The Gist

On The Gist, comedy writer and radio personality Andy Breckman tells Mike about the dog-eat-dog world of the game industry and shows us his latest card-game creation: Shit Happens. For the Spiel, a focus group with voters in a galaxy far, far away… why do they support Jabba the Hutt?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy National Limerick Day! (We’re sorry.) On The Gist, NPR’s David Folkenflik joins us to explain why he thinks the media failed the general public this year. He’s the author of Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires. For the Spiel, will Donald Trump be able to get the GOP’s buy-in?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is watching too much porno addictive? And why don’t we say “porno” anymore? On The Gist, Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker explains what evidence we have about the validity of pornography addiction. She’s the author of The Confidence Game, and you can read her essay about pornography research in Aeon. For the Spiel, Mike reveals his unfair advantage when it comes to political things—remembering them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, an elephant news roundup. Then, Scott Hutchison from the indie rock band Frightened Rabbit joins us to discuss their new album Painting of a Panic Attack. The band is currently on tour, and you can visit their website for tour dates. For the Spiel, what is the likelihood of a Brexit?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, has conventional become synonymous with lame? Mike’s advice for Hillary Clinton. Then, Kembrew McLeod discusses the musical legacy of the Blondie album Parallel Lines, and offers connection between teen pop and punk in the 1970’s. He’s the author of Blondie's Parallel Lines (33 1/3). For the Spiel, we will not allow members of the media to get away with saying, “Donald Trump is executing a pivot.” Let’s begin the #contradictionnotpivot movement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, director Rob Reiner join us to discuss his latest film Being Charlie, which indirectly tells the story of his son’s battle with drug addiction. It was written by Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, with co-writer Matt Elisofon. For the Spiel, it’s time for another Lobstar of the Antentwig. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to Donald Trump, our guest says we need to set up FEMA tents to distribute all the blame that deserves to go around. On The Gist, Jonah Goldberg from the National Review joins us to discuss why many conservative pundits and thinkers have used Trumps popularity as an excuse for overlooking his issues. For the Spiel, renaming the lame duck period of the presidency.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, it’s May 4th so... may the fourth be with you. Yes, that’s a Star Wars pun to help introduce you to our guest legal scholar Cass Sunstein. He’s the author of The World According to Star Wars, now available for preorder. For the Spiel, the return of the Trump Anxiety Hotline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, on the wake of the sentencing of Sheldon Silver, we explore the connection between corrupt politicians and bodily corruption. Then, Mike interviews Robert Mrazek, a former Democratic member of the House of Representatives who represented New York's 3rd congressional district for most of the 1980s. He wrote and co-directed the new film The Congressman. For the Spiel, the endorsement that certainly will not knock out Trump’s chances at the Republican nomination.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Chuck Todd has HAD IT with Ted Cruz. We’ll hear what that sounds like. Then, a look at some lasting lessons from the Bernie Sanders campaign with BuzzFeed’s White House correspondent Evan McMorris-Santoro. He’s the host of the new podcast No One Knows Anything. For the Spiel, the icky coziness of the White House Correspondents dinner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They say no one ever remembers the second man who walked on the moon. That’s so not true! On The Gist, octogenarian Buzz Aldrin steps into our studios to discuss his unique life story and the future of international space travel. His new book is called No Dream Is Too High: Life Lessons From a Man Who Walked on the Moon. For the Spiel, why the NFL and ESPN networks should stop tut-tutting Miami draft pick Laremy Tunsil. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, comedian and journalist Faith Salie shares her journey to becoming a recovering approval addict. Her new memoir is Approval Junkie: Adventures in Caring Too Much. For the Spiel, what dirty politicians have in common with a woman on the beach wearing a loose bikini top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Jacob Weisberg helps present favorite moments from the first month of Slate’s Trumpcast. First, he talks to journalist Mark Leibovich about Donald Trump’s transition into a more tolerable candidate. Then, we ask clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis about narcissistic personality disorder and how he would treat Trump. To close out the episode, Hanna Rosin of Slate’s DoubleX Gabfest and NPR’s Invisibilia gives her mom a call to ask a simple question: Mom, why are you voting for Trump? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, we discuss the connection between infrastructure and money with Justin Fox from Bloomberg View. Then, Noah Charney explains why the art of Hieronymus Bosch is so hauntingly freaky. He’s the author of The Art of Forgery: The Minds, Motives and Methods of the Master Forgers. For the Spiel, inside the so-called “so-called Acela primary.” There’s no Gist Wednesday, but we’ll be back with a normal show on Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, we make a deal with Ted Cruz. Then, futurist Brian David Johnson joins us from the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University. He’s currently on tour asking about the future of the American Dream. For the Spiel, is Bernie behind because poor people don’t vote? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, music writer Chris Molanphy guides us through the purple rain. We’ll remember Prince’s impact on the Billboard chats over the course of his career. Chris writes Slate’s Why Is That Song No. 1 column. He recently wrote about Prince for Slate: “How Prince Ruled the Charts in the ’80s—Even When His Name Wasn’t on the Songs.” For the Spiel, where should we draw the line when it comes to how we treat our prisoners? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Josh King answers our question about President Obama’s visit with King Salman of Saudi Arabia. He was our guest earlier this week, and he’s the author of Off Script: An Advance Man’s Guide to White House Stagecraft, Campaign Spectacle, and Political Suicide. Then, Meg Jacobs joins us to discuss the lasting political legacy of the ’70s gas crisis. She’s the author of Panic at the Pump: The Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s. For the Spiel, the president who was usurped off the $20. It’s not who you might think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Bernie Sanders part of a long Democratic tradition of progressive insurgency? On The Gist, Slate’s Jamelle Bouie explains the shifting politics of the Democratic party. Read his front-page story, “There Is No Bernie Sanders Movement.” For the Spiel, how to interpret your changing life expectancy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker explains why our growing motivational industry needs some oversight. She’s the author of The Confidence Game. For the Spiel, the lasting impact of the 1994 crime bill on today’s candidates and voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On The Gist, Mike offers keen insight into Sheldon Silver. Then, which Republican presidential nominee is nailing visual optics? Josh King joins us to explain why the visuals and headlines are becoming increasingly important for political campaigns. He’s the author of Off Script: An Advance Man’s Guide to White House Stagecraft, Campaign Spectacle, and Political Suicide. For the Spiel, the Google Play app introduces Mike to ’90s agro anthems. Listen to find out what happened next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices