Freakonomics Is Basically a Peanut Butter Cup

Today on The Gist, guest host Bryan Greene kicks off our rotating host lineup with a dive into the Peach Fish archives. First, Mike Pesca dissects the political baggage hiding inside state anthems, from Maryland's pro-Confederate fight song to why West Virginia's "Country Roads" ...  Show more

Today on The Gist, guest host Bob Garfield replays an interview with prison reformer Vincent Schiraldi about his book, Mass Supervision: Probation, Parole, and the Illusion of Safety and Freedom. Schiraldi discusses his time running Rikers Island, explaining that the jail faces i ...  Show more

In 2005, two men named Steven and Stephen published the quintessential airport book. In 2022, two men named Mike and Peter started a whole podcast just to make fun of it.

Thanks to Ted Joyce and Ames Grawert for helping with the research for this episode!

On our website and in our app, “The Economist explains” is one of the best-read features. Today we invite a few of their authors to keep explaining. What is tranq dope? Why did France get so het up about bedbugs (06:48)? Can superstars’ stadium shows actually affect inflation (11 ...  Show more

Dunkin' with Duncan subs for a worldly traveling Smug, Dems reelect Schumer and Pelosi to lead them, Warnock's extremism, McGrath's Super PAC scam, and Senator Brian Schatz gets stuffed in a locker. Ruthlesspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a ...  Show more

In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz discuss the intersection of fast food culture and politics, focusing on Donald Trump's recent campaign event at a McDonald's. They explore the nostalgic and humorous aspects of Trump's persona, his ability to connect with ...