The Gist

Today on The Gist, guest host Adaam Levin-Areddy discusses the shutdown of the news website Salon after 31 years. To honor the pioneering online publication, we replay Mike Pesca's interview with sports writer Ethan Sherwood Strauss (House of Strauss). They explore Ethan’s 4:00 AM writing routine, the intellectual honesty of modern media, the cultural dynamics driving WNBA coverage, and the fading art of traditional sports reporting.
Produced by Corey Wara
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/⁠
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On this special edition of The Gist, fill-in host Bryan Green revisits an episode of Funny You Should Mention, where host Mike Pesca sits down with comedian and Saturday Night Live writer Rosebud Baker. Baker discusses her Netflix special Motherload, sharing how her comedy point of view has evolved over her twelve-plus years in stand-up. She reflects on the artistic shift from writing sharp, punchy stand-alone jokes to crafting a deeply personal, cohesive narrative about motherhood, pregnancy, and family. The two also delve into the mechanics of writing for SNL's Weekend Update, balancing political comedy, and how her real-life experience informs her dark and sharp comedic style.
Produced by Corey Wara
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/
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To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@amplitudemediapartners.com

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The day after Election Day, guest host Bryan Green introduces Mikes conversation with South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn to discuss his book, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation. Clyburn reflects on the stories of the eight Black lawmakers who served in Congress during Reconstruction and shares how their struggles and political choices mirror modern challenges. In the conversation, he touches on lessons from his father about faith and public service, the extraordinary legacy of Robert Smalls, the role of voters in shaping congressional power, and why history serves as a cautionary guide for American democracy today.
Produced by Corey Wara
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:⁠⁠⁠⁠
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On the eve of Election Day, fill-in host Bryan Green takes a trip back to 2024 to revisit a conversation Mike Pesca hosted with four first-time Gen Z voters. These young voters weigh in on what they want from a president, balancing policy priorities against candidate character, January 6th, border security, and foreign aid. They also share how they navigate news consumption across social media and traditional outlets, offering their perspectives on whether their generation can ultimately bridge America's political divide.

Watch The Fifth Column Midterm Madness: https://wethefifth.com/live
Produced by Corey Wara
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
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X https://x.com/pescami
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To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@amplitudemediapartners.com

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Guest host Scott Pierce introduces a special Halloween-themed episode from the archives. First, Oxford-educated mortician and Ask a Mortician host Caitlin Doughty joins Mike Pesca to discuss her memoir, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, demystifying funeral rituals, and transforming how we talk about death. Then, in a classic installment of "Is That Bullshit?", Maria Konnikova unpacks whether a person can actually be "scared to death" or if terror can turn your hair white overnight.
Stop online threats before they become real-world attacks. Visit ironwall.com/GIST and request a free Risk Assessment to see exactly how exposed your executives are.
Produced by Corey Wara
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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@amplitudemediapartners.com

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