

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

Jun 20, 2024 • 36min
Tricking Spotify Into Getting Weird
Glenn McDonald, a streaming music pioneer, discusses how streaming changes music. The podcast also covers Disney's deal with DeSantis, Spotify's algorithm development, and assessing challenges to NY Congressman Bowman on issues like US funding to Israel and housing policies.

Jun 18, 2024 • 39min
The Politics Of Holidays
Author John Ganz discusses the birth of modern conservatism in the 1990s. Topics include Alabama's controversial state holidays, conservatism's evolution, Trump's economic populism, and the dynamics of political leadership and grassroots support.

Jun 17, 2024 • 38min
Birds Aren't Real (SHHH ... Don't tell the Crested Warbler)
Peter McIndoe is the founder of the Birds Aren't Real movement-slash-conspiracy theory. He is also the author of the book, Birds Aren't Real: The True Story of Mass Avian Murder and the Largest Surveillance Campaign in U.S. History. Peter doesn’t believe any of that, by the way, but has good insights on the type of people who do. Plus, Biden will probably win the debate. And how public access to subway brakes, the inability to license a pot store, and a 30-year-old San Fransisco "shanty town" clearance offer lessons in can-do (and can't-do) governance. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 15, 2024 • 17min
BEST OF THE GIST: SCOTUS Gone Wild Edition
A discussion on the ethical concerns surrounding Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, including controversies around donations and behaviors. The podcast explores the media scrutiny faced by the Justices and the impact on the Court's reputation, raising questions about legitimacy and ethics.

Jun 14, 2024 • 37min
Strom Thurmond Cost Him An Apartment From The Grave
Yusuf Dahl, Real Estate Lab founder, shares his journey from dealing drugs to advocating against housing discrimination post-incarceration. They tackle the disappearance of guitar solos in music and discuss the impact of the Thurmond Amendment on fair housing protections for ex-convicts.

Jun 13, 2024 • 42min
Gaza And Other Sieges
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Amos C. Fox discusses siege warfare, the Battle of Mosul, and the complexities of conflicts in Gaza. The podcast delves into the ethics of sieges, international pressure, and the impact of ideological motivations on military success.

Jun 12, 2024 • 35min
Flooding the Dumb Zone
Dallas sports talk hosts discuss their transition from radio to podcasting due to non-compete clauses, sparking industry debate. They also talk about Joey Chestnut's ban from Nathan's, New York's congestion pricing failure, Luca Donic discussions, and political leadership strategies.

Jun 11, 2024 • 36min
Mrs. Alito's Secret Vergogna
Author Eric Weiner discusses his latest book about Ben Franklin's formula for a fulfilling life. The podcast also covers a political operative recording conversations with Justice Alito, contrasting political figures, and the complexities of Benjamin Franklin's legacy. The host explores historical nuances, societal clashes, and media scrutiny with entertaining comparisons and insightful analyses.

Jun 10, 2024 • 37min
We Just Haven't Been Flapping Them Hard Enough
The podcast discusses topics such as potential VP picks, Israel's hostage rescue, and an interview with Lawrence Wood about caption contests. They delve into the art and science of crafting captions for cartoon contests, explore challenges in reporting casualties in conflicts, and touch on ethical dilemmas in hostage rescue operations.

Jun 8, 2024 • 30min
BEST OF THE GIST: D-Day Anniversary Edition
Ron Rosenbaum, author of Explaining Hitler, discusses Hitler's origins of evil and the complexity of his actions in World War II. The podcast also explores the significance of D-Day, the symbolism of intifada, and the controversies surrounding Hitler's legacy and historical perspectives.