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.
2001
Elvis Costello’s High-Fidelity Life
In his memoir, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, the Irish English music legend reflects on his place in music history.
26 min
2002
Plus Jamais Le Fake News
Slate’s Will Oremus on how Facebook is tackling fake news ahead of the European elections.
27 min
2003
An Obamacare Architect Speaks Out
Former HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Affordable Care Act and the right-ward tumble of politics in Kansas.
24 min
2004
The Business of Corporate Protest
Adi Ignatius, editor of the Harvard Business Review, on how different business leaders are responding to the Trump presidency.
22 min
2005
He Left the Hold Steady for Mongolia
Journeyman musician Franz Nicolay had done the big-band thing. He wanted to go solo. And he wanted to see Ulaanbaatar.
28 min
2006
The Case of the Frozen Trucker
Emily Bazelon of the New York Times Magazine breaks down the decisions and philosophy of SCOTUS nominee Neil Gorsuch.
26 min
2007
Inside the Biggest Pyramid Scheme Ever
Journalist Steve Fishman on interviewing Bernie Madoff.
26 min
2008
The New Queens of Satire
The founders of Reductress imagine their latest project as a feminist’s how-to manual—written by the most ignorant feminists ever.
24 min
2009
Up in the Air
Immigration lawyers are struggling to interpret the Trump White House’s travel ban. They’re flying blind.
26 min
2010
Yeah, We’re Scared Too
Bush appointee Eliot Cohen told other conservatives to work with Trump’s State Department. One conversation changed his mind.
24 min
2011
Deregulation Nation
Fighting red tape is a winning political strategy for Republicans. How did that happen? Author Jacob Hacker explains.
22 min
2012
Don’t Mind Us, We’re Just Collapsing
There’s never been a greater time to be alive. Does that mean we’re overdue for a downturn?
22 min
2013
The Problem With Tracking Hate
Hate crimes are among the most undercounted offenses in the U.S. The Southern Poverty Law Center is trying to firm up a shoddy data set.
28 min
2014
The Truth About Vitamin C
The New Yorker’s Maria Konnikova returns to discuss a vexing health question: How much vitamin C is actually good for you?
22 min
2015
A Bet Against Reality
None of the conventions of politics stuck to President Donald Trump during his campaign. Will that change now that he’s in office?
38 min
2016
The 12-Step Program of Highly Effective People
How comedian Nick Thune survived Alcoholics Anonymous, black-market therapy, and Seattle.
26 min
2017
Trial by Firing Line
How conservative champion William F. Buckley argued with his friends, how he argued with his foes, and why he thought there should be no argument about Donald Trump.
26 min
2018
Can The Democrats Obstruct Everything for Four ...
The Atlantic’s Norm Ornstein on the best way forward for Congressional Democrats facing Trump.
25 min
2019
Jamelle Bouie on the Trump Cabinet
Slate’s chief political correspondent on Trump’s picks, from the mildly acceptable to the downright disturbing.
24 min
2020
How Should We Talk About Whiteness?
Professor Marc Lamont Hill on how to have a real conversation about identity politics in the Trump era.
28 min
2021
Twenty-Four Grueling Hours in Trumpland
Slate’s Fred Kaplan on Rex Tillerson’s hearing and the unverified dossier connecting Trump and Russia.
26 min
2022
How the Onion Remade Joe Biden
Head writer Chad Nackers on how his satirical site turned the veep into a Trans Am–loving metal head.
21 min
2023
The Secret to Meaningful Work
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely mines his research for lessons on happiness, employment, and the folly of common sense.
25 min
2024
Unpacking Peanuts
Guidelines out this week say toddlers should be exposed to peanuts early. Marion Nestle on the new science of kids and allergies.
23 min
2025
The Paradox of Shaving
Maria Konnikova returns to take on one of life’s great mysteries: When you shave a lot, does your hair grow back faster?
24 min