The Gist

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, during Mike's interview with Tablet Editor In Chief Alana Newhouse, which aired this past week, they discussed what's going on in social media in the days after Hamas attacked and killed over a thousand Israelis. Israel has since retaliated, killing at least as many Palestinians. Then we listen back to Mike's 2014 interview with Dr. Dalia Gavriely-Nuri from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She offered translations and insight into Israeli operation names such as Operation Protective Edge (2014)and Operation Pillar of Defense (2012). Israel has named its ongoing response to the Hamas October 7th attack Operation Swards of Iron. 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

Former Administrator of USAID and current President of the Rockefeller Foundation, Rajiv Shah, discusses the importance of aiming high, boosting confidence, and pursuing goals with optimism. He shares insights from his book 'Big Bets' and explores the concept of large-scale change. The podcast also delves into the dismissive attitude towards calls from the left and problematic sentiments regarding Hamas.

Steven Simon, former official with the Obama and Clinton administrations concedes that, yes, Israel really could decimate Hamas as a fighting force, but the costs might be enormous. Plus, Biden wisely froze Iran's $6 billion. And most Dallas math students are advanced, while also doing horribly in math. 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

Everything in the U.S.—and maybe the West—is Broken. It's decayed. What once worked didn't; what never did fails to launch. Alana Newhouse, Editor-in-Chief of Tablet Magazine, who invented the term "Brokenism," is here to explain why it's an apt description, but also one that offers hope. A close observer and chronicler of Israeli society, we get into what Alana is reporting and feeling about the war there. Also, Kamal Harris struggles with answers. And different factions just can't abide living in a moment of U.S. unity behind Israel. 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

Former Attorney General of New York, Dennis Vacco, discusses the state's prosecution of the former President. Topics include the differences in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, charges against Trump for inflating property values, and alleged Iranian financial support to Hamas.

On this Indigenous Peoples Day we examine Mike's past—and even further past—stances on the "discoverer" of "America," and if we should be playing "best-of" segments today or originals. Plus, an archival interview with Steve Inskeep about his book Jacksonland: President Andrew Jackson, Cherokee Chief John Ross, and a Great American Land Grab. 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

Mike's reaction to Saturday's attack against Israel. 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

With Kevin McCarthy ousted from his dream job, we decided to look back at one of the most influential Speakers to ever serve, Newt Gingrich. First we listen back to Mike's interview with Steve Kornacki's latest book, The Red and the Blue: The 1990s and the Birth of Political Tribalism. Then we check out Mike's 2020 interview with Princeton History and Public Affairs Professor Julian Zelizer about his book Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party. Have a great holiday weekend, and just know that no matter how bad your weekend may seem, it was better than Kevin McCarthy's. 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

Former LA Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer faces accusations of sexual assault, with the host examining the media's coverage of the case. The podcast also explores Yascha Mounk's book on identity politics and power. Chapters tackle the effectiveness of a southern border wall, rejection of grand narratives, progressive separatism in education, and the complexities of defining consent in rough sex.

Discussion on the impact of the movie 'Airplane!' on comedy, including its origins, iconic lines, and fortunate casting choices. Exploration of the exclusion of applicants with mental health issues from the Peace Corps and a new lawsuit challenging this decision.