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.
1651
How Quickly We Forget
Poland’s authoritarian streak shows how the benefits of democracy are soon forgotten.
26 min
1652
Song, Dance, and Confirmation
For all her biases, Amy Coney Barrett could very well survive confirmation to the Supreme Court.
25 min
1653
Shameless Mitch
When it comes to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, hypocrisy is a built-in feature.
24 min
1654
In 12,000 Words
Jesse Singal wrote about children who detransition. But did he do his subjects justice?
32 min
1655
Does Authenticity Matter?
We shouldn’t judge political candidates on such ambiguous criteria
22 min
1656
The Self-Sufficiency Court
With Justice Kennedy on his way out, conservatives like Clarence Thomas are free to burn society’s safety nets.
26 min
1657
The Unpopular Vote and a Few Justices
That’s all you need to make a joke of our country’s checks and balances.
24 min
1658
The New Rules of Civility
Are the Democrats ever able to take cheap shots?
26 min
1659
Who Needs Subtext, Anway
Melania Trump ditched subtlety and became a human billboard
28 min
1660
A Song You Can Graduate To
It will probably be about war. Because life is a war. Here's your diploma.
26 min
1661
Quitters Can’t Be Leaders
The U.S. shouldn’t leave the U.N. Human Rights Council. It should work to make it better.
20 min
1662
Polarization Nation
It’s not just about the issues: Fear, competitiveness, and tribalism all make it harder for Democrats and Republicans to get along.
29 min
1663
Oh, Stephen
It’s hard to make the face of forced separation at the border look good.
23 min
1664
The Heisenberg Presidency
President Trump's uncertainty principle is his only principle.
27 min
1665
When Border Policy Crosses the Line
More than 11,000 children are in U.S. detention facilities since being taken from their migrant parents. Are tent cities next?
27 min
1666
Cup of Corruption
The World Cup starts this week, despite FIFA's rampant graft.
26 min
1667
Summit Skeptical
Do lasting peace agreements hinge on warm & fuzzy friendships?
33 min
1668
G-7 Hangover
Team Trump’s damage control is as embarrassing as the presidential antics that occasioned it.
25 min
1669
Comedians Can Be Well-Adjusted, Too
Very few comics have never been to therapy. Tom Papa is one of them.
28 min
1670
#MeToo and McYoga
The yoga world is rotten with sexual assault and harassment, and Bikram Choudhury is the darkest example of that.
28 min
1671
James Clapper: Yeah, Russia Swung the Election
Now that the former director of national intelligence is a private citizen, he’s making his opinion known.
24 min
1672
So You Think You Know About Race
Michael Eric Dyson on the civil rights era, his would-be woke students, and President Obama’s shortcomings.
24 min
1673
Shots Fired, but Not Really
Yes, an “unindictable” president could commit whatever crimes he wants. But let’s not get carried away.
28 min
1674
It's Not Just You
We have grown weary of the uncertain tariffs, maybe-summits, and possible pardons.
25 min
1675
Folks, We’re Talking About the C-Word
On Samantha Bee’s use of one of the English language’s very worst nouns.
25 min