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Donald Trump
Comedy
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Iran
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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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes3091Founded12 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam James Levin introduces the first installment of Mike Pesca's two-part conversation with investigative reporter Ken Bensinger, co-host of The Michigan Plot. Bensinger breaks down the 2020 investigation into the cons... more

Today on The Gist, guest host Rachel Win introduces the third installment of Funny You Should Mention which welcomes Sam Jay, former SNL writer, Tom Brady Roaster, host of HBO's Pause with Sam Jay, and stand-up comic behind such specials as Netflix's... more

Today on The Gist, guest host Rachel Win introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey about her book The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future, exploring Altman's Silicon Valley rise, th... more

Today on The Gist, guest host Rachel Win introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with veteran actor, writer, and director Jennifer Esposito about her debut feature film, Fresh Kills. Esposito breaks down her inspiration for the Staten Island drama, whic... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jennifer Esposito
Actress, writer, director
Fresh Kills (film) - writer/director/producer
Episode: Jennifer Esposito: "Finding a voice in a world that tells you not to have one."
Philip Mudd
Former Deputy Director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center
CIA
Episode: Philip Mudd: "Take out the stops, make sure it doesn't happen again."
Gina Gershon
Actress and author of Alpha Pussy
Alpha Pussy, How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs
Episode: Gina Gershon: "You have to learn how to be tough."
Ezekiel Emanuel
Oncologist and bioethicist
University of Pennsylvania / Ethics and Health policy
Episode: Gina Gershon: "You have to learn how to be tough."
Chuck D
Lead rapper of Public Enemy, visual artist and author
Public Enemy / Prophets of Rage
Episode: Chuck D: "Art is your signature, it's your pulse."
Nimesh Patel
Writer and comedian known for Thank You, China and other material
Independent comedian
Episode: Nimesh Patel: "I am always pro joke before I am pro anything."
Diane Foley
Founder and President of the Foley Foundation
Foley Foundation
Episode: Diane Foley and Elizabeth Tsurkov on Hostages, Wrongful Detentions, and State Terror
Elizabeth Tsurkov
Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the New Lines Institute
New Lines Institute
Episode: Diane Foley and Elizabeth Tsurkov on Hostages, Wrongful Detentions, and State Terror
Vic Michaelis
Host of Very Important People on Dropout TV
Dropout TV
Episode: Vic Michaelis: "Improv is not just existing live in front of an audience on stage."

Hosts

Mike Pesca
Host and interviewer with Peach Fish Productions / The Gist legacy; known for questioning rigor and balanced discussion
Vanessa Quirk
Contributor/guest host for The Gist segments; central voice in some episodes
Bryan Green
Co-host potential; multiple instances across episodes; solid interview presence

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • Unfortunate

    Pretty unfortunate way for this podcast to go out. I think the slate firing broke his brain, leaving nothing but right wing grievance.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    AGFDurham
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thank you

    I’m saddened to hear Mike has decided to end the Gist. It has become a daily ritual for me and I don’t think I’ve missed an episode (except for perhaps the Saturday) for years. His intellect, perspective and brilliant interviews will be sorely missed. I have to admit - in all these years I never became a subscriber. I’m kicking myself now, because I clearly valued his voice. It’s a reminder not to take people for granted and to pay for and support the people who’s work you value. Thank you to Mi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frad0me
    United States2 months ago
  • Thank you Mike Pesca

    I first started following the show in 2015. Its been a fantastic run and an achievement. The intellectual honesty, rigor, and silliness will be missed. Your singing will not.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SMAD4
    United States3 months ago
  • Centrist

    He’s white. He’s a man. He thinks everything is going great.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brudd3788
    United States5 months ago
  • Excellent

    Witty, refreshing sanity. Greet podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RokitanskyAschoff
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host balances rigor with humor, keeping interviews insightful and accessible.
Some reviews note pacing or tonal shifts; overall sentiment trends positive for informed discussion.
Guests consistently bring credible expertise and thoughtful perspectives.
Listeners appreciate diverse topics—from design and media to policy and culture.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#78
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#209
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#125
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#153
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#70
Finland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nimesh Patel: "I am always pro joke before I am pro anything."
Q: What are the similarities between a joke and an argument, and how do you balance them in your act?
They're similar in that both aim to persuade or shift perspective, but jokes lean on timing and subtext to land, while arguments seek clarity and reason; I try to weave argument into joke by layering a thesis with turns that keep the audience guessing.
TJ Miller: "When the air hits your brain, it's never the same."
Q: Will TJ Miller still be funny after the surgery?
Miller discusses uncertainty but leans on the brain's plasticity and left-brain language skills potentially compensating for right-brain changes, suggesting humor could continue but may manifest differently.
Al Franken: " I had a career in identifying absurdity. And I know it when I see it."
Q: Do you think your questions ever changed the course of history or undid a nomination that was in trouble?
Franken reflects that while not every question reshaped history, a provocative, well-timed line or line of questioning can influence outcomes, such as prompting a recusal or exposing uncomfortable truths that shift the political calculation.
Adam Kinzinger on Cults, Country, and Trump
Q: What made you change?
Kinzinger reflects on his upbringing, experiences in Iraq, and the moral and historical thinking that led him to break with Trump and the GOP, emphasizing the importance of personal integrity and patriotism over party loyalty.
Derrick Palmer: "The union was always the solution."
Q: Why did your union win on the first vote, which is uncommon for union drives?
Palmer attributes the victory to a tightly connected core group of active Amazon workers, comprehensive in-person outreach, and a strategy that fostered strong worker buy-in across departments, supported by direct conversations about improvements rather than top-down pressure.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Gist

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

The show delivers concise, daily exploration of current events, culture, politics, and technology with a calm, skeptical, and often humorous lens. Conversations span journalism, satire, public policy, branding, architecture, and social issues, featuring guests who are writers, comedians, researchers, and practitioners at the intersection of media and society. A notable throughline is weighing controversial topics with nuance, inviting diverse viewpoints while prioritizing rigor and accessibility. The format is fast-moving, idea-driven, and brand-friendly for sponsors that want thoughtful but approachable discourse. Listeners likely value intellectual curiosity, clear takes, and a dose of wit in a 20–30 minute daily window.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Gist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gist:

1. Political Gabfest
2. Reflector
3. Central Air
4. The Argument
5. On the Media

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 3091 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. Jennifer Esposito
2. Philip Mudd
3. Gina Gershon
4. Ezekiel Emanuel
5. Chuck D
6. Nimesh Patel
7. Diane Foley
8. Elizabeth Tsurkov

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