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.
2076
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
2077
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
2078
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
2079
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
2080
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
2081
Mara Wilson’s Post–Child Star Life
Between Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda, and Miracle on 34th Street, Wilson is a defining part of many childhoods. Her new book looks at life after early fame.
20 min
2082
Ralph Nader’s Animal Instincts
The author and advocate on his new book, Animal Envy, and predictions for the Trump presidency.
27 min
2083
Bob Boilen: Tiny Desk, Big Effect
The man who brought us NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, asked a bunch of musicians about their influences. Guess which artists picked their own songs?
28 min
2084
Good Grief
Comedian Laurie Kilmartin has tips to help you boost your Twitter following and mourn your dying parent at the same time.
26 min
2085
The Home Movie That Changed America
Abraham Zapruder captured a presidential assassination by accident. Now his granddaughter wrestles with his legacy.
27 min
2086
LifeAfter’s Mac Rogers
Audio dramatist Mac Rogers discusses the resurgence of radio theater in the U.S. and his own work on the podcast drama, LifeAfter.
22 min
2087
When There Was No Ducking Disco
Listening back to Billboard hits of 1976, the year that gave us the Disco Duck.
27 min
2088
The Year of Bill Camp
The actor who brought us the “subtle beast” in HBO’s The Night Of imagines the Salem witch trials with a Long Island accent.
28 min
2089
We’re Going Into Labor
Journalist Steven Greenhouse says union membership has plummeted in the past 50 years, and Democrats haven’t done enough to fight Republican-backed anti-labor measures.
24 min
2090
Thank God for Hedonists
Work hard, play harder, build a global economy? Author Steven Johnson says frivolity, not necessity, is the mother of invention.
25 min
2091
Our Inflamer-In-Chief
Sparks of international conflict are snuffed out around the world before we ever hear about it. How could that change under the Trump administration?
25 min
2092
Do Strict Voter Laws Make a Difference?
Voting law expert Rick Hasen on the many ways Republican states try to suppress turnout.
24 min
2093
We Could Use Jon Stewart Right Now
Chris Smith is the compiler of new oral history The Daily Show (The Book), which focuses on Stewart’s cultural legacy.
27 min
2094
Putin Plays the Long Game
Obama’s second ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, on the Rex Tillerson nomination and how the U.S. should approach Russia post-hacking.
23 min
2095
Let’s Talk About Rex
Houston Chronicle energy reporter James Osborne on Trump’s left-field pick for secretary of state.
23 min
2096
Don’t Tell Kyle Kinane What To Do
The comedian from Netflix’s Love is still fuming about all those “I voted” stickers.
27 min
2097
Getting Held Back in Racial Justice Class
What did the Black Lives Matter movement accomplish? Writer Jeff Chang reflects on a complicated year.
25 min
2098
Boeing, Get Off My Plane!
Is $4 billion a lot for Air Force One? Or is Trump looking for savings in all the wrong places?
22 min
2099
It’s Much Bigger Than O.J.
Ezra Edelman, director of the ESPN doc O.J.: Made in America, on how his film addresses race, class, the Los Angeles Police Department and celebrity culture.
26 min
2100
The Blueprint for Trumpcare
Vox writer Sarah Kliff has read seven possible Republican health care plans. Here’s what she learned.
27 min