The Gist

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, an expert in management from Yale University's school of management, discusses the negative impact of Putin's policies on the Russian economy, skepticism towards growth predictions, the credibility of the New York Times, the exchange of missiles between Iran and Pakistan, and ongoing tension between Iran and the United States.

First, we consider the case of the dream boat Yemeni who is a hijacker of real boats, dubbed "Tim-Houthi Chalamet" by adoring online fans. And then, it's a full show talking with Bessel van der Kolk author of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, and co-author of a piece in Foreign Affairs, "The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and the Psychology of Trauma: How Insights From Therapeutic Practice Can Help Build Peace." 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 | MikePesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Georgia DA Fani Willis wades into allegations that she hired her romantic partner to prosecute Trump. She does so from the pulpit of a storied church, yielding more "amens" than answers. Plus, the government preserves Spirit Airlines as the perhaps beloved, certainly belittled Dollar Store of the skies. And we're joined once more by Matt Bruenig of the People's Policy Project to talk unions, income inequality, and if a toned-down Twitter avatar might make his brand of socialist seem cuddlier. 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 | MikePesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Bruenig of the People's Policy Center discusses the gap between economic impression and reality. Vivek Ramaswamy ends his cosplay as a Trump cover band. And the explanation that some on the right are giving for that hole in the Alaska Airlines door. You can't spell idiotic explanation without "DEI." 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 | MikePesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, Mike's 2016 interview with Tim Hartford, author of the book Messy: The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives. Also, Mike's Tuesday Spiel about nanoplastics and whether or not they are more dangerous to our bodies or our anxiety levels. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to our ad-free and/or PescaPlus versions of The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mike's Substack: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald G. McNeil Jr., author of The Wisdom of Plagues, joins the podcast to discuss his book and the zoonotic origin of Covid. They also touch on the accuracy of Anthony Fauci's answers about gain-of-function research, public health cowardice, the environmental impact of missile strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, and the debate surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza and the concept of genocide.

A spirited debate between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley last night allowed the former South Carolina Governor to trot out a new attack line. Also, Donald McNeil Jr. has been covering pandemics since the aid crisis in the 80s. His new book The Wisdom of Plagues, collects all the lessons he has learned covering diseases across the world. And Trump's legal woes have his candidacy on the rocks. Actually, just the opposite. 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 | MikePesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast explores topics such as the functioning of Congress and the upcoming elections, a secret tunnel in a Brooklyn synagogue, South Africa's intention to charge Israel with genocide, the evolution of political views and criticisms of Donald Trump, the challenges of passing major legislation, and the difficulty of proving genocide in the Israel-South Africa case.

Yaroslov Trofimov, author of Our Enemies Will Vanish, discusses Russian invasion and Ukraine's war. The podcast covers the freakout over nanoplastics in bottled water and Trump's immunity appeal, highlighting the need to stay rational. It also explores Russian military corruption, the conflict in Ukraine, and the psychological anxiety surrounding plastic in our bodies.

Yaroslav Trofimov, Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent at The Wall Street Journal, discusses Ukraine's advantage over Russia in their conflict, the precision of weapons and shortage of ammunition, and explores the concept of white supremacy and its cultural influence.