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
Wild Wild Story
Wild Wild Country is one of the year’s best documentaries, but it pulls a few punches on the sinister cult it covers.
28 min
1602
Very Legal, Very Cool
We should definitely trust Trump’s latest catchphrase.
29 min
1603
How to Shoot a Fight
To direct Creed II, Steven Caple Jr. drew on everything from Jean-Claude Van Damme movies to street-fight videos.
28 min
1604
The Parent Police
Do we watch children (and their parents) too closely?
31 min
1605
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
1606
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
1607
Obesity, and You, and Me!
Excess weight can indeed bring health problems. But its causes are often more social than personal.
32 min
1608
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
1609
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
1610
Ben Stiller’s Big Prison Break
Or, how to turn an inspector general’s report into a screenplay.
30 min
1611
Cult Classic
Sex, money, and body branding—if all cults are the same, NXIVM still stands apart in its darker details.
27 min
1612
Priming New York for Amazon
Should Queens be worried about Amazon or welcome it?
32 min
1613
More Show Than Showdown
Thousands of U.S. soldiers are deployed at the southern border, but “deployed” really means “sitting around.”
30 min
1614
The Love of the (Basketball) Game
Dan Klores’ new documentary is a love letter to hoops.
29 min
1615
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
1616
In a Political Bind? Call Bradley Tusk
34 min
1617
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
1618
Just Ask Mimi
Food critic Mimi Sheraton on her career, food trends, and eating as a family.
29 min
1619
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
1620
Root for the Dummy
Simon Rich grew up watching whip-smart sitcom characters. His own protagonists are quite the opposite.
31 min
1621
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
1622
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
1623
Signed, Sealed, Forgotten
The mail bomber’s crimes have already faded from news headlines. But what can we learn from his methods?
30 min
1624
For Every Brand, a Backstory
Starbucks, Jello-O, Pizza Hut—they don’t go big by accident.
30 min
1625
The Blue Blizzard
What does Harry Enten’s polling data say about the coming election?
30 min