The Gist

Latest Episodes:

A Generalist and a Scholar Jun 14, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, who doesn't get to be at the debates?

In the interview, David Epstein's new book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World is all about how having a wide base of knowledge is so much better than narrowing your focus. He's here to talk Roger Federer versus Tiger Woods, how fiction helped him retool his book, and what Malcolm Gladwell got wrong.

In the Spiel, this is stupid.

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Just Take My Money Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, curse the gauntlet that is buying an event ticket online.

In the interview, John Urschel played as an offensive lineman in the NFL all while pursuing the PhD that would support an accomplished career as a mathematician. The values he practiced in each field are the same, he says, but there the similarities between pigskin and math end. Alongside sportswriter Louisa Thomas—the two are married—Urschel is the author of Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football.

In the Spiel, "lock him up" (and you know who "him" is) isn't a great call either.

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The Politics of Pith Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, Joe Biden curing cancer.

In the interview, senior writer at the National Review Michael Brendan Dougherty is here to discuss his new book My Father Left Me Ireland: An American Son's Search For Home. He and Mike talk about Dougherty's journey into his father's history, how the immigrant experience shaped his mother, and the ways Ireland has influenced his politics.

In the Spiel, political pithiness.

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Warren's Wealth Tax Isn't Enough Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, Democrats bob and weave around the question of abortion.

In the interview, victims of crimes are often sidelined in the judicial process—the perpetrator is punished, but his or her target isn't given the opportunity to set up the kind of face-to-face meeting that might help them heal. Restorative justice seeks to change that, and Lara Bazelon is out with a book on how it applies to those who have been exonerated after wrongful convictions. Bazelon is an associate professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, and the author of Rectify: The Power of Restorative Justice After Wrongful Conviction.

In the Spiel, even with every benefit of the doubt, Elizabeth Warren's policy ideas just aren't fundable.

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Intellectual Agoraphobia Jun 07, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, who's on the right side of less auto pollution?

In the interview, Adam Gopnik is here to discuss his new book, A Thousand Small Sanities: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism, inspired by a conversation with his daughter. Who gets to make arguments? What about identity politics? And why should the rhinoceros should be the symbol of liberalism?

In the Spiel, what are your go-to references?

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The Melodies of Evil Jun 06, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, Joe Biden's careful moderation leads him astray on abortion rights.

In the interview, Slate's Dahlia Lithwick is back to talk all about the Supreme Court. How the recent abortion laws passed in the South impact the continued dismantling of Roe v Wade? And why aren't the Democrats more animated by the outrageous things happening to our courts? Dahlia is the host of Slate's Amicus podcast.

In the Spiel, where there's a jingle, there's a questionable set of business practices…

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What "Conservative" Means Jun 06, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, holding Scott Peterson accountable after the Parkland shooting.

In the interview, George Will has led conservative thought for decades, in over a dozen books and a Washington Post column he's penned since 1974. In his latest work, The Conservative Sensibility, he seeks to define just what "conservative" means. While Mike had him on The Gist, he got Will's opinion on the lost dignity of the GOP, Elizabeth Warren's policy proposals ("I think she has a firm grip on half a point"), and the fact that no Democratic candidate is all that close to true socialism.

In the Spiel, Biden and Warren's new environmental plans.

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Saving Civilians, and the Mission Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, Trump visits the UK and drags London's mayor.

In the interview, Larry Lewis doesn't just analyze civilian casualties in the midst of wars; he's worked within the State Department to minimize them. His research makes clear that sparing non-combatants isn't just morally laudable, it can help generals reach their objectives and reduce anti-American sentiment.

In the Spiel, is Caster Semenya running?

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Out Like a Champ Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, even in defeat, Jeopardy! genius James Holzhauer made one really smart play.

In the interview, Mike Pesca sometimes bikes to work, and—in full adherence to New York City law, mind you—he doesn't wear a helmet when he does. Should he, or are the benefits of bike helmets overrated? Maria Konnikova gets into it on the latest edition of The Gist's "Is That Bullshit?"

In the Spiel, the best way to answer a question? Answer the actual question.

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The Impeachment Tree of Possibilities May 31, 2019

Show notes

On The Gist, what to make of (alleged) executions in North Korea.

In the interview, Slate's chief news blogger, Ben Mathis-Lilley, makes the case for impeaching Trump. In his reasoning, impeachment proceedings would give Congress a stronger hand in forcing new information from the White House, which could then boost public support for the president's removal from office. And even if it fails, it would have an immediate chilling effect on Trump's abuse of the constitution. David Epstein, the author of Range, also makes a cameo appearance in the interview.

In the Spiel, an Antentwig on mispronunciation.

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