The Gist

Rory Stewart, author of 'How Not To Be A Politician,' discusses America's influence on global politics, the UAW strike, and the rise of unconventional politicians like Boris Johnson and Donald Trump. The chapter also explores the value of diverse podcast hosts and the potential impact of controversial activities on political candidacy. Plus, learn about the fearless and athletic dog Yoda, a Belgian Malinois known for capturing criminals.

Rory Stewart is a former member of British Parliament, Harvard instructor, soldier, diplomat, cabinet minister, and traverser of Asia via foot. The co-host of The Rest Is Politics Podcast, we discuss his latest book How Not To Be A Politician. Plus, STOP REGULATING WOMENS BODIES, if by regulating you mean considering whether some lightly compensated past porn with her husband should factor into an election bid. Also, Trump met the Press, so what's the problem? 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

Author Alicia Roth Weigel discusses her row with conservative radio host Stephen Crowder and the importance of stating that 2% of the population is intersex. The podcast also delves into controversy surrounding comedian Hasan Minhaj and explores trust and manipulation in his actions.

Activist Alicia Roth Weigel discusses her memoir 'Inverse Cowgirl' about being intersex. They talk about the ethics of infant operations, blaming parents, and criticizing Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis for supporting a convicted rapist. Also, scandal, bodily autonomy, medical interventions, and the importance of choice and research.

Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted; Governor Spencer Cox of Utah discusses his 'Disagree Better' platform to combat partisanship and polarization; Exploration of banning a medical procedure by elected officials; Governor Cox discusses the potential replicability of the Disagree Better Project; The governor's decision to veto a bill from his brother-in-law and its impact on polarization and relationships.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with North Korea and Russia's meeting focusing the news media this week, we listen back to Mike's 2019 interview with Washington Post reporter Anna Fifield who had just written a fascinating book on Kim Jong-un. She spoke with people who had real life interactions with the man, in an effort to get the clearest picture yet of what the head of the Kim dynasty is really like. Fifield's book is The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un. Then we listen back to the Wednesday Spiel Joe and Hunter. 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

M. Chris Fabricant is the Director of Strategic Litigation for the Innocence Project. His new book is Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System. Plus, a Senate without Mitt. And the UAW strikes for wages and trash cans. 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

Denigrating the SAT is to trendy educational stances as deleting the Abolishing Ice movement is to helpful immigration policy. There are 1,600 reasons—or maybe 5 or 6—why the SAT has validity, and Mike says some of them. Plus, Mike trusts Google to inform him that Hispanic Heritage month starts tomorrow. And we listen to part two of our talk with Vincent Schiraldi author of Mass Supervision: Probation, Parole, and the Illusion of Safety and Freedom. 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

Vincent Schiraldi was the commissioner of New York City's Department of Correction and is now Secretary of Juvenile Services of Maryland. We talk about his new book Mass Supervision: Probation, Parole, and the Illusion of Safety and Freedom, and discuss if there is a real path to true reform. Plus, the impeachment game is afoot. Also, the Pennsylvania prisoner is captured. Check out Mike's appearance on The Comedy Cellar's Live From The Table discussing Philip Bump's recent virality. 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

Andrew Yang and Stephen Marche have co-authored a new novel which is out today, The Last Election. In it, we follow a character not unlike Yang himself—a maverick political outsider whose slogan is, "Do the Math." But in this alternative reality, the candidate's appeal injects uncertainty into a system which devolves into a state of chaos and violence. Also on the show, why the Pennsylvania prison escapee is playing like less of a captivating adventure than past prison break-out stories. 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