Ravi dives into the extraordinary life of Dr. Oliver Sacks, the beloved neurologist and storyteller who humanized medicine. Joined by Bill Hayes – author, photographer, and Sacks’ partner – they explore Sacks’ groundbreaking career, his personal struggles, and the profound empathy he brought to his work that redefined how we understand the human mi…

Ravi talks with Dr. Neel Shah, Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic and a leading voice in healthcare reform, about the forces shaping U.S. healthcare today. They discuss why public trust in the system has declined, the impact of staffing shortages and burnout among medical workers, and how our health determines whether we undervalue or overvalue …

Ravi dives into the big questions facing America in the wake of the 2024 election, exploring everything from what we can expect from a second Trump administration to how Democrats can confront their party's disconnect from reality. He then responds to listener voicemails about voter psychology, the influence of social movements on political discour…

Ravi sits down with Bridget Phetasy to unpack Trump’s big win and the divides that continue to shape today’s political landscape. They dive into the intense emotions stirred up by the election, the tough truths facing both political parties, and the personal challenges of navigating political differences within families. Together, they explore what…

Ravi takes a closer look at ten key factors that helped pave the way for Donald Trump's return to the White House and what it means for the future of American politics. 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 Substa…

In just two days, Americans will wake up to a stark reminder that they live in a nation divided: roughly half the country will have cast a ballot for a candidate whose vision for America is fundamentally different than their own choice. Ravi takes a step back to discuss this reality, reflecting on the deeply personal nature of political divides and…

With Election Day just around the corner, Ravi welcomes back Isaac Saul from Tangle to dive into the final stretch. They discuss voter enthusiasm, how an uptick in turnout among women could impact battleground states like Pennsylvania, and why both campaigns are engaged in a high-stakes battle to control the narrative around election integrity. The…

Ravi sits down with TargetSmart CEO Tom Bonier to unpack new early voting trends and their implications for critical battleground states like North Carolina and Nevada. They also discuss what current turnout numbers reveal about voter enthusiasm and the shifting dynamics that could influence each campaign's final push in these critical regions. Rav…

Donald Trump has gained momentum in key battleground states like Nevada and Arizona, while Kamala Harris continues to perform strongly in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Could this set the stage for a close Election Day showdown? Ravi breaks down the latest early voting trends, explaining how the numbers will shape the final days of the election and wha…

The latest early voting numbers are in, and they reveal surprising gains for Republicans, including an unexpected lead in Nevada. Meanwhile, Democrats face an uphill battle in key battleground states like Georgia and Michigan. Ravi explains what’s driving these trends and what they suggest about the final stretch of the election. He then welcomes P…

Ravi kicks off the show by taking a closer look at the state of early voting, from trends in battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania to what the latest data means for Harris and Trump. He then sits down with Russell Shaw, head of Georgetown Day School, to discuss lighthouse parenting, or guiding children while allowing th…

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 fe…

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 tre…

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 Proje…

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 expl…

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 …

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 parent…

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…

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 fi…

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 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 expl…

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.subs…

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 rev…

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 centr…

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 businesspeo…

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 …

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…

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 …

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 i…

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 discus…

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, inclu…

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…

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…

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 Fo…

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…

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 Y…

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 expectati…

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…

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 hi…

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 …

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 d…

Ravi welcomes Todd Rose, co-founder and CEO of Populace, back to the podcast to discuss the current political climate, from the topics most Americans care about that no presidential campaign has addressed to the state of the Israel-Hamas war and its influence on the 2024 election. Ravi and Todd then react to Columbia President Minouche Shafik’s dec…

Ravi welcomes Tyler Austin Harper, contributing writer at The Atlantic and assistant professor at Bates College, to the podcast to discuss the 2024 presidential race. They cover everything from the continuing series of identity-based fundraisers like White Dudes for Harris and the need for the Harris-Walz campaign to define their policy positions t…

Ravi welcomes Bob Spitz, music journalist and the foremost rock biographer, to discuss his recent biography on Led Zeppelin. They explore the rise of Zeppelin and their impact on the music scene of the 1970s. They also dive into Bob’s experience managing Bruce Springsteen in the early '70s and writing about iconic bands such as the Beatles, Led Zep…

Ravi kicks off the show by tackling Trump’s Mar-A-Lago press conference and Joe Rogan's endorsement of RFK Jr. Next, Ravi welcomes Isaac Saul from Tangle and Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a senior fellow at The Atlantic and a U.S. citizen from Gaza, to discuss the current state of the presidential race. They debate Kamala Harris's choice of Tim Walz as her…

Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. A veteran, former teacher, and seasoned lawmaker, Walz spent a decade in Congress before becoming governor. He gained national attention on “Morning Joe” after he called Donald Trump and JD Vance “weird.” Ravi dives into everything you need to know about Tim Walz, …

Ravi welcomes New York Times Op-Ed columnist Pamela Paul to the show to discuss her skepticism about Vice President Kamala Harris as a candidate and the way in which Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Ravi and Pamela explore what Harris needs to do to start making her case to voters, from the importance of a new vision for K-12 educa…

Why has the Trump campaign struggled to adapt to the new realities of the presidential race? Ravi breaks down how Biden’s departure has impacted the way the election is framed, why voters may be more likely to view Vice President Harris as the change candidate, and what both campaigns need to prioritize to appeal to moderate voters. Then, Sal Khan,…

Ravi runs through the state of the presidential race, from Kamala Harris' ascendancy as the presumptive Democratic nominee and the candidates who could join her on the presidential ticket to why JD Vance has quickly become a liability for the Trump campaign. Time Stamps: [2:10] Kamala-mentum [12:04] Vance's Last Dance [34:38] Trump Assassination At…

Ravi kicks off the show by giving his immediate take on President Biden’s highly anticipated press conference at the NATO Summit. Then Ravi is joined by Matt Barnum, The Wall Street Journal’s K-12 Education Reporter, to discuss the current trends in education. Ravi and Matt discuss cell phone policies in schools, the potential impact of ESAs on tra…