Best Pesca Podcasts (2024)

1
406. Brozempic (w/ Todd Barry & Mike Pesca) 48:08

13h ago48:08

48:08

Today, we're talking about the "Brozempic Era," innovations in Scrabble, Elon Musk's shenanigans, and the Trump trial. To help break all of this down is host of The Gist, Mike Pesca, and comedian, Todd Barry! ——Rate Fake The Nation 5-stars on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! Follow Negin Farsad on Twitter Email Negin fakethenation@headgum.com …

1
The Caucasian Perquisite 44:46

41m ago44:46

44:46

In Tracie McMillan's new book, The White Bonus: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America, the author documents the lives and experiences of a handful of white Americans, including herself, and then attempts to quantify their racial benefit. Plus, Harvey Weinstein's NY State conviction is thrown out—a history and analysis of the Sandova…

1
What's Eating Uncle Bosie? 41:06

24m ago41:06

41:06

Joe Biden's uncle mostly likely wasn't eaten by cannibals, but he could have been, which is more than some members of the public can swallow. Germany resumes UNRWA funding after a UN investigation. And a legal breakdown with Tyler McBrien, managing editor of Lawfare, who has a seat inside the courtroom for the Trump trial into hush money payments a…

1
Immigration: A Story Both Inspiring And Whack 42:52

1h ago42:52

42:52

Ray Suarez is here to talk history, policy, and personal journeys as he discusses his book, “WE ARE HOME: Becoming American in the 21st Century: An Oral History.” Plus, Binghamton NY's "Smoke Outside the Binghamton Police Station” does not go particularly well for all those who actually smoked outside the Binghamton Police Station. Produced by Joel…

1
When "Anti-Zionism" Is A Get Out Of "Antisemitism" Free Card 45:08

1h ago45:08

45:08

College campuses are spoiled by protests, the White House calls out antisemitism, but the NYPD says the soon-to-be-expelled students were perfectly nice. Not nice are calls for 10,000 more October 7ths. But there's a difference between "not nice" and "not acceptable." On the show today, Mike plumbs the difference and explains when anti-zionism real…

1
BEST OF THE GIST: NPR CEO OMG Edition 37:42

1h ago37:42

37:42

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, the first half of our interview with Damon Linker, author of the Notes From The Middleground Substack about his recent Guest Essay for the Opinion page of The New York Times titled, "Why Is Biden Struggling? Because America Is Broken." Then we listen back to Mike’s analysis of NPR’s choice of its new CEO, Ka…

1
Saving NPR 34:24

1h ago34:24

34:24

Today a special show, wherein Mike discusses former NPR editor Uri Berliner's critique of the network he no longer works for, including claims about Berliner's veracity and validity. 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 Su…

1
Gold Heist, Foiled 49:24

1h ago49:24

49:24

Canadian police are making arrests in the 2023 theft of $14 million of gold from an Air Canada flight. The criminals weapon of choice? Guns? Dynamite? How about fraudulent bills of lading for scrod? Also on the show, Max Stearns is the author of the new book Parliamentary America: The Least Radical Means of Radically Repairing Our Broken Democracy.…

1
405. Nostalgia Pants (w/ Maz Jobrani & Alise Morales) 42:27

7d ago42:27

42:27

Today, we're talking about holding onto an old pair of pants, the enshitification of internet platforms, and how anxious parents may need some help. To breakdown all of these topics are comedians Maz Jobrani and Alise Morales! ——Thank you to this week’s sponsors: Rocket Money - Use this link or go to rocketmoney.com/fakethenation to stop paying hun…

1
Family Guy Guy Guides Us Through Danger 43:24

24h ago43:24

43:24

Evan Waite, writer for Family Guy and The Onion, discusses his career, theories of comedy, and his new book, Life Wants You Dead: A Calm, Rational, and Totally Legit Guide to Scaring Yourself Safe. Plus, why can't Ukraine have the defenses that Israel has? And a new NPR CEO critiques truth. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at theg…

1
Getting Aid to Gaza 44:54

2d ago44:54

44:54

Arwa Damon, recently back from Gaza, is a former CNN International Correspondent who has transitioned to relief work. Her organization is INARA, the International Network for Aid, Relief & Assistance. She discusses the situation in Gaza, how opaque Israeli inspection protocols delay aid, how the killings of World Central Kitchen workers complicated…

1
Bond, Trump Bond 49:21

3d ago49:21

49:21

On the show today, an Iranian attack repelled. And, in a full-show interview, Will Thomas, assistant professor of law at the University of Michigan, joins to talk about Trumps recent bond hearing and explains the process behind the bond and how people go about paying it. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To…

1
BEST OF THE GIST: The Juice, Squeezed Edition 25:18

5d ago25:18

25:18

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, listen to Mike’s show opener this past Thursday about the death of O.J. Simpson. Then we listen back to our December 6, 2016 interview with Ezra Edelman, whose documentary O.J.: Made In America, explored Simpson’s life. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary at the 2016 Academy Awards. Produced by Joel Patter…

1
Delicious Chicken 'n' Mice 43:55

6d ago43:55

43:55

Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo are the eco-directors of Food Inc 2, which raises questions about how American agribusinesses have an unhealthy relationship with politicians, communities, and our bodies. Plus, the beatings out of Chechnya will continue ... within strict BPM limits. And part two of our look at On The Media's featherbed of a segmen…

1
Pour Some Sugar On The Man In The Mirror O' Mine 43:51

7d ago43:51

43:51

Chris Molanphy drops by to count down the hits of 1988, a time when we weren't worried, we were happy, and we were making the transition from the exiting of dreams and the entering of cars. Also, in 1988 OJ Simpson was in a new movie called The Naked Gun. Today, OJ Simpson, football great, and adjudicated killer of two people is dead. We can say th…

1
404. Hush Trip (w/ Sally Kohn & Milly Tamarez) 48:51

14d ago48:51

48:51

Today, we're gonna talk about the phenomenon that is "the hush trip," we'll also talk the stereotypes that personal trainers have, third parties, and virtual first dates. To discuss all of this and more is host of the Go Touch Grass podcast, Milly Tamarez, as well as returning guest and communications strategist, Sally Kohn! ——Thank you to this wee…

1
Florida, Abortion, and Trump 41:36

8d ago41:36

41:36

The Bulwark's Marc Caputo says Florida's six-week limit on abortion is vulnerable, but not certain, to go down via popular referendum. Even so, Donald Trump has such a huge advantage in the state he's unlikely to suffer from its presence on the ballot. Caputo also says Trump's strategic ambiguity, or even avoidance, of the issue will probably work,…

1
Arizona's 1864 Abortion Law Stands 32:16

9d ago32:16

32:16

The Arizona Supreme Court has banned almost all abortions in the state, deferring to a law written in 1864. Also on the show, a brief history of Ecuador and embassies. Plus, the continuation of our interview with Keith Humphreys, Stanford Professor and co-author of the Atlantic story, "Why Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Failed." Produced by Joel P…

1
Oregon Drug Debacle 32:22

10d ago32:22

32:22

Keith Humphreys, Stanford Professor and author of Addiction: A Very Short Introduction, talks about the of failure of a local Oregon ordinance he was called in to offer expertise about. We discuss his Atlantic story, "Why Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Failed." Plus, the path of totality, and dealing with Hamas over hostages. Produced by Joel Patt…

1
BEST OF THE GIST: Podcast Implosion Edition 44:22

12d ago44:22

44:22

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, Mike’s Thursday Spiel about the carnage at NPR and the reason for it. Then we listen back to part of Mike’s January conversation with Jeremy Hobson, host of The Middle and long-time public radio personality, about what’s going wrong at NPR. This part of the interview with Jeremy was formerly a PescaPlus extr…

1
Remembering The Repressed Memory Movement 41:03

13d ago41:03

41:03

Jena Martin is a pathologist by day who has produced a six-part podcast series looking back at the recovered memory movement of the late 1980s and early 90s. Everyone was having them, were any real? Plus, a partial traipsing down the path of totality in advance of Monday's eclipse. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikep…

1
Public Radio Podcast Pounded 47:26

14d ago47:26

47:26

Another round of bloodletting in the world of podcasting and public radio. NPR listenership is down 15-20%, and the excuses the industry is relying on wither, don't apply, or are flat out wrong. Mike offers a path to course correction that he doubts his old colleagues will take. But one public broadcaster is crushing it ... the BBC. Could this be b…

1
403. The Rule of Foot (w/ Greg Proops & Andrew Ti) 50:22

22d ago50:22

50:22

Today, we're talking about the act of deciphering a man's text messages, the GOP's money woes, we'll see where America ranked on the global happiness report and finally, we'll ask if open toed shoes belong in professional settings. We're joined this week by hilarious comedians and podcasters, Greg Proops and Andrew Ti. ——Thank you to this week’s sp…

1
Trump Is Their Barbarian 46:28

16d ago46:28

46:28

Atlantic Staff writer Tim Alberta, author of The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism says many Christians support Donald Trump because they are forgiving, and specifically because he isn't. Plus, the President of Argentina assails the anatomical properties of his hemispheric peers. Produced by Joel Patter…

1
Barge Bilge 43:05

16d ago43:05

43:05

U.S. leaders put Netanyahu on notice. And is it worth knowing about all the stupid Francis Scott Key Bridge conspiracy theories? Plus, CNN's Jim Sciutto analyses Donald Trump's many mixed feelings towards NATO, and tries to divide the tough talk from the actual courses of action. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepes…

1
Real Rolexes, Fake Story 35:59

17d ago35:59

35:59

CNN's Jim Sciutto comes by to discuss his new book, The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War. Plus, the Women's NCAA tournament draws the wrong court, and an April Fools game asks you to spot the fake Rolex. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, visit: https://…

1
BEST OF THE GIST: March Madness 26:46

19d ago26:46

26:46

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, the rise of women’s college basketball knows no (re)bounds, and yet somehow has still been overstated. We also listen back to his 2018 interview with Barbara Lipska, whose career as a neuroscientist did not prepare her to identify the dark effects of her own brain tumors diagnosed in 2015. There’s studying a…

1
Can We Wait To Take The Economic Loss On Weight Loss 45:50

20d ago45:50

45:50

The Miracle Weight-Loss Drugs would radically transform the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans. Hundreds of millions. So maybe the Government should foster this human flourishing. There's always a cost. Jonathan Gruber Chairman of the Economics Department at MIT discuss his New York Times opinion piece about how drugs like Ozempic can be af…

1
Our Politicians Far More Extreme Than Our People 41:52

21d ago41:52

41:52

We're joined by Anthony Fowler Professor of political science in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago where he researches political polarization and the credibility of empirical research. He is also the host Not Another Politics Podcast. Plus, the totally wasteful process of processing g plastic waste. And Trump happens t…

1
402. "Trad" Husband (w/ Jessica Bennett & Pete Dominick) 42:52

29d ago42:52

42:52

No topics are off limits on this week's episode! The Trump campaign, the kerfuffle at NBC, the yapping trend on TikTok, the decline in vanilla chocolate chip ice cream, and we'll ask if having children ruins women's careers - we're covering it all. To help break all of this down, we're joined by journalist, Jessica Bennett, and comedian, Pete Domin…

1
Genocide, Famine. Nursery Rhymes 45:49

22d ago45:49

45:49

We're joined by David Simon Assistant Dean for Graduate Education, Senior Lecturer in Global Affairs and Director of the Genocide Studies Program at Yale University. Simon explains that what’s going on in Gaza is not a genocide and offers analysis as to why the charge has become ubiquitous. Plus, RFK Jr's new vice president once, apparently, was ma…

1
Atomic Habits 38:23

23d ago38:23

38:23

Annie Jacobsen. author of Nuclear War: A Scenario takes us through what would really happen if an enemy of the U.S. fired the first missile in a nuclear exchange. Plus, more MSNBC Rona reax, and the rise of women’s college basketball knows no (re)bounds, and yet somehow has still been overstated. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us a…

1
Running Out Ronna 37:20

24d ago37:20

37:20

A staff revolt at NBC protests the network’s move to hire former RNC head Ronna McDaniel. Plus, Trump wins in court, and those who are committed to a narrative of his penury are aggrieved. And we're joined by Whitney Downard of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, to discuss a social service funding and forecasting debacle that puts the families of the s…

1
BEST OF THE GIST: Tradition! Vacation! Edition! 31:26

27d ago31:26

31:26

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, Mike goes on vacation and comes nose to nose with tradition. We also listen back to his 2016 interview with actor Michael C. Bernardi, who played Mordcha the Innkeeper in Fiddler On The Roof, which was then on Broadway. His father, Herschel Bernardi, was the third man to play Tevye in the musical. Produced b…

1
A Cancer On Royal Rumors 44:15

1M ago44:15

44:15

Kate Middleton's sad announcement about her health should prompt self examination, not only from the rumor mongers, but the audience, too. And how Donald Trump's $500-million bond bill will effect the little guy, according to Fox legal experts. Plus, we're joined once more by Ken Bensinger to talk about his new podcast, Chameleon: The Michigan Plot…

1
The Gang That Couldn't Kidnap Straight 42:30

29d ago42:30

42:30

Ken Bensinger is co-host of Chameleon: The Michigan Plot, which details the trials of militia members who sought to (or at least talked a lot about) kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. There were, at times, more government informants and undercover officials than bonafide ill-intentioned militia members driving the plot, which was more aspir…

1
401. The Subtext of Rage (w/ David Cross & Seena Ghaznavi and Laurel Braitman & Danielle Durchslag) 29:16

1M ago29:16

29:16

We're taking a lil' Persian New Year vacation this week! But fear not, we have a couple of segments of the show that we've been saving for this very moment. First up, we have David Cross and Seena Ghaznavi join to discuss how to channel your anger. Then, we have a wonderful conversation with Danielle Durchslag and Laurel Braitman on how many books …

1
CRIME WEEK: Shoplifting And Murder, In That Order 47:09

1M ago47:09

47:09

If you believe the news, shoplifting is many things: “on the rise,” “a scourge,” and “way up.” The thing is … is it really? In truth, it’s very hard to know, because the variables are myriad. We discuss this conundrum with Adam Gelb, President and CEO of Council on Criminal Justice, a non-partisan think tank, and a pretty darn knowledgeable person …

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