Childhood in the 90s, Authentic Populism, Forgotten Places
March 25, 2025
1 hr 2 min
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373 of 439
March 25, 2025
Childhood in the 90s, Authentic Populism, Forgotten Places
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Lost Debate Episodes Around March 25, 2025
Episode 373 of 439 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
1:02:26This episodeChildhood in the 90s, Authentic Populism, Forgotten Places
Summary
In this special episode, Ravi is joined by Emily Lilley of The Book & Cover to discuss his new novel, Garbage Town, out today. Set in 1990s Staten Island, this coming-of-age thriller follows a group of teens who stumble upon a buried secret and find themselves in a fight for their lives.
Ravi and Emily explore the real-life inspiration behind the novel’s characters and setting, the nostalgic pull of the pre-digital era, and the complicated beauty of growing up in a small community. They dig into how Ravi built the world of Garbage Town, from the real Staten Island streets of his childhood to the critical moments that give the story its pulse. Ravi also reflects on what the writing process taught him and how it helped him rediscover the texture of everyday moments.
Learn more about Garbage Town by visiting www.garbagetownbook.com.
Want to meet Ravi and discuss Garbage Town in person? RSVP to one of his upcoming events:
Join Ravi and former New York congressman Max Rose in Manhattan: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ravi-gupta-presents-garbage-town-a-novel-ft-max-rose-tickets-1218447432069
Join Ravi for a book talk in Staten Island: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/garbage-town-book-release-party-tickets-1261796450149?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join Ravi and Jason Kander at Left Bank Books in St. Louis: https://www.left-bank.com/event/ravi-gupta-garbage-town
Check out The Book & Cover on Bookshop.org: HERE
Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570
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Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta
Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia
Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/
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