Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan was unexpected. Accused of recklessness, dissuaded by Biden, cheered by McConnell, it was risky. What's the possible reward? We are joined by Asia experts Neil Thomas from The Eurasia Group and Professor David Kang from USC, for an extended discussion on what the heck Nancy was doing. And while Madame Speake ... Show More
Sep 4
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 history. Patel charts his transition from NYU finance major to stand-up comic, breaking down his shifting phil ... Show More
55m 14s
Sep 2
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, founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, who reflects on her son's murder by ISIS in 2014, the institu ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 31
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 the show's chaotic premise, where comedians are transformed by high-end VFX makeup and prosthetics without know ... Show More
25m 56s
Jul 2022
Will Speaker Pelosi go to Taiwan? If she does, how will China react?
As Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi departs for her trip to Asia, Fareed asks Adm. Mike Mullen (Ret.), former Joint Chiefs Chairman, if she will visit Taiwan and how China might react. Pivoting to the war in Ukraine, Fareed asks Mullen if Kyiv can be successful in its attempts t ... Show More
40m 28s