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.
1551
Would the U.S. Win World War III?
A bipartisan commission says America could lose a hypothetical war against Russia or China. Of course, it might just be saying that to drive up military spending.
28 min
1552
Make Voting Rights Sexy Again
If Democrats want to win, they should focus on promoting the cause that’s both just and good for their numbers.
33 min
1553
Obesity, and You, and Me!
Excess weight can indeed bring health problems. But its causes are often more social than personal.
32 min
1554
The Many, Many Ways to Think About Running
Humorist Peter Sagal doesn’t have a runner’s build, but he does have plenty of reasons to lace up.
30 min
1555
Uncle Verne Pulls Up a Chair
Verne Lundquist offered play-by-play sportscasting for decades. But in retirement, he has more time for classical music than whatever game is on.
30 min
1556
Ben Stiller’s Big Prison Break
Or, how to turn an inspector general’s report into a screenplay.
30 min
1557
Cult Classic
Sex, money, and body branding—if all cults are the same, NXIVM still stands apart in its darker details.
27 min
1558
Priming New York for Amazon
Should Queens be worried about Amazon or welcome it?
32 min
1559
More Show Than Showdown
Thousands of U.S. soldiers are deployed at the southern border, but “deployed” really means “sitting around.”
30 min
1560
The Love of the (Basketball) Game
Dan Klores’ new documentary is a love letter to hoops.
29 min
1561
Two Countries, at the Cost of One
If polarized electoral results like Tuesday’s repeat themselves, America may soon feel like two separate nations.
28 min
1562
In a Political Bind? Call Bradley Tusk
34 min
1563
A Congresswoman Speaks
California Rep. Jackie Speier has war stories to tell—and another in the making: putting the squeeze on President Trump.
29 min
1564
Just Ask Mimi
Food critic Mimi Sheraton on her career, food trends, and eating as a family.
29 min
1565
What Newt Gingrich Wrought
America’s bipartisan split might look like a natural schism, but it was built by a GOP sick and tired of losing the House of Representatives.
32 min
1566
Root for the Dummy
Simon Rich grew up watching whip-smart sitcom characters. His own protagonists are quite the opposite.
31 min
1567
American Tribes
Dems and the GOP have divvied up the U.S. electorate too well. What was once a matter of policy choices is now all about worldview.
33 min
1568
Hate Counts
The FBI and DoJ have tracked hate crimes and anti-Semitic incidents for decades now. But they fail to get the full picture.
29 min
1569
Signed, Sealed, Forgotten
The mail bomber’s crimes have already faded from news headlines. But what can we learn from his methods?
30 min
1570
For Every Brand, a Backstory
Starbucks, Jello-O, Pizza Hut—they don’t go big by accident.
30 min
1571
The Blue Blizzard
What does Harry Enten’s polling data say about the coming election?
30 min
1572
Et Tu, NBC?
When you hire Megyn Kelly, gaffes on the topic of race are part of the package.
27 min
1573
Blame It on the Mailer
President Trump riles up his base in vile ways, but here’s why we shouldn’t blame him for the recent spate of mail bombs.
27 min
1574
Something in the Water
How a fight about Iowan water pollution revealed the dubious machinations of agricultural corporations and a Pulitzer Prize.
29 min
1575
The NFL Mafia
America’s most lucrative sports league is dominated by a “very unimpressive group of inherited misfits.”
30 min