Author: Peach Fish Productions

Charles Kupchan, former European affairs specialist in Obama’s White House joins us to discuss whether a viable security agreement could be brokered that meets Ukraine’s needs without granting them everything they want. Kupchan isn’t entirely pessimistic—but he’s also not holding his breath.

Plus, Trump’s address to Congress was filled with signature moments: a ripped-up protest sign, a joke about annexing Greenland, and a reading of what he deemed an appropriately deferential letter from Zelensky. But in The Spiel, we break down a different highlight—the section where Trump rattled off supposed cost-saving measures, taking aim at everything from Burmese scholarships to circumcision programs in Mozambique.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Trump’s latest tariff escalation on China, Mexico, and Canada has earned the Wall Street Journal’s bluntest critique yet: “dumbest.” With markets reacting sharply, Wall Street remains the one force that might actually make him reconsider. Plus, Brenda Wineapple, author of Keeping the Faith: How American Democracy Survives Scandals, Scoundrels, and Cynics, joins to discuss a century-old “trial of the century” and its relevance to today’s politics.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Former CBS Evening News executive producer Mosheh Oinounou joins The Gist to discuss Mo News, his fact-first, non-ideological news platform. We talk about his critiques of legacy media, what he saw from the inside, and why he believes journalism is failing as both a business and a public service.

Plus, when it comes to Ukraine the art of negotiation seems to hinge less on geopolitics and more on how much gratitude is lavished upon Trump himself.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Today on the Gist. We listen back to Tuesdays Spiel about Mikes time at the Principles First Summit. Then we play some of Mike's appearance on the Podcast "Very Serious with Josh Barro".

Produced by Corey Wara

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Critic and author Kat Rosenfield joins The Gist for a full-show interview, diving into the smear campaign and campaign waged between Blake Lively her director, and the recent sexual abuse allegations against Neil Gaiman. Plus: Analysis of the surprisingly undiplomatic public exchange between Presidents Trump and Zelensky.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, is back to discuss the immense power of tariffs, and economic leverage—and how Trump’s understanding (or lack thereof) of these tools. Plus, Trump grumbles to British PM Keir Starmer that Ukraine isn’t paying back U.S. aid, and in The Spiel, what Democrats can actually stand for beyond simply resisting Trump. Mark Cuban suggests it’s about execution, not slogans.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare, joins to discuss how global trade vulnerabilities shape geopolitics. Plus Trump’s first cabinet meeting sets the stage for what’s to come. And in The Spiel, Mike examines Republican town halls across the country—are the viral outbursts truly representative, or is the media cherry-picking the most dramatic moments?

Produced by Corey Wara

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The Bulwark’s Will Saletan joins to discuss Trump, Ukraine, and whether the former president is truly delusional—or just acting like he is. We also examine if the normal laws of political gravity will ever catch up to him. Plus, Trump endorses Elon Musk’s “five things you did last week” questionnaire. And in the Spiel, practical lessons from the Principles First Conference: How should we react when court orders are violated? Who will form the real, effective resistance to Trump’s autocratic ambitions?

Produced by Corey Wara

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Psychology professor Kurt Gray, author of Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground, joins to discuss how our deep-rooted sense of victimhood is shaped by our evolutionary past as prey—and how that influences modern political and moral conflicts. Plus, Mike recounts his experience at the Principles First Summit, where discussions of civic virtue were overshadowed by bomb threats and the unexpected presence of the Proud Boys.

Produced by Corey Wara

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On The Gist, we revisit two compelling segments. First, a deep dive into Ukraine's rare earth minerals—why they matter, who wants them, and how they factor into the geopolitical chessboard. Then, a throwback to January 24, 2020, for a look at the human embodiment of droning proceduralism himself, Mitch McConnell.

Produced by Corey Wara

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