Rephonic
Artwork for The Gist
Gaza
Donald Trump
Gretchen Whitmer
Fiddler On the Roof
Genocide
NBC News
Women's Basketball
Caitlin Clark
Israel
Shoplifting
Crime
Kate Middleton
Tradition
Obesity
Ozempic
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2930Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for The Gist

Latest Episodes

David Greene joins us to talk about his new podcast, David Greene Is Obsessed, where opera singers map public restrooms, pizza-tour guys chase the perfect slice, and even David Arquette turns Bozo the Clown into an intellectual-property saga. We get ... more

Today on the Saturday show, Mike shares a conversation he had with Charlie Sykes, former host of The Bulwark and current host of the new podcast To the Contrary. They discuss how ordinary citizens with cell phones in Minneapolis became Donald Trump's... more

Paul D. Miller joins the show to argue that international law is a set of norms, not a moral court. A former CIA analyst and Army intelligence officer now at Georgetown, Miller explains why post-conflict reconciliation only works when locals accept i... more

Mike contemplates the hierarchy of American attention, contrasting the 50 million eyes on the AFC Championship game with the obscurity of the men leading the "Metro Surge" in Minnesota. Then, Ruy Teixeira (The Liberal Patriot) and Jesse Adams (The Iv... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Thomas Goetz
Award-winning science journalist and host of Drug Story
Drug Story
Episode: Thomas Goetz: "Medicine works by helping some people a lot and most people not at all."
Elliot Williams
Author of "Five Bullets", a book on the Bernie Goetz trial
Episode: Elliot Williams: "We'll get the girls from Annie to even things out"
Kenneth P. Vogel
Reporter for the New York Times and author of 'Devil's Advocates'
The New York Times
Episode: Kenneth Vogel on the "Sh*tbag Business"
Jason Guriel
Critic and poet, author of the book 'Fan Mail: A Guide to What We Love, Loathe and Mourn.'
Episode: Jason Guriel: Why Culture Got Nicer—and Much Less Useful
Chuck Klosterman
Author and commentator
Episode: Trump Weaves His Way Through Davos
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

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 Statesa month 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 States2 months 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 States4 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 States4 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 States5 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
#40
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#235
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#52
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#104
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#82
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#102
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michelle Tafoya on the "Complete and Utter Ambush"
Q: What do you see your future as, mostly as a broadcaster, communicator, journalist, or in the realm of politics?
While I enjoy talking about political issues, I'm hesitant about running for office while my children are young.
Michelle Tafoya on the "Complete and Utter Ambush"
Q: Give me two or three contemporary politicians who you admire, who you'd say I'd like to be a politician like them.
Condoleezza Rice, Tim Scott, and Nikki Haley are all thoughtful conservative leaders I admire.
Michelle Tafoya on the "Complete and Utter Ambush"
Q: Do you think that the perpetuation of 2020 election denial gets in the way of conservatives getting their message across?
Yes, it creates distrust and hinders the ability to communicate effectively.
Thomas Goetz: "Medicine works by helping some people a lot and most people not at all."
Q: What do you think the Lipitor number is?
You have to treat a hundred people to save one from having a heart attack, which means 99% of those taking Lipitor do not benefit.
Not Even Mad: Ruy Teixeira and Jesse Adams
Q: Is the public in a reasonable place regarding immigration enforcement?
The public is conflicted, as they associate interior enforcement with the aggressive tactics of ICE. This creates a perception of immigration enforcement that makes many Americans uncomfortable with deportations, leading to challenges in establishing a coherent enforcement strategy.

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. The Ezra Klein Show
4. Central Air
5. The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum

How many episodes of The Gist are there?

The Gist launched 12 years ago and published 2930 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. Thomas Goetz
2. Elliot Williams
3. Kenneth P. Vogel
4. Jason Guriel
5. Chuck Klosterman
6. Liza Treyger
7. Charles Duhigg
8. David McCloskey

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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