

The Gist
Peach Fish Productions
For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 12, 2020 • 25min
You Can't Win a Pandemic
On the Gist, Trump's lies are so dangerous. In the interview, Mike calls his friend David Lichtman, who lives in New Rochelle, New York, on the edge of the coronavirus containment zone. They discuss what it's like on the ground, how it's affected local lives, and what the local government has done about it. In the spiel, Trump thinks he can win at coronavirus. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 11, 2020 • 30min
Bernie's Losses Aren't Surprising
On the Gist, maybe Sanders was never really that popular. In the interview, we have part two of David Plouffe's interview. He and Mike go deeper on campaigns, what Trump needs to do to win again, and what Biden and Sanders could do to win the White House. Plouffe's book is A Citizen's Guide to Beating Donald Trump. In the spiel, you can't count on the youth vote. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 11, 2020 • 28min
Fighting the Trump Campaign
On the Gist, Steve Bannon making some sense. In the interview, David Plouffe is here to discuss his new book, A Citizen's Guide to Beating Donald Trump. He and Mike talk about strategy, lessons learned, Biden and Bernie, and Plouffe's podcast, Campaign HQ with David Plouffe. In the spiel, the stories we tell ourselves aren't always helpful. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 10, 2020 • 29min
We're Fumbling the Coronavirus Crisis
Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence. Sign up now to listen and support our work. On the Gist, Trump's antics will not work with the Coronavirus. In the interview, Mike talks with staff writer and national correspondent at The Atlantic James Fallows about how the media should respond to the current Corona Virus crisis. They discuss what impact the stock market's downward turn might have on Trump's chances of getting re-elected, how the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates would respond if they were president, and what we can learn from China's respond to the pandemic. In the spiel, we're either overreacting or under-reacting to the Coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 7, 2020 • 33min
Biden Has the Obama Coalition
On the Gist, the International Criminal Court. In the interview, musician Stephen Malkmus is here to talk about his new album Traditional Techniques. He and Mike discuss the various instruments he used, tennis, and Santa Con. In the spiel, Biden's got the Obama coalition. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 6, 2020 • 29min
Trump Is Clueless About Coronavirus
Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence. Sign up now to listen and support our work. On the Gist, daylight savings time. In the interview, Mike talks with journalist and political analyst Yuval Levin about his most recent book, A Time To Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream. They discuss why institutions are important to shaping individuals, why gatekeepers remain important and should be required to prove themselves, and why conservatives have damaged American institutions. In the spiel, Trump and the coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2020 • 32min
Stop Talking About Women's Looks
Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence. Sign up now to listen and support our work. On the Gist, Bernie and Biden. In the interview, Lizzie O'Leary is the host of What Next: TBD at Slate, but has had her fair share of time working in TV news. During those years, she experienced so many instances of the gross expectations and double standards for women in the industry. In the wake of Chris Matthews' departure, she's here to discuss her working in TV, and the ways the men in power have treated her. In the spiel, Warren is grasping at straws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 4, 2020 • 30min
Chris Matthews Knew How to Hit Hard
On the Gist, don't touch your face. In the interview, Mike talks with legal analyst Jill Wine-Banks about her book, The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President. They discuss her role on the prosecutorial team during the Watergate scandal, the memorable Rose Mary Woods stretch, and how the American public kept Nixon accountable. In the spiel, Chris Matthews retired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 3, 2020 • 31min
The DNC's Primary Process is Flawed
On the Gist, 1946 was a good year for presidential births. In the interview, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat is here to discuss his new book The Decadent Society: How We Became the Victims of Our Own Success. He and Mike debate the meaning of decadence, Douthat's ideas of a way out of decadence, and whether or not we just need to pivot to a different religion. In the spiel, this Democratic nomination process sucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 29, 2020 • 30min
Busting Bernie's Policy Myth
On the Gist, complaining to the FCC. In the interview, Maria Konnikova is back for another round of "Is That Bullshit?" This time she and Mike look into the light, blue light that is. Does it really affect sleep the way everybody claims it does? Should we all be buying those special glasses? Maria's latest book is The Confidence Game. In the spiel, the filibuster and Medicare for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


