The Gist

In 1997, the deaths of Notorious B.I.G. and Princess Diana left America looking for musical catharsis. The Gist, our regular guest Chris Molanphy explores how tribute songs came to dominate the Billboard chart from 1997, with a sprinkling of a few memorable candy-colored Pop songs. Our Spotify playlist will help un-break your hearts with some Toni Braxton, Elton John, and other songs mentioned in today's show: For the Spiel, it's time to name our latest Lobstar of the antentwig. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Barton Swaim gives us a glimpse inside the world of a certain former governor of South Carolina. Swain's new book is called The Speechwriter. Plus, Dr. Jeffrey Lewis responds to lingering criticisms of the Iran nuclear deal. Lewis hosts Mike's favorite arms podcast, Arms Control Wonk. For the Spiel, advice for the last Republican on stage at Thursday night's Fox News presidential primary debates. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Four years ago today, the U.S. debt rating by Standard & Poor's was downgraded from AAA to AA+. An assortment of politicians and rich people warned us this would be a day we'd never forget. We forgot. On The Gist, Adam Davidson explains the surprising power private credit ratings agencies such as S&P, Moody's and Fitch have been given by the U.S., and what that means for global development. He's a contributor to New York Times Magazine and a founder of NPR's Planet Money. Also, Adam Davidson is hosting a new podcast with Adam McKay called Awesome Boring. Here's a teaser. For the Spiel, the GOP debates have to do with the future of the Republican Party. Today's sponsor: Casper, the online retailer of premium mattresses for a fraction of the price. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting casper.com/gist and using the promo code GIST. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you drink from a BPA-free water bottle, is it still safe from "leeching" plastics? On The Gist, Mike asks Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker to examine the research into BPA plastics for a game we call "Is That Bulls--t?" For the Spiel, the oh so costly elections in Canada. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is a clear leader in national polls, but for how long? If it was anyone else, would we be more impressed? On The Gist, Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight explains how Trump's inevitable fall from the top of GOP candidate polls could happen, and how we should consider early, early polling data. For the Spiel, don't forget that Hillary Clinton loves her mom. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the day Adam Resnick learned what an internship was, he called up Late Night With David Letterman. From there, his career would be marked by cult classics he'd rather not revisit. We'll revisit. Hear the story of Resnick's first big break, and everything he's regretted making since. The good news? He's finally found something he is proud of, and that's his new book Will Not Attend: Lively Stories of Detachment and Isolation. For the Spiel, how should the pro-choice movement consider the Planned Parenthood videos? Today's sponsors: Onehub, letting you securely store and share your business files online. Featuring the all-new Onehub Sync, the fastest way to keep all your teams working from the same page. Try it for free, and Gist listeners can receive a special discount by visiting Onehub.com/gist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Politico's Manu Raju joins us from the Senate Periodical Press Gallery to discuss the recent Ted Cruz blowup in the Senate, and its lasting impact on his relationship with the GOP. How might his disregard for traditional procedure and the GOP agenda appeal to Republican voters? For the Spiel, a look at 50 years of Medicare. Today's sponsors: Onehub, letting you securely store and share your business files online. Featuring the all-new Onehub Sync, the fastest way to keep all your teams working from the same page. Try it for free, and Gist listeners can receive a special discount by visiting Onehub.com/gist. And by Harry's, the shaving company that offers German-engineered blades, well-designed handles, and shipping right to your door. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code GIST. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, science writer Brooke Borel explains how a bed bug infestation in 2004 landed her in the ER and later became a consuming area of research. She's the author of Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated Our Bedrooms and Took Over the World. For more bed bug-related entertainment, be sure to listen back to Gist Episode 110, Bedbugs: Disgusting Nuisance, Great Musical. Plus, a novel about a superhero impressionist. Author Jacob Rubin's The Poser tells the story of a man who can do a perfect imitation of anyone he meets. For the Spiel, the clear usefulness of body cams and dashboard cams in policing. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, a clear explanation of the many dangers of monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Mike asks Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker to examine the research for a game we call "Is That Bulls--t?" She's the author of The Confidence Game. For the Spiel, how could the president say that while outside of America? Today's sponsor: Onehub, letting you securely store and share your business files online. Featuring the all-new Onehub Sync, the fastest way to keep all your teams working from the same page. Try it for free and Gist listeners can receive a special discount by visiting Onehub.com/gist Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Americans not working hard enough? Jeb Bush told the New Hampshire Union Leader, "Workforce participation has to rise from its all-time modern lows. It means that people need to work longer hours and through their productivity gain more income for their families." We call in Adam Davidson to explain how economists understand our historic lows in workforce participation. He's a contributor to the New York Times Magazine and a founder of NPR's Planet Money. Also, Adam Davidson is hosting a new podcast with Adam McKay called Awesome Boring. Here's a teaser. For the Spiel, the warning signs along the road to Billy Joel Boulevard. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices