The Gist

Donald Trump spoke for the first time since being shot. He was muted, then rageful ... as usual. We also heard from Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, and a retinue of supporters and paid employees who spoke of his kindness, politeness, and golf swing. Plus, when politicians achieve a policy goal they've long promised, they crow about it, whether they be promises kept on tax cuts, military spending, or other programs. Then there's abortion. There was a cone of near silence in Milwaukee this week about the subject, but we speak with delegates, religious leaders, and elected officials to parse the politics and tactics behind this taciturnity.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Day One of the 2024 Republican National Convention, five of the six black Republicans in congress spoke to the crowd. Burgess Owens was the sixth, and we tracked him down on the floor of the convention to hear why he, and other black men, are supporting Trump. Also on the show, misleading calls-and-response at the RNC. Plus, the unveiling of the J. D. Vance.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Day 2 of the RNC now in the rearview mirror, we will listen to Mike's interviews with Lauren Boebert and Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate David McCormick, who was in the front row of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Plus, a cute bulldog's middling political prognostication, and a breakdown of the statistics around the crime rates of unlawful immigrants versus the impact on family members of the victims of these crimes.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A run down of the major themes of Day One of the RNC, from gas prices to the many black Republicans who took the stage. Plus, JD Vance and DJ Trump are mirror images. Also, as the polarizing effect of fiery political rhetoric is blamed for political violence, we hear from dozens of Republicans who agree, deflect, deny, explain, excuse, acknowledge.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Other than political brinksmanship, the fraying of societal norms, an ocean of bad information, and nearly unchecked gun ownership, how have we arrived at this moment in which people think the way to settle an election is with an assault rifle? Mike is in Miluakee for the RNC, and he will explain. Also, we are joined by Abby Kiesa, Deputy Director at Tufts University's Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), to talk about why young people vote—or, more likely, don't vote—and why it's so hard to study. Plus, the upending of the 2024 election.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we dedicate our weekend Best Of show to an interview Mike did on Yascha Mounk’s podcast, The Good Fight. Mike is the guest in this wide-ranging conversation about media and society, and Yascha’s voice is very calming. Enjoy.  Thanks to Yascha, Brendan, and Jack at The Good Fight for letting us use their episode.  Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to our ad-free and/or PescaPlus versions of The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mike’s Substack: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gabriela Cowperthwaite and investigative reporter Nate Halverson join Mike to talk about their film about the international militias and governments waging a war for water, The Grab. Plus, Biden passes his presser, judging on the curve of his capabilities. Also, when Broadway brilliance becomes basic.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the United States, we're told that democracy is "on the ballot." But how do the very people making those claims enjoin the battle to save it? In France, they pulled back from a far right victory. We're joined by Yascha Mounk, the Editor in Chief of Persuasion, a Johns Hopkins Professor, and author of, The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New York Times front page investigation tallies up all the bird nests (nine total) and other flora, fauna, and civil war battlefields "discommoded" by launches of SpaceX rockets. We contemplate the price of progress vs. the piping plover. Plus, getting French elections shamelessly wrong, and a three-way 1950's Meet The Press-style conversion between Mike, journalist Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, and Tom Chittum, Senior Vice President of ShotSpotter, the audio detection technology that's been criticized for not providing police accurate enough information.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sadie Dingfelder (or at least someone of her general shape wearing the same outfit) is back to talk more about her research and her new book, Do I Know You?: A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory, and Imagination. Plus, the Alec Baldwin trial begins, and how the extremist MAGA Republican nominee for Governor in North Carolina didn't say the things he's alleged to have said.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The faceblind but otherwise incredibly observant Sadie Dingfelder drops by to discuss her new book, Do I Know You?: A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory, and Imagination. Plus, Joe Biden does well in interviews which seek to assure the Australian nuclear submarine enthusiast community. He also takes credit for some things he previously distanced himself from, and voters will have to decide if the content or the delivery of his arguments matter most. Also, the deal between Skydance and Paramount is a "national amusement" all its own.Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey WaraEmail us at thegist@mikepesca.comTo advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGistSubscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this installment of Best Of The Gist, a couple interviews from the vault in honor of Independence Day. First up, historian Gordon S. Wood explains why the friendship between founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams should give us hope. Then Mike talks about founding fathers’ thighs with Alexis Coe, author of You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington.  Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to our ad-free and/or PescaPlus versions of The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mike’s Substack: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices