The Gist

Exactly how many black men are killed each year by law enforcement? How many are unarmed? In the wake of Ferguson, it was difficult for journalists to get precise answers to these questions. On The Gist, Reno News & Review editor D. Brian Burghart talks about Fatal Encounters, his project that attempts to crowdsource a national database of deadly police force. Then, John Pollack, author of Shortcut, explains the elegant power of analogies. For the Spiel, tax rates. Are they too low or too high? Mike says that’s the wrong question to be asking. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent article for The New Republic, Tom A. Peter explains why he considers war reporting no longer worth the risk. On The Gist, we ask him and his war correspondent peer Carmen Gentile to discuss how they decide when it’s worth risking everything for today’s news consumer. Plus, we explore The Language of Food with Dan Jurafsky. For the Speil, Mike’s hacked the news with a little boy-yoy-yoing. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, in anticipation of Sunday’s climate march, Bill McKibben joins us for a round of “One Question, One Question Only.” He’s the author of Oil and Honey and founder of 350.org. Then, musician Xavier Dphrepaulezz has finally found his voice as Fantastic Negrito. We’ll hear how he got here, and a few tracks from his EP. For the Spiel, Mike reclaims the word radio. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Police drummer Stewart Copeland talks about creating a new score for the 1925 silent film Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Then, Slate’s Emily Bazelon sizes up children’s books about bullying written by professional athletes. The assigned reading list we gave her includes Knuckleball Ned by R.A. Dicky, Bogy Tees Off by Dottie Pepper and Not Cool To Bully in School by Milan Lucic. Our own recommended reading list includes Sticks and Stones by Emily Bazelon, Ben Rides On by Matt Davies and By My Brother’s Side by Tiki Barber. For the Spiel, talking about the weather can save lives. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, comedian Jen Kirkman explains what it’s like to defend her decision not to have kids. She’s the host of the I Seem Fun podcast and author of I Can Barely Take Care of Myself. Plus, Ted Kaye joins us for a vexillology corner about the upcoming Scottish vote. For the Spiel, we play a game called “Find the Faux Fellow Forthwith.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Riveted author Jim Davies explains the cognitive science behind what we find compelling. Plus, author Ken Follett explains his methods for holding interest through thousand-plus-page novels. His latest is Edge of Eternity. In both of our interviews today, Mike asks a question inspired by Alex Blumberg’s new podcast StartUp. For the Spiel, Mike explores the history of the culture wars in America. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, we call up Scottish schoolteacher and blogger Craig McAllister to discuss the big choice facing Scotland this week. Since we spoke with him on an earlier episode, he’s now a decided “yes” vote. Then, Storm Large from Pink Martini joins us to discuss her career and identity as a female performer. Her new album is Le Bonheur. For the Spiel, Mike’s riff on President Obama’s ability to place himself in the position of his enemies. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Adam Davidson from Planet Money explains why dollar stores are way less evil than Wal-Mart. Plus, Slate’s Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer Swinger Ex-Boyfriend. And in the Spiel, Ira Glass dances his way into our hearts. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did the office of the president work with TV networks to make Obama’s ISIS address visually stunning? Today on The Gist, Josh King from Polioptics explains how the White House can be used as a Hollywood soundstage. Plus, professional wrestler Shawn Daivari explains how 9/11 made his career as a heel possible. For the Spiel, Mike is outraged that the NFL is positioning Ray Rice as a lesson, rather than a failure. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How appropriate were the measures taken against Ray Rice? Today on The Gist, learn why lethality indicators are essential for prosecutors trying domestic abuse. Attorney adviser Christopher Mallios from AEquitas explains how prosecutors approach domestic violence. Then, Slate’s John Dickerson joins us to explain how public opinion has changed regarding U.S. involvement in the Middle East. For the Spiel, how the NFL’s womanless culture makes horrendous decisions when it comes to women. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the first archive edition of The Gist, a collection of our favorite Hitler material. First, Mike asks Ron Rosenbaum about how a genocidal monster is formed and if the Holocaust would have happened without him. Ron’s the author of Explaining Hitler: The Search for the Origins of His Evil. For the Spiel, Dru Johnston reads his essay “I Think I Should Get More Credit for Killing Hitler” from the Occasional. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking a note from Mike’s hairline (zing!), Slate is on retreat today. On The Gist, popular podcast host and historian Dan Carlin tells us about greatest retreats in history from Genghis Khan to Napoleon. Then we revisit a segment with comedian Gary Gulman about how even the smallest word choice matters when crafting a joke. For the Spiel, an early proto-spiel from 2008, first heard on NPR’s Morning Edition. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NFL player Nate Jackson’s league health insurance ran out a few days ago. Today on The Gist, we’ll review what health concerns many former players tackle after leaving the game. Plus, author Dana Goldstein explains what’s keeping the American education system so average. For the Spiel, a new lobster of the antentwig. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, cellist Maya Beiser tells us how her rebellious streak led her out of the classical concert hall and into the arms of classic rock. Her new album is called Uncovered. Also, political scientist Jay Ulfelder explains his efforts to quantify all the trouble in the world. For the Spiel, how the phrase “I have yet to meet the person … ” works as an indicator of ignorance. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does Anna Karenina look like when you read Tolstoy? Today on The Gist, book cover designer Peter Mendelsund explains how we turn what we read into sensory material. His new books are What We See When We Read and Cover. In the Spiel, how the U.S. is losing a war of words when it comes to ISIS. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the best chess players in the world face off at the Sinquefield Cup, what can be done to bring the sport back to the Fischer era? Today on The Gist, we speak with Ken Regan about how he’s working to keep the world’s greatest board game above board. Then, in our regular segment “Is This Bulls--t,” Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker makes a case against the power nap. For The Spiel, Mike doesn’t want to hear about your receiver. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On The Gist, Adam Davidson from Planet Money explains what tax inversions tell us about cooperate taxes. Plus, Slate’s Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer Young and Restless. For Mike’s Speil, he looks at the relationship between first names and successful careers in politics. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, a voice you couldn’t mistake for anyone else. Mike speaks with comedian Gilbert Gottfried about his attraction to old showbiz and his Amazing Colossal Podcast. For the Spiel, Mike’s jazzed for the ABC primetime special on Schoolhouse Rock. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republicans, like all marketers, want to reach Latinos. Or do they? On The Gist, Victoria DeFrancesco Soto from the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs explains how the GOP varies its approach for courting Latino votes during midterm elections. Plus, Anya Ulinich shares how her experiences with online dating influenced her graphic novel Lena Finkle’s Magic Barrel. For the Spiel, the conservative’s tendency to seek out a counter example whenever racial injustice is reported. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Gist, we say hello to Yo founder Or Arbel. He’ll explain why the app is no joke, especially if you find yourself in Israel. Then, Mike speaks with Gordon Witkin, the executive editor of the longform investigative journalism outlet Center for Public Integrity. For the Spiel, can’t we ask women a better question than “What are you wearing?” If you want to get a daily notification from our show, download the Yo app and send a yo to “Podcast.” Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices