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It's the 1000th episode of the Savage Lovecast. We started in 2006, when George W. Bush was President. And look at us now! We packed this show with as many quick questions as we could. (One minute or less.) And Dan answered as quickly as he could. And! We invited long time friends of the show to pop on and answer some questions as well: Ezra Klein, Esther Perel, Mistress Matisse, Mike Pesca, Therapy Jeff, Doc Barak, Joan Price, Dan's Producer Nancy, and Dan's husband Terry. The gang's all here! You'll get an inside look at how the show is made, and how Dan has evolved over these many years. Some of the questions asked and answered: What is up with "Yahtzee?" Does "pegging" come from pirates? Does blood make for good lube? Who listens to all the calls that come in? Do you get a weird feeling when you dig in your bellybutton? Happy New Year and thanks for listening everyone! Your resolution? Get on the show. Q@Savage.Love 206-302-2064 This episode is brought to you by Helix Sleep. Right now, Helix is offering 27% off site wide. Go to HelixSleep.com/Savage. With Helix, better sleep starts now. This episode is brought to you by Blueland. Going eco has never been easier. Revolutionary, refillable cleaning essentials eliminating single-use plastic. Right now, get 15% off your first order by going to Blueland.com/Savage This episode is brought to you by VB Health, Doctor-formulated supplements that work . To learn more about Load Boost, Drive Boost and Soaking Wet and to get 10% off, visit VB.Health when you use the code Savage. Dan Savage is a sex-advice columnist, podcaster, author, and creator of the It Gets Better Project. Have we mentioned that we've been doing this for 20 years?
We're back from the holiday break! (Sort of.) This interview with the inimitable Mike Pesca was recorded on Boxing Day and released right away to paying subscribers. Now it's available to everyone. Host of The Gist and author of the newsletters Pesca Profundities and The Gist List, Mike has turned the humble "bonus segment" into a multi-level rmarketing scheme multi-tiered pricing philosophy. How does he do it? We'll find out! We also talk about the hardest part of the creator economy (discovery), the incentives that reward martyrdom and outrage, and, most of all, Mike's December 26 Substack post No One's Nice To Bari Weiss. The CBS News editor-in-chief has been all over the headlines this past week after spiking delaying a 60 Minutes segment on CECOT, the notorious El Salvador terrorist prison, that was on the cusp of airing. Is it because the segment needed to "move beyond the forty-yard lines?" Or is something else going on? Also: a discussion on a mega-viral Compact article about systemic discrimination against white millennial men, a cry against Hamilton erasure, and why my lack of grip strength is more than made up for by my alarmingly hyperextensive fingers.
Mike Pesca digs into the vault for two 2017 interviews exploring the "ground game" of the New York stand-up scene and the "ad hominem screech" of early outrage culture. Dan Soder discusses his transition from a hard-drinking youth to a maturity fueled by caffeine and cannabis, admitting that his iconic Russian accent bit remains the "Free Bird" closer he can't quite escape. Meanwhile, Moshe Kasher dissects the launch of his series Problematic and the shallowing of the American brain, arguing that a comedian's primary duty is the "primacy of laughter" rather than social activism. Along the way: why Arizona rain smells like "hot nails" and how lighting a cigarette at night acts as a lighthouse for the mentally ill. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Rosebud Baker explains why motherhood is the most political act of her life and how she handles breastfeeding pressure by claiming she's "raising her daughter autistic" with formula and vaccines. The SNL writer joins Mike Pesca to discuss her transition from the "joke-heavy" homework of her first special to the conversational honesty of Motherlode, while detailing her process of churning out 50 headlines a day for Weekend Update. Along the way: the "embarrassing" ego of Elon Musk's comedy crusade, the legacy of her grandfather James Baker, and the dolphin-riding photo that finally convinced her comedian husband to get a hair transplant. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Oxford-educated archaeology student turned freestyle sensation Chris Turner joins Mike Pesca to explain how his "British period" of deadpan one-liners evolved into the show-stopping rap flow that now defines his Comedy Cellar sets. Turner discusses the "evolutionary advantage" of not knowing the rules of hip hop as a ten-year-old in Manchester—a blissful ignorance that convinced him freestyling was just "making up a story"—and how he uses those same instincts to neutralize hecklers today. Along the way: a masterclass in the "tennis match" of flow state, the absurdity of 50 Cent's car-based fax machine, and a spontaneous freestyle that weaves together Jerry Springer, RFK Jr., and the "Antilles heel" of Hispaniola. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether disruption is a threat or a lifeline for traditional news brands. Pesca also reflects on the rise of nonprofit journalism, the limits of AI in reporting, and why Congress has largely abdicated its role in regulating both media and tech. The discussion then turns to the growing unease around AI, gambling, and prediction markets, from bipartisan support for getting smartphones out of schools to fears that unregulated betting is distorting journalism, sports, and public life. Pesca and Todd explore why optimism around AI is collapsing, how insider information can be exploited in everything from sports gambling to political markets, and why many of today’s “innovations” feel eerily similar to past technological panics. The throughline: institutions are lagging behind rapid change, and the cost of that delay is showing up everywhere—from newsrooms to classrooms to democracy itself. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:30 Rundown of Mike’s many “hustles” 03:15 Is the information ecosystem better or worse at the end of 2025? 04:30 CBS News under Bari Weiss is now selling a different product 06:00 Legacy media could benefit from some disruption 06:45 Weiss gave up working for the Salzbergers to work for the Ellisons 07:30 There’s no money in producing network news 09:45 There was audience capture at the New York Times 11:00 A boring president will make the Ellisons care less about CBS 13:00 David Ellison isn’t ideologically MAGA or even a Republican 14:00 Silicon Valley is less ideological, just want less regulation 14:45 Ellisons are treating CBS as part of their lobbying budget 15:45 A huge part of 60 Minutes popularity is that it airs after football 16:30 CBS has brands that will survive even if the network doesn’t 17:45 We’re a few years away from local TV affiliates going a-la-carte 19:00 Channel numbers are meaningless to younger audiences 19:30 Non profits like ProPublica are doing some of the best journalism 20:45 AI can’t replace people in the journalism space 21:45 NOTUS is the only organization covering DC locally 23:15 Historically, American media has been partisan 24:00 Big newspapers should have two editorial sections 26:30 Imagine if Bezos built an “everything” newspaper like he did Amazon 28:00 AI transition will be painful, fear of AI displacement will dominate 28:45 New polling shows huge drop in optimism surrounding AI 30:15 Sam Altman shocked the world by saying “Please regulate me” 31:15 We need more visibility into how AI actually works 32:00 The regulators are always too old & removed from new tech 32:45 Congress has willingly abdicated their regulatory role 34:30 Employees at AI companies express worry it could go very wrong 35:30 Getting tech/smartphones out of schools has bipartisan agreement 37:15 There have always been panics about major tech change 38:15 Sports gambling without regulation has been a disaster 40:45 Athletes can easily fix a player prop to make money 42:15 Online casinos should have never been allowed to exist 44:15 Insider info can easily been cashed in on prediction markets 46:15 Will insider trading laws now affect copy editors at publications? 47:30 Betting has drastically affected coverage at ESPN 49:00 College football playoff selection is totally subjective 51:30 Potential fixes to college football playoff selection 55:00 Will prediction markets remain legal? 56:45 Pandemics make society do crazy things 57:45 Online casinos will likely become illegal in the coming years 1:00:00 The states didn’t roll out marijuana legalization the right waySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultimate measure of CBS’s credibility, and how ownership, mergers, and appeasing power have once again put business interests ahead of journalism. The episode also explores troubling signals from the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related releases and what they reveal about political favoritism and eroding institutional independence. Chuck then widens the lens to the political fallout, arguing that Donald Trump squandered his political capital and failed to build a durable coalition, and lays out how cracks in Trump’s coalition are becoming chasms. Then, Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether disruption is a threat or a lifeline for traditional news brands. Pesca also reflects on the rise of nonprofit journalism, the limits of AI in reporting, and why Congress has largely abdicated its role in regulating both media and tech. The discussion then turns to the growing unease around AI, gambling, and prediction markets, from bipartisan support for getting smartphones out of schools to fears that unregulated betting is distorting journalism, sports, and public life. Pesca and Todd explore why optimism around AI is collapsing, how insider information can be exploited in everything from sports gambling to political markets, and why many of today’s “innovations” feel eerily similar to past technological panics. The throughline: institutions are lagging behind rapid change, and the cost of that delay is showing up everywhere—from newsrooms to classrooms to democracy itself. Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and breaks down the biggest stories in the world of sports. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:00 CBS News embroiled with controversy after pulling 60 Minutes episode 04:30 Bari Weiss’s inexperience in TV news is on full display 05:30 Weiss’s made incorrect assumption that everyone saw NYT story 06:45 The perception is the administration leaned on Weiss to kill story 08:00 Too many news executives don’t understand the process 09:30 Trump has complained publicly about 60 Minutes 10:15 Ellison willing to appease Trump in order to get merger approval 11:00 CBS News will be judged entirely on 60 Minutes 12:30 Weiss has lost the trust of the journalists at CBS 13:15 Corporate owned media has once again let the public down 14:00 WaPo’s editorial board completely changed after Bezos bought it 15:00 This event will further erode the public trust in media 16:15 Journalism that’s tethered to popularity will be compromised 17:15 Trust is more important than popularity for journalists 18:45 Corporations won’t let their news divisions interfere with business 19:30 DOJ frontloaded Clinton/Epstein releases & Trump releases later 20:45 DOJ releases statement that sounds like they’re Trump’s defense attorney 22:45 It’s notable that DOJ only singled out Trump for a defensive statement 24:45 Trump blew his “honeymoon” period in less than a year 25:30 Both Biden & Trump burned their political capitol early 28:15 Trump blew the chance to build a GOP that outlasts him 29:30 Trump didn’t win the 2024 election - Biden/Harris lost it 31:15 Voters don’t like party in power, 2008 was last “Vote for” election 33:00 Biden misinterpreted 2022 results, lots of bad GOP candidates 34:00 Liberation Day destroyed Trump’s goodwill with the public 36:15 The cracks in Trump’s coalition are turning into chasms 38:00 The GOP has been too concerned with appeasing the online right 39:15 Democrats could be having their own “Tea Party” moment 46:45 Mike Pesca joins the Chuck ToddCast 48:15 Rundown of Mike’s many “hustles” 50:00 Is the information ecosystem better or worse at the end of 2025? 51:15 CBS News under Bari Weiss is now selling a different product 52:45 Legacy media could benefit from some disruption 53:30 Weiss gave up working for the Salzbergers to work for the Ellisons 54:15 There’s no money in producing network news 56:30 There was audience capture at the New York Times 57:45 A boring president will make the Ellisons care less about CBS 59:45 David Ellison isn’t ideologically MAGA or even a Republican 1:00:45 Silicon Valley is less ideological, just want less regulation 1:01:30 Ellisons are treating CBS as part of their lobbying budget 1:02:30 A huge part of 60 Minutes popularity is that it airs after football 1:03:15 CBS has brands that will survive even if the network doesn’t 1:04:30 We’re a few years away from local TV affiliates going a-la-carte 1:05:45 Channel numbers are meaningless to younger audiences 1:06:15 Non profits like ProPublica are doing some of the best journalism 1:07:30 AI can’t replace people in the journalism space 1:08:30 NOTUS is the only organization covering DC locally 1:09:00 Historically, American media has been partisan 1:09:45 Big newspapers should have two editorial sections 1:13:15 Imagine if Bezos built an “everything” newspaper like he did Amazon 1:14:45 AI transition will be painful, fear of AI displacement will dominate 1:15:30 New polling shows huge drop in optimism surrounding AI 1:17:00 Sam Altman shocked the world by saying “Please regulate me” 1:18:00 We need more visibility into how AI actually works 1:18:45 The regulators are always too old & removed from new tech 1:19:30 Congress has willingly abdicated their regulatory role 1:21:15 Employees at AI companies express worry it could go very wrong 1:22:15 Getting tech/smartphones out of schools has bipartisan agreement 1:24:00 There have always been panics about major tech change 1:25:00 Sports gambling without regulation has been a disaster 1:27:30 Athletes can easily fix a player prop to make money 1:29:00 Online casinos should have never been allowed to exist 1:31:00 Insider info can easily been cashed in on prediction markets 1:33:00 Will insider trading laws now affect copy editors at publications? 1:34:15 Betting has drastically affected coverage at ESPN 1:35:45 College football playoff selection is totally subjective 1:38:15 Potential fixes to college football playoff selection 1:41:45 Will prediction markets remain legal? 1:43:30 Pandemics make society do crazy things 1:44:30 Online casinos will likely become illegal in the coming years 1:46:45 The states didn’t roll out marijuana legalization the right way 1:54:00 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Mike Pesca 1:54:45 Trump floats leaving the presidency for “hosting” in social post 1:55:45 Is Trump soft launching stepping down from the presidency? 1:57:00 Ask Chuck 1:57:45 What wing of the party will the GOP lean towards in 2028? 2:04:00 What are the classes you teach like? 2:11:15 How would things be different if H.W. Bush won a second term? 2:16:00 How do we address the erosion of historical education? 2:20:45 Was the country really that united over Garfield’s death? 2:26:15 Sports roundupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Who will buy my smelly panties?" A woman realizes that it would be a waste to just wash them. A married man in an open relationship wishes his wife would be as affectionate as his lovers. On the Magnum, it's everybody's favorite guy who knows things about sports...Mike Pesca! (Host and creator of The Gist, the longest running daily news and analysis podcast, and the author of Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs In Sports History.) Dan and Mike go over the particulars of the steamy Canadian show "Heated Rivalry" to determine how closely it hews to the sport called "hockey." And, a gay man is tempted to sleep with guys who are in monogamous relationships. He wants to be a "gay's gay"- a good upstanding gay. Not some home-wrecking gay. But he also would very much like to sleep with these lads...will Dan advise him to listen to the angel or the devil on his shoulder? This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. They make it easy to build a website or blog. Give it a whirl at Squarespace.com/Savage and if you want to buy it, use the code Savage for a 10% off your first purchase. This episode is brought to you by Feeld, a dating app where the open-minded can meet the like-minded. Download Feeld on the App Store or Google Play. This episode is brought to you by Mars Men- supplements that support healthy levels of testosterone. For a limited time, Lovecast listeners get 60% off for life AND 2 free gifts when you use the code Savage at MenGoToMars.com. Dan Savage is a sex-advice columnist, podcaster, author, and creator of the It Gets Better Project. From ethical non-monogamy to unethical non-monogamy, cuckolding to crossdressing and with a dose of progressive politics, Dan Savage is a cultural force for sex positivity, when we most need it.
On the Lean Out podcast, one of the topics that we often return to is the media, and the insanity of the media. For the last show of 2025, our guest is a veteran journalist and a savvy media critic, and he has some thoughts on where we are, how we got here — and where we should go from here.Mike Pesca is an award-winning American journalist. He is the creator and host of the long-running daily news podcast, The Gist. He's also the author of Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs in Sports History.You can find Tara Henley on Twitter at @TaraRHenley, and on Substack at tarahenley.substack.com
Don't miss my discussion with Mike Pesca of The Gist about-- How the conservative blogosphere actually kept populism bottled up-- Why Tucker Carlson secretly became the most powerful man at Fox using Daily Caller analytics no one else had-- How iPhones + social media rewarded “Cat Turd” over Jonah Goldberg and made ideological gatekeepers irrelevant-- Why both parties now reach for the chainsaw instead of the scalpel (DOGE, DEI purges, Gaza, immigration)-- Whether Democrats can win just by waiting for Trump to implode — or if they need a genuine rock-star celebrity candidate in 2028-- Marco Rubio's quiet double-agent role in Trump 2.0, the Gretchen Whitmer “kidnapping” plot truth, and why Josh Shapiro might actually have “it”-- And MUCH more!If you care about how technology actually changed politics more than any philosopher or activist ever did — this is the deepest, funniest, most honest conversation you'll hear this year.Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC
On this Saturday edition, Mike Pesca joins the cast of Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone to explain the dopamine minefield of modern sports betting. He walks Paula and Adam Felber through the mechanics of the "vig," the absurdity of Cleveland pitchers throwing balls into the dirt to cover prop bets, and the time NBA legend Chauncey Billups unwittingly became a "face card" for a mob-run poker game involving marked contact lenses. They also workshop a betting ad campaign starring John Goodman as a sentient thumb and discuss why catching the mechanical rabbit leads to existential dread for greyhounds and podcasters alike. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
This is part two of my two-part episode on Terry Gross. In part one, which was a paid episode, I talked to Sarah Hepola, Jason Thurlkill, and Meghan Daum about Terry Gross, what makes her great, and who should replace her whenever she chooses to retire. On this episode, which is a freebie, I talk to Mark Oppenheimer, Mike Pesca, and Jesse Adams/The Ivy Exile.Aside from being my brother, Mark Oppenheimer is host of his own podcast, the Arc podcast, or Arc with Mark, which is the flagship podcast of the magazine he edits. He is also the author of Judy Blume: A Life, the forthcoming biography of Judy Blume, which drops in March of next year. Mike Pesca is the host of The Gist, the longest running daily news podcast in history, and its affiliated Substack, The Gist List. He has two other, non-daily podcasts: Funny You Should Mention, in which he talks to stand up comedians, and Not Even Mad, which is dedicated to “joyful disagreement.” He is the author of Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs in Sports History, which came out in 2018. Jesse Adams is the author of The Ivy Exile Substack, and a writer for, among other publications, the Washington Examiner and the New York Post. Thanks to all my guests, and listeners, for joining me in this endeavor. I have no immediate plans to do another special episode, but this felt like a success to me, so I'm sure at some point I'll do it again. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieloppenheimer.substack.com/subscribe
Mike Vuolo and Bob Garfield join Mike Pesca of The Gist to talk about the long, strange journey of 6 7, from rapper Skrilla to the basketball court, from the classroom to the Word of the Year. X: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyWebsite: booksmartstudios.com/LexiconValley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Matt Robison explores the transformative challenges facing the media industry alongside guest Mike Pesca, a seasoned journalist and host of the longest running news podcast on Earth, The Gist. They discuss the effects of technological advancements, the rise of digital platforms, and the fragmentation of traditional news sources. They also tackle the persistent issues surrounding Donald Trump, the impact of digital trends on sports, and positive societal changes such as the decline in police violence. 00:00 Introduction and Overview03:20 Fragmentation of Mainstream Media05:54 Interview with Mike Pesca: Media Critique09:28 The Trump Dilemma in Media23:04 The Fragmented Media Landscape38:37 The HR-ification of the Democratic Party48:16 The Newt Gingrich Strategy and Media Ecosystem53:16 Positive Trends and Good News57:42 Interesting Author Interviews01:00:34 The Evolution of Sports
On this Saturday edition, Mike Pesca reaches into the archives for a 2016 classic with actor and author Jesse Eisenberg. They discuss Eisenberg's short story collection Bream Gives Me Hiccups and the "creek vs. crick" linguistic controversy it sparked, while analyzing why a nine-year-old restaurant critic is the perfect vessel for exposing adult hypocrisies. Eisenberg explains why he prefers writing dialogue to describing sunsets, reveals the existence of a spreadsheet tracking whether he or Paul Newman played a role better, and admits that his anthropology background is just an excuse for professional eavesdropping. Finally, the two perform the radio play "Marv Albert Is My Therapist". Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
On this Thanksgiving edition Mike Pesca serves up two revitalized classics, starting with Henry Winkler (The Fonz), who joins to discuss his Hank Zipser books, the unique Dutch font designed for dyslexic readers, and his tenure-granting plan to design the world's first consumer jet pack. Then, we revisit a conversation with counterterrorism expert Clint Watts, breaking down his viral congressional testimony advising senators to "follow the trail of dead Russians" while analyzing the distinction between a "Manchurian Candidate" and a "useful idiot", the Russian doctrine that "there is no truth", and why the term "fake news" has become a catch-all for "anything I don't want to hear". Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Mike Pesca is joined by CNN anchor and author Abby Phillip to discuss her new book, A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. They explore Jackson's soaring, sermon-like rhetorical style and the hubris of the "tree shaker, not a jelly maker" philosophy. The conversation traces how Jackson's push to change delegate rules made the path possible for Barack Obama, even as the Obama campaign intentionally created contrast with Jackson's image. We dive into Jackson's unique brand of populism—more Bernie Sanders than Obama—and his surprising, Trumpian anti-globalist instincts regarding Japan and Germany. Plus, we discuss how his rhetorical style, while rousing, could also be exhausting, and why the most heartbreaking part of the world's chaos is the people who are okay with it. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Mike Pesca welcomes back Nick Gillespie (Reason Magazine) and first-time guest Russ Muirhead (Dartmouth professor and New Hampshire State Rep.) for a spirited debate that is—we swear—not even mad. Today, we look at the half-full autocratic glass: Does the dismissal of the Comey and James indictments prove that institutions are holding, or does the very attempt confirm our slide toward norms violation? We debate the two bedrock rules of democracy, why Congress keeps misplacing its spine, and the reasons the legislative branch is becoming functionally obsolete. Plus, the lame-duck question is back, MTG's lonely departure, and the politics of affordability: What's the real, non-supply-side fix for housing? Finally, a Goat Grinder on cinematic trauma warnings and the tragedy of piped-in pub music. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comThe Peach Fish is back, for a very special episode. The great Mike Pesca and I have a bunch of thoughts regarding a Pablo Torre podcast about the activist Riley Gaines that kicked up much dust online. We also discuss how Sally Jenkins might save college sports. Enjoy!
Mike Pesca (host of the legendary daily podcast The Gist) joins Matt to explain why “affordability” became the Democrats' killer message in 2024–2025… and why it might become their biggest liability by 2026 and 2028.They break down:-- How Democrats laser-focused on “affordability” and actually won elections with it-- Why actually lowering prices (without causing deflation or chaos) is nearly impossible-- The dangerous cycle: win on the word → fail to deliver → voters throw the bums out again-- Tariffs, immigration labor shortages, AI disruption, and data-center energy costs — all making real affordability harder-- Why naming the problem is often enough to win, but solving it rarely gets you credit (the Churchill parallel)-- The deeper voter anger: sports betting explosion, marijuana commercialization, societal chaos — feeling like “we never voted for any of this”-- If Democrats retake power in 2026 or 2028 and can't show tangible relief on groceries, rent, utilities, and health care, the backlash could be brutal.Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC
Mike Pesca revisits his conversation with Washington Post columnist and novelist David Ignatius, recorded before the recent passing of Ignatius's father, former Navy Secretary Paul Ignatius. They discuss the future of warfare in space, why the U.S. Space Force deserves more credit than it gets, and how a century of Pentagon experience shaped a lifelong skepticism toward military overconfidence. Plus, a Spiel on a government shutdown that achieved very little beyond irritating everyone involved. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
In this conversation, Sam Kahn, Mike Pesca, Christine Rosen, and Yascha Mounk discuss what the election results mean for the direction of the Democrats, what the Heritage Foundation scandal shows about anti-Semitism on the right, and Dick Cheney's mixed legacy. Sam Kahn is associate editor at Persuasion and writes the Substack Castalia. Mike is the host of The Gist, the longest-running daily news and analysis podcast in existence. Christine Rosen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. She is also a monthly columnist for Commentary magazine, one of the cohosts of The Commentary Magazine Daily Podcast, a fellow at the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and senior editor at The New Atlantis. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: leonora.barclay@persuasion.community Podcast production by Mickey Freeland and Leonora Barclay. Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google X: @Yascha_Mounk & @JoinPersuasion YouTube: Yascha Mounk, Persuasion LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Tuesday's election results came in, Newsweek invited Josh to assess the victory of New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. In today's episode, he explains why he called it a terrible, dangerous turn in U.S. politics. Big media like The New York Times celebrated the news, of course. Josh explains that the Times had an “Oops, I Did it Again” moment when a high-ranking journalist let the mask drop -- and then tried to put it back on. Then, a guest joins Josh to explore a bigger question: How did we get here? Why does the media warn about anti-democratic movements on the right while running cover for those on the left? Fellow NPR alum Mike Pesca, host of the podcast The Gist, helps explain how news agencies lost their way. He also discusses his firing from a national news agency. Josh explains why Mike's experience is a window into anti-journalistic thinking in newsrooms.
Mike joins Nancy Rommelmann and Sarah Hepola for a rowdy, caffeine-fueled dive into the NBA betting scandal—where marked decks, mobsters, and million-dollar contracts collide. They unpack how legalized sports gambling reopened old mafia doors, what drives athletes to risk it all, and why men chase competition even from the couch. Also: Karine Jean-Pierre's disastrous book tour, testosterone talk, Louis C.K.'s "program," and the curious economics of peeing at stadiums. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.comMike Pesca, host of the longtime daily news podcast “The Gist,” joins Nancy and Sarah to talk about sports betting scandal that threatens to destroy an entire industry. Marked cards, special contact lenses, the mafia: This is deep Scorsese territory. Sarah is so checked out on sports she didn't know Pete Rose was dead, but she has questions about how betting went from taboo to industry goldmine. Pesca is Smoke's resident “voice of men,” whether he likes it or not, so we also talk about his take on the Great Feminization (last week's pod controversy) and women taking testoserone to boost their sex drive.Don't miss the backstage drama on Pesca's podcast interview with former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. He's done thousands of celebrity interviews, and only spiked a few. This was one of them.Also discussed:* A burning UTI of a question!* Over-under and point spread, discussed* Eight Men Out, a good movie* When the mafia ruled porn …* Three cheers for the red, white and corrupt* Theo Von, Louis CK, Chris Rock, greatest sex addicts anonymous group ever?* Longing for a “she-pee” that plays “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor* Norm MacDonald, poster child for gambling addiction* But what is addiction?* Mike suggests Karine Jean-Pierre should have called her book Incoherent* Sarah's parents were Cuomo-sexuals* Nancy tries to explain “boofing”* A tone-deaf article about harm reduction* Women, sex drive, and Nancy's testosterone levels * Andrew Cuomo: “I'm not perverted. I'm Italian.”* “Get me off the Lady Testosterone ride!”* Ozempic kills the urge to gamble* Pesca's wife has complaints* Sarah's Ethnic Stereotypes Corner! Plus, Sarah reconsiders One Battle After Another, Nancy's erotic gym-class epiphany, Mike explains how to read marked cards, and much more!REMINDER: First Sunday this Sunday! Come one, come all, link sent out day-out. 8pm ET/5pm PT.Nancy's birthday is October 30, and a girl likes presents. You know what to do …
This afternoon, I joined Mike Pesca to discuss my forthcoming book as well as podcasting and journalism. Plus, cameos by both Moose and Mochi. You can watch our discussion here.Pre-order my bookSubscribe to The Gist This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe
Today on The Gist, we air some of Mikes appearence on The Good Fight Club Podcast. Please note that this was recorded on September 10th, before the shooting of Charlie Kirk. You can listen to the rest of the podcast using the link below. The Good Fight Club: Russian Drones in Poland, Low Literacy in Schools, and Can Anyone Rein in Trump? Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
In this week's episode of The Good Fight Club, Yascha Mounk, Ivan Krastev, Amanda Ripley, and Mike Pesca discuss what the Russian drones shot down in Poland mean for NATO, the impact of the Supreme Court's recent decision on immigration, how the Democrats can hold Donald Trump to account, and declining reading rates in U.S. schools. Ivan Krastev is the chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies and Albert Hirschman Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences, IWM Vienna. Amanda Ripley is the co-founder of Good Conflict, a media and training company that helps people reimagine conflict, and the author of High Conflict, The Smartest Kids in the World, and The Unthinkable. Mike is the host of The Gist, the longest-running daily news and analysis podcast in existence. Email: leonora.barclay@persuasion.community Podcast production by Mickey Freeland. Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google X: @Yascha_Mounk & @JoinPersuasion YouTube: Yascha Mounk, Persuasion LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today on The Gist: It's Not Even Mad. Mike Pesca welcomes Galen Druke and Josh Barro for a sharp yet civil debate on Trump's immigration strategy, crime, and the charge of creeping autocracy. They weigh whether cruelty brings Trump political advantage, how Democrats should frame their response, and what “autocracy makes you poor” really means for voters. Plus, Mike spotlights where polls mislead, why midterms punish incumbents, and why branding matters as much as policy. Come See Mike Pesca at Open Debate Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Mike Pesca examines the political spin after a Minnesota school shooting and the debate over trans identity and mass shootings. He then speaks with designer and futurist Nick Foster (Apple, Google, Dyson) about his new book Could Should Might Don't: How We Think About the Future and why tech culture misunderstands futurism. Plus, a spiel on how RFK Jr.'s administration is hollowing out Health and Human Services and why missing mice reveal a bigger problem. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
House (of Strauss) keeping here. My Random Offense with Mike Pesca is up, file included in this email. Subscriber Craig T. Schwerin thoughtfully built off my “LLMs will be Ozempic for Golf” post. Sarah Hepola pod was just recorded, that's incoming. In the meantime, I'll be chatting about green WNBA dildos on BCC, so sign up for that.House of Strauss is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
Today on The Gist. We play back Mikes appearance on the 21st Show where they discuss NPR and its funding. It originally aired on Monday July 28th. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Mike Pesca is one of our very favorite guests — on any number of topics. His book, Upon Further Review: The Greatest What-Ifs in Sports History, is a whole series of earth-shattering, hypothetical, what-if questions (and posited answers to said earth-shattering, hypothetical, what-if questions): What if a blimp full of money had exploded over world track headquarters in 1952? What if Nixon had been good at football? What if Bobby Fischer had received proper psychiatric help? What if the Dodgers hadn’t left Brooklyn? What if basketball rims were smaller than basketballs? What if the 1999 U.S. women’s national soccer team had lost the Women’s World Cup? And yes: What if the Olympics had never dropped tug of war? It goes on and on. Pesca joins us for the hour. GUESTS: Will Leitch: Contributing editor at New York magazine, founder of Deadspin, and a whole bunch of other things Mike Pesca: Host of The Gist and the author of Upon Further Review Louisa Thomas: Staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Louisa: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired June 7, 2018. Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: host of "The Gist" podcast, Mike Pesca! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is a co-production with Neuhaus Ideas. Our executive producers are Neely Lohmann and Adam Neuhaus of Neuhaus Ideas, and Lindsay Hoffman of iHeart Podcasts. The show is produced by Jody Avirgan and Brittani Brown of Roulette Productions. Our Chief Puzzle Officer is Greg Pliska. Our associate producer is Andrea Schoenberg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: host of "The Gist" podcast, Mike Pesca! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is a co-production with Neuhaus Ideas. Our executive producers are Neely Lohmann and Adam Neuhaus of Neuhaus Ideas, and Lindsay Hoffman of iHeart Podcasts. The show is produced by Jody Avirgan and Brittani Brown of Roulette Productions. Our Chief Puzzle Officer is Greg Pliska. Our associate producer is Andrea Schoenberg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: host of "The Gist" podcast, Mike Pesca! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler with A.J. Jacobs" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is a co-production with Neuhaus Ideas. Our executive producers are Neely Lohmann and Adam Neuhaus of Neuhaus Ideas, and Lindsay Hoffman of iHeart Podcasts. The show is produced by Jody Avirgan and Brittani Brown of Roulette Productions. Our Chief Puzzle Officer is Greg Pliska. Our associate producer is Andrea Schoenberg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this Saturday we play some of Mikes conversation on the podcast Live From America Hatem Gabr, one of the cohosts talks to Mike about NPR and the media landscape. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
This week, David Plotz and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss what to make of Elon Musk's quixotic attempt to start a third political party in America, how Trump's conflation of national interest with self-interest creates an incoherent foreign policy, and the tedious but impactful “summer rerun season” of Trump's tariff folly. Here are this week's chatters: Mike: ABC7 New York: Traffic deaths across NYC at record low so far this year as City sees historic drop; Tomoki Chein for The San Francisco Standard: Policing has little effect on SF traffic deaths, decades of data show; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: NHTSA Announces Traffic Fatalities Decreased in the First Quarter of 2025. Susan: Meg Anderson for NPR: Murders are down nationwide. Researchers point to a key reason David: Kyla Scanlon on Substack: Kyla's Newsletter; Clan of the Cave Bear (1980) by Jean M. Auel; Leah Dearborn for LitReactor: What Is ‘The Clan of the Cave Bear,' and Should You Read It? Listener chatter from Alan Spatrick in Newton, Massachusetts: Podcast by Andrew Hickey: A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs For this week's Slate Plus bonus episode, David and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss whether ICE agents should be allowed to do their jobs in masks. In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with author Alison Bechdel about her new book, Spent. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Emily Ditto Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. HostsDavid Plotz, Mike Pesca, and Susan Glasser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, David Plotz and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss what to make of Elon Musk's quixotic attempt to start a third political party in America, how Trump's conflation of national interest with self-interest creates an incoherent foreign policy, and the tedious but impactful “summer rerun season” of Trump's tariff folly. Here are this week's chatters: Mike: ABC7 New York: Traffic deaths across NYC at record low so far this year as City sees historic drop; Tomoki Chein for The San Francisco Standard: Policing has little effect on SF traffic deaths, decades of data show; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: NHTSA Announces Traffic Fatalities Decreased in the First Quarter of 2025. Susan: Meg Anderson for NPR: Murders are down nationwide. Researchers point to a key reason David: Kyla Scanlon on Substack: Kyla's Newsletter; Clan of the Cave Bear (1980) by Jean M. Auel; Leah Dearborn for LitReactor: What Is ‘The Clan of the Cave Bear,' and Should You Read It? Listener chatter from Alan Spatrick in Newton, Massachusetts: Podcast by Andrew Hickey: A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs For this week's Slate Plus bonus episode, David and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss whether ICE agents should be allowed to do their jobs in masks. In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with author Alison Bechdel about her new book, Spent. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Emily Ditto Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. HostsDavid Plotz, Mike Pesca, and Susan Glasser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, David Plotz and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss what to make of Elon Musk's quixotic attempt to start a third political party in America, how Trump's conflation of national interest with self-interest creates an incoherent foreign policy, and the tedious but impactful “summer rerun season” of Trump's tariff folly. Here are this week's chatters: Mike: ABC7 New York: Traffic deaths across NYC at record low so far this year as City sees historic drop; Tomoki Chein for The San Francisco Standard: Policing has little effect on SF traffic deaths, decades of data show; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: NHTSA Announces Traffic Fatalities Decreased in the First Quarter of 2025. Susan: Meg Anderson for NPR: Murders are down nationwide. Researchers point to a key reason David: Kyla Scanlon on Substack: Kyla's Newsletter; Clan of the Cave Bear (1980) by Jean M. Auel; Leah Dearborn for LitReactor: What Is ‘The Clan of the Cave Bear,' and Should You Read It? Listener chatter from Alan Spatrick in Newton, Massachusetts: Podcast by Andrew Hickey: A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs For this week's Slate Plus bonus episode, David and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss whether ICE agents should be allowed to do their jobs in masks. In the latest Gabfest Reads, David talks with author Alison Bechdel about her new book, Spent. Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Kevin Bendis Research by Emily Ditto Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you'll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. HostsDavid Plotz, Mike Pesca, and Susan Glasser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today on The Gist we play from Mike Pesca's panel at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival about the book Original Sin with the Authors Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
Mike Pesca, host of The Gist, matches wits with Bradley on a wide range topics: the best sporting events to see in person, the most admirable world leaders of the 21st century, what its like not to feel stress, why America is fine with the Ivy League being destroyed, are sociopaths happier than the rest of us, who still believes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the pros and (mostly) cons of mushy food, plus much more.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City's only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today's episode: info@firewall.media.Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter and follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube.
Mike's Recent appearance on Chuck Todds Podcast "The Chuck ToddCast" Want to hear more from Chuck Todd? Check out his YouTube page: www.youtube.com/@TheChuckToddCast Produced by Corey WaraProduction Coordinator Ashley KhanEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_gSubscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAMFollow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Stop by live, Friday, at 2way.tv/ethan, where I can discuss most things and Mike Pesca can discuss everything. Topics I'd like to get into include NBA Finals, sports gambling as indicator of sports decline, plus the emergent visibility of baby boomer liberals in protest culture. Also…do we dare discuss Israel/Iran? See you there! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
Replay of the interview Mike Pesca did with Kat Rosenfield on The Gist List. Click the link below to subscribe for free to The Gist List. The Gist List Produced by Corey WaraProduction Coordinator Ashley KhanEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_gSubscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAMFollow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Replay of the interview Mike Pesca did with Ben Dreyfuss on The Gist List. Click the link below to subscribe for free to The Gist List. The Gist List Produced by Corey WaraProduction Coordinator Ashley KhanEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_gSubscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAMFollow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today on The Gist. Ethan Strauss joined Mike Pesca for a Substack Live conversation. Today we air a portion of it focusing on Caitlin Clark and shoes. You can listen to the full interview by clicking the link below. Live w Ethan Strauss Mike Pesca n' Caitlin Clark, Jayson Tatum & you Produced by Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_gSubscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAMFollow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Here's my Substack live video with Mike Pesca! Btw, Mike and Bomani Jones will be joining me for my inaugural launch of Random Offense on YouTube, Friday 4pm ET (1 pm PST). Here's a link for that. Join up.Idea of Random Offense is it's a bit like the old Callin show I used to do, with listener involvement, only more visual. You guys can call in, ask questions, submit article ideas for the Substack. See you Friday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
Host Sarah Isgur and contractually obligated Jonah Goldberg are joined by Dispatch contributor Jesse Singal and Mike Pesca, host of The Gist podcast to discuss the Democratic Party's identity crisis. Also: Singal broke news on The Dispatch about the Trump administration's transgender policy. The Agenda:—The cajun rages on—Sarah is smarter than her son—We all know a David Hogg—The Dems should thank Trump for the 80/20 issues—The Trump administration and transgender health care for kids—2026 Senate map—Ross Douthat worries about the end of humanity The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and regular livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike was recently on the Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em Podcast. Enjoy! Produced by Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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