The writer-composer behind the viral Slam Frank (an Anne Frank musical staged as if by the most social-justice-forward regional theater) explains why he pushes rules to their reductio ad absurdum and why “art should lift up the people who are beneath me.” Fox walks through a contentious table read, a Change.org backlash, and the joy/rage of crafting Hamilton-esque bangers like “The Day My Daddy Puts Us Into Hiding.” He argues the show’s point is to expose how prescribed language and forced diversity can dehumanize artists and audiences alike. Also: a Gist etymology on “jawboning,” from Samson’s weapon to Galbraith’s 1960s coinage and today’s First Amendment fights. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack
The Bulwark Podcast - Bill Kristol: Where Is the $50,000?
We thought Tom Homan was just an extreme border hawk and ideologue. Now we know this powerful law enforcement official, who's depriving immigrants of their freedom, may also be a corrupt law-breaker—after he was reportedly recorded taking a $50,000 cash bribe during an FBI sting operation. And MAGA die-hards, like Megyn Kelly, have made clear they don't care. Meanwhile, Kash is having FBI agents pursue Q-Anon leads in the Kirk assassination. Plus, Tucker is a very sick person, Trump is demanding that Bondi file trumped-up charges against his enemies, and Democrats should absolutely not vote to fund this administration.
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
Bill Kristol joins Tim Miller.
show notes
- Leonnig's and Dilanian's reporting on Homan taking a $50,000 bribe
- Tim on Megyn Kelly's diatribe against him; or watch on YouTube
- Monday's "Morning Shots"
- Will Sommer's newsletter, "False Flag"
Bulwark Live in DC (10/8) with special guest Rep. Sarah McBride
On sale now at TheBulwark.com/events.
NEW show added to Toronto schedule: Bulwark Live Q&A Matinee show on Saturday, September 27 —tickets are on sale now, here.
1A - ‘If You Can Keep It’: The Fight Over Funding The Government
It happens every year — sometimes even more frequently than that.
A fight is brewing over funding the government before a deadline at the end of September. On Friday, Republicans in the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed a stop-gap measure to fund the government through Nov. 21.
This is all happening against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s summer of immigration raids, the deployment of the National Guard to Washington D.C., and the claw back of approved federal funding.
In this installment of 1A‘s weekly politics series, we talk about how this month’s government funding fight could turn into a shutdown, and what Democrats could demand in exchange for keeping the government open.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A fight is brewing over funding the government before a deadline at the end of September. On Friday, Republicans in the House of Representatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed a stop-gap measure to fund the government through Nov. 21.
This is all happening against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s summer of immigration raids, the deployment of the National Guard to Washington D.C., and the claw back of approved federal funding.
In this installment of 1A‘s weekly politics series, we talk about how this month’s government funding fight could turn into a shutdown, and what Democrats could demand in exchange for keeping the government open.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
The Commentary Magazine Podcast - Are We Seeing a Religious Revival?
The massive memorial for Charlie Kirk in Arizona was more of a Christian revivalist meeting than the funeral of a political figure. What does it herald for the United States? And why does the "recognition" of a non-existent Palestinian state not worry us as much as you might expect? Give a listen.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bad Faith - Episode 511 Promo – Kamala, Kimmel & Kirk (w/ Catherine Liu)
UC Irvine Professor and author of Virtue Hoarders: The Case Against the Professional Managerial Class, returns to Bad Faith to talk about Kamala Harris's new, painfully out of touch book 107 Days, FCC Chair Brendon Carr's ouster of late night host Jimmy Kimmel over banal commentary on Charlie Kirk, and Liu's own controversial tweets accusing those celebrating Kirk's death of having PMC sensibilities.
The Daily - Charlie Kirk’s Politically Charged Memorial
Conservatives from around the country flocked to Arizona on Sunday to memorialize the activist Charlie Kirk. The service included leaders from the highest levels of the U.S. government, including Vice President JD Vance and President Trump.
Two clear strands emerged during the memorial addresses: a message of Christian unity, and a vow to fight political enemies on the left.
Robert Draper, who covers domestic politics for The Times, explains how the collision of those two messages makes this a crucial moment for the MAGA movement.
Guest: Robert Draper, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist for The New York Times, who writes about domestic politics.
Background reading:
- Thousands flocked to Phoenix for Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.
- President Trump remembered Mr. Kirk as a martyr while attacking political opponents.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Start the Week - Contains Strong Language Festival, Bradford
At the Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford, Tom Sutcliffe and guests explore the history and culture of the city, and nation, through its poetry and stories. From battlefields and royal courts, coalmines to curry houses Start the Week looks at the language and rhythms that have captured the country.
The historian Catherine Clarke is retelling the story of the past in a new way in ‘A History of England in 25 Poems’. From the 8th century to today these verses illuminate the experiences, emotions and imaginations of those who lived through it.
As the 2025 City of Culture, Bradford gets an imaginative re-making in ‘The Book of Bradford: A City in Short Fiction’, a collection filled with rich diversity and youthful energy. Its editor Saima Mir, who grew up in the city, says the stories don’t avoid the scars of past challenges, but there’s pride in a city that has overcome differences and is looking ahead.
Moving on from the past is also reflected in Andrew McMillan’s debut novel, ‘Pity’, which follows three generations of a Yorkshire mining family, exploring themes of masculinity and post-industrial decline. As a prize-winning poet, McMillan will also be performing at the Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford.
Producer: Katy Hickman Assistant Producer: Natalia Fernandez
The Source - Is free speech under threat?
Free speech is the cornerstone of American democracy. That’s why it’s in the First Amendment. But today, it’s under pressure from every direction. From the White House to college campuses to late night TV, the battle is on over who gets to speak — and who gets silenced. What happens when Americans are afraid to speak out?array(3) {
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The Daily - Sunday Special: What Makes a Restaurant Great?
This month, The Times released a list of the 50 best restaurants in America. The Food desk’s reporters, critics and editors crisscrossed the country from Portland, Ore., to Deer Isle, Maine, to scout places formal and casual, big and small, experimental and classic. Their survey is an evocation of what it’s like to dine out, right now, in America.
On today’s episode, Gilbert sits down with the Food reporters Priya Krishna and Brett Anderson, two contributors to the list, for a veritable feast of dining wisdom. They discuss what makes a restaurant worthy of the 50 best list, how they go about finding those restaurants, and the dining trends they’re loving and hating in 2025.
On Today’s Episode:
Priya Krishna, reporter and video host for New York Times Food and Cooking
Brett Anderson, reporter for New York Times Food and Cooking
Background Reading:
America’s Best Restaurants 2025
Photo: Chase Castor for The New York Times
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Pod Save America - The Roots of Political Violence and How We Prevent It
What's causing the rise in political violence in America? Can we overcome it? And if not, what’s in store for our democracy? Dr. Lilly Mason, a professor of political science at Johnny Hopkins and expert on political violence, joins the show to give context to this moment — and offer some hope for what comes next. She talks to Tommy about what Charlie Kirk’s assassination means in our deeply polarized political climate, President Trump’s crackdown on late-night comedians and left-wing organizations, and why Americans — on both sides of the aisle — are increasingly struggling to recognize the humanity in their neighbors.
Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at http://crookedcon.com
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