The Gist

Latest Episodes:

Why Is Mike Pesca So Happy? Jul 15, 2014

Show notes

Today on The Gist, political analyst Jonah Blank from RAND explains how young democracies navigate fair elections. Plus, Mike speaks with Sonja Lyubomirsky, the author of The Myths of Happiness, about how we can make ourselves into happier people by doing the things that happy people do. For the Spiel, no, you probably won't succumb to a brain-eating amoeba.

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David Plotz Is Out, Panda Blogs Are In Jul 14, 2014

Show notes

Today at Slate, we announced a changing of the guard. Mike talks with David Plotz, who after 6 years as editor is stepping down, and Julia Turner, who just became Slate's first female editor in chief. Plus, Mike gets help from memory champ Nelson Dellis in memorizing the rest of The Star Spangled Banner with help from Pauly Shore. For the Spiel, Mike vets stats with a stats vet—stat.

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Her Husband's Stupid Record Collection Jul 11, 2014

Show notes

Is not visiting the U.S.-Mexico border President Obama's Katrina? Josh King from Polioptics explains how he would best position Obama if (slash when) he does makes a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border. Then Sarah O'Holla tells us about her blog My Husband's Stupid Record Collection and plays a few recent finds. For the Spiel, Mike unwraps what 20,000 book sales really mean.

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This Guy Killed Hitler. All He Wants Is a Thank-You. Jul 10, 2014

Show notes

Today on the show, writer Mike Sacks explains how it's easier than ever to begin a career in comedy. In his book Poking a Dead Frog, Sacks asks comedians to explain their process without killing their humor. Plus, Dru Johnston reads his essay "I Think I Should Get More Credit for Killing Hitler" from the Occasional. And Ivan Oransky of MedPage Today and Retraction Watch unwraps the illicit world of peer-review fakery.

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Inside the Principal's Office Jul 09, 2014

Show notes

For what was Mike's most enjoyable visit to the principal's office, today's Gist assembled a panel of educators to discuss teacher tenure. We're joined by Alisa Algava, former director of the Randolph School, Ada Rosario Dolch, retired high school principal, and Margaret Ryan from the Harlem Link Charter School. Our panelists are all alumnae of Bank Street College. Plus, Slate's Ken Early describes what it was like in the stadium when Brazil fans learned a hard truth. For the Spiel, the world through a lens of strong and weak.

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Warren G. Harding in Love Jul 08, 2014

Show notes

Today on The Gist we discuss a new cache of steamy missives from Warren G. Harding to his mistress. The bootleg microfilms were first uncovered by James D. Robenalt, author of The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage During the Great War. But first, was Boston College's oral history archive politically motivated? Kevin Cullen from the Boston Globe explains how the project, which recorded the raw details of life in the IRA, opened old wounds in Northern Ireland. In today's Spiel, Mike's done tooting his own horn.

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Today, It's a Pot-Cast Jul 07, 2014

Show notes

As Washington State's recreational marijuana law goes into effect on Tuesday, Steve Elliot of Toke Signals explains the problems recreational and medical users should anticipate. Then, how do you set boundaries with a toxic family member when beginning your own family? Slate's Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer Unmolested. For Mike's Spiel, David Gregory of Meet the Press stems the tide of evasion.

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Emotions Are Contagious, but Probably Not on Facebook Jul 03, 2014

Show notes

On the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's famous farewell to baseball, we talk to author Jonathan Eig about what Gehrig did with the rest of his short life. Also, Maria Konnikovia on Facebook's emotions study, and no one's going to breaka Mike's stride.

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Philly, in Black and White Jul 02, 2014

Show notes

Today on The Gist, Mike talks with Alice Goffman, author of On the Run: Fugitive Life in an American City. Goffman, who's white, lived in a black Philadelphia neighborhood while attending the University of Pennsylvania and chronicled how differently her classmates and her neighbors were treated for similar offenses. In today's Spiel, Mike considers the way the story of three murdered Israeli teenagers has been covered in the Middle East.

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What Happens on Amish Spring Break Stays in Florida Jul 01, 2014

Show notes

As Alan Mulally packs up his desk, Bryce Hoffman explains how the outgoing Ford CEO harnessed talent and led a cultural change from within the company. Then, Jen Banbury explains what happens when the Amish start learning how to make and invest millions. Mike's Spiel responds to the U.S.-Belgium World Cup results before they are decided.

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