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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
Ozempic
Obesity
Wegovy
Indiana Medicaid
Ronald Reagan
Gerald Ford
Jim Mcgreevey

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

Author Chuck Klosterman joins the show to discuss his new book, Football, and how football's strange mechanics, from hidden labor to stop-start pacing,and its resistance to casual play, have helped turn it into the last true monoculture. He also make... more

Mike joins Jeremy Hobson on The Follow Up to discuss the "awful but lawful" nuances of the Minneapolis ICE shooting, the potential blowback of the Trump administration branding it a "riot," and why threats against Iran often ignore dangerous second-o... more

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

Key Facts

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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

Liza Treyger
A very funny comedian who loves owls and weed, and discusses radical politics in her routines.
Episode: Funny You Should Mention: Liza Treyger
Charles Duhigg
Author of Super Communicators, How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
Episode: Charles Duhigg: "Looping for Understanding" and Other Supercommunicator Tricks
David McCloskey
Former CIA analyst and author of 'The Persian'
Episode: David McCloskey on Why Real-World Spying is "Too Crazy for Fiction"
Reese Gorman
Political journalist covering Congress and host of The Notice Podcast.
Notice
Episode: Reese Gorman on Congress's Vanishing Backbone — and Dexter Filkins' Rubio "Zig and Zag" Portrait
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
Ben Ansell
A professor of comparative democratic institutions at the University of Oxford and author of 'Why Politics Fails'
University of Oxford
Episode: Fact-Checking the Maduro Raid—and the Art of Fucking Around
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.

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 States24 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
#58
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#71
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#127
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#74
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#232
Italy/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#54
New Zealand/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David McCloskey on Why Real-World Spying is "Too Crazy for Fiction"
Q: What were some key inspirations behind the events you describe in your novel?
Much of the inspiration comes from real events, allowing the story to seem fictional while being based on actual situations.
David McCloskey on Why Real-World Spying is "Too Crazy for Fiction"
Q: How do you approach writing about the moral complexities of espionage in your novels?
I generally try to draw out characters that are authentic to their settings, which helps illustrate the personal motivations behind their actions.
Reese Gorman on Congress's Vanishing Backbone — and Dexter Filkins' Rubio "Zig and Zag" Portrait
Q: Do they have a theory of the case?
Members regret giving away their power to Trump and acknowledge the need to reassert Congress's role but are not actively working towards it.
Reese Gorman on Congress's Vanishing Backbone — and Dexter Filkins' Rubio "Zig and Zag" Portrait
Q: Are Republicans privately complaining about their lack of agency?
Yes, many Republicans express frustration about being left in the dark and feeling steamrolled by the administration.
Reese Gorman on Congress's Vanishing Backbone — and Dexter Filkins' Rubio "Zig and Zag" Portrait
Q: What do you teach the fellows?
I teach them that the news is the news and to approach stories without bias towards any political figure.

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 2919 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. Liza Treyger
2. Charles Duhigg
3. David McCloskey
4. Reese Gorman
5. Séamus McElearney
6. Ben Ansell
7. Ezekiel Emanuel
8. Brad Meltzer

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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