The Gist

Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari is the guest on today's episode, discussing the accusations of sexual misconduct against him. The hosts explore concepts of consent, reputation, and personal growth in the aftermath. They reflect on past mistakes, emphasize the importance of improvement, and navigate the complexity of changing standards.

Louis C.K., facing accusations of sexual misconduct in 2017, attempted a comeback in comedy but didn't succeed as predicted. The podcast discusses public sentiment, career choices, and the separation between artist and art. It also offers advice on sensitive topics and reflects on the push within the comedy community to address harassment.

The host reflects on their past mistake about Sweden's reaction to the Covid pandemic. They discuss Sweden's unique approach of no lockdown, high death toll, and Tegnell's defense. They analyze the Swedish experiment, comparing it to the US and addressing misconceptions. The disappearance of a virologist's voice is explored, along with surprising statistics suggesting it may not be a failure.

Each week on Best Of The Gist, we give you something from the past week and a deep cut from the archives, and this week we're starting off with Mike's Tuesday Spiel, in which he listens to the #1 song "Rich Men North Of Richmond" for the first time and reacts. Then we rewind to 2017 for his interview with NPR music critic Ann Powers about music's roll in the sexual revolution. "Tutti Fruitti…good booty." Yes, that was the original lyric. 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

Sports Explains the World unveils some of the wildest and most surprising sports stories you've never heard - And they're all true. From the teenager who wrote a Wikipedia page that got a young athlete signed to a million-dollar deal - to the Ugandan National basketball coach who was really an undercover agent for the CIA, these stories will amaze and move you at every turn. Reported by award-winning journalists across the globe, Sports Explains the World reveals the human side of athletics in provocative and unexpected ways. You'll never view sports the same way again. Enjoy Sports Explains the World on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/setw_tg You can binge the first 9 episodes of Sports Explains the World right now ad-free on Wondery Plus. Get started with your free trial at Wondery.com/plus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filmmaker Guy Nattiv discusses his latest film 'Golda' starring Helen Mirren, revealing Mirren's strong connection to Israel and her deep interest in portraying Golda Meir. The podcast also explores the misleading belief that eliminating plastic straws helps the environment, highlighting a study that shows paper and bamboo straws may be worse in some ways. Personal anecdotes about Golda's habits and a discussion on the presence of PFAS in straws add a fascinating touch.

USC professor Peter Kim, author of How Trust Works: The Science of How Relationships Are Built, Broken, and Repaired, says that when the violation is one of competence, we're forgiving, but when it's one of integrity ... we do not. Broad treatises on trust that fail to distinguish between the two types are destined to not just fail but do more damage than if we just lied. Also on the show, when songs topping the charts are reviewed by those trailing in the polls. And Andrew Yang on the Vivek-quake. 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

Tonight's Milwaukee debate presents a chance for the absent Donald Trump's fellow Republicans to offer a frontal assault, a sideward glance, or a kiss on the backside. Plus, the free-floating anxiety of death tolls estimated and unknown. And we're once more joined by Martha Hodes, author of My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering. 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

Martha Hodes is now a professor of history at NYU, where she teaches students techniques of interweaving their first-person accounts and the historical record. But in 1970, she was a 12 year old flying back from Israel, when her plane was hijacked. Her new book, My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering, tells that story, then it examines the story she and the other victims told themselves over the years. Also on the show, listening to (for the first time) the #1 song "Rich Men North of Richmond." And there is only one new car that sells for under $20,000 ... and the consequences are dire for a certain studio audience. 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

The podcast discusses Uber's profitability and its future prospects, debunking previous fake profit claims. It also explores the challenges of supply and demand in the gig economy, the evolution of the BRICS nations, and the implications of Russia exiting BRICS and the addition of new member countries.