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Donald Trump
Comedy
United States
Democracy
Artificial Intelligence
U.S. Foreign Policy
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Iran
Congress
Trump Administration
Venezuela
American Power
Shadi Hamid
Affirmative Action
Supreme Court
Equality
Middle East
New York City
Gaza
Politics

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes3083Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for The Gist

Latest Episodes

Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian Vic Michaelis, host of Very Important People on Dropout TV. Michaelis discusses the show's chaotic premise, where comedians are transformed by high-end VFX makeu... more

Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a debate between Mike Pesca and Virginia Sole-Smith, author of Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture. Sole-Smith argues that genetics largely dictate body size and that systemic weight stigma an... more

Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a pair of interviews focused on the shifting identity of the Republican Party. First, Mike Pesca sits down with former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger to discuss his memoir Renegade: Defending Democr... more

Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a 2022 conversation between Mike Pesca and former US Senator Al Franken, who discusses his return to stand-up comedy and looks back at his tenure in the Senate. Franken examines how his background as a c... more

Key Facts

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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

Virginia Sole-Smith
Author of Fat Talk, Fat Liberation advocate
Author, Fat Talk; Burnt Toast
Episode: Virginia Sole-Smith: "Weight loss is not the solution."
Adam Kinzinger
Former Republican Congressman, member of the January 6th Committee
U.S. House of Representatives (2011-2023)
Episode: Adam Kinzinger on Cults, Country, and Trump
Stuart Stevens
Political consultant, author of The Innocent Have Nothing to Fear
The Innocent Have Nothing to Fear (novel)
Episode: Adam Kinzinger on Cults, Country, and Trump
Al Franken
Former U.S. Senator from Minnesota, comedian, and tour figure
United States Senate
Episode: Al Franken: " I had a career in identifying absurdity. And I know it when I see it."
TJ Miller
Actor and comedian
Actor and comedian
Episode: TJ Miller: "When the air hits your brain, it's never the same."
Chris Smalls
Union leader and author
Amazon Labor Union
Episode: Chris Smalls: "Worker led means worker led."
Bob Saget
Noted actor and comedian, discussing his career and new special
Self/Bob Saget
Episode: Bob Saget: "I just, I wanna entertain people."
Derrick Palmer
Author of Handbook for the Revolution; organizer and co-founder of the Amazon Union
Amazon Union
Episode: Derrick Palmer: "The union was always the solution."
Larry Wilmore
Comedian, writer, producer, former Daily Show correspondent and host
Larry Wilmore (Black on the Air); The Daily Show
Episode: Larry Wilmore: "I have pushed for the ability to suck in anything, rather than just racial content."

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 States24 days 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 Statesa month 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 States2 months ago
  • Centrist

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brudd3788
    United States4 months ago
  • Excellent

    Witty, refreshing sanity. Greet podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RokitanskyAschoff
    United States5 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
#98
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#152
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#195
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#117
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#32
Finland/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#64
Israel/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Derrick Palmer: "The union was always the solution."
Q: What was your game plan for how to organize once you decided to pursue a union?
Palmer explains a worker-to-worker, grassroots approach, avoiding traditional union structures initially to maintain control and ensure alignment with workers' needs. He highlights in-person engagement across shifts, building core leadership within the building, and learning from campaigns like Alabama's to shape their strategy.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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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. Central Air
3. Blocked and Reported
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. On the Media

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 3083 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. Virginia Sole-Smith
2. Adam Kinzinger
3. Stuart Stevens
4. Al Franken
5. TJ Miller
6. Chris Smalls
7. Bob Saget
8. Derrick Palmer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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