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.
2251
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
2252
Welcome to the Abyss
We’re reconvening this much-requested Trump Anxiety Hotline. Trust us, you’ll feel better.
32 min
2253
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
2254
The End of Conventional Wisdom in Politics
No one thought the individual donor–funded campaign for a democratic socialist would get this far… especially Bernie Sanders.
27 min
2255
Buzz Aldrin! He Walked on the Moon!
“I want to hear a destination, an objective, a time period, and a plan,” Buzz Aldrin tells The Gist.
19 min
2256
Behind the Scenes at Wait Wait
Hear what happens when you put two public radio nerds in a room—a lot of insightful shoptalk.
29 min
2257
The National Emergency We Call Donald Trump
Slate’s Jacob Weisberg joins us to share favorite moments from the first month of Trumpcast.
35 min
2258
The So-Called “So-Called Acela” Primary
In the Spiel, the two men who mangled their already impossible chances of pulling off a victory.
30 min
2259
Bathroom President Ted Cruz
Today’s the day for making accords with the Texas senator, and we’re prepared to offer him his own kingdom.
24 min
2260
Purpleness
How Prince defined the sound of the ’80s, even when his name wasn’t on the records.
32 min
2261
The Energy Crisis and the End of American Liber...
What the energy crisis in the ’70s taught Americans about government.
33 min
2262
Did Bernie Pull Hillary to the Left?
Is Bernie Sanders part of a long Democratic tradition of progressive insurgency?
25 min
2263
Get a Life ... Coach
These days even life coaches have life coaches, but are they effective?
31 min
2264
Bill Clinton’s Advance Man Tells All
Josh King joins us to explain why the visuals and headlines are becoming increasingly important for political campaigns. For the Spiel, what happened after the Google Play app introduced Mike to ’90s agro anthems.
30 min
2265
Billboard Hits From 1986
Chris Molanphy helps count down the Billboard hits from 1986 that marked a significant pivot in music history. For the Spiel, favorite moments from Friday night’s Democratic debate in Brooklyn.
25 min
2266
Hurry Up and Fast
Is spending a day without food the ultimate weight-loss trick? Maria Konnikova explains what researchers have found when the looked into the health benefits of fasting. For the Spiel, honoring the breakfast cereal spokes-things tradition.
23 min
2267
An Interesting and Beautiful Day
David Plotz from Atlas Obscura offers advice for creating your own adventures on Saturday, April 16 for this weekend’s Obscura Day. For the Spiel, why we’re not impressed by the depth of your worldview, Mark Zuckerberg.
22 min
2268
Pinocchio’s Got a Gun
Bernie and Hillary are exchanging shots over gun control. Who should we believe? Plus, we use Yodely Guy to discuss the latest from Goldman Sachs. Then, let’s dive deep into Wyoming delegate math with Aimee Van Cleave from the Wyoming Democratic Party.
25 min
2269
It’s Time We Talk About Wolverines
It’s time you knew the truth about the fierce demon of the North, the wolverine. Plus, learn the definition of an “S.O.B. flag” when we visit Vexillology Corner with our favorite vexillologist Ted Kaye.
24 min
2270
Twisted F--king Sister
What the cross-dressing glam band learned from a decade spent clawing its way out of Long Island. Jay Jay French and director Andrew Horn join us to tell the story behind a new Twisted Sister documentary. For the Spiel, the Lobstar of the Antentwig.
27 min
2271
If I Were Hillary
On Ep. 471, a clever strategy for preventing a full Zika virus epidemic—genetically modified mosquitos. We’ll speak with Nina Fedoroff. For the Spiel, Mike imagines what life would look like if he were held to the same standards as Hillary Clinton.
17 min
2272
Burning Down Bernie’s Momentum
Is it momentum or just primary results from a certain collection of states with very few black people? For the Spiel, why Wisconsin’s primary results tell us so little about who the Democrats want as a nominee.
22 min
2273
You’re Getting Very Sleepy
Maria Konnikova explains what makes hypnosis especially challenging to study
29 min
2274
Jon Ronson, Imam of Shame
When the Internet gangs up to publicly shame an individual, what’s that really about?
27 min
2275
The Hamilton Rule
Zoe Chace speaks with Republicans who despise Hillary Clinton but plan to vote for her because of Alexander Hamilton.
33 min