Today on the Gist, digging into the rhetoric around California's Proposition 36 and examining how advocacy groups frame low-level arrest statistics to push the narrative of mass incarceration. Then, Semafor's Business and Finance editor and Compound Interest podcast co-host Liz Hoffman returns to the show. She discusses the bizarre disconnect between a strong economy and sour consumer sentiment, the fading legal backlash against social media companies, and how the massive wealth generated by AI ...
May 01, 2026•38 min•Ep. 3004
Today on the Gist, assessing the political fallout from the Supreme Court's Callais decision striking down majority minority congressional districts. Then, Semafor's Business and Finance editor and Compound Interest podcast co-host Liz Hoffman joins the show. She breaks down the economic realities of the AI revolution, the fierce ideological battles between tech titans like Elon Musk and Sam Altman, and why the Pentagon is treating Anthropic as a supply chain risk. Finally, in the spiel, a look ...
Apr 30, 2026•36 min•Ep. 3003
Today on the Gist, a look at the recent security incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and why Donald Trump's demand for a new White House ballroom draws striking parallels to his infamous border wall. Then, American journalist Suzy Hansen joins the show to discuss her new book, From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan. She details how a massive influx of Syrian refugees transformed a historic Istanbul neighborhood, how Erdoğan leveraged the crisi...
Apr 29, 2026•41 min•Ep. 3002
Today on the Gist, examining the confusing details and conspiracy theories surrounding the recent Washington press corps assailant. Then, Ted Dintersmith joins to discuss his book, Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won't Teach You. He explains why schools are stuck teaching outdated rote mechanics instead of crucial life concepts like compound interest, and what America can learn from Finland's approach. Finally, in the spiel, a deep dive into the politically motivated indictment of...
Apr 28, 2026•44 min•Ep. 3001
Today on the Gist, reflecting on the president's black tie press conference remarks about accepting political violence, and why our media ecosystem consistently selects for radical sentiment over the sensible. Then, Richard Lapper, former Latin American editor for the Financial Times, joins the show to discuss his new book, Lula: The Man, the Myth, and a Dream of Latin America. A look into how Lula da Silva's trade union pragmatism and commitment to economic stability transformed Brazil, allowin...
Apr 27, 2026•39 min•Ep. 3000
It's the Saturday show! First, we pull a recent appearance: Mike joins Jeff Maurer on the I Might Be Wrong podcast. They debate Mike's recent Free Press article, "What Kind of Autocrat Loses an Election?", dissecting the definition of authoritarianism, Viktor Orban’s defeat in Hungary, and whether pundits are overstating the threat to American democracy. Then, in the spiel, Mike dives into the deep, brutal, and historically ineffective tradition of expert Korean stone throwers. Produced by Corey...
Apr 25, 2026•34 min•Ep. 2999
Today on the Gist, the US and Iran are supposedly in peace talks, but the real terror might just be the Iranian Navy's choice of "loose ski masks." Then, Maya Kornberg from the Brennan Center for Justice joins the show to discuss her new book, Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress . A look back at wave elections, like the class of '74 and the '94 Gingrich revolution, explains how procedural changes, centralized party power, and the gutting of independent expertise have...
Apr 24, 2026•34 min•Ep. 2998
Today on the Gist, Mike is joined by Sarada Peri, former speechwriter for President Obama, and Sarah Isgur, senior editor at SCOTUSblog and author of Last Branch Standing , for a new installment of Not Even Mad. The trio discusses the Virginia redistricting vote, how concerning the "shadow docket" really is, and Kash Patel's lawsuit against The Atlantic. Finally, in Goat Grinders: boarding times, bad Bruce Springsteen lyrics, and the endless construction of the Purple Line. Produced by Corey War...
Apr 23, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 2997
Today on the Gist, looking at the recent Virginia gerrymander vote and what it actually means for democracy when one side plays to win. Then, chess master and poker pro Jennifer Shahade joins the show to discuss her new book, Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life . We discuss why Donald Trump's political maneuvering might actually be a series of strategic "intermezzos," why "zugzwang" explains so many personal crises, and the unexpected reality of speed chess dating...
Apr 22, 2026•42 min•Ep. 2996
Today on the Gist, exploring the consequences of relocating Afghan allies to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Then, Wall Street Journal China Bureau Chief Jonathan Cheng is back to discuss the complexities of reporting on a closed society like North Korea, the strategic thinking behind the Kim dynasty's ruthless tactics, and what it’s actually like to attend church in Pyongyang. He is the author of Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult . Finally, ...
Apr 21, 2026•34 min•Ep. 2995
Today on the Gist, looking at the dropping price of eggs and the DOJ's antitrust investigation into major producers for market manipulation. Then, Wall Street Journal China Bureau Chief Jonathan Cheng joins the show to discuss his new book, Korean Messiah: Kim Il Sung and the Christian Roots of North Korea's Personality Cult . He explains how Pyongyang was once known as the Jerusalem of the East and how the Kim dynasty co-opted Christian rituals for their own worship. Finally, in the spiel, we b...
Apr 20, 2026•30 min•Ep. 2994
On this Saturday hybrid episode, Mike's recent guest appearance on Jeremy Hobson’s The Middle , where he pitches smartphone voting to fix low-turnout primaries and breaks down the domestic political fallout of the conflict in Iran. Then, we replay of Mondays spiel that examines the electoral defeat of Hungary's Viktor Orban to ask a simple question: what kind of autocrat actually loses an election? Click to listen to the Rest of The Middle Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff C...
Apr 18, 2026•29 min•Ep. 2993
Today on the Gist, pushing back against the pundit-class panic that American democracy is "on the brink." Then, host of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck Todd joins the show to break down the psychological profile of the modern politician, explaining why the desperate need for public validation consistently elevates slick communicators over serious legislators. Todd and Mike also survey the 2026 Senate landscape, including the vulnerabilities of Susan Collins and Sherrod Brown, and analyze how a shaky e...
Apr 17, 2026•46 min•Ep. 2992
Today on the gist, Mike examines the dark psychology of political permanence following the shocking murder-suicide of former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax. SCOTUSblog editor Sarah Isgur returns to discuss the human element of the Supreme Court, explaining why the justices view themselves as consistent rather than hypocritical, why partisan "forum shopping" poses a far greater threat than the current ethics controversies, and the disastrous second-order consequences of ending lifeti...
Apr 16, 2026•31 min•Ep. 2991
Today on The Gist, Sarah Isgur editor of SCOTUSblog and co-host of Advisory Opinions , joins to dismantle the media’s most persistent myths about a strictly partisan Supreme Court. Drawing from her new book, Last Branch Standing , Isgur explains the reality of the 3-3-3 court, why institutionalists clash with "chaos muppets," and why Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh rarely vote together despite having identical conservative pedigrees. Plus, examining the political self-immolation of Eric Swalwell ...
Apr 15, 2026•30 min•Ep. 2990
Today on The Gist, the Hungarian language has 44 letters in its alphabet and exploring the origins of the name of Hungary's newly elected leader, Peter Magyar. Vanderbilt professor Jacob Mchangama joins to continuing the conversation discussing the messy reality of combating misinformation and disinformation, warning that having the government define truth can be a dangerous game. Plus, breaking down Donald Trump's latest social media feud with the Pope. Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social M...
Apr 14, 2026•26 min•Ep. 2989
Donald Trump has accused the Pope of being weak on crime, despite the Vatican's famously nonexistent murder rate. Then, Vanderbilt professor Jacob Mchangama joins to discuss his new book, The Future of Free Speech . They discuss the global free speech recession, the sharp pivot from 90s techno-optimism to modern "elite panic," and why allowing the government to act as the final arbiter of truth is a dangerous game. Plus, Hungary's Viktor Orbán recently lost at the ballot box. If an "autocrat" ca...
Apr 13, 2026•34 min•Ep. 2988
Today on The Gist. Mike drops in on Across the Movie Aisle with Sonny Bunch and Peter Suderman to dissect the hit medical drama, The Pitt . They dive into the structural triumphs of the Noah Wyle prestige series, the realities of Hollywood’s persistent "villain problem," and Mike’s ***hole patient tracker. Check out movieaisle.substack.com to get the rest of the episode! Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Ema...
Apr 11, 2026•21 min•Ep. 2987
Today on The Gist examining the rare pundit who advocates for the right policy even when it’s a proven election-loser, taking a cue from Matt Yglesias' Slow Boring newsletter to decode what politicians really mean when they talk about "spending political capital." Then, Matt Yglesias ( One Billion Americans ) and Richard Kreitner ( Break It Up ) square off over the ultimate fate of the country. Should we triple the U.S. population to maintain global dominance, or is our sprawling, deeply divided...
Apr 10, 2026•26 min•Ep. 2986
Today on a Not Even Mad, Mike is joined by political writer John Ganz and Reason’s Nick Gillespie to debate whether the ceasefire with Iran is a strategic victory for the regime or a result of Donald Trump’s bellicose rhetoric. The trio analyzes the New York Times reporting on JD Vance’s backseat skepticism and Trump’s habit of choosing airpower over long-term diplomacy. They also tackle the libertarian "we told you so" regarding centralized power and the operational failures of the DOGE efficie...
Apr 09, 2026•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 2985
Today on The Gist, Mike explores the "innovation" of linguistic shifts, from the return of the "R-word" in the New York Times to the syllable-heavy expansion of terms like "unhoused" and "neurodivergent." Then, social psychologist Devon Price and author Freddie DeBoer join the show for a debate on the limits of the neurodiversity movement. They discuss the friction between seeing mental conditions as neutral sources of diversity versus medical illnesses that require management, while addressing ...
Apr 08, 2026•35 min•Ep. 2984
Today on The Gist, Mike Pesca continues his conversation with The New York Times ’ Noam Scheiber about his book, Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class . Mike challenges the notion that unions are on a massive upswing by comparing their cultural footprint to the niche appeal of vinyl records. They discuss how a generation of overqualified workers found strategic leverage in the Starbucks trademark lawsuit and why many graduates are trading traditional career arcs for i...
Apr 07, 2026•33 min•Ep. 2983
Today on The Gist, Mike Pesca explores his history with labor unions, contrasting the time-and-a-half efficiency of NPR with the more complicated protections of WNYC. Then, The New York Times’ Noam Scheiber joins to discuss his new book, Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College-Educated Working Class, and how a generation of overqualified workers is using their "class confidence" to unionize service-sector giants like Apple and Starbucks. Plus, a deep dive into the "What if [Animal] had a job?...
Apr 06, 2026•31 min•Ep. 2982
On the Saturday Show, Mike brings us an excerpt from his recent appearance on the Uncertain Things podcast with hosts Adaam and Vanessa. They kick things off by exploring Mesopotamian ghost-busting and ancient demons before they discuss how Hollywood actors unwittingly romanticize radical revolutions, why the Starbucks union prioritized sending militant tweets over negotiating higher wages, and Mikes views Greta Thunberg. Listen to the full Show - Uncertain Things | Substack Produced by Corey Wa...
Apr 04, 2026•41 min•Ep. 2981
On today’s show, Mike offers an unreserved endorsement of comedian Raanan Hershberg and his new special, Morbidly Jewish . In this installment of Funny You Should Mention , the two discuss the trap of "normalizing the absurdity" in political comedy, the agony of naming a stand-up special, and Raanan's experience debating conspiracy theories on The Joe Rogan Experience . Plus, how Raanan managed to craft a truly original joke about Israel, and what it’s like to be a guy who has read Ulysses three...
Apr 03, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 2980
Today on The Gist, Mike is joined by Mark Oppenheimer to discuss his new book, Judy Blume, A Life . They dive into how Blume essentially invented middle-grade realism, her astronomical dominance of the book market in the '70s and '80s, and how she served as the perfect proxy for parents who were just too uncomfortable to have "the talk" with their kids. Plus, they explore the one messy topic the famously open author absolutely refused to discuss with her biographer. In the Spiel, Mike analyzes f...
Apr 02, 2026•47 min•Ep. 2979
Today on The Gist, ExxonMobil Chief Economist Tyler Goodspeed discusses his new book, Recession: The Real Reasons Economies Shrink and What to Do About It. Goodspeed argues that we fundamentally misunderstand economic busts. Because we are "pattern-seeking mammals," we try to frame recessions as the inevitable, moral punishments for greedy economic booms. But historically, economic downturns are actually driven by random, unpredictable shocks—from the 2001 dot-com bust to a literal plague of loc...
Apr 01, 2026•43 min•Ep. 2978
Zack Beauchamp on democratic resilience, the WhatsApp group that saved Brazil's Supreme Court, and why corruption in Congress can sometimes be a feature. Plus: Trump may end the Iran war with the Strait of Hormuz still closed — which is somehow worse than before it started. And the surprising history of "bimbo." Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com For full Pesca content a...
Mar 31, 2026•33 min•Ep. 2977
Today on The Gist, The bizarre off-field behavior of Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is facing questions (and a lawsuit) after biting a woman and hurling anti-Semitic slurs. Then, Vox's Zack Beauchamp joins the show to discuss his research on democratic resilience. Instead of just looking at how democracies die, Beauchamp analyzes countries like Brazil, Poland, and South Korea to learn how they actually survive, while comparing America's current trajectory to the "competitive authoritarianism...
Mar 30, 2026•29 min•Ep. 2976
It's the Saturday Show, bringing you one from the vault and one from the week. First, Mike pulls up a world-exclusive, posthumous interview with Nibbles, the ghost of Kristi Noem's late family goat, who finally gets to have his say. Then, in the Spiel of the week, Mike dissects the recent ouster of Corey Lewandowski and Kristi Noem from Homeland Security. He unpacks the allegations surrounding Lewandowski's evasion of DHS guardrails, as well as Noem's $200 Million horse-riding commercial—an expe...
Mar 28, 2026•13 min•Ep. 2975
