The Gist - Puppies Don’t Win Pulitzers

Today on The Gist, we say hello to Yo founder Or Arbel. He’ll explain why the app is no joke, especially if you find yourself in Israel. Then, Mike speaks with Gordon Witkin, the executive editor of the longform investigative journalism outlet Center for Public Integrity. For the Spiel, can’t we ask women a better question than “What are you wearing?” If you want to get a daily notification from our show, download the Yo app and send a yo to “Podcast.” 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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The Gist - The Bomb Makers’ Bomb Maker

On The Gist, Mike plays the mad dog and our guests play the Englishmen. Journalist Adam Higginbotham shares the story of a huge, ingeniously sinister bomb found in a Nevada casino in August 1980. His Atavist single is called A Thousand Pounds of Dynamite. Plus, Richard V. Reeves of Brookings explains why Americans should be just as concerned about economic mobility as income inequality. For the Spiel, is it fair to describe Michael Brown as “no angel”? 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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The Gist - The Proud Mom of 23 Could-Be Kids

“In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time?” On The Gist, an audible representation of how Americans have historically answered this Gallup poll question. We asked the Pew Research Center’s founding director Andrew Kohut to explain noticeable blips. Plus, performer Courtney Raia joins us in the character of her one-woman show All My Children, up at the New York International Fringe Festival this weekend. For Mike’s Spiel, a case against overly cute animals. 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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The Gist - Is Infidelity Still a Third Rail for TV?

We bet you an Andrew Jackson that you’ll like our show on fractions and Faxon. First up, Nat Faxon, star of the FX show Married, explains why being leading man doesn’t have to mean being boring-man. Then, Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong, explains why the true common core for mathematics instruction is pizza. And in the Spiel, Mike defends the selfie from the scorn of a Christian minister. 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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The Gist - Dude, on the Set of the Big Lebowski

In preparation for Lebowski Fest, writer Alex Belth shares his story about working with the Coen brothers as a personal assistant. His Kindle single is The Dudes Abide. Then, Georgetown professor Bruce Hoffman explains how the beheading of James Foley signals a change in strategy for ISIS. For the Spiel, why Times Square needs to be swept clean of costumed creeps. 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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The Gist - Hillary’s Early Primary Polling

Today on the Gist, Rolfe Winkler from the Wall Street Journal explains how the Google IPO has changed the stock market. Then, political writer Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight breaks down early polling data for contested Senate elections, and even Hillary. For the Spiel, Alan Zweibel joins us in remembering Don Pardo. 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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The Gist - Baby Panda vs. George Washington

On The Gist, Slate editors and special guest Brooke Gladstone from NPR’s On the Media debate American icons from the Smithsonian Summer Showdown contest. Slate’s Culture Editor Dan Kois speaks on behalf of Bao Bao, Slate’s Deputy Editor John Swansburg argues for the Star-Spangled Banner, Slate’s editor–in-chief Julia Turner makes the case for “This Land Is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie, and NPR’s Brooke Gladstone defends the George Washington Lansdowne portrait. For the Speil, Mike discusses the many forms of useless stats we hear all the time. Also, we’d like to welcome new listeners who discovered the show on This American Life this weekend. We’re glad you’re here. 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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The Gist - Is That Ferguson or Selma?

The visuals coming out of Ferguson, Missouri, evoke memories of a much uglier time in our history. On the Gist, Slate’s Jamelle Bouie shares observations from his recent visit to the protests. Plus, author Megan Abbot explains why high school mass hysteria was the perfect subject for her new novel The Fever. For the Spiel, it’s time to elect a new Lobstar of the antentwig. 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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The Gist - In Ukraine, Even the Flags Are Clashing

President Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can often be heard speaking proudly about diplomatic progress in Burma. Today on The Gist, RAND Corp. political scientist Jonah Blank puts the success story in context. Plus, Ted Kaye joins us in a vexillology corner to assess the flag of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine. For the Spiel, you get a tank and you get a tank.

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The Gist - Would You Report a Creepy Correspondence?

When a bored copy-shop employee spotted a chilling letter on the copy machine, he was left with an ethical dilemma. On The Gist, Emily Yoffe of Slate’s Dear Prudence column explains when it’s your duty to report discussions of sexual conduct with minors. Plus, Slate columnist Reihan Salam reveals how Rand Paul and Chris Christie are courting black voters. For the Spiel, Mike responds to flack for defending race-car driver Tony Stewart on last night’s All In With Chris Hayes. 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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