Mike Pesca

Mike Pesca is an American radio journalist and podcaster based in New York City. He is the host of Slate magazine’s daily podcast, The Gist

Guest Appearances

August 30, 2018

Negin takes a break from the weekly news grind to deliver an episode that packs a punch! An all-star cast joins Negin for a Labor Day chat about unions, a debate on tipping and some tips on how to argue. The panel includes Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Stephanie Butnick (Unorthodox), MC Frontalot (Question Bedtime), Mike Pesca (The Gist), Benari Poulten (The Nightly Show) and Scott Blakeman (Laughing Liberally).

This episode is sponsored by ChefSteps (www.chefsteps.com/joule code: FAKE), Pluto Pillow (www.plutopillow.comcode: FAKE), and Pact (www.wearpact.com code: FAKETHENATION).

July 26, 2018

Journalist Mike Pesca (The Gist) and rapper MC Frontalot (Question Bedtime) join Negin to chat about Michael Cohen’s secret recordings of Trump. Then, the panel delves into Trump’s plan to give billions in aid to farmers hurt by tariffs and they take a closer look at the impact of the tax cuts. But first, the panel asks some basic economic questions: What are tariffs? Why do farmers need aid? Should we be worried about the national debt? Lastly, they chat about small acts of kindness and Negin shares why planting flowers brought her closer to her neighbors.

 

This episode is sponsored by Psyonix and SugarBearHair (www.sugarbearhair.com/FAKE).

April 5, 2018

Negin takes a break from the political maelstrom to blow off steam with some of her favorites, including a surprise cameo by comedy podcast legend Paul F. Tompkins (SPONTANEANATION)! Other panelists in the mix include Rory Albanese (The Daily Show), Mike Pesca (The Gist), Scott Blakeman (Laughing Liberally), Seema Iyer (The Bollywood Lawyer), and Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi (Throwing Shade). They gab about how to have a good relationship, why being blunt can be useful, and how thinking like an old person could make you happier.

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh (www.hellofresh.com code: FAKE30) and Forto Coffee (www.fortocoffee.comcode: FAKE).

January 11, 2018

Rory Albanese (The Daily Show) and Mike Pesca (The Gist) join Negin to talk about Michael Wolff’s new book, “Fire and Fury.” Then the panel asks: if Oprah ran for President, would she win? Lastly, they try to make heads or tails of Trump’s public DACA meeting with Congress.

This episode is brought to you by Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: FAKE15) and Ellevest (www.ellevest.com/fake).

November 6, 2017

We’re joined by a very famous guest… or, rather, his father was famous. He seems okay. It’s Pulcifer the Unassuming.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Pulcifer the Unassuming: Mike Pesca
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Producers: Arnie NiekampEvan JacoverRyan DiGiorgi
Editor: Chris Rathjen
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

This episode is brought to you by War Dragons (www.wardragons.com/MAGIC), Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: TAVERN), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/CHUNT).

May 19, 2017

Ana Marie Cox (With Friends Like These) and Mike Pesca (The Gist) join Negin to break down the week’s particularly dizzying news cycle. They get into the Comey paper trail, the new special prosecutor and Trump’s possible obstruction of justice. Plus, with so much going on in the West Wing, it can be difficult to keep up with non-Trump news. Fear not! Negin has a roundup of important stories you may have missed, from the resignation of the Census Director to Jeff Sessions’ mandatory minimum directive, and the Supreme Court’s rejection of the North Carolina Voter ID Law. Lastly, they hop on a phone call about polyamory with a man who is on his second open marriage.

This episode is brought to you by FilterBuy (www.filterbuy.com/FAKE) and Aaptiv (www.aaptiv.com code: FAKE).