The Gist

On the Gist, critiquing Bloomberg critiques. In the interview, we've got the second part of our conversation with journalist Andrea Bernstein on her new book, American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power. She and Mike went deep on Trump the first part, and now they're digging into Michael Cohen and the Kushners. In the spiel, Trump's pardons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the Houston Astros cheating scandal is like the US Democracy. Mike and former host of Slow Burn, and current host of Luminary Podcast network's Fiasco, Leon Neyfakh get into the details of the Iran-Contra Affair. They discuss the key players in the saga, why this story was such a fiasco and the new Slow Burn TV-show. In the spiel, let's just go with Caucus debacle avoidance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, what Bloomberg said about redlining. In the interview, Mike talks to former host of Slow Burn and current host of Luminary Podcast network's Fiasco, Leon Neyfakh. In the first part of their conversation, they talk about what the Iran-Contra Affair was and who the key players were. In the spiel, the Pete Buttigieg CIA conspiracy theory from Chapo Trap House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, why Vindman wasn't fired. In the interview, journalist Andrea Bernstein is here to talk about her new book, American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps, and the Marriage of Money and Power. She and Mike discuss how Trump bullied his way through New York real estate, why he puts his name on everything, and how he's used the presidency for his own personal income. In the spiel, Bloomberg doubled down on stop-and-frisk for far too long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the little ones. In the interview, Mike talks to journalist and public health researcher Katherine Rowland about her new book, The Pleasure Gap: American Women and the Unfinished Sexual Revolution. They discuss why American women are reporting dissatisfaction with their sexual lives despite the current climate of sex positivity, and the debates surrounding the female Viagra. In the spiel, the future for Warren. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, talking is hard. In the interview, Maria Konnikova is back for her usual game of "Is That Bullshit?" Today she and Mike tackle essential oils, talking through the history of using essential oils, modern studies, and the potential uses they might have. Maria's most recent book is The Confidence Game. In the spiel, weak arguments about political opponents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Central Casting strikes again. In the interview, comedian Moshe Kasher is here to talk about his new comedy album Crowdsurfing. He and Mike discuss the difference between crowd work and prepared material, and the history of Moshe's family. In the spiel, Nancy ripping his speech. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, we went through hell. In the interview, Mike talks with linguist Dennis Baron about his new What's Your Pronoun?: Beyond He and She. The two analyze the history of English language pronouns and debate whether or not language is meant for communicating "correctly" or simply for communicating. In the spiel, translating the Iowa results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Donald Trump slurred his way through the State of the Union. In the interview, Mike talks with public education advocate Diane Ravitch about her most recent 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 the children to death. In the spiel, the acquittal of Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the Iowa caucuses was created to disenfranchise babysitters. In the interview, Mike talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep about his new book, Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Frémont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity, and Helped Cause the Civil War. They discuss the ways in which the Frémonts navigated their world, and the modern currents found in their story. In the spiel, the Iowa caucuses were a mess. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices