PLAY PODCASTS
The Gist

The Gist

3,080 episodes — Page 15 of 62

Ep 2379When "Anti-Zionism" Is A Get Out Of "Antisemitism" Free Card

College campuses are spoiled by protests, the White House calls out antisemitism, but the NYPD says the soon-to-be-expelled students were perfectly nice. Not nice are calls for 10,000 more October 7ths. But there's a difference between "not nice" and "not acceptable." On the show today, Mike plumbs the difference and explains when anti-zionism really is antisemitic. Plus, the Dems should bail out Mike Johnson. And we're joined once more by Damon Linker to talk politics and shrubbery. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 22, 202439 min

Ep 2378BEST OF THE GIST: NPR CEO OMG Edition

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, the first half of our interview with Damon Linker, author of the Notes From The Middleground Substack about his recent Guest Essay for the Opinion page of The New York Times titled, "Why Is Biden Struggling? Because America Is Broken." Then we listen back to Mike's analysis of NPR's choice of its new CEO, Katherine Maher. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 20, 202432 min

Ep 2377Saving NPR

Today a special show, wherein Mike discusses former NPR editor Uri Berliner's critique of the network he no longer works for, including claims about Berliner's veracity and validity. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 19, 202428 min

Ep 2376Gold Heist, Foiled

Canadian police are making arrests in the 2023 theft of $14 million of gold from an Air Canada flight. The criminals weapon of choice? Guns? Dynamite? How about fraudulent bills of lading for scrod? Also on the show, Max Stearns is the author of the new book Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy. We will discuss the needed repairs. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 18, 202443 min

Ep 2375Family Guy Guy Guides Us Through Danger

Evan Waite, writer for Family Guy and The Onion, discusses his career, theories of comedy, and his new book, Life Wants You Dead: A Calm, Rational, and Totally Legit Guide to Scaring Yourself Safe. Plus, why can't Ukraine have the defenses that Israel has? And a new NPR CEO critiques truth. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 17, 202437 min

Ep 2374Getting Aid to Gaza

Arwa Damon, recently back from Gaza, is a former CNN International Correspondent who has transitioned to relief work. Her organization is INARA, the International Network for Aid, Relief & Assistance. She discusses the situation in Gaza, how opaque Israeli inspection protocols delay aid, how the killings of World Central Kitchen workers complicated the job of relief workers, and how Gaza compares to other war zones she's covered. ln the Spiel, we can now declare that murder is down, even if we've been falsely declaring it for some time now. And Donald Trump loves comparing himself to Al Capone. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 16, 202439 min

Ep 2373Bond, Trump Bond

On the show today, an Iranian attack repelled. And, in a full-show interview, Will Thomas, assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan, joins to talk about Trumps recent bond hearing and explains the process behind the bond and how people go about paying it. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 15, 202443 min

Ep 2372BEST OF THE GIST: The Juice, Squeezed Edition

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, listen to Mike's show opener this past Thursday about the death of O.J. Simpson. Then we listen back to our December 6, 2016 interview with Ezra Edelman, whose documentary O.J.: Made In America, explored Simpson's life. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary at the 2016 Academy Awards. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 13, 202419 min

Ep 2371Delicious Chicken 'n' Mice

Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo are the eco-directors of Food Inc 2, which raises questions about how American agribusinesses have an unhealthy relationship with politicians, communities, and our bodies. Plus, the beatings out of Chechnya will continue ... within strict BPM limits. And part two of our look at On The Media's featherbed of a segment on UNRWA and Israel. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 12, 202438 min

Ep 2370Pour Some Sugar On The Man In The Mirror O' Mine

Chris Molanphy drops by to count down the hits of 1988, a time when we weren't worried, we were happy, and we were making the transition from the exiting of dreams and the entering of cars. Also, in 1988 OJ Simpson was in a new movie called The Naked Gun. Today, OJ Simpson, football great, and adjudicated killer of two people is dead. We can say that and be factual. Plus, an On The Media segment on UNRWA leaves out a bit of context, namely a single inculpatory fact about UNRWA's members involvement in October 7th, or support of Hamas. Link to Episodes mentioned in Spiel: On The Media What Matters Now to Haviv Rettig Gur: UNRWA's problem isn't the terrorists in its ranks Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 11, 202438 min

Ep 2369Florida, Abortion, and Trump

The Bulwark's Marc Caputo says Florida's six-week limit on abortion is vulnerable, but not certain, to go down via popular referendum. Even so, Donald Trump has such a huge advantage in the state he's unlikely to suffer from its presence on the ballot. Caputo also says Trump's strategic ambiguity, or even avoidance, of the issue will probably work, based on the general Trump unaccountability theory. Plus, the Tik Tok Taoiseach. And also, what's a "Taoiseach?" Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 10, 202436 min

Ep 2368Arizona's 1864 Abortion Law Stands

The Arizona Supreme Court has banned almost all abortions in the state, deferring to a law written in 1864. Also on the show, a brief history of Ecuador and embassies. Plus, the continuation of our interview with Keith Humphreys, Stanford Professor and co-author of the Atlantic story, "Why Oregon's Drug Decriminalization Failed." Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 9, 202426 min

Ep 2367Oregon Drug Debacle

Keith Humphreys, Stanford Professor and author of Addiction: A Very Short Introduction, talks about the of failure of a local Oregon ordinance he was called in to offer expertise about. We discuss his Atlantic story, "Why Oregon's Drug Decriminalization Failed." Plus, the path of totality, and dealing with Hamas over hostages. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 8, 202426 min

Ep 2366BEST OF THE GIST: Podcast Implosion Edition

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, Mike's Thursday Spiel about the carnage at NPR and the reason for it. Then we listen back to part of Mike's January conversation with Jeremy Hobson, host of The Middle and long-time public radio personality, about what's going wrong at NPR. This part of the interview with Jeremy was formerly a PescaPlus extra. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 6, 202438 min

Ep 2365Remembering The Repressed Memory Movement

Jena Martin is a pathologist by day who has produced a six-part podcast series looking back at the recovered memory movement of the late 1980s and early 90s. Everyone was having them, were any real? Plus, a partial traipsing down the path of totality in advance of Monday's eclipse. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 5, 202435 min

Ep 2364Public Radio Podcast Pounded

Another round of bloodletting in the world of podcasting and public radio. NPR listenership is down 15-20%, and the excuses the industry is relying on wither, don't apply, or are flat out wrong. Mike offers a path to course correction that he doubts his old colleagues will take. But one public broadcaster is crushing it ... the BBC. Could this be because Mike is prominently featured in Episode 3 of Helen Lewis Has Left The Chat? And we're joined by Emily Blout, author of Media and Power in Modern Iran to talk about her recent article, "The Disturbing Rise of Strategic Antisemitism." Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 4, 202441 min

Ep 2363Trump Is Their Barbarian

Atlantic Staff writer Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism says many Christians support Donald Trump because they are forgiving, and specifically because he isn't. Plus, the President of Argentina assails the anatomical properties of his hemispheric peers. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 3, 202440 min

Ep 2362Barge Bilge

U.S. leaders put Netanyahu on notice. And is it worth knowing about all the stupid Francis Scott Key Bridge conspiracy theories? Plus, CNN's Jim Sciutto analyses Donald Trump's many mixed feelings towards NATO, and tries to divide the tough talk from the actual courses of action. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 2, 202437 min

Ep 2361Real Rolexes, Fake Story

CNN's Jim Sciutto comes by to discuss his new book, The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War. Plus, the Women's NCAA tournament draws the wrong court, and an April Fools game asks you to spot the fake Rolex. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 1, 202430 min

Ep 2360BEST OF THE GIST: March Madness

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, the rise of women's college basketball knows no (re)bounds, and yet somehow has still been overstated. We also listen back to his 2018 interview with Barbara Lipska, whose career as a neuroscientist did not prepare her to identify the dark effects of her own brain tumors diagnosed in 2015. There's studying a damaged brain, and then there's having one. Lipska is the author of The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind: My Tale of Madness and Recovery. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 30, 202421 min

Ep 2359Can We Wait To Take The Economic Loss On Weight Loss

The Miracle Weight-Loss Drugs would radically transform the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans. Hundreds of millions. So maybe the Government should foster this human flourishing. There's always a cost. Jonathan Gruber Chairman of the Economics Department at MIT discuss his New York Times opinion piece about how drugs like Ozempic can be afforded. Plus, the My Pillow fellow loses his lease, if not his moxie. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 29, 202440 min

Ep 2358Our Politicians Far More Extreme Than Our People

We're joined by Anthony Fowler Professor of political science in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago where he researches political polarization and the credibility of empirical research. He is also the host Not Another Politics Podcast. Plus, the totally wasteful process of processing g plastic waste. And Trump happens to be rich. Sadly enough. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 28, 202436 min

Ep 2357Genocide, Famine. Nursery Rhymes

We're joined by David Simon Assistant Dean for Graduate Education, Senior Lecturer in Global Affairs and Director of the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University. Simon explains that what's going on in Gaza is not a genocide and offers analysis as to why the charge has become ubiquitous. Plus, RFK Jr's new vice president once, apparently, was married to some rich guy. It's hard to know how important that part of her bio is. And Mike offers some anguished thoughts about the fighting and the famine in Gaza. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 27, 202440 min

Ep 2356Atomic Habits

Annie Jacobsen. author of Nuclear War: A Scenario takes us through what would really happen if an enemy of the U.S. fired the first missile in a nuclear exchange. Plus, more MSNBC Rona reax, and the rise of women's college basketball knows no (re)bounds, and yet somehow has still been overstated. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 26, 202432 min

Ep 2355Running Out Ronna

A staff revolt at NBC protests the network's move to hire former RNC head Ronna McDaniel. Plus, Trump wins in court, and those who are committed to a narrative of his penury are aggrieved. And we're joined by Whitney Downard of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, to discuss a social service funding and forecasting debacle that puts the families of the severely disabled in a bind. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 25, 202431 min

Ep 2354BEST OF THE GIST: Tradition! Vacation! Edition!

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, Mike goes on vacation and comes nose to nose with tradition. We also listen back to his 2016 interview with actor Michael C. Bernardi, who played Mordcha the Innkeeper in Fiddler On The Roof, which was then on Broadway. His father, Herschel Bernardi, was the third man to play Tevye in the musical. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 23, 202425 min

Ep 2353A Cancer On Royal Rumors

Kate Middleton's sad announcement about her health should prompt self examination, not only from the rumor mongers, but the audience, too. And how Donald Trump's $500-million bond bill will effect the little guy, according to Fox legal experts. Plus, we're joined once more by Ken Bensinger to talk about his new podcast, Chameleon: The Michigan Plot, and to answer the question, "Does the public have an accurate assessment of how real the plot was?" Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 22, 202438 min

Ep 2352The Gang That Couldn't Kidnap Straight

Ken Bensinger is co-host of Chameleon: The Michigan Plot, which details the trials of militia members who sought to (or at least talked a lot about) kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. There were, at times, more government informants and undercover officials than bonafide ill-intentioned militia members driving the plot, which was more aspirational than operational. And, speaking of hot air, we talk helium, medical devices, and smuggled coolant in "Gas News." And who, day and night, must scramble for a living? The podcasters! THE PODCASTERS! Tradition! Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 21, 202437 min

Ep 2351CRIME WEEK: Shoplifting And Murder, In That Order

If you believe the news, shoplifting is many things: "on the rise," "a scourge," and "way up." The thing is … is it really? In truth, it's very hard to know, because the variables are myriad. We discuss this conundrum with Adam Gelb, President and CEO of Council on Criminal Justice, a non-partisan think tank, and a pretty darn knowledgeable person on the topic. Then we pivot to tackle the role prison and parole play in our criminal justice system. We talk with Ben Austen, author of Correction: Parole, Prison, and the Possibility of Change. Ben is joined by Johnny "Khalif" Veal, who was convicted of murder in 1970 and paroled in 2021, a man who says prison changed him in all types of ways. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 21, 202441 min

Ep 2350CRIME WEEK: Charging Countries With "Genocide"

On day two of Crime Week on The Gist, we change our focus from individual crimes in the U.S. to the crimes of nations and the effectiveness of international courts at punishing countries for doing wrong. We are joined for the whole show by Kenneth Anderson, Professor of Law at American University's Washington College of Law, where he focuses a lot of his energies on the law of war. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 19, 202434 min

Ep 2349CRIME WEEK: Using Data To Predict Crime

Crime is a major factor in how our society acts, votes, and perceives the world. So you would think statistics about it would flow like a vast river of knowledge. And in so thinking, you would be wrong. Trustworthy data on criminal activity and its victims is strangely hard to come by. So, to kick off Crime Week on The Gist, we will be devoting a full show to parsing the numbers we do have with Jeff Asher, the co-founder of AH Datalytics, where he is the resident guru about crime data. He is also the author of the Jeff-alytics Substack. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 18, 202437 min

Ep 2348BEST OF THE GIST: "Photographic" Memory Edition

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, this past Wednesday, Mike used The Spiel to rebut a Joy Reid segment mischaracterizing Robert Hur's testimony before the House Judiciary committee. We listen back. Then we listen way back to a September 2018 Spiel about Brett Kavanaugh's hearing to join the Supreme Court, which had parallels to Hur's testimony. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 16, 202429 min

Ep 2347Jake Tapper On Political Scandal

Host of CNN's State Of The Union, Jake Tapper joins us to discuss his new CNN series United States Of Scandal, which includes the unethical behavior of Rod Blagojevich, Mark Sanford, John Edwards, and more. Plus, the Fani Willis case against Trump can continue if she or special prosecutor Wade remove themselves. And ... its an Antwentig. Are you ready for the truth? Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 15, 202435 min

Ep 2346Gerald Ford Sees His Reflection In The Snow-Covered Hills

Landslide, a new podcast from producer and host Ben Bradford tells the story of the 1976 Presidential race, which was seminal in the invention of modern conservatism. It's a well rendered, compelling history that resonates with the present. Plus, what's worse, a disaster or a catastrophe? And Pod Save America joins in the misreporting on Joe Biden's memory. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 14, 202439 min

Ep 2345Biden's Remembers Photographs, Doesn't Have Photographic Memory

Rebutting a Joy Reid segment mischaracterizing Robert Hur's testimony before the House Judiciary committee yesterday. Plus, Aaron Rodgers is a frustrating teammate, would he make a good running mate? And we talk to Quico Toro about how the Global South will be where the true costs of climate change are felt. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 13, 202438 min

Ep 2344Terrible Leaders And Horrible Followers

We talk to Barbara Kellerman, author of Leadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers. She argues that you can't blame Adam Neumann for all of We Works crash, just as not all of Xi Jinging's excesses are on Xi. Plus, recently resigned Special Counsel Robert Hur testifies before Congress. He does pretty well. Few others on the Judiciary can say the same. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 12, 202436 min

Ep 2343Matt Gaetz Temps Fate

Matt Gaetz is both a force of nature and a force for chaos. Dexter FIlkins of The New Yorker profiled his upbringing and ongoing potency in national politics. Plus, Nancy Mace will not be shamed by George Stephanopoulos and Katie Britt can't believe you thought she meant what she very clearly wanted you to think she meant. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 https://surfshark.deals/GIST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 11, 202435 min

Ep 2342BEST OF THE GIST: Unusual Protest Methods Edition

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, a podcast extra from our Thursday conversation with Sir David King, formerly the UK's Government Chief Scientific Adviser, who is now the Founder and Chair at Cambridge's Center for Climate Repair. Mike just had to ask him about climate activists who glue themselves to pieces of famous art. Then we listen back to our 2019 interview with writer Katy Lederer about Greta Thunberg, an activist unlike any we had seen before. Never glued herself, though. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 9, 202420 min

Ep 2341Anatomy Of A Barbenmaestro Of The Flower Moon

Its Oscar talk with Decoding Everything and Filmcast's David Chen. Why Mike thought Maestro hit sour notes ... and why David thought the structure of Oppenheimer was more stamped from a hard plastic mold than Barbie. American Fiction was the rare non-farcical satire, and Past Lives articulated a heretofore unexamined but familiar emotional ambivalence. Plus, Joe Biden was more normal than Katie Britt. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 8, 202438 min

Ep 2340Carbon Capture: Boon, Bane, or Balderdash?

Sir David King, formerly the UK's Government Chief Scientific Adviser, is now the Founder and Chair at Cambridge's Center for Climate Repair. He advocates carbon capture technology as part of the mix of solutions to climate change. Many environmentalists are not sold. Plus, blue cities get tough on crime, but also the opposite. And in the Spiel, the state of the State of the Union as a speech, phrase, and dance floor banger. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 7, 202433 min

Ep 2339Luxuriating In Luxury Beliefs

Rob Henderson, author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class, grew up in foster care among the people that the elites of Yale University say they care about. But when Henderson got to the Ivy League, he found that the cares of the elites, on behalf of the marginalized, and the cares of the actual people he grew up with at the margins, often greatly diverged. Plus, Chris Murphy and John Fetterman defend loathed colleagues. And, in the Spiel, what the Gopher State uncommitted contingent actually means. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 6, 202440 min

Ep 2338A Dearth Of Sinemaphiles

Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema announces her intention to become Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema. Also on the show, The New York Times' union says the paper is racially profiling its own MENA staffers over a leak, Mike provides analysis plus he explains the meaning of MENA, in case you are unfamiliar. And we're joined once more by Jonathan Blitzer, who profiled Alejandro Mayorkis for The New Yorker and is the author of Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 5, 202433 min

Ep 2337Border Porous? Blame Mayorkas

Jonathan Blitzer author of Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis, profiled DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for The New Yorker. Plus, The Intercept's lengthy attempt to question widespread Hamas rapes. And Trump will be on the ballot. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 4, 202441 min

Ep 2336BEST OF THE GIST: Fast-Food Innovation Edition

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we tackle the important topic of poor-quality, quick-heating food innovations. From the archive, we listen back to Mike's 2022 interview with Nathan Allebach, brand consultant and the twitter voice of Steak-umm brand meats for many years. As such he engaged with gaseous comedians and angsty millennials and has some theories as to why it all worked. Then, from the past week, Mike's spiel about Wendy's surge pricing strategy. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 2, 202425 min

Ep 2335Get Used To It

Cass Sunstein joins us to talk about how, without knowing it, we habituate to our circumstances ... regardless of the circumstances. This is both a good thing and bad thing, and it's the subject of Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There. Plus, Trump and Biden visit the border. And Mike spiels about best practices for reigning in talk show guests spewing nonsense. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 1, 202436 min

Ep 2334Bloody American History, Long Before the Founders

We're joined by James Swanson author of The Deerfield Massacre: A Surprise Attack, a Forced March, and the Fight for Survival in Early America. Plus, a little squiggle of Europe called Transnistria. And 40 years on from Jesse Jackson's Presidential run, Mike spiels about progress. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 29, 202431 min

Ep 2333Surge Burgers

Wendy's experiments with dynamic pricing, but generally lethargic french fries. Plus, it was a week from hell for Richard Lewis and Mitch McConnell. Well, a bit more for Lewis. And we're joined once more by Steve Coll author of The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 28, 202431 min

Ep 2332Saddam's Secret Recordings

Steve Coll, author of The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq, worked to declassify the personal recordings of Sadam Hussein. They proved to be an important piece of insight into the dictator, whose nuclear bluff was so good it got him killed. Plus, "Hugs Not Bullets" in Mexico. And in the Spiel, what percentage of the vote in the Michigan Primary for "uncommitted" should worry Joe Biden? Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 27, 202429 min

Ep 2331When An Insurmountable Obstacle Meets A Hubristic Work Force

Joe Biden's foreign policy team has mixed success, or some "non-failures," depending on if you regard the Afghanistan withdrawal plan as a regrettable misstep or bungled necessity. Alexander Ward is out with a new book, The Internationalists: The Fight to Restore American Foreign Policy After Trump. Plus, Shane Gillis hosts SNL, Trevor Noah hosts the Grammys, Joe Koi hosts the Golden Globes, and Twitter hosts pointed critiques of each. And are we really going into government shutdown watch ... again?!? Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 26, 202435 min

Ep 2330American History Tellers: The Underground Railroad

Wondery's podcast American History Tellers takes you to the events, times and people that shaped America and Americans — our values, our struggles and our dreams. In the early 1800s, slavery rapidly expanded across the American South. But each year, thousands of courageous enslaved men, women, and children fled their owners in search of freedom. And in Philadelphia, secret allies came to their aid. Quaker abolitionists collaborated with free Black people to bring the freedom seekers to safety. It was the start of the Underground Railroad, a clandestine network of activists, safe houses, and escape routes that would help tens of thousands of enslaved people flee bondage in the decades before the Civil War and challenge the very roots of American slavery. This is just a preview of American History Tellers. You can listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or at American History Tellers - Wondery | Premium Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 25, 20244 min