

The Gist
Peach Fish Productions
For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2024 • 1h 9min
BEST OF THE GIST: The Good Fight Edition
Mike discusses media and society with Yascha Mounk on The Good Fight podcast. Topics include media evolution, political discourse, challenges in audience diversification, media manipulation, and insights on the election strategies of Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Jul 12, 2024 • 32min
Water War
Guests Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Nate Halverson discuss their film 'The Grab' about the war for water. They also talk about Biden's press conference, Broadway brilliance turning basic, and the controversies around 'Hamilton'.

Jul 11, 2024 • 32min
France vs USA When "Democracy Is At Stake"
Yascha Mounk discusses France's recent snap election, the defeat of the National Rally, and the evolution of right-wing parties in Europe. They analyze the complexity of the current political situation, the importance of persuasion, and the disconnect between economic indicators and political communication in the US.

Jul 10, 2024 • 42min
Elon Musk: Space Innovator or Inefficient Colonel Sanders?
Elon Musk's SpaceX faces scrutiny over impact on wildlife vs progress, France election misreporting, and debate on ShotSpotter technology accuracy in detecting gunshots for law enforcement.

Jul 9, 2024 • 38min
Facing Faceblindness
Sadie Dingfelder, a faceblind reporter and author, discusses her new book 'Do I Know You?' on the challenges of face blindness, adapting to neuroatypicality, and the evolutionary reasons for face recognition. The podcast also covers topics like the Alec Baldwin trial, right-wing misconceptions, saving money with the Ibotta app, internal monologue, and media representation of political figures.

Jul 8, 2024 • 37min
The AUKUS Caucus Can Be Raucous
Faceblind but observant author Sadie Dingfelder discusses her book on sight and memory. Biden's interviews and AUKUS deal are analyzed. Topics include face blindness challenges, Biden's political updates, and a pronunciation debate on French phrases.

Jul 6, 2024 • 30min
BEST OF THE GIST: Founding Fathers Day Edition
Historian Gordon S. Wood discusses the friendship between Jefferson and Adams. Then, Alexis Coe talks about the obsession with the founding fathers' thighs, focusing on George Washington. The podcast explores the dynamics and legacies of these historical figures.

Jul 5, 2024 • 35min
Living Constitutionally Requires A Strong Constitution
Author AJ Jacobs lived strictly by the U.S. Constitution for a year, delving into historical experiences and dietary habits of the founding fathers. The podcast explores the challenges of interpreting constitutional law and the evolving purpose of the Electoral College. An insightful discussion on living constitutionally and the need for a strong constitutional foundation to withstand societal needs over time.

Jul 3, 2024 • 35min
Spinning The Insidious
Guest Phil Elwood, a marketer and strategist involved in governments and the Mueller probe, discusses ethical dilemmas in PR, refusing to work for dictators. They explore the complexities of the field, sports washing, and personal experiences with bipolar 2 disorder. They also touch on the Democratic Party's leadership decisions, implications for future elections, and the landscape of the 2024 election.

Jul 2, 2024 • 34min
Cringing Oneself Out Of The Presidency
Phil Elwood, a PR executive, shares stories from his book 'All the Worst Humans' working with dictators. They discuss Trump's lies, Biden's cringeworthy moments, and the impact of 'cringe' in politics. Insights on navigating tough clients and ethical dilemmas in the PR industry are also explored.