The Gist

The Imbleachment Between Impeachments Mar 31, 2023

The Trump indictment is a lot to process, but let's try ... in the form of a proposed sitcom, The Prison President. Also, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is not to be intimidated, nor are the NYPD going to be scared of Donald Jr.'s mob of mad Proud Boys. And Mike talks with Matt Hongoltz-Hetling, author of If It Sounds Like a Quack...: A Journey to the Fringes of American Medicine. (Trump has a cameo in there, as well.)

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Law That Saved Adnan Syed Mar 30, 2023

The subject of Season One of Serial, Adnan Syed is once more in a legal limbo, having had his vacated conviction overturned. However, the latest twist in the case resolves itself it is clear that Syed would never have even gotten a new hearing, were it not for the 2022 passage of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. We speak to Maryland State Senator Chris West (Republican) about the law and how he had not even heard the name Adnan Syed before he sponsored it. Plus, rethinking the costs of hardening schools as targets. And, on MLB opening day, Mike explains why, even with tweaks, baseball will never be culturally dominant again.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Chi Town Show Down Mar 29, 2023

The mayoralty of Chicago will be decided next Tuesday, and its a close race between tough-on-crime Paul Vallas and current public schools union leader Brandon Johnson. Eric Zorn, longtime Chicago Tribune columnist, now editor of of the Picayune Sentinel, moderated one of the mayoral debates, and he joins us to assess the race. Plus, NCAA women's basketball ratings. And that's a Woolly Meatball!

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Accurately Seeing The Victims Of Police Killings Mar 28, 2023

Todd Brewster, co-author of Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice, joins us to talk about a single image's power to galvanize society, and the history of who controls these images. Plus, Adnan Syed's once-vacated conviction has been reinstated. And widening the aperture on victims of police violence.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Punishing The Punishment In The Stanford Rape Case Mar 27, 2023

The Recall: Reframed examines the removal of California Judge Aaron Persky after his sentencing of Stanford swimmer Brock Turner. Director Rebecca Richman Cohen discusses the two sides of the progressive movement at odds with each other over this issue, including the difficulty of steering outrage into proper policy. Plus the U.S. Supreme Court debates fake dog poo. And, at the risk of contradicting Color Me Bad, "Uh, TikTok you do stop."

For more information on The Recall: Reframed visit Engage | The Recall: Reframed (recallreframed.com)

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Dial V for Vlad Mar 25, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s the April 17, 2015 Spiel satirizing the Vladamir Putin Call-In show. Then we listen to this past week’s Spiel on Michael Cohen.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Checking Into Sam Sanders Vibe Mar 24, 2023

Sam Sanders is the host of 2 podcasts (Into It, and Vibe Check) where he weighs in on politics and culture in a way he never could while on NPR. Mike and Sam discuss and debate wokeness, euphemism, the age of podcasts, and if Angela Basset having "Done the Thing" was really internet meltdown worthy. Plus, Canada increases in number and prestige. And a city killing meteor leads us to one-click cancellation contemplation.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Using Bare-Knuckle Politics To Fund School Meals Mar 23, 2023

Bradley Tusk worked for years in government, then he struck out on his own and made a lot of money through his firm Tusk Ventures helping companies like Uber and FanDuel navigate government regulation. On the Gist today, he explains how he leverages his expertise as a lobbyist and fixer to give school meals and anti-hunger advocates the kind of muscle they need. Plus, Janet Yellen moves markets by stating obvious truths. And Stanford grapples with the heckler's veto. This episode also features an extended interview AND an extended spiel for subscribers to PescaPlus. To become a subscriber: Subscribe.mikepesca.com

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Hush Little Stormy Mar 22, 2023

Mike interviews Neil Gross, a former cop turned Colby College Sociology professor and now author of Walk the Walk: How Three Police Chiefs Defied The Odds and Changed Cop Culture. We're also joined by Leon Nixon, who voiced the audiobook—a profession he took up after more than 20 years in law enforcement. Plus, a look at the loudest hush money in history. And how Michael Cohen is a colorful character, but he's a questionable character to put on the witness stand.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Vaccines, Masks, And The Lessons Of Covid Mar 21, 2023

Following yesterday’s conversation with David Zweig about the known and unknown risks associated with how we dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic as a society, today Mike drills down on masks and vaccines with two public health communicators. First up, science writer Michael Schulson, author of the recent article “Do Masks Work? It’s A Question of Physics, Biology, and Behavior” in the digital magazine Undark, then Mike talks with epidemiologist and author of the Your Local Epidemiology Substack, Katelyn Jetelina.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Harms We Cause While Doing Good Mar 20, 2023

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we limited contact with other people, we wore masks, and we closed public schools. These actions saved lives. Sort of, says David Zweig, a New York-based writer who became a voice of informed opposition to these sacrifices, stating that we may be saving some lives, but at what cost? His Substack is Silent Lunch. We broke our normal format this episode to give you a longer cut of Mike’s interview with Zweig, who has a book on our public health systems’ response to the pandemic coming out this summer called An Abundance Of Caution.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Three Pointer Edition Mar 18, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with 2023 March Madness underway, we listen back to Mike’s 2022 critique of the instinctive, and backward, admonishment so many announcers issue as time is winding down, “You don’t need a 3!” Then we listen to this past week’s Spiel on whales.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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What Makes A Flag Bad? Mar 17, 2023

We’re joined this episode by Ted Kaye for another installment of Vexillology Corner, wherein we discuss the big survey of city flags (check them out), the winners and losers, and the difference between a good and bad flag. Plus, attacking TikTok. And in the Antwentig, the Cochrane study questioning masks.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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How Benghazi Continues To Warp America Mar 16, 2023

Former diplomat Ethan Chorin joins us to talk about his book Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink. Plus, San Francisco proposes reparations for black residents which has a price tag in the hundreds of billions of dollars. And the Congressional art of asking a questioning and doing everything you can to suppress an answer.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Poverty And Progress Is Narrative Mar 15, 2023

Matthew Desmond's story in the New York Times Magazine, "Why Poverty Persists in America" contradicts Mike's understanding, past coverage, and narrative of progress in America. But that doesn't make it wrong. Plus, Dr. Judith Herman discusses her new book Truth And Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Marching Into The Madness Of State-Sanctioned Gambling Mar 14, 2023

Reporter Ken Vogel was a lead reporter on the NYT series "A Risky Wager: How online sports betting took America by storm." He's here to discuss what some states got wrong, while others hit the jackpot on legalized sports wagering. Plus, the international criminal court is reportedly bringing war crimes charges against Russia for kidnapping Ukrainian children. And the ratings are up (Oscars) but also down (banks).

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Donald The Mafia Don Mar 13, 2023

Whale Watch! Brendan Fraser's acceptance speech for his Best Actor Oscar in The Whale was larded with whale references, and today's Spiel is given over to examining Unusual Mortality Events among whales. Plus, an analysis of netting Mafia bosses ... and possibly Donald Trump. Elie Honig, CNN analyst and author of Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It, discusses prosecuting figures at the top of opaque organizations who know how to insulate themselves from culpability.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Whale Watch Edition Mar 11, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, whales abound. We start by listening back to a Gist “Whale Watch” segment from February 24, 2016, then we revisit our most recent Monday Spiel, in which Mike talks high seas treaties.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The High Priest Of The Church Of Audience Research Mar 10, 2023

Kevin Goetz is the movie business' most influential market researcher. He joins us to discuss his new book Audience-Ology: How Moviegoers Shape The Films We Love. Plus, White Drivers are Polluting BIPOC air in LA. And The Whale vs. Cocaine Bear.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Walk This Way Into The History Of The World Pt. II Mar 09, 2023

An Inquisition of Dave Stassen, Executive Producer of the new Hulu Series History Of The World Part II. What a show! Plus, why there are zero Black women in the U.S. Senate. And $31,000,000,000,000 of debt actually is a bad thing ... and its weird that we have to say that.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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More Than 1% Chance Of Nukes Mar 08, 2023

George Beebe is Director of Grand Strategy at the Quincy Institute, he was formerly the director of the CIA’s Russia analysis unit, and he worked as a staff advisor on Russia matters to Vice President Cheney. He joins us to analyze the progress of the war in Ukraine with special emphasis paid to the threat of nuclear weapons ... a threat he worries is being ignored. Plus, the Turkish strongman gets a bookish opponent.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Taking Flack For All The Yakety Yak Mar 07, 2023

Admitted excessive-talker Dan Lyons researches a cure for his propensity for prolixity—STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World is the result. Plus, California Governor Gavin Newsome suspends all non-existent state business with Walgreens. And Tucker Carlson’s January 6th Film Festival is a bust. Big shock.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Unremarkable Antics Of Congressman DeSantis Mar 06, 2023

Then-Congressman Ron DeSantis did a moderate Republican a favor in 2013, when he “lit up” the head of the Parks Department. But it was the kind of lighting up that even Smokey wouldn’t have stressed over. Plus, Lichtenstein and 190 other countries have tentatively agreed to a United Nations treaty protecting the high seas. And They Knew Which Way To Run is a fascinating self-produced seven-part series about the Union Carbide Gas Leak in Bhopal, India, whose death toll is likely over 10,000. We’re joined by co-creators Apoorva Dixit and Molly Mulroy.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: 7 Degrees Of Natasha Lyonne Mar 04, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, to compliment our Friday show, which featured an interview with sisters Nora and Lilla Zuckerman—show runners (and writers of Episode 109) of the hit Poker Face on Peacock—we are listening back to Mike’s 2015 interview with Leslye Headland, the producer of Russian Doll. What’s the connection? Both shows star Natasha Lyonne, of course. And then we listen back to our Wednesday Spiel about the real damaged caused by the East Palestine train wreck.

The Gist is produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Taste Of Poker Face Mar 03, 2023

Lilla and Nora Zuckerman drop in to discuss how unusual it is to make a NON-serialized streaming show like Poker Face. We discuss if Natasha Lyonne’s powers work underwater or while masked. Also, the U.S. Senate is unfairly constructed, but its not as if all the sparsely populated states are conservative. And the president of Zoom is let go … on Zoom.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Tuning into the Anti-Anti Obesity Frequency Mar 02, 2023

Insulin is getting cheaper, weight-loss drugs really work, and school-lunch programs are bringing childhood obesity down. This all should be universally applauded, but there is a growing counter argument that the real problem is seeing obesity as a problem at all. Plus, the Ivy League takes aim at the SAT. And we’re joined by the authors of Thrive With A Hybrid Workplace, business psychologist Julie Kantor and employment attorney Felice Ekelman, to discuss the future of work.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Effective Altruism Crash Mar 02, 2023

The philosophy of Effective Altrusim took a hit due to its close association with Samuel Bankman-Fried. New Yorker staff writer Gideon Lewis-Kraus profiled one of the movement’s leaders, Will MacAskill, and followed up in a piece titled “Sam Bankman-Fried, Effective Altruism, and the Question of Complicity.” Plus, the East Palestine Crash is a headache, but maybe not much more. And … a new survey shows the U.S. is in last place in the Trust-The-Media rankings.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Second Amendment Creates Second-Class Citizens Feb 28, 2023

Carol Anderson, Professor of Black History at Emory University, is here to discuss The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. Plus, Meet Mohela. And, crossing the experiential threshold.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Mass Mask Mistakes, Lab Leak Likelihood Feb 28, 2023

A big new study about the ineffectiveness of mask mandates is being denounced and rejected as disinformation by some who’ve branded themselves as the most pro-science. Who’s right? Plus, the Department of Energy now endorses the Lab Leak hypothesis. Also, Anne Alvergue and Debra McClutchy, the co-directors of The Martha Mitchell Effect are here to discuss their Oscar-nominated film.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: President Carter Edition Feb 25, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we’re listening back to Mike’s 2018 interview with Jimmy Carter’s once Chief Domestic Policy Advisor, Stuart Eizenstat. Though he was sometimes mischaracterized as an ineffective President, Eizenstat argues that Carter fought for America’s energy independence, doubled the size of the national park system, and appointed “more minorities and women to judgeships and senior positions than all 38 presidents before him put together.” Eizenstat’s book is President Carter: The White House Years. Then we listen back to Mike’s Tuesday Spiel about the media, which, he argues, must occasionally upset the audience.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Bill to Ban Book Bans Feb 24, 2023

Representative Doug Mann of Missouri is here to talk about his bill, one of several introduced by democrats across the country to push back against the spate of book bans. Plus, Putin gets ethnicity wrong, and rolling up the windows on Four-Legged Floridians.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Buttigieg On The Scene in East Palestine Feb 23, 2023

That headline rhymes, but reporters from right-wing outlets don’t know, or care, as they tear into the Transportation Secretary. Plus, Rick Scott’s Social Security plans are deadly politics, but, dare we say, worth pondering? And the return of Andrew Weiss for the second half of our discussion of his graphic novel Accidental Czar: The Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin.

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Drawing Putin Into War Feb 22, 2023

Andrew S. Weiss, former NSC Russia expert and current VP of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, takes on the person and psychology of Vladimir Putin in a new way. Accidental Czar: The Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin is a graphic novel, and it’s a really insightful one at that. Plus, Emily Kohrs sure is enjoying her post-grand jury media tour. And, running on “anti-wokeness” all the way to the White House.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Tim Blake Nelson, Alec Baldwin, and GIST SUBSCRIPTIONS! Feb 21, 2023

On this, the debut of Gist Premium Membership, we’re joined by actor and author Tim Blake Nelson, whose new novel City Of Blows is about the movie industry and the rot it gilds over. Plus, Alec Baldwin’s prosecutor insults his fancy pants lawyers … who happen to have been right. And, why the media must occasionally upset the audience.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: NBA All-Star Break Edition Feb 18, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with the NBA All-Star weekend upon us, we listen back to Mike’s 2018 interview with Felipe Lopez. Once considered the Dominican Michael Jordan, he was a high school star whose powers dwindled in college and the NBA. Lopez joined Mike on the even of the release of The Dominican Dream, an ESPN documentary. Then we listen to a great exchange between Mike and Bob Delaney—the former NBA ref turned PTSD crusader, whose latest book is Heroes are Human: Lessons in Resilience, Courage, and Wisdom from the COVID Front Lines—which didn’t make the show on Thursday but was too good to throw away.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Economic Growth Still Works Feb 17, 2023

In the new book The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times, discusses the clearest ways available to save a system that’s delivered prosperity and freedom. Plus, its an Antwentig! And a car crashes into a 7-Eleven every day, but, to our credit, no one makes the “we must find this car and stop it” joke on the show today … so, you’re welcome.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Glacier Erasure Feb 16, 2023

A Glacier’s uneven melting causes concern. Oscar nominee Andrea Riseborough’s surprise nod causes tumult. And a pasta shape’s surprise popularity causes sequels. Massive chunks of ice, awards snubs, and Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful Podcast, constitute today’s show.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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From Mob Infiltrator To NBA Officiator Feb 15, 2023

Bob Delaney worked undercover in law enforcement, under the backboards as an NBA ref, and under the tutelage of mental health experts. His latest book is Heroes are Human: Lessons in Resilience, Courage, and Wisdom from the COVID Front Lines. Plus, we’re now shooting down sky detritus. And the perceived video game boycott over JK Rowlings’ opinions was much Aparecium about Nargles.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Fentanyl Is An Earthquake Feb 14, 2023

Keith Humphreys—a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University who served as a drug policy advisor in the Bush and Obama White Houses—says Fentanyl really is a hugely destructive and disruptive force. He talks with Mike about how the rise of this drug is effected by, and might effect, the trend of marijuana legalization. Plus, Pete Buttigieg and the air-born toxic event. And on Valentine’s Day: to swoon or repugn?

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America Lost The Reading Wars Feb 13, 2023

Emily Hanford, host of one of 2022's best podcasts, Sold A Story, is here to discuss her deep reporting and well-told (if disturbing) documentation about how the way we’ve taught kids to read in this country is all wrong … and we haven’t done anything about it for decades. Plus, an orgy of celebrity becomes white noise in Super Bowl commercials. And so many weird floating objects, so few answers beyond those supplied by F-22 Raptors.

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BEST Of THE GIST: Life After Football Edition Feb 11, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with Super Bowl Sunday upon us, we listen back to Mike’s September 11, 2017 interview with former Raider (and Eagles) cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha. Despite being one of the best cornerbacks ever to play in the NFL, Namdi sees his time in football as a prep course for acting. Then we’re replaying Mike’s Spiel about San Francisco sex workers who are clogging up the streets.

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Just A Man And His Will To Survive….In Bronze Feb 10, 2023

Paul Farber, a scholar at UPENN's Center for Public Art & Space at the University of Pennsylvania, hosts the WHYY podcast series The Statue, which looks at Philadelphia's most notable icon…no, not the Liberty Bell, but Rocky. Plus, crazy plans to thwart the sun, and crazier plans to thwart Twitter's thwarting of questionable political content.

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The Sarah Lawrence Cult Feb 09, 2023

The Hulu Series Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult of Sarah Lawrence tells the story of conman Larry Ray and his ten-year grip over a group of young people. Director Zach Heinzerling and survivor Dan Levin talk about the three-part series, which premieres tonight. Plus, AOC delivers the “DIS” but not the perfect “INFORMATION.” And Mike voluntarily sits for an online government training module.

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Jackals’ Heckles Raises Hackles Feb 08, 2023

The Booing of Joe BIden was shameful, because the boo-ers were shameless. Mike analyses the incentives spurring on the most raucous in the GOP caucus. And we’re joined once more by Anthony Scaramucci, who holds forth on SBF, the January 6th Committee, and his own personal B.S. detector.

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11 Days Of The Mooch Feb 07, 2023

Anthony Scaramucci accumulated insights, enemies, and regrets during his short tenure in the White House. That’s all okay, and it’s what life his all about, he says. He is now talking to political, economic, and cultural authors and thinkers on his podcast Open Book. And in the U.S., politicians call Biden “weak” and Xi “wise” over Ballooonghazi, but in China they call Xi “dysfunctional” and question his leadership. Plus, San Francisco sex workers are clogging up the streets.

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What’s Preventing Inventing From Ascending Feb 06, 2023

Derek Thompson, staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the Plain English podcast, says Americans are wonderful at invention but frustratingly bad at implementation. Plus, all the excitement over the spy balloon, and all the un-excitement over a presidential rematch.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Policing The Police Edition Feb 04, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, after a week of pondering how to fix the broken state of policing in the United States, we listen back to Mike’s September 2020 interview with Dr. Rashawn Ray, a sociologist studying methods of measuring implicit bias using virtual simulations of police officer decision-making at the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his team are encouraged that by researching and educating law enforcement with real life social interaction training, they might be able to incite change in outcomes between officers and civilians. (This was originally run as a two-part interview in back-to-back episodes.)

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Steve Mulroy On Prosecuting Cops Who Kill Feb 03, 2023

Steve Mulroy is the District Attorney of Shelby County, Tennessee, which includes Memphis. Mulroy has been in office for a little over a year and was elected to bring down violent crime, while simultaneously ending the distrust the community has for the police. That’s a tall order. In this extended interview, we ask him if prosecuting the five officers involved in the death of Tyre Nichols will advance that goal? Also, we discuss what lessons he draws from the failures and successes of other progressive prosecutors, and why he thinks Memphis will avoid the fate of Baltimore, Ferguson, and other cities that succumbed to the pattern of police abuse leading to a pull-back in policing which lead to a rise in murders.

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Caucus? They Don’t Even Like Us Feb 02, 2023

As the Democrats debate the presidential primary calendar, we’re joined by Josh Putnam, a political scientist specializing in delegate selection rules, presidential campaigns, and elections. Plus, Biden gets the gift of criticism from Europe. And the short-sellers who exploded an Indian corporate giant.

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Radioactive Needle In Antipodal Haystack Feb 01, 2023

Slip another gamma-ray-emitting capsule on the barbie, as we travel to the Australian Outback to locate a pulsing radioactive fleck of metal. Plus, Michael Imperioli remembers his time with his Sopranos co-star, James Gandolfini. And we mark the day objectivity died.

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Michael Imperioli Is Seized By Divinity’s Hot Breath Jan 31, 2023

Actor Michael Imperioli talks about his novel The Perfume Burned His Eyes, and his roles on the Sopranos and White Lotus. Plus, what should have been a huge trial of a terrorism suspect went largely unnoticed, despite a high death toll. And Laverne And Shirley, and Nostalgia … and quality.

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Ivy-Covered And Anti-Jewish Jan 30, 2023

Mark Oppenheimer, host of the podcast Gatecrashers about the hidden history of the relationship between Jews and the Ivy League, argues that anti-Semitic impulses basically created the Ivy league, branding them as the citadels of elitism and exclusivity that they are today. Plus, arguing for police reform and against nihilism, what are the chances for reform in the wake of the beating death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers?

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BEST OF THE GIST: Oscars Edition Jan 28, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we’ve got some bonus material from Mike’s interview with Slate film critic Dana Stevens about the 2023 Oscar nominees, which were announced this past Tuesday. Then we’re replaying the Thursday Spiel about the resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern … a Spiel Mike is rethinking.

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EveryTár Elviswhere All At The Western Front Jan 27, 2023

A woman talking to a man about Women Talking is one way to describe Mike’s conversation with Slate film critic Dana Stevens about the best films and the best reasons to care about the Oscars. Plus, Turkey Western Blocs Sweden and Finland. And it’s an Antwentig!

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Making Meta Better Jan 26, 2023

Data scientist Ravi Iyer was a Facebook executive who tried to reform the company from within. Now, as Managing Director of the Psychology of Technology Institute at the University of Southern California’s Neely Center, he has some ideas for a better internet … but a more robust regime of content moderation is not one of them. Plus, Oreo Oreos. And Mike wonders if the celebration of the motives behind Jacinda Ardern’s resignation is misplaced.

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Trump Tax Exposure Jan 25, 2023

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston has analyzed Donald Trumps tax returns from 2015 to 2020 for his new book The Big Cheat: How Donald Trump Fleeced America and Enriched Himself and His Family. Johnston says Trump has broken easy-to-prosecute laws. Plus, the tanks are on the move! And a pollster-on-pollster spat that Nate Silver’s model estimated has a 26% chance of cruelty.

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The Great Mississippi Indian Laborer Jailbreak Jan 24, 2023

Labor organizer Saket Soni led a wild seat-of-his-pants effort to rescue and get justice for 500 Indian laborers who were essentially kidnapped to work in Texas and Mississippi. The author of The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America, joins us. Plus, the Supreme Court’s under-impressive self investigation. And a second elderly Asian man commits mass murder in California.

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Matt Gaetz Is ... Rational? Jan 23, 2023

The factions that led to the near strangling of Kevin McCarthy’s speakership in the crib were noxious, but not pointless or unprecedented. Ruth Bloch Rubin, University of Chicago professor and author of Building The Bloc: Intraparty Organization In The U.S. Congress, takes a historic view and explains why the Never-Kevins act like they do. Plus, the Monterey Park shooter’s identity. And where there’s a there there’s a there there.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Classified Documents Edition Jan 21, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s Wednesday Spiel about the death of Keenan Anderson while in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department on January 3, 2023. Then we dig into the Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s 2015 Spiel about the classified-documents scandal of the pre-Trump era. Yes, there was a pre-Trump era.

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How To Save A Hostage Jan 20, 2023

The release of Brittney Griner prompted recriminations and debate—some legitimate, some cruel. Diane Foley the Founder and President of the James Foley Legacy Foundation discusses hard policy choices and the often insensitive treatment that families of captives often endure. Plus, the trend of high-profile unionization successes belies the overall trend. And we play “Who Said It: Christian Kirk or Charlie Kirk?” A game of oddness and dubious relevance.

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Goodbye, Boomers Jan 19, 2023

Mike speaks with Philip Bump, author of The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America. Plus, Alec Baldwin faces manslaughter charges, which surprised him. And why everything’s shaping up to be a showdown.

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The Pleasure Of The Measure Jan 18, 2023

James Vincent, author of Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement from Cubits to Quantum Constants is back for more. Give that guy a barleycorn, he takes a rood! Also, an analysis of the death, in LAPD custody, of Keenan Anderson. Plus, the latest revelations about George (?) Santos (??) … or whoever that guy in Congress is who performed drag in Brazil before ripping off a dying dog.

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Bad Romance ... Novelist Jan 17, 2023

The Gist presents a literary appraisal of romance novelist Susan Meachen, whose greatest achievement in life wasn’t even the successful leaving of it. Plus, we speak with James Vincent about his new book Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement from Cubits to Quantum Constants. Also the Biden administration sifts through airplane toilets—a useful public health initiative.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Speaker Of The House Edition Jan 14, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we take a look at the job of Speaker of the House. On Monday, Mike opened the show, after being on vacay for a couple weeks, talking about Kevin McCarthy’s elegant, seamless rise to the speakership, so we’re listening to that first. Then we’re digging back into The Gist archives to listen to Mike’s 2015 interview with author Harlow Giles Unger who tells us about the great compromiser of America’s formative years, former Speaker of the House Henry Clay. A contrast in courage, if you will.

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Iran’s Targeting Of Women Jan 13, 2023

Holy Spider, a film short-listed for an Oscar, is a drama based on the true story of a serial killer who operated in Iran between 2000 and 2001. The movie was made by director Ali Abbasi, who had to leave Iran to get the film made, and it stars Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who had to flee Iran after being subject to prosecution and lashing. Plus, an amazing health breakthrough that translates to millions of lives saved. Let’s pay at least as much attention to that as document storage or even cool yurts.

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Biden Does Dumb Doc Depository Jan 12, 2023

The President also commits acts of carelessness, if not obstruction, when it comes to classified material. Plus, what considerations may be occurring to George Santos, other than, “I hope they don’t find out I didn’t write ’The Macarena.’” And we’re joined by Nicholas Dawidoff, author of The Other Side of Prospect: A Story of Violence, Injustice, and the American City.

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New Dominion For Former Fox Jan 11, 2023

Former Fox News Politics Editor Chris Stirewalt was fired by his network for being accurate in the days following the 2020 election. He talks with Mike about that time as well as the Dominion Voting Systems $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox, and about his book Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. Plus, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky drops in at the Golden Globes, to barely a notice, and the Republicans stripped the IRS of funding, except they didn’t, because it was all a stunt.

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Unleash The Kraken! Jan 10, 2023

Chris Stirewalt is the politics editor at NewsNation, a former Fox news analyst and host, and the author of Broken News: Why The Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. He joins us to talk about his time at Fox, and how the “fair and balanced” slogan they tote is less benign that it seems. Also on the show, an exploration of the new House rules produced during the Kevin McCarthy vote-wrangling last week. And a very transmissible Omicron variant is among us. It’s dangerous and, most importantly, it has a scary name “The Kraken.”

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Bolsonaro’s Brazilian Boobs Jan 09, 2023

As deluded protesters in Brasilia ransack government offices, the U.S. can take great pride in it’s inspirational status. Also, though House Republicans are a defiant lot, a debt ceiling showdown could play out differently than the Speaker vote did. Plus, Eric Newcomer, host of the Dead Cat podcast, talks tech, the coverage of crypto, and the future of Substack vs traditional media. Oh yeah, and Mike’s back.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Alec and Bob Edition Jan 07, 2023

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are featuring two questions asked of Alec Baldwin (the movie star) by our guest host Bob Garfield (non-movie star), which had originally been left on the cutting room floor, but hey, that's what weekend shows are for, right? After Alec, we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s 2017 interview with Bob Garfield about his one-man show, Ruggedly Jewish. Yeah, that one-man show. Guest host week is now officially over.

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Two Years Later, January 6th Chaos Reverberates Jan 06, 2023

On the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, the House of Representatives is again in disarray, minus the extreme violence and QAnon Shaman, thank god. Guest Host Ray Suarez revisits that day two years ago (he was there), and Ray talks with veteran DC reporter Steve Clemons about Kevin McCarthy’s ongoing battle for the House Speakership.

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Oh Kevin Jan 06, 2023

Like many of us, guest host Kmele Foster is watching the Kevin McCarthy fiasco unfold live on CSPAN, but he warns that it’s just a distraction from the real fiasco. Then Kmele talks with Emory University medical researcher Judy Gichoya about her recent study that upended how we think of race and medicine. And finally, Kmele Spiels about climate ordeals.

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Alec Baldwin On Tropes, Tics, And Prosthetic Dicks Jan 05, 2023

Guest Host Bob Garfield is back and ready to grill movie star Alec Baldwin for his industry’s reliance on our suspension of disbelief. Plus, the European Union has fined Facebook’s Meta $414 Million, but don’t worry, they still have all of our personal data. Also, a good-bye to Russian meat-processing tycoon Pavel Antov.

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Uncertain Outcomes Jan 03, 2023

As of 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, the day’s two biggest news stories remain nail-biters. Kevin McCarthy, who, once upon a time, seemed as though he would sail into the role of Speaker of the House of Representatives without so much as a speed bump, has instead run into a wall of opposition, stranding him in DC’s version of limbo. The other story we are watching with knots in our stomachs is that of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed last night during Monday Night Football and remains in critical condition nearly a day later. Our guest host, Bob Garfield explores these developing stories, with varying degrees of concern. Also, Mike’s interview with former United States Comptroller General David M. Walker about the House Speakership and who, with McCarthy on the ropes, could throw their hat into the arena.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Duets Edition Dec 24, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s Monday Spiel about AirBNB’s ineffective attempts at combatting racism. Then we dig into the Gist archives and listen back to Mike and his then-eight-year-old son Emmett sing political duets to the tune of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

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Election Fraud, Cocaine, Or A Ginger Mint? Dec 23, 2022

The January 6th Committee report is a treasure trove of shameful nonsense. It might not convince the DOJ, but its convincingly embarrassing for the well-documented Trump sycophancy movement. Plus, Brendan Nyhan is a professor of government at Dartmouth who co-directs the Bright Line Watch. The line they're watching is of American Democracy, and the future got somewhat brighter with the past election and behavior afterwards. Also, it's the Most Antwentig Time Of The Year.

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It’s The Gun, Not The Ghost Dec 22, 2022

Ghost guns seem scary, and they are scary, but mostly for reasons unexceptional to the rest of U.S. gun policy and culture. Plus, with protests still roiling Iran, Mike speaks Heather Williams of RAND’s National Security Research Division. And we mark the passing of legendary Pittsburg Steeler Franco Harris, whose greatest play is blessedly shrouded in uncertainty.

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Volodymyr Heads Over Here Dec 21, 2022

Zelensky visits and the Omnibus spending bill doesn't put the brakes on much, except maybe TikTok on Mitch McConnell's phone. And Mike interviews directors Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh about "Wildcat", their new film about an Ocelot rescue scheme. Wildcat is playing in select theaters today and will be available through Amazon Prime on December 30th.

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The Symbolic Meaninglessness Of Criminal Referrals Dec 20, 2022

The January 6th Committee has wrapped up their case against former President Trump and will be referring their findings and quite a bit of evidence to Joe Biden’s Department of Justice. But we all know the Zen koan of prosecuting Trump: The destination is the journey, because he doesn’t write anything down. Then, in part two of our interview with Sam Quinones, author of The Least Of Us: True Tales Of America And Hope In The Time Of Fentanyl And Meth, we discuss pleasure centers and hucksterism. And in the Spiel, you’ll get familiar with Mike’s opinion about the criminal prosecution of nonagenrian nazis.

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Meet The New Meth Dec 19, 2022

Sam Quinones, author of The Least Of Us: True Tales Of America And Hope In The Time Of Fentanyl And Meth, says that these new drugs are exponentially more potent and dangerous than anything that came before. Also, Congressman-elect George Santos seems to be some guy named George Santos, but that’s about it. Plus a study on discrimination at AirBnB shows a much stronger sign of progress than the headlines would suggest.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Vuvuzela Edition Dec 17, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s Thursday Spiel—a deep dive on the sappy sentiment, and familiar melodies, of John Lennon’s Christmas “classic.” And because it’s the last weekend of the World Cup, we listen back to Mike’s 2009 NPR exposé on the vuvuzela, in which the late, great soccer American reporter Grant Wahl weighs in.

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Greatest Christmas Songs Ever Dec 16, 2022

Chris Molanphy is here to document the top 100 Billboard Christmas songs of all time. Jingle bell time, it’s a swell time to count the songs that top charts like an angel on the tree. Plus, the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium bursts in Germany, ushering in a flood of fish focused frippery.

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So This Is Christmas, And What Have You Done? Dec 15, 2022

Mike’s done a deep dive on the sappy sentiment, and familiar melodies of a John Lennon’s Christmas “classic.” And we’re joined by Daniel Sloss, the Scottish comic whose new special Socio questions his own possible sociopathy. Plus, Heinrich XIII’s attempted German government overthrow gets deeper … NDA’s were involved.

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AI Selfies: Fun or Flirting With The Apocalypse? Dec 14, 2022

Mike objects to the reflexive negativism that ignores amazing scientific advances, treats progress as depressing, and convinces itself that a fun diversion is nothing short of horrific. And SBF's mom ran superPAC that outsmarted the competition, because of her keen insight, but also lots of crypto-fraud. Plus, we are joined once more with Nina Totenberg NPR's legal affairs correspondent and author of "Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships."

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Nina And Ruth Dec 13, 2022

Nina Totenberg has covered the Supreme Court for nearly 50 years for NPR. It’s a career that has given us a deeper understanding of the most mysterious body in American politics, and it gave Nina a friend for life … the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mike talks to Nina about what it’s like to have to report about your good friend and about her new book Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships. Also on the show, a tripledemic for the ages. And Wakanda Forever. Just that.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Making Alex Jones Pay Dec 12, 2022

Wednesday is the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings. Alex Jones has filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to shield himself from the approximately $1.5 billion he owes families. Elizabeth Williamson is author of Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy And The Battle For Truth, and she joins us to discuss her coverage of Jones’ trials and insights into his strategy and tactics in avoiding accountability. Plus, President Biden is accused of “weakness” over swapping Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, and Germany’s Prince Heinrich XIII gets pinched.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Merchant Of Death Edition Dec 10, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s 2022 interview with Douglas Farah, author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible, which is about Viktor Bout, the Russian arms trafficker who was exchanged for Brittney Griner this past week. We are also listening to a section of this week’s episode of Not Even Mad, in which Mike talks with David French and Lara Bazelon about the not-terribly-difficult task of getting a seditious conspiracy conviction.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Legends Of Independent Sinema Dec 09, 2022

The Senator from Arizona will no longer be a Democrat. What it means to be an “Independent”? Plus, Philosopher Nick Riggle explores “The Big Question” in his new book This Beauty: A Philosophy of Being Alive. And Mike explains the Twitter Files as if they had been a normal story free of everyone screaming at each other about motives.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Licking Our Zoom Wounds Dec 08, 2022

Mike is joined by David Sax, author of The Future Is Analog: How To Create A More Human World. Also, the Brittney Griner Prisoner exchange has costs, but it was worth it. And the Justice Department says it’s recovered a Fabergé Egg. Really? Or do they have embarrassment on their face having laid an inaccuracy?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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From Disco Beaver To White Lotus Dec 07, 2022

HBO grew from a small cable channel into the best-in-class leader of the golden age of television. Bloomberg’s Felix Gillette and John Koblin of the New York Times join to discuss their new book, It’s Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, And Future of HBO. Plus, Jamaica declares a state of emergency to combat murder, despite having a murder rate actually lower than in American communities. And a giddy night on MSNBC.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Slightly Less Than Beautiful Game Dec 06, 2022

This past Saturday, the U.S. Men’s national soccer team once again crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16, beaten handily by The Netherlands 3-1. You’ve got to wonder, with such a love of sport, with such a tremendous potential pool of talent, and with a proven track record in world soccer (our women have won four world cups), why can’t America field a winning men’s soccer team? For that answer, we turned to George Dohrmann, a Pulitzer prize winner and author most recently of Switching Fields: Inside the Fight to Remake Men’s Soccer in the United States. Also, are penalty shoot outs really the best way to decide matches? And Union Joe saves the day.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Herschel Shocked Dec 05, 2022

With the Senate contest between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock coming to a vote, Bill Nigut, host of Georgia Political Rewind joins us once more to preview tomorrow’s contest. And how public health officials joined meter maids and baseball umpires as hateable officials. Plus, brawls and coups in Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, as we air the latest edition of “Sahel: Do Tell,” our irregular compendium of Africa updates.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Talking About Guns Edition Dec 03, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen to the first 20 minutes or so of the most recent episode of our sister podcast, Not Even Mad. In it, Mike, Jamie Kirchick, and Virginia Heffernan discuss the narratives created around mass shootings. Then we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s April 2018 interview with National Review editor Charles C. W. Cooke on why he thinks repealing the Second Amendment would be a losing proposition for gun control advocates.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Covid Clemency Dec 02, 2022

Emily Oster is a Harvard-educated professor of economics at Brown University, and, despite her lofty credentials, her research has focused on very human problems, like whether knowing you have a short time to live affects your desire to invest in education and job training. She joins us to discuss her recent feature in The Atlantic titled “Let’s Declare A Pandemic Amnesty.” Also, a prediction for Saturday’s World Cup match between the United States and the Netherlands. SPOILER ALERT: The winner will be the team with the most synchronicity. And no, Sting is not playing. Finally, get out your Lobstar bibs ... it’s an Antwentig!

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Guest appearance by Michelle Pesca, COO

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Party Pooper Dec 01, 2022

Joe Lieberman has been in politics for most of his adult life. First as a Connecticut State Senator, then as the state’s Attorney General, and finally, as a U.S. Senator for 24 years. A self-proclaimed “centrist,” over the course of his career, he saw the middle of the political spectrum transformed from a place everyone was trying to meet into a place no one would be seen dead. But for Lieberman, the ability to eschew party dogma was a source of power, a journey he documents in his 2021 book, The Centrist Solution: How We Made Government Work, And How We Could Make It Work Again. He joins Mike for an extended interview on today’s show.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Liberal But Licentious Lion Nov 30, 2022

Ted Kennedy: A Life is the sweeping new biography of the Massachusetts Senator whose importance was often overwhelmed by his notoriety. Author John Farrell joins us to analyze the life of The Lion of the Senate. In the Spiel, a contemplation of the murders we attend to and those which pass by without notice. Plus, Stewart Rhodes is found guilty.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Is America Really Flirting With Civil War? Nov 29, 2022

Civil wars are anything but spontaneous, and though they are often decades in the making, they remain challenging to identify before they explode into violence. We interview Barbara F Walter, a world renown expert on political violence and what it portends about her new book How Civil Wars Start: And How To Stop Them, in hopes of answering a dark question: How close is the U.S. to civil war? Also, we wonder how effective protests around the world will be. And why we pay more for products with “9”s in their prices.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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SF’s Human BS Detector Nov 28, 2022

Heather Knight is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist whose subject areas of expertise include dysfunctional city government, murals, crime and toilets. Also, The Gist establishes itself as your source for Fijian-Kirabati legal news. And why VAR mars the World Cup.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Uncle Slander Edition Nov 26, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying a chunk of this past week’s episode of Not Even Mad, the new podcast from the makers of The Gist. Today we listen to Cancel Court where Mike, Virginia Heffernan, and Jamie Kirchick discuss Public-health commentator Leana Wen. Then, we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s 2015 spiel on why uncle slander has become a Thanksgiving tradition

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Number 1's of '92 Nov 23, 2022

Chris Molanphy, chart analyst, pop critic and host of the Hit Parade podcast is back to recount the number one hits of 1992. Plus, not feeling bad about not feeling bad about Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the host and the darlings of the World Cup.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Catching Up With Chris Hansen Nov 22, 2022

For the past 18 years, Chris Hansen has built a career on confronting child predators. We discuss methods, ethics, and the citizen predator-catchers who take inspiration from his work. Plus, the advice Japanese are getting from their leaders to combat winter energy woes. And then, a discussion of the bruising journalists have come to expect when covering topics of medical intervention and gender-affirming care.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Why Bolsonaro Admitted Defeat Nov 21, 2022

When Lula da Silva edged out Jair Bolsonaro to retake the Presidency of Brazil by less than two percent of the popular vote back in October, it was an amazing comeback story for Lula. But maybe more amazing was that Bolsonaro (sometimes called “Tropical Trump”) recognized the results and actually admitted defeat. We talk with the Editor in Chief of Americas Quarter, Brian Winter, about what happened and what it says about election denialism. Also on the show, climate justice gets a win at the UN … sort of. And Mike details his weekend of Mastadrama.

To read the beginning of Adam Davidson and Mike’s exchange about Cancel Culture, click here.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Pelosi Edition Nov 19, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying a chunk of this past week’s episode of Not Even Mad, the new podcast from the makers of The Gist. We listen in as Mike, Virginia Heffernan, and Jamie Kirchick wonder if campaigning on anti-woke topics will be something we see more of in future elections or not. Then, we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s 2020 conversation with Nancy Pelosi biographer Molly Ball about the out-going Speaker of the House.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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No Way To Pick A President Nov 18, 2022

In Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World, Gautam Mukunda says that experience is somewhat important, but real inexperience is a huge gamble. So our choice comes down to this: Do we need to take a big risk in selecting who runs America? Also, all those investigations—special and not-so-special—and the baby’s name that will one day be the stuff of Legend.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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$1,000,000 Ticket Nov 17, 2022

We are joined once again for the remainder of our interview with former Ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland to discuss Donald Trump’s skill as a negotiator, his stinginess with TicTacs, and what a $1,000,000 ticket to an inauguration looks like. Also, Pueblo County’s in-your-face method of curing votes, and SBF’s deceit and, more importantly, his cargo shorts.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Implicating Trump Under Oath Nov 16, 2022

Gordon Sondland was Ambassador to the EU, which eventually led to his testimony during the first impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump. Sondland confirmed some elements of the quid-pro-quo, backed up other parts of Trump’s narrative, and was soon fired for his participation. His new book is The Envoy: Mastering the Art of Diplomacy with Trump and the World. Plus, the aforementioned Donald Trump has just announced he’ll run once more for President, Mike has the full breakdown of news, norms, psychology, and turkey prices.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Democratization Of The Book Deal Nov 15, 2022

Today we test the thesis that a Universal Basic Book Deal (UBBD) could possibly solve society’s ills. We also speak with David Sikorjak and Ben Valenta about their new book Fans Have More Friends, which posits the idea that a shared love of sports and teams can be an unexpected source of community and happiness. Had they not yet heard of the UBBD? And we dream of a day when the House of Representatives is not led by a member of the House of Representatives, because, yeah, that could happen.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Princess And The Shaman (Who Might Also Be A Lizard) Nov 14, 2022

Princess Martha Louise of Norway is engaged to an American shaman, and the Norwegians have been proving very close-minded about the love between a royal and a healer who believes he descends from a reptilian species and that his $222 amulet can ward of Covid-19. Also, are historic emissions the best way to express which countries bear responsibility for climate change? Plus, Dr. Eugenia Cheng is a mathematician, educator, author (How To Bake Pi, Beyond Infinity, x + y: A Mathematician’s Manifesto For Rethinking Gender), public speaker, columnist, concert pianist, and artist. She joins to talk about her new book, The Joy of Abstraction: An Exploration of Math, Category Theory, and Life.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Squishy Science Edition Nov 12, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we look at the squishiest of science: cancelation and polling. Up first, we feature an installment of Cancel Court from Thursday’s episode of Not Even Mad, our sister podcast. Listen in as Mike, Virginia Heffernan, and Jamie Kirchick attempt to rule on the cancelation of Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving for the anti-Semitic remarks he made in a recent documentary?

Next, we’ll listen back to Mike’s 2020 interview with Robert Cahaly, head pollster of the Atlanta-based Trafalgar Group. Cahaly explains their polling methodology in gathering accurate opinion data, why social desirability bias comes into play, and how his team was able to predict Trump’s win in 2016.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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What Went Right For The Dems And Wrong For The Pundit Nov 11, 2022

The pundit, in this case, being The Gist host Mike Pesca. In the Antwentig, an examination of the assumptions and inputs that convinced many (including Mike Pesca) that the Republicans would do better than they did. Plus, Joel Stein, host of Story Of The Week podcast is here to spread mirth, merriment, and, most importantly, knowledge about the Story of the Week.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Hot-Dog And The Arizona Results Nov 10, 2022

As we just wait … wait … wait for the results in states like Arizona, Nevada, and California, Mike takes us through the recent news about a Russian troll who admitted to meddling in the election. Bottom line: He’s trolling. Plus, we’re joined once more by Amanda Ripley, author of High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped And How We Get Out, to talk about what to do with prominent predictions of civil war.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Red Ripple Nov 09, 2022

Californians won’t be gambling on sports, Oregon legislators won’t be fleeing session, and Mehmet Oz won’t be moving to Pennsylvania. A thorough election recap on the show today. Also, Amanda Ripley, author of High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped And How We Get Out, which looks at warring parties and the psychology that perpetuates the conflict. Plus, Democrats exceed expectations but probably wont hold the house, but it’s better to have a majority minority anyway.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Today We Vote, Tomorrow We Kvetch Nov 08, 2022

Democracy is on the ballot, croquet’s a game played with a mallet, an onion is a grown-up shallot. Also the return of Robb Willer, Director of the Polarization and Social Change Lab at Stanford University. He conducted a mega-study of ways to strengthen Americans’ attitudes toward Democracy, which you may have heard is on the ballot. It shall not whither … or shall it?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Researching Those Jerks In The Other Party Nov 07, 2022

Robb Willer, director of the Polarization and Social Change Lab at Stanford University, is here to discuss his “Strengthening Democracy” mega-study, which looks at effective ways to reduce anti-democratic attitudes and partisan animosity. Plus, the red-wave doubters—the most straight forward theory of political success. That’s the theory: whoever’s the most straight forward has the most political success.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Is Fear Of Crime Warranted? Nov 05, 2022

We begin this installment of Best Of The Gist with the latest episode of our new podcast Not Even Mad, in which hosts Mike Pesca, Virginia Heffernan, and Jamie Kirchick discuss the politics of parsing crime statistics. Then we listen back to Mike’s June 11, 2020 interview with John Pfaff, professor of law and criminology at Fordham University and author of Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration, And How To Achieve Real Reform. They talk about police reform and why politicians touting low crime under their watches could lead to more dysfunction.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Not Even Mad Theme Song by Max Kerman

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Democrats Hispanic Panic Nov 04, 2022

Rick Sanchez, news veteran and host of the eponymous Rick Sanchez Podcast, says that the Latino vote confounds not just Democrats but a media who have no idea about how to analyze or conceptualize it, such as it is. Plus, when good economic news and bad economic news both make us feel bad something is weird. And Tom Barrack is NOT a foreign agent.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Jesus And The Pool Boy Nov 03, 2022

Mike is joined by Billy Corben, director of the new Hulu documentary God Forbid: The Sex Scandal that Brought Down a Dynasty. It’s about Jerry Fallwell Jr., his wife, a young employee of Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Hotel, and, of course, Donald Trump. Tom Arnold shows up, too. Plus, the ballot is democracy and democracy is the ballot. And in the Spiel, living in the era of high voter turnout isn’t as great as they promised.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Marjorie Taylor Greene, Unwell Tip Of The Nutty Spear Nov 02, 2022

Robert Draper, author of WEAPONS OF MASS DELUSION: When The Republican Party Lost Its Mind, discusses the nastiness within and without the current mold of MAGA Republicans. Plus, questioning the implications of Paul Pelosi’s attacker being a nudist activist. And, with so much election nonsense here and abroad, one positive development that’s truly momentous.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Arizona’s Crazily Close Races Nov 01, 2022

Kari Lake, Blake Master, and Mark Finchem, three election-denying Trump acolytes, are all leading or closely trailing in statewide races in Arizona. Local Journalist Mark Brodie of KJZZ is here to assess the contests and update us on the camo-wearing, gun-toting vigilantes who are monitoring drop boxes. Plus, Alex Jones, Steve Bannon, and Waukesha vehicular murderer Darrell Brooks would all rather argue with judges than avoid punishment. Plus, the sick allure of mocking Paul Pelosi.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Living Like It's The 1789 Oct 31, 2022

AJ Jacobs spent a month living with muskets, tricorn hats, and an understanding of America at the time of the founding. He joins Mike to discuss his Guardian piece “Party like it’s 1789! My weird, enlightening month living strictly by the US Constitution.” Also, thoughts of the South Korea trampling and a society's obligations. Plus, how many candidates deny the election, how many of them will win, and how many of those who win really will have a chance to screw over a Democrat, and in doing so Democracy?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Introducing The Last Resort Oct 30, 2022

Here’s a preview of a new podcast, The Last Resort.

What if California seceded from the United States? If it did, what would happen? Would it usher in a new era of peace and prosperity? Or plunge the US into a new civil war?

This is The Last Resort, a new documentary podcast following the rise, fall, and rebirth of CAL EXIT: the campaign for Californian Independence.

It’s a story about a dream for a new progressive utopia on the West Coast. It’s about the fight for America’s future. And it’s also a tale of two friends who started on the political fringe and ended up in the middle of a still-unfolding global criminal conspiracy involving the FBI and Russian Intelligence.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Ash Carter (RIP) and Kanye West (WTF) Oct 29, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s October 17, 2019 interview with former Secretary of Defense in the Obama White House, Ashton Carter. He died this week at 68 years old. Then we replay Mike’s Tuesday Spiel about Kanye West’s most recent public disaster and its root causes.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Musk Mustn’t Muck With Much Oct 28, 2022

With Elon Musk’s official acquisition of Twitter, we examine what his incentives are and what voices to pay attention to for guidance on what concerns are legitimate and which are incentivized toward catastrophization. Plus, actors Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola, Mike and Molly), Herizen Guardiola (The Get Down), and Show Runner Ben Rock are here to talk about their new series Catchers. And the reasons behind the attack on Paul Pelosi.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Hidden Childhood Poverty Wins Oct 27, 2022

Jason DeParle of The New York Times documents how childhood poverty has fallen dramatically over the past three decades. It’s a triumph few recognize. Also, John Fetterman’s debate performance was surprising and, potentially, very costly. Who bears responsibility for the shock of it all? Plus, a cute little piece of malware named Raccooninfostealer.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Kari and Herschel and Jamie and Virginia and Mike Oct 26, 2022

The Gist presents the new weekly political debate show, Not Even Mad. Consider it a joyous disagreement, as we take #DelightinDiscord. We give you the inaugural episode of this new podcast, as a sample, but to hear Mike talk with Jamie Kirchick and Virginia Heffernan each week, you’ll have to subscribe to Not Even Mad on Apple, or wherever you are listening to this.

In Episode #1 of Not Even Mad, we discuss the candidacies of Kari Lake and Herschel Walker, we ponder the label “queer,” and we ask if present-day Republicanism is inextricably racist.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Alan Dershowitz Would Do It Again Oct 25, 2022

In his latest book, released in this past summer, The Price of Principle: Why Integrity Is Worth the Consequences, lawyer and legal scholar Alan Dershowitz laid out his reasoning for aiding the legal defense of Donald Trump. Dershowitz tells The Gist that he was defending the U.S. Constitution, not Trump, and that, despite the consequences, he would do it again. Also, the Latino vote is no monolith…except when it is one. Plus, which came first: the chicken or the egg…or Kanye’s mental illness?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Sorry State Of Arguing Oct 24, 2022

On Wednesday, October 26th, we will be launching a new podcast called Not Even Mad, featuring Gist host Mike Pesca (heard of him?), Wired contributor and self-proclaimed liberal Virginia Heffernan, and author of the bestselling Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington, Jamie Kirchick, who holds many conservative positions on the issues. So, as a preview of the new podcast, we’ve invited Virginia and Jamie on The Gist to discuss the brokenness of our current political discourse, and also to debate how the Democrats lost the post-Dobbs polling momentum. Is it really just about gas prices? Also, an analysis of “talking your book,” or as Mike describes it “a prediction based on predilection.”

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Introducing Story of the Week with Joel Stein: Billionaires Prepping for the Apocalypse Oct 23, 2022

Here’s a preview of a new podcast, Story of the Week.

Each week, journalist Joel Stein chooses an article that fascinates him, convinces the writer to tell him about it, and then interrupts a good conversation by talking about himself. Sometimes the story will be the one everyone is talking about, like the New Yorker article on smoking hallucinogenic toads. Other times we’ll find a story you might have missed, like the one in the Verge about the rock groupie turned hacker who had huge corporations at her mercy. Stories that stick with you long after you forget whatever headline you just doom-scrolled through. In this preview, Joel is joined by Douglas Rushkoff to talk about his experience speaking to a group of tech billionaires in the middle of the desert. He thought he’d be chatting about the latest in tech advancements, but all these guys wanted to talk about was building doomsday bunkers. Hear the full episode, and more from Story of the Week, at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/sotw?sid=gist.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Argumentative Edition Oct 22, 2022

To celebrate the announcement of the upcoming launch of Peach Fish's newest podcast, Not Even Mad, in this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s January 18, 2017 interview with Heather Hendershot. Heather watched nearly 1,500 episodes of William F. Buckley’s pioneering TV show Firing Line, and though she still doesn’t agree with Buckley, she admires how he created a place for high-minded argument. Then we will listen to some bonus content from Mike’s Thursday interview with David Priess, former CIA intelligence briefer and current Publisher of Lawfare about the work of the January 6th Committee.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Deciphering The Mystery Of Xi Jinping Oct 21, 2022

The Economist’s Sue-Lin Wong, host of the new podcast The Prince, discusses the most powerful person in the world, Xi Jinping. As China’s 20th Communist Party Congress convenes, Xi has positioned himself to rule China for another five years, and maybe the rest of his life. But so little is known about him … until now. Plus, witness the drones filling the skies of Ukraine—Ghost Phoenixes, Switchblades, and these so-called “Kamikaze” models. And it’s an Antwentig, in which Angela Landsbury’s cinematic son is clarified and “Just Asking Questions” is endorsed.

The Gist is produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Hey, we have a new podcast called Not Even Mad launching Wednesday, October 26th. If you like a good argument—and we know you do—subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen.

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Liz Truss, A Bit Of A Dog’s Dinner Oct 20, 2022

Liz Truss resigns as Prime Minister of the UK, and all of England breathes a collective “How did that just bloody happen?” Plus, we’ll check in with David Priess, former CIA intelligence briefer and current Publisher of Lawfare about the work of the January 6th Committee.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Sparring In Georgia’s Races For Senate And Governor Oct 19, 2022

We’re joined by Bill Nigut the host of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Political Rewind to analyze the state’s pivotal and contentious Governor and Senate Races. Plus, the Durham investigation strikes out, or, in the eyes of Deep State Excavators…strikes gold! Plus, a pricey San Fransisco Toilet.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Outside-The-Box-Kind-Of-Guy Alex Jones Oct 18, 2022

Last night’s Ohio Senate debate featured JD Vance denying his assessment of Alex Jones as credible and an interesting thinker. Vance is still up big, and he’ll probably win. Also, a Floridan voter is handcuffed so Ron DeSantis can make a point. He’s also up big. Probably will win. Plus, Richard Reeves returns to discuss his book, Of Boys And Men, and the challenge of proposing solutions when doing so might mark you as picking the wrong side in a struggle toward progress.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Downfall Of The Dudes Oct 17, 2022

Boys and men are failing by so many measures says Richard Reeves in his new book Of Boys And Men: Why The Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, And What To Do About It. Plus, Liz Truss is the least popular UK Prime Minister since they’ve been asking how popular the prime minister is. And whether you fly, ride, or scoot, getting there is considerably less than half the fun.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: CA Politics Edition Oct 15, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are listening back to two Spiels about politics in the Golden State. First, we go all the way back to 2017, when Senator Diane Feinstein was in a sticky situation. Then we fast forward to this past Tuesday, when the Los Angeles City Council nearly imploded after some shocking recordings of a phone call between council members were leaked to the public.d

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Teasing Trump Oct 14, 2022

Along with the entirety of the Democratic party, part of the resistance to the re-election of Donald Trump in 2020 were a gaggle of storied Republican message creators who joined forces to defeat the sitting President. They called themselves The Lincoln Project, and they allowed directors Karim Amer (The Vow, The Great Hack) and Fisher Stevens (Dirty Money, Before the Flood) behind the scenes to document this movement in action. The result is The Lincoln Project, a Showtime series that premiered last week and releases a new chapter every Friday. All episodes are available now on Paramount+. Mike sits down with the filmmakers to talk about the wild ride they went on. Plus, at election time candidate quality really matters … in the Senate. Don’t worry about the House.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Kid, Out Of The Hall Oct 13, 2022

Though a self described prickly punk rocker, Bruce McCullouch always came across as the most adorable of the kids in the hall. McCulloch stops by to talk Kids, comedy, and his one man show playing off-broadway. Plus, the January 6th Commission reconvenes, and NYU fails an organic chemistry professor who failed too many students.

BRUCE MCCULLOCH: TALES OF BRAVERY AND STUPIDITY

OCTOBER 14-29 AT SOHO PLAYHOUSE

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Everything About The Economy Ever, Pithily Explained Oct 12, 2022

J. Bradford DeLong is here to deliver on the title of his impressive tome Slouching Towards Utopia: An Economic History Of The Twentieth Century. It Starts with 1870 and ends the year Law & Order was cancelled (it came back … the economy didn’t). Plus, the case for the nation’s defense budget being largely, mostly, mainly worth it. And the non-offensive parts of the LA City Council tapes are pretty instructive as to how politics everywhere really works.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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L.A. Disrespectful Oct 11, 2022

A leaked recording revealed three members of the Los Angeles City Council, including the President, engaging in mockery of young children, a gay council member, the indigenous population, and African-Americans. Public comment time was not pretty. And Mike is joined by James A. Geraghty, author of Inside The Orphan Drug Revolution: The Promise of Patient-Centered Biotechnology. Plus, remembering Angela Landsbury—a wonderful actress as well as a symbol of the bygone monoculture.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Bros Edition Oct 08, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we dive back into our archive to resurface our 2018 interview with comedian Guy Branum who had then just published My Life As A Goddess: A Memoir Through (Un)Popular Culture. Branum is the co-star of the much-talked-about new rom-com, Bros, which is the subject of Friday’s Spiel about why the film was funny but not a box-office smash.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Those Who Oppose Bros Oct 07, 2022

The Billy Eichner comedy Bros was undeniably funny, but also a box office failure. Eichner blamed homophobia, but it’s more complicated, Mike argues, but also not terribly more complicated. Of course, depictions of gay sex—some tame, some raunchy—hurt box office. Plus, Michele Tafoya is back to discuss the topics that prompted her to leave Thursday Night Football for her Sideline Sanity podcast and an ambush interview with Dan Le Batard. And also, what drives the world’s biggest A-holes?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Misplaced Civil War Anxiety Oct 06, 2022

Once more, a major media article offers incomplete and misleading evidence about the threat of a civil war. Mike offers not a dismissal but a reinterpretation. Plus, Michele Tafoya, former sideline reporter for NBC Sports, has a new podcast called ‎Sideline Sanity, and she has some opinions about Colin Kaepernick’s punishment for speaking out. Plus, Joe Biden pardons the 0 people in federal prison for simple marijuana possession.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Nuclear Fuel For Thought Oct 05, 2022

Mike interviews Saleem Ali, University of Delaware professor of Energy and the Environment, about his book Earthly Order: How Natural Laws Define Human Life. Plus, Mike recognizes that the Georgia Senate race will be close, but also lays out that, of course the latest revelations hurt Herschel Walker. And also, just how to think about some baseball home run kings who allegedly—and also very much did—take steroids.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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It's Legit To Quit Oct 04, 2022

In her book, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, social scientist and former poker pro Annie Duke argues that we're way too over-indexed toward grit and not open enough to quitting. Plus, with the smart advice being not mock him, U.S. Senate candidate from Georgia, Herschel Walker instead provides a fertile means of self mockery. And Brett Favre just loves building volleyball courts!

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The Libertarians Have Lost The Thread Oct 03, 2022

Professor at Northwestern’s School of Law, Andrew Koppelman talks about his new book Burning Down The House: How Libertarian Philosophy Was Corrupted by Delusion and Greed. Also, Donald Trump “truths” that Mitch McConnell has a “DEATH WISH” (his caps, not ours). Senator Rick Scott finds the sentiment difficult to condemn. Plus, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss goes on the charm offensive, which proves just that.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Live Music Edition Oct 01, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s Monday Spiel about the Sound On Sound Music Festival, and the rage it drew online despite being a pretty great weekend. Then we dig into the Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s 2015 conversation with musicians Dillon Kondor and Sharon Van Etten about the challenges not of music, but of performing good stage banter in between songs.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Constitutional Rebuke Sep 30, 2022

Chilean voters recently rejected an extremely progressive (and extremely long at 170 pages) constitution. It would have ensured animal rights, as well as rights to “neurodiversity” and “digital disconnection.” Ted Piccone of Brookings and the World Justice Project examines if Chile’s new constitution was too progressive or just too long. Plus, can’t we just enjoy the moment when the President went asking for a dead lady? And in the Antwentig, mo’ Skimo than you ever hoped for.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Hunter’s Laptop: The Movie Sep 29, 2022

Mike talks with Phelim McAleer, the producer and co-writer of My Son Hunter, the first film released by the Breitbart News Network. Storytelling techniques and claims to accuracy are discussed. Then, at the prompting of the guest, Mike spends The Spiel fact-checking the film.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Constitutional Convention We Didn’t See Coming Sep 28, 2022

The authors of The Constitution in Jeopardy: An Unprecedented Effort to Rewrite Our Fundamental Law and What We Can Do About It, Peter Prindiville and Senator Russ Feingold raise the alarms about a ploy that has a chance of upending our democracy. Plus, Russian military mobilization sparks flight, and the iconic TV doofus dad isn’t going away.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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How You Gonna Keep ’Em Down On The Farm? Sep 27, 2022

Once upon a time, you had to leave home to pursue career opportunities outside of store clerk or parking attendant, but that has been changing with the help of people like today’s guest, former AOL CEO Steve Case. He’s here to talk about his new book, The Rise of The Rest: How Entrepreneurs in Surprising Places are Building the New American Dream. Also on the show, Ski-Mo is going to the Olympics, but is that a good thing? And the price tag for student debt relief raises the wrong questions.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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This Music Festival is Unacceptable! Sep 26, 2022

Mike returns from a music festival reported to be dangerous, incompetent, worse than Fyre, and complete trash! His review: The Lumineers were good. Maybe these attendees could learn about stoicism, luckily we’re joined by Massimo Pigliucci, a Professor of Philosophy at CCNY and author of The Quest For Character: What The Story Of Socrates And Alcibiades Teaches Us About Our Search For Good Leaders. Plus, the Pound gets pounded.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Adnan Syed Edition Sep 24, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s 2015 interview with Rabia Chaudry, Colin Miller, and Susan Simpson, the hosts of the Undisclosed podcast, which attempted to unravel the case against Adnan Syed, one complex detail at a time. Then we rewind to Tuesday’s Spiel, in which Adnan Syed is freed.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Billionaires; Good Guys Who Need Strict Rules Sep 23, 2022

Scott Galloway, Professor at NYU, cohost of the Pivot podcast and host of Prof G, returns to discuss taxes, regulations, French vacations, and his new book Adrift: America in 100 Charts. Plus, a Republican nominee under fire for not being under fire in Afghanistan, and DeSantis and Abbott have won the immigration issue, as they defined the game.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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College Needs Disrupting Sep 22, 2022

Scott Galloway, Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern School of Business and voice of the Prof G and Pivot podcasts, discusses some of the bigger social problems laid out (in graph form) in his new book Adrift: America in 100 Charts. Plus, how apt is the claim of a “double standard” that’s being used to defend the romantic affair between Don’t Worry, Darling star Harry Styles and director Olivia Wild? And Donald Trump tries to beat the declassification rap, WITH HIS MIND.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Examining Putin's Pivots Sep 21, 2022

Angela Stent, Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian & East European Studies and author of Putin's World: Russia Against The West And With The Rest analyzes Russia’s military losses and Putin’s strategic reactions. Plus, Susan Rogers, author of This Is What It Sounds Like: What The Music You Love Says About You, returns to discuss audio producing and the feeling that music isn’t real. Also, Trump earns a fraud charge, which is not surprising for an ignorer of all sorts of generally accepted principles of accounting and otherwise.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Why We Like The Music We Like Sep 20, 2022

Professor, neuroscientist, and multiplatinum record producer, Susan Rogers drops by to discuss her book This Is What It Sounds Like: What The Music You Love Says About You. If you’re in the audience at a Trump rally, the music might say there’s a global conspiracy that depends on eating babies. Plus, Adnan Syed, the subject of Serial Season 1 is freed.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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China Told Us Who They Were Sep 19, 2022

In 1999, two colonels in the Chinese army authored a treatise titled “Unrestricted Warfar.” It told of plans to define war as to include corporate espionage, global pandemics, and trade violations. Retired U.S. Air Force General Robert Spalding writes about all that’s come to pass since that doctrine, in his new book, War Without Rules: China’s Playbook for Global Domination. Also, Ken Starr’s many misdeeds, and in the UK it’s God Save The Queue.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Good News Edition Sep 17, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to the Tuesday Spiel about a recent spate of really fabulous news that just gets drowned out by the steady drumbeat of negativity. Then we listen back to Mike’s February 26, 2018 interview with Harvard cognitive scientist Steven Pinker, who argues that we’ve had a roughly 300-year run of steady improvements in technology, health, and civility, and that it just so happens that the only thing as constant as human progress is our tendency to focus on human shortcomings. Pinker’s interview corresponded with the release of Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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An Oil Price Cap Could Work Sep 16, 2022

Daniel Yergin, author of The New Map: Energy, Climate And The Clash Of Nations is fairly optimistic about the odds of success on capping oil prices. Mike and Vladamir Putin express doubts. Plus, immigrants on the Vineyard, and King Charles has it pretty good for a guy with limitless wealth and no oversight committee.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Putin’s Slick Substance Sep 15, 2022

Daniel Yergin, an energy expert and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The New Map: Energy, Climate & Clash of Nations, diagnoses Putin’s oil strategy and explains why reliance on the country that provides 10% of the word’s oil supply lead to such massive disruptions. Plus, Swedes obsessed with gun crime, and Trump offers a worse trade than Detroit Lions. Also, Putin has some internal critics, for now.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Why Will Writes Sep 14, 2022

After 50 years of columns, George F. Will realizes he writes in order to think. The Pulitzer Prize winner and author of American Happiness and Discontents discusses a political culture coming unmoored by degrees, and his stance on dungarees. Plus, MAGA-backed candidates will either damn their party or damn us all, and the tempting-but-deadly siren call of a pet kangaroo.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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QAnon Shaman To His Left, Police To His Right Sep 13, 2022

Luke Mogelson, author of The Storm Is Here: An American Crucible was right there in the Capitol when the insurrection brewed. He’s back to recount what he saw. Plus, there is a spate of fantastic news for children, combatants, and actresses in comedy series.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Crashing The Capitol Sep 12, 2022

New Yorker staff writer Luke Mogelson was inside the Capitol as the QAnon Shaman and other insurrectionists took over the Senate Chamber. He had been chronicling clashes with extremist groups for years, as chronicled in his new book, The Storm Is Here: An American Crucible. Plus, Kamala Harris makes an argument about MAGA hurting the United States’ standing the eyes of others, and does the U.S. TV viewer really care THIS MUCH about the Queen?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Susan Orlean Extra + Juul To Pay $438.5 Million Sep 10, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, some extra bonus content from our Wednesday interview with New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean about her craft and the obituaries she’s been writing. And then we listen back to Wednesday’s Spiel about the recent $438.5 ruling against Juul for its role in marking vaping products to kids.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Oz and Incest Sep 09, 2022

A few years ago, Dr. Oz gave an interview about cousin incest. He was wrong, he just didn't know he'd be running for Senate 8 years later. Plus, it's a Vexillology corner with Ted Kaye. In the Antwentig, when is a good time for pushback and when does Mike let it go?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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New American City Flags Survey

NAVA (The North American Vexillological Association) has launched a public survey to rate the designs of over 300 U.S. municipal flags adopted since 2015. The survey will run through November 30. We encourage all Gist fans interested in vexillography to take it. With so many new flags to rate, the survey results will provide a wealth of analytical information for community leaders, scholars, designers, hobbyists, and others interested in flags. Please visit the survey at https://bit.ly/cityflag-survey-pesca to make history in American city flags!

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China Is Always Watching Sep 08, 2022

Josh Chin, Wall Street Journal Deputy Bureau Chief in Beijing and co-author of Surveillance State: Inside China’s Quest to Launch a New Era of Social Control, discusses just how effective the Chinese panopticon is, delivering government services to some, as it oppresses others. Plus, the special master decision gets a special appeal, and Queen Elizabeth’s passing results in an international outpouring.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Susan Orlean Explodes Books Sep 07, 2022

It might seem odd for Susan Orlean, the bestselling author of The Orchid Thief and the committed bibliophile behind The Library Book, to engage in the act of book explosion, until you realize that she’s not destroying printed word but, in fact, celebrating it as the new co-host of the podcast Book Exploder. Also, polls show Trump is exactly as disliked as he was last time we checked, and Juul pays the price for being so dang sweet.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Beaver Hunt Sep 06, 2022

Are beavers a plague to the natural world, or are they nature’s incredible engineers? Depends on who you ask, but, hey beavers, consider keeping a low profile for a while. Novelist A.M. Homes has yet to write a beaver book, but she’s out with a new offering, The Unfolding, in which she weighs into the most controversial of all subjects … politics. And Mike’s take on Jackson, Mississippi’s awful water mess.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Back To School Edition Sep 03, 2022

With Labor Day (and back-to-school) upon us, on this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to a couple interviews from the archive about education.

Back on May 23, 2018, Mike spoke with Sara Brownell, a neuroscientist and education researcher at Arizona State University, about what she found studying how gender affects students’ perceptions of their own intelligence.

Then we listen back to Mike’s February 5, 2020 interview with public education advocate Diane Ravitch about her book Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America’s Public Schools. They discuss why she left the “dark side” of advocating for charter schools, and why schools should stop testing children so extensively.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Where Does The Arc Of History Really Bend? Sep 02, 2022

Author of The Inheritors: An Intimate Portrait of South Africa’s Racial Reckoning, Eve Fairbanks joins us again to talk about the fate of white liberals, who fought alongside black South Africans to up-end the status quo, in the post-Apartheid era. Also, an analysis of the arc of history and in which way it really bends. Plus, a guest Spiel from Eli Lake, contributing editor at Commentary Magazine and host of the podcast The Re-Education with Eli Lake.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Confronting South Africa’s Racist-Created Trauma Sep 01, 2022

Author Eve Fairbanks joins us to talk about her new book, The Inheritors: An Intimate Portrait of South Africa’s Racial Reckoning, a story told through the eyes of three characters over the course of five decades as South Africa tried to end white supremacy. Plus, Mike reflects on the rise and fall of Andrew Dice Clay. And a guest Spiel on “Black-Pilling” from writer and podcaster Virginia Heffernan.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Trump Impeachments: Behind The Scenes Aug 31, 2022

In the second half of our interview with U.S. House of Representatives member David Cicilline, author of the newly released House On Fire: Fighting for Democracy in the Age of Political Arson, he discusses the two impeachments of Donald J. Trump from his perspective as an active player in those proceedings. Also, on the 600th anniversary of the death King Henry V of England, we remember his failed struggle with…um…dysentery. And finally, a guest Spiel from former Last Week Tonight with John Oliver writer and host of the I Might Be Wrong podcast, Jeffrey Maurer on how good the federal government will be at spending all that Inflation Reduction Act coin.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A House Member Shouts “Fire” Aug 30, 2022

David Cicilline is one half of Rhode Island’s two-member delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives, and while he may have been sent to D.C. by a small state, his contributions to the impeachments of Donald J. Trump were huge. Cicilline discusses his new book, House On Fire: Fighting for Democracy in the Age of Political Arson, and about growing up as the son of a criminal defense attorney who occasionally represented the mob, (and did so very well), and how his father’s work shaped his sense of justice. Also, why we don’t eat dogs, but we do eat pigs. And a guest Spiel from Dan Savage, host of the Savage Lovecast, about the word “women.”

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Sometimes ER Doctors Aren’t Sure Either Aug 29, 2022

Jay Baruch is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a practicing emergency physician who has just published a memoir or sorts titled Tornado of Life: A Doctor’s Journey through Constraints and Creativity in the ER. He discusses the flaws in our medical system, how COVID exacerbated them, and how a little empathy can go a long way. Also on the show, what Trump got right, and a guest Spiel from Meghan Daum, host of the Unspeakable Podcast.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: The Fall And Rise Of Adam Neumann Aug 27, 2022

Adam Neumann, the once founder of WeWork, who was famously dismissed from the helm of his own company (many books and TV shows ensued), is back on the business scene. He recently received a $350-million check from venture capital firm a16z to help him launch his new project, Flow, which will focus on a sort of rent-to-own business model. But the check he received touched off a firestorm in the world of start-ups, where, many say, most of the investment capital goes to white men.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s November 26, 2020 interview with Reeves Weideman, contributing editor at New York magazine and author of Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork. Weideman explains the internal drama inside Neumann’s fast-scaling, overly hyped WeWork, an office space leasing company billed as an in-person social network, as well as the lessons entrepreneurs can learn from disruptors attempting to grow quickly and remain profitable. Then we listen to Mike’s Spiel from this past Tuesday about how Neumann’s new funding has induced rage for some.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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To Pathologize, Or Not To Pathologize? Aug 26, 2022

“Neurodivergent” is an important term in the modern study of the human brain, referring to those whose minds function differently from what we would consider “normal”—people diagnosed with ADHD or autism might be considered neurodivergent, for example. But, just as the term is important, it, and what it represents, is also somewhat controversial. Today on the show, a civil debate between Devon Price and Freddie DeBoer, two experts in this field, about the social and medical approaches to neurodiversity. Also, is forgiving student debt fair? Depends on who you ask.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Why Atlanta Burned Aug 25, 2022

The announcement that two police officers from Atlanta wouldn’t face murder charges for the 2020 shooting of Rayshard Brooks is justice. Two years on, we can more accurately assess what lit the match in that city in the wake of the shooting. Plus, we’re joined once more by former Aurora, Illinois Police Chief Kristen Ziman. Also, the right question to ask about student debt relief.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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When A Mass Shooting Happens On Your Watch Aug 24, 2022

On February 15, 2019 in Aurora, Illinois, a workplace dispute turned into a mass shooting. The gunman had prepared to battle the police responding, so it took technology and smarts to put an end to the chaos he created. We talk with Kristen Ziman, the police chief who led Aurora’s response and hear what that tragic day was like for those on the ground. Plus cats are taking over…Is that a bad thing? And who, exactly, leads the troops?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Senator Leahy On D.C.’s Brighter Days And Gotham’s Dark Knight Aug 23, 2022

After 48 years, Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont is leaving the Senate. In his new memoir, The Road Taken, he reflects on the institution he holds dear, and on the Gist, we make him pick the scariest Joker he ever faced down. Plus, WeWork’s founder’s new funding induced rage, and a Dr. Oz spokesperson stroke-shames their rival.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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What Do The Taliban Want? Aug 22, 2022

Just past the one-year mark of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s taking control of the country. How is the nation is faring under the leadership of Mullah Hibatullah Adhundzada, the supreme leader of the Taliban? With us to answer those questions and more is Jason Campbell, a former director for Afghanistan in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy. Plus, an E. coli outbreak begs the question what kind of lettuce we order at Wendy’s, and Mike has some advice to Republicans who want to win the midterms ... if they will listen ...

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Monday Night Calculus Aug 20, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman John Urschel left the game after three seasons to get his PhD in mathematics. Totally normal career path, right? He wrote the book Mind And Matter: A Life In Math And Football alongside his wife, author Louisa Thomas, and they joined Mike in June of 2019 to discuss the similarities and differences between John’s two chosen career paths. And then we listen back to Wednesday’s Spiel, in which Mike ponders the threat of overstating threats from the right.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Fine Line Between Pleasure And Pain Aug 19, 2022

Paul Bloom, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Yale, Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and author of The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning stops by to take his punishment and like it! Actually, BDSM is only a fraction of his truly fascinating look at everything from distance running to why sharp pain causes pleasure, but somehow nausea never does. Plus, the San Francisco Police vow to not use a phrase they’ve never used, Colorado Schools will once again say “Nazi,” and Joan of Arc is she/they … but not actually “of Arc.” Also, speaking of finding bizarre pleasure in pan—it’s an Antwentig with song!

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Confoundingly Dense Communications Aug 18, 2022

The CDC’s head, Rochelle Walensky vows to undertake an agency overhaul, including better communication. Mike argues that when it comes to COVID-19, things were not perfect … maybe even not good … but great leaps in communication are going to be extremely difficult. Plus, Donald Trump “endorses” one of his impeachers, and University of Toronto Professor Jooyoung Lee talks about Canadian gun crime’s roots in the U.S.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Mr. Xi’s Neighborhood Aug 17, 2022

Jonah Blank, senior Political Scientist at the RAND Corporation, assesses the messages sent (and received) by all the Chinese missiles lobbed over Taiwan. Plus, the threat of overstating threats from the right. And is Alaskan Senate Candidate Kelly Tshibaka secretly … maybe … plausibly … part Wookiee?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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An Alaskan Election Direction Inspection Aug 16, 2022

Sarah Palin is on the ballot to serve her home state as its At-Large member of Congress. Let’s just say, the process is hardly straightforward. Plus, Dr. Patricia Campos-Medina, the Executive Director of The Worker Institute at Cornell University, discusses union drives at Amazon and Starbucks and if there’s ever a reason for workers to reject an organizing drive. Plus, how Better Call Saul is the rare show that tried to examine what real people might really do in dramatic, made-for-TV-type circumstances.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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What He Lost When We lost Afghanistan Aug 15, 2022

Journalist, novelist, and former Marine, Elliot Ackerman, who fought the Taliban, joins Mike to discuss his new book “The 5th Act: America’s End In Afghanistan”. Plus, an extroverted Norwegian walrus meets an ignominious end, and assessing our current news drought.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Leave George Washington’s Thighs Alone Aug 13, 2022

In the interview, Mike chats with historian Alexis Coe, author of the new book You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington. They discuss the founding-father's height, dentures and that awkward obsession male historians have about the man's thighs.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara and Ian Scotto

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High Steaks Talks Aug 12, 2022

Nathan Allebach, brand consultant and author of https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/brand-twitter-jokes-history.html was for many years the twitter voice of Steak-umm brand meats. As such he engaged with gaseous comedians and angsty millennials and has some theories as to why it all worked. Plus, a media without breathing room makes for madness and the Mar-A-Lago black boxes are like dada experimental theater.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara and Ian Scotto

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Twitchy Monkey Forbearing Dragon Aug 11, 2022

China thinks in centuries but strikes quickly. China is patient, but impetuous. Is China all these things, or is our shorthand more malleable than diagnostic? And we are joined once more by Jason Kander author of "Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD”. Plus, America plunged into day 3 of the cardboard box crisis that can undue civilization.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara and Ian Scotto

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Politics and PTSD Aug 10, 2022

Jason Kander was a Democrat-on-the-rise, who was silently struggling with demons. He tells the story of casting aside politics for his own mental survival in “Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD” Plus, our habit of publicly predicting death and civil war after every right-wing paroxysm doesn't serve anyone well, and Domino's somehow fails to take hold in the birthplace of pizza.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara and Ian Scotto

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Burned Again and Again Aug 09, 2022

Tomorrow President Biden Signs the Pact Act into law, dedicating funds and expanding VA health care to veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. Jason Piccolo, Host of the Protectors Podcast, served in Iraq and has the lungs to show for it. Plus, what the raid on Mar-a-Lago means, and Ben and Jerry's won't have a chance to personally market their Netanyhagoo crunch or their Wailing Wall Swirl in Israel.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Path Lit By Lightning Aug 08, 2022

Jim Thorpe was the AP's greatest Athlete of the first half of the 20th century and has a strong claim to the title Greatest of All Time. But his story, as opposed to his myth, is largely untold, until now. David Maraniss’ joins to discuss his new book is Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe. Plus, Joe Biden shouldn't get much credit for Joe Manchin's turnaround, but he shouldn't have gotten the blame either. Plus, a mini-boycott of Trump Toilet Talk.

Produced by Joel Patterson, Corey Wara, and Ian Scotto

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BEST OF THE GIST: Unintended Consequences Aug 06, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Monday’s Spiel about “unintended consequences,” as they relate to the Dobbs decision. And that inspired us to dig up Mike’s 2017 interview with Kurt Andersen about his book Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire, in which, Andersen bemoans a system on the brink.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Podcast For Sale! Aug 05, 2022

A Bloomberg investigation shows that some podcasters are selling guest slots for up to $50,000. We’ll open the Gist’s ledger to see who the highest- and lowest-paid guests have been. And we’re joined once more by Rafael A. Mangual, author of Criminal (In)Justice: What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets Wrong and Who It Hurts Most. Plus, Monkey Pox messaging isn’t exactly accurate, but at least it’s not mean.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Disagreeing On De-policing Aug 04, 2022

Policing in America has no easy answers, but my guest Rafael A. Mangual suggests we aren’t even asking the right questions. He’s of the opinion that many beliefs critical of police are misplaced, while other real reforms go un pursued. His book is Criminal (In)Justice: What The Push For Decarceration And Depolicing Gets Wrong And Who It Hurts Most. Plus, charging the cops who really were responsible for the death of Breonna Taylor. And the Kansas abortion vote doesn’t mean everything has changed for November, but it does mean the Republicans face an issue that really puts them at odds with voters.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Pelosi’s Taiwan Tour Aug 03, 2022

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan was unexpected. Accused of recklessness, dissuaded by Biden, cheered by McConnell, it was risky. What’s the possible reward? We are joined by Asia experts Neil Thomas from The Eurasia Group and Professor David Kang from USC, for an extended discussion on what the heck Nancy was doing. And while Madame Speaker is in the crosshairs of one of the world’s scariest military forces, her husband Paul is in the crosshairs of Fox News. Plus, Alex Jones under oath, and out of control.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Is It The Right Era For The ERA? Aug 02, 2022

Kate Shaw, Professor of Law at Cardozo Law School, and co-host of Strict Scrutiny analyzes if the women’s rights movement needs to campaign more explicitly for adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment. Plus, Beyonce amends a lyric, and Ayman al-Zawahiri is no more.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Manchin Chucklefest Aug 01, 2022

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin made the rounds of every Sunday Show, and we break down the game film, so you can consider yourself a good citizen but also stay sane. Plus, the unintended suffering wrought by the Dobbs decision. And Kate Shaw, ABC Legal Analyst and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, is here to talk about the Equal Rights Amendment, which, many of its backers claim, actually passed and should be the law of the land.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Korean Edition Jul 30, 2022

From our archives, we listen back to Mike’s 2015 interview with Kim Jong-il’s former poet laureate, Jang Jin-sung. He’s the author of Dear Leader: Poet, Spy, Escapee: A Look Inside North Korea. And in this past Wednesday’s Spiel, Mike enlightens us about South Korea’s tradition of Presidential prosecution and revels in a low-hanging pun.

Produced by Joel Patterson

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The Joe Manchin Doom Loop Jul 29, 2022

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is now in support of the a bill to address climate, health care, and taxes. So, happy day and all is forgiven! But many are feeling scarred and even despondent. Is that useful? Plus, we’re joined by publisher Sean Michael Robinson and Eisner-nominated cartoonist Carson Grubaugh to discuss the first ever AI-generated comic, The Abolition Of Man. And, yes, it’s an Antwentig, where we discuss fundraising successes and follow-up questions…or lack thereof.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Gofundme: Fundraiser by Jacqueline White : Help secure A brighter future for Kavon &Kaleigh (gofundme.com)

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Treating The Aurora Mass Shooter Jul 28, 2022

Ten years ago, a disturbed young man entered a Colorado movie theater, where he shot and killed twelve people, wounding 70 more. We speak with his psychiatrist Lynne Fenton about warning signs, treatment options and what more, if anything, could have been done. Fenton’s new book is AURORA: The Psychiatrist Who Treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story. Plus, tomorrow’s $1.02 Billion lottery will probably make the winner happy, which is the point, but it seems to be one many people rebut. And, in the Spiel, a Senate hearing on policing shows the challenges Democrats face on a very important issue to voters.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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All Of The Marvel Pages Through The Ages Jul 27, 2022

Douglas Wolk has read every Marvel comic there is (well, except the likes of Strawberry Shortcake and corporate tie-ins )…that’s 28,000 or so comics! He answers such questions as “How?” and “Why?” on the show. Plus, Joe Manchin is now on board for a major piece of climate and tax legislation. And in South Korea, the tradition of Presidential prosecution continues, with a mass murder on a fishing boat providing the latest fodder.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Space Race International Base About Face Jul 26, 2022

On this, the day the Russians announced a cosmic decoupling from the International Space Station, we are joined by Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi, co-creators, showrunners, writers and executive producers of the Apple TV+ show For All Mankind. Plus, judging the possibly presidential governors on their covid responses, and how grain prices explode some myths about oil prices.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Civil War: Possible Or Probable? Jul 25, 2022

When the question arises: When is the right time for political violence? The answer, of course, is “never.” Strangely, though, when researchers and pollsters ask that question of the American populace, “never” has yet to be the result. We talk with Malcolm Nance about his new book, They Want To Kill Americans: The Militias, Terrorists, and Deranged Ideology of the Trump Insurgency.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: The Mailman And The Secretary Jul 23, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we resurfaced a couple clips from our Tuesday interview with Douglas Farah (author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible), which we intentionally left on the cutting room floor but later decided they might be fun for listeners. Dust off your 90s NBA references!

And then we listen back to Mike’s Thursday Spiel about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s testimony to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee this past week. Despite it being a rare example of Congress doing real work and a Biden Administration official giving solid answers, it got reduced to lowest common denominator. If you’re bored and want to see the federal government in action, here’s a link to the full hearing.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Trump’s Yesterdays Implicate His Tomorrows Jul 22, 2022

Stuart Gerson, former Assistant Attorney General in the George H.W. Bush White House, and Acting Attorney General under Bill Clinton, has been watching the January 6th hearings. He has concluded that the DOJ must prosecute Trump. We ask him how he came to his conclusion. Plus, it’s Steve Bannon’s turn in the barrel, as he’s convicted of slipping out on a subpoena. And in the Spiel, Donald Trump may not be able to say “yesterday,” but the spoken word is not his only means of expression.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Thot Thoughts Jul 21, 2022

A former aide to Peter Navarro rips his actually heroic former colleagues as hos and “thots”. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s testimony to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee gets reduced to the stupidest quasi-dispute. And in the interview, Scott Small, the Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Columbia University, discusses his new book, Forgetting: The Benefits Of Not Remembering.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Some Dare Call It “Cowardice” Jul 20, 2022

The concept of cowardice was once a constant, but it has waned as an explanation for social phenomena. Though, in recent weeks, the lack of action among the (non) responders in Uvalde, Texas has prompted a reconsideration. Bravery has many bards, but there is literally only one book on the concept of cowardice, Cowardice: A Brief History. It's author, Chris Walsh, is on the show. Plus, a Sesame Place dis leads to allegations of racism; and a moose, a goose, and a flute might soon join the symbolic firmament.

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Trading The Merchant Of Death For Brittney Griner Jul 19, 2022

Russian Viktor Bout is a notorious arms dealer who has been imprisoned in the U.S. for eleven years, and he’s being talked about as part of a trade for WNBA star Brittney Griner. We’re joined by Douglas Farah, author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible, which is the book on Bout. We’re also thinking of British heat by degrees. And call Joe Manchin self-interested, dishonest or corrupt for scotching the big tax and climate bill, but you know who played it even worse? Elon.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Fog Of Cuomo, The Rationality Of Buttigieg Jul 18, 2022

Lis Smith, author of Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story, is still young, 39, but she’s a veteran political consultant. On the national stage, she helped Pete Buttigieg make his name, but she couldn’t keep Andrew Cuomo from ruining his. Also, the search for a sufficiently (but not excessively) alarmist voice on Monkeypox.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Jupiter or Saudi Arabia...which is weirder? Jul 16, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with the newly switched-on James Webb Space Telescope dominating the non-political news this week, we chose a space-themed segment from the archives. In this July 11, 2016 interview, Mike talks with Summer Ash, an astronomy educator and writer, about NASA’s Juno Mission to Jupiter. It’s all about the big red spot!

Then, we’ve got a Gist podcast extra with The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood. He was on the show this past Tuesday talking about Biden’s upcoming rendezvous with Saudi Crown Prince MBS, and in this extra, he talks more generally about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And it sounds like a weird place…unless MBS is reading this, in which case...it sounds totally amazing!

Produced by Joel Patterson

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American Medicine And Race Jul 15, 2022

Linda Villarosa, author of Under The Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation, discusses disparate health outcomes in the U.S. Plus, what it takes for a tragic story to become a tragic story everyone knows. And there is no one man to blame for the Dem’s bill on climate failure, but if there was one, it might not be who you think.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Bold Refrain Explains Ukrainian Grain Jul 14, 2022

An agreement is reached to help feed the world and export grain from Ukraine. Mike explains this musically, thus dipping to a Lerner & Loewe point. Plus, Biden’s verbal struggles as compare to his Republican predecessors. And the first half of our interview with Linda Villarosa, author of Under The Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Warning Shot Jul 13, 2022

UCLA law professor Adam Winkler says the recent SCOTUS ruling on handgun licensing wasn’t just a gun rights case, it was the first step in a big shift toward taking more and more power away from the States to do anything to stem the tide of gun violence. In the Spiel, we play “Names In The News,” including telescopes, former Clinton Officials, and the successfully fled. And, how hard is it to plan a coup anyway?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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MBS, It’s Good To Meet Ya! Jul 12, 2022

The Atlantic’s Graeme Wood interviewed Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and travelled the country to assess the impact the 36 year old is having on a kingdom trying to unmoor itself from antiquity. President Biden might want to listen to this debrief. Plus, The January 6th Committee hears from some key figures on Teams Crazy and Normal. Also, the glories of the Webb Telescope and the valuable service it provides in our slow realization that the Hubble was lying to us all this time.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Who (Or What) Caused Inflation To Rise? Jul 11, 2022

There's no way to solve inflation if you don't understand what caused inflation. And what caused inflation, aside from the supply chain, and the Ukrainian war was domestic spending. David Laibson Robert I. Goldman Professor of Economics at Harvard University drops by to offer his insight and solutions. Also on the show, SCOTUS made fetuses people when it comes to abortion, but what about in other contexts? And in the Spiel, has Joe Biden lost his desire to fight?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Trump’s Words and Johnson’s Own Personal Brexit Jul 09, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we start with a podcast extra we held over from our Thursday interview with Professor of Rhetoric Jennifer Mercieca, author of Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump, about how the former President uses language as a weapon. And then, in honor of Boris Johnson’s removal from the UK Prime Minister role, we listen back to Mike’s 2016 interview with Financial Times columnist Ed Luce conducted shortly after Boris was named UK Foreign Minister. Luce is the author of Time to Start Thinking: America and the Spectre of Decline, and he shared some interesting insights about Boris as he rose to the top of UK politics.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Everything You Know About Relationships Is Wrong Jul 08, 2022

The internet collectively dunked on an incredibly stupid statement about gun laws. Also on the show, Eric Barker, author of Plays Well with Others: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Relationships Is (Mostly) Wrong. Plus, it’s an Antwentig! A new Lobstar is born.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Usual Victims Are Usually Forgotten Jul 07, 2022

Professor of Rhetoric Jennifer Mercieca, author of Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump, has submitted evidence to the January 6th Committee as to how Donald Trump uses words to incite violence more slyly than meets the eye. Plus, Boris Johnson is out, and a comparison of orphaned victims of gun violence tells us what we all know but seldom grapple with: the usual victims are usually forgotten.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Activists Not Talking, Not Doing…Just Gluing. Jul 06, 2022

Anti-oil activist have taken to gluing themselves to works of art to make a point. As if we were going to pass that one up! Also on the show, we’re joined once more by Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark, who reveals what her focus groups are telling her about the January 6th Commission. Plus, HIMARS systems are advanced weapons having a big impact in Ukraine; compared to American forms of threat abatement, they’re pretty straight forward.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Abortion Changes Politics Jul 05, 2022

Sarah Longwell, host of the podcast The Focus Group—and also host of actual bona-fide, gold-standard focus groups—reports on the changing sentiment after the Dobbs ruling. Plus, a president tries to shame companies into lowering prices, while a governor thinks now is the time for fiscal stimulus. And the Highland Park shooter is, in some ways, atypical, but, at the same, time horrifyingly familiar.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Is SCOTUS Legit? Jul 02, 2022

On this week’s installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to a chunk of Mike’s September 2020 interview with Jonathan V. Last, editor of The Bulwark. Last explains that although remaining optimistic with regards to the legitimacy of the SCOTUS, he is ultimately losing faith that some voters care not for a system of governance that is capable of functioning competently. Then, we listen to Mike’s Monday Spiel on a similar theme.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Big Lies Never Seem To Die Jul 01, 2022

The 1954 film Salt Of The Earth was made under enormous strain. The production crew had been blacklisted; the cast was half professionals, half laborers; and J. Edgar Hoover's FBI was interfering with this supposed piece of communist propaganda. Writer and creator John Mankiewicz, along with director Aaron Lipstadt, discuss The Big Lie, their Audible Original story (via Fresh Produce Media) of the making of the film. Plus, no one much likes fact-checking Biden, and a USB stick lost in Japan leads to a reflection on the news—or maybe the world—adopting a tragic frame.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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General Optimism Jun 30, 2022

When it comes to Ukraine, former U.S. Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges is more hopeful than much of the military establishment. The former Commanding General of the United States Army in Europe makes his case. Also on the show, the Supreme Court's makes for confusing case law...sometimes they're textualists, sometimes they find different justifications to suit their actual doctrinal goals. And in the Spiel, President Biden thinks the U.S. is experiencing comparatively low inflation, even though the facts say otherwise.

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Treating Cassidy Bombastically Jun 29, 2022

Does Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony change everything, clarify vividly, or demand corroboration urgently? Possibly, definitely and not necessarily says Quinta Jurecic, Senior Editor at Lawfare. Plus, Mike analyzes the idea of an "Inverse-OPEC" not to be confused with the Upside Down NATO, and the Double Reverse Unesco.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Heinz Hits The Fan Jun 28, 2022

Cassidy Hutchinson, former Mark Meadows aid testifies before the committee that Donald Trump...did a lot. A Very lot. Plus, Princeton Professor of Sociology Patrick Sharkey and author of the 2018 book Uneasy Peace: The Great Crime Decline, the Renewal of City Life, and the Next War on Violence, talks about if we are indeed experiencing that next war. Plus, the left critique of Democratic leaders not doing enough to fight for abortion rights.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Is SCOTUS Illegitimacy Talk Legit? Jun 27, 2022

After Dobbs, the Supreme Court can lay claim to a lot of pejorative: “extreme,” “unsafe,” “unfair,” “unkind” …but what about “illegitimate?” Also, how Chief Justice Roberts’ lonely status is entirely unsurprising. Plus Mike interviews Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter and host of KCRW’s The Business about the massive Netflix sell off, and how it changes what we, and Wall Street, thought about streaming.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: The Case Against The Two-Party System Jun 25, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with recent gun reform regulations in our near past, the January 6th Hearings ongoing, and the ramifications of the overturn of Roe versus Wade yet to fully wash over us, we find ourselves yet again wondering about the future of our democracy. If only something could be done to lessen the chasm between the two parties…like maybe stop thinking about our politics as a binary equation? We thought it a good moment to listen back to Mike’s January 14, 2020 interview with Lee Drutman about his then-new book Breaking The Two Party Doom Loop: The Case For Multiparty Democracy In America. Then, we replay Thursday’s Spiel, in which Mike mulls over the Supreme Court’s aforementioned ruling on guns.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Roe's Shockingly Expected Demise Jun 24, 2022

The Supreme Court says we have no right to our rights, and it leaves women to suffer. Mike looks at historic death rates from abortion and advances a constitutional argument to protect the youngest victims. We’re also joined by Ben Wittes, Editor In Chief of Lawfare to talk about the Senate’s Jan 6th hearings, discuss which version of stupid-versus-crazy best serves Trump as a legal defense, and what the costs of prosecution might be.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Tracy Flick Strikes Back Jun 23, 2022

In his latest novel, Tracy Flick Can’t Win, author Tom Perrotta attempts to wrestle his iconic character (which Reece Witherspoon helped to brand in the 1998 film Election) away from the zeitgeist and return her to the fictional universe he created for her. Mike and Tom discuss how one does that exactly. Also, you may not be following the internet the way Donald Trump does. And in the Spiel, Mike mulls over the Supreme Court ruling on guns.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Presidential Sofa Stuffed With $4 Million Jun 22, 2022

When $4 to $8 million was allegedly stolen from his ranch, which had been hidden inside a sofa, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was accused of covering up his status as crime victim. Mike attempts to track a tale that winds its way through Windhoek, a spy master, an antelope auction, and, possibly, a one-armed soccer star. Plus, Sunshine Hillygus, Professor of Political Science a Duke, talks about the wrong way we try to convince young people to vote. And a January 6th insurrectionist gets sentenced…after having been elected to office.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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ALL The Colors Of The Rainbow (Except One) Jun 21, 2022

The Pride flag is synonymous with inclusion…unless, of course, you are the color indigo. Confused? That’s why we’ve convened another Vexillology Corner with Ted Kaye, secretary of the North American Vexillological Association and the author of Good Flag, Bad Flag. Plus, the Texas Senate committee on the Uvalde shooting convenes, as the US House of Representatives January 6th commission continues. And in the Spiel, a misleading CNN report purports to find massive racial disparities in hundreds of heat-related deaths, but the numbers just aren’t there.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Introducing History is US Jun 20, 2022

Written and narrated by award-winning author and Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, Dr. Eddie S. Glaude, “History is US” is a 6-part audio documentary produced and developed by C13Originals that asks questions about who we are as a nation, and what race might reveal about our current crisis. Through the voices of distinguished historians and scholars, this limited series gives listeners the background and education to understand how we got here and how we can all use history to clarify the choices before us. There will always be something distinct about our present day, yet history haunts. “History is US” is a presentation of Shining City Audio, a C13Originals and Jon Meacham Studio.

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BEST OF THE GIST: Eddie Glaude Jun 18, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s August 7, 2020 interview with Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. of Princeton University. The two discussed Glaude’s newest book and its release in the context of the recent civil uprisings. Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own poses a fundamental argument around how getting it wrong culturally has hurt the fabric of our nation. Glaude helps make sense of where we are today and explains that Baldwin understood our messy and uneven economic, social, and political lives are simply a reflection of our individual selves.

And then we listen back to Mike’s Spiel from last Friday, June 10, 2022, when he noticed that a particular world came up again and again when the media described the first January 6th hearing. Trust us…it’s powerful.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Napoleon Dynamite Meets Sid And Nancy Jun 17, 2022

Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs talk about their movie "Dinner in America" about a a repressed suburban Michigan girl and the punk rocker who injects some needed chaos in her life. Plus how an alleged insurrectionist relates to a Lizzo lyric and in the Antwentig, a dispute over a barren rock is offered up as a lesson for us all, but especially Vladamir Putin.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Elephant (NON) Woman Jun 16, 2022

A State Court sensibly says elephants aren't people. But when a court case is filed, it gives legitimacy to an argument no matter how fetched. Also, Former United States Circuit Judge and conservative icon Michael Luttig lets the January 6 commission know that Donald Trump is still a clear and present Danger. Plus, former Barak Obama Aid and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer joins us to discuss if jettisoning objectivity helps us all and where he places his podcasting endeavors in the media firmament.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Facebook, Fox And Far-Fetched Fictions Jun 15, 2022

Dan Pfeiffer, former a senior advisor to President Barack Obama, is out with a new book “Battling the Big Lie: How Fox, Facebook, and the Maga Media Are Destroying America”. Plus did a US Representatives give reconnaissance tours the day before the January 6 insurrection? And a farewell to the comedy, and hypothetical question stylings of Justice Stephen Breyer.

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A California Template For Assault Weapons Ban Jun 14, 2022

California children are half as likely to be shot as kids in other states, and per capita California has experienced fewer mass slaughters than the nation as a whole. One reason is the Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control act of 1989. We Talk to Mike Roos about the ins and outs of getting that legislation passed. Plus, What would we think of the assaults on the capitol is they took place in another country. Mike defends America more than you'd think, maybe more than it deserves.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Project That Collects And Projects Violence Jun 13, 2022

Dr. Jillian Peterson Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Hamline University is President and cofounder of The Violence Project. She has been analyzing the commonalities of mass shooters for years and has developed a profile of the perpetrators. She also has a wealth of knowledge mass shootings based on data, case histories and in-person interviews.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Larry Wilmore and James Kirchick Jun 11, 2022

In August 2016, Larry Wilmore’s talk show was canceled. The Nightly Show focused on issues like equality, activism, and how racism subtly wormed its way into American life. In hindsight, it feels ahead of its time. In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we will listen back to that June 9, 2017 interview with Wilmore, who then launched a podcast, Black On The Air, which continues to this day.

But first, some say the power in Washington DC can be found in control of the purse strings, other say its who controls the narrative, but author James Kirchick hypothesizes power in DC goes to the holder of the greatest secrets. He’s the author of the new book, Secret City: The Hidden History Of Gay Washington, and he joined Mike to discuss the power of the closet and complicated relationship our Presidents have had with it.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Powerful Hearing; If You Were Listening Jun 10, 2022

A full rundown of ALLLL the coverage of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. More than you thought you needed to know. And we're joined by Professor of History and Media David Greenberg to discuss his recent essay in Liberties, The War on Objectivity in American Journalism – The War on Objectivity in American Journalism - Liberties (libertiesjournal.com)

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Veteran Comic Feels The Chill Jun 09, 2022

Judy Gold author of Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble, says that, in fact, we are all in trouble. Plus, Justice Kavanaugh's assassin's actual goal, and PR goal thwarted, and Bernie Sanders bemoans the bumper sticker "Well, we can’t do much, but the other side is worse."

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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DC's Decades-long Hostility Towards Homosexuality Jun 08, 2022

James Kirchick author of Secret City: The hidden history of gay Washington says an unfounded fear of spilling secrets kept many inside the closet. Plus, a Washington Post retweet that set off a meltdown and the duck-sauce murderer.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Texas Politicians Perform The Two-Step On Guns Jun 07, 2022

Scott Braddock host of the Texas Take Podcast and Editor of the Quorum Report. Plus: Panic in Needle Spiking Park, and Chesa Budin, Boris Johnson, and the argument everyone subject to a recall makes.

http://quorumreport.com/index.cfm

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/texas-take/id1122884023

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Place For George Carlin's Stuff Jun 06, 2022

Michael Bonfiglio, Director, Producer, and writer of the HBO documentary “George Carlin's American Dream” discussed where to position Carlin in the history of comedy and also within the culture of his day and today. Plus, Boris Johnson inspires at least some confidence, and how to cover the mass shootings that occur every single day.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Student Debt And Johnny Depp Jun 04, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s October 21, 2016 interview with Adam Davidson on the topic of a student loan bailout. Adam explains why eliminating college debt falls short of solving the country’s inequality crisis. Then we listen back to Mike’s take on Wednesday’s verdict in the Amber Heard versus Johnny Depp lawsuit.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Benign Menace Of Stephen Root Jun 03, 2022

He played seemingly memorable roles from stapler-obsessed Office Space worker to dork vampire in True Blood and Order of the Coagula member in Get Out. Now Steven Root is Monroe Fuches on HBO's Barry. We talk goats and ghosts. Plus does Amber Heard losing mean that juries are incapable of making the right decision in cases involving abuse? Plus, Turkey wants a name change.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Is Corporate Rectitude A Trap? Jun 03, 2022

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Professor of Management Practice at the Yale School of Management and the president of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute argues that doing good is good for business. Mike is a little suspicious. Also Cops shamed by Pride, and Canada strongly endorses, nay celebrates, both vulvas and vaginas at long last.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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No Business Being In Russia Jun 01, 2022

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Professor in Practice of Management at Yale and Founder of Chief Executive Leadership Institute, is maintaining a list of companies doing business in Russia. The list is working, as more businesses are finding staying in isn't worth it. Plus, in Johnny D. legal news: Depp wins, Durham loses.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Rescuing Basketball's Past May 31, 2022

Claude Johnson, author of The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball's Forgotten Era, is here to talk about the greatest basketball teams and players that have almost been lost to obscurity, but for the efforts of Johnson and a few others. Plus, Greg Abbott goes back to 1845 to rationalize gun laws, and what wisdom Dan Bongino sheds on the gun control debate.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: It’s Time To Ban The AR-15 May 28, 2022

On this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to an interview from November 25, 2015, which, sadly, is still relevant in the wake of recent mass shootings. Three years before this interview with Ron Davis and Lucia McBath, they experienced a parent’s worst nightmare, when their 17-year-old son was shot while Black Friday shopping with his friends. The HBO documentary 3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets tells the story of how they pursued justice for their son. After that, we listen back to this past Wednesday’s show, in which, Mike calls for a ban on the AR-15.

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A Hundred Billion Dollars In The Seat Cushions May 27, 2022

California has a huge budget surplus, more than all but a few states have budgets. Sophia Ballag, California politics reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle discusses why spending all that money may not be so easy. Plus, The War of Words between Valadomir Zelensky and Henry Kissinger. And it’s an Antwentig.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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GOP Has No Good Gun Answers May 26, 2022

Top Republican officials are offering thoughts, prayers locked doors, inaccurate stats and a call for more of the same defenses that haven't worked to address the problem of mass murders. Plus, Max Kerman, lead singer of the Canadian rock band Arkells, or as they're referred to in Canada, the rock band Arkells joins us. Bet you didn't have that on your Bingo Card. But what DO you have on that card?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Uniquely Proficient Killing Machines May 25, 2022

Mike is once again joined by retired Admiral James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO and author of To Risk it All. Also how the Georgia primary turnout didn't seem at all suppressed, and Mike calls for a ban on the AR-15

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Hot War, A School Shooting May 24, 2022

Admiral James Stavridis, author of To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision joins us to discuss military developments in Ukraine. An OK state representative has an idea about reproductive health Nobody is sure to like. And Mike thinks about how to think about yet another awful school shooting, which we should be able to call unimaginable.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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How Not To Catastrophize The Climate Change Catastrophe May 23, 2022

Climate scientist Michael Mann author of The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet on an environment that is simultaneously dire and deadly but not hopeless. Plus: NY Dems have drawn themselves into a corner, and how the name a NY Yankee called a rival player that is upending the baseball world.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Without Guns, Would There Be Mass Shootings? May 21, 2022

In this week’s installment of Best Of The Gist, and with the tragic news of the mass shooting in Buffalo still echoing through the daily news, we listen back to Mike’s March 7, 2018 interview with the president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, Richard Aborn on why gun control has worked for NYC. Then, in Mike’s Spiel from this past Monday (May 16, 2022), he acknowledges the complexity of the problem of mass shootings, but floats the idea that guns and tactical gear are the part of the problem we can do something about now.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Bear Equals Market Weakness, Fast Horse Avoids Preakness May 20, 2022

Rich Strike is skipping the Preakness after winning the Kentucky Derby. Racing expert Peter Fornatale of The In The Money podcast https://inthemoneypodcast.com/category/players-podcast/ explains all. Plus bears, and condors and a man who gambled away his entire town's stimulus funds.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Putin Plays Politics Too May 19, 2022

University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor, Yoshiko Herrera assesses if Putin can be stopped not with the bullet or the ballot but a breakdown of ballast within Russia. Plus, the US Women's Soccer Team achieves pay parity, and all the topics Mike could have covered, but didn't. You're welcome America.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Gun Control, Controlled May 18, 2022

Jonathan Metzl, Vanderbilt professor and gun control researcher on how gun control actually does work, except when it's not allowed to, as is increasingly the case. Also, Joe Biden's Buffalo Speech was quite like Bill Clinton in OKC and a forlorn Cawthorn.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Don't Be Soft On Speech May 17, 2022

Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University has been a consistent advocate for speech on campus in his over 30 years in academia. He and Mike discuss some of the thornier cases in his career, which ultimately weren't close calls. Plus, the threat of white Supremacists and the danger to African-Americans should be put in context.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Bad Guy With A Gun And A Rotten Ideology May 16, 2022

As America grapples the mass shooting in Buffalo which left 10 dead Mike asks "Who gets to be a martyr, and who is just plain old victim?" White Supremacy fueled this gunman but high velocity rifle rounds enabled the carnage. Plus, Seth Stephens- Davidowitz author of "Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life" is here to talk about an approach to life that's empirically better.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Plastic Straws And State Songs…You Know, The Important Stuff May 14, 2022

In this week’s installment of Best of the Gist, a state song mash-up. Then we flash back to August 16, 2018, when Mike took the plastic straw ban head on.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Bazelon Considers The Court May 13, 2022

Emily Bazelon of the NTY Magazine, Yale, and The Political Gabfest discusses if the flaw is in Justice Alito's logic or the conservative justice's project. Plus "Greedflation" is excellent branding but a terrible explanation.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Chuck Schumer, Legislation Doomer May 12, 2022

David Gergen actually wrote Nixon's resignation letter, that was his first great foray into what makes or unmakes a leader. After over 50 years in public life, he collects his advice and insights in Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made. Plus play the Chuck Schumer inspired Game Show "Doomed to Fail " and Plagiarism all the way down

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Speech, both Fettered and Free May 11, 2022

The ACLU, long a champion of first amendment rights actually opposed ending campus free speech zones in Georgia. Also, presidential speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum is back to talk about the phrasings of his former boss Joe Biden, and some others who've served in that office. Plus, even though Marjorie Taylor Greene’s speech was heated, but the bid to remove her from the ballot is defeated.

@JeffreyNussbaum is the author of Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Change of Address May 10, 2022

Jeff Nussbaum, fresh out of the Biden White House, is out with a new book, "Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History." Plus, elections in West Virginia and Nebraska, the states with the best and worst official state songs.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Polarization 101 May 09, 2022

Political Science Professor Sunshine Hillygus is the director of the Duke Initiative on Survey Methodology and co-director of the Polarization Lab. We discuss how attitudes can change and if we should trust finding that show large percentage of Americans have truly wacky* ideas. Plus, how the present regards the biggest moral issues of yesterday, as told through Ed Koch and Mario Cuomo. *Technical poly sci term.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Reflecting On SCOTUS May 08, 2022

On this week’s installment of Best Of The Gist—which we are publishing on Sunday instead of our usual Saturday—we’ve chosen to run a large chunk of the September 18, 2020 Gist tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the day of her passing. Mike was joined that day by Emily Bazelon. We are also listening back to the opening of our Tuesday show, in which Mike laments on the stripping of a right from the American people.

Produced by Joel Patterson

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Isis v. Taliban May 06, 2022

Isis is back, they never went away, and they're torturing and killing their way through the craziest of places - Afghanistan. Michael Kugelman, the Asia Program Deputy Director and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center, analysis what happens when the insurgents acquire their own insurgents. Plus, we reacquaint ourselves with a New Hampshire State Rep who could be the most extreme public official in America, which is saying something. and we name the Lobstar for the Antwentig.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Character Test May 05, 2022

First, we discuss all those dead Russian Generals. Then Jing Tsu joins us to discuss her book Kingdom of Characters, about the century-long effort to make Chinese characters interoperable with Western alphabets. Finally, what if RBG had retired? Mike creates a cornucopia of counterfactuals that gets us precisely to where we are today.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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What Progress Have We Seen Since The Murder Of George Floyd? May 04, 2022

Jerrika Richardson, Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives at the National Urban League discusses the actual policing reforms that have been enacted since the protests of 2020. Plus, the best messages to convey on abortion, and a failed Amazon Union vote for a Staten Island warehouse got a lot less coverage than the one a month ago that was supposed to portend a new tide of labor momentum.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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No Mo RO May 03, 2022

With the indication that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade, @KathaPollitt of The Nation, and Virginia Heffernan, @page88, of the This is Critical podcast analyze the implications of the ruling, and discuss the conditions that made it so. In the spiel, the legitimacy of the court, and just how unusual it is to take away a right Americans absorbed and relied on for half a century.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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How I Got Inflation Wrong May 02, 2022

15 months ago, Binyamin Appelbaum, who writes on economic issues as a member of the NY Editorial Board wrote a piece entitled Inflation Isn’t Lurking Around the Corner. This Isn’t the 1970s." He was very wrong. But he's owning it, and in very productive discussion talks about the macro and micro reasons he was mistaken and which parts of his approach he'll change. Plus, a San Francisco teacher is disciplined for bringing a cotton into the classroom and the NYT (that paper again!) aims 19,000 words at Tucker Carlson

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: What The F**k Is Up With David Daley And Elon Musk Apr 30, 2022

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we ask yesterday’s guest, gerrymandering expert David Daley, “Why so many asterisks in the title of your bestselling book?” Turns out, focus groups made him do it. And then we rewind to Monday’s Spiel, when Mike wonders if there could be a better way to think about Elon Musk buying Twitter than simply asking yourself: How much do I like Elon Musk?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Gerrymander Garcia Apr 29, 2022

After Judge Michael Garcia, and all of his peers on the NY State Court of Appeals threw out the Democrats attempt to Gerrymander the state, the national advantage from Gerrymandering moves back to the Republicans. David Daley Author of Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count. Plus, how our coverage of Madison Cawthorn and Majorie Taylor Greene exemplify "the Gist Difference". And finally, we'll examine why of all the judges on NY State's Court of Appeals, why did this description highlight Michael Garcia and not, say, Chief Justice Janet DiFiore? Was it Just to get a C+ episode title? It was, and that is also, sadly, The Gist Difference.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Cost of Arming the Ukraine Apr 28, 2022

With Joe Biden asking for $33billion in new aid, Mike contemplates and calculates the costs and benefits of this, aid and what we could be spending on in America. Plus, Ken White is back to offer his analysis on the likelihood of a Trump prosecution and what the latest release of an America held captive in Russia means for Brittney Griner.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Trump Legal Jeopardy VS Dems Wishful Thinking Apr 27, 2022

Every day another piece of potentially damning news seems to emerge from the January 6th commission or the NY Attorney General office. But it is so hard to know what are the real risks, and what is just fodder for prosecution thirsty cable news lawyers. Plus, Governor Abbott's backward bus stunt, and the value of corporate amorality.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Coups News Apr 26, 2022

After a period of relative stability, Africa coups d'etat are breaking out all over. We discuss with Dr Nathaniel Powell,

Africa Analyst with Oxford Analytica. Plus, mash notes sent between leaders on the Korean peninsula, and EVERYONE in the liberal/progressive/mainstream/blue check mark/ non-conservative community being apoplectic about Elon Twitter.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Unlocking the Puzzler Brain Apr 25, 2022

AJ Jacobs stops by to talk about the psychology of puzzles and the nerdles who wordle. His new book is The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life. Plus, a better way to think about Elon Musk buying Twitter than simply asking yourself: How much do I like Elon Musk? And Mike battles with a journalistic convention.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Bill Browder On Investing In Russia, And Lucky Charms Get Unlucky Apr 23, 2022

On this week’s installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s 2015 interview with Bill Browder, who was once the single largest foreign investor in Russia. Browder talks about the perils of Russian markets and fleeing the wrath of Vladimir Putin. Then we listen back to Monday’s Spiel about Lucky Charms’ recall.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Joyless Coitus Apr 22, 2022

Christine Emba, author of Rethinking Sex: A Provocation says those of her generation feel crushed and ground up by the culture that says once consent is given there's nothing you have the right to complain about. Plus, two Republicans on different sides of the establishment spectrum come under fire. Marjorie Taylor Greene testifies in Georgia, and Kevin McCarthy squirms a bit because of a taped phone from January 2021.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Is The US Damned By Diversity? Apr 21, 2022

Author Yascha Mounk joins to discuss his book “The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure”. Florida vs Disney and math. Plus, a Michigan Senator laid into a republican colleague who accused her of being a groomer and abetting pedophilia.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Tokelahoma Apr 20, 2022

Paul Demko, Cannabis editor of POLITICO talks about the nation's hottest marijuana market going, Oklahoma. Also, Libs of TikTok isn't so different from Mugwumps of the Lyceum. That's today's bung starter.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Putin's Offensive Apr 19, 2022

Gen. Hodges was the Commanding General, United States Army Europe talks about tooth-to-tail ratio, why Russian generals are dying and how a no-fly zone could work. Plus, a spiel about the what real advocacy for the homeless should look like and Libs of Tik-Tok EXPOSED!

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Real Deal with the Courts of Appeal Apr 18, 2022

Though most of the attention paid to the Federal Judiciary is paid to SCOTUS the lower courts have a massive influence. Rick Hasen, Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine is our guide. Plus, a Lucky Charms recall and the Micromort, a puckish li'l fellow here to tell you about the risk of death.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Gilbert Meets His Maker, Boris Does Not Apr 16, 2022

In honor of a truly unique talent’s passing, we’re listening back to Mike’s August 2014 interview with Gilbert Gottfried. We’ll miss you, Gilbert. In the Spiel, Mike analyzes the aftermath of Partygate, and British tabloid headline freestyling ensues.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Interest Rates Are Too Damn Low! Apr 15, 2022

For years and years the line among liberal fiscal policy experts were that low interest rates, even 0% interest rates were the best thing to do to help struggling Americans gain employment and grow wealth. Only the wealthy, and those excessively fearful of inflation wanted them raised. But Christopher Leonard author of The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy, tells a different story. Plus, texts from Mike Lee and an Antwentig from Mike P.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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From Sperm To Spurned Apr 14, 2022

TJ Raphael is back to talk about the legal implications of the loosely regulations in the fertility industry that turned sperm donations into actual humans with feelings of betrayal years later. Also, Hasta la Moskva: A Russian warship sinks and a British politician skates.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Paternity Shockers Aren't Just for Maury Anymore Apr 13, 2022

TJ Raphael host of the podcast “BioHacked: Family Secrets” is chronicling the experiences of the children of anonymous sperm and egg donors, some of whom have hundreds of half-siblings. Plus the New York subway gunman and the issue of motivations.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Art of Practical Criminal Justice Reform With DeRay McKesson Apr 12, 2022

On Todays Show Mike examines the criminal justice from within…by performing his civic duty by jury duty. Therefore, we will be playing a two-part interview with DeRay Mckesson, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement with practical ideas that have sometimes caused friction with other factions of the movement. Plus, two other wars happing outside of Ukraine.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Marine Le Pen's Dédiabolisation Apr 11, 2022

The effort to soften the image of the French far right candidate worked a bit - can it propel her to the The Élysée Palace? Plus, Leon Neyfahk is here to discuss his new series Fiasco: The Aids Crisis. And how to convey that the Ba2 variant is new and different without overhyping its deadliness?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Buy Me Some Peanuts And…Product Placement Apr 09, 2022

To commemorate the annual return of baseball (Thursday was opening day), this week on Best of the Gist, we revisit a 20-year-old piece of NPR reporting in which Mike takes us to Yankee Stadium to learn the value the Crackerjack reference in the 1908 song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Could it be the greatest piece of product placement ever? And we replay Monday’s Spiel about mistaking trend for truth.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Taking A Trip To Argyle With The Odenkirks Apr 08, 2022

Nate and Bob Odenkirk talk about their new Audible Original Series Summer in Argyle, the difference in comedy on a generational level, and what it is like to work with comedy legends. Plus, “Leave the gun, take the cannoli” and Mike gets a call from a pollster…and he recorded it!

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Sick Of Sports Apr 07, 2022

Craig Calcaterra author of Rethinking Fandom: How to Beat the Sports-Industrial Complex at Its Own Game stops by for a little opening day grouse. Plus, MSNBC hiring Jen Psaki and the terrorists called The Beatles.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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5 Words From Quincy Jones Apr 06, 2022

The words were spoken to Sonari Glinton, who went on to make The Story of Quincy Jones Podcast, an experience that reoriented Glinton's entire outlook and career. Plus, What Vlad Putin gets paid, and What if we just paid Fox viewers to watch CNN?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Negotiating All Wrong Apr 05, 2022

Barry Nalebuff, Professor at Yale School of Management has a new way to look at negotiation, which is simple and eye opening. Split the Pie: A Radical New Way to Negotiate depends on, yes, splitting pie, but crucially, defining the pie. And if all that pie talk makes you hungry, I don't know what to tell you because the rest of the show is about Ben Sasse and peace talks with Putin. Interesting topics, just not really related to pie.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Putin's Info Iron Curtain Apr 04, 2022

Irina Borogan, and Andrei Soldatov, two Russian Journalists who have documented the Kremlin's war on the internet discuss the effectiveness of suppression of news in Russia, and Putin's strengths and failings as an information warrior. In the Spiel, mistaking the trend for the truth, plus Mike resigns from the Academy.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Chuck Klosterman’s Wrong, And The Battle Over Daylight Saving Time Apr 02, 2022

This weekend on BEST OF THE GIST, we unearthed a 2016 interview with Chuck Klosterman, the author of The Nineties and a dozen or so other books. In this archival gem, Mike and Chuck discuss what counts as a great American novel, and how we decide who’s smart. And we’re also listening back to the Tuesday spiel about how a Harvard sleep researcher changed Mike's position in the battle over Daylight Saving Time.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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You Don't Need The 3! Apr 01, 2022

As the Final 4 finalizes a look at the instinctive, and backward, admonishment so many announcers issue as time is winding down. Plus how China is being regarded by its Asian neighbors in light of the Ukraine war, and Amazon unionizes much to the delight of other union members, including ones on the labor beat of major newspapers.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Bomb Clearing In Ukraine Mar 31, 2022

James Cowen, retired Maj. Gn. in the British Army is CEO of HALO Trust. He had 450 workers already in Ukraine clearing bombs and ordnance when the current invasion began. His job is to secure his people, secure unexploded munitions, and funnel relief to civilians in the crosshairs. Plus, parole for the mastermind of Americans largest kidnapping, and how Will Smith’s slap reveals which norms Americans most hold dear.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Dialing Up The Nineties Mar 30, 2022

Chuck Klosterman, in his latest book. "The Nineties", examines a decade and the generation attached to it; afraid of selling out, excited to be unenthused. The meaning of a decade isn't perfectly clear, but for a time Pepsi was. In the Spiel, are the Bidens just lying about all the personal correspondence they leave lying about?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Alex Jones' False False Flag Mar 29, 2022

The families of Sandy Hook Elementary were faced with a horrible tragedy compounded by a cynical charlatan and a cadre of like-minded conspiracists. Writer Elizabeth Williamson dissects how the tactics personalities and counter measures in Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth. In the Spiel Mike has been restive on the subject of Daylight-saving so it’s time to follow the science. Plus, why the example of Harvey Weinstein is cited as justification of disparate agendas.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Slapped Jester Mar 28, 2022

The Academy Awards presents a show, post-slap, that is indistinguishable from pre. We're expected to interpret what happened as a part of Smith's hero's journey. Plus Professor Aditi Paul researched if college students actually like hooking up, and if the women liked it as much as the men. Spoiler: They Didn't but just by a little.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: The Madness of March Mar 26, 2022

As the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament heats up, on this week’s Best Of The Gist, we bring you a pair of stories from college sport. The first is part two of Mike’s interview with John Tauer, the head coach of the St. Thomas University's basketball team, which made an unprecedented leap ahead of this season from Division 3 to Division 1. Tauer discusses what changes when a team makes such a bold move. Then we listen back to our Monday show, when Mike Spieled about University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who won the NCAA title in the 500. Other swimmers protested her inclusion in the women's division as unfair. Some swimmers, including ones she out-touched supported her right to swim as her true self. Mike looks at the arguments on both sides, points to many as ridiculous, but a few as legitimate and truly vexing.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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This Year's Most Successful NCAA Basketball Coach Mar 25, 2022

John Tauer head coach of the St. Thomas Tommies has won two national championships on the Division III Level, this year he was thrust into Division I, which should have meant a nearly winless season. Instead, the team found a way to beat playing bigger, faster, more highly recruited opponents. In the spiel, it's an Antwentig, and Lobstars are to be awarded.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Bad Date+Pandemic Onset=RomCom Gold Mar 24, 2022

Karan Soni (Deadpool) plays the awkward Ravi, who is a bit frightened then a bit taken with the secretly rebellious Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers) Rita in Seven Days, which opens March 25. In the spiel Mike contemplates Candace Owens: Dupe or Dope. And does the Los Angeles mayoral race stink on ice?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Flat Earthers Are Real Mar 23, 2022

But so is a round Earth. So how do these square pegs in round holes justify themselves? With YouTube videos, of course, but also sometimes with some violence. Mike talks with Kelly Weill, author of Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything about these sometimes-problematic folks. In the Spiel, Mike considers the case against an opera about Emmett Till that was co-written by a black composer and a white librettist. And in Senate Judiciary Hearing news, Senators and potential Supreme Court justices agree: murderers are bad.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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McWhorter's Quarters Mar 22, 2022

John McWhorter, author of Woke Racism and Nine Nasty Words stops by to discuss a linguistic trend Mike has noticed, about phrases that are totalizing but at the same time, particular. In the Spiel Mike discusses attention spans, Ukraine, and how unrelated they are. Plus Lindsey Graham goes "Freakin' Nuts"

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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She Swims, Wins And Splinters Mar 21, 2022

Lia Thomas University of Pennsylvania swimmer won the NCAA title in the 500. Other swimmers protested her inclusion in the women's division as unfair. Some swimmers, including ones she out-touched supported her right to swim as her true self. Mike looks at the arguments on both sides, points to many as ridiculous, but a few as legitimate and truly vexing. Plus, Frank Bruni on losing some of one sense, while gaining a lot of another.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Who's To Blame For Inflation, and The Political Fallout From The Passing Of RBG Mar 19, 2022

On this week’s Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Monday’s Spiel about who’s to blame for inflation. Weirdly, it’s not Mitch McConnell’s fault. Then, in our archival interview from September 2020, Jonathan V. Last, editor of the Bulwark, talked with Mike about the then recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the potential political fallout. Last walks through some of the nightmare scenarios, and then he explains that although he remains optimistic with regards to the legitimacy of the SCOTUS, he is ultimately losing faith that some voters care not for a system of governance that is capable of functioning competently.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Search Party Mar 18, 2022

Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, the co-creators of Search Party haven't just made a hilarious TV show for 5 seasons, they put their finger on a type of character that used to be called Millennial but now is just called "people". Plus, Do You Feel the Lavrov Tonight? Sergey Lavrov engages in media critique.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Pure Index Flex Mar 17, 2022

Baby got Back Matter today as Dennis Duncan author of "Index, a History of The", holds forth on the surprisingly surprising story of the index. Plus, the President alleges War Crime, and March Madness' productivity costs are entirely fabricated, obviously ridiculous, and a mainstay of sports coverage.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Run To Daylight Mar 16, 2022

Daylight Saving time ALL the time was passed by the Senate in a vote that was both bold and Sudden. Mike debunks the counterclaims that school children will be bathed in inky darkness as they wait for busses in the pre-dawn hours. Plus, the second part of an interview with Dr. Todd Kashdan author of The Art of Insubordination How to dissent and Defy Effectively.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Bad Way To Rebel Mar 15, 2022

Todd Kashan, author of The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively, says there are ways to create clarity value and progress without turning disagreement into combat. Plus, a new head of Isis and a new poll that makes Republicans feel braver than Democrats.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Who Owns Inflation? Mar 14, 2022

Vanessa Van Edwards a behavioral investigator, body language guru, and author of “CUES: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication” joins to analyze everything from Kermit the Frog to emojis. In the spiel, Mike talks about inflation, and who is to blame.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Brittney Griner and Henry Winkler Mar 12, 2022

On this week’s edition of The Best of the Gist, Mike bemoans Russia’s arrest of basketball star Brittney Griner and what it says about our current moment. Then, we listen back to a happier time…March 7, 2017, to be exact, when Henry “Fonzie” Winkler was our guest. Fun Fonzie Fact: Did you know that Henry has written dozens of children's books featuring the character Hank Zipzer? True story. Happy Days are here again, literally.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A New Phase For Ukraine Mar 11, 2022

Paul Poast University of Chicago professor and author of Arguing about Alliances says we're past the open stage of the war in Ukraine. In the Spiel Mike discusses US cyber vulnerabilities and tries to get a handle on what a hack might look like and discusses how to stop one, with Glenn Gerstell, former Counsel for the NSA

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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How To Craft A Thriller Mar 11, 2022

Brad Meltzer, author of the Lightning Rod, breaks down how to induce an adrenaline rush via the written word. Plus, baseball's back, but still not terribly exciting, and Madison Cawthorn, D minus demagogue.

*This episode was originally posted with yesterday's spiel. If the spiel today sounds familiar, please re-download the episode to hear the corrected version*

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Guns Gas And The Great Stone Face Mar 10, 2022

Dana Stevens is here to discuss the extraordinary life and cinematic contributions of Buster Keaton. In the spiel Mike explains why if Russian gas accounts for only 7% of US supply prices have risen much more than that. Also, what qualifies as a moderate on gun control?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Kasich and Klepper Mar 09, 2022

The former Republican Governor of Ohio and the former left-leaning host of a Comedy Central show get together to discuss issues, find solutions, and name-drop certain Austrian muscle men. In the spiel Mike more accurately defines cancel culture and addresses the idea that punishing ideas is only a myth or a moral panic. Warning / Inducement: It’s a long Spiel

Kasich and Klepper Podcast: Kasich & Klepper on Apple Podcasts

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Too Far For BiIl Barr Mar 07, 2022

The Former Attorney General denied wrong-doing to Lester Holt, but ultimately charged Trump with willful ignorance about the lie of a stolen election.

On the show Mike interviews Dan Baer, former Obama administration State Department Official on how the US can help the Ukrainians without becoming co-combatants, and how the threat of nuclear weapons overshadows nearly everything

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Special Guest…Mike Pesca! Mar 06, 2022

On this week’s special weekend edition of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s February 15, 2017 interview with then Executive Producer of CBS’s The Late Show with Steven Colbert, Chris Licht. We’re replaying his interview, because this past week, Chris left that job for a very high-profile one as the head honcho at CNN. Also on the show, a 17-minute excerpt from Mike’s February 20, 2022 interview with Meghan Daum, host of The Unspeakable Podcast. But here’s the twist…Pesca is the interviewee! He and Daum discuss his early career at NPR and the current state of newsrooms in a polarized political climate.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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10 Shots But Not Guilty Mar 05, 2022

Brett Hankison had faced the most serious charges all the police involved in the raid that killed Breonna Taylor. Mike examines the trial and explains why this officer might have walked after others in Minnesota were found guilty. Plus, Mike Sacks has penned a massive faux- autobiography of a right wing blow hard talk show host who is so true-to-life the January 6th commission is probably subpoenaing him as we speak. And it's an Antwentig- time for Lobstars.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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At Least The Seas Are Calm Mar 03, 2022

US Naval dominance has assured an unprecedented age of peace and prosperity on world's waters. Gregg Easterbrook notes the little-observed near-miracle of Pax Marititum. Plus finding hope in the hopeless state of the climate. Here's Mike's Hopeful hint: Just think of it like Cancer!

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Ukraine Could Damn Putin Mar 03, 2022

A slog in Ukraine could be Putin's undoing - what would that look like? Charles Kupchan, former special adviser to President Obama is in touch with Russian officials and insiders, he games out the consequences of Ukraine as Waterloo. Plus Rashida Tlaib's SOTU clap back, and Andrew Cuomo is claiming exoneration in a new 30 second ad.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Deep Throat Was An Operative Mar 01, 2022

Gerrett Graff author of Watergate: A New History talks about Mark Felt and what really pushed Nixon out

On today’s show Mike concludes his interview with the author of an expansive new history of Watergate, Garrett Graff. Plus a few suggestions for how to describe the State of Our Union (Hangry?) and the debut of the first bonafide jingle of Season Two.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Are We Crazy To Think Putin Is Crazy? Feb 28, 2022

The Russian President is tough, cruel and ambitious. But now that he's suffered setbacks, we're hearing he's also mad.

On Todays Show Mike considers how useful it is to dwell on Putin's mental health and how accurate it is to tell ourselves that the Ukrainian resistance is indomitable. Plus, Garrett Graff author of Water Gate: A New History stops by to tell us what’s new in the land of Nixon.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: The Age Of Charlatans Feb 27, 2022

In this week's Best Of The Gist episode, Mike talks with Moises Naim about the rise of the autocrat, and we time warp back to July 2014 to hear an eerily familiar tale about Putin.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Glib Punditry Helped Putin Feb 26, 2022

We didn't take Putin's seriousness seriously.

Benjamin Wittes, Editor in Chief of Lawfare, discusses if anything short of Ukrainian sacrificing their lives will keep Putin from keeping Ukraine. Plus, explaining why the Stock Market shrugged off the war.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Big, Long War Feb 24, 2022

Chris Miller, author of Putinomics: Power and Money in Resurgent Russia says Putin is out for blood

Putin has said he's rolling into Ukraine to de-Nazify the country which fought the Nazis and whose president is a Jew. But Putin doesn't even care what he says, he cares where he bombs. And in the Spiel the importance of a great nation unable to prevent one war speaks poorly of the same nation unwilling to stop another.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Police and Prostitutes in South Africa Feb 23, 2022

Sex work in South Africa is a hazard because the policing is haphazard.

American Law Professor I India Thusi studied sex workers in South Africa, narrowly escaping some entanglements along the way. Plus, the 14-year-old mistake made by an American President that contributed to the war in Ukraine. And a congressional candidate has a believable reason for vomiting on 12-year-olds at a sleep over. Might it be that when she was 12 no one invited her to a sleep over? No, it's mixing drugs and wine.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Clever Thugs Feb 22, 2022

Moises Naim on The Revenge of Power: How Autocrats Are Reinventing Politics

The former Venezuelan trade minister who lived through Chavez wrecking his country has worked out something like the Autocratic Genome Project. What's alarming is that these clever thugs are learning from each other. Plus, the second guilty verdict for Ahmaud Arbery's killers and do sanctions ever really work?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Protestors And Laundromats Feb 19, 2022

This weekend, we’re revisiting Mike’s recent Spiel about the similarities between the protest tactics of BLM and Canadian truckers. And then we’re going way back to the first few months of the Gist (June 2014, to be exact-ish), to a laundromat in order to talk about what we now see as the nascent gig economy.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Peach State Voting Slate Feb 19, 2022

A spate of elections in Georgia are fascinating and important for the rest of us. Mike talks with Bill Nigut, host of Political Rewind on Georgia Public Broadcasting, about this year’s field of candidates, which includes the University of Georgia's all-time greatest running back. Plus, a light sentence for a Minnesota Police Officer who shot and killed a motorist when she had meant to use her taser.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Crouching Mogul, Roaring Dragon Feb 18, 2022

China has twisted Hollywood to suit its demands for years, and now things may be bottoming out. Erich Schwartzel, author of Red Carpet: Hollywood, China, and the Global Battle for Cultural Supremacy joins Mike to discuss how China uses access to its market to bend movie makers to their will. And in the Spiel, are we treating the tactics of Canadian truckers differently from similar tactics of BLM protesters because we disapprove of the truckers' cause?

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BoE Booted By The Bay Feb 17, 2022

San Francisco has recalled three school board members, as voters found no comfort in their efforts to rename, re-paint, and rid schools of merit-based admissions…instead of just opening them. Plus, it's Vexillology Corner with Ted Kaye, and an eye-opening nugget of Disney Princess trivia.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Off-Label Abuse Feb 15, 2022

Mike talks with Evan Hughes, author of Hard Sell: Crime and Punishment at an Opioid Startup, about his coverage of an out-of-control drug maker that destroyed lives and paid a price for doing so. Also, a judge, and later a jury, decide that it will take more than inaccurately linking Sarah Palin to murder to prove a defamation case.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Cost Of Paying Attention To Trump Feb 14, 2022

If we pay Donald Trump less heed, will it diminish his words and deeds? Mike talks with David French from The Dispatch about how—and how much—to think about the Donald. Plus, using focus groups to help make mask-mandate decisions, and why Larry David is actually quite the embracer of innovations despite his Superbowl commercial.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE GIST: Xiao Mina On Memes In Protest...And Mikaela Skis Out Feb 12, 2022

We listen back to our 2019 interview with author Xiao Mina on the role of social media memes in social movements. And Mike Spiels about Mikaela Shiffrin’s surprising early loss in the Olympics this past week.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Rooney Rule Ridicule Feb 12, 2022

Consequence-free interviewing initiatives have not inspired more than a pair of NFL teams to currently employ a Black head coach. Law professor and Former Green Bay Packer executive, Andrew Brandt on what tools the NFL has to increase the number of black head coaches. Plus, it's an Antwentig, which means Lobstars are in the offing.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Canucks Horror-Struck At Stuck Trucks Feb 10, 2022

Nelson Wiseman of the University of Toronto says the truckers clogging up the Capital are out of step with the values of Canada, a country with greater social cohesion than the United States. In the Spiel, Trump’s toilet-based filing system.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Time Hackers Took Down Two-Dozen Texas Towns Feb 09, 2022

Dina Temple-Raston of the new Click Here podcast uses narrative skills to take the threat of cybercrime from the obscure to the palpable. She tells the story of how a ransomware attack in Texas portends a future of cybercriminality that should have us all worried. And, speaking of cybercrime (plus hip-hop crime), Razzlekhan is alleged to have stolen billions in bitcoin and rapped about it. Badly. In the Spiel, Mikaela Shiffrin skis out, and NBC critics freak out.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Al Franken Gets Specific About Senators Feb 08, 2022

Lindsey Graham is a cynic, Joe Manchin can still be reached on filibuster reform, Michael Bennett…that one still hurts. In the second part of his interview, Senator Al Franken discusses the failings of Betsy DeVos and explains his former colleagues’ motivations. Plus, a Spiel about Best Picture Nominee "Don’t Look Up" — a warning for everyone already heading the warning.

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Former Senator, Touring Comic, and De-Humor-izer Survivor Al Franken Feb 08, 2022

In Part 1 of a two-part interview, Al Franken, now a working standup comedian, analyzes politics and what made him such an effective questioner during Senate hearings. And Mike spiels about a visit from a boring German, and why Mike Pence's rebuke cannot be considered brave.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE WEEK: Joe Rogan Goes Rogue Feb 05, 2022

In this week's Best Of The Gist episode, Mike Spiels about Joe Rogan's most criticized interview, with insights on the Nuremberg Codes and the shocking accusation that Anthony Faucci conspired to quash evidence, which he definitely didn't do.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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A Retelling Of Dog Day Afternoon Blows Up Feb 05, 2022

A project to retell the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon from a trans character's perspective almost tore Raja Feather Kelly's dance company apart. The Feat3r Collective is ambitious, daring, and, for his recent project Wednesday, embattled. Ultimately, art persevered. Plus, Olympic Parade of Nations oddities, and New York State gerrymanders to the Dems advantage.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Well-Crafted, Certainly Amusing Sameness Of Late Night TV Feb 03, 2022

Jeff Maurer is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning writer for HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, which he says never strayed from the POVs you'd expect, during the six years he wrote for the show. Jeff’s proud of the show, but he also realized that there was little opportunity to tackle topics that weren't firmly in the liberal/progressive consensus. So he left.

In the Spiel, Mike assesses critics of The New York Times’ David Leonhardt. He’s cautiously offering a glimpse at a post-Covid conviction, they're accusing him of crimes against humanity.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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The Techno-Utopian Internet Game That's Immiserating Filipinos Feb 03, 2022

Paul Butler examines how Axie Infinity, a "w3" online game sold as the future of work, is simply reinforcing drudgery. The game's makers say it's more than a game, it's a way to escape poverty. In reality, its part cynical hype and part pitiless grind. In the Spiel, Mike discusses how Jeff Zucker's resignation from CNN isn't a scandal of sex, it's a scandal of boundaries.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Vaccine Doubters Aren't Sayin'....They're Just Saying Feb 02, 2022

Part 2 of an interview with Professor Jonathan Gottschall who says Netflix is to narrative what the Golden Corral is to portion control. In the Spiel a listen to all 3 hours of Joe Rogan's most criticized interview, with insights on the Nuremberg Codes and the shocking accusation that Anthony Faucci conspired to quash evidence, which he definitely didn't do.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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Stories Are A Tool, And Tools Can Be Deadly Feb 01, 2022

Mike talks to Professor Jonathan Gottschall, who speaks about the sheer tonnage of stories that we all absorb, and how this basic human function affects us like a drug.

In the Spiel, Mike analyzes Boris Johnson's party proclivities, and addresses if defying Covid lockdowns is a tipple too far for the British public.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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BEST OF THE WEEK: Neil Young Takes Aim At Joe Rogan's Spotify Platform Jan 29, 2022

In our debut Saturday Edition, we pull out a compelling segment you may have missed during the week.

Produced by Joel Patterson

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Free Speech Has Costs Jan 29, 2022

Suzanne Nossel, author of Dare To Speak: Defending Free Speech For All , and President of PEN, on her organization's never-wavering, but not-always-easy, commitment to defend expression. In a conversation recorded almost a year ago, and aired here for the first time, Nossel discusses with Mike the current atmosphere around censoriousness and the conceptions of what free speech means, who it harms and how it should be managed.

Mike also talks about Kyle Rittenhouse's play to acquire the rifle that killed two people.

Plus, in the Spiel, A Kyiv pet pee-ev.

Produced by Joel Patterson

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“It’s Me Or Joe Rogan!” (It’s Rogan) Jan 28, 2022

Neil Young wants Joe Rogan to either burn out or fade away over Covid mis-info. Mike spiels about Neil Young's Criticisms of Joe Rogan’s Covid pronouncements. And in the interview, the NYTimes Magazine’s Emily Bazelon talks about how the nationwide rise in murders will affect the agendas of progressive prosecutors.

Produced by Joel Patterson

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"I'm Beginning To Worry About Putin's Mental State" Jan 27, 2022

Today on the Gist, The former President of Estonia on Russia's aggression and German obstruction. And news that SCOTUS's Breyer will retire inspires a Spiel about domestic obstructionism.

Produced by Joel Patterson

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Reports Of America’s Internal Bloodlust May Be Slightly Exaggerated Jan 26, 2022

Dartmouth professor Brendan J. Nyhan looks at polls showing Americans endorse violence and says those findings are off. But there’s still a lot to worry about. And in the Spiel, a troubling but little-remarked-upon argument made in the Derek Chauvin defense resurfaces in the Federal trial of former Minneapolis Police Officers.

Podcast production by Joel Patterson

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We're Back In Time For The Revolution Jan 25, 2022

On the Gist, America may be poised for revolution. Or not. We're certainly obsessed with talking about it.

In the interview, Mike speaks with Stephen Marche, author of The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future. Marche sets the chances of a civil war at 67%. Mike challenges him by asking why this moment is so different from dozens of inflection points since the actual Civil War.

In the Spiel, a commitment to keeping the Gist a place free of catastrophizing, while not minimizing the number of very real problems we face.

Podcast production by Joel Patterson

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The Return of The Gist Jan 18, 2022

The Gist Returns on Monday, January 24 for Season 2. Today, Mike recounts the guiding principles of Season 1 ( i.e. the first 1400 episodes), and delivers a promise of rigor and independence for Season 2.

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‘Till the Cows Come Home Feb 19, 2021

On the Gist, #TedFled.

In the Interview, his new documentary has been called “jaw-dropping,” “incendiary,” “riveting,” and “engrossing.” Sam Pollard’s new film MLK/FBI is about the bureau’s surveillance and harassment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The film delves into new and declassified documents as well as restored footage to reveal the government’s long past of targeting Black activists. Pollard tells Mike, “I was just trying to tell a good story. About two men on the same trajectory one with a goal to take his people to the Promised Land, and the other one with a goal to stop that man from doing that.” Sam Pollard is an award winning director, editor and producer. He was nominated for an Oscar for his 1997 documentary 4 Little Girls, and has won two Emmys for his documentary editing.

In the Spiel, we’re worried about the cows in Texas. Hat tip, Moo Muffs!

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Limbaugh’s Lamentable Legacy Feb 17, 2021

On the Gist, we rush to Limbaugh’s judgment.

In the Interview, political and media historian, Brian Rosenwald, joins Mike to talk about Rush Limbaugh’s rise to popularity in conservative media, his power as a voice and entertainer in talk radio, the influence he had on the Republican party, and who is primed to carry his torch over the AM dial or in podcasting. As a national broadcaster, Limbaugh developed a political perspective over his career that to the left perpetuated harmful ideas, and to the right, uplifted and championed their values. Limbaugh was awarded the presidential medal of freedom February 4, 2020, and died February 17, 2021 of complications from lung cancer at 70 years old. Rosenwald is editor of Washington Post’s Made By History blog, scholar in residence at the Partnership for Effective Public Administration and Leadership Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, and author ofTalk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States.

And we give up the spiel to keep talking to Rosenwald about the aftermath of Limbaugh.

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How History Will Remember Trump Feb 16, 2021

On the Gist, Southern cold snap!

In the Interview, Sonari Glinton is back! Which means we’re talking cars. Glinton and Pesca discuss GM's recent proclamation to go electric by 2025. Glinton says that it's not that car makers aren't making profits off of going electric, it's that General Motors' commitment is a sign that the state of things are grave. He projects that automotive companies will be entering into partnerships in an effort to solve environmental problems, and that the new Biden administration in conjunction with the depart of transportation will lead efforts to push the U.S. out of the recession. Glinton is a well-known host in the public radio and podcast realm, and is a former NPR business reporter covering the auto industry and economics.

In the spiel, trying to predict the history books.

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The Directionless are Misleading Feb 12, 2021

On the Gist, Mike lives for the arguments Trump’s lawyers are making because, well, they’re really bad.

In the Interview, “She loves America. For her, she was there showing support for the American political process.” SUNY Geneseo political science professor and author Karleen West talks to Mike about her mother’s participation in the January 6th insurrection. West has spent years studying insurrections in Latin America, but on January 6th, her personal and professional collided. Mike and West talk about how West’s mother is a strong woman, but doesn’t consider herself a feminist, the radicalization of her mother, and how her mother is still proud of her...despite not really knowing what her career is.

In the spiel, assailing democrats, and two words: Swiss cheese.

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When the Victims are the Jurors Feb 11, 2021

On the Gist, exploring the complexities of the personal stakes of the Senators in the Trump Impeachment trial.

In the Interview, it’s the second half of our conversation with Jonah Blank, an anthropologist, writer, author, and former policy director for South and Southeast Asia on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Blank joins Mike to talk about the Myanmar coup, the default of cheering on populism, conflicts and communal violence, and the threat to democracy. Blank is author of Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God, and Mullahs on the Mainframe, and currently based in Singapore. He’ll be back on the show next week.

In the spiel, picking apart Lindsey Graham.

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How Trump’s Lawyers Will Defend the Indefensible Feb 10, 2021

On the Gist, the prosecution in Trump’s Impeachment is firing on all cylinders.

In the Interview, we take a look inside the FBI’s fight against white supremacy and domestic terrorism. Frank Figliuzzi is a 25-year veteran of the FBI. He joins Mike to talk about why the country needs a domestic terrorism law, the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol, and how the FBI is battling the threat from within the United States. Figliuzzi is the author of The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau’s Code of Ethics.

In the spiel, like Gaston and the guys who went after Frankenstein’s monster before him, no matter what his defense says, Trump did incite an angry, pole-bearing mob.

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Belknaps and Bad Lawyers Feb 10, 2021

On the Gist, the Belknap case is clear precedent.

In the Interview, it’s round two of vaccine talk. Mike and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director and epidemiologist, talk about equity and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. They also discuss why we shouldn’t heroicize the pharmaceutical industry, using the issue of the sixth dose as a compelling example. El-Sayed’s new book Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide is out now. He’s also the host of America Dissected from Crooked Media, among many other projects.

In the spiel, Trump’s defense tested a few losing arguments.

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Comparing COVID-19 vaccines and Climate Change with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed Feb 09, 2021

On the Gist, ads for “The Big Game” are given the Pesca treatment.

In the Interview, it’s vaccine talk. Mike sits down remotely with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director and epidemiologist about the COVID-19 vaccine. They talk about how social media has spread both information and misinformation, how the response to the coronavirus is eerily similar to climate change, and how Canadians have managed to get things right. Plus, when politics and health collide: El-Sayed’s new book Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide is out now. He’s also the host of America Dissected from Crooked Media, among many other projects.

In the spiel, George Shultz’ legacy as a public servant.

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Taking QAnon Seriously Feb 06, 2021

On the Gist, cost of living and minimum wage around the U.S.

In the Interview, journalist David Gilbert from Vice News joins Mike to talk about QAnon, the cult of disinformation, it's propulsion into 2021, and how people from all walks of life are susceptible to believing. Plus, Gilbert translates Marjorie Taylor Greene's floor speech, and explains why it wasn't a disavowing of Q or the conspiracy theories she still believes in.

In the spiel, it’s the first lobstar of the antentwig of 2021!

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Stand By Your Lunatic: Republicans Want Marjorie Taylor Greene to Keep her Committees Feb 05, 2021

On the Gist, stripping Majorie Taylor Greene of her committee membership, but Republicans still want to keep her around.

In the Interview, it’s coup talk. It’s part one of an interview with Jonah Blank, an anthropologist, writer, author, and former policy director for South and Southeast Asia on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Blank joins Mike to talk about the Myanmar coup, the default of cheering on populism, conflicts and communal violence, and the threat to democracy. Blank is author of Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God, and Mullahs on the Mainframe, and currently based in Singapore. He’ll be back on the show next week.

In the spiel, Representatives Nancy Mace and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are fighting.

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Trump's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Impeachment Defenses Feb 04, 2021

On the Gist, importing walkie-talkies into Myanmar.

In the Interview, we’re coming into a new constitutional cycle, and it means Democrats could take quite a bit of power. Well, if they don’t blow it. We’ve been in the same Republican-dominated cycle for decades, according to Jack Balkin, author of The Constitutional Cycles of Time. Balkin and Mike talk about the extreme political polarization not seen since the Civil War, constitutional rot, and, just for fun, delve into conservative complaints about de-platforming and free speech. Balkin is a Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment and Director for The Information Society Project at Yale Law School.

In the spiel, delving into the Trump files ahead of the Impeachment trial.

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Coronavirus Symptom Check Feb 03, 2021

On the Gist, Alexei Navalny’s sentence.

In the Interview, it’s part two of a conversation with historian Jill Lepore about her latest book: If Then: How the Simulmatics Corporation Invented the Future. Jill discusses that with data mining and analysis there is greater potential for the demeaning of democratic processes, and why in 2021, accepting social media and twitter as a proxy for public opinion and polling could be risky. Lepore is an author, a New Yorker writer, and historian. She is also host of a podcast called The Last Archive from Pushkin.

In the spiel, looking for relief?

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Making Fun of the GameStop Stonks Feb 01, 2021

On the Gist, once a Nobel Peace Prize winner, now a war criminal.

In the Interview, writer Jill Lepore joins Mike for part one of their conversation on her latest book: If Then: How the Simulmatics Corporation Invented the Future, a precursor to data and polling companies. If Then is an account on the mid-century boom in the advertising industry and its overlap with political marketing. Lepore articulates the deep prejudice in polling at the time, the rise of awareness of computers, and how Simulmatics' people machine's duplicity was made legible.

In the spiel, the GameStop/Wall Street debacle starring the usual suspects.

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Arizona Lawmaker Says, No Vote For You Jan 30, 2021

On the Gist, an Arizona Representative has a plan to win - throw out votes.

In the interview, it’s all about the voice; John Colapinto’s new book, This is the Voice, that is. From sexy baby voice to deep baritones, Colapinto talks about his linguistic journey in writing his new book about the importance of the sounds and the musicality of voice that come out of our mouths, and how a good bedside manner can save you from lawsuits. Colapinto is a staff writer at the New Yorker.

In the spiel, crackpot as croackpots.

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Republicans Horribilis Jan 29, 2021

On the Gist, what happens when a conservative pundit and a famous quarterback make a podcast: Bolling with Favre.

In the interview, it’s been a lonely year, and an especially difficult 10 months to try and find love. But Logan Ury’s new book, How to Not Die Alone just may hold the key. Putting psychology first, Uryseeks to give readers a guide to finding and keeping relationships. Spoiler alert: Stop focusing on the spark! Ury explains an approach to dating that is more psychology than yenta, the non-fluffiness of behavioral science, and what goes on in a “Love Lab.” Ury is the co-founder of the Irrational Lab at Google, and is the Director of Relationship Science for the dating app Hinge.

In the spiel, three horrible truths and a half terrible truth about Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

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Illusions, Delusions, and Flat Out Lies Jan 28, 2021

On the Gist, you can’t trouble us with your labels.

In the interview, what is In & Of Itself? The new Hulu special by Frank Oz and Derek DelGaudio is so much more than just a made-for-TV version of DelGaudio’s live show. As creators, Oz and DelGaudio discuss the stigma of illusion, an art form which relies on sleight of hand and audience participation, and talk about how they were able to bring to life their special for people sitting at home. Both Oz and DelGaudio elucidate the assumptions around their respective careers, professions which have historically been viewed as sitting lower on the performing arts totem pole, and urge viewers to refrain from taking things simply on face value. In & Of Itself is available now on Hulu.

In the spiel, understanding the difference between lies and delusions.

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The Murder of Saudi Arabian Journalist, Jamal Khashoggi Jan 27, 2021

On the Gist, Impeachment logic games.

In the interview, it’s part two of a conversation with Oscar award winning documentarian and director Bryan Fogel about his latest film The Dissident. The film centers around Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder, and its broader human rights implications. The Dissidentis available in theaters, and now via premium video-on-demand. Today, Fogel and Mike focus on Fogel’s experiences putting the documentary together, and how he got unlikely sources to sit down for interviews.

In the spiel, use code RUDY today!

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Calling Larry King; and Part One with Oscar Winner Bryan Fogel Jan 26, 2021

On the Gist, Larry King, ‘Hello!’

In the interview, it’s part one of a conversation with Oscar award winning documentarian and director Bryan Fogel about his latest film The Dissident. The film centers around Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder, and its broader human rights implications. Fogel discusses how he seeks to right wrongs through his investigative filmmaking, and details how he put his own life on the line to tell Khashoggi’s story. The Dissidentis available in theaters, and now via premium video-on-demand. Part two of Fogel’s conversation is tomorrow.

In the spiel, Rand Paul versus reality.

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The Cost of Convicting Trump Feat. Guest Joe Lockhart Jan 23, 2021

On the Gist, Trump is deserving of a trial, and a lot more.

In the interview, what are the consequences of putting Trump through a Senate trial? Mike does some game theory with Joe Lockhart about the possible implications for Republicans and Democrats when it comes to voting for, and possibly convicting the former president. Lockhart is former press secretary for President Clinton, partner at strategic comms group Rational360, and a CNN political analyst.

In the spiel, mask on, mask off. But seriously keep your mask on.

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Pardon Me? Jan 22, 2021

On the Gist, before he jetted off to the sunshine state, Trump had a last bit of business to attend to.

In the interview, Mike talks to Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean of leadership programs, and the Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management for the Yale School of Management. He is also founder and president of the Chief Executive Leadership Institute. Mike and Sonnenfeld discuss C.E.L.I., a nonprofit educational and research institute focused on CEO leadership and corporate governance, and Trump’s influence on their decision making.

In the spiel, oh the people he pardoned.

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Joe Biden Takes Over Jan 20, 2021

On the Gist, a decent man gives a speech.

In the interview, Mike talks to Sarada Peri about now President Joe Biden’s inaugural speech. The former President Barack Obama speechwriter says Biden, “knocked it out of the park.” They talk about the most effective moments and the importance of speaking directly about racism and white supremacy. Peri also discusses why Biden addressing the American people as “folks” is not only a favorite colloquialism of his, but a necessary way to relate.

In the spiel, Republicans will likely continue to republican.

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Last call for Donald Trump Jan 20, 2021

On the Gist, Trump is getting traded.

In the interview, we bring in Chris Molanphy to discuss the music hits of 2020. They talk about how All I Want For Christmas is You keeps coming back to the top of the charts and the unexpected timeliness of Rockstar by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch. Molanphy is a pop-chart analyst, the writer of Slate’s “Why Is This Song No. 1?” series, and host of the podcast Hit Parade. Come for the deep dive on an unusual year in music, stay for Mike explaining what W.A.P. stands for.

In the spiel, we remember Trump for the last time.

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Senate hopeful John Fetterman talks incarceration, gun control, and Trump voters Jan 16, 2021

On the Gist, the QAnon Shaman’s lawyer.

In the interview, John Fetterman, also known as Lieutenant Governor Stone Cold, talks to Mike about his potential Senate run. The Pennsylvania native talks about his origin story from son of teenagers to Harvard graduate, his thoughts on gun control and incarceration, and the woes of being six-foot-nine. (Not enough suits.)

In Remembrances of Things Trump: so many Seans, so little time.

In the spiel, supposed contradictions of pro-free speech.

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What You Might Have Missed Jan 14, 2021

On the Gist, Republicans use their voices to complain about not having a voice.

In the interview, Melissa Murray joins Mike to discuss what the articles of impeachment can teach us about constitutional law as we review the events of last week at the Capitol Building. Murray is a professor at NYU Law, co-host of Strict Scrutiny podcast, and a contributor on MSNBC.

In Remembrances of Things Trump: Goofy, Sleepy, Crazy...no those aren’t Snow White’s friends. They are Trump’s favorite nicknames.

In the spiel, the Trump push for Lisa Montgomery’s execution in the final week of his tarnished presidency.

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His Time is Up Jan 14, 2021

On the Gist, the gavel was quick and sure during the impeachment hearing.

In the interview, what risks lie ahead for 2021? Mike sits down with political scientist Ian Bremmer. They talk about what went wrong in 2020 (hint COVID-19 managed to make a lot of Bremmer’s predictions come true). And for 2021 - China, oil and Biden, oh my! Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group, a firm that helps investors and businesses understand the impact of politics on their investments.

In Remembrances of Things Trump, Trump attacks a dead man because Trump has a problem with women.

In the spiel, bearing the stain of being impeached twice.

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We Are Who We Are Jan 12, 2021

On the Gist, this is actually who we are because we wouldn’t have let it happen.

In the interview, Katie Meyer, political reporter at WHYY in Philadelphia joins Mike to talk about the Pennsylvania state legislature, and today’s federal ruling on the contested state senate race.

In Remembrances of Things Trump, back to the days when Trump was able to tweet, and retweet.

In the spiel, defining incitement.

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Militias in the Mitten State Jan 12, 2021

On the Gist, several Republicans predicted years ago Trump’s actions would lead to violence, but they’re sticking with him anyway. One of them is Ted Cruz.

In Remembrances of Things Trump, Trump denounces a Swedish terrorism attack that never happened.

In the interview, Mike is joined by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. They talk about insurrection at the Capitol building in D.C., and in Michigan, and how rallies and big talk got them there. Nessel also explains her decision to seek sanctions against attorneys who filed lawsuits claiming debunked election fraud in the state.

In the spiel, Trump may be off Twitter, but his supporters don’t have to go far to get their message out. It’s called podcasting. Ever heard of it?

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Abandon Ship Jan 09, 2021

On the Gist, how do 39% of registered voters “approve” of Trump’s performance? 39%; really?

In the interview, Mike is joined by Stan Barnes to talk all things Arizona. Arizona just gave its two Senate seats to Democrats in a shocking upset for the long-time red state. Barnes is a former Republican state senator turned party consultant for the Copper State. He talks to Mike about the impact of Wednesday’s Capitol chaos on the Republican party and how there’s no “putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.”

And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump, the people who left the Trump administration before it became en vogue.

In the spiel, a slew of resignations following the chaos.

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Siege Subculture Stories Jan 08, 2021

On the Gist, the assault on the Capitol through extremist corners of the internet.

In the interview, Mike is joined by U.S Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan’s 5th Congressional District, and Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus. Rep. Kildee was on the House floor when violent pro-Trump extremists overtook the Capitol, causing a lockdown. Kildee shares his experience of what it was like inside the chambers before and after the electoral vote count had been certified, and what he’s hearing from his constituents in Michigan.

In the spiel, we continue our walk through the insurrectionist rampage at the Capitol.

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Podcast production by Margaret Kelley, Cheyna Roth, and Jasmine Ellis.

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Capitol Siege Jan 07, 2021

On the Gist, the Capitol is breached by pro-Trump extremists.

In the interview, Mike is joined by Slate’s senior politics writer, Jim Newell, from Washington, D.C. While sequestered from inside the Capitol Building, Newell discussed the safety measures put in place to protect those remaining in the House chambers and its locked corridors, while police made desperate attempts at corralling the violence.

In the spiel, the Georgia runoff and what this means for American politics.

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Podcast production by Margaret Kelley, Cheyna Roth, and Jasmine Ellis.

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One Needle to Predict Them All Jan 06, 2021

On the Gist, we return to the infamous Bean Dad.

And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: All the president’s less than capable men.

In the interview, it’s part two of a conversation with David Shor, a researcher and consultant for democratic politicians. Dubbed a political data analyst prodigy, Shor developed a voter registration system as a teenager, then at age 20 subsequently moved on to work for the Obama campaign where he oversaw forecasting. Shor shares more of his experiences collaborating with more seasoned colleagues and explains how humbling it was in the process.

In the spiel, needling the needle truthers ahead of the Georgia runoff.

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Podcast production by Margaret Kelley, Cheyna Roth, and Jasmine Ellis.

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Who is Ken Jennings? Jan 05, 2021

On the Gist, President Trump made a phone call and blew apart the life of a private citizen.

And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: teleprompter stumble.

In the interview, it’s part one of a conversation with David Shor, a researcher and consultant for democratic politicians. Shor discusses the value trade-offs parties have to make in order to win an election. From his analysis, he explains that when a political party’s values are out of sync with what a median voter believes, issues inevitably arise at the polls. He stresses that it’s not just the messaging, it’s about how it is disseminated and used to persuade.

In the spiel, the answer is: This former Jeopardy! contestant is facing Twitter backlash.

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Podcast production by Margaret Kelley, Cheyna Roth, and Jasmine Ellis.

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The World's Worst Year Ever Dec 30, 2020

On the Gist, Fauci guess-timates. And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: dead ducks and poisoned undies.

In the interview, Harvard professor Michael McCormick is here to tell Mike about the worst year in recorded history. According to him, it’s 536 A.D., a year when a volcanic eruption blocked out the sun, a bubonic plague that recurred every few decades began, and Ireland was without bread for four years. He and Mike discuss how we’re able to pinpoint so precisely the date of these events, how it affected humanity, and that sometimes the history lesson is things can always get worse. McCormick is the Frances Goelet Professor of Medieval History at Harvard University.

In the spiel, if our ancestors got through, so can we.

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America’s Worst Year Ever Dec 29, 2020

On the Gist, sorting out how undemocratic of our democracy is.

In the interview, the Atlantic’s James Fallows contends that while 2020 has been bad, 1968 was actually quite worse. The Vietnam War was raging, young men were being drafted, and in 1968 the North Vietnamese and Vietcong forces launched their Tet Offensive. Not to mention, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were both assassinated. Fallows and Mike discuss how the assassinations compounded on the stress of the war, how shooting targets have shifted from politicians to schools, and compare the civil unrest of 1968 with 2020. Fallows’ piece in the Atlantic is “Is This the Worst Year in Modern American History?”

In the spiel, we’re not getting those $2,000 checks...which leads to a Remembrances of Things Trump where the president likes a certain phrase about talking and action.

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Editor’s note: This episode mistakenly identifies Martin Luther King Jr. as having been assassinated “when he was in his early 40s.” King died at the age of 39 on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Getting Carriered Away Dec 28, 2020

On the Gist, we’re experiencing some loner white terrorist burnout.

In the interview, we’re talking rural Republicans. Ross Benes gives us insight to Nebraska’s Republican party, and how they can help to understand Republicans everywhere. He talks about where Democrats are going wrong outside the cities, the difference between an old fashioned Republican and a Trump Toadie, and what makes rural voters tick—sometimes despite their own best interests. Benes is a journalist and analyst at eMarketer, and the author of Rural Rebellion: How Nebraska Became a Republican Stronghold.

In the spiel, remembering what Trump said he’d do for the Carrier plant.

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Simply Having a COVID Christmas Time Dec 23, 2020

On the Gist, Republican Grinches are scratching their heads while Santa Trump calls for more stimulus money.

And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: This president. He hasn’t talked so good.

In the interview, we have Georgia on our mind yet again with Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Bill Nigut. He talks about the upcoming Georgia runoff including the impact of Republicans crying foul after the 2020 election, the (slim) chance that Republicans could blow an election that’s theirs to lose, and a deep cut involving a political jingle. Nigut is the host and executive producer of the Georgia politics podcast, Political Rewind. He’s also a program host and producer at Georgia Public Broadcasting.

In the spiel, that rare feeling of togetherness that now comes with waiting on line for a COVID-19 test.

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Washing Out the Trump Stain Dec 23, 2020

On the Gist, who wants the vaccine?

And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: Did Trump really want a moat with alligators and snakes?

In the interview, it’s the second half of Mike’s conversation with author Michael Scott Alexander about his book, Making Peace with the Universe: Personal Crisis and Spiritual Healing. Alexander talks about his connection to finding a religious path and identity, the differences between religious institutions and personal enlightenment, and why the concept of spirituality desperately needs rebranding. Alexander is associate professor of religious studies and Maimonides Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies at the University of California, Riverside.

In the spiel, cleansing America of Trump.

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The Death Sentence Is Dubious Dec 22, 2020

On the Gist, medical innovation.

And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: charitable contributions.

In the interview, it’s part one of Mike’s discussion with author, Michael Scott Alexander about his book, Making Peace with the Universe: Personal Crisis and Spiritual Healing. Alexander details how he searched for insight during an existential crisis, and retroactively explored how other great thinkers, philosophers, psychologists, and musicians found help in healing the mind. Alexander is associate professor of religious studies and Maimonides Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies at the University of California, Riverside.

In the spiel, dubious arguments against dubious death sentences.

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The Shrinking Majority Dec 19, 2020

On the Gist, the shrinking list of Democrats in Congress. And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: Trump trying to surprise the parents of British teenager Harry Dunn with their son’s killer.

In the interview, the Gist’s favorite guest, Maria Konnikova, is back for another round of “Is That Bullshit?” She and Mike talk about long shot political wins and describe what it meant for Donald Trump to draw an inside straight in 2016. It’s a great hand to bluff with, but oftentimes it can be a bad strategy in poker and in life. Maria’s book The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win is a New York Times bestseller and listed as one of their 100 Notable Books for 2020.

In the spiel, it’s the final lobster of the antentwig of 2020!

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Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Margaret Kelley.

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Democrat Delusions Dec 18, 2020

On the Gist, gale-force winds from winter storm Gail. And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: Jim Acosta was scolded and his credentials revoked.

In the interview, Mike talks with Scottish sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter how his dogs Olive and Mabel became online celebrities. Earlier this year, Cotter began publishing short videos of his dogs featuring funny commentaries from his perspective. One is a sports-style chew toy play-by-play, and another is a work call with his pups over Zoom. These videos went majorly viral, and now he’s out with a memoir recounting the real stories of his life with his dogs. Cotter’s book is Olive, Mabel, & Me: Life and Adventures With Two Very Good Dogs.

In the spiel, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stresses that there is no plan in place for new leadership.

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Keeping an Eye on the Fall Dec 17, 2020

On the Gist, GOP going after themselves. And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: Peter Navarro’s alter ego.

In the interview, Mike talks with Jane McManus about the conclusions of her poll on why Americans have been spending less time watching sports in 2020. What she found has a lot to do with not just the pandemic and aging viewers, but identity politics, too. In their conversation, McManus underscores that the health of a community is oftentimes based on playing games, and that sports are the ultimate reflection of a healthy democracy. She also discusses why sports leagues choosing to avoid getting involved in disseminating a public health message was contrary to putting community and teamwork first. McManus is director of Marist College’s Center for Sports Communication, a columnist for Deadspin sports and an ESPN contributor.

In the spiel, Joe Rogan doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

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Constructing Joe’s Cabinet Dec 16, 2020

On the Gist, Pete Buttigieg named Biden’s secretary of transport. And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: Ryan Zinke, Trump’s first secretary of the interior.

In the interview, it’s the final half of Mike’s discussion with writer Matthew Yglesias. After touching on Yglesias’ argument from his Vox piece, “Trump’s Gains With Hispanic Voters Should Prompt Some Progressive Rethinking,” he and Mike go deeper on the divide between white Democrats and Democrats of color, and why some social issues in the progressive mainstream don’t necessarily work for the larger Democratic base. Yglesias’ Substack newsletter is Slow Boring.

In the spiel, Biden-esque buddyism.

And, a short tribute to the late Catie Lazarus, comedy writer, and former host of the Slate talk show Employee of the Month.

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Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Margaret Kelley.

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Competence Prevails Dec 15, 2020

On the Gist, deciphering the Zodiac Killer’s last message. And, today in Remembrances of Things Trump: Trump trying to make Andrew Puzder his Labor Secretary.

In the interview, the first part of Mike’s discussion with writer Matthew Yglesias. They talk about how the world of online media has changed since Yglesias founded Vox, and begin to get into his argument about certain parts of the Democratic platform that alienated Hispanic voters and pushed them towards Trump. Tomorrow, they’ll go deeper on the complex analysis of voters of color, and why it seems harder to disagree with progressive thought than it used to be. Yglesias’ Substack newsletter is Slow Boring.

In the spiel, competent judges kept the U.S. in check.

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Happy Fifteen Years, Political Gabfest Dec 11, 2020

On the Gist, don’t trust the polls. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: Trump loves the Great Lake.

In the interview, Mike helps Slate celebrate a milestone. Fifteen years ago this week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz recorded their first podcast together, and the Political Gabfest was born. Since 2005, the trio has roundtabled weekly about politicians, scandals, and countless court cases with millions of listeners joining them along the way. It’s a podcast series that Stephen Colbert says “everybody should listen to.” One of the first-published podcasts to date, Slate’s Political Gabfest set the stage for news, culture, and politics shows everywhere to come over the years.

In the spiel, proof through accusation.

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Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Margaret Kelley.

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Middle Class Musts Dec 11, 2020

On the Gist, unasked for resignation advice. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: toilets for well-endowed men.

In the interview, it’s part two of Mike’s conversation with Jim Tankersley, author and New York Times economics reporter. Tankersley provides solutions to productivity gains, explains how access to education in America is not enough of a tool for progress and that extending opportunities, like V.C. to women and BIPOC, will create more opportunities leading to a virtuous cycle promoting a new thriving middle class. Tankersley’s book is The Riches of This Land: The Untold, True Story of America's Middle Class.

In the spiel, Georgia senators buying stocks.

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Medical Racism and Vaccine Fears Dec 10, 2020

On the Gist, the skeletons in Hunter Biden’s closet. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: A natural rust color on the border wall.

In the interview, it’s part one of Mike’s conversation with author and economics reporter Jim Tankersley about his new book, The Riches of This Land: The Untold, True Story of America's Middle Class. Tankersley defines the middle class by economic security, and underscores how legislations and the Civil Rights act negatively impacted economic policy. Mike and Jim also discuss how the U.S. seemed to luck into having a middle class post-World War II, and why chasing jobs of the past could be an ineffective method of rebuilding future opportunities. Stay tuned for part two in tomorrow’s episode.

In the spiel, the Black community and the coronavirus vaccine.

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Worthy of the Vaccine Dec 09, 2020

On the Gist, Ultimate Concrete. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: Harley riders for Trump.

In the interview, Mike talks with Cal Matters reporter Laurel Rosenhall about her coverage of Proposition 22, an unprecedented measure pushed by app-based rideshare and livery companies to keep their workers within the gig-economy and preserve exemptions around having to pay employee job protections and benefits. Rosenhall discusses the strategies companies like Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and Doordash used to pressure voters as well as drivers during the campaign, and what happened when the now former president of NAACP’s California-Hawaii chapter was paid to endorse the ballot measure. Rosenhall is host of Force of Law, a podcast exploring the ways California lawmakers are attempting to reduce police shootings across the golden state.

In the spiel, who deserves the vaccine?

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Year of the Rat Dec 08, 2020

On the Gist, Trump still wants attention. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: Trump meeting Emmanuel Macron.

In the interview, theater artist and rat about town Jonothon Lyons is here to talk with Mike about his year performing in the streets and subways of New York City. They discuss the origins of Lyons’ work in movement and mask making, the shapes and shadows that help build a mask face, and how Buddy the Rat helped Mike with his own recent engagement.

In the spiel, pay in the Senate and the NBA.

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Wrecking Public Trust Dec 05, 2020

On the Gist, Corey Lewandowski has caught the virus. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: criticizing Chucks.

In the interview, Maria Konnikova is back for another “Is That Bullshit?” She and Mike dissect where the stipulations around the socially distanced fifteen-minute time limit.* While in close proximity to another person, how long does it actually take to get exposed and what are the variables? Turns out, the time frame depends on a variety of factors like weather, mask fabric, location and even air quality. Maria’s latest book The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win is a New York Times bestseller and listed as one of their 100 Notable Books for 2020.

In the spiel, the detriments of downplaying Covid-19.

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* Links: Beyond Six Feet: A Guideline to Limit Indoor Airborne Transmission of COVID-19, COVID-19 Indoor Safety Guideline and app.

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Perdue’s Share of Pfizer Dec 04, 2020

On the Gist, will Trump have a platform once he’s stripped of power? And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: hoping things will work out with North Korea.

In the interview, lawyer Fred Golder is here to discuss mediation and his new bookReaching Common Ground: A Comprehensive Guide to Conflict Resolution. He and Mike discuss Golder’s long career fighting for the rights of workers starting in the ’60s, and how his experience led him to believe mediation was the best tool to resolve employment conflict for both sides of the table, and how long court battles really only ever turned out to be good for the lawyers.

In the spiel, Sen. Perdue’s securities fraud.

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Fiddling With Georgia’s Election Dec 03, 2020

On the Gist, unraveling of election results. And, today’s installment of Remembrances of Things Trump: a graveyard full of birds.

In the interview, Mike is joined by Fred Kaplan, War Stories columnist at Slate, and author of The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War. Kaplan discusses the implications of the assassination of the head of the Iranian nuclear program, Trump’s stance on U.S. involvement on foreign wars, and some projections on Biden’s cabinet picks for secretary of defense.

In the spiel, the devil went down to Georgia’s polls.

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Punting on Opportunity Dec 02, 2020

On the Gist, potential mass fraud. Plus, the latest installment of Remembrances of Things Trump, aswe pause to recall when the president claimed his father was born in Germany.

In the interview, it's part two of Mike's conversation with voice actor Jess Harnell, who is reprising his role as Wakko Warner on the reboot of the beloved ‘90s cartoon The Animaniacs, now streaming on Hulu. Separate from the show, Harnell discusses his success in vocal matching and imitation, and how he successfully adapted it for his band Rock Sugar—their music comedically mashes up 80's heavy metal and pop music. Harnell also discusses his thoughts on one of his first voice acting gigs for Disney’s Splash Mountain, and the 2020 controversy around the attraction.

In the spiel, women are capable of playing American football, just only when men aren’t available.

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Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder, Margaret Kelley, and Lori Galarreta.

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Progressives Cry Betrayal Dec 01, 2020

On the Gist, voter certifications in Arizona and Wisconsin.

In the interview, Mike talks with Jess Harnell, the Emmy-nominated voice artist with over 300 voice credits to his name, including Wakko Warner from The Animaniacs. The animated show executive produced by Steven Spielberg, known for bringing irreverent comedy and satire to kids in the 90’s, is back. In the first part of this two part interview, Harnell explains the inspiration behind Wakko's voice, what elements made Animaniacs an iconic cartoon series two decades ago and how they plan to update it for a new generation. All-new episodes of Animaniacs are now streaming only on Hulu.

In the spiel, the Left’s argument against the private sector. And today on Remembrances of Things Trump, do you believe in Santa Claus?

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Podcast production by Margaret Kelley and Lori Galarreta.

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A Start-Up Letdown Nov 26, 2020

On the Gist, today on Remembrances of Things Trump, we look back on Trump’s 2017 visit to the annual Boy Scout Jamboree.

In the interview, Mike talks with Reeves Weideman, contributing editor at New York magazine and author of Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork. Weideman explains the internal drama inside Neumann’s fast-scaling, overly hyped WeWork, an office space leasing company billed as an in-person social network, as well as the lessons entrepreneurs can learn from disruptors attempting to grow quickly and remain profitable.

In the spiel, the lobstar of the antentwig.

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Remember When Nov 25, 2020

On the Gist, remember when there was “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen,” and an attack on Syria.

In the interview, Yuval Levin, author of A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream and American Enterprise Institute scholar talks to Mike about what conservatism looks like in a post-Trump world. As the Republican party grapples with their identity at the start of a new era, they may find themselves asking, “What do we have to offer? And what do we want in return?” Levin advises frank discussions amongst the party, purposeful policies, and consequential legislation.

In the spiel, playing Russian roulette for Thanksgiving 2020.

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How To With John Wilson Nov 24, 2020

On the Gist, Michigan meets to certify the results of the 2020 election.

In the interview, documentarian John Wilson talks to Mike about steering clear of staid tropes and taking on moments of serendipity for his new HBO docuseries. How To with John Wilson is a poetic and comedic look on life, art, and philosophy in and around New York City. How To, as Wilson describes, was his experimentation with realism. As writer, cameraman, producer and narrator, Wilson creates a weirdly and beautifully raw representation of the city on the brink of the pandemic. How To is executive-produced by Nathan Fielder and streams Fridays on HBO Max.

In the spiel, long live the climate czar.

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Cover It Up! Nov 21, 2020

On the Gist, the election cannot be reversed in Trump’s favor.

In the interview, comedian, actor, author, and activist Sarah Silverman joins Mike to talk about career, her characters, and how she is still learning from some controversial missteps taken along the way. Silverman candidly discusses her views on why Americans are so politically divided and why she thinks we ought to work together towards implementing progressive legislation. Her newest project, a podcast where she responds no-holds-barred to listener voicemails, is called The Sarah Silverman Show.

In the spiel, stopping disinformation at the source.

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No Redress for the Wicked Nov 20, 2020

On the Gist, Rudy Giuliani keeps trying.

In the interview, Bob Bauer and Jack Goldsmith are here to talk about their new book After Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency. Goldsmith, former White House counsel for the George W. Bush administration, and Bauer, former Obama counsel, discuss what work needs to be done to move past the Trump presidency. They share their differing views on the efficacy of prosecuting Trump’s actions in office after Biden steps into the role, and the two explain how this isn’t the first time the office of the presidency has needed to be repaired.

In the spiel, Kyle Rittenhouse and the Proud Boys.

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Carried Away Nov 19, 2020

On the Gist, how Governors Cuomo and Newsom are responding to the second wave.

In the interview, it’s part two of Mike’s conversation with The Dispatch’s senior editor David French about his new book Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation. French discusses the principles of pluralism, how some choose to decry tribalism and then default to using pluralism as a tactic. French also details some examples of it actually working as well as when it has led to friction.

In the spiel, performatively exercising your second amendment rights.

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Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Margaret Kelley.

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Warp Speed Worked Nov 18, 2020

On the Gist, there is a lot of uncertainty between now and January.

In the interview, we share part one of Mike’s conversation with David French about his new book Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation. French argues that reconciling differences within the U.S. is more than just bridging political divides. Opposing identities require broad ideological coalitions in government that seek to soothe cemented divisions and heal citizens who feel disenfranchised. Part two of the interview is tomorrow.

In the spiel, giving credit where credit is due.

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A Safe Thanksgiving? Nov 17, 2020

On the Gist, facing electoral consequences.

In the interview, Roxanne Khamsi, a science writer and contributor to WIRED, joins Mike to talk about Covid-19 social distancing, mask policies, lockdown, and preparedness in the U.S. and Canada. As America approaches the start of the holidays, Khamsi shares some new data—based off of individuals isolated on offshore oil drilling rigs—that provides some guidance on testing twice and how it may help shorten the 14-day quarantine period.

In the spiel, the Latino vote.

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Democrat Divergence? Nov 14, 2020

On the Gist, Democrats seeing compromise as a defeat.

In the interview, political commentator Jess McIntosh talks with Mike about the fight within the Democratic party about whose messaging matters. They discuss the merits of centrist and progressive language, how important it is to have members of Congress who are further left than Biden, and why Republicans villainize Democrats regardless of the language they use. McIntosh is co-host of Signal Boost on Sirius XM.

In the spiel, listener concerns.

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Home Is a Construct Nov 13, 2020

On the Gist, more of Trump’s inner circle test positive for Covid-19.

In the interview, writer and urban policy specialist Diana Lind is here to talk about her new book Brave New Home: Our Future in Smarter, Simpler, Happier Housing. She and Mike discuss how the single-family home arose in the U.S. as a part of the American dream, if it’s really making us any happier to live that way, and what sorts of legal roadblocks currently prevent a variety of housing options from proliferating across the country.

In the spiel, Rudy on the radio.

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No Coup for You Nov 12, 2020

On the Gist, Trump tries a coup.

In the interview, former federal prosecutor, legal scholar and law professor Mark Osler joins Mike to talk about the presidential power of pardoning, granting clemency, a benign prerogative that is slanted towards mercy and not retribution. They discuss what might happen in the next few months with Trump’s final days in office.

In the spiel, who elected Biden?

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Jeopardy, A Beloved Tradition Nov 10, 2020

On the Gist, brokered by Russia.

In the interview, Claire McNear joins Mike to talk about her new book Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy!In it, McNear explains the history of the game, what it takes to be a contestant and maintain a storied winning streak, and how so much of Jeopardy’s DNA came from its late host - Alex Trebek. Claire is a staff writer at The Ringer.

In the spiel, former deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe testifies.

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The News Normal Nov 10, 2020

On the Gist, getting back to normal.

In the interview, WHYY’s Katie Meyer is here to discuss Pennsylvania politics with Mike. They talk about how the changes in voting collection and counting changed in the state during 2020, why it caused such national turmoil, and if Republican meddling even helped their strategy at all.

In the spiel, anchors having too many opinions.

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The Democrat Debrief Nov 07, 2020

On the Gist, Democrats practiced caution and Republicans jumped into the deep end.

In the interview, Emily Bazelon and Mike recap election week, its days-long outcome, and our current reality with the two candidates. Bazelon writes for the New York Times magazine, co-hosts Slate’s Political Gabfest, and is the author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration.

In the spiel, what is the Democratic Party’s way forward?

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That Election Feeling Nov 05, 2020

On the Gist, election feelings.

In the interview, Lawfare’s Benjamin Wittes is here as we continue working through the results after election day. He and Mike discuss how the next few months could play out, what a transition might look like, and the ways Trump is considering fighting dirty. Wittes is the author of Unmaking the Presidency: Donald Trump’s War on the World’s Most Powerful Office.

In the spiel, the Trafalgar group got too much wrong.

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The Day After Nov 05, 2020

On the Gist, misguided Americans.

In the interview, Mike talks with Slate’s senior politics writer Jim Newell about the house races, what the democrat incumbents did wrong and why things appear to be a lot more like 2016, and theorizing that a republican controlled senate is what Biden actually wants. Plus, Jim and Mike’s thoughts on Mississippi’s new state flag.

In the spiel, how much does Fox News’ framing matter?

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Election Night 2020 Nov 03, 2020

On the Gist, the system is antiquated.

In the interview, Mike talks with Anne Applebaum, author of Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism, about America’s future after election day. They talk about the small but concerning ways the country could slide towards a dictatorship, and how Trump’s tactics have made people less willing to believe in the power of democracy.

In the spiel, a lot is on the ballot.

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Fear the Shy Trump Voter? Nov 03, 2020

On the Gist, caravans of Trump supporters.

In the interview, Mike talks with NPR's media correspondent David Folkenflik on the organization’s decision to sidestep coverage of the Hunter Biden allegations. He and Mike discuss ways major news outlets covered the story, why it never got much traction, and what goes into evaluating a story’s worth.

In the spiel, Trafalgar Group’s polling predictions.

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Broadband Is Not A Luxury Oct 31, 2020

On the Gist, Trump in Michigan.

In the interview, Mike talks with former governor of Florida Jeb Bush about his push for access to national broadband internet access. He argues that high-speed internet in the U.S. is lagging compared to other industrialized countries. Now more than ever, digital infrastructure has become a critical resource to the economy, as well as our nation’s security. Read Gov. Bush’s piece in Slate published in early October.

In the spiel, painting Trump in a terrible light.

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Swinging In Iowa Oct 30, 2020

On the Gist, the number of people who’ve already voted.

In the interview, Erin Murphy, the Des Moines Bureau Chief for Lee Enterprises in Iowa, joins Mike to talk about what the election looks like in his state. They discuss how Trump is faring with farmers, what the different races look like there, and the effect anti-gun groups may be having on the state elections.

In the spiel, Perdue and Ossoff face off in Georgia.

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Lone Star Elections Oct 29, 2020

On the Gist, the Jim Comey letter came out four years ago today.

In the interview, Mike talks with Scott Braddock, editor and Texan political analyst at the Quorum Report. Braddock is also host of Texas Take, a podcast from the Houston Chronicle. They talk about what’s at stake on the ballots for election day, and how compared with previous years Texans have been voting in record numbers.

In the spiel, Trump’s exceptions.

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The Last Frontier Oct 27, 2020

On the Gist, don’t worry about things you can’t control.

In the interview, Alaska Public Media’s Nat Herz joins Mike to talk about the races above the lower 48. Herz details the dramatic Alaskan Senate race between Al Gross and Daniel Sullivan, how the Pebble Mine scandal and the salmon fishing industry are important points of discussion, and how the presidential campaigns have been able to pound the pavement in Alaska. Cue Sarah Palin appearing as a surrogate for the Trump campaign in a Cabela’s parking lot.

In the spiel, clinging to hope.

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Georgia on Our Mind Oct 26, 2020

On the Gist, Trump and Armenians.

In the interview, Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Bill Nigut is here to talk with Mike about Georgia. He fills Mike in on the details of the fight between Kelly Loeffler, Doug Collins, and Raphael Warnock, and shares how impressed he’s been with Jon Ossoff’s debate performance against incumbent David Perdue. They also discuss how Biden is trying to reach voters in the state, and if there’s any chance it could go blue. Nigut is the host of Political Rewind.

In the spiel, Trump watched 60 Minutes.

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Last Pitch Effort Oct 24, 2020

On the Gist, red-string theories and conspiratorial last-ditch efforts.

In the interview, Mike and Slate’s national correspondent Will Saletan recap the final presidential debate. They discuss the Trump camp’s thwarted strategy of practicing restraint to expose Biden, the self-congratulatory and attacking exchanges between the two candidates, and why this debate might only make a difference for Trump in his attempts to score points with low-information and eleventh hour-voters.

In the spiel, Trump’s misconceptions about the race.

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Calling It: Dan Rather Oct 22, 2020

On the Gist, our civic obligations in 2020.

In the interview, Mike talks with journalist and veteran broadcast anchor Dan Rather about his decades-long career in covering elections, highlighting a few cautionary tales learned from the 2000 race between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Rather explains that for some major networks, making the right call in 2000 was marred by corporate interference in the control rooms, plus he stresses that unexpected delays could fuel conspiracy theories. Patience will be a virtue come “voting night,” he explains. Rather is the author of What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism, the host of The Big Interviewon AXS TV, and the host of a documentary called Human Nature, which is now streaming on Netflix.

In the spiel, Michael Moore’s political predictions in 2020.

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Calling It: Brian Rosenwald Oct 21, 2020

On the Gist, Mike checks in with this Lawfare piece, and the U.S. Elections Project.

In the interview, Mike talks with Brian Rosenwald, a media historian and fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, about how election night might play out. They discuss the idea of a red mirage, how Republican governors can bring order to things, and how far-right talk radio is going to digest the results. Rosenwald is the author of Talk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States.

In the spiel, Trump’s bad surrogates.

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Calling It: Julie Pace Oct 21, 2020

On the Gist, network news election branding.

In the interview, Mike talks with Julie Pace, Washington Bureau Chief for the Associated Press, about the AP’s history in counting the vote since 1848, how they’ve traditionally declared winners, and an explanation on how they will be going above and beyond in 2020 in sharing the race calls that they are and aren’t making.

In the spiel, local political television ads.

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Calling It: Steve Kornacki and Brian Stelter Oct 19, 2020

On the Gist, we’re launching a week-long focus on election night and how different news organizations handle making the winning calls.

In the interviews, Mike talks with NBC News’ national political correspondent Steve Kornacki about his network’s decision desk, their processes in tabulation, and how they will be closely monitoring the votes coming in days after Tuesday, November 3. Kornacki is the author of The Red and the Blue.

Then, Mike speaks with CNN’s Brian Stelter about CNN’s plan for coverage, and the outsized role that Fox News represents and his predictions for their election day narrative. Stelter is the author of Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth.

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Masking Over Truth Oct 17, 2020

On the Gist, the price of corn.

In the interview, former senior strategist for the NRA Joshua L. Powell is back for the second half of his conversation with Mike. They run down a series of NRA opinions and he and Mike go back and forth about how much NRA members believe things like “the only solution to a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” and whether we should own AR-15s. Powell’s book is Inside the NRA: A Tell-All Account of Corruption, Greed, and Paranoia within the Most Powerful Political Group in America.

In the spiel, dueling town halls.

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The Personal Is Judicial Oct 16, 2020

On the Gist, David Ruffin.

In the interview, former senior strategist for the NRA Joshua L. Powell is here to discuss his new book, Inside the NRA: A Tell-All Account of Corruption, Greed, and Paranoia within the Most Powerful Political Group in America. During the first half of this two-part conversation, he and Mike talk about the nefarious ways Wayne LaPierre used the NRA to push forward polarizing but niche interests, and the case New York State Attorney General Letitia James is bringing against them.

In the spiel, Amy Coney Barrett’s personal life is judicial.

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Pollster Pitfalls Oct 14, 2020

On the Gist, an Alaskan drama.

In the interview, Mike talks with Robert Cahaly, head pollster of the Atlanta-based Trafalgar Group. Cahaly explains their polling methodology in gathering accurate opinion data, why social desirability bias comes into play, and how his team was able to predict Trump’s win in 2016. Now he posits that in 2020 Trump has more support than the polls could be showing.

In the spiel, Kabuki-style hearings continue for Amy Coney Barrett.

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Talking Around Amy Coney Barrett Oct 14, 2020

On the Gist, uniting with your would-be kidnappers?

In the interview, Mike talks to former Obama staffer Elliot Williams about his new podcast Made to Fail, a show where he explores the different ways governmental institutions across have been made intentionally dysfunctional, like the Florida unemployment system, and the impact it has on people in need of such infrastructure. All episodes of Made to Fail are available wherever you get your podcasts.

In the spiel, processing Amy Coney Barrett.

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Talk Radio Rally Oct 09, 2020

On the Gist, mishegoss in Michigan.

In the interview, Mike talks with Stephen Dubner, host and co-author of Freakonomics, and Angela Duckworth, a psychologist and best-selling author of Grit. Dubner and Duckworth are the hosts of the new podcast No Stupid Questions, where in each episode they take turns posing a question, and give each other the chance to puzzle out their responses. The questions Mike poses for them include how to separate art from artist and how to navigate microaggressions. No Stupid Questions releases new episodes every Sunday at 5am ET from Stitcher.

In the spiel, Trump on talk radio.

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The World Needs Better Men Oct 09, 2020

On the Gist, the vice presidential debate and expanding SCOTUS.

In the interview, Mike is joined by author, comedian, podcast host, and actor Michael Ian Black to talk about his latest book, A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son. Black was persuaded to write the book after publishing a New York Times op-ed on school shootings and gun control in 2018. Part advice and part memoir, A Better Man poses the question: why is it always boys and young men who are pulling the trigger? Black challenges readers to expand their definition of masculinity while refraining from denigrating qualities traditionally seen as feminine.

In the spiel, how the Hasidic community in New York City is handling COVID-19.

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Too Big to Govern? Oct 07, 2020

On the Gist, a vice presidential debate starring plexiglass.

In the interview, Mike hosts a roundtable discussion with journalist Richard Kreitner and Vox’s Matthew Yglesias to talk about how each of their new books address the problem of an ever-increasing American population. They debate if the U.S. should split into more manageable nations, or if the country should keep pushing population growth. Yglesias’ book is One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Big, and Kreitner’s latest is Break It Up: Secession, Division, and the Secret History of America’s Imperfect Union.

In the spiel, Delco, South Philly, and NY tri-state area Italian Americans for Joe Biden.

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Rebranding Schadenfreude Oct 06, 2020

On the Gist, a buffet of bad takes from Joe Piscopo.

In the interview, CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin is here to discuss a topic the Gist can’t seem to get enough of recently, the Mueller investigation. Toobin’s new book, True Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Investigation of Donald Trump, explores the investigation and analyzes its failures, and he talks with Mike about Mueller’s misplaced trust in institutions, and how sympathetic we should find him in light of that.

In the spiel, how do you feel about Trump’s diagnosis?

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Iterations of Idiocy Oct 05, 2020

On the Gist, Trump's doctor has reasons.

In the interview, former FBI agent Peter Strzok is here to discuss his new book Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump. He and Mike discuss the investigation into Trump and Russia, the ways kompromat could push Trump to make decisions based on Russian interests, and how Trump vilified two federal agents over personal text messages that were leaked to the press by the Justice Department.

In the spiel, even the president can catch COVID, but what does that even mean?

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Hoisted By His Own Petard Oct 03, 2020

On the Gist, Trump’s mask strategy.

In the interview, Mike is joined by David Priess, COO of the Lawfare Institute, an organization and online magazine which focuses on national security issues. Priess posits some worst case scenarios in light of President Trump contracting Covid-19, the unexpected vulnerabilities and uncertainties that lay ahead, historical norms of disclosure for a president, and the ultimate Continuity of Government Plan - the election. Priess is a former CIA officer, and author of The President's Book of SecretsandHow to Get Rid of a President: History's Guide to Removing Unpopular, Unable, or Unfit Chief Executives.

In the spiel, Trump has no one to blame but himself.

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You Gotta Believe Oct 02, 2020

On the Gist, Trump’s falsehoods.

In the interview, Mikes talks with neuroscientist, Stanford University professor and best-selling author, David Eagleman, about his latest book Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain. Eagleman says that the way the brain is able to change and adapt to adversity is still inspiring new developments and new questions.

In the spiel, making a political comeback.

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Dastardly Debate Oct 01, 2020

On the Gist, there were a great many missteps last night on the presidential debate stage, but despite the rhetorical slips, Biden stayed on his feet to glide past Trump.

In the interview, Mike and Slate’s national correspondent, Will Saletan, recap the first presidential debate. They dissect the prep and implemented strategies of both the Trump and Biden camps, the gratuitous exchanges between the two candidates, Chris Wallace’s performance as moderator, and how to curb the electoral nightmare scenarios looming on the horizon.

In the spiel, Donald Trump did not say, "Yes!" when asked if he repudiated white supremacy. But was it because he wouldn't do it, or was it because he has the inability to articulate?

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Drawing Districts Sep 29, 2020

On the Gist, using poker logic to analogize the upcoming presidential debates with Annie Duke. She is a former professional poker player, cognitive scientist and author of the forthcoming How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices.

In the interview, Mike passes the baton to Annie Duke once more to dig into gerrymandering. Duke talks with Moon Duchin, a mathematician and professor at Tufts University, about her research into understanding how voting districts work. Through redistricting analysis at the Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group, an organization Duchin co-founded, she describes how in this democracy, fairness isn’t always as easy to find when you’re considering where people live and vote.

In the spiel, messing up several thousand absentee ballots was inevitable.

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Deliver Us From Trump Sep 29, 2020

On the Gist, the attack on the Knights of Columbus.

In the interview, Mike talks with Philippe I. Reines, political consultant, longtime aid and former staffer of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In light of the upcoming presidential debates between Trump and Biden, Reines details his debate preparation in 2016, shares some possible strategies that the Biden camp may be using to prepare, and what sort of tactics Biden could use to go for the jugular.

In the spiel, cult of Trump.

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Reconsidering Comey Sep 26, 2020

On the Gist, a Twitter bug.

In the interview, actor Jeff Daniels and writer Billy Ray are here to discuss the new two-night mini-series The Comey Rule on Showtime. The mini-series focuses on the story James Comey in the fall of 2016, and even though both Daniels and Ray had certain perceptions of how poorly James Comey handled it all, working on this project really revealed the humanity and struggle of this public servant. Mike talks with them about the creative process, adapting such recent history, and their new views on the man. The Comey Rule premieres on Showtime on Sunday, September 27.

In the spiel, Daniel Cameron’s wife is white.

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Democracy’s Nightmare Scenario Sep 25, 2020

On the Gist, Kelly Loeffler and Atilla the Hun.

In the interview, Jonathan V. Last, editor of The Bulwark, talks with Mike about his recent piece which forecasts that after the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, America is moving one step closer to another political crisis. Last walks through some of the nightmare scenarios, particularly on the probability that a conservative justice is appointed, confirmed, and subsequently rules on the November election. Last explains that although he remains optimistic with regards to the legitimacy of the SCOTUS, he is ultimately losing faith that some voters care not for a system of governance that is capable of functioning competently.

In the spiel, remaining outraged as Trump repeats himself.

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Justice or Retribution? Sep 23, 2020

On the Gist, Trump sounds braggadocious.

In the interview, it’s the second half of Mike’s conversation with CNN’s Brian Stelter. They discuss why Fox News is losing advertisers, and why executives at the organization continue to stand by their talent, and Mike questions whether news anchors have given up their objectivity with lengthy monologues about the state of democracy under Trump. Stelter’s latest book, Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth, is out now.

In the spiel, looking for justice in Louisville, Kentucky.

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The Consequence of Elections Sep 22, 2020

On the Gist, nothing is reasonable anymore.

In the interview, CNN’s Brian Stelter is here to discuss his new book Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth. In the first half of his two-part interview, Stelter talks about the ways Fox changed after Roger Ailes’ exit in 2016, increasingly abandoning its news coverage in favor of polarizing commentary, and how the cycle of disinformation between Trump and Fox keeps us all trapped.

In the spiel, Sen. Lindsey Graham might face consequences.

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Wishing for Democracy Sep 21, 2020

On the Gist, the pursuit of power through SCOTUS.

In the interview, Mike talks with radio presenter and author, Eric Weiner about his latest bookThe Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers. In it, Weiner opines on the philosophical giants from a place that offers one of the more pleasant environments to philosophize - the railroad. In this travelogue, Weiner discusses their life-enhancing poetry, and explains how their lives were in fact just like ours, except they had more time to think and write than binge on Netflix.

In the spiel, the politicking around Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

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Special: SCOTUS After Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sep 19, 2020

Emily Bazelon joins Mike for a special episode on the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After discussing Ginsburg’s history as a justice and legacy on the court, they begin to unpack the future political ramifications of her death. Emily and Mike talk through the ways a nomination could quickly slip through the Senate before January, the impact a conservative court could have on issues besides abortion rights, and if Ginsburg should have stepped down under President Obama.

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Condemn Nation Sep 19, 2020

On the Gist, Trump can’t pronounce Mosni, Wisconsin.

In the interview, Mike talks with writers Mary Pilon and Louisa Thomas about their foray into collaborative editing. Their new collection of short sports stories called Losers: Dispatches from the Other Side of the Scoreboard is a curated volume that explores what it means to feel defeated. Pilon, a New York Times bestselling author, and Thomas, a New Yorker staff writer examine why winning isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be, and why losing never fails to reveal life lessons to players and those on the sidelines.

In the spiel, condemning condemnation.

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Fuel for a Cold War Sep 17, 2020

On the Gist, Trump deals in the Middle East.

In the interview, we’ve got the second half of Mike’s conversation with Daniel Yergin, an energy expert who has advised the past four presidential administrations and author of The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. He and Mike talk about the looming cold war with China, how our change in the global energy market affects that relationship, and what transitions to alternative energy sources could look like.

In the spiel, medical atrocities at a detention center.

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Stop Fracking Out Sep 16, 2020

On the Gist, delayed accuracy.

In the interview, the first half of Mike’s interview with Dan Yergin, an author and energy expert who has advised the past four presidential administrations, who’s here to discuss his new book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. He and Mike talk about how innovations in fracking have completely changed the landscape of global energy power, and why environmental concerns shouldn’t prevent all fracking.

In the spiel, Lauren Witzke.

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Third Party Thieves Sep 16, 2020

On the Gist, Trump thinks the weather will balance everything out.

In the interview, Mikes talks with Michael Sandel, a political philosopher, global lecturer, and Harvard University professor, about his latest book, The Tyranny of Merit: What's Become of the Common Good?. In it, Sandel argues that meritocracy offers a false promise and that it’s actually eroding American culture. Sandel is a prolific author of numerous philosophical works, notably his New York Times best seller Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?

In the spiel, Wisconsin’s Green Party doesn’t make the ballot.

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Biden Wouldn’t Have Saved Us All Sep 14, 2020

On the Gist, Trump isn’t helping you.

In the interview, Leon Neyfakh is here to talk about the newest season of Fiasco, which focuses on Boston’s effort to desegregate its schools. He and Mike discuss the difficulties of finding a nuanced way to tell a story that complicates it beyond racism, and the reasons Biden’s stance on bussing has changed over the years. Fiasco is available on Luminary.

In the spiel, Peter Navarro vs. Jake Tapper.

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Is It So Bad? Sep 12, 2020

On the Gist, Trump isn’t helping you.

In the interview, the second part Mike’s conversation with author and former FBI counter-terrorism staffer Clint Watts on QAnon. They talk about how might time we should give QAnon, how to help those in our own life, and if we eventually have to just let these people flame out in office. He is the author of Messing With the Enemy: Surviving in a Social Media World of Hackers, Terrorists, Russians, and Fake News.

In the spiel, who gets to think things aren’t so bad?

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The QAnon Questions Sep 11, 2020

On the Gist, Trump’s Nobel nomination.

In the interview, author and former FBI counter-terrorism staffer Clint Watts is here to talk about QAnon. He and Mike discuss the rise of the conspiracy theory and movement, why its belief structure is so murky, and the oddities of its marketing and merchandising arm. Watts will be back tomorrow for the second half of this conversation. His is the author of Messing With the Enemy: Surviving in a Social Media World of Hackers, Terrorists, Russians, and Fake News.

In the spiel, Woodward’s words wouldn’t have mattered.

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Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Defense Sep 10, 2020

On the Gist, the police chiefs are stepping down.

In the interview, Academy Award-winning documentarian Barbara Kopple is here to talk about her latest film, Desert One. Through new archival footage and the various perspectives of key players, the film reveals the true story behind the secret mission to free hostages captured during the 1979 Iranian revolution. She and Mike discuss how she approaches the stories she tells, the narrative problems she had to solve in this film, and how persistent she had to be to get Jimmy Carter on camera. Desert One is available to stream online and in select theaters.

In the spiel, Trump’s taxpayer-funded legal defense.

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No Cause Bigger Than Himself Sep 08, 2020

On the Gist, gender reveal parties.

In the interview, NPR’s Jacob Goldstein is here to talk about his new book, Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing. They discuss how Andrew Jackson made mistakes about national banking, why we should never return to the gold standard, and if cash is on the way out. Goldstein is a host of NPR’s Planet Money.

In the spiel, Trump hates sacrifice.

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Brainworms or Biden Sep 04, 2020

On the Gist, COVID-19 deaths continue to rise.

In the interview, the second half of Mike’s discussion with Dr. Rashawn Ray, a sociologist studying new methods of measuring implicit bias using virtual simulations of police officer decision-making at the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his team are encouraged that by researching and educating law enforcement with real life social interaction training, they might be able to incite change in outcomes between officers and civilians. Ray is a Brookings Institution fellow and associate professor of sociology at UMD. Part one of their conversation is today.

In the spiel, the Trump Biden ratio.

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Racism In The Simulation Sep 04, 2020

On the Gist, a sigh.

In the interview, Mike talks to Dr. Rashawn Ray, a sociologist studying new methods of measuring implicit bias using virtual simulations of police officer decision-making at the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his team are encouraged that by researching and educating law enforcement with real life social interaction training, they might be able to incite change in outcomes between officers and civilians. Ray is a Brookings Institution fellow and associate professor of sociology at UMD. Part one of their conversation is today.

In the spiel, vote twice, felony once.

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Villain Not Vigilante Sep 03, 2020

On the Gist, believing catchy rhyming couplets or policies.

In the interview, writer, lawyer and author, Jill Filipovic joins Mike to talk about her latest book, OK Boomer, Let's Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind. Filipovic explains that the millennial generation has it worse than most, the relationship between millennials and their boomer parents, and how those boomers were afforded more social programs, leaving millennials with disastrous consequences.

In the spiel, the charges against Rittenhouse.

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Is Anybody Paying Attention? Sep 01, 2020

On the Gist, Trump visits Kenosha.

In the interview, the Wall Street Journal’s Gerald Seib is here to discuss his new book, We Should Have Seen It Coming: From Ronald Reagan to Trump—A Front-Row Seat to a Political Revolution. He and Mike talk about how the GOP has changed since the time of Reagan and paved the way for Trump’s ascendence. They also touch on why Mitch McConnell keeps blocking relief packages, and how worried we should be about the future.

In the spiel, not paying attention to politics.

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Trumpian Chaos Theory Aug 31, 2020

On the Gist, Mike is back. He starts with republicans who dismiss the Hatch Act.

In the interview, Mike chats with the creators and executive producers of the animated adventure Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe. Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh explain how they expanded the usual tropes of their short episodes into a feature film, the provenance of their beloved creations, and how their work on The Simpsons together and their shared sense of humor influenced them creatively. The movie is available now on Disney Plus.

In the spiel, the chaos candidate.

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One Stat to Rule Them All Aug 28, 2020

Today, we welcome Sonari Glinton is back as guest host. A well-known podcast and public radio voice, former NPR business reporter covering the auto industry and economics, and currently hosts the podcast Bring Back Bronco.

On the Gist, sports and activism.

In the interview, Sonari talks to screenwriter Patricia Resnick about her experience writing the film 9 to 5 starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, and Lily Tomlin. They discuss how the film became more than just a vehicle for workplace rights activism, its legacy, and how she seems to have been erased from its history by Jane Fonda.

In the spiel, no faith in the jobs numbers.

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The Curse of American Traffic Aug 27, 2020

Today, we welcome Sonari Glinton as guest host. A well-known podcast and public radio voice, former NPR business reporter covering the auto industry and economics, Glinton is also a big music nerd and record collector.

On the Gist, RNC bingo.

In the interview, Sonari discusses how Covid-19 has affected the auto industry with Scotty Reiss, the founder of A Girls Guide to Cars, a site focused on empowering women to be smarter car owners. Reiss talks about Covid-19’s impact on the global supply chain, the increased diversity at corporate management level across the industry, And she offers some predictions for the future of mobility and what to look out for post-pandemic.

In the spiel, racial disparity and traffic.

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The High Court of Facebook Aug 26, 2020

Today, Kate Klonick is back as the guest host. She is an assistant professor at St. John’s Law School, a fellow at the Information Society Project at Yale Law School, and researcher of the intersection between law and tech. She’s also co-host of a daily YouTube series called In Lieu of Fun.

On the Gist, in 2020, every online company has a community of standards and manually reviews user content.

In the interview, Kate talks to Harvard law professor Noah Feldman about his idea for Facebook to create a Supreme Court to adjudicate disputes over speech. They discuss how he came up with the idea and pitched it to Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg, the influences it draws from political systems, and the size of the case it should choose as its first. Feldman hosts the podcast Deep Background.

In the spiel, Facebook’s oversight board could be the start of something revolutionary within big tech.

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In Lieu of Happy Hour Aug 25, 2020

We are halfway through our guest hosting week. Today, Kate Klonick takes the mic. She is an assistant professor at St. John’s Law School, a fellow at the Information Society Project at Yale Law School, and researcher of the intersection between law and tech. She’s also co-host of a daily YouTube series called In Lieu of Fun.

On the Gist, how Kate found herself on a daily live show during quarantine.

In the interview, Kate talks to Ben Wittes, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Lawfare, and Kate’s co-host on In Lieu of Fun. They discuss how the global pandemic spurred a need for intelligent discussion in a less than lateral way. Guests on their show have ranged from apiarists to the former president of Estonia. Wittes wanted to build something that welcomed a community, allowing for audience input around guest selection and conversation topics. Along the way, he found an avenue that continues to forge new friendships without the stale in-person meet and greets we so often find at happy hours.

In the spiel, what it’s like to build an online community during this crisis.

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Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Margaret Kelley.

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Mistrust Your Memory Aug 24, 2020

For the next week, Mike passes the mic to a few guest hosts. Today, Annie Duke, former professional poker player, cognitive scientist, and author of Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts is in the seat again.

On the Gist, remembering information.

In the interview, Annie talks to Katherine Milkman, a researcher and professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies behavior, about how the pandemic has thrown everybody out of their old habits and forced the creation of new ones. They discuss how sticky any of these new habits might be, and that we should be aware of how quickly we can forget all that we’ve learned.

In the Spiel, the national misremembering of truth.

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Our National Intelligence Is Broken Aug 21, 2020

For the next week, Mike passes the mic to a few guest hosts. Today, Annie Duke, former professional poker player and author of Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Factstakes the helm.

On the Gist, Annie recaps the unifying messages from Sen. Sanders and V.P. Biden from the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention.

In the interview, Annie talks with Jay van Bavel, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at NYU, about how extreme partisanship occurs when traditional beliefs are not updated in rational ways, especially when it comes to wearing a mask during the global pandemic. Prof. van Bavel explains how a partisan mind interprets information in a way that affirms their identity, and how that might lead them to stray from the path of facts.

In the Spiel, the consequences of partisanship.

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Pursuing Progress Aug 20, 2020

On the Gist, 24 hours of weird utterances.

In the interview, political strategist and CNN commentator Jess McIntosh joins us as we continue our coverage of the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention. McIntosh and Mike discuss the DNC’s short-sightedness with not allowing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a major platform, and how Elizabeth Warren’s policy speech on the childcare economy could become a centerpiece of a future President Biden’s progressive agenda. McIntosh also explains why Biden will champion more progressive causes if he is elected. Jess co-hosts the Signal Boost show on SiriusXM.

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Prosecuting the Past? Aug 19, 2020

On the Gist, Trump is trying to steal the mail.

In the interview, New York Times opinion columnist Michelle Goldberg is here as we keep discussing the Democratic National Convention this week. She and Mike talk about the sorts of progressive policies Biden might adopt from his primary opponents, and if a future Biden administration should follow up on the prosecutions Trump’s DOJ ignored.

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Moving to the Middle Aug 18, 2020

On the Gist, political television.

In the interview, Slate’s Will Saletan is here to discuss the first night of the Democratic National Convention. He and Mike unpack how the party is positioning itself as the party of normalcy while still acknowledging the ways progressives like Bernie Sanders pushed the party forward. They look at how conservatives might flip any of the democrats talking points on them, and the coronavirus of it all.

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The Law’s Favorite Outlaw Aug 17, 2020

On the Gist, a supposedly benevolent association supports a malevolent force.

In the interview, we mark the beginning of the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention with a slightly different format; no spiel and more conversation. Mike talks with Charlie Sykes, a republican who will be voting for Joe Biden in November. Author of "How the Right Lost Its Mind," host of the Bulwark Podcast, and an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, Sykes explains how the DNC will be unlike anything we have ever experienced in politics, dissects never-Trumpism, and shares his thoughts on why the GOP needs to reevaluate their base.

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Conspiracist for Congress Aug 14, 2020

On the Gist, Pence’s meat scares.

In the interview, actor Kyle MacLachlan is here to discuss his performance as Thomas Edison in the new film Tesla. He and Mike talk about his approach to the role, and how this film differs from the other kinds of historical dramas he’s done. They also get into some of MacLachlan’s other work like Dune, Showgirls and Twin Peaks. Tesla will be released on August 21 by IFC Films.

In the spiel, Marjorie Taylor Greene.

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The Folly of Predicting the Presidency Aug 14, 2020

On the Gist, the close family members of politicians.

In the interview, journalist, historian, and former public radio host Tom Weber is here to discuss his new book, Minneapolis: An Urban Biography. In it, Weber explores the social and political history of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and how it’s responsible for the city’s present-day racial inequities. Weber is also the Second Gentleman of Minnesota; he is the spouse of the state’s lieutenant governor.

In the spiel, election forecasting.

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A Spectrum of Love Aug 12, 2020

On the Gist, Kamala and bussing.

In the interview, creator of the TV series Love on the Spectrum, Cian O’Clery is here to talk with Mike about his new dating reality series telling the stories of people on the autism spectrum looking for love. He and Mike discuss the origins of the series, how this stands apart as a piece of documentary, and the refreshing change of watching a dating show with guileless subjects. Love on the Spectrum is available to stream on Netflix.

In the spiel, over and under-policing.

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Kamala Joins the Ticket Aug 12, 2020

On the Gist, the spotlight on Joe Biden’s running mate.

In the interview, Mike talks with Lisi Raskin, a professor and the chair of the Sculpture Department at Rhode Island School of Design about the meaning of sculpture in light of the removal of confederate monuments and statues. Raskin is an artist whose large-scale abstract works are reminiscent of the environment of the Cold War.

In the spiel, Trump on fall sports leagues.

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Wise to the Lies? Aug 10, 2020

On the Gist, pronouncing names.

In the interview, Mike is joined by Ed Yong of the Atlantic. As a science writer, not only did he warn of an epidemic in 2018, but he has been covering the coronavirus in a clear and vital way. In his latest piece, “Immunology Is Where Intuition Goes to Die,” Yong articulates how this tragedy could have been prevented, and explains why America isn’t defeating the virus any time soon; it has defeated America.

In the spiel, do Trump’s lies still work?

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One Third of Americans Are Always Wrong Aug 07, 2020

On the Gist, TikTok block.

In the interview, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. of Princeton University joins Mike to talk about his newest book and its release in the context of the recent civil uprisings. Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own poses a fundamental argument around how getting it wrong culturally has hurt the fabric of our nation. Glaude helps make sense of where we are today, and explains that Baldwin understood our messy and uneven economic, social and political lives are simply a reflection of our individual selves.

In the spiel, one third of Americans are wrong.

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