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Donald Trump
United States
Artificial Intelligence
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Iran
Comedy
Democracy
Supreme Court
Equality
Affirmative Action
Venezuela
Congress
ICE
Physical Culture
Eileen Gu
Gun Violence
Trump Administration
Democratic Party
Iran War
Nicolás Maduro

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes3109Founded13 years ago
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Artwork for The Gist

Latest Episodes

On the eve of Election Day, fill-in host Bryan Green takes a trip back to 2024 to revisit a conversation Mike Pesca hosted with four first-time Gen Z voters. These young voters weigh in on what they want from a president, balancing policy priorities ... more

Guest host Scott Pierce introduces a special Halloween-themed episode from the archives. First, Oxford-educated mortician and Ask a Mortician host Caitlin Doughty joins Mike Pesca to discuss her memoir, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, demystifying funeral r... more

Mike Pesca is back to introduce Great Question with Tony Dokoupil, a new show he’s spent the past few months working on with CBS.

In this debut, host Tony Dokoupil sits down with author Malcolm Gladwell to tackle a controversial question: Does Ameri... more

Guest host Scott Pierce introduces an interview with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Benson discusses her book, The Purposeful Warrior, and reflects on defending election integrity following the 2020 election. She shares insights on confr... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Caitlin Doughty
Mortician, author, host of Ask a Mortician, and founder of The Order of the Good Death
The Order of the Good Death
Episode: Caitlin Doughty: "Death Can Almost Seem Like It's a Hypothetical"
Maria Konnikova
Author of The Confidence Game and writer on scientific claims
Episode: Caitlin Doughty: "Death Can Almost Seem Like It's a Hypothetical"
Malcolm Gladwell
Author of The American Way of Killing
Episode: Presenting Great Question with Tony Dokoupil: Does America Need More Police?
Tony Dokoupil
Anchor of the CBS Evening News and host of Great Question
CBS News
Episode: Presenting Great Question with Tony Dokoupil: Does America Need More Police?
Jocelyn Benson
Michigan Secretary of State, former law school dean, and author of The Purposeful Warrior
Michigan Department of State
Episode: Jocelyn Benson: "I Chose Courage"
Chris Turner
Oxford-educated comedian and freestyle rapper
Episode: Chris Turner: "I Am a Musical Comedian"
Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland and former CEO of an anti-poverty organization
State of Maryland
Episode: Wes Moore: "I Am Data Driven and Heart Led"
Gianna Toboni
Vice reporter and documentary journalist
Vice
Episode: Gianna Toboni on Death Row: "I Don't Hear the Remorse of a Killer"
Michelle Buteau
Comedian and actress
Self/Artist
Episode: Michelle Buteau: "Words Have Power"

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
  • Doesn’t do his research

    Omg what a rude, insufferable douche. Interviewing people but can’t ask relevant questions bc he doesn’t know even who the people are.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Oopswrongnumber
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States3 months 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 States3 months 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 States4 months ago
  • Centrist

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brudd3788
    United States6 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
#119
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#73
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#114
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#227
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#228
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#69
China/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Presenting Great Question with Tony Dokoupil: Does America Need More Police?
Q: If we added more cops to every city where there is gun violence, would we save the most lives?
Gladwell says the effect depends on what officers do. More police can help when they work with communities to prevent homicide and interrupt cycles of violence, rather than simply adding armed patrols.
Presenting Great Question with Tony Dokoupil: Does America Need More Police?
Q: What is your goal with this book?
Gladwell wants to bring the gun-violence conversation back on track, arguing that public debate misidentifies the problem and overlooks practical ways to reduce violence.
Jocelyn Benson: "I Chose Courage"
Q: Why did you think it was the right choice to stay neutral and let the courts decide whether Trump could be kept off Michigan's 2024 ballot?
Benson says the law was nuanced and she did not believe an elected secretary of state should independently assume authority to make that legal decision. She considered it more appropriate for the courts to decide.
Caitlin Doughty: "Death Can Almost Seem Like It's a Hypothetical"
Q: Can you be scared to death?
Fear can produce a surge of adrenaline that may contribute to cardiac arrest, particularly in people with heart disease or other heart problems.
Jocelyn Benson: "I Chose Courage"
Q: How much do death threats actually affect the actions of elected officials?
Benson says threats have made her and other officials more determined and have fostered solidarity among public servants who face them.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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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. Blocked and Reported
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Slate Money
5. The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 13 years ago and published 3109 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. Caitlin Doughty
2. Maria Konnikova
3. Malcolm Gladwell
4. Tony Dokoupil
5. Jocelyn Benson
6. Chris Turner
7. Wes Moore
8. Gianna Toboni

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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