

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

Oct 25, 2023 • 27min
What Makes Protests Fail
Vincent Bevins, journalist and author, discusses protest movements worldwide, including Brazil. He explores the effectiveness of protests and the lessons learned. Topics include the impact of social media on protests, unintended consequences of protest groups, and the political shift in Brazil after protests. He also touches on the potential for a global anti-political movement.

Oct 24, 2023 • 35min
"Andrew Cuomo Resigned For This?"
Melissa DeRosa, former top aide to Andrew Cuomo, discusses the sexual harassment scandal. Also, calls for university presidents to condemn pro-Palestinian sentiments and the need to fill a key position in the US government.

Oct 23, 2023 • 33min
Pushing Back On Pushing Out Cuomo
Melissa DeRosa was the closest aide and top advisor to former NY State Governor, Andrew Cuomo. In her new memoir titled What's Left Unsaid: My Life at the Center of Power, Politics & Crisis, she examines the trauma of the pandemic and offers perspective and new information about the scandals that befell her former boss. Plus, is calculating the death toll in Israel compared to 9/11 clarifying or misleading? And the latest wealth figures offer good news—both overall, and in terms of the the black-white wealth gap. 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

Oct 22, 2023 • 51min
For Your Consideration: No Small Endeavor
"A lot of people think we have a violence problem, but it doesn't seem to be the case; but where we are different is in terms of guns," says Dr. David Hemenway of Harvard University's Injury Control Research Center. He makes the case for a public health approach which treats gun violence as an epidemic to be mitigated through practical long-term solutions. In addition, Professors Chris Hays and Carly Crouch of Fuller Theological Seminary discuss their book God and Guns, examining the presumed correlation between American Christianity and support of gun ownership. To close, Diane Latiker shares what peacemaking might look like on the ground in the face of such bleak realities. Today, we're sharing a special episode from No Small Endeavor, produced by our friends at Great Feeling Studios and PRX. Hosted by award-winning professor Lee C. Camp, the No Small Endeavor podcast thoughtfully merges the world of theology with arts, society, and politics. Like this episode, where award-winning professor Lee C. Camp sits down with Dr. David Hemenway of Harvard University's Injury Control Research Center and Professors Chris Hays and Carly Crouch of Fuller Theological Seminary to talk about the gun epidemic in America and what can be done to stop gun violence. Listen to more episodes of No Small Endeavor and follow the podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/LN08h4po?sid=thegist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 21, 2023 • 22min
BEST OF THE GIST: The Slippery Truth Edition
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, this past week was a big one in the life and career of House of Representatives member Jim Jordan. The 59-year-old Ohioan reportedly tried to browbeat his colleagues into choosing him as their leader, and, as of Friday evening, he hadn't done so successfully. So, to put some context to this moment, we dug up a 2018 Spiel we thought might help paint a more full picture of Jim. After that, we'll listen back to our past Tuesday Spiel, in which Mike asked, "Who, really, is endangering the Gazan citizens?" 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

Oct 20, 2023 • 36min
With The Heights Of The Depths
A volume that deals with the heights of the depths The Blue Machine: How the Ocean Works is the latest work by Helen Czerski, British physicist, oceanographer, and expert on things vast and briny. Plus, Biden resonated with Israelis. And examining conflict in Gaza though U.S. ethnic identity. 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

Oct 19, 2023 • 42min
Church (Commission) And State
Today, a double interview. First, Mike is joined by David Wain, founding member of the influential and anarchically funny sketch comedy group The State, who are touring now. Then, we turn to Michael Vickers, former under secretary of defense for intelligence in the Obama Administration, about his new book By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy. Plus, Georgia State Prosecutors crack the case of the Kraken, as Sidney Powell pleads. 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

Oct 18, 2023 • 39min
Misinformation: Hard To Combat, Slippery To Define
An interview with Dr. Dannagal G. Young, author of Wrong: How Media, Politics, and Identity Drive our Appetite for Misinformation. Plus, sorting out who fired rockets, or dropped bombs, on or near a hospital in Gaza. 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

Oct 17, 2023 • 35min
The First Definitive History Of Covid In The U.S.
Joe Nocera and Bethany McLean are out with The Big Fail: What the Pandemic Revealed About Who America Protects and Who It Leaves Behind. Among those who failed include those who bungled PPE procurement, prolonged school closings and lock downs, and misstated "the science." Plus, who is really trying to keep Gazans alive? And wrestling with the possibility of Jim Jordan as Speaker. 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

Oct 16, 2023 • 29min
Has Hamas Laid A Trap?
Matthew Levitt, Fromer-Wexler Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of its Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, discusses operational failures that led to Hamas' terrorist attacks and analyses worst-case scenarios. Plus, an examination of the trope of Gaza as "outdoor prison." And international election results in Poland, New Zealand, and Ecuador go every which way. 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


