Author: Peach Fish Productions

How did the office of the president work with TV networks to make Obama’s ISIS address visually stunning? Today on The Gist, Josh King from Polioptics explains how the White House can be used as a Hollywood soundstage. Plus, professional wrestler Shawn Daivari explains how 9/11 made his career as a heel possible. For the Spiel, Mike is outraged that the NFL is positioning Ray Rice as a lesson, rather than a failure. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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How appropriate were the measures taken against Ray Rice? Today on The Gist, learn why lethality indicators are essential for prosecutors trying domestic abuse. Attorney adviser Christopher Mallios from AEquitas explains how prosecutors approach domestic violence. Then, Slate’s John Dickerson joins us to explain how public opinion has changed regarding U.S. involvement in the Middle East. For the Spiel, how the NFL’s womanless culture makes horrendous decisions when it comes to women.

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Today on the first archive edition of The Gist, a collection of our favorite Hitler material. First, Mike asks Ron Rosenbaum about how a genocidal monster is formed and if the Holocaust would have happened without him. Ron’s the author of Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil. For the Spiel, Dru Johnston reads his essay “I Think I Should Get More Credit for Killing Hitler” from the Occasional. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Taking a note from Mike’s hairline (zing!), Slate is on retreat today. On The Gist, popular podcast host and historian Dan Carlin tells us about greatest retreats in history from Genghis Khan to Napoleon. Then we revisit a segment with comedian Gary Gulman about how even the smallest word choice matters when crafting a joke. For the Spiel, an early proto-spiel from 2008, first heard on NPR’s Morning Edition. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Former NFL player Nate Jackson’s league health insurance ran out a few days ago. Today on The Gist, we’ll review what health concerns many former players tackle after leaving the game. Plus, author Dana Goldstein explains what’s keeping the American education system so average. For the Spiel, a new lobster of the antentwig.

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Today on The Gist, cellist Maya Beiser tells us how her rebellious streak led her out of the classical concert hall and into the arms of classic rock. Her new album is called Uncovered. Also, political scientist Jay Ulfelder explains his efforts to quantify all the trouble in the world. For the Spiel, how the phrase “I have yet to meet the person … ” works as an indicator of ignorance. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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What does Anna Karenina look like when you read Tolstoy? Today on The Gist, book cover designer Peter Mendelsund explains how we turn what we read into sensory material. His new books are What We See When We Read and Cover. In the Spiel, how the U.S. is losing a war of words when it comes to ISIS. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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While the best chess players in the world face off at the Sinquefield Cup, what can be done to bring the sport back to the Fischer era? Today on The Gist, we speak with Ken Regan about how he’s working to keep the world’s greatest board game above board. Then, in our regular segment “Is This Bulls--t,” Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker makes a case against the power nap. For The Spiel, Mike doesn’t want to hear about your receiver. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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On The Gist, Adam Davidson from Planet Money explains what tax inversions tell us about cooperate taxes. Plus, Slate’s Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer Young and Restless. For Mike’s Speil, he looks at the relationship between first names and successful careers in politics. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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Today on The Gist, a voice you couldn’t mistake for anyone else. Mike speaks with comedian Gilbert Gottfried about his attraction to old showbiz and his Amazing Colossal Podcast. For the Spiel, Mike’s jazzed for the ABC primetime special on Schoolhouse Rock. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2

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