The Gist

On the Gist, Joe Biden and the New York Times. In the interview, Maria Konnikova is back for another episode of “Is That Bullshit?” This time she and Mike tackle whether or not we’re currently experiencing the latest mass extinction event. We may not have noticed, but the insects certainly have. In the spiel, the difference between journalism and activism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Donald Trump and Devin Nunes know Lev Parnas. In the interview, Mike talks with author Dave Eggers about his new book, The Captain and the Glory, a story about the clownish captain of a great ship. Eggers discusses how satire can help us admit the absurdities of our times and how writing the book helped him process our current political climate. In the spiel, bunging a bob for a big ben bong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, cats will eat you. In the interview, economist Daniel Susskind is here to discuss his new book A World Without Work: Technology, Automation, and How We Should Respond. They talk about the future of work, how technology is shifting, and the effectiveness of Andrew Yang’s proposal of universal basic income. In the spiel, the debate was lackluster.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the latest debate and Corey Booker. In the interview, John Tierney is here to talk about his and Roy F. Baumeister’s new book The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It. They discuss why the bad is always more memorable than the good, and the real uses of such negativity. In the spiel, Elizabeth Warren’s plan to forgive student debt by executive order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Trump lying about embassies and Iran. In the interview, New America’s Lee Drutman is here to discuss his new book Breaking the Two Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America. He and Mike talk about why we need more than two parties in the US, how the two-party system came about, and what the way forward could be like. In the spiel, the Oscars need affirmative action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Marianne Williamson is out. In the interview, Adam Davidson is back, this time talking to Mike about his new book The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century. They discuss the case studies Adam used to illustrate this positive aspect of the economy in recent years, and how people have turned their passions into professions. In the spiel, Elizabeth Wurtzel and Don Imus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, accusing people of writing eulogies. In the interview, Slate’s Lizzie O’Leary and Justin Peters talk with Mike about Jeopardy!’s “Greatest of All Time” tournament. With Justin as a previous Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? contestant, and Mike and Lizzie both as Jeopardy! alums, the three discuss how this tournament stacks up to the standard fare, who they think will win, and what their own experiences were like on TV. In the spiel, the governmental vacancies thanks to Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the Iran story isn’t over yet. In the interview, Slate’s Jim Newell is here to talk with Mike about John Bolton. They discuss why Bolton has announced he’s available to be subpoenaed by Congress, how this might play out, and where the Senate and the House stand. In the spiel, Jim Acosta’s commentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Trump’s letters to Iraq. In the interview, journalist Lauren Chooljian is here to talk about her podcast series Stranglehold. It focuses on the New Hampshire primary, how it continues to be first primary in the nation, and what long-running New Hampshire Secretary of State William Gardner has to do with it. In the spiel, trying to get paid to leave Iraq. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Kellyanne Conway and unnecessary clarifications. In the interview, New Yorker writer Adam Davidson is here to talk about Trump’s business dealings in Iran. Based on his past reporting, Davidson discusses with Mike how Trump became financially involved with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, a military force in Iran, and what impact that has had on recent events. In the spiel, movies and TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the Quds force. In the interview, Slate’s Fred Kaplan is here to talk with Mike about the recent action the Trump administration has taken against Iran. They discuss what impact the death of Qasem Soleimani will have on the Middle East, the United State’s relationship with Iran and Iraq, and why this appears to be an act of war. Kaplan writes the War Stories column for Slate. In the spiel, Soleimani and war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, guns in Louisiana and New York. In the interview, the second part of our Zero Blog Thirty interview where Mike talks to Chaps and Kate about Chaps being a dog handler in the Marines and all the ways it’s different than we think it is. In the spiel, Castro is out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Mike makes predictions about what happened the week of Christmas. In the spiel, Mike reflects on 2019. He shares a rundown of what he didn’t cover, and a few particular standout moments from this year’s episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, John Bolton. In the interview, Mike talks to the hosts of Zero Blog Thirty, a podcast about the military from those who've lived it. They discuss the recent news about the Afghanistan papers, how Trump handled all the recent war criminals, and finding a space to talk about the inside baseball of the armed forces. Zero Blog Thirty is a podcast from Barstool, which you can listen to here. In the spiel, ‘tis the political season.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, Pete Buttigieg and wine bars. In the interview, Mike talks to actor Rhea Seehorn and creator Mike Sacks about their new Audible original Passable in Pink, a satire of John Hughes films. They discuss their shared love of Hughes’ movies, how films like 16 Candles have held up in 2019, and the behind-the-scenes audio wizardry that made Passable in Pink come to life. In the spiel, Julian Castro’s attempt to revive his campaign.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, impartial jurors for impeachment. In the interview, Pat Garofalo, managing editor of TalkPoverty.org is here to discuss his new book The Billionaire Boondoggle: How Our Politicians Let Corporations and Bigwigs Steal Our Money and Jobs. He and Mike the actual economic impact of things like the Super Bowl, and why cities might want to reconsider offering so many subsidies to companies. In the spiel, Jeff Van Drew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, the third impeachment in U.S. history. In the interview, Mike talks to reporter Dan Weissmann about the cost of healthcare, the horror stories of people navigating the complicated system, and what at all can be done to fix it. Dan’s healthcare podcast is An Arm and a Leg. In the spiel, Jesus and Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, how government should work. In the interview, Mike talks to economist Branko Milanovic about the various forms of capitalism that exist in the world today, the role of higher education signaling in American society, and the ways to reduce the negative effects of inequality. His new book is Capitalism, Alone: The Future of the System That Rules the World. In the spiel, the case for Mike Bloomberg. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, impeachment and partisanship. In the interview, Mike talks to Jonathan Metzl, Vanderbilt University professor and the research director of The Safe Tennessee Project. They discuss the latest Supreme Court case that examined a person’s right to bear arms in New York City, how the justices ruled, and what this case means for the second amendment in the future. Jonathan’s latest book is Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland. In the spiel, Greta Thunberg is older than she looks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the Gist, birds and Debird. In the interview, Mike talks to journalist and CNN correspondent Peter Bergen about Trump’s national security team, the internal feuds, and why the key players of this team have all left, three years later. His new book is Trump and His Generals: The Cost of Chaos. In the spiel, the Republicans need all the noise to continue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices