Author: Peach Fish Productions

Clay Risen, author of Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America, joins to discuss the era when suspicion was a political tool and civil liberties were sidelined. Today we have echoes—and outright repetitions—of McCarthyite tactics, from loyalty oaths to immigration crackdowns. Also- there may be three plastic spoons’ worth of microplastic in the average human brain—according to science, which Mike neither trusts nor understands, on account of his 0.5% spoon brain.

Produced by Corey Wara

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The bond market—stodgy, suit-clad, and deeply un-Instagrammable—has the economy feeling either “yippy” or “queasy,” Plus, Republicans are eager to wield the issue of trans athletes, especially when stocks are tumbling. And linguist John McWhorter returns to discuss the beauty of borrowed Yiddish verbs, the aesthetics of the letter X, and why “My wife, she…” is pure Rodney and pure syntax.

Produced by Corey Wara

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John McWhorter joins to discuss his new book Pronoun Trouble, which unpacks the politics and poetry of tiny words. Also, Trump touts his tariff triumph by jabbing Canada, walloping China, and baffling Wall Street into bullishness. He riffed on trade deficits, finger amputations, immigration, mental ward discharge, and compared economic instinct to Indy car strategy. Markets cheered, economists jeered, and Trump took a victory lap after hitting the wall.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s former business partner, joins to detail Ukrainian gas deals and what he calls the “Biden brand.” From paper mache with the Vice President to secretive dinners in Paris, he describes selling access, sidestepping scrutiny, and eventually being left holding the legal bag. Also, “10% for the big guy”? Archer says that wasn’t just a turn of phrase—it was the deal.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Before diving into tariff turmoil and Senate map math, The Gist features the first part of an in-depth conversation with Devon Archer—former Hunter Biden business associate, House Oversight witness, and recipient of a Trump pardon. Archer discusses Burisma, the fallout with the Bidens, and how his legal saga became a political flashpoint.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Two segments from Mikes appearances on Uncertain Things and Vanderpump Robs.

Take a listen to Uncertain Things

Take a listen to Vanderpump Robs

Produced by Corey Wara

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Comedian Alex Edelman joins this episode of Funny You Should Mention. Alex’s hit one-man show Just For Us was a Broadway sensation and is now streaming on Max. In this conversation, we talk about the anatomy of a bad set, the five constituencies for a joke, and what it takes to turn a pile of bits into a fully realized piece of theater. Plus: how being “right” can be the biggest obstacle to being funny.

Produced by Corey Wara

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In this “Not Even Mad” episode, Sarah Isgur of The Dispatch and former Obama speech writer Sarada Peri dig into “massive cuts under DOGE, Cory Booker’s latest stemwinder, recent election results, and somehow, Chester A. Arthur crashes the party.

Produced by Corey Wara

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Harry Holzer—former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor—joins to discuss his concerns over Biden-era regulations alienating voters and thwarting progress. Plus, large protests in Zimbabwe pit Emmerson “The Crocodile” Mnangagwa against crowds urged on by Blessed “Bombshell” Geza. And Democrats embark on their “We Don’t Hate You” tour in an attempt to reconnect with alienated voters.

Produced by Corey Wara

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On this, the eve of “Liberation Day,” as key House and judicial races loom, we're joined by David Pakman to discuss his new book, The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America. Pakman argues that conservative media and politicians have constructed a parallel reality that undermines Americans’ ability to think critically. But Pakman is also pressed on whether certain narratives on the left are similarly misleading, and if so, how much they contribute to the broader erosion of public trust.

Produced by Corey Wara

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