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.
1626
Something in the Water
How a fight about Iowan water pollution revealed the dubious machinations of agricultural corporations and a Pulitzer Prize.
29 min
1627
The NFL Mafia
America’s most lucrative sports league is dominated by a “very unimpressive group of inherited misfits.”
30 min
1628
Prison Guard Confidential
Shane Bauer was jailed in Iran before becoming a prison guard in the United States. In both cases, he was first and foremost a reporter.
30 min
1629
Land of (Only Some) Opportunity
National Review editor—and Slate alumnus—Reihan Salam on the inconvenient truths of U.S. immigration.
32 min
1630
Myth Management
Jann Wenner hated Joe Hagan’s Sticky Fingers mostly because it’s true.
28 min
1631
Between a Rock and a Funny Place
Comedy Cellar owner Noam Dworman has had a post-scandal
27 min
1632
Bare Necessities? Not in Alaska.
There’s a reason Katmai National Park and Preserve has the fattest bears: They have the good life.
27 min
1633
Olive Branch, Turkey Leg
This Thanksgiving, Ike Barinholtz wants you to talk to your conservative relatives (even if his character in The Oath is really bad at it).
28 min
1634
Going to The Good Place
29 min
1635
And What About Yemen?
America’s most controversial ally, Saudi Arabia, is still at war with its southern neighbor. And America itself is still supporting it, for now.
33 min
1636
Guarding the Court
Could Brett Kavanaugh’s ascension change the Supreme Court itself?
26 min
1637
Take Down the Poll
25 min
1638
Sitting President, Standing Anger
Donald Trump’s rhetoric is at its worst when he’s up on two feet.
25 min
1639
Reignited (and It Feels So Good)
Rebecca Traister on the women’s anger that just might change the world.
33 min
1640
Mueller on the Mind
Star attorney Neal Katyal thinks Robert Mueller’s investigation will end in “fireworks”—and knows exactly what those might look like.
28 min
1641
College-Aged Coddling
Are we being too careful with the feelings of college students?
26 min
1642
The Kavanaugh Conspiracy
How Brett Kavanaugh perpetuated the conspiracy of a Democratic hit job.
28 min
1643
Losing Hate
Derek Black was heir apparent to America’s white nationalist movement. Then he went to college.
25 min
1644
The Land of Steady Filmmaking
Nicole Holofcener isn’t prolific. She’s particular.
25 min
1645
Generation Anxiety
In Eighth Grade, the portrait of a middle school girl (Elsie Fisher) by the quarter-life guy (Bo Burnham) who gets it.
29 min
1646
That’s the First Straw
Ban-the-straw advocate Dune Ives wants to get rid of lots of plastics, not just the one in your iced tea.
29 min
1647
Tight Countries, Loose Countries
We’re used to thinking of nations as liberal or conservative. Cultural psychologist Michele Gelfand has a new axis to consider.
30 min
1648
What Is … a Podcast, Alex?
Jeopardy finally had its first podcast category.
25 min
1649
Coal Over Climate
President Trump won’t lift a finger against climate change. He deserves flak over Hurricane Florence.
28 min
1650
Owe Me the Money
Americans are in debt, and so are many of the candidates hoping to represent them. Case in point: Georgia’s Stacey Abrams.
26 min