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

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2917Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for The Gist

Latest Episodes

Comedian Liza Treyger explains why she prefers the 1:30 a.m. Comedy Cellar crowd—the drunk, the horny, the post-Broadway undead—and why bombing early is harder than thriving late. Her Netflix special Night Owl doubles as a thesis on power, hypocrisy,... more

Charles Duhigg returns to explain why great talkers are usually great listeners, and how "looping for understanding" can lower the temperature in almost any disagreement. Plus, a Spiel about going on the record about going off-the-record and we play ... more

Today on The Gist, a look at Donald Trump's plan to cap credit card interest rates at 10%—a populist move that might actually rob the poor to pay for the rich man's travel perks. Then, former CIA analyst and The Rest Is Classified co-host David McClo... more

Reese Gorman of Notus (and the On Notus podcast) explains the outlet's "teaching hospital" model for young journalists—and reports that Republicans are privately furious about being cut out of Venezuela, tariffs, and appropriations, even as almost no... 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

Séamus McElearney
Former FBI agent and author of "Flipping Capo, How the FBI Dismantled the Real Sopranos"
Episode: Séamus McElearney on the End of Omertà as a Business Model
Ezekiel Emanuel
Doctor and author, known for his health policy work and as a professor
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Ezekiel Emanuel: "Don't Be a Schmuck"—and Yes, Eat Your Ice Cream.
Brad Meltzer
Author and novelist
Writer of 'The Viper'
Episode: Brad Meltzer on Plot Twists, Product Placement, and Violating Rules on Purpose
Andy Mills
Brilliant podcaster behind The Last Invention
Episode: Andy Mills: "Acceleration Is Salvation" — and Why AI Might Be the Last Invention.
Francisco Quico Toro
Expert in Venezuelan politics and author
Anthropocene Institute
Episode: Quico Toro: Venezuela was never a one-man show
Rosebud Baker
Comedian and writer known for her work on SNL and her specials.
SNL
Episode: Rosebud Baker: We're Raising Her Autistic
Chris Turner
Freestyle rapper and comedian known for his intelligent and humorous performances.
Episode: Chris Turner: Possession is 9/10 of the Word
Michelle Buteau
Comedian, actress, and host known for her Netflix special and for her role in 'Survival of the Thickest.'
Episode: Michelle Buteau: An Achievable Beyonce
Kyle Kinane
Stand-up comedian
Loose in Chicago (Comedy Central)
Episode: Sarah Silverman & Kyle Kinane: Comedy, Cancel Culture, and Conspiracies

Host

Mike Pesca
Mike Pesca is a seasoned journalist and podcaster known for his engaging and thought-provoking conversations on a wide array of topics, spanning politics, culture, and humor. He brings a fair, nuanced perspective while incorporating wit into his interviewing style.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.5k ratings
  • Silverman

    Man. None of that aged well. Cringy apologetic whites trying to be woke. Yuck.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jdubinMKE
    United States21 days ago
  • Plestia Alaquad

    Focused on definitions. Closer to a Spelling Bee with a 23 year old who speaks English as a second language than an interview. What a disservice to journalism.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    PatientGardener
    United Statesa month ago
  • Plestia Alaqad

    Way to punch down Mike. I see this version of you pop up now and again; the one who says he doesn’t mean to be pedantic and then continues with the pedanticism ad nauseam. And always with a female guest, so it feels misogynistic. I don’t know what makes you climb up on that high horse, but I wish you would hang up that particular set of spurs.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    honest abr
    United States3 months ago
  • Pesca has lost the plot

    I had a lingering fondness for Pesca from his earlier days on NPR, but his apparent pursuit of finding a middle ground between both sides has reached a point where he’s (for example) overlooking genocide to talk about ethics in journalism. Don’t give this guy more of your time; there are better “middle ground “ podcasts out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    October Rain 25
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed feelings about the political balance, with some perceiving a shift towards centrist or right-leaning views.
The humor interlaced with serious discussion is often highlighted positively.
The host is noted for his interviewing skills and ability to present complex topics in an entertaining manner.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and varied content that challenges their views.
Some listeners feel that the host can sometimes veer towards pedanticism or overly critical stances.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#41
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#226
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#58
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#123
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#80
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#171
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fact-Checking the Maduro Raid—and the Art of Fucking Around
Q: What do you see as the next likely FADFO culprit?
Populist radical politics may face the challenge of running essential services and dealing with practical governance issues.
Fact-Checking the Maduro Raid—and the Art of Fucking Around
Q: What can we learn about how the public realizes that the fucking about did not go well?
Public realization often hinges on measurable consequences such as job performance and price stability rather than direct policy evaluation.
Ezekiel Emanuel: "Don't Be a Schmuck"—and Yes, Eat Your Ice Cream.
Q: What does 'don't be a schmuck' mean in the context of health decisions?
It refers to avoiding risky behaviors such as binge drinking or unsafe practices, and making responsible choices about health.
Ezekiel Emanuel: "Don't Be a Schmuck"—and Yes, Eat Your Ice Cream.
Q: What are the six simple rules for a long and healthy life?
They include sleep, move, eat healthily, stay mentally sharp, be social, and avoid self-destructive risks.
Séamus McElearney on the End of Omertà as a Business Model
Q: How does the weakening of the mafia help the average citizen?
It helps them by eliminating corruption in labor unions and preventing local businesses from being extorted.

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?

This podcast provides a daily exploration of current events, politics, and cultural commentary, often infused with humor and provocative insights. It features a variety of guests, from comedians to experts, who discuss a wide range of topics, including adoption practices, historical narratives, and political dynamics, all within a framework that values thoughtful critique and intellectual inquiry. The unique blend of entertainment and analysis makes it a refreshing option for listeners looking to engage with the complexities of contemporary issues in a nuanced way.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Gist?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gist:

1. Political Gabfest
2. Blocked and Reported
3. On the Media
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Central Air

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 2917 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Gist?

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What guests have appeared on The Gist?

Recent guests on The Gist include:

1. Séamus McElearney
2. Ezekiel Emanuel
3. Brad Meltzer
4. Andy Mills
5. Francisco Quico Toro
6. Rosebud Baker
7. Chris Turner
8. Michelle Buteau

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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