2,000 episodes

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.

The Gist Peach Fish Productions

    • News
    • 4.6 • 3.5K Ratings

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.

    Objectivity And Other Obsolescent Ideals

    Objectivity And Other Obsolescent Ideals

    The New York Times Executive Editor proclaims the paper to not be in the business of defeating Trump. Howls of outrage ensue. Plus, Donald Trump seems fine with fines. And in a talk with Danielle Clode, author of Koala: A Natural History and an Uncertain Future, we rehabilitate the reputation of the supposedly dim, diseased antipodal cuties.

    Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara
    Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
    To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist
    Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/
    Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | MikePesca | Substack
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 39 min
    For Your Consideration: No Small Endeavor

    For Your Consideration: No Small Endeavor

    Infrequently, we offer listeners a taste of something we think you may like that isn’t from our kitchen, to torture the metaphor. Such is the case today. You may think you know Malcolm Gladwell. He is, after all, the New York Times bestselling author of Outliers, The Tipping Point, Blink, and other books. He’s also the host of the podcast Revisionist History, and it’s true that his work is heralded and his opinion asked by many folks on a wide array of issues.
    But what makes Gladwell so different that he has become one of the most successful journalists of our day? In this episode of the acclaimed podcast No Small Endeavor, Malcolm tells his own story, from receiving endorsement from his mother to cut class, to attending a Mennonite barn-raising with his mathematician father, to spending three days a week in Freudian therapy as a young adult. 
    And if you enjoy what you hear, listen to more episodes of No Small Endeavor here.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 52 min
    BEST OF THE GIST: Criticizing NPR on NPR Edition

    BEST OF THE GIST: Criticizing NPR on NPR Edition

    In this installment of Best Of The Gist, a break from our typical format for the weekend. Today we’ll listen to Mike’s recent appearance on WILL, which is Illinois Public Media. He was invited to sit on a panel to discuss if NPR is biased. Mike is just one voice of several in the conversation you will hear (which gets a bit heated in a few spots), but it was an excellent discussion and one we hope you’ll enjoy. 
    Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara 
    Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com 
    To advertise on the show: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 
    Subscribe to our ad-free and/or PescaPlus versions of The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ 
    Follow Mike’s Substack: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack 
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 57 min
    Posturing over Protests and Protesting over Posture

    Posturing over Protests and Protesting over Posture

    For decades, bad posture was seen as everything from a moral failing, to a health risk, to a military vulnerability. In her new book, Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America, University of Pennsylvania historian of medicine Beth Linker discusses how concerns over standing up straight touches eugenics, pseudo-science, and power posing. Plus, Columbia University students inveigh against presumed exclusionary practices at a proposed Tel Aviv campus while supporting a campus in Beijing schooling more Chinese students than any other college. And Chris Hayes of MSNBC argues we've all been paying too much attention to college protests.

    Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara
    Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
    To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist
    Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/
    Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | MikePesca | Substack
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 44 min
    Does $61 Billion For Ukraine Come Too Late?

    Does $61 Billion For Ukraine Come Too Late?

    Charles Kupchan, Georgetown Professor and former Obama National Security official, says that the funding for Ukraine is necessary for the desperate country but probably won't lead to retaking much territory controlled by Russia. He also says, the money will stabilize the country which is exactly what is needed for a true peace process to occur. Plus, Kristi Noem crashes in the polls ... expert's say. And an Arizona senator bucks her party on abortion.

    Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara
    Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
    To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist
    Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/
    Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | MikePesca | Substack
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 43 min
    Cops On A Campus, Chaos On Another

    Cops On A Campus, Chaos On Another

    The pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA is attacked, and the police are no where to be found. A pro-Palestinian building takeover is thwarted at Columbia, and the police are found at fault. Plus, more uncomfortable conversations with a Jew and a former NFL linebacker.

    Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara
    Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
    To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist
    Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/
    Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | MikePesca | Substack
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
3.5K Ratings

3.5K Ratings

waha-ishwa ,

Glad the Gist is back in my life

I had assumed when the Slate feed of the gist went dead a few years ago that Mike Pesca was cancelled or something and was seriously bummed. I only recently rediscovered the podcast feed and am glad it’s back in my life. Love the show!

ToadMD ,

Balanced commentary

Not too right; not too left. Helpful insights abound and I like the humor and wordplay.

Supabroad ,

Brew the NPR Tea, white bonus

Great show. The sheer number of times that his White Bonus lady Invokes the rhetorical crutch “…right?” in her advocacy is so off putting. I did really want to hear the data she’s mined here and appreciate what’s she is tryna get at but at a certain point i feel gaslit. (Related to NPR voice / editorial…)

Re: NPR - let it rip, speak your truth lol. It can only help reform an institution i value in spite of its recent insistence on speaking to me like a kindergartener.

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