The Gist

On today’s episode, Mike Pesca talks with Mark Leibovich about politicians leaving Congress for on-air punditry. He then talks with Maria Konnikova about what personality quizzes really tell us. And today's Spiel centers on whether it’s time for Americans to give Monica Lewinsky a break. Get notified as soon as The Gist posts each weekday: http://www.slate.com/gistemail. Music: "Eclosion" by Salmo “Readers! Do You Read?” By Chris Zabriskie “Power Glove” by C. Scott "Kosmiche Slop" by Anenon "Divider" by Chris Zabriskie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 6, 2014: Mike Pesca talks with Russia expert Strobe Talbott about Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on free speech in Russia. Then, a talk with the author of the book Taming Lust, about “crimes against nature” in colonial America. And why tiny Moldova should be worried about Putin too. Get notified as soon as The Gist posts each weekday: http://www.slate.com/gistemail. Music: "Eclosion" by Salmo “Readers! Do You Read?” By Chris Zabriskie “The Great” by Broke For Free” “Power Glove” by C. Scott Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike talks with Slate's Dahlia Lithwick about today's Supreme Court decision allowing explicitly Christian prayers in public meetings. Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad then turns the tables and interviews Mike about how he came to host his own show. And finally, we end with The Spiel, Mike's daily take on…something.  Today's Spiel is about the promise of living forever, thanks to new insights from rat blood. Get notified as soon as The Gist posts each weekday: http://www.slate.com/gistemail. Music: "Eclosion" by Salmo "Enjoyable to Know” by C. Scott “The Great” by Broke For Free “Power Glove” by C. Scott "Against the Wall" by BoxCat Games Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Pesca gives a little preview of his new daily show, debuting May 5, 2014 on Slate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices