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.
1601
The Zen of Cohen
The raid of Michael Cohen's office marks the beginning of the end of the Trump presidency, says Adam Davidson.
31 min
1602
Comey Can't Confess
On his book tour, the fired FBI director still can't square his pre-election blunders.
18 min
1603
A Fuller Obituary for Barbara Bush
She was fierce and loyal but also kind of mean.
27 min
1604
The Taint Team Cometh
The cover-up is worse than the crime when you put Michael Cohen in charge of the cover-up.
24 min
1605
James Comey's Ego Trip
In defense of the former FBI director.
29 min
1606
Chemistry No More
Russia's denialism over Syrian war crimes is unscientific nonsense.
27 min
1607
"I Never Said That"
Except you did, Mr. President.
23 min
1608
Tax Cut Conundrum
For a guy obsessed with budgets, Paul Ryan sure had a thing for cutting taxes.
22 min
1609
It's Regulation Time
Democracy hijacked, data leaked, brains rewired—we'd be stupid not to rein in Facebook and its peers.
25 min
1610
Zuck Everlasting
Answering to Congress isn't a good look for any CEO, but Facebook is politically important to the very people who will be asking the questions.
25 min
1611
Andrew Cuomo's Pun Problem
Does New York's governor know what puns are?
27 min
1612
Kevin Williamson Dies by the Sword
The Atlantic's hired-then-fired conservative writer fancies himself a provocateur. He provoked his way out of a job.
33 min
1613
Oh Good, It Was Just a Handgun
We're lucky the YouTube shooter didn't have an AR-15.
26 min
1614
Shulkin Be Sulkin'
David Shulkin got high marks from most fair-minded government watchdogs. Maybe that's why he was fired.
19 min
1615
Clinging to Guns Is Our Religion
Repealing gun rights isn't just a losing argument, it's a doomed strategy.
30 min
1616
In Defense of the Pun
Comedian Aparna Nancherla goes for wordplay, even if it gets a groan.
24 min
1617
On Conservative Voices
Magazines and newspapers are going to hire conservative columnists. That's not a problem.
24 min
1618
Know Thy Enemy
If Trump wants to persuade North Koreans to abandon their nukes, he has to think like they do.
23 min
1619
Corruption Just Isn't Telegenic
The Kushners' deal-making is under investigation, but that's not drawing eyeballs like Stormy Daniels is.
25 min
1620
Hitler's Art Dealer
Hildebrand Gurlitt's looted collection is open to the public, and museums are downplaying its sketchy history.
25 min
1621
Spies Are People Too
The showrunners behind The Americans on what makes their Soviet protagonists deep, flawed, and heroic.
33 min
1622
As Statues Fall, Racism Stays
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu on dog whistles, Confederate monuments, and besting the likes of David Duke.
19 min
1623
This Storm Ain't Brewing
Even if the courts let Stormy Daniels speak out, what could she say about Trump that we don't already know?
28 min
1624
Will Democracy Survive Trump?
Cass Sunstein had big thinkers write about the question, and they weren't all optimistic.
23 min
1625
Are Receipts Toxic?
How concerned should we be about receipt paper? Maria Konnikova helps us investigate.
16 min