The Gist

With 100 inches of snow landing on Boston this winter, the issue of cars and parking has inspired calumny and tire-slashing in the Boston area. On The Gist, Jennifer Peter, local editor for The Boston Globe, quietly admits that she's a parking-space saver. Plus, how can we use language to better describe undocumented immigrants with empathy and without politics? Mike searches for the right term with Define American founder Jose Antonio Vargas, a Filipino-American journalist who does not have legal residency status. For the Spiel, Bill O'Reilly might not be telling the truth. Today's sponsor: Citrix GoToMeeting. When meetings matter, millions choose GoToMeeting. Get a free 30-day trial by visiting GoToMeeting.com and clicking the "try it free" button. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, journalist Graeme Wood offers insight into the motivations of ISIS. He recently wrote "What ISIS Wants" for the Atlantic. For the Spiel, we name the lobstar of the antentwig for The Gist Episode 200. We end this show with the latest Dial-a-Song debut from They Might Be Giants, a cover of Jonathan Richman's song "I Was Dancing in the Lesbian Bar." Today's sponsors: Stamps.com! Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nasdaq Composite Index is closing in on an all-time high. Is the bubble back? Today on The Gist, CNBC markets reporter Dominic Chu explains how the tech sector has changed the index fundamentally. Plus, can snuggling make us healthier? Mike asks Maria Konnikova of The New Yorker if cuddles are important to our health. For the Spiel, Mike revokes Rudy Giuliani's credentials as a New Yorker. Today's sponsors: The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, the new documentary series from HBO. It airs Sundays at 8 p.m. only on HBO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Bill Browder tells the story of how he went from investing in Russian markets to fleeing the wrath of Vladimir Putin. He's the author of Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice. For the Spiel, Pesca marks a moment for the front pages of newspapers everywhere. Today's sponsor: The Great Courses, engaging audio and video lectures taught by top professors. Courses like "Fundamentals of Photography." Right now, get 80 percent off the original price when you visit thegreatcourses.com/gist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, ponds face cream, plus water, gurgle and swallow. (Vine here.) Plus, associate professor of political science at Northwestern University Alvin B. Tillery, Jr., explains how the movie Selma got LBJ wrong (among other things). For the Spiel, the publishing industry is not threuss with Seuss. Today's sponsors: Stamps.com! Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST. We're also sponsored by 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lance Armstrong has been ordered to pay $10 million dollars for lying under oath about doping. If he complies, he'll send his checks to an outfit called SCA Promotions. Today on The Gist, the Dallas-based company's general counsel, Jeff Dorough, explains its role in big sports money. Plus, Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld explain the core values highlighted in their new book The Triple Package. For the Spiel, filling out health care forms online until your eyes bleed. Today's sponsors: The Gist is sponsored by Harry's. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code GIST. Also, Stamps.com. Sign up for a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer when you visit Stamps.com and use the promo code THEGIST. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Mike Pesca is joined by Kid Fury and Crissle, the hosts of The Read podcast. They are best known for their "reads," a term with roots in the 1980s black gay community. A read is an honest, Spiel-like venting with a purpose, and makes for great listening. For the Spiel, Mike Pesca remembers his friend Bobby Lichman, who lived his life with brilliance, intensity, and conviction. Bobby performed under the name Bobby Sichran, and today's show features music from his album From a Sympathetical Hurricane. Today's sponsor: The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, the new documentary series from HBO. It airs Sundays at 8 p.m. only on HBO. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Max Abrahms from Northeastern University examines the motives of terror groups like ISIS and Boko Haram. Plus, we speak to Mario Schlosser, CEO of health firm Oscar, about how the Affordable Care Act has birthed a new kind of health care company. (Don't forget the health care enrollment deadline is Feb. 15.) For the Spiel, a fantastic performance taped in Gist studios, with Xavier Dphrepaulezz, aka Fantastic Negrito. He just won NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Contest, and here's where you can find his EP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A past Gist guest was recently named the winner of the NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Contest. We spoke with Xavier Dphrepaulezz, aka Fantastic Negrito last September, and heard his journey from 1980s Oakland gutters to black roots music. In our interview, hear how he finally found his voice as Fantastic Negrito, and a few tracks from his EP. Get The Gist by email as soon as it's available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you own your failures? Today on The Gist, Slate's Justin Peters finds meaning in his televised humiliation he experienced on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. He recently wrote about the experience of losing $225,000 on in his story I Wanted to Be a Millionaire: How failing colossally on a game show changed my life for the better. Justin is part of the improv comedy duo From Justin To Kelly. For the Spiel, a few insights to add to the ample coverage of the Brian Williams story. Complete Slate's podcast listener survey! Tell us about yourself and your favorite podcasts so that Slate can serve you better. We'd appreciate two minutes of your time. Go to slate.com/survey. Today's sponsors: Stamps.com. Sign up for a no-risk trial and get a $110 bonus offer, when you visit Stamps.com and enter promo code TheGist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices