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.
2301
Why Karaoke Carries a Torch for 1984
Today on The Gist, we listen back to Billboard hits from 1984. Our regular guest Chris Molanphy explains why the year inspired so many go-to karaoke jams. He writes Slate’s Why Is That Song No. 1 column. For the Spiel, it’s time to name...
30 min
2302
The Present Tense (and Other Storytelling Secrets)
Today on The Gist, professional storyteller Matthew Dicks is here to coach our winning listener Frank Kennedy. We’ll hear stories from Frank’s life raising an autistic son, and hear ideas for how to better integrate them into a larger...
23 min
2303
Dylan’s 14-Month Miracle
In a span of just 14 months, Bob Dylan wrote, recorded, and released three of the greatest albums of all time. Today on The Gist, David Kinney explains how it happened. He’s the author of The Dylanologists: Adventures in the Land of Bob. For the...
24 min
2304
Nine out of 10 Germs Agree
Today on The Gist, what does the looong campaign mean for 2016’s candidates? Annie Lowrey from New York magazine joins us for a reasonable amount of time. She’s part of a new Panoply podcast called Podcast for America, which debuts Tuesday...
28 min
2305
Why We Lost It Over Beanie Babies
Today on The Gist, we remind you of what’s in that crate in the back corner of your basement. Author Zac Bissonnette tells the tale of Ty Warner and the craze that launched e-commerce. He’s the author of The Great Beanie...
35 min
2306
It’s Letterman’s World, We Just Critique It
Today on The Gist, Mike Pesca and Slate senior editor Laura Bennett reflect on the unique career of David Letterman, and the new breed of late-night hosts. His last show will be on May 20th, and Slate’s Last Laugh features include many looks at...
22 min
2307
Eating Chinese Food Out of the Carton
Today on The Gist, Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg are called out for making a notorious cliché on their hit FX spy drama, The Americans. They recently hosted a Slate podcast following Season 3 of their show, available in iTunes, or as an RSS...
29 min
2308
Another Blow to Bipartisan Spirit
A new trade bill has split Senate Democrats and united Obama with Republicans. Today on The Gist, we speak with BuzzFeed’s congressional reporter Kate Nocera from the Senate press gallery. For the Spiel, a simple solution to the Amtrak...
25 min
2309
On Twitter, TV Follows You
Today on The Gist, Jared Feldman from Canvs explains how social media is supplanting the old-fashioned focus group for media buyers and TV shows. For the Spiel, how American elections could benefit from candidates with less...
26 min
2310
Are Artificial Sweeteners Bullshit?
Today on The Gist, does the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev feel remorse? Seth Stevenson has been reporting for Slate on the trial and shares the latest insight into how the defense is attempting to humanize. Plus, are there adverse health...
29 min
2311
Restaurants These Days!
Guest host David Plotz debates the state of American fine dining with Grantland staffer, Pulitzer Prize winner, and aggrieved diner Wesley Morris.
21 min
2312
He's Not God, but He Plays Him on Twitter
The man upstairs takes time out from his busy online life to dish about his Broadway show, Jon Stewart, and his day job as a comedy writer.
26 min
2313
The Podcast Fight Takes Its Troll
Guest host Zoe Chace of This American Life on the battle for podcasting’s origin story.
27 min
2314
100 Jokes a Day
Today on The Gist, we celebrate our first year as a show! Will you tell a friend about us? Plus, Jon Macks joins us to explain which celebrities have provided the most fodder during the 22 years of jokes he’s written for late night television....
24 min
2315
The Bottom Line on Carly Fiorina
Today on The Gist, James Ledbetter from Inc. and Panoply's new Inc. Uncensored podcast sizes up presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. What was her impact on Hewlett-Packard, and does business experience translate to success in politics? For...
25 min
2316
Artie Lange Is a Stand Up Guy
Today on The Gist, Artie Lange shares how he’s de…
26 min
2317
Being Barney Frank
Today on The Gist, former Rep. Barney Frank expla…
22 min
2318
The Bald Truth About Presidential Candidates
Today on The Gist, Mark Leibovich from the New Yo…
28 min
2319
Let’s Talk About Duck Vaginas
Today on The Gist, author Zoe Cormier explores th…
29 min
2320
Spooning With Dan Pashman
Today on The Gist, John Curtice from the What Sco…
26 min
2321
Your Grandpa Is a Little Sketchy
Today on The Gist, professional storyteller Matt Dicks speaks with the winner of our storytelling challenge. Did we make the right pick? Hear our entries from yesterday’s Gist here. Plus, Emily Yoffe of Slate’s Dear Prudence column advises...
33 min
2322
What Makes a Story Unforgettable
Today on The Gist, professional storyteller Matt …
25 min
2323
Are Probiotics Bulls--t?
Today on The Gist, it’s an episode that comes fro…
26 min
2324
We Dish on the Knish
Today on The Gist, Marc Caputo from Politico’s F…
27 min
2325
Before Bombs Fell Out of Favor
Today on The Gist, Bryan Burrough explains what A…
26 min