The Source - Does DEI make America great?
The Gist - Charles Duhigg: “You can mobilize till you’re blue in the face.”
Charles Duhigg joins to explain his MADD versus D.A.R.E. taxonomy, why organizing beats mobilizing, and how MAGA built a durable local infrastructure while Democrats piled on litmus tests and national protests. Plus, a Spiel on Eileen Gu as China's psyops on skis, and how to murder a dissident, how to eulogize a politician, and how to learn about Mike's latest podcast venture, How To! Mikes Free Press Piece
Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/ For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List https://mikepesca.substack.com/ Follow us on Social Media: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/ X https://x.com/pescami TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist To advertise on the show, contact ad-sales@libsyn.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist
Getting Hammered® - #Todayin1776: Congress Debates Trade With Other Countries
Written in John Adams' hand, these notes from the Continental Congress catalogue the debate over whether to do trade with foreign entities. The colonies needs supplies, but engaging with foreign countries while at war with Great Britain creeps pretty close to acting like a country, not a colony. Hence, the debate.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/01-02-02-0006-0002-0001
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Consider This from NPR - How the Rev. Jesse Jackson transformed American politics
The Rev. Jesse Jackson died this week at the age of 84. The civil rights leader, minister, and protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped shape the modern Democratic Party.
Abby Phillip is an anchor at CNN and the author of A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. She says Jackson’s impact on politics can be traced back to his 1984 and 1988 failed presidential bids.
The top of this episode features additional reporting from NPR's Cheryl Corley.
This episode was produced by Erika Ryan and Connor Donevan with audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna and Ted Mebane. It was edited by John Ketchum. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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CBS News Roundup - 02/17/2026 | Evening Update
Investigators say a family dispute prompted a shooter to open fire during a high school hockey game in Rhode Island, yesterday.
The nation is remembering civil rights leader Jesse Jackson who has died at the age of 84.
Special equipment is being used to try and detect a signal from Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker.
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The Journal. - Insiders Are Cashing In on Prediction Markets
Prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi are booming, but they’re facing questions about users betting on information that is not publicly available, from Super Bowl performances to geopolitical crises. Advocates for the platforms say they are "truth machines" but critics say they’re a new vehicle for insider trading. WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff explains how users are making fortunes, and why regulators are starting to take notice. Ryan Knutson hosts.
Further Listening:
- How ‘The Joker’ Rigged the Texas Lottery
- How Parlays Became the Biggest Bet in Sports
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Newshour - Tributes pour in for Jesse Jackson
Politicians from across the spectrum have been paying tribute to the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson, the US civil rights leader who has died aged 84. We talk to the US Congressman Danny Davis who's known personally since he was a young man
Also on the programme: Iran has said it has reached an understanding with the US on the main "guiding principles" to resolve their dispute over Tehran's nuclear programme; and we ask whether Russian athletes will be allowed again to take part in the Olympics?
(Photo: US civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson stands on the Thames riverside in Lambeth, south London, after launching Operation Black Vote in upcoming UK general elections. Credit: PA John Stillwell)
WSJ What’s News - Why Millions of People in Eastern Congo Face Starvation
P.M. Edition for Feb. 17. In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 10 million people are facing hunger as the M23 rebel group is getting in the way of people accessing food. Journal reporter Nicholas Bariyo explains what’s caused the shortages. Plus, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount head back to the bargaining table. And New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he could raise property taxes by almost 10%. Alex Ossola hosts.
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WSJ Minute Briefing - Stocks Tick Higher After Volatile Day
Investors are still rattled by AI worries. Plus: Eric Trump takes an Israeli drone weapons company public through a merger with a small Florida construction firm. Katherine Sullivan hosts.
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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.
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