Anti- government protesters have flooded the streets of the Iranian capital for a third night as Donald Trump repeats his support for the movement. Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran's ousted shah, has called for nationwide strikes as authorities signal intensified crackdown amid internet blackout. Hospital staffs told BBC that facilities are overwhelmed with dead or injured patients.
Also on the programme: Demonstrations take place after new video on deadly Minnesota ICE shooting released; and the earliest Superman comic sells for $15 million, we talk to a comic book artist who's held it.
(Photo: Screen grab obtained from a social media video of protesters gathering in Tehran. Credit: Social Media/via REUTERS)
Mike breaks down the U.S. abduction of Nicolas Maduro, arguing that Donald Trump's penchant for exaggeration shouldn't blind us to actual strategic successes. He digs into why media "truth-tracking" often fails to account for real-world military outcomes, using the Fordow strikes and the defeat of ISIS as proof that a leader's bad narration doesn't always mean a failed mission.
Plus... A vault interview with Oxford's Ben Ansell on "FADFO"—the phenomenon of "fucking around and not finding out"—and how modern guardrails allow political radicals to escape the consequences of the chaos they create.
Produced by Corey Wara
Coordinated by Lya Yanne
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
The No. 1 financial goal for most Americans is retirement. Once they retire, their primary goal becomes not running out of money. Host Robert Brokamp discusses the pros, cons, and tradeoffs of various withdrawal strategies with Christine Benz, director of personal finance at Morningstar and co-author of a new report on retirement income.
Also in this episode: -Prepare for lower taxes in 2026 by having less withheld from your paycheck and contributing more to your investments -A recent Washington Post article argues that bigger houses lead to lower levels of happiness -The percentage of the global stock market that comes from U.S. stocks is near an all-time high, but non-U.S. stocks made up for lost ground in 2025 -Listeners share their tips and tricks for staying on top of their investments and spending
Host: Robert Brokamp Guest: Christine Benz Engineer: Bart Shannon
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Ah yes, part two, where things really get cooking, as it were. We're back with more Harrows, more confusingly named characters, and some proper sizzle! RESPECTFULLY! We also talk about how the unreliability of our own understanding impacts how we do ethics. Enjoy!
Protests continue in Minneapolis after ICE agents kill a local woman, Renee Good, with more protests planned this weekend. Plus, Iranians have been taking to the streets in cities across the country, protesting against the government there. We'll look at what's behind the protests as well as the government's response. Also, the U.S. federal government might want to get involved with upcoming elections in several ways. We'll look at what this might mean for the midterm elections, and how states are preparing.
After another night of nationwide protests, the exiled son of Iran's ousted shah has urged Iranians to go further and seize and hold city centres. We hear from Iran expert Sanam Vakil of Chatham House.
Also in the programme: we hear from Aleppo after clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish militia; and a trip through David Bowie's London.
(Picture: Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Credit: Reuters)
The standard explanation for the Constitutional Convention was that the Articles of Confederation were a failure. However, the Articles actually worked the way they were supposed to work. Unfortunately, the advocates of a strong central government ultimately got their way.
Live From Not-A-Con 2025, with guests George Hrab, Andrea Jones-Rooy, Brian Wecht, and Adam Russell; What Are You Most Proud Of; What Is Your Quirky Pet Peeve; If You Could Change One Thing; Here Me Out; Science or Fiction
The Australian 'kindness influencer' who raised nearly two million dollars to help an elderly US veteran. Samuel Weidenhofer flew thousands of miles to find Ed Bambas after being told he needed help. Ed, who's 88, was still working in a shop because he couldn't afford to retire, having lost his pension and healthcare.
Also: one of the few people ever to walk around the world says he was inspired to keep going by the rescue dog he adopted along the way. Tom Turcich spent seven years making the journey with Savannah, who he describes as the best possible companion.
The family of a US Air Force serviceman have been reunited with his dog tag, seventy years after it was lost.
We hear how a young woman in the UK is trying to dispel the stigma surounding a medical device known as a stoma bag, by turning them into fashion accessories.
Plus some very big baby news as a US zoo prepares to welcome a very rare elephant calf.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.
Presenter: Alex Ritson. Music composed by Iona Hampson
