The Gist

Chuck D: "Art is your signature, it's your pulse."

Today on The Gist, guest host Jason Mojica introduces a conversation between Mike Pesca and hip-hop pioneer Chuck D, co-founder of Public Enemy, about his book Interficia

Nimesh Patel: "I am always pro joke before I am pro anything."

Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian and writer Nimesh Patel, the first Indian American writer in Saturday Night Live

Diane Foley and Elizabeth Tsurkov on Hostages, Wrongful Detentions, and State Terror

Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces two conversations centered on hostage recovery and wrongful detention abroad. First, Mike Pesca speaks with Diane Foley,

Vic Michaelis: "Improv is not just existing live in front of an audience on stage."

Today on The Gist, guest host Charlie introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian Vic Michaelis, host of Very Important People on Dropout TV. Michaelis discusses t

Virginia Sole-Smith: "Weight loss is not the solution."

Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a debate between Mike Pesca and Virginia Sole-Smith, author of Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture. Sole-Smith a

Adam Kinzinger on Cults, Country, and Trump

Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a pair of interviews focused on the shifting identity of the Republican Party. First, Mike Pesca sits down with former Illi

Al Franken: " I had a career in identifying absurdity. And I know it when I see it."

Today on The Gist, guest host Scott introduces a 2022 conversation between Mike Pesca and former US Senator Al Franken, who discusses his return to stand-up comedy and lo

TJ Miller: "When the air hits your brain, it's never the same."

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin introduces Mike Pesca's conversation with comedian and actor TJ Miller, who reflects on life, stand-up, and the traumatic brain

Chris Smalls: "Worker led means worker led."

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin introduces a conversation between Mike Pesca and Chris Smalls, co-founder and former president of the Amazon Labor Union and aut

Bob Saget: "I just, I wanna entertain people."

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin introduces a classic spiel from the archives analyzing Vivek Ramaswamy's debate strategy and an interview with Andrew Yang on th

Andrew Fox: Make something that surprises people because everyone's bored.

Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Green shares Mike Pesca's interview with writer and composer Andrew Fox, the creator behind the viral satirical musical Slam Frank. Fo

Derrick Palmer: "The union was always the solution."

Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Green shares an interview with Derrick Palmer, co-founder of the Amazon Labor Union and co-author of Handbook for the Revolution: Buil

Larry Wilmore: "I have pushed for the ability to suck in anything, rather than just racial content."

Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Green shares a classic 2019 interview with comedian, writer, and host Larry Wilmore. Wilmore reflects on his podcast Black on the Air,

Kelsey Snelling: "Anytime there is a scale, you can't do so ethically."

Today on The Gist, guest host Vanessa Quirk steps in to share Mike Pesca's 2024 interview with Kelsey Snelling, creator of the investigative podcast Camp Shame. Snelling

Funny You Should Mention: Des Bishop

Today on The Gist, guest host Vanessa Quirk steps in to share a previously unaired interview between Mike Pesca and Irish American comedian Des Bishop. Bishop traces his

Nathan Alebach: "Don't listen to me, I'm just a frozen piece of meat."

Today on The Gist, guest host Vanessa Quirk steps in to share a classic 2022 interview with Nathan Allebach, the creative force behind Steak-umm's viral Twitter presence.

Lara Bazelon: "What are the repercussions when you speak outside your tribe?"

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam James Levin-Areddy introduces a requested classic from the archives: the final episode of Not Even Mad, before it came back. Journalis

Justin Garson: "If you turn dopamine on and off, you can turn schizophrenia on and off."

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam James Levin-Areddy steps in as host Mike Pesca remains away. Mike brings on CUNY philosophy professor Justin Garson to discuss his boo

Maria Konnikova: "If you're looking for a healthy food, this ain't it."

Today on The Gist, we revisit Mike Pesca’s classic crusade against the indisputable abomination of paper straws and the dubious logic surrounding alternative drinking app

Robby Hoffman: "For me, to complain is to enjoy."

Comedian, podcaster, and self-described cutie-in-her-own-way Robby Hoffman drops by to discuss her life, her comedy, and why she takes talking as seriously as any other a