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

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Artwork for The Gist

Latest Episodes

We talk with KJ Steinberg, showrunner of Hulu’s The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, about concentrating on Knox’s perspective while still showing how others perceived her, and the legal tightropes that shaped the series. She details the refracted struct... more

Knox recounts confronting prosecutor Giuliano Mignini and explores how certainty, incentive structures, and “alternate realities” turned her story into a sprawling international conspiracy. She parses the feedback loop between media and Italian justi... more

YouTube

Listen to the full debate on Open to Debate’s podcast channel or watch it on YouTube: bit.ly/MikePesca

Men are falling behind in our society, and some point to traditional ideas of masculinity as the cause. What does it mean to “be a man” t... more

We talk with North Carolina State political scientist Andrew J. Taylor about his new book, A Tolerance for Inequality: American Public Opinion and Economic Policy, probing why voters often prefer public goods and tax cuts over classic redistribution—... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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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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Recent Guests

Andrew J. Taylor
Professor at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
Episode: Andrew J. Taylor: “Blue-Collar Voters Don’t Want Blue-Collar Politicians”
Justin Driver
Yale Law School professor and author
Yale Law School
Episode: Justin Driver: “The Fall of Affirmative Action”
Laura Spinney
Author of Proto, How One Ancient Language Went Global
Episode: Laura Spinney on the Language That Conquered the World
Andrew Fox
Creator of the musical Slam Frank
Episode: Andrew Fox on “Slam Frank”: Make Something Dangerous
Brian Burrow
Author of 'Days of Rage', discussing America's radical underground movements
Episode: JD Vance, Jimmy Kimmel, and America’s Radical Underground
Garrett Graff
Historian, writer, editor, journalist, known for his work on political issues and misinformation
Long Shadow Podcast
Episode: Garrett Graff: “Russia Sought Division More Than Victory”
Amanda Ripley
Author of the book 'High Conflict' and founder of the organization Good Conflict.
Episode: Mike Pesca on The Good Fight Club
Ivan Krastev
A prominent Bulgarian political scientist known for his writings and insights on geopolitical issues.
Episode: Mike Pesca on The Good Fight Club
Bill McKibben
Prominent environmentalist and author of 'Here Comes the Sun'
Episode: Bill McKibben: “Energy From Heaven, Not From Hell”

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
  • 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 States2 months ago
  • Centrist

    Yes

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Brudd3788
    United States3 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 States3 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 States4 months ago
  • Not even funny

    Why should comedians tell us how to think and who to vote for? Some are so vulgar, mean spirited and bigoted! Why would I want to even listen to them?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    chicagoanlistener
    United States5 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
#50
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#59
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#63
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#66
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#152
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#221
France/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Justin Driver: “The Fall of Affirmative Action”
Q: What consequences do you foresee for Black college applicants under the new affirmative action regime?
Black applicants may feel pressured to highlight racial trauma in their essays due to the new admissions policies.
Justin Driver: “The Fall of Affirmative Action”
Q: What do you think about the mismatch theory regarding affirmative action?
Mismatch theory is contested, but the new ruling may heighten mismatch rather than alleviate it.
Justin Driver: “The Fall of Affirmative Action”
Q: What is your assessment of how the new ruling on affirmative action has affected Black enrollment at elite schools?
There has been a significant decline in Black enrollment at elite colleges, which could have serious consequences for American society.
Justin Driver: “The Fall of Affirmative Action”
Q: What do you think the legal missteps were that the conservative justices fell into in deciding this case?
The Supreme Court invalidated affirmative action from a precedent standpoint and deviated from long-standing decisions without proper justification for the change.
Andrew J. Taylor: “Blue-Collar Voters Don’t Want Blue-Collar Politicians”
Q: How do, what policy preferences have blue collar voters consistently shown to have that are different from richer voters?
They are more moderate and increasingly, they want policies that provide basic public goods rather than direct wealth redistribution.

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?

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. On the Media
3. Fresh Air
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 11 years ago and published 2824 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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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Gist from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Gist?

Recent guests on The Gist include:

1. Andrew J. Taylor
2. Justin Driver
3. Laura Spinney
4. Andrew Fox
5. Brian Burrow
6. Garrett Graff
7. Amanda Ripley
8. Ivan Krastev

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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