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Artwork for The Gist
Gaza
Donald Trump
Gretchen Whitmer
Fiddler On the Roof
Genocide
NBC News
Women's Basketball
Caitlin Clark
Israel
Shoplifting
Crime
Kate Middleton
Tradition
Wegovy
Ozempic
Obesity
Indiana Medicaid
Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
Jim Mcgreevey

For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2860Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for The Gist

Latest Episodes

Behavioral scientist Jon Levy, author of Team Intelligence: How Brilliant Leaders Unlock Collective Genius, joins to talk about why he collects astronauts, Olympians, and other outliers for secret salons—and what they've taught him about trust and co... more

Mike reflects on the post-election landscape, including Mamdani's win and the hype around Trump's election monitors who reportedly spent their time chatting about cats. Then Mike talks with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, hosts of The War on Cars and... more

Mike joins Yascha Mounk's Good Fight Club to debate the mid-midterm results: Democrats' surprisingly strong showings in Virginia and New Jersey, Zoran Mamdani's charisma-vs-governance problem in New York, and whether moderates like Abigail Spanberger... more

Dusty Slay drops by with "Wet Heat" fresh on Netflix to talk Opelika lore (a.k.a. Snopalika), becoming parade Grand Marshal, and how a onetime pesticide salesman turned country-music linguist builds jokes from tiny word quirks. We get into his love o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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The Good FightYascha Mounk
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Recent Guests

Christine A. Rosen
Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: The Good Fight Club, or Good Fight Club?
Sam Kahn
Editor at Persuasion and author of A Castalia Substack
Persuasion
Episode: The Good Fight Club, or Good Fight Club?
Dusty Slay
Comedian and Netflix special performer
Episode: Funny You Should Mention: Dusty Slay
Colin Woodard
Author and academic focusing on regional cultures in America
Salve Regina University's Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy
Episode: Colin Woodard: The Federation Is the Fault Line
Matthew Hiltzik
Crisis PR expert and founder of Hiltzik Strategies
Hiltzik Strategies
Episode: Matthew Hiltzik on the Craft of Crisis Communications
Art Cullen
Columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner based in Iowa
The Storm Lake Times
Episode: Art Cullen on Iowa's Corn Gospel, Cancer, and Capture
Beth Macy
Journalist and author known for her work on addiction and her memoirs.
Episode: Beth Macy: "When the Local Paper Dies, the Community Follows"
Karine Jean-Pierre
Former White House Press Secretary under Joe Biden and author of 'Independent.'
Biden Administration
Episode: Karine Jean-Pierre: "Independent," Evasion, and the Party She Says Left Her
Michelle Eisen
Barista and union bargaining delegate for Starbucks Workers Unite
Starbucks Workers Unite
Episode: Barista Michelle Eisen on Face Tattoos, Short Staffs, and Union Shots Fired

Host

Mike Pesca
Host of a daily podcast that challenges conventional narratives with a careful blend of analysis and humor. Pesca positions himself as a centrist, aiming to provoke thoughtful conversation and critique political extremes.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.4k ratings
  • Charlie Kirk the Martyr

    Aye, I’m not a Charlie Kirk guy, he wasn’t talking a 31 year old Evangelical, and I’m a 55 year old Atheist . He wasn’t talking to me. He was talking to all the males 25 and under who have been demonized and smeared as “Toxic” for being a man, and rejecting the Feminization pushed on them via the delusional Progressives.

    I don’t think the Progressives understand what they’re dealing with……

    Charle was their “Golden Boy” He was their olive branch. All he wanted to do was debate and he was taken ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frankwhitenyking
    United States2 months ago
  • No introspection on israel Gaza war support

    Israel is waging what increasingly resembles a genocidal campaign in Gaza. Even if it doesn’t meet the strict legal definition, it is undeniably a campaign of mass killing, and it’s being done in our name.

    Meanwhile, settlers in the West Bank continue to act violently with impunity, again in our name. Where is your usual centrist skepticism in the face of the regime’s obviously purposeful brutality? It’s conspicuously absent.

    As a Jewish centrist myself, I don’t want my children or our religio... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jquincymazz
    United States4 months ago
  • Centrist

    Yes

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Brudd3788
    United States5 months ago
  • Why am I forced to write a title for a two sentence review?

    Mike is a little intense sometimes but that tends to make a more interesting interview. This one’s never boring!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJDane
    United States5 months ago
  • Thanks! I hate it.

    I listened to an episode bc a writer I respect was interviewed. I now think less of her for inflicting this dude on her fans. What a waste of 20 mins.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    anneonymie
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critics point out occasional perceived biases and call for stricter neutrality, though many feel he maintains a fair approach overall.
Many find the host's interview style engaging and his ability to balance humor with serious topics refreshing.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and provocative discussions that challenge conventional wisdom.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#51
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#61
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#156
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#78
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#130
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#140
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sadie Dingfelder on "Hair, Feathers, and the Theater of Disgust."
Q: How disgusting is human hair as a vector of disease?
While studies show bacteria can exist on hair, they conclude human hair isn't a significant vector for disease; there are more pressing hygiene concerns.
Sadie Dingfelder on "Hair, Feathers, and the Theater of Disgust."
Q: How do they study what kind of germs are on hair?
They used two methods: counting bacteria using an electron microscope and staining part of the DNA to count fluorescence.
The Good Fight Club, or Good Fight Club?
Q: Christine, are Democrats in array to the extent that Mike is telling us? And should this make Democrats optimistic about their ability to make big inroads in the House of Representatives in the midterms and winning the presidential elections in 2028?
Christine believes that Democrats do have reasons to be optimistic and Republicans should be concerned due to notable demographic shifts in voter behavior.
Colin Woodard: The Federation Is the Fault Line
Q: What is the case that it is specifically the regional cultures that you've written about for so long that is causing the fracture?
The regional cultures have always been in competition, and the current polarization is exacerbated by historical tensions and social media.
The Wars Trump Says He Ended, and the One Cheney Began
Q: So my question to you, Matt, is, is he playing from an old playbook?
Matthew stated that there are two parts: the underlying approach from the past still applies but must evolve to address modern political landscapes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Gist

What is The Gist about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content emphasizes a wide range of topics, including current events, politics, environmental issues, and cultural commentary, often featuring in-depth discussions with expert guests. This program stands out for its commitment to exploring multiple perspectives, engaging the audience in thoughtful analysis rather than simply reiterating popular narratives. It highlights the importance of nuance, promoting reasoned discourse on contentious subjects, and often challenges binary thinking in political discourse. With a blend of humor and gravitas, it promises to stimulate critical thinking among its listeners and is likely to appeal to those who appreciate a centrist approach to complicated issues.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Gist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gist:

1. Political Gabfest
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The Good Fight
4. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
5. Blocked and Reported

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 2860 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Gist?

Recent guests on The Gist include:

1. Christine A. Rosen
2. Sam Kahn
3. Dusty Slay
4. Colin Woodard
5. Matthew Hiltzik
6. Art Cullen
7. Beth Macy
8. Karine Jean-Pierre

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