Reviews
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“Mike often takes a very moderate position and strives for fairness. I truly appreciate this. He’s extremely well spoken and good at arguing his points. He seems to care about hearing the opinions of people on all sides of an issue and doesn’t shy away from changing his view in light of new...”Read full review »
Fhhfcbhgcv via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/07/24
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“I really like this show, but Mike has a tendency to be exceptionally pedantic with the added bonus that he seems to think that he can talk you into being as pedantic as he. It can be exhausting.”
Boilingrug via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/24
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“Excellent job per usual Mike. Long time first time. Great to hear someone intelligently engage the youths. Keep it up”
On Mon via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/24
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“Mike was always upfront about his left bias but in the past he did a good job of fairly challenging Democrat doctrine. This built trust that he was an honest broker. Lately he’s given himself over to the accepted left narratives: the causes of racial wealth gaps (racism!), barely warmed-over...”Read full review »
lampls via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/24
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“Mike fails to understand. Trump bringing up eating cats as the most remembered thing from the debate puts the spotlight on the immigration crisis. Immigration is one of trumps strongest issues. With a little bit of time the debate was a strong plus for Trump.”
This Ken via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/13/24
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“I don’t always agree but I appreciate the way the arguments are structured to give the best possible counter to my beliefs. Highly recommend it to all sides of the political spectrum.”
ccpubdave via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/24
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“Same dynamic in German army currently. May the institutions hold!”
Chattasteff via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/30/24
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“A daily go-to podcast for current events and cultural relevance. Mike is the rare moderate ...criticizing the right and keeping the left honest. The show also balances the trivial with consequential, with editorial format, bookending the shows substantial interview in the middle.”
Brian 078 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/22/24
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“I wouldn’t mind the host’s somewhat overbearing style if I was into the issues and people he covers. But I think it comes down to my just not being interested in what seems to be pop culture — or at least subject matter that’s a bit too superficial for what interests me.”
makeupmyname via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/13/24
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“His weak support of the trans “woman “ at the Olympics pummeling the real woman made me sick. His writing is mostly good but he must get paid by the number of words he can put down on paper.”
Mokeyt3/35 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/02/24
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“Frequently wrong, never in doubt.
Hot takes, but almost never asks the right questions.”
Painless42 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/23/24
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“Incisive and unique. An oasis of curiosity and rigor in this time of prefab partisan opining.”
AuntTibes via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/19/24
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“Funny in parts, serious when it needs to be and always honest with the audience. Mike is one of the greatest interviewers in media.”
What would Mike ask? via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
07/09/24
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“That is my honests opinion of this podcast. Mike puts a lot of effort into researching statistics and different pojnts of view to put together his opinions, and the result is a rational, well informed take on the issues of the day. His humor and humanity makes his narrative a an essential element...”Read full review »
funkir via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
07/03/24
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“I have been listening from the beginning. You made the rare request for a review. But I’m always in the gym listening! This time I’m in Heathrow waiting to board.
Mike, thank you for your work, edgy & unapologtic commentary, superb interviewing technique. You are my never miss podcast.
I...”Read full review »
TrumpfugeeInAMS via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/30/24
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“Found out about this podcast from BAR Pod, and appreciated this guys voice there. Here he speaks w a level of certainty and lack of humility that even Katie Herzog doesn’t reach”
elioalv via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/12/24
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“I have listened to nearly every episode of The Gist since it launched, and I always liked Mike’s reporting from his NPR days. One reason I have stuck with it is even though I often disagree with his takes (and always presenting himself as the smartest and wittiest person in the room), he...”Read full review »
RegretTheError via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/27/24
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“Mike it’s strange to see you bend over backwards to help uri to make his argument. He definitely needed your help to make it and we can sense your loyalty. He seems like a person later in his career who has lost the plot. The example of college debt coverage was underwhelming! This is the example...”Read full review »
Bryn Offa via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/25/24
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“A good, thoughtful podcast up until Oct 7th 2023. An extension of the horrendous Israeli government since. I still listen but it is mostly just to laugh at Mike’s daily anti-Palestinian rant (which his ‘spiel’ segment should be renamed).”
CHL75Au via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
05/16/24
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“I had assumed when the Slate feed of the gist went dead a few years ago that Mike Pesca was cancelled or something and was seriously bummed. I only recently rediscovered the podcast feed and am glad it’s back in my life. Love the show!”
waha-ishwa via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/02/24
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“Not too right; not too left. Helpful insights abound and I like the humor and wordplay.”
ToadMD via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/30/24
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“Great show. The sheer number of times that his White Bonus lady Invokes the rhetorical crutch “…right?” in her advocacy is so off putting. I did really want to hear the data she’s mined here and appreciate what’s she is tryna get at but at a certain point i feel gaslit. (Related to NPR voice /...”Read full review »
Supabroad via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/26/24
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“Always thought-provoking and interesting. I am as far from a MAGA Republican as you could possibly be, but at the same time, I don’t feel like I have a real home on the progressive left, and I think that’s where a lot of people (including Mike) find themselves. More power to people who look for...”Read full review »
markbakerprague via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/21/24
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“I enjoy learning about this. I’m also a disappointed fan of npr. Old enough to remember the wonder of the early years. And the CBC As It Happens.”
News curious via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/21/24
“The Gist was here before Trump was a candidate, and there’s a reason it has worked for so long. It’s that Mike Pesca’s curiosity and playful energy happens to be far stronger than a pure desire to get high ratings. This leads him to pursue genuinely interesting and diverse topics while resisting...”Read full review »
Jeffwu78_2 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/19/24
“When The Gist launched, I heard one episode and called it quits. Who has time to keep up with a 30-minute daily show of news that I'm already reading on the same six news outlets that the host seems to follow? A year or so later I gave it another try and now it's the only podcast I never...”Read full review »
andersem via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/19/24
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“Other podcasts may be heavier, cohosts can certainly tip the scales, but Pesca’s in a different class. That’s why you have to use the “pound for pound” measurement. The point is THIS particular podcast us much better than your current favorite podcast.”
tampa sunshine via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/18/24
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“Awesome job, Mike! You’re a better man than me, with the patience you show with these Progressive Bozos. They’re straight up delusional. I thought the MAGA Heads were bad, but these losers are sooooooooooooooooo bad that they make Trump look decent! Keep up the good work Champ!”
frankwhitenyking via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/18/24
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“It’s a good podcast”
Jeffwinstead via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/18/24
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“I’ve always appreciated Mike’s dedication to objectivity. “Articulate” is an understatement as it pertains to his command of the English language.”
Aaron211004883 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/18/24
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“This may end up being my favorite podcast ( and I listen to a lot if podcasts). Love the humor and the culture references. Move over lexicon valley and on the media. Pesca rules! Thanks.
Updating in 2024:
Absolutely my favorite podcast and 1 of only 2 that I support monetarily. Sometimes I don’t...”Read full review »
grumpy_sleepy_doc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/18/24
“Do better”
RemyOnIce via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/05/24
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“Another amateur podcaster who doesn’t understand that it’s more important to introduce himself to the audience, then it is to start by running consecutive ads then eventually get into the introduction, followed by a bunch more ads. We didn’t join your podcast to hear ads - we joined to hear...”Read full review »
Pass by this podcast via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/06/24
“I have been a faithful listener of The Gist for about six years now. I don’t want all my information to come from an echo chamber, and I liked that Mike Pesca would sometimes present a viewpoint that challenged my own. Having said that, it feels more and more to me that he is often just playing...”Read full review »
Rollercoastercub via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/15/24
“Consistently excellent and thought-provoking even when you disagree with the host or the guests. Give it a listen or three (or 3,000) before you believe the naysayers.”
brainslikepickles via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/26/24
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“Mike Pesca is great, but I lost a lot of admiration for him when he started advertising gold. Gold, seriously?”
Mamie Ellercal via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/16/23
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“Got recommended this podcast. Where’s the substance? The discussion was so superficial and simplistic lacking any depth or nuance. Nothing of value was gained here. I feel like the host posits an idea(s) but simply never dives deeper than the surface. He seems more interested in establishing...”Read full review »
doug_e_fresh via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/14/23
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“Mike has always welcomed and thoughtfully engaged differing perspectives. In recent episodes he seems a little less dispassionate and has drop a little bit of the journalistic remove and, frankly, I love it!
I’ve been a devoted listener for the last four years and have benefited no small amount...”Read full review »
Travelnuts via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/08/23
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“Are things getting worse and worse? Is humanity doomed to extinct ourselves within a generation or two? Host Mike Pesca disagrees, and his tempered optimism and playful attitude help me preserve my mental health while also staying somewhat abreast of the news.”
Redlefgnid via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/03/23
“Smart analysis, crisply rendered — skeptical, probing, and therefore essential. (That should be enough positive adjectives for you.) Devoted listener over here.”
jamesogrady via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/25/23
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“If you challenge your beliefs, this is the podcast for you. It's smart, funny, and incredibly insightful ti the issues of our times. He challenges your beliefs, and very often challenges his own. Admitting that he is wrong sometimes is his greatest strength.
The diversity of the topics will...”Read full review »
feet from the end of the west via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/17/23
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“I enjoy Mike’s podcasts—they are the 2nd podcast I listen to almost every day (Up First being the first). He’s smart, well read, and I love his play on words. More important, I find his views as a good counterbalance to my lefty viewpoints. I appreciate his thoughtful analysis and opinions, and...”Read full review »
joelajackson via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/14/23
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“Mike Pesca carries on the tradition of balanced journalism. He challenges his interview subjects but he allows them to make their points. If you’re trying to find a podcast that educates you, challenges the consensus, without political bias—I’d recommend The Gist.”
Evilbanker via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/14/23
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“I have been listening to the Gist almost since day one. I find Mike to be a reasonable middle l-of-the-road liberal leaning person, one that is open to the opinions and feedback of others.
The Gist is part of my daily routine.”
dufflm via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/08/23
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“Airplane! Was a scene-for-scene, line-for-line ripoff of the 1957 film Zero Hour. How Mike Pesca didn’t know this and went on to fawn over the “writers” is a dereliction of (someone’s) duty.
Duty. Heh-heh.”
ipacipat via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/06/23
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“Been listening for many years. Mike’s interviewing skills are excellent. His politics are left of center but he is honest when discussing all subjects.
I would like to hear the whole story of his break with Slate.
I could do without his singing.”
Elihxc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/23
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“Not sure why I didn’t review before. I’ve been listening for many years; and missed this greatly during the hiatus. The Gist is the perfect name for this podcast. I like the intros and the spiels and the interviews which always get to the gist of the interviewee’s reason for being someone who...”Read full review »
davidcharlmers via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/23/23
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