The Gist

On The Gist, pairing 2020 candidates with this or that Oscar-nominated film. In the interview, don't take a shot every time Donna Brazile calls herself one of the Democratic Party's "original gangsters." But it's true: she's been at the heart of its workings for decades. In 2020, she plans on keeping out of the Democratic primaries, all while keeping up with the many rule changes they've adopted since 2016. Brazile is the co-author of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics. In the Spiel, an analysis of Trump's shutdown backdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Necco Wafers are out this Valentine's Day, but don't shed a tear. In the interview, some movies live for the twist. Steven Knight's latest film, Serenity, is ostensibly about a sea captain's Melvillian obsessions. Knight joins us to talk about how Matthew McConaughey gets it right, Saint Lucia, and writing screenplays in a detached state of mind ("It's almost like accessing whatever the hell it is that creates dreams"). In the Spiel, journalists are losing their jobs. And there's some BS out there about why that is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, you can't give Ann Coulter a win. Rick Pitino is a former American basketball coach who experienced a number of scandals in the past few years, leading him to leave America for the Greek Basket League. But how did a renowned basketball coach find himself coaching in Greece? Journalist Michael Sokolove is here with the story. Sokolove's new book is The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino: A Story of Corruption, Scandal, and the Big Business of College Basketball. In the Spiel, dismissing Kamala Harris. This episode is brought to you by Slack, the collaboration hub for work. Learn more at Slack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Joni Ernst's divorce filing. When Jessica Hopper started out writing about music, trolls and affronted fans didn't tweet at you; they wrote you a letter. The world's move to digital has changed that, and helped bring about the #MeToo movement (notice the hashtag?). But despite R. Kelly's fall, Hopper says the rest of the music industry may prove resistant to change. Hopper is the author of a new memoir, Night Moves. In the Spiel, the Covington Catholic teens aren't the disease, they're a symptom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, BuzzFeed's new report on Trump. Earlier this week Rep. Steve King was denounced by much of his party because of remarks he gave to the New York Times about white supremacy. He may have misspoken or chosen to change his wording if given the chance, but according to the Storm Lake Times' Art Cullen, who has been covering King for years in Iowa and recently wrote about King in the Guardian, that's just not his style. But his straight talk won't work in Iowa if it's riddled with dishonesty. Art Cullen is here to discuss. In the Spiel, feeding the anger machine. This episode is brought to you by Doctors Without Borders. Donate today at doctorswithoutborders.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the knife-wielding skills of Nancy Pelosi. In the interview, An Xiao Mina has tracked the meme from its goofy origins to its use in anti-authoritarian protest and (more recently) disinformation. What's next, and how can we minimize the harm caused by the internet's worst actors? An Xiao Mina is the author of Memes to Movements: How the World's Most Viral Media Is Changing Social Protest and Power. In the Spiel, Pelosi can't go to Afghanistan because Trump is one impetuous manbaby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Kirsten Gillibrand running for president. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently floated the idea of a 70 percent marginal tax rate on America's highest earners. That's bad for millionaires, but is it even that good for everyone else? The New Yorker's Adam Davidson argues it isn't: High taxes wouldn't rake in that much cash, and they might even scare taxpayers out of the country. Still, he's clear-eyed about the dangers of concentrated money and thinks a wealth tax (on the value of what you own, not what you make) is where it's really at. In the Spiel, you should have thought of that. This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers: Slack, the collaboration hub for work. Learn more at Slack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, 'twas an eventful news day (William Barr, opioid fatality statistics, Brexit … ), but Mike's got a big Spiel to fry. In the interview, Greg Jaczko served as chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under Obama—and soon grew disillusioned with nuclear energy technology itself. He joins us to explain what changed his thinking and where to turn for tomorrow's energy. Jaczko's new book is Confessions of a Rogue Nuclear Regulator. In the Spiel, a thought experiment in which Trump is given the benefit of the doubt regarding Russia … and still comes out looking like a scoundrel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, president Trump is far from tough on Russia, and too many news talk shows let his allies make that claim. In the interview, Jennifer Traig thought she knew what she was getting into when she became a parent, until "washing diarrhea out of neckfolds" came along. In her latest book, she turns to history to sort the parenting techniques and philosophies that are worth keeping from those that aren't. Traig is the author of Act Natural: A Cultural History of Misadventures in Parenting. In the Spiel, Republicans are speaking out against congressman Steve King for his racist comments. But how about some action? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's star power isn't something to fear. Especially if you're a Democrat. "The world is a very dangerous place!" as a statement from President Donald Trump's desk once put it. Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer gets that, which is why his firm writes a list of top geopolitical risks at the start of every year. In 2019, these include America's response to growing tech and A.I. dominance from China, presidential elections in Ukraine and Nigeria, and cyberwar. Bremmer is also the founder of GZero Media and hosts its podcast, GZero World With Ian Bremmer. In the Spiel, ringing in the year's first Lobstar of the Antentwig. This episode is brought to you by Slack, the collaboration hub for work. Learn more at Slack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices