Today on The Gist, the profound failure of empathy within our immigration bureaucracy is put under the microscope following the tragic freezing death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a blind Rohingya refugee abandoned in a Buffalo parking lot by Border Patrol. Then, UC Berkeley law professor David Oppenheimer joins the show to discuss his book, The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea . He traces the intellectual history of multiculturalism back to 1810 Prussia, arguing that a clash o...
May 20, 2026•55 min•Ep. 3020
Today on The Gist, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defends a massive compensation fund for Donald Trump alongside a highly convenient IRS waiver. Then, J Schuberth joins the show to discuss her write-in campaign for Oregon governor as a six-foot-tall pencil. She breaks down why the state ranks dead last in fourth-grade literacy, the political pushback against the science of reading, and why adult comfort should not override student outcomes. Finally, in the spiel, a fierce defense of the on...
May 19, 2026•35 min•Ep. 3019
Today on The Gist, the media coverage surrounding Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California who recently pled guilty to acting as a Chinese government agent, is put under the microscope. Then, computational neuroscientist David Sussillo discusses his memoir, Emergence : A Memoir of Boyhood, Computation, and the Mysteries of Mind. He recounts his unlikely trajectory from a neglected childhood in an Albuquerque group home to the bleeding edge of AI at Meta and Stanford, breaking down ho...
May 18, 2026•50 min•Ep. 3018
It’s the Saturday show! Today, we’re sharing a recent appearance on the podcast Fake the Nation , hosted by Negin Farsad and featuring comedian Katie Hannigan. The panel tackles the explosion of the "refresher" beverage craze, the death knell of soda, and the performative nature of iced matcha. Then, the conversation shifts to the grim realities of the Iran war, the administration's lack of an exit strategy, the information blackout affecting Iranian citizens, and why the sudden release of blurr...
May 16, 2026•25 min•Ep. 3017
Today on The Gist, NCAA softball star Maya Johnson turns down massive NIL offers to stay at Belmont University and pursue a debt-free nursing doctorate. Then, Matt Sterling joins the show to discuss his memoir, Mighty: Finding the Strength to Survive . Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Sterling navigated a pre-ADA world to become a highly successful New York City ad sales executive. Plus, a breakdown of the former Arcadia, California mayor who pleaded guilty to acting as a Chinese ag...
May 15, 2026•34 min•Ep. 3016
Today on The Gist, a look at public health communication and the hantavirus. Then, The Atlantic 's Franklin Foer returns to face questions about his book, The Last Politician . Did the press miss the signs of Joe Biden's decline? Foer pushes back against accusations of journalistic dereliction, detailing what he actually witnessed in the White House and the difference between cognitive failure and age-induced crankiness. Plus, a critique of a recent New York Times column detailing the abuse of P...
May 14, 2026•41 min•Ep. 3015
Today on The Gist, what do UFO disclosures and covert strikes on Iran have in common? They are all part of the great distraction machine. Then, The Atlantic 's Franklin Foer joins the show to discuss his recent project, The Purged . The conversation examines the quiet catastrophe of the administration's dismantling of the civil service, and why replacing seasoned experts with partisan appointees leaves the government fundamentally broken. Plus, an analysis of a revealing Pew survey highlighting ...
May 13, 2026•37 min•Ep. 3014
Today on The Gist, breaking down how the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been secretly carrying out strikes on Iran, and what this means for U.S. ceasefire efforts, the global oil market, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Then, bestselling author David Epstein returns to the show to discuss his new book, Inside The Box: How Constraints Make Us Better . The conversation dissects the myth that boundless freedom fuels creativity, examining the epic failure of the unconstrained tech startup Gener...
May 12, 2026•45 min•Ep. 3013
Today on the Gist, breaking down Energy Secretary Chris Wright's masterclass in dodging gas price predictions on Meet the Press amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Then, The Dispatch 's Kevin Williamson joins the show to discuss the eccentric, radicalized, and "just about psychotic" state of Texas politics. They dive into the bitter Republican primary battle between incumbent Senator John Cornyn and the scandal-plagued Attorney General Ken Paxton, analyze the Democratic challengers, and explore...
May 11, 2026•46 min•Ep. 3012
On this Saturday crossover episode, Mikes recent guest spot on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone takes center stage. Alongside Paula Poundstone and Adam Felber, the search is on for the current administration's ultimate political "kryptonite." The trio hilariously debates what it will actually take to move the needle with voters—from 4th amendment violations and congressional roundtables to the Epstein files and soaring gas prices. Listen to the entire episode Here: EP 408: Finding Kryptonite w...
May 09, 2026•35 min•Ep. 3011
Today on the Gist, why cruise ships are essentially floating vessels of exclusively bad news. Then, University of Chicago professor Benjamin A. Saltzman joins the show to discuss his book, Turning Away: The Poetics of an Ancient Gesture . He explores the artistic and emotional history of averting our gaze—and why looking away often signals profound engagement rather than indifference. Finally, in the Antwentig, a reality check on the gun control debate and the historical flaws in comparing it to...
May 08, 2026•41 min•Ep. 3010
Today on the Gist, the US intelligence assessment of the Iran blockade, and why the current administration lacks the attention span for a prolonged overseas conflict. Then, Dartmouth professor Russ Muirhead and Calm Down author Ben Dreyfuss join the panel for another round of Not Even Mad. The trio tackles the media's catastrophizing of political violence, the electoral baggage of RFK Jr.'s fringe health initiatives, and a radical proposal to fix Congress by expanding the House of Representative...
May 07, 2026•57 min•Ep. 3009
Today on the Gist, why ten-dollar words like "instantiation" might sound smart but ultimately fail to connect with an audience. Then, CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti joins the show to discuss his book, Torched: How a City Was Left to Burn and the Olympic Rush to Rebuild LA . He breaks down the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the catastrophic absence of city leadership during the crisis, and how a desperate rush to prep for the Summer Games led to a dangerous, deregulated rebuild. Pr...
May 06, 2026•43 min•Ep. 3008
Today on the Gist, Robert F. Kennedy's initiative to get Americans off psychiatric medications and the political consequences of elevating fringe health issues. Then, Joseph Moore returns to discuss his book, How to Get Rich in American History . He breaks down the realities of economic mobility versus the "despair industrial complex," the difference between fast and slow time in wealth building, and how treating distressed real estate like a true business led to his own financial independence. ...
May 05, 2026•30 min•Ep. 3007
Today on the Gist, parsing terrible geology analogies about gas prices dropping "like a rock" when they are actually shooting up like a rocket. Then, Joseph S. Moore joins the show to discuss his book, How to Get Rich in American History: 300 Years of Financial Advice That Worked and Didn't . He details his personal journey from a broke history graduate student to financial success, and breaks down centuries of American financial schemes, from 19th-century paper currencies to the modern "despair...
May 04, 2026•38 min•Ep. 3006
Mike and Ethan Strauss joined to talk on Substack and they talked about Ethan's 4:00 a.m. "rise and grind" writing routine, the frustrating trend of "great writers, bad thinkers" across the media landscape, and the unique cultural heat that drives the WNBA's popularity. They also dive into the lost art of the "gamer," mourning the slow death of the rapid-fire, post-game sports recaps that once defined the industry. Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have question...
May 02, 2026•55 min•Ep. 3005
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
