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
“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
2002
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
2003
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
2004
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
2005
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
2006
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
2007
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
2008
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
2009
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
2010
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
2011
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
2012
A Sympathetic Serial Imposter
Joshua Marston’s new film, Complete Unknown, depicts a woman who can’t stop changing her identity.
24 min
2013
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
2014
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
2015
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
2016
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
2017
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
2018
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
2019
The Résumé Says “Loafer,” but the Loafers Screa...
Maria Konnikova digs into the psychological link between your clothes and your performance.
30 min
2020
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
2021
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
2022
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
2023
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
2024
Playing the Spanish Card
UPenn professor Nelson Flores says, anecdotally, Tim Kaine’s Spanish skills seem to be the biggest hit among white liberals, not Latino voters.
28 min
2025
History’s First Benedict Arnold
Who was the original Benedict Arnold? Why, it’s Benedict Arnold—as you’ll find out from spy novelist and history fanatic Brad Meltzer.
22 min