We conclude our conversation with Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee, authors of In Covid's Wake, exploring how political structures—not just bad actors—amplified the crisis. Plus, revisiting a 2021 Washington Post article that sided with YouTube's removal of a DeSantis-hosted panel questioning masking for young children. And in "The Spiel", a probe of what experts must do to recover lost public trust, especially when once-dismissed claims turn out to be plausible. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at <a href= "mailto:thegist@mikepesca.com">thegist@mikepesca.com</a> To advertise on the show, contact <a href= "mailto:sales@advertisecast.com">sales@advertisecast.com</a> or visit <a href= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist">https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist</a> Subscribe to The Gist: <a href= "https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/">https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/</a> Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g</a> Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/?locale=en_US%2Cen_GB%2Cen_US%2Cen_GB%2Cen_US%2Cen_GB%2Cen_US%2Cen_GB&hl=am-et">GIST INSTAGRAM</a> Follow The Gist List at: <a href= "https://mikepesca.substack.com/">Pesca</a> <a href= "https://mikepesca.substack.com/">Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href= "https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

Punchlines and Straw Men

For thirty minutes each day, Pesca challenges himself and his audience, in a responsibly provocative style, and gets beyond the rigidity and dogma. The Gist is surprising, reasonable, and willing to critique the left, the right, either party, or any idea.