The Gist

David Gergen actually wrote Nixon's resignation letter, that was his first great foray into what makes or unmakes a leader. After over 50 years in public life, he collects his advice and insights in Hearts Touched with Fire: How Great Leaders are Made. Plus play the Chuck Schumer inspired Game Show "Doomed to Fail " and Plagiarism all the way down 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 ACLU, long a champion of first amendment rights actually opposed ending campus free speech zones in Georgia. Also, presidential speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum is back to talk about the phrasings of his former boss Joe Biden, and some others who've served in that office. Plus, even though Marjorie Taylor Greene's speech was heated, but the bid to remove her from the ballot is defeated. @JeffreyNussbaum is the author of Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History 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.

Jeff Nussbaum, fresh out of the Biden White House, is out with a new book, "Undelivered: The Never-Heard Speeches That Would Have Rewritten History." Plus, elections in West Virginia and Nebraska, the states with the best and worst official state songs. 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.

Political Science Professor Sunshine Hillygus is the director of the Duke Initiative on Survey Methodology and co-director of the Polarization Lab. We discuss how attitudes can change and if we should trust finding that show large percentage of Americans have truly wacky* ideas. Plus, how the present regards the biggest moral issues of yesterday, as told through Ed Koch and Mario Cuomo. *Technical poly sci term. 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 this week's installment of Best Of The Gist—which we are publishing on Sunday instead of our usual Saturday—we've chosen to run a large chunk of the September 18, 2020 Gist tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the day of her passing. Mike was joined that day by Emily Bazelon. We are also listening back to the opening of our Tuesday show, in which Mike laments on the stripping of a right from the American people. Produced by Joel Patterson 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.

Isis is back, they never went away, and they're torturing and killing their way through the craziest of places - Afghanistan. Michael Kugelman, the Asia Program Deputy Director and Senior Associate for South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center, analysis what happens when the insurgents acquire their own insurgents. Plus, we reacquaint ourselves with a New Hampshire State Rep who could be the most extreme public official in America, which is saying something. and we name the Lobstar for the 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.

First, we discuss all those dead Russian Generals. Then Jing Tsu joins us to discuss her book Kingdom of Characters, about the century-long effort to make Chinese characters interoperable with Western alphabets. Finally, what if RBG had retired? Mike creates a cornucopia of counterfactuals that gets us precisely to where we are today. 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.

Jerrika Richardson, Senior Vice President for Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives at the National Urban League discusses the actual policing reforms that have been enacted since the protests of 2020. Plus, the best messages to convey on abortion, and a failed Amazon Union vote for a Staten Island warehouse got a lot less coverage than the one a month ago that was supposed to portend a new tide of labor momentum. 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 indication that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade, @KathaPollitt of The Nation, and Virginia Heffernan, @page88, of the This is Critical podcast analyze the implications of the ruling, and discuss the conditions that made it so. In the spiel, the legitimacy of the court, and just how unusual it is to take away a right Americans absorbed and relied on for half a century. 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.

15 months ago, Binyamin Appelbaum, who writes on economic issues as a member of the NY Editorial Board wrote a piece entitled Inflation Isn't Lurking Around the Corner. This Isn't the 1970s." He was very wrong. But he's owning it, and in very productive discussion talks about the macro and micro reasons he was mistaken and which parts of his approach he'll change. Plus, a San Francisco teacher is disciplined for bringing a cotton into the classroom and the NYT (that paper again!) aims 19,000 words at Tucker Carlson 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 ask yesterday's guest, gerrymandering expert David Daley, "Why so many asterisks in the title of your bestselling book?" Turns out, focus groups made him do it. And then we rewind to Monday's Spiel, when Mike wonders if there could be a better way to think about Elon Musk buying Twitter than simply asking yourself: How much do I like Elon Musk? 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.

After Judge Michael Garcia, and all of his peers on the NY State Court of Appeals threw out the Democrats attempt to Gerrymander the state, the national advantage from Gerrymandering moves back to the Republicans. David Daley Author of Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count. Plus, how our coverage of Madison Cawthorn and Majorie Taylor Greene exemplify "the Gist Difference". And finally, we'll examine why of all the judges on NY State's Court of Appeals, why did this description highlight Michael Garcia and not, say, Chief Justice Janet DiFiore? Was it Just to get a C+ episode title? It was, and that is also, sadly, The Gist Difference. 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 Joe Biden asking for $33billion in new aid, Mike contemplates and calculates the costs and benefits of this, aid and what we could be spending on in America. Plus, Ken White is back to offer his analysis on the likelihood of a Trump prosecution and what the latest release of an America held captive in Russia means for Brittney Griner. 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.

Every day another piece of potentially damning news seems to emerge from the January 6th commission or the NY Attorney General office. But it is so hard to know what are the real risks, and what is just fodder for prosecution thirsty cable news lawyers. Plus, Governor Abbott's backward bus stunt, and the value of corporate amorality. 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.

After a period of relative stability, Africa coups d'etat are breaking out all over. We discuss with Dr Nathaniel Powell, Africa Analyst with Oxford Analytica. Plus, mash notes sent between leaders on the Korean peninsula, and EVERYONE in the liberal/progressive/mainstream/blue check mark/ non-conservative community being apoplectic about Elon Twitter. 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.

AJ Jacobs stops by to talk about the psychology of puzzles and the nerdles who wordle. His new book is The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life. Plus, a better way to think about Elon Musk buying Twitter than simply asking yourself: How much do I like Elon Musk? And Mike battles with a journalistic convention. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGi 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 this week's installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike's 2015 interview with Bill Browder, who was once the single largest foreign investor in Russia. Browder talks about the perils of Russian markets and fleeing the wrath of Vladimir Putin. Then we listen back to Monday's Spiel about Lucky Charms' recall. 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.

Christine Emba, author of Rethinking Sex: A Provocation says those of her generation feel crushed and ground up by the culture that says once consent is given there's nothing you have the right to complain about. Plus, two Republicans on different sides of the establishment spectrum come under fire. Marjorie Taylor Greene testifies in Georgia, and Kevin McCarthy squirms a bit because of a taped phone from January 2021. 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.

Author Yascha Mounk joins to discuss his book "The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure". Florida vs Disney and math. Plus, a Michigan Senator laid into a republican colleague who accused her of being a groomer and abetting pedophilia. 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.

Paul Demko, Cannabis editor of POLITICO talks about the nation's hottest marijuana market going, Oklahoma. Also, Libs of TikTok isn't so different from Mugwumps of the Lyceum. That's today's bung starter. 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.

Gen. Hodges was the Commanding General, United States Army Europe talks about tooth-to-tail ratio, why Russian generals are dying and how a no-fly zone could work. Plus, a spiel about the what real advocacy for the homeless should look like and Libs of Tik-Tok EXPOSED! 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.

Though most of the attention paid to the Federal Judiciary is paid to SCOTUS the lower courts have a massive influence. Rick Hasen, Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine is our guide. Plus, a Lucky Charms recall and the Micromort, a puckish li'l fellow here to tell you about the risk of death. 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 honor of a truly unique talent's passing, we're listening back to Mike's August 2014 interview with Gilbert Gottfried. We'll miss you, Gilbert. In the Spiel, Mike analyzes the aftermath of Partygate, and British tabloid headline freestyling ensues. 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.

For years and years the line among liberal fiscal policy experts were that low interest rates, even 0% interest rates were the best thing to do to help struggling Americans gain employment and grow wealth. Only the wealthy, and those excessively fearful of inflation wanted them raised. But Christopher Leonard author of The Lords of Easy Money: How the Federal Reserve Broke the American Economy, tells a different story. Plus, texts from Mike Lee and an Antwentig from Mike P. 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.

TJ Raphael is back to talk about the legal implications of the loosely regulations in the fertility industry that turned sperm donations into actual humans with feelings of betrayal years later. Also, Hasta la Moskva: A Russian warship sinks and a British politician skates. 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.

TJ Raphael host of the podcast "BioHacked: Family Secrets" is chronicling the experiences of the children of anonymous sperm and egg donors, some of whom have hundreds of half-siblings. Plus the New York subway gunman and the issue of motivations. 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 Todays Show Mike examines the criminal justice from within…by performing his civic duty by jury duty. Therefore, we will be playing a two-part interview with DeRay Mckesson, a leader in the criminal justice reform movement with practical ideas that have sometimes caused friction with other factions of the movement. Plus, two other wars happing outside of Ukraine. 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 effort to soften the image of the French far right candidate worked a bit - can it propel her to the The Élysée Palace? Plus, Leon Neyfahk is here to discuss his new series Fiasco: The Aids Crisis. And how to convey that the Ba2 variant is new and different without overhyping its deadliness? 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.

To commemorate the annual return of baseball (Thursday was opening day), this week on Best of the Gist, we revisit a 20-year-old piece of NPR reporting in which Mike takes us to Yankee Stadium to learn the value the Crackerjack reference in the 1908 song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Could it be the greatest piece of product placement ever? And we replay Monday's Spiel about mistaking trend for truth. 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.

Nate and Bob Odenkirk talk about their new Audible Original Series Summer in Argyle, the difference in comedy on a generational level, and what it is like to work with comedy legends. Plus, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli" and Mike gets a call from a pollster…and he recorded it! 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.

Craig Calcaterra author of Rethinking Fandom: How to Beat the Sports-Industrial Complex at Its Own Game stops by for a little opening day grouse. Plus, MSNBC hiring Jen Psaki and the terrorists called The Beatles. 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 words were spoken to Sonari Glinton, who went on to make The Story of Quincy Jones Podcast, an experience that reoriented Glinton's entire outlook and career. Plus, What Vlad Putin gets paid, and What if we just paid Fox viewers to watch CNN? 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.

Barry Nalebuff, Professor at Yale School of Management has a new way to look at negotiation, which is simple and eye opening. Split the Pie: A Radical New Way to Negotiate depends on, yes, splitting pie, but crucially, defining the pie. And if all that pie talk makes you hungry, I don't know what to tell you because the rest of the show is about Ben Sasse and peace talks with Putin. Interesting topics, just not really related to pie. 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.

Irina Borogan, and Andrei Soldatov, two Russian Journalists who have documented the Kremlin's war on the internet discuss the effectiveness of suppression of news in Russia, and Putin's strengths and failings as an information warrior. In the Spiel, mistaking the trend for the truth, plus Mike resigns from the Academy. 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 weekend on BEST OF THE GIST, we unearthed a 2016 interview with Chuck Klosterman, the author of The Nineties and a dozen or so other books. In this archival gem, Mike and Chuck discuss what counts as a great American novel, and how we decide who's smart. And we're also listening back to the Tuesday spiel about how a Harvard sleep researcher changed Mike's position in the battle over Daylight Saving Time. 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 Final 4 finalizes a look at the instinctive, and backward, admonishment so many announcers issue as time is winding down. Plus how China is being regarded by its Asian neighbors in light of the Ukraine war, and Amazon unionizes much to the delight of other union members, including ones on the labor beat of major newspapers. 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 Cowen, retired Maj. Gn. in the British Army is CEO of HALO Trust. He had 450 workers already in Ukraine clearing bombs and ordnance when the current invasion began. His job is to secure his people, secure unexploded munitions, and funnel relief to civilians in the crosshairs. Plus, parole for the mastermind of Americans largest kidnapping, and how Will Smith's slap reveals which norms Americans most hold dear. 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.

Chuck Klosterman, in his latest book. "The Nineties", examines a decade and the generation attached to it; afraid of selling out, excited to be unenthused. The meaning of a decade isn't perfectly clear, but for a time Pepsi was. In the Spiel, are the Bidens just lying about all the personal correspondence they leave lying about? 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 families of Sandy Hook Elementary were faced with a horrible tragedy compounded by a cynical charlatan and a cadre of like-minded conspiracists. Writer Elizabeth Williamson dissects how the tactics personalities and counter measures in Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth. In the Spiel Mike has been restive on the subject of Daylight-saving so it's time to follow the science. Plus, why the example of Harvey Weinstein is cited as justification of disparate agendas. 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 Academy Awards presents a show, post-slap, that is indistinguishable from pre. We're expected to interpret what happened as a part of Smith's hero's journey. Plus Professor Aditi Paul researched if college students actually like hooking up, and if the women liked it as much as the men. Spoiler: They Didn't but just by a little. 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 NCAA's March Madness basketball tournament heats up, on this week's Best Of The Gist, we bring you a pair of stories from college sport. The first is part two of Mike's interview with John Tauer, the head coach of the St. Thomas University's basketball team, which made an unprecedented leap ahead of this season from Division 3 to Division 1. Tauer discusses what changes when a team makes such a bold move. Then we listen back to our Monday show, when Mike Spieled about University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who won the NCAA title in the 500. Other swimmers protested her inclusion in the women's division as unfair. Some swimmers, including ones she out-touched supported her right to swim as her true self. Mike looks at the arguments on both sides, points to many as ridiculous, but a few as legitimate and truly vexing. 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.

John Tauer head coach of the St. Thomas Tommies has won two national championships on the Division III Level, this year he was thrust into Division I, which should have meant a nearly winless season. Instead, the team found a way to beat playing bigger, faster, more highly recruited opponents. In the spiel, it's an Antwentig, and Lobstars are to be awarded. 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.

Karan Soni (Deadpool) plays the awkward Ravi, who is a bit frightened then a bit taken with the secretly rebellious Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers) Rita in Seven Days, which opens March 25. In the spiel Mike contemplates Candace Owens: Dupe or Dope. And does the Los Angeles mayoral race stink on ice? 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.

But so is a round Earth. So how do these square pegs in round holes justify themselves? With YouTube videos, of course, but also sometimes with some violence. Mike talks with Kelly Weill, author of Off the Edge: Flat Earthers, Conspiracy Culture, and Why People Will Believe Anything about these sometimes-problematic folks. In the Spiel, Mike considers the case against an opera about Emmett Till that was co-written by a black composer and a white librettist. And in Senate Judiciary Hearing news, Senators and potential Supreme Court justices agree: murderers are bad. 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.

John McWhorter, author of Woke Racism and Nine Nasty Words stops by to discuss a linguistic trend Mike has noticed, about phrases that are totalizing but at the same time, particular. In the Spiel Mike discusses attention spans, Ukraine, and how unrelated they are. Plus Lindsey Graham goes "Freakin' Nuts" 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.

Lia Thomas University of Pennsylvania swimmer won the NCAA title in the 500. Other swimmers protested her inclusion in the women's division as unfair. Some swimmers, including ones she out-touched supported her right to swim as her true self. Mike looks at the arguments on both sides, points to many as ridiculous, but a few as legitimate and truly vexing. Plus, Frank Bruni on losing some of one sense, while gaining a lot of another. 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 this week's Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Monday's Spiel about who's to blame for inflation. Weirdly, it's not Mitch McConnell's fault. Then, in our archival interview from September 2020, Jonathan V. Last, editor of the Bulwark, talked with Mike about the then recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the potential political fallout. Last walks through some of the nightmare scenarios, and then he explains that although he remains optimistic with regards to the legitimacy of the SCOTUS, he is ultimately losing faith that some voters care not for a system of governance that is capable of functioning competently. 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.

Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, the co-creators of Search Party haven't just made a hilarious TV show for 5 seasons, they put their finger on a type of character that used to be called Millennial but now is just called "people". Plus, Do You Feel the Lavrov Tonight? Sergey Lavrov engages in media critique. 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.

Baby got Back Matter today as Dennis Duncan author of "Index, a History of The", holds forth on the surprisingly surprising story of the index. Plus, the President alleges War Crime, and March Madness' productivity costs are entirely fabricated, obviously ridiculous, and a mainstay of sports coverage. 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.

Daylight Saving time ALL the time was passed by the Senate in a vote that was both bold and Sudden. Mike debunks the counterclaims that school children will be bathed in inky darkness as they wait for busses in the pre-dawn hours. Plus, the second part of an interview with Dr. Todd Kashdan author of The Art of Insubordination How to dissent and Defy Effectively. 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.