House of Strauss HoS: Mike Pesca
Nov 22, 2025
Joining the conversation is Mike Pesca, a veteran radio broadcaster and the insightful host of The Gist. He shares his thoughts on a recent podcast featuring Riley Gaines, critiquing its tone and implications. Pesca dives into the challenges of podcasting, emphasizing a lack of fact-checking that often skews narratives. They also explore the political ramifications of Gaines's activism in sports, the role of reporting in shaping public perception, and the evolving landscape of media engagement. Get ready for a lively discussion packed with media insights!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Niche Podcast Surprises
- Ethan Strauss recounts doing a niche livestream called Hoopspeak Live years ago and feeling like they were talking into a well.
- He was surprised later to learn many people had actually listened to it over time.
Darnell Washington As A Football Boulder
- Mike Pesca and Ethan discuss Darnell Washington as a boulder of a man who knocks guys over on the field.
- They joke about listed weights and how his play evokes the appeal of pure power in football.
Storytelling Versus Rhetorical Framing
- Ethan and Mike flag Pablo Torre's episode about Riley Gaines as a high-profile but polarizing piece that stirred online debate.
- They note the tension between strong storytelling and the risks of rhetorical framing that can alienate parts of the audience.