The Gist

Today on The Gist, Slate's Jacob Weisberg offers a brief eulogy to the New Republic. Plus, Michael Hobbes explains how his experiences with international development informed his feature in, oddly enough, the New Republic (RIP). Also: the legacy of Uruguayan President José Mujica, with Michael Shifter from the Inter-American Dialogue. His article is "Stop Trying to Save the World." For the Spiel, the road ahead for campus victims. 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

Clarence Page is knowledgeable, reasonable, and nice, which makes you wonder how does this guy have a job in opinion journalism? On The Gist, we'll speak with Page about the current state of race relations and media today, explored in his essay collection Culture Worrier. Plus, Judith Owen and Harry Shearer tell us about the war on wars on Christmas being waged in their show A Christmas Without Tears. Their new single is Christmas With the Devil. For the Spiel, a belated antentwig and the naming of our newest Lobstar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, NPR's David Greene joins us in studio to explain the many things Americans don't understand about Russia. Greene traveled far from his cozy Moscow bureau to experience the vast country by train, an experience that is the subject of his book Midnight in Siberia: A Train Journey Into the Heart of Russia. For the Spiel, can the right and left come together around the death of Eric Garner? 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

Today on The Gist, a look at the issues surrounding police brutality, disengagement, and disarmament in cases like Eric Garner's. Eugene O'Donnell from John Jay College of Criminal Justice explains why we need a holistic review of policing. Plus, Colin Jones tells us the history of smiling in portraits. He's the author of The Smile Revolution. For the Spiel, why we're compelled by threats that are most certainly exaggerated. 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

Pop-up ads keep telling Mike to test his food sensitivity. Is that bulls--t? Today on The Gist, we ask Maria Konnikova of The New Yorker about the differences between food allergies and intolerance. Plus, Meghan Daum discusses the craft of essay writing, and the near-death experience that taught her nothing. She's the author of The Unspeakable. For the Spiel, the importance of the galvanizing anecdote in the University of Virginia rape case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Starting Wednesday, Billboard will change the way it measures success on the album chart. Today on The Gist, Chris Molanphy explains how the new system reflects our listening habits—and the evolution of the album inside the music business. Plus, reporter Jody Avirgan gives us the backstory on his recent Studio 360 piece about one of the strangest works ever composed by jazz giant Charles Mingus: a toilet-training guide. For cats. For the Spiel, do we need a perfect expression of popular sentiment? Mike ponders galvanizing anecdotes in the wake of Ferguson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanksgiving is for eaters, so we've called in an expert. On The Gist, Dan Pashman from The Sporkful explains how to best prepare your belly for the meal ahead. (Hint: Skip the nuts!) He's the author of Eat More Better. Plus, you know Les Marshak's voice, but do you know his story? We'll hear about new markets for old-school-announcer pipes. For the Spiel, Mike's advice for the inevitable argument about Ferguson over Thanksgiving dinner. 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

Today on The Gist, Mike begins the show with his Spiel about the Ferguson decision. We'll discuss what's unusual (and totally expected) about the grand jury proceedings with Jami Floyd from Al Jazeera America and David Feige, author of Indefensible. To end the show, we head out to our neighborhood spot Hudson Clearwater for a drink with Peter Thomas Fornatale and Chris Wertz. 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 come Scandinavians are always the international good guys when it comes to diplomatic relations? Today on The Gist, RAND political scientist Jonah Blank explains the necessity of a Swedish go-between for U.S. relations. Plus, Dan Pashman from The Sporkful explains tricks for a moist turkey with crispy skin. He's the author of Eat More Better. For the Spiel, the death of Marion Barry, the mayor for life. 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

Today on The Gist, Chuck Todd from NBC's Meet the Press shares insight into the character of the president, as recounted in his new book The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House. For the Spiel, Mike concerns himself with easy questions like, "How many Elmos make a quorum?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices