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

Carnegie Endowment’s Alicia Wanless argues that disinformation isn’t new—it’s just our latest pollutant. In The Information Animal, she maps centuries of “information ecosystems,” from King Charles I’s pamphlet floods to the social-media deluge, and ... more

Frontline's Michael Kirk discusses The Rise of RFK Jr., charting Kennedy's path from sex and drug addiction to what Kirk calls "an addiction to validation." He describes a man driven by grievance, and details how the alliance between Kennedy and Trum... more

Michael Townsend and director Jeremy Workman tell the wild true story of an eight-artist collective that built a hidden home inside Providence Place Mall—part prank, part art project, and a pointed reply to gentrification. They revisit grainy 2003–07... more

Mike revisits his 2019 conversation with Senator Chris Murphy on the AUMF — the two-decade-old law still used to justify U.S. military strikes from Yemen to the Caribbean. Plus, a new strike on a Venezuelan vessel raises questions about presidential ... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Chris Murphy
Junior Senator from Connecticut, advocating for Congressional control over military actions
U.S. Senate
Episode: Chris Murphy: “Congress needs to take war powers back.”
Lisa Graves
Author of Without Precedent, discussing the influence of Chief Justice Roberts on the Supreme Court.
Episode: Lisa Graves: On The Roberts Court's Power Play
Jonah Goldberg
Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of The Dispatch.
The Dispatch
Episode: Not Even Mad: Jonah Goldberg & Zee Cohen-Sanchez
Zee Cohen-Sanchez
Founder and Executive Director of Soul Strategies, founder of the UnFuck America Tour.
Soul Strategies
Episode: Not Even Mad: Jonah Goldberg & Zee Cohen-Sanchez
Jonathan Mahler
Author of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning and The Gods of New York
Episode: Jonathan Mahler: The Tabloids That Made The City That Made the Country
Cory Doctorow
Author of In Shitification
Episode: Cory Doctorow: Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It
Steven Vladeck
Law professor at the University of Texas Law School and author of 'The Shadow Docket'
University of Texas Law School
Episode: SCOTUS’s Shadow Docket, Calibrated + Steven Vladeck
Stephen Vladeck
Author and host of the National Security Law Podcast
National Security Law Podcast
Episode: SCOTUS’s Shadow Docket, Calibrated + Steven Vladeck
Steph Tolev
Comedian known for her visceral humor and her special "Filth Queen"
Filth Queen
Episode: Funny You Should Mention: Steph Tolev

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
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States3 months ago
  • Centrist

    Yes

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Brudd3788
    United States4 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 States4 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 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
#67
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#163
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#70
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#187
France/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#192
Germany/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chris Murphy: “Congress needs to take war powers back.”
Q: Is there a better way to engage Congress in military decisions?
Implementing a sunset clause on authorizations could ensure Congress remains involved in military engagements.
Chris Murphy: “Congress needs to take war powers back.”
Q: What motivates you with regards to war powers?
The connection between citizens and the use of military and the ongoing significance of public involvement in discussions around military decisions.
Lisa Graves: On The Roberts Court's Power Play
Q: Do you think the Supreme Court is illegitimate?
I think this Supreme Court is behaving in illegitimate ways...
Lisa Graves: On The Roberts Court's Power Play
Q: So the question of the Supreme Court and Donald Trump, I think really does reveal maybe the truth that is within your question, or at least my truth within your question, which is that-
I think this Supreme Court is behaving in illegitimate ways, and I think that it, in many ways, and I also think that the ethics issues are substantial, and the American people get it.
Jonathan Mahler: The Tabloids That Made The City That Made the Country
Q: What narratives did the tabloids propel?
The tabloids dominated the New York conversation by sensationalizing events and turning public figures into celebrities.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
4. Blocked and Reported
5. The Fifth Column

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 11 years ago and published 2830 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. Chris Murphy
2. Lisa Graves
3. Jonah Goldberg
4. Zee Cohen-Sanchez
5. Jonathan Mahler
6. Cory Doctorow
7. Steven Vladeck
8. Stephen Vladeck

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