The Gist

Latest Episodes:

The Deep Doo-Doo of Dershowitz Jan 31, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, Pam Bondi at the impeachment trial.

In the interview, journalist Ezra Klein is here to discuss his new book Why We're Polarized. They debate if extremism and polarization are related, and talk about the increasing difficulty of compromise, and if there's a solution to this problem.

In the spiel, Alan Dershowitz's terrible argument.

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Could Bernie Take Iowa? Jan 30, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, could Bernie Sanders win in Iowa?

In the interview, humorist and numbers ninja Matt Parker is here to discuss his new book Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World. He and Mike discuss the peculiarities of his page numbers, how he kept math fun, and a detailed exploration of what a decade is.

In the spiel, impeachment continues.

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The Nuclear Power of the Presidency Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, Mike Pompeo and Mary Louise Kelly.

In the interview, Fred Kaplan is back and this time he and Mike are talking about nuclear bombs. They discuss the history of nuclear weapons in the US, why it's concerning that Trump holds the detonator, and how these bombs factor into modern day peacekeeping. Kaplan's new book is The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War.

In the spiel, Trump team's closing arguments.

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Kobe Bryant, Transcendent Athlete Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, the likely acquittal of Trump.

In the interview, we're back with political reporter and host of Stranglehold, Lauren Chooljian. We discuss how the New Hampshire primaries are likely to shake out, which candidates will remain after many of them have strategically camped out in the state, and the difference between the polls and the actual feelings of New Hampshire voters.

In the spiel, the artistry and athleticism of Kobe Bryant.

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The Hits of 1983 Jan 25, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, Wells Fargo strikes again.

In the interview, Chris Molanphy is back to talk Mike through the hits of 1983. Enjoying vegemite sandwiches, the rains in Africa, and a bunch of sweet dreams, they indulge in the pop mainstays that continue to persist on the radio and at the karaoke bar. Molanphy is the host of Hit Parade and writes the "Why Is This Song No. 1?" column for Slate.

In the spiel, too many thoughts.

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The Monstrous Monotony of Mitch McConnell Jan 24, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, the how the senators are occupying themselves.

In the interview, writer Will Self is here to talk with Mike about his new memoir Will. They discuss addiction, how Will accesses memory, and the difficulty of his name.

In the spiel, Mitch's monotone.

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A Bunch of Dopes and Babies Jan 23, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, revisiting the travel ban.

In the interview, we talk with Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes, the editors of Lawfare, about their new book, Unmaking the Presidency: Donald Trump's War on the World's Most Powerful Office. They discuss the precedents that Trump has broken as POTUS and paint a stark picture of the future of the executive office if he is re-elected.

In the spiel, "a bunch of dopes and babies."

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Was Killing Soleimani Worth It? Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, the New York Times endorsement.

In the interview, senior fellow and director of the Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Matthew Levitt is here to talk about the killing of Qasem Soleimani. What calculus went into the decision, whether it was worth it, and what this means for the future of the US and Iran.

In the spiel, the beginning of the Senate impeachment trial.

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Journalists Aren't Activists Jan 18, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, Joe Biden and the New York Times.

In the interview, Maria Konnikova is back for another episode of "Is That Bullshit?" This time she and Mike tackle whether or not we're currently experiencing the latest mass extinction event. We may not have noticed, but the insects certainly have.

In the spiel, the difference between journalism and activism.

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Dave Eggers and the Struggle of Satire Jan 17, 2020

Show notes

On the Gist, Donald Trump and Devin Nunes know Lev Parnas.

In the interview, Mike talks with author Dave Eggers about his new book, The Captain and the Glory, a story about the clownish captain of a great ship. Eggers discusses how satire can help us admit the absurdities of our times and how writing the book helped him process our current political climate.

In the spiel, bunging a bob for a big ben bong.

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