The subject of Season One of Serial, Adnan Syed is once more in a legal limbo, having had his vacated conviction overturned. However, the latest twist in the case resolves itself it is clear that Syed would never have even gotten a new hearing, were it not for the 2022 passage of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. We speak to Maryland State Senator Chris West (Republican) about the law and how he had not even heard the name Adnan Syed before he sponsored it. Plus, rethinking the costs of hardening...
Mar 30, 2023•35 min
The mayoralty of Chicago will be decided next Tuesday, and its a close race between tough-on-crime Paul Vallas and current public schools union leader Brandon Johnson. Eric Zorn, longtime Chicago Tribune columnist, now editor of of the Picayune Sentinel, moderated one of the mayoral debates, and he joins us to assess the race. Plus, NCAA women's basketball ratings. And that's a Woolly Meatball! Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, ...
Mar 29, 2023•37 min
Todd Brewster, co-author of Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice, joins us to talk about a single image's power to galvanize society, and the history of who controls these images. Plus, Adnan Syed's once-vacated conviction has been reinstated. And widening the aperture on victims of police violence. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The ...
Mar 28, 2023•43 min
The Recall: Reframed examines the removal of California Judge Aaron Persky after his sentencing of Stanford swimmer Brock Turner. Director Rebecca Richman Cohen discusses the two sides of the progressive movement at odds with each other over this issue, including the difficulty of steering outrage into proper policy. Plus the U.S. Supreme Court debates fake dog poo. And, at the risk of contradicting Color Me Bad, "Uh, TikTok you do stop." For more information on The Recall: Reframed visit Engage...
Mar 27, 2023•32 min
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we listen back to Mike’s the April 17, 2015 Spiel satirizing the Vladamir Putin Call-In show. Then we listen to this past week’s Spiel on Michael Cohen. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 ...
Mar 25, 2023•20 min
Sam Sanders is the host of 2 podcasts (Into It, and Vibe Check) where he weighs in on politics and culture in a way he never could while on NPR. Mike and Sam discuss and debate wokeness, euphemism, the age of podcasts, and if Angela Basset having "Done the Thing" was really internet meltdown worthy. Plus, Canada increases in number and prestige. And a city killing meteor leads us to one-click cancellation contemplation. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] ...
Mar 24, 2023•39 min
Bradley Tusk worked for years in government, then he struck out on his own and made a lot of money through his firm Tusk Ventures helping companies like Uber and FanDuel navigate government regulation. On the Gist today, he explains how he leverages his expertise as a lobbyist and fixer to give school meals and anti-hunger advocates the kind of muscle they need. Plus, Janet Yellen moves markets by stating obvious truths. And Stanford grapples with the heckler's veto. This episode also features a...
Mar 23, 2023•40 min
Mike interviews Neil Gross, a former cop turned Colby College Sociology professor and now author of Walk the Walk: How Three Police Chiefs Defied The Odds and Changed Cop Culture. We're also joined by Leon Nixon, who voiced the audiobook—a profession he took up after more than 20 years in law enforcement. Plus, a look at the loudest hush money in history. And how Michael Cohen is a colorful character, but he's a questionable character to put on the witness stand. Produced by Joel Patterson and C...
Mar 22, 2023•40 min
Following yesterday’s conversation with David Zweig about the known and unknown risks associated with how we dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic as a society, today Mike drills down on masks and vaccines with two public health communicators. First up, science writer Michael Schulson, author of the recent article “Do Masks Work? It’s A Question of Physics, Biology, and Behavior” in the digital magazine Undark, then Mike talks with epidemiologist and author of the Your Local Epidemiology Substack, Ka...
Mar 21, 2023•40 min
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we limited contact with other people, we wore masks, and we closed public schools. These actions saved lives. Sort of, says David Zweig, a New York-based writer who became a voice of informed opposition to these sacrifices, stating that we may be saving some lives, but at what cost? His Substack is Silent Lunch. We broke our normal format this episode to give you a longer cut of Mike’s interview with Zweig, who has a book on our public health systems’ response to th...
Mar 20, 2023•41 min
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, with 2023 March Madness underway, we listen back to Mike’s 2022 critique of the instinctive, and backward, admonishment so many announcers issue as time is winding down, “You don’t need a 3!” Then we listen to this past week’s Spiel on whales. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to our ad-free and/or PescaPlus versions of The Gist: https://subscri...
Mar 18, 2023•21 min
We’re joined this episode by Ted Kaye for another installment of Vexillology Corner, wherein we discuss the big survey of city flags (check them out), the winners and losers, and the difference between a good and bad flag. Plus, attacking TikTok. And in the Antwentig, the Cochrane study questioning masks. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe...
Mar 17, 2023•42 min
Former diplomat Ethan Chorin joins us to talk about his book Benghazi! A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink. Plus, San Francisco proposes reparations for black residents which has a price tag in the hundreds of billions of dollars. And the Congressional art of asking a questioning and doing everything you can to suppress an answer. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertiseca...
Mar 16, 2023•40 min
Matthew Desmond's story in the New York Times Magazine, "Why Poverty Persists in America" contradicts Mike's understanding, past coverage, and narrative of progress in America. But that doesn't make it wrong. Plus, Dr. Judith Herman discusses her new book Truth And Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://sub...
Mar 15, 2023•46 min
Reporter Ken Vogel was a lead reporter on the NYT series "A Risky Wager: How online sports betting took America by storm." He's here to discuss what some states got wrong, while others hit the jackpot on legalized sports wagering. Plus, the international criminal court is reportedly bringing war crimes charges against Russia for kidnapping Ukrainian children. And the ratings are up (Oscars) but also down (banks). Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To adve...
Mar 14, 2023•36 min
Whale Watch! Brendan Fraser's acceptance speech for his Best Actor Oscar in The Whale was larded with whale references, and today's Spiel is given over to examining Unusual Mortality Events among whales. Plus, an analysis of netting Mafia bosses ... and possibly Donald Trump. Elie Honig, CNN analyst and author of Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It, discusses prosecuting figures at the top of opaque organizations who know how to insulate themselves from culpability. Produced by Joe...
Mar 13, 2023•35 min
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, whales abound. We start by listening back to a Gist “Whale Watch” segment from February 24, 2016, then we revisit our most recent Monday Spiel, in which Mike talks high seas treaties. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Subscribe to our ad-free and/or PescaPlus versions of The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Follow Mike’s Substack: Pesca Profundities...
Mar 11, 2023•19 min
Kevin Goetz is the movie business' most influential market researcher. He joins us to discuss his new book Audience-Ology: How Moviegoers Shape The Films We Love. Plus, White Drivers are Polluting BIPOC air in LA. And The Whale vs. Cocaine Bear. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 ...
Mar 10, 2023•41 min
An Inquisition of Dave Stassen, Executive Producer of the new Hulu Series History Of The World Part II. What a show! Plus, why there are zero Black women in the U.S. Senate. And $31,000,000,000,000 of debt actually is a bad thing ... and its weird that we have to say that. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mikes Subs...
Mar 09, 2023•36 min
George Beebe is Director of Grand Strategy at the Quincy Institute, he was formerly the director of the CIA’s Russia analysis unit, and he worked as a staff advisor on Russia matters to Vice President Cheney. He joins us to analyze the progress of the war in Ukraine with special emphasis paid to the threat of nuclear weapons ... a threat he worries is being ignored. Plus, the Turkish strongman gets a bookish opponent. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To...
Mar 08, 2023•40 min
Admitted excessive-talker Dan Lyons researches a cure for his propensity for prolixity—STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World is the result. Plus, California Governor Gavin Newsome suspends all non-existent state business with Walgreens. And Tucker Carlson’s January 6th Film Festival is a bust. Big shock. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The G...
Mar 07, 2023•39 min
Then-Congressman Ron DeSantis did a moderate Republican a favor in 2013, when he “lit up” the head of the Parks Department. But it was the kind of lighting up that even Smokey wouldn’t have stressed over. Plus, Lichtenstein and 190 other countries have tentatively agreed to a United Nations treaty protecting the high seas. And They Knew Which Way To Run is a fascinating self-produced seven-part series about the Union Carbide Gas Leak in Bhopal, India, whose death toll is likely over 10,000. We’r...
Mar 06, 2023•39 min
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, to compliment our Friday show, which featured an interview with sisters Nora and Lilla Zuckerman—show runners (and writers of Episode 109) of the hit Poker Face on Peacock—we are listening back to Mike’s 2015 interview with Leslye Headland, the producer of Russian Doll. What’s the connection? Both shows star Natasha Lyonne, of course. And then we listen back to our Wednesday Spiel about the real damaged caused by the East Palestine train wreck. The Gist i...
Mar 04, 2023•27 min
Lilla and Nora Zuckerman drop in to discuss how unusual it is to make a NON-serialized streaming show like Poker Face. We discuss if Natasha Lyonne’s powers work underwater or while masked. Also, the U.S. Senate is unfairly constructed, but its not as if all the sparsely populated states are conservative. And the president of Zoom is let go … on Zoom. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Sub...
Mar 03, 2023•34 min
Insulin is getting cheaper, weight-loss drugs really work, and school-lunch programs are bringing childhood obesity down. This all should be universally applauded, but there is a growing counter argument that the real problem is seeing obesity as a problem at all. Plus, the Ivy League takes aim at the SAT. And we’re joined by the authors of Thrive With A Hybrid Workplace, business psychologist Julie Kantor and employment attorney Felice Ekelman, to discuss the future of work. Produced by Joel Pa...
Mar 02, 2023•39 min
The philosophy of Effective Altrusim took a hit due to its close association with Samuel Bankman-Fried. New Yorker staff writer Gideon Lewis-Kraus profiled one of the movement’s leaders, Will MacAskill, and followed up in a piece titled “Sam Bankman-Fried, Effective Altruism, and the Question of Complicity.” Plus, the East Palestine Crash is a headache, but maybe not much more. And … a new survey shows the U.S. is in last place in the Trust-The-Media rankings. Produced by Joel Patterson and Core...
Mar 02, 2023•41 min
Carol Anderson, Professor of Black History at Emory University, is here to discuss The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. Plus, Meet Mohela. And, crossing the experiential threshold. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] 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 | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ...
Feb 28, 2023•43 min
A big new study about the ineffectiveness of mask mandates is being denounced and rejected as disinformation by some who’ve branded themselves as the most pro-science. Who’s right? Plus, the Department of Energy now endorses the Lab Leak hypothesis. Also, Anne Alvergue and Debra McClutchy, the co-directors of The Martha Mitchell Effect are here to discuss their Oscar-nominated film. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https...
Feb 28, 2023•37 min
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we’re listening back to Mike’s 2018 interview with Jimmy Carter’s once Chief Domestic Policy Advisor, Stuart Eizenstat. Though he was sometimes mischaracterized as an ineffective President, Eizenstat argues that Carter fought for America’s energy independence, doubled the size of the national park system, and appointed “more minorities and women to judgeships and senior positions than all 38 presidents before him put together.” Eizenstat’s book is Preside...
Feb 25, 2023•29 min
Representative Doug Mann of Missouri is here to talk about his bill, one of several introduced by democrats across the country to push back against the spate of book bans. Plus, Putin gets ethnicity wrong, and rolling up the windows on Four-Legged Floridians. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca...
Feb 24, 2023•33 min
