The Gist

A daily afternoon show about news, culture, and more.

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About the Show

A daily afternoon show about news, culture, and whatever else you’ll be discussing with friends and family tonight.

Host

  • Mike Pesca is the host of the Slate daily podcast The Gist. He also contributes reports and commentary to NPR.

Do Morals Matter?

Good intentions could lead to bad consequences.

Georgia Is a Laboratory

Let’s Hope Brian Kemp listens to the scientists.

Passing Class Under Quarantine

How are school systems evaluating achievement during this crisis?

The Pandemic That Never Happened

In 1976, Gerald Ford faced the very real threat of a swine flu epidemic.

Embrace the Outdoors

Americans should feel comfortable enjoying public spaces again, with distance.

A Top Chef on Restaurant Relief

Tom Colicchio shares how government relief misses the mark for his industry.

The Homeless Can’t Stay Home

Keeping someone from getting shelter should be the punishable offense.

Good News, Bad News

Uninformed politicians like Las Vegas’ mayor are utterly watchable yet concerning misinformation spouters.

Social Distance a Century Ago

Learning lessons from past pandemics

Too Much Oil Anyway

The price drop is surprisingly simple economics

Who’s Worth Protecting?

Individuals can’t be trusted to make those decisions.

Listening to Quarantunes

Coronavirus parody songs are unbearable.

The Real Safety of Shelter-in-Place

South Dakota’s failure illustrates why such orders are critical

Don’t Believe Slogans

Pithy simplifications of social movements are counterproductive

Preparing Weinstein for Prison

Craig Rothfeld discusses his experience as Harvey Weinstein’s prison consultant.

The Comfort of Knowledge

We’ve reached a point where the majority seems to understand the facts.

Coronavirus Conspiracy

The media shouldn’t be peddling in conspiracy theories during such a sensitive time.

Sanders Was Too Consistent

He lost because he didn’t change

Stop Saying the Virus Doesn’t Care

Focus on the ways Americans do.

Making Chemicals Partisan

Peter Navarro needs to be quiet.