The Gist

Latest Episodes:

Believing Jackson's Accusers Mar 02, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, John Hickenlooper might be running for president.

In the interview, Dan Reed reached out to Wade Robson and James Safechuck before #MeToo exploded, but its influence is clear. In the director's documentary for HBO, Leaving Neverland, we hear again how the effects of sexual abuse—in this case, at the hands of Michael Jackson—can manifest in counterintuitive ways; Robson and Safechuck once shielded Jackson. Now they're coming forward with their truth.

In the Spiel, the House Oversight Committee and racism.

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Is AOC Post-Truth Too? Feb 28, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, the empty political rhetoric that is "everyday people."

In the interview, fact-checking is big business in the age of Trump. But one politician diametrically opposed to the president—Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—is playing fast and loose with statistics too, and journalists have noticed. Should she be called out? NY Magazine's Eric Levitz says it's complicated.

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Michael Cohen Isn't Smart Feb 27, 2019

Show notes

On the Gist, Michael Cohen is not a smart guy, and that makes his testimony all the more trustworthy.

In the interview, Casey Burgat of R Street is here to talk about Sen. Amy Klobuchar's staff turnover data. Does she seem to churn through staff more than most, or are a few big exits skewing the numbers? And is it so bad to have high turnover anyway?

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The Spring Breaker Vote Feb 26, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, corn syrup and beer.

In the interview, what's the difference between a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old? In terms of maturity, not so much. But only one of them has the right to vote. In Oregon, state Sen. Shemia Fagan is hoping to change that, and she's letting young activists take the lead.

In the Spiel, who wants to talk about reparations?

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Mayor for America Feb 26, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, asymmetric warfare means America's got some pretty lame enemies.

In the interview, women aren't the only demographic group making the 2020 race especially diverse. Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is considering a run for office; he's a millennial, a veteran, and openly gay. We get his thoughts on the size of the Supreme Court and Congress, and his feelings about the humble penny. Buttigieg's new book is Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future.

In the Spiel, what the Oscars, the Virginia governorship, and Amazon HQ2 have in common.

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Billionaire Bashing Is Just for Sport Feb 23, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, even with a genuinely good story, president Trump just can't get his facts right.

In the interview, his name is Mo Rocca, and he's out with a new podcast of obituaries. So it's only natural, of course, that it be called Mobituaries. His audio tributes can be for both people and things, including JFK impersonator Vaughn Meader and the humble station wagon.

In the Spiel, America's billionaires do some good, and they don't make the rest of us any poorer.

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A Show, But a Riddle Too Feb 22, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, the deep state or a shallow president?

In the interview, director Leslye Headland has been on The Gist before, and is back for more. But unlike the protagonist of Russian Doll, her new Netflix show, he isn't likely to find herself stuck in a time loop, reliving the same moments over and over again. Headland joins alongside Rebecca Henderson, who stars in the show. And, fun fact: the two are married!

In the Spiel, Disney World's Hall of Presidents.

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The Viability of Bernie Sanders Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, news should be new.

In the interview, our resident vexillologist Ted Kaye is back to talk about San Francisco's flag. Where does its design come from, and is it really the best modern representation of the city?

Kaye's book is Good Flag, Bad Flag. In the Spiel, Bernie Sanders and the viability of policy ideas.

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The Chinese Threat is Overblown Feb 20, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, Bernie is in. Are billionaires out?

In the interview, president Trump may be the chief saber-rattler when it comes to China, but acting tough against the world's second biggest economy is a bipartisan pastime. With challenges like global warming and nuclear armament on the line, Kaiser Kuo says, the U.S. might do better with cooperation instead of rivalry. Kuo is a co-founder of the Sinica podcast and the editor-at-large of SupChina.

In the Spiel, algorithms aren't just for Facebook—they're also used in criminal justice. Here's why they shouldn't be.

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New York's Bad Math Feb 15, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, racy names for missiles.

In the interview, Chris Molanphy is here to talk about the Billboard hits of 1979, disco's last hurrah, and how the year prepares for the coming wave of pop. Molanphy is the host of Hit Parade and writes the column Why Is This Song No. 1?

In the Spiel, Amazon leaving New York City is a big loss but people don't seem to realize it.

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