The Gist
For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.
1501
“I’ll Take Second Place for $2,000”
Adam Levin had the best performance of any runner-up in the game show’s history. But it wasn’t enough against trivia ace James Holzhauer.
29 min
1502
Derby or Die?
This year’s Kentucky Derby is overshadowed by high death rates among horses at a California track, which may do lasting damage to the industry.
28 min
1503
It’s a Code World
Coders have gone from a band of misfits to rulers of Silicon Valley.
25 min
1504
Avengers: But For Real
Marvel’s latest blockbuster is long on Malthusian hypotheticals, but short on answers. That begs the question: what if?
29 min
1505
Why Fools Fall in Love
Whether you buy into disinformation or not has a lot do with your social circle—and the support or pressure it gives you.
34 min
1506
It's Getting Hot in Here
We’ve forgotten too much about climate change since 1979.
31 min
1507
Joe Biden’s Battle
In an earlier run for president, Biden positioned himself as the heartfelt candidate. This time around, he’ll be the staid pragmatist.
32 min
1508
The Never-ending CNN Town Hall
We promise it’s not a debate. That would break the rules.
33 min
1509
Elizabeth Stormborn, Mother of Democrats!
The 2020 contender is a fan of Game of Thrones—and of Daenerys Targaryen. How does that bode for a potential Warren presidency?
28 min
1510
The International Hilarity of Loyiso Gola
This South African comedian speaks five languages, no big deal.
31 min
1511
It’s Mueller Overtime
The upshot of the DOJ’s redacted report, from Robert S. Mueller III’s biographer.
29 min
1512
The Better Angels of Big Business
Corporations drive some ugly headlines—but they bring a net positive to the modern world.
26 min
1513
Lock Up Your Mothers
Lest the New York Times quote them… about you!
27 min
1514
The Farmers’ Candidate
If you’re a Democratic 2020 candidate with a shred of populist instinct, it’s easy to let it show in rural Iowa.
30 min
1515
The Divergent Charts of 1994
Billboard’s number one hits that year don’t really represent where music was at.
36 min
1516
The Real Cost of Medicare for All
Bernie’s policy is more expensive than he lets on.
33 min
1517
The Candace Owens Sideshow
Owens did the public conversation on white nationalism a disservice. So did the Republicans who invited her onto a national stage.
33 min
1518
Misquoter in Chief
Gandhi gets misquoted all the time. When Donald Trump does it, all bets are off.
32 min
1519
The Puppet Masters
Grigori Rasputin’s gift was in controlling the more powerful. And there are plenty like him in today’s world.
29 min
1520
Are Chiropractors Quacks?
Crack skeptic Maria Konnikova—and Mike’s own chiropractor—have thoughts.
28 min
1521
There’s No Real Dirt on the Dems So Far
Is Amy Klobuchar too tough, Joe Biden too touchy, and Pete Buttigieg gay enough? Yawn.
33 min
1522
We All Need to Talk
Lori Gottlieb knows therapy will help.
29 min
1523
The Societal Optimist
Nicholas Christakis thinks it’s all going to work out.
29 min
1524
The Thrilling Don Winslow
His trilogy on drug cartels has been a fantastic ride.
26 min
1525
“Guest is God”
As dramatized in Hotel Mumbai, much of the staff at the Taj put their guests’ survival first during the 2008 terrorist attacks.
30 min