Author: Peach Fish Productions

As deluded protesters in Brasilia ransack government offices, the U.S. can take great pride in it’s inspirational status. Also, though House Republicans are a defiant lot, a debt ceiling showdown could play out differently than the Speaker vote did. Plus, Eric Newcomer, host of the Dead Cat podcast, talks tech, the coverage of crypto, and the future of Substack vs traditional media. Oh yeah, and Mike’s back.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are featuring two questions asked of Alec Baldwin (the movie star) by our guest host Bob Garfield (non-movie star), which had originally been left on the cutting room floor, but hey, that's what weekend shows are for, right? After Alec, we dig into The Gist archives and listen back to Mike’s 2017 interview with Bob Garfield about his one-man show, Ruggedly Jewish. Yeah, that one-man show. Guest host week is now officially over.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, the House of Representatives is again in disarray, minus the extreme violence and QAnon Shaman, thank god. Guest Host Ray Suarez revisits that day two years ago (he was there), and Ray talks with veteran DC reporter Steve Clemons about Kevin McCarthy’s ongoing battle for the House Speakership.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Like many of us, guest host Kmele Foster is watching the Kevin McCarthy fiasco unfold live on CSPAN, but he warns that it’s just a distraction from the real fiasco. Then Kmele talks with Emory University medical researcher Judy Gichoya about her recent study that upended how we think of race and medicine. And finally, Kmele Spiels about climate ordeals.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest Host Bob Garfield is back and ready to grill movie star Alec Baldwin for his industry’s reliance on our suspension of disbelief. Plus, the European Union has fined Facebook’s Meta $414 Million, but don’t worry, they still have all of our personal data. Also, a good-bye to Russian meat-processing tycoon Pavel Antov.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As of 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, the day’s two biggest news stories remain nail-biters. Kevin McCarthy, who, once upon a time, seemed as though he would sail into the role of Speaker of the House of Representatives without so much as a speed bump, has instead run into a wall of opposition, stranding him in DC’s version of limbo. The other story we are watching with knots in our stomachs is that of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety who collapsed last night during Monday Night Football and remains in critical condition nearly a day later. Our guest host, Bob Garfield explores these developing stories, with varying degrees of concern. Also, Mike’s interview with former United States Comptroller General David M. Walker about the House Speakership and who, with McCarthy on the ropes, could throw their hat into the arena.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, we are replaying Mike’s Monday Spiel about AirBNB’s ineffective attempts at combatting racism. Then we dig into the Gist archives and listen back to Mike and his then-eight-year-old son Emmett sing political duets to the tune of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The January 6th Committee report is a treasure trove of shameful nonsense. It might not convince the DOJ, but its convincingly embarrassing for the well-documented Trump sycophancy movement. Plus, Brendan Nyhan is a professor of government at Dartmouth who co-directs the Bright Line Watch. The line they're watching is of American Democracy, and the future got somewhat brighter with the past election and behavior afterwards. Also, it's the Most Antwentig Time Of The Year.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ghost guns seem scary, and they are scary, but mostly for reasons unexceptional to the rest of U.S. gun policy and culture. Plus, with protests still roiling Iran, Mike speaks Heather Williams of RAND’s National Security Research Division. And we mark the passing of legendary Pittsburg Steeler Franco Harris, whose greatest play is blessedly shrouded in uncertainty.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zelensky visits and the Omnibus spending bill doesn't put the brakes on much, except maybe TikTok on Mitch McConnell's phone. And Mike interviews directors Trevor Frost and Melissa Lesh about "Wildcat", their new film about an Ocelot rescue scheme. Wildcat is playing in select theaters today and will be available through Amazon Prime on December 30th.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com

To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices