Christian Duguay Brings the Valley Heat
The Gist
Christian Duguay, creator of Valley Heat, breaks down how Doug Duguay, his in-show alter ego, works within a 51% fictional universe. Tight sound design and ad-jingle microplots create an absurd world populated with Canadian foosball biker gangs and rogue car washes. Duguay traces the show’s improv roots and why “I’ll take that” became its guiding ethos. Plus: RFK Jr. claims that CDC director Susan Monarez once admitted, “I am untrustworthy.” And in the spiel, Charlie Kirk’s killer has his first court appearance, as the administration all but declares war on leftists. Produced by...
info_outline
Garrett Graff: “Russia Sought Division More Than Victory”
The Gist
Garrett Graff, host of the Long Shadow podcast, argues that Russia’s 2016 interference was about sowing distrust in U.S. democracy—weakening Clinton if she won, or destabilizing the system either way. He revisits the Access Hollywood–email leak overlap, the forgotten U.S. warning about Russian meddling, and how other nations have since borrowed the playbook. Also: JD Vance’s opportunistic definition of “the far left,” an Oval Office push for troops in Memphis, and a Booker–Kash Patel shouting match. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us...
info_outline
Garrett M. Graff on “Long Shadow” and the Internet’s Descent Into Outrage
The Gist
Writer and historian Garrett Graff discusses the fourth season of his podcast Long Shadow, which charts how the internet devolved from a tool of hope to one of outrage and division. He traces that shift to specific corporate choices—especially Facebook and YouTube prioritizing profit by feeding anger and conspiracy. Graff argues that these unregulated algorithms weaponized existing political fractures, often exploited by bad-faith actors like Russia’s Internet Research Agency. Also: reflections on Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s Sunday-show interviews and the futility of legacy media...
info_outline
Mike Pesca on The Good Fight Club
The Gist
Today on The Gist, we air some of Mikes appearance on The Good Fight Club Podcast. Please note that this was recorded on September 10th, before the shooting of Charlie Kirk. You can listen to the rest of the podcast using the link below. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at To advertise on the show, contact or visit Subscribe to The Gist: Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: Follow The Gist List at:
info_outline
Bill McKibben: “Energy From Heaven, Not From Hell”
The Gist
Bill McKibben discusses his new book Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization, making the case for renewables as civilization’s best hope. He has long argued that we can’t save the planet without a massive overhaul of how we live, but here he answers a challenge to whether that was ever right. McKibben dismisses geoengineering as “junkie’s logic,” yet warns it may be forced if clean energy isn’t embraced quickly. Plus, a reflection on cycles of American political violence—reminders that past eras were bloodier, and that public...
info_outline
Aaron Sibarium on Charlie Kirk, Retribution, and the Cycle of Violence
The Gist
Aaron Sibarium of the Washington Free Beacon reflects on his recent full-hour interview with Charlie Kirk, which aired just a week before Kirk’s assassination. He recalls Kirk’s reach across conservative factions and his surprising focus on debate and voter mobilization rather than pure outrage. The conversation widens to the risks of political violence, misperceptions between parties, and how quickly rhetoric escalates online. Plus, a Spiel on what might finally break the cycle of fear hatred and likely recrimination. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email...
info_outline
Ryan Evans on Drones, Ground War, and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival
The Gist
Ryan Evans, founder of War on the Rocks, breaks down the grinding land war in eastern Ukraine, the tactical role of drones, and how morale and leadership shape the battlefield. He points to Zelensky’s missteps, the weapons still needed, and what “winning the ground” really means. Also: Russia sends drones into Poland, forcing Trump into a test of NATO resolve with Putin watching every move. Plus, for Pesca Plus subscribers, a conversation on Gaza. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at To advertise on the show, contact...
info_outline
Nim Shapira: Torn Between Empathy and Erasure
The Gist
Filmmaker Nim Shapira discusses Torn, his documentary on the hostage posters put up—and torn down—across New York after October 7th. He reflects on free speech, empathy, and why erasing someone else’s pain won’t shorten a war. Also: a protest in Nepal over a social media ban topples the prime minister. Plus: Israel’s strikes on Hamas leaders in Qatar, where trust craters—and Israel puts its trust in craters. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at To advertise on the show, contact or visit Subscribe to The...
info_outline
Christine Wenc: The Onion’s Straight Face Made It Funnier
The Gist
Christine Wenc joins to discuss Funny Because It’s True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire, recalling its Wisconsin roots, AP-style discipline, and newsroom battles over absurd details. She traces the paper’s arc from gas-station rent money to online cult influence, and the tension between preachiness and bite. Plus, the Ambazonian separatist movement run from Minneapolis, and a court ruling upholding E. Jean Carroll’s $83 million judgment against Donald Trump. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at To advertise on the show,...
info_outline
Immigration, Nuance, and a Leonhardt Vault Cut
The Gist
It’s the Saturday Show: one from the week, one from the vault. Mike revisits his take on immigration—spurred by a CNN piece and a Pesca Profundities post—arguing the media too often flattens a hard issue into easy labels. Courts have now allowed parts of Trump’s approach, forcing a distinction between “shameful” and “unconstitutional.” From the vault, David Leonhardt on why Democrats’ stance can sound like “more is good, less is racist. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at To advertise on the show, contact...
info_outlineToday on The Gist, we air some of Mikes appearance on The Good Fight Club Podcast. Please note that this was recorded on September 10th, before the shooting of Charlie Kirk. You can listen to the rest of the podcast using the link below.
The Good Fight Club: Russian Drones in Poland, Low Literacy in Schools, and Can Anyone Rein in Trump?
Produced by Corey Wara
Production Coordinator Ashley Khan
Email us at [email protected]
To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist
Subscribe to The Gist: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/
Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g
Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: GIST INSTAGRAM
Follow The Gist List at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack