gaza and denying them food, electricity, fuel, medicine… anyways I know this show does not genuinely care about that or would rather make an excuse for it and pretend it’s complicated. Some folks want the suffering and killing to stop right now and then we will have the mental space to discuss the nuance of the region. But again, Ravi finger wags and says we shouldn’t even care about Gaza this much. We should worry about things he deems more pressing like the immigration crisis. It’s nice he did the historical deep dives, but I just can’t get down with the level of moral detachment he continues to display towards the people of Gaza on every other episode. ✌🏻