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.
1826
Is Trump Insane? Does It Matter?
Grill him for his deeds, not his ditzy moments.
28 min
1827
A Cry for Self-Help
Books that promise “a new you” often don’t cure us, but they sure can expose our greatest anxieties.
26 min
1828
Radio Reconciliation
Rwanda’s radio programming fueled the country’s infamous genocide in 1994. Could it also help it heal?
30 min
1829
What to Make of Fire and Fury
NPR’s media correspondent says Michael Wolff’s new book is kicking off a more honest conversation on the president’s fitness to hold office.
26 min
1830
Going for Gridiron
Jen Welter grew up without female role models in the NFL. Then she joined the Arizona Cardinals.
34 min
1831
Move to the Center or Keep on Losing
If Democrats want to win back the blue-collar vote, they may need a bigger tent.
32 min
1832
Killed, Then Counted
Police killed more than 1,100 people last year. And yes, there’s a racial disparity.
27 min
1833
Behind the Scenes of Slow Burn
Slate podcasters Leon Neyfakh and Andrew Parsons on how Watergate fever compares to today’s investigations into Russia and the 2016 election.
28 min
1834
It’s Fan Service or Bust
Some comedians have a “kill or be killed” relationship with their audiences. Anjelah Johnson just gives them what they want.
28 min
1835
Your Brain Is Bad With Money
But being aware of that can help you spend it more wisely (or better yet, save it).
33 min
1836
Hobby Lobby Is Just Getting Started
The chain’s evangelical founders are spending millions on putting the Bible at the center of American life.
30 min
1837
Deplorables and Snowflakes
Ken Stern thinks we should quit it with the name-calling.
31 min
1838
Tax Bill Ballyhoo
Why Trump’s economic predictions don’t pass the smell test.
26 min
1839
Trickle Down Now
Is it possible that Republicans were damned whether or not they passed their tax bill?
27 min
1840
Behind the Scenes at The Daily
Michael Barbaro and Theo Balcomb share their secrets.
31 min
1841
Don’t Worry if Baby Turns Orange
Maria Konnikova tells us about the foods that can dramatically change your skin’s hue ... and when to see a doctor about it.
25 min
1842
Jeff Ross Got Bored, So He Got Political
The comedian’s latest roast takes the conversation around immigration down to the U.S.-Mexico border.
32 min
1843
Revisiting Another Democratic Wave
How Chris Hurst became one of Virginia’s newest state representatives, with some indirect help from a petting zoo.
18 min
1844
The Underdog and the Bully
The Alabama election, as much of an upset as it was, restored a sense of normalcy in politics.
24 min
1845
It’s Partisanship, Stupid
Don’t blame a Roy Moore win on low black turnout.
28 min
1846
The Abortion Fight Led Us Here
The downside of progress is that someone has to lose. Where does all that energy go? In Alabama, a lot of it is going to Roy Moore.
25 min
1847
Drama in Alabama
Our man in Birmingham explains how Roy Moore went from political pariah to anti-establishment champion.
27 min
1848
Can You Win as the Party of Purity?
Dahlia Lithwick says Democrats are stuck in a downward spiral of doing the honorable thing and hoping Republicans will meet them halfway.
23 min
1849
Next Falls Franken?
Senate Democrats are clambering up to secure the moral high ground.
26 min
1850
The Boys Club on the Bus
They couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. But did they really put a thumb on the scales of the election?
29 min