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Gaza
Donald Trump
Gretchen Whitmer
Fiddler On the Roof
Genocide
NBC News
Caitlin Clark
Women's Basketball
Israel
Shoplifting
Crime
Kate Middleton
Tradition
Obesity
Ozempic
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Ronald Reagan
Gerald Ford
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.

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Latest Episodes

Today on The Gist, legendary comedy director Larry Charles (Borat, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) joins Mike to discuss his new book, Comedy Samurai, breaking down the chaotic, high-stakes reality of shooting with a live bear, the mechanics of build... more

On this week's Saturday show, Mike delivers a double-dose of Iran-focused analysis, starting with a sharp critique of the Western media's bizarre framing of assassinated Iranian leader Ali Larijani as a "pragmatic" peacemaker rather than an active en... more

Comedian Derrick Stroup joins the show to talk about his new Netflix special Nostalgic — what it's like to have an Alabama accent in New York City, why working clean sharpened his comedy more than any other decision he's made, and how the school bus ... more

Science journalist Sadie Dingfelder is back with "Is That Bullshit?" — this time investigating the yoga-class truism that trauma lives in your hips, and the broader claim behind Bessel van der Kolk's massively influential book The Body Keeps the Scor... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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On the MediaWNYC Studios
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Central AirJosh Barro, Megan McArdle & Ben Dreyfuss
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Slate NewsSlate Podcasts

Recent Guests

Derrick Stroup
Comedian with Netflix special Nostalgic
Netflix
Episode: Derrick Stroup: "I Sound Like a Bowl of Gravy and You Sound Like a Traffic Cone"
Molly Worthen
Professor, author of Spellbound
University of North Carolina
Episode: Molly Worthen: "Charisma Is a Tool of the Weak"
Mickey Bergman
CEO of Global Reach
Global Reach
Episode: Mickey Bergman: The Psychology of the Hostage Deal
Chris Cillizza
Guest, political commentator
Episode: Chris Cillizza: Male Friendships, Political Posturing, and the Death of Shared Sacrifice
Geeta Gandbhir
Director known for The Perfect Neighbor and The Devil Is Busy
Message Pictures
Episode: Geeta Gandbhir: "She Weaponized Her Privilege"
Jeff Nussbaum
Senior speechwriter
President Joe Biden administration; former Gore administration
Episode: Not Even Mad: Jeff Nussbaum & Dan Rothschild
Dan Rothschild
Director, Center for Civics Education and Opportunity
Ronald Reagan Institute
Episode: Not Even Mad: Jeff Nussbaum & Dan Rothschild
Aaron Tracy
Host of The Secret World of Roald Dahl
Parallax (audio production company)
Episode: Aaron Tracy and Roald Dahl's Dangerous Double Life
Nir Eyal
Author of Beyond Belief, The Science-Backed Way to Stop Limiting Yourself and Achieve Extraordinary Results
Author and researcher
Episode: Nir Eyal: "Your Brain Is Already Lying To You"

Host

Mike Pesca
Host and engaging commentator known for a provocative style that challenges conventional thinking. He brings humor and sharp analysis to discussions across a wide range of topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • Iran

    What are talking about with respect to the danger of supersonic missile? Almost all missiles are supersonic. Always have been.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    justnuisance
    United States20 days ago
  • It’s a good show

    I actually love it. Kill me now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brudd3788
    United States21 days ago
  • I keep coming back

    I like the whole concept

    Very informative and often funny

    Sometimes too crude for me, but I just turn those off

    Most episodes are great

    Keep the podcast a coming

    Very much prefer podcasts over any video as I’m often in listen mode and not watching mode

    And you have quite a way of holding attention

    Keep going!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    RomanNat
    United Statesa month ago
  • Dude has become a lazy hack since his split with Slate

    Just one Free Press adjacent grifter after another and in between some the most smugly, despicable genocide denial going in media.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Tragic Mulatto
    United Statesa month ago
  • NPR humorist

    My dead grandpa chuckles at this show while wearing tweed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brudd3788
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticism exists around the perceived political balance and how it navigates sensitive topics, with varying opinions on guest selection and subject matter.
Listeners appreciate the critical and thoughtful discussions that challenge the status quo and encourage diverse perspectives.
The humor and engaging style of the host make for an entertaining yet informative experience, appealing to a wide audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#59
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#86
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#151
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#117
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#201
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#210
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mickey Bergman: "Even Maduro Has a Soft Spot"
Q: What are your essential skills that you bring to this job? Highlight, if you will, some of the skills that might surprise us, because things like patience and the gift of gab, that would come to mind.
Bergman emphasizes emotional intelligence as the core skill, describing how understanding human complexity and building genuine connections with people, even those who are morally challenging, enables him to influence outcomes and bring people home from dangerous situations.
Geeta Gandbhir: "She Weaponized Her Privilege"
Q: How did you decide what to include or omit to prevent re-traumatizing the community while still telling a powerful story?
We balanced raw material with careful storytelling: we used the available footage to convey the gravity of the event, included the family's perspective, and avoided graphic depictions of violence; the goal was to let viewers witness the impact and feel compelled to advocate for change.
Geeta Gandbhir: "She Weaponized Her Privilege"
Q: What initially drew you to this story and how did the personal connection influence your approach to making the film?
The narrative found us through the family connection and the tragedy, and I wanted to honor Ajika by shaping a film that not only documents events but also pushes for change; I focused on the body cam and ring footage to show a community before and after violence, while avoiding exploitation of pain.
Aaron Tracy and Roald Dahl's Dangerous Double Life
Q: What about the controversy around Dahl's anti-Semitism—how is that handled in the podcast?
The guest discusses providing historical context, bringing in experts, and examining how Dahl's views affected his legacy and reception, while recognizing the complexity of separating an author from their work.
Aaron Tracy and Roald Dahl's Dangerous Double Life
Q: Is the interest in Dahl tied to a broader strategy of the project or a specific promotional angle?
Tracy describes it as a deliberate effort to present a holistic portrait that connects biography, history, and literature under a true-story framework, with room for controversy and nuance.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Gist

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

Content spans a variety of current events, political analysis, and cultural critiques, often highlighting pressing social issues and commentary on diverse topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, political campaigns, and media representation. Guest interviews typically feature experts and commentators who provide insights into the complexities of contemporary American society, from political theorists and analysts to authors and environmental activists. The approach aims to present balanced perspectives, challenging listeners to consider multiple viewpoints while maintaining a focus on critical thinking and informed discourse.

Unique features include the host's ability to engage with guests across a wide range of subjec... more

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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. On the Media
4. Central Air
5. Slate News

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 2971 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. Derrick Stroup
2. Molly Worthen
3. Mickey Bergman
4. Chris Cillizza
5. Geeta Gandbhir
6. Jeff Nussbaum
7. Dan Rothschild
8. Aaron Tracy

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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