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.
1976
Maureen Dowd Wants a Candidate Like H.W. Again
The New York Times columnist on her new book, The Year of Voting Dangerously, and what we’re missing about Donald Trump
27 min
1977
How Do We Fix Down-Ballot Elections?
Gerrymandering, bathroom bills, and big money from the Koch brothers: Reid Wilson walks us through the state of state and local races.
29 min
1978
“Mrs. Robinson,” “Hey Jude,” and Some Utter Sch...
1968 was a year of protest and political upheaval, but the Billboard charts were dominated by novelty hits and a singing Herb Alpert.
26 min
1979
The Great Tightening, Explained
Recent polls show the gap between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is closing, but FiveThirtyEight analyst Harry Enten says Clinton still has a hefty lead.
25 min
1980
Are Southpaws Really Criminals?
Maria Konnikova explains if being right- or left-handed determines how you think. Plus, Mike finds the one U.S. voter who likes both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
26 min
1981
Hillary’s Campaign Manager on Pneumonia, Swing ...
Robby Mook talks about Hillary Clinton’s tough week and the struggle to pin down Trump. Plus, the rise and fall of jai alai.
36 min
1982
What Does the Charity World Think of the Clinto...
What kind of rep does it have in philanthropy, and does political power warp the giving economy?
32 min
1983
Tony Kornheiser Will Make Fun of Your Pants
The host of The Tony Kornheiser Show is allergic to pretense, intrigued by podcasting, and disconcerted by Costco.
26 min
1984
Courting Controversy With Drew Magary
Deadspin’s author of the “Why Your Team Sucks” series explains his approach to reporting on people he finds kind of horrifying.
25 min
1985
Telling Jokes in the Age of Trigger Warnings
Comedian Karith Foster and director Ted Balaker take on the over-the-top reactions facing comedians on campus in Can We Take a Joke?
26 min
1986
A GOP Apostate Explains Her Vote for Hillary
Kori Schake, a former Bush adviser, says a write-in vote for this year’s presidential election would be a waste.
29 min
1987
The Year Nirvana Lost Out to Bryan Adams
1991 marked the beginning of a decade of musical narrowcasting. With Kurt Cobain and A Tribe Called Quest splitting the vote, Color Me Badd rose to the top.
27 min
1988
Do You Rely on GPS? Thank Chuck E. Cheese and W...
In Pinpoint, Greg Milner chronicles how a conservative pundit, the military, and a pizza impresario made GPS ubiquitous.
21 min
1989
A Sympathetic Serial Imposter
Joshua Marston’s new film, Complete Unknown, depicts a woman who can’t stop changing her identity.
24 min
1990
There’s a Viking on the Delta
The lead singer of the Icelandic band Kaleo found his inspiration in the blues music of the Deep South.
28 min
1991
The ’80s Really Were the Best
Hadley Freeman wondered why the movies of her 1980s childhood seemed so special. So she went back and asked her favorite actors and directors.
25 min
1992
W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu Want Equal Time
The hosts of Politically Re-Active tend to agree on the issues that fascinate them. But they each want to say their piece.
27 min
1993
Why We’ve Never Learned to Stop Worrying and Lo...
A painter, a Vietnam vet, and a nun walk into a nuclear storage facility. So begins Dan Zak’s fascination with the Pandora’s box of weaponry.
24 min
1994
Women’s Gymnastics Gets the Hard-Boiled Treatment
Intense personalities, high stakes, and restrained rivalry: The world of women’s gymnastics is the perfect setting for a suspense novel.
20 min
1995
Brazil’s Redeemer Has Subpoena Power
Slate’s Franklin Foer says there’s reason for optimism in Brazil, despite rampant corruption and chaos.
27 min
1996
The Résumé Says “Loafer,” but the Loafers Screa...
Maria Konnikova digs into the psychological link between your clothes and your performance.
30 min
1997
Mike Birbiglia and Ira Glass Followed the Fear ...
The creators of the film Don’t Think Twice have some very earnest observations about improv comedy and pursuing your dreams.
27 min
1998
Should You Have Your Silver Medal Bronzed?
Mike bites down on a happiness study of bronze and silver medalists. Oh, does it bend.
27 min
1999
John Dickerson Has a Follow-Up. He’s Willing to...
The host of Face the Nation on CBS has two competing theories about the 2016 presidential election.
28 min
2000
Republicans Are Using Leeches to Cure Cancer
Stuart Stevens, Romney’s top strategist in 2012, says the GOP’s presidential nominee could make Republicans uncompetitive in national elections for a generation.
19 min