The Gist

Latest Episodes:

Is Your Grill Killing You? Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

On The Gist, should you swear off summer cookouts? Our regular guest Maria Konnikova joins us for a round of "Is That Bulls---?" Konnikova writes for the New Yorker and is the author of The Confidence Game.

For the Spiel, the parade of worries ahead of the Olympic Games.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jessi Klein Says Women Are Dogs Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

On The Gist, Jessi Klein explains her theory that women can be sorted into two categories: poodles and wolves. It's an idea she explores in her new book, You'll Grow Out of It. Klein is the head writer on the Comedy Central show Inside Amy Schumer.

For the Spiel, Trump is giving voice to an element we've known about—but he's still losing.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Diary of a Soon-to-Be-Freed Detainee Aug 01, 2016

Show notes

On The Gist, we bring you this never-before-aired interview with writer and human rights advocate Larry Siems, who edited the writings of Guantánamo Bay detainee Mohamedou Slahi for the 2015 book Guantánamo Diary. Slahi has been approved for release.

For the Spiel, a quick game of "Have You Even Read the Constitution?"

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Little-Known Story of Sabotage in the New York Harbor Jul 29, 2016

Show notes

100 years ago, a man named Michael Kristoff strolled onto an island in the New York harbor armed with explosives cooked by German chemists. He was there to blow up a stockpile of munitions pledged to the Allied Powers.

On The Gist, Chad Millman tells the story of the first major act of foreign terrorism on the United States. His 2006 book, The Detonators: The Secret Plot to Destroy America and an Epic Hunt for Justice, has just been released in e-book form to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the attack.

The regular Spiel will be back next week -- get your fix by checking out out the past two weeks of a.m. Spiels on the Republican and Democratic conventions.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AM Spiel: Hillary Takes the Mic Jul 29, 2016

Show notes

Hillary Clinton's remarks to the Democratic National Convention didn't match those of the exceptional orators who preceded her, but she'll have significant advantages in the presidential debates this fall.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Celebrating the Nerd Mentality Jul 28, 2016

Show notes

On The Gist, Mike confesses his nerdy fascinations to Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen, hosts of WBEZ's Nerdette podcast.

Check back Friday for another a.m. Spiel, complete with a Quick and Dirty Dissection of the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AM Spiel: No Room for Gloom Jul 28, 2016

Show notes

A Quick & Dirty Dissection of Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention, where heavy hitters lined up to vaunt the nominee President Obama called "the woman in the arena."

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Finally, a Pro-Kidnapping Film Jul 27, 2016

Show notes

On The Gist, Mike realizes he's not the liberal he thought he was, and the film Tallulah shows you what a sympathetic child-snatcher looks like. The movie's writer and director, Sian Heder, (who also writes for Orange Is The New Black) and starring actress Tammy Blanchard stop by to discuss (fictional) women with abandonment issues.

Check back for another a.m. Spiel offering a Quick and Dirty Dissection of Day 3 of the DNC.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AM Spiel: Hillary, Humanized Jul 27, 2016

Show notes

On Day 1, the speakers galvanized. On Day 2, they humanized. A Quick & Dirty Dissection on the latest from the Democratic National Convention.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Optimum Optics Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

On The Gist, should Sandra Bland's mother be part of the DNC's Day 2 lineup? Then, former political advance man Josh King shows us how to spot the subtle stage-managing of the nominating conventions. His book is Off Script: An Advance Man's Guide to White House Stagecraft, Campaign Spectacle, and Political Suicide.

Check back for an a.m. Spiel Quick & Dirty Dissection of the DNC, Day 2.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.