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.
2051
How the Post Office Cured “Going Postal”
Newspapers coined the term to refer to mail carriers gone berserk.
31 min
2052
Chuck Klosterman Is Wrong! (He Says.)
Even the stickiest ideas can slip into oblivion.
29 min
2053
Tim Heidecker Is Tired of Being Meta
His comedy dumps on the mainstream. His music is a bit more earnest.
27 min
2054
The Myth of Kitty Genovese’s Murder
A man looks for answers after the famous story of his sister’s murder is debunked.
28 min
2055
Ghost Bluster
An appeal to Ghostbusters purists.
30 min
2056
Are Skim Drinkers Milking It?
Maria Konnikova gets to the bottom of skim vs. whole milk.
28 min
2057
You Can’t Handle the Spoof
Grounded absurdity in "Filthy Preppy Teen$."
29 min
2058
Suing the Saudis
Sen. Chuck Schumer says victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks should be able to take the Saudi Arabian government to court for their alleged involvement.
30 min
2059
Trump Anxiety Hotline Reconvenes
Our trained experts can help you turn down the Trumpeting.
30 min
2060
Gov. John Hickenlooper Gets His Ass in Gear
Colorado’s highest-ranking brewmaster says government should consider measuring joy as well as unemployment.
30 min
2061
Kevin Spacey Is a Cat
Breaking down the film cliché of workaholic dads who reconnect with their children.
27 min
2062
If the Dog Turns Left, Think Novel
How storyteller Matthew Dicks maximizes every second of his day—from meals to showers to dog walking.
29 min
2063
The Whigs Were Right
The hosts of the BackStory podcast join us to discuss the #NeverLincoln movement and other historical parallels.
30 min
2064
When a Joke Almost Works Too Well
Trying not to let a quality bit become a crutch.
29 min
2065
Enlightened Titans of Industry
Big business is taking up the LGBTQ vanguard. Is that a problem?
27 min
2066
Saving Paul Ryan
He went in for the handshake. Tianna Gaines-Turner gave him a hug.
25 min
2067
Vote Jabba
In the Spiel, Mike focus-groups Jabba the Hutt and Princess Leia.
21 min
2068
Did the Media Create Trump?
Or were they just manipulated by him? NPR’s David Folkenflik debates our host.
25 min
2069
I'll Know Porn Addiction When I See It
Maria Konnikova explains what all of those pizza delivery guys and naughty nurses are doing to our brains.
33 min
2070
Neither Frightened Nor Rabbit
Scottish frontman Scott Hutchison explains how songwriting helps him sort his messiest, darkest thoughts.
24 min
2071
He’s Not Pivoting
When you give opposing answers to the same questions, that’s called contradicting yourself.
27 min
2072
A Rob Reiner-mentary if You Will
We discuss father-son relationships in Being Charlie and the birth of the mockumentary genre in This Is Spinal Tap.
29 min
2073
Trump as Napalm
Why some conservative thinkers are excited for the scorched Earth that will be left in the wake of the presumptive nominee.
22 min
2074
Welcome to the Abyss
We’re reconvening this much-requested Trump Anxiety Hotline. Trust us, you’ll feel better.
32 min
2075
Trumpeting Mike Tyson’s Endorsement
Why do we call it progress when convicted felons get the right to vote, but not when this specific felon expresses his particular vote?
24 min