The Gist

Anthony Scaramucci accumulated insights, enemies, and regrets during his short tenure in the White House. That's all okay, and it's what life his all about, he says. He is now talking to political, economic, and cultural authors and thinkers on his podcast Open Book. And in the U.S., politicians call Biden "weak" and Xi "wise" over Ballooonghazi, but in China they call Xi "dysfunctional" and question his leadership. Plus, San Francisco sex workers are clogging up the streets. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Derek Thompson, staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the Plain English podcast, says Americans are wonderful at invention but frustratingly bad at implementation. Plus, all the excitement over the spy balloon, and all the un-excitement over a presidential rematch. To contribute to our Ukrainian refugee fund, please use the link here: https://gofund.me/206f1eb1 Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, after a week of pondering how to fix the broken state of policing in the United States, we listen back to Mike's September 2020 interview with Dr. Rashawn Ray, a sociologist studying methods of measuring implicit bias using virtual simulations of police officer decision-making at the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland, College Park. He and his team are encouraged that by researching and educating law enforcement with real life social interaction training, they might be able to incite change in outcomes between officers and civilians. (This was originally run as a two-part interview in back-to-back episodes.) Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Steve Mulroy is the District Attorney of Shelby County, Tennessee, which includes Memphis. Mulroy has been in office for a little over a year and was elected to bring down violent crime, while simultaneously ending the distrust the community has for the police. That's a tall order. In this extended interview, we ask him if prosecuting the five officers involved in the death of Tyre Nichols will advance that goal? Also, we discuss what lessons he draws from the failures and successes of other progressive prosecutors, and why he thinks Memphis will avoid the fate of Baltimore, Ferguson, and other cities that succumbed to the pattern of police abuse leading to a pull-back in policing which lead to a rise in murders. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

As the Democrats debate the presidential primary calendar, we're joined by Josh Putnam, a political scientist specializing in delegate selection rules, presidential campaigns, and elections. Plus, Biden gets the gift of criticism from Europe. And the short-sellers who exploded an Indian corporate giant. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Slip another gamma-ray-emitting capsule on the barbie, as we travel to the Australian Outback to locate a pulsing radioactive fleck of metal. Plus, Michael Imperioli remembers his time with his Sopranos co-star, James Gandolfini. And we mark the day objectivity died. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Actor Michael Imperioli talks about his novel The Perfume Burned His Eyes, and his roles on the Sopranos and White Lotus. Plus, what should have been a huge trial of a terrorism suspect went largely unnoticed, despite a high death toll. And Laverne And Shirley, and Nostalgia … and quality. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Mark Oppenheimer, host of the podcast Gatecrashers about the hidden history of the relationship between Jews and the Ivy League, argues that anti-Semitic impulses basically created the Ivy league, branding them as the citadels of elitism and exclusivity that they are today. Plus, arguing for police reform and against nihilism, what are the chances for reform in the wake of the beating death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of five Memphis police officers? Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we've got some bonus material from Mike's interview with Slate film critic Dana Stevens about the 2023 Oscar nominees, which were announced this past Tuesday. Then we're replaying the Thursday Spiel about the resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern … a Spiel Mike is rethinking. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

A woman talking to a man about Women Talking is one way to describe Mike's conversation with Slate film critic Dana Stevens about the best films and the best reasons to care about the Oscars. Plus, Turkey Western Blocs Sweden and Finland. And it's an Antwentig! Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Data scientist Ravi Iyer was a Facebook executive who tried to reform the company from within. Now, as Managing Director of the Psychology of Technology Institute at the University of Southern California's Neely Center, he has some ideas for a better internet … but a more robust regime of content moderation is not one of them. Plus, Oreo Oreos. And Mike wonders if the celebration of the motives behind Jacinda Ardern's resignation is misplaced. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston has analyzed Donald Trumps tax returns from 2015 to 2020 for his new book The Big Cheat: How Donald Trump Fleeced America and Enriched Himself and His Family. Johnston says Trump has broken easy-to-prosecute laws. Plus, the tanks are on the move! And a pollster-on-pollster spat that Nate Silver's model estimated has a 26% chance of cruelty. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Labor organizer Saket Soni led a wild seat-of-his-pants effort to rescue and get justice for 500 Indian laborers who were essentially kidnapped to work in Texas and Mississippi. The author of The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America, joins us. Plus, the Supreme Court's under-impressive self investigation. And a second elderly Asian man commits mass murder in California. The Political Scene | The New Yorker: The Essential Workers of the Climate Crisis on Apple Podcasts Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The factions that led to the near strangling of Kevin McCarthy's speakership in the crib were noxious, but not pointless or unprecedented. Ruth Bloch Rubin, University of Chicago professor and author of Building The Bloc: Intraparty Organization In The U.S. Congress, takes a historic view and explains why the Never-Kevins act like they do. Plus, the Monterey Park shooter's identity. And where there's a there there's a there there. 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike's Wednesday Spiel about the death of Keenan Anderson while in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department on January 3, 2023. Then we dig into the Gist archives and listen back to Mike's 2015 Spiel about the classified-documents scandal of the pre-Trump era. Yes, there was a pre-Trump era. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The release of Brittney Griner prompted recriminations and debate—some legitimate, some cruel. Diane Foley the Founder and President of the James Foley Legacy Foundation discusses hard policy choices and the often insensitive treatment that families of captives often endure. Plus, the trend of high-profile unionization successes belies the overall trend. And we play "Who Said It: Christian Kirk or Charlie Kirk?" A game of oddness and dubious relevance. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Mike speaks with Philip Bump, author of The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America. Plus, Alec Baldwin faces manslaughter charges, which surprised him. And why everything's shaping up to be a showdown. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

James Vincent, author of Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement from Cubits to Quantum Constants is back for more. Give that guy a barleycorn, he takes a rood! Also, an analysis of the death, in LAPD custody, of Keenan Anderson. Plus, the latest revelations about George (?) Santos (??) … or whoever that guy in Congress is who performed drag in Brazil before ripping off a dying dog. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The Gist presents a literary appraisal of romance novelist Susan Meachen, whose greatest achievement in life wasn't even the successful leaving of it. Plus, we speak with James Vincent about his new book Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement from Cubits to Quantum Constants. Also the Biden administration sifts through airplane toilets—a useful public health initiative. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we take a look at the job of Speaker of the House. On Monday, Mike opened the show, after being on vacay for a couple weeks, talking about Kevin McCarthy's elegant, seamless rise to the speakership, so we're listening to that first. Then we're digging back into The Gist archives to listen to Mike's 2015 interview with author Harlow Giles Unger who tells us about the great compromiser of America's formative years, former Speaker of the House Henry Clay. A contrast in courage, if you will. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Holy Spider, a film short-listed for an Oscar, is a drama based on the true story of a serial killer who operated in Iran between 2000 and 2001. The movie was made by director Ali Abbasi, who had to leave Iran to get the film made, and it stars Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who had to flee Iran after being subject to prosecution and lashing. Plus, an amazing health breakthrough that translates to millions of lives saved. Let's pay at least as much attention to that as document storage or even cool yurts. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The President also commits acts of carelessness, if not obstruction, when it comes to classified material. Plus, what considerations may be occurring to George Santos, other than, "I hope they don't find out I didn't write 'The Macarena.'" And we're joined by Nicholas Dawidoff, author of The Other Side of Prospect: A Story of Violence, Injustice, and the American City. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Former Fox News Politics Editor Chris Stirewalt was fired by his network for being accurate in the days following the 2020 election. He talks with Mike about that time as well as the Dominion Voting Systems $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox, and about his book Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. Plus, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky drops in at the Golden Globes, to barely a notice, and the Republicans stripped the IRS of funding, except they didn't, because it was all a stunt. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Chris Stirewalt is the politics editor at NewsNation, a former Fox news analyst and host, and the author of Broken News: Why The Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. He joins us to talk about his time at Fox, and how the "fair and balanced" slogan they tote is less benign that it seems. Also on the show, an exploration of the new House rules produced during the Kevin McCarthy vote-wrangling last week. And a very transmissible Omicron variant is among us. It's dangerous and, most importantly, it has a scary name "The Kraken." Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

As deluded protesters in Brasilia ransack government offices, the U.S. can take great pride in it's inspirational status. Also, though House Republicans are a defiant lot, a debt ceiling showdown could play out differently than the Speaker vote did. Plus, Eric Newcomer, host of the Dead Cat podcast, talks tech, the coverage of crypto, and the future of Substack vs traditional media. Oh yeah, and Mike's back. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are featuring two questions asked of Alec Baldwin (the movie star) by our guest host Bob Garfield (non-movie star), which had originally been left on the cutting room floor, but hey, that's what weekend shows are for, right? After Alec, we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike's 2017 interview with Bob Garfield about his one-man show, Ruggedly Jewish. Yeah, that one-man show. Guest host week is now officially over. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

On the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, the House of Representatives is again in disarray, minus the extreme violence and QAnon Shaman, thank god. Guest Host Ray Suarez revisits that day two years ago (he was there), and Ray talks with veteran DC reporter Steve Clemons about Kevin McCarthy's ongoing battle for the House Speakership. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Like many of us, guest host Kmele Foster is watching the Kevin McCarthy fiasco unfold live on CSPAN, but he warns that it's just a distraction from the real fiasco. Then Kmele talks with Emory University medical researcher Judy Gichoya about her recent study that upended how we think of race and medicine. And finally, Kmele Spiels about climate ordeals. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Guest Host Bob Garfield is back and ready to grill movie star Alec Baldwin for his industry's reliance on our suspension of disbelief. Plus, the European Union has fined Facebook's Meta $414 Million, but don't worry, they still have all of our personal data. Also, a good-bye to Russian meat-processing tycoon Pavel Antov. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

As of 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, the day's two biggest news stories remain nail-biters. Kevin McCarthy, who, once upon a time, seemed as though he would sail into the role of Speaker of the House of Representatives without so much as a speed bump, has instead run into a wall of opposition, stranding him in DC's version of limbo. The other story we are watching with knots in our stomachs is that of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed last night during Monday Night Football and remains in critical condition nearly a day later. Our guest host, Bob Garfield explores these developing stories, with varying degrees of concern. Also, Mike's interview with former United States Comptroller General David M. Walker about the House Speakership and who, with McCarthy on the ropes, could throw their hat into the arena. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike's Monday Spiel about AirBNB's ineffective attempts at combatting racism. Then we dig into the Gist archives and listen back to Mike and his then-eight-year-old son Emmett sing political duets to the tune of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The January 6th Committee report is a treasure trove of shameful nonsense. It might not convince the DOJ, but its convincingly embarrassing for the well-documented Trump sycophancy movement. Plus, Brendan Nyhan is a professor of government at Dartmouth who co-directs the Bright Line Watch. The line they're watching is of American Democracy, and the future got somewhat brighter with the past election and behavior afterwards. Also, it's the Most Antwentig Time Of The Year. 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.

Ghost guns seem scary, and they are scary, but mostly for reasons unexceptional to the rest of U.S. gun policy and culture. Plus, with protests still roiling Iran, Mike speaks Heather Williams of RAND's National Security Research Division. And we mark the passing of legendary Pittsburg Steeler Franco Harris, whose greatest play is blessedly shrouded in uncertainty. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Zelensky visits and the Omnibus spending bill doesn't put the brakes on much, except maybe TikTok on Mitch McConnell's phone. And Mike interviews directors Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh about "Wildcat", their new film about an Ocelot rescue scheme. Wildcat is playing in select theaters today and will be available through Amazon Prime on December 30th. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The January 6th Committee has wrapped up their case against former President Trump and will be referring their findings and quite a bit of evidence to Joe Biden's Department of Justice. But we all know the Zen koan of prosecuting Trump: The destination is the journey, because he doesn't write anything down. Then, in part two of our interview with Sam Quinones, author of The Least Of Us: True Tales Of America And Hope In The Time Of Fentanyl And Meth, we discuss pleasure centers and hucksterism. And in the Spiel, you'll get familiar with Mike's opinion about the criminal prosecution of nonagenrian nazis. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Sam Quinones, author of The Least Of Us: True Tales Of America And Hope In The Time Of Fentanyl And Meth, says that these new drugs are exponentially more potent and dangerous than anything that came before. Also, Congressman-elect George Santos seems to be some guy named George Santos, but that's about it. Plus a study on discrimination at AirBnB shows a much stronger sign of progress than the headlines would suggest. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike's Thursday Spiel—a deep dive on the sappy sentiment, and familiar melodies, of John Lennon's Christmas "classic." And because it's the last weekend of the World Cup, we listen back to Mike's 2009 NPR exposé on the vuvuzela, in which the late, great soccer American reporter Grant Wahl weighs in. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Chris Molanphy is here to document the top 100 Billboard Christmas songs of all time. Jingle bell time, it's a swell time to count the songs that top charts like an angel on the tree. Plus, the world's largest cylindrical aquarium bursts in Germany, ushering in a flood of fish focused frippery. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Mike's done a deep dive on the sappy sentiment, and familiar melodies of a John Lennon's Christmas "classic." And we're joined by Daniel Sloss, the Scottish comic whose new special Socio questions his own possible sociopathy. Plus, Heinrich XIII's attempted German government overthrow gets deeper … NDA's were involved. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Mike objects to the reflexive negativism that ignores amazing scientific advances, treats progress as depressing, and convinces itself that a fun diversion is nothing short of horrific. And SBF's mom ran superPAC that outsmarted the competition, because of her keen insight, but also lots of crypto-fraud. Plus, we are joined once more with Nina Totenberg NPR's legal affairs correspondent and author of "Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships." Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Nina Totenberg has covered the Supreme Court for nearly 50 years for NPR. It's a career that has given us a deeper understanding of the most mysterious body in American politics, and it gave Nina a friend for life … the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mike talks to Nina about what it's like to have to report about your good friend and about her new book Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships. Also on the show, a tripledemic for the ages. And Wakanda Forever. Just that. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Wednesday is the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings. Alex Jones has filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to shield himself from the approximately $1.5 billion he owes families. Elizabeth Williamson is author of Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy And The Battle For Truth, and she joins us to discuss her coverage of Jones' trials and insights into his strategy and tactics in avoiding accountability. Plus, President Biden is accused of "weakness" over swapping Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, and Germany's Prince Heinrich XIII gets pinched. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike's 2022 interview with Douglas Farah, author of Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible, which is about Viktor Bout, the Russian arms trafficker who was exchanged for Brittney Griner this past week. We are also listening to a section of this week's episode of Not Even Mad, in which Mike talks with David French and Lara Bazelon about the not-terribly-difficult task of getting a seditious conspiracy conviction. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

The Senator from Arizona will no longer be a Democrat. What it means to be an "Independent"? Plus, Philosopher Nick Riggle explores "The Big Question" in his new book This Beauty: A Philosophy of Being Alive. And Mike explains the Twitter Files as if they had been a normal story free of everyone screaming at each other about motives. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Mike is joined by David Sax, author of The Future Is Analog: How To Create A More Human World. Also, the Brittney Griner Prisoner exchange has costs, but it was worth it. And the Justice Department says it's recovered a Fabergé Egg. Really? Or do they have embarrassment on their face having laid an inaccuracy? Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

HBO grew from a small cable channel into the best-in-class leader of the golden age of television. Bloomberg's Felix Gillette and John Koblin of the New York Times join to discuss their new book, It's Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, And Future of HBO. Plus, Jamaica declares a state of emergency to combat murder, despite having a murder rate actually lower than in American communities. And a giddy night on MSNBC. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

This past Saturday, the U.S. Men's national soccer team once again crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16, beaten handily by The Netherlands 3-1. You've got to wonder, with such a love of sport, with such a tremendous potential pool of talent, and with a proven track record in world soccer (our women have won four world cups), why can't America field a winning men's soccer team? For that answer, we turned to George Dohrmann, a Pulitzer prize winner and author most recently of Switching Fields: Inside the Fight to Remake Men's Soccer in the United States. Also, are penalty shoot outs really the best way to decide matches? And Union Joe saves the day. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

With the Senate contest between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock coming to a vote, Bill Nigut, host of Georgia Political Rewind joins us once more to preview tomorrow's contest. And how public health officials joined meter maids and baseball umpires as hateable officials. Plus, brawls and coups in Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Burkina Faso, as we air the latest edition of "Sahel: Do Tell," our irregular compendium of Africa updates. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen to the first 20 minutes or so of the most recent episode of our sister podcast, Not Even Mad. In it, Mike, Jamie Kirchick, and Virginia Heffernan discuss the narratives created around mass shootings. Then we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike's April 2018 interview with National Review editor Charles C. W. Cooke on why he thinks repealing the Second Amendment would be a losing proposition for gun control advocates. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.

Emily Oster is a Harvard-educated professor of economics at Brown University, and, despite her lofty credentials, her research has focused on very human problems, like whether knowing you have a short time to live affects your desire to invest in education and job training. She joins us to discuss her recent feature in The Atlantic titled "Let's Declare A Pandemic Amnesty." Also, a prediction for Saturday's World Cup match between the United States and the Netherlands. SPOILER ALERT: The winner will be the team with the most synchronicity. And no, Sting is not playing. Finally, get out your Lobstar bibs ... it's an Antwentig! Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Guest appearance by Michelle Pesca, COO Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 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.