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

Thomas Chatterton Williams joins to discuss his new book, The Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse. He argues that the racial reckoning of 2020 was not an inevitable tide of history but a perfect storm of pandemi... more

Quico Toro joins to discuss Charlatans: How Grifters, Swindlers, and Hucksters Bamboozle the Media, the Markets, and the Masses, distinguishing the "parasitic" nature of the charlatan from the hit-and-run tactics of the scammer. He traces the lineage... more

In light of the recent tragedy, Mike unlocks a 2016 interview with the late Rob Reiner. It is a conversation that now plays differently: Reiner discusses his film Being Charlie, which was written by his son Nick Reiner—the man now arrested in connect... more

Comedian Jay Jurden explains why nine years of theater training is his "superpower" on the stand-up stage—and why he treats every punchline like a line of dialogue rather than a personal diary entry. His new special, Yes Ma'am, argues that physical s... more

Key Facts

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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

Jay Jurden
Comedian and actor, known for his insightful and humorous commentary on societal topics.
Episode: Jay Jurden: High Profundities Per Minute
Nicholas Wright
Author and neuroscientist
University College London, Georgetown
Episode: Nicholas Wright: When Ancient Brains Meet Modern War
James Clyburn
Congressman from South Carolina and author of "The First Eight"
U.S. Congress
Episode: James Clyburn: "The World Would Much Rather See a Sermon Than Hear One."
Mikhail Zygar
A journalist, writer, and filmmaker, currently in exile from Russia
Episode: Mikhail Zygar: From Glasnost Whiplash to Social-Media Smog
Chris Dalla Riva
Author and data journalist, interested in pop music and metrics.
Episode: Chris Dalla Riva: "Billboard's become a Christmas chart."
John Ketcham
Legal Policy Fellow and Director of Cities at the Manhattan Institute
Manhattan Institute
Episode: Not Even Mad: Anthony Weiner & John Ketcham
Mark Rowlands
Philosopher and author of The Book of Memory
Episode: Mark Rowlands on Memory and the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Daniel Zoughbie
A professor and author specializing in U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Episode: Daniel Zoughbie: The Mightiest Turns an Enemy into a Friend
Mohanad Elshieky
A Libyan-born comedian known for his storytelling and unique perspective on life in Libya and as a comedian in the U.S.
Episode: Funny You Should Mention: Mohanad Elshieky

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
  • 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 States2 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 States2 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 States3 months ago
  • 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 States5 months ago
  • Centrist

    Yes

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Brudd3788
    United States6 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
#48
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#53
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#67
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#194
Germany/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#31
Austria/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rob Reiner: "I Just Viewed My Child in Pain"
Q: What makes this movie cathartic for you as a filmmaker?
Reiner states that the process forced him to confront his own experiences regarding his son's challenges.
Rob Reiner: "I Just Viewed My Child in Pain"
Q: You made the American president, it's also a good chance to comment on politics and what you know of politicians in general.
Rob Reiner mentions that while he wants to raise stakes in the film, his main focus is on his son's well-being, not on how it affects his career.
Mikhail Zygar: From Glasnost Whiplash to Social-Media Smog
Q: How do you compare the current information landscape in the US to that of the Soviet Union?
Both societies face disinformation, with the Soviet system earlier overwhelming citizens with propaganda, while today's social media creates confusion and disbelief in truth.
Mikhail Zygar: From Glasnost Whiplash to Social-Media Smog
Q: What was your experience as the editor-in-chief of the only independent news TV channel in Russia?
We operated without censorship during a brief liberalization period, but faced destruction during the annexation of Crimea.
Mikhail Zygar: From Glasnost Whiplash to Social-Media Smog
Q: How personal a project was your book?
It is a personal story motivated by my own experiences of propaganda and exile after the invasion of Ukraine.

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?

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. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Hang Up and Listen
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. On the Media

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 2896 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. Jay Jurden
2. Nicholas Wright
3. James Clyburn
4. Mikhail Zygar
5. Chris Dalla Riva
6. John Ketcham
7. Mark Rowlands
8. Daniel Zoughbie

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