The Gist

On the Gist, birds and Debird. In the interview, Mike talks to journalist and CNN correspondent Peter Bergen about Trump's national security team, the internal feuds, and why the key players of this team have all left, three years later. His new book is Trump and His Generals: The Cost of Chaos. In the spiel, the Republicans need all the noise to continue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, trade symbols. In the interview, Mike talks to Dannagal Goldthwaite Young about satire, irony, and humor in a politically divided world. They discuss successful and not-so-successful examples of conservative political satire, how humor differs on the right and left, and the psychology behind comedy. Her new book is Irony and Outrage: The Polarized Landscape of Rage, Fear, and Laughter in the United States. In the spiel, the pace of impeachment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the problem with democracies. In the interview, Benjamin Wittes of the Brookings Institution and Lawfare is on the phone with Mike today to talk about Devin Nunes' memo from 2017 in light of the recent Inspector General's report. What did Nunes get right and wrong? And was it enough to let us stop calling him a nincompoop? In the spiel, McKinsey and Pete Buttigieg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, William Barr and malfeasance. In the interview, comedians Drennon Davis and Mike Phirman are here to talk about their podcast Bandtastic, a sci-fi musical for the family. They talk with Mike about how the project came about, adult and child humor, and DJ Yeah. In the spiel, impeachment and history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, fighting Biden. In the interview, Mike talks to sports journalist and author Joe Posnanski about the elusive Houdini. They talk about how Erik Weisz became the great Harry Houdini, how the man transformed himself from failing magician to famous escape artist, and the myths shrouding his mysterious death. Joe's book is The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini. In the spiel, points of order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Chuck Todd. In the Interview, former The Wall Street Journal reporter and Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson is here to talk with Mike about the Steele dossier, the infamous pee tape, and his regrets and hopes around the dossier's coverage. His new book with co-author Peter Fritsch is Crime in Progress: Inside the Steele Dossier and the Fusion GPS Investigation of Donald Trump. In the Spiel, Cory Booker's theory on why Kamala Harris dropped out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, UNESCO. In the Interview, Mike talks to Bina Venkataraman, The Boston Globe editorial page editor. They talk about the best ways to tackle climate change, how to encourage people to think long-term, and whether or not humanity will make it past the year 2200. Her new book is The Optimist's Telescope: Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age. In the Spiel, Joe Biden confronting an 83-year-old farmer in Iowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, unpopular opinions. In the Interview, Mike talks to actor Kal Penn about his sitcom Sunnyside. They discuss how he came up with the idea for the show, his time working for the Obama administration, and the Easter eggs hidden throughout the season. You can watch Sunnyside on Hulu, Amazon, and other streaming platforms. In the Spiel, the rebuttal to impeachment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Kamala Harris. In the Interview, Mike talks to Slate writer Julia Craven about Kamala Harris' decision to end her White House bid, the internal crises that broke out within her campaign, and why, after a promising start, she struggled to stand out in the crowded Democratic race. In the Spiel, a sperm whale and straws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Chuck Todd did good. In the interview, documentarian Alex Gibney is here to discuss his newest film, Citizen K, about former Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Putin's Russia. They discuss what led to Khodorkovsky's exile, and the way his story reveals the current state of Russian affairs. In the Spiel, Mike's Thanksgiving weekend. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices