Best Alec Lawless Podcasts (2025)

1
442 - The Substance (2024) 52:02

8h ago52:02

52:02

Full Video episode available on YouTube! Today we are talking The Substance—a bold and provocative body horror film that explores themes of identity, desire, and transformation. We're talking about the masterful performances, unsettling imagery, feminist undercurrents, and how it redefines the genre. Spoilers ahead as we dissect every grotesque twi…

1
Ian Urbina reports on the most lawless place on Earth: Our oceans 46:09

15h ago46:09

46:09

Not every journalist is willing to explore the darkest corners of humanity. It’s hard. It’s haunting. And not everyone can stomach what they would discover But Ian Urbina has made a career out of going there. In his podcast, The Outlaw Ocean, Ian explores the most lawless place on earth – the vast unpoliceable ocean. He’s back with season two where…

1
Chuck Todd and Mike Pesca Join On The Chuck ToddCast 1:04:07

2d ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Mike's Recent appearance on Chuck Todds Podcast "The Chuck ToddCast" Want to hear more from Chuck Todd? Check out his YouTube page: www.youtube.com/@TheChuckToddCastProduced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ad…

1
Funny You Should Mention: Rosebud Baker 1:08:55

3d ago1:08:55

1:08:55

Rosebud Baker joins Funny You Should Mention with the rare gift of making life’s toughest moments hilarious, and a point of view that’s inseparable from the punchline. Her Netflix special Motherlode delivers pregnancy, parenting, and political edge in one biting package. We talk about her SNL writing process and how to satirize breastfeeding pressu…

1
Pesca Plus Special: Arlie Hochschild 44:57

4d ago44:57

44:57

Today on The Gist, we are sharing a Pesca Plus episode on this Holiday to give you a taste of what you can get by being a Pesca Plus Member. Weekly longer episodes, Ad Free listening and more. Click the links below to subscribe. Produced by Corey Wara Production Coordinator Ashley Khan Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the s…

1
Unsympathetic Empathy 46:05

5d ago46:05

46:05

Veteran diplomat Stuart Eizenstat joins The Gist to discuss The Art of Diplomacy: How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements That Changed the World, drawing on his work from Camp David to Holocaust reparations. He shares what it means to practice “unsympathetic empathy,” how German officials came to see moral obligation in restitution, an…

1
Helen Lewis on Dead Parents, Paper Animals, And The Politics of Genius 46:47

6d ago46:47

46:47

Helen Lewis discusses The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea, her critique of how society defines—and distorts—the concept of genius. From Hans Eysenck’s wildly specific formula (preferably Jewish, born in February, lose a parent before age 10) to Picasso denying his granddaughter a paper animal because “this is the work of Picasso,…

1
What Could Go Right, And Why We Rarely Hear About It 38:07

7d ago38:07

38:07

Zachary Karabell of The Progress Network and the What Could Go Right podcast lays out a case for “edgy optimism,” highlighting under-covered wins in medicine, education, and public policy. From New Mexico’s universal childcare to gene therapies for sickle cell disease, he argues the problem isn’t a lack of progress—it’s our inability to notice. Plu…

1
441 - Brainscan (1994) Guest: Joe Testa 58:28

7d ago58:28

58:28

Video episode available on YouTube! Who's ready to get their Brain, Scanned??? Today we are talking the 1994 classic, Branscan, a cerebral thriller that blurs the lines between memory and manipulation. We explore the film’s haunting atmosphere, its innovative use of technology, and the standout performance that anchors it all. Join us as we discuss…

1
Movie set tragedy: Alec Baldwin, Halyna Hutchins, and Rust 38:15

8d ago38:15

38:15

On October 21st, 2021, actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing a scene for his new Western film, Rust, when tragedy struck. The gun he was holding wasn’t supposed to have live ammunition. Both the director, Joel Souza, and the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, were shot. Halyna, a 42-year-old mother and filmmaker, died. Right from the start, the …

1
The Gist List Live with Kat Rosenfield 57:43

9d ago57:43

57:43

Replay of the interview Mike Pesca did with Kat Rosenfield on The Gist List. Click the link below to subscribe for free to The Gist List. ⁠The Gist List 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.li…

1
Putting Death Metal On Your Plants Playlist: Is That Bs? 38:55

10d ago38:55

38:55

In another edition of Is That BS? Sadie Dingfelder joins to ask: is chatting with your ficus legit, or just verbal compost? The science of sound and strawberries might surprise you. Then in The Spiel, Mike breaks down Israel’s sweeping strike on Iran—targeting nuclear sites, scientists, and generals—in what may be a turning point for the region and…

1
Not Even Mad: Allison Schraeger and Matt Yglesias 1:05:45

11d ago1:05:45

1:05:45

Economist Allison Schraeger and Slow Boring’s Matt Yglesias join Mike to discuss the unrest in Los Angeles — and how to protest without giving Donald Trump a win. Then, the trio surveys the NYC mayoral mess — or, if not a mess, whatever government-run grocery stores are. Plus, the Big Beautiful Bill is only one of those things, and it’s the worse o…

1
Inside the Only Trump Trial (So Far) 55:23

12d ago55:23

55:23

New York Times reporter Jonah Bromwich joins to discuss Dragon on Centre Street: New York v. Donald J. Trump, his journalist account of the only Trump trial that resulted in a verdict. They explore how Alvin Bragg revived a politically fraught case using a little-known state election statute, and how, despite prosecutors’ storytelling edge in court…

1
The Ghost Lab — Bigfoot, Ghosts, and Government Distrust in the Granite State 40:33

13d ago40:33

40:33

Author Matt Hongoltz-Hetling returns with The Ghost Lab, a rollicking deep dive into New Hampshire’s paranormal subculture, where Bigfoot lurks behind every maple tree and alien abductees fill out grant forms. He profiles a ghost-hunting crew that includes a psychic medium, a paranormal paralegal, and a Bigfoot believer who swears the aliens took h…

1
Jay Inslee vs. the Climate Polling Problem 40:46

14d ago40:46

40:46

Former Washington Governor Jay Inslee argues Democrats can win on climate—if they frame it as jobs, savings, and health, not just apocalypse. He points to his state’s 62–38 vote preserving ambitious emissions policy, even in red counties, as proof voters can be persuaded. But national polls rank climate near the bottom of priorities, and skeptics l…

1
440 - Terrifier 3 (2024) Guest: Andy Danish 50:05

14d ago50:05

50:05

Yikes! Today we are finally getting around to talking Terrifier 3, the chilling new installment in the ultra violent cult horror franchise. We break down Art the Clown’s latest reign of terror, explore the film’s brutal kills, holiday horror twist, and what it means for the future of indie slashers. Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podc…

1
The social media influencer who controlled her follower's lives 29:12

14d ago29:12

29:12

At first, Kat Torres seemed like your average social media influencer. She was a young, Brazilian model photographed with Hollywood elites. She spoke about her life, relationships, and meditation, spouting advice from self-help books. But then, her content began to shift. She told her followers she had supernatural abilities that could change their…

1
The Gist List Live with Ben Dreyfuss 59:38

16d ago59:38

59:38

Replay of the interview Mike Pesca did with Ben Dreyfuss on The Gist List. Click the link below to subscribe for free to The Gist List. The Gist List 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.libsy…

1
Funny You Should Mention: Chris Turner 1:08:46

17d ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Comedian, freestyler, and archaeology grad Chris Turner joins the show to explain how a middle-class British kid became one of the most dazzling improv lyricists in comedy. From his early days writing one-liners to mesmerizing crowds at the Comedy Cellar with rhymes about chlamydia, Hispaniola, and Jerry Springer, Turner charts a path that makes no…

1
Lawless: A Storm of Shade and Sneering 39:34

18d ago39:34

39:34

Leah Litman, author of Lawless: The Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes, argues that originalism masks a partisan project, while critics counter that Roe’s reversal doesn't require conspiracy. Her pop culture–infused book uses The Barbie Movie, American Psycho, and Arrested Development to advance critiques o…

1
Getting on Leah Litman's Case 33:07

19d ago33:07

33:07

Law Professor Leah Litman, author of Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes argues that the current Supreme Court operates as a vessel for conservative grievance, with its most consequential 6–3 rulings forming the true shape of its ideological project. Litman insists those rulings matter more …

1
Revolutionary Fog and Folly 43:05

20d ago43:05

43:05

Pulitzer Prize–winner Rick Atkinson joins to discuss The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777 to 1780, the second volume in his Revolutionary War trilogy. He explores the crucial but often-overlooked role of France, the underestimated grit of American generals, and the British strategic failures rooted in imper…

1
Obama’s Elon 45:37

21d ago45:37

45:37

Aneesh Chopra, America’s first-ever Chief Technology Officer under Obama, joins The Gist to assess Elon Musk’s rebranded takeover of government tech via “Doge.” He outlines how the US Digital Service began under Obama, evolved during Trump’s first term, and now—chainsaw and hat aside—retains surprising policy continuity across administrations. Plus…

1
439 - Scary Movie (2000) Guest: Andrew Dimauro 38:10

21d ago38:10

38:10

Finally we are talking Scary Movie, the classic 2000 horror spoof that skewers everything from Scream to The Sixth Sense. We break down its slapstick humor, cultural references, and why it became a cult comedy classic. Does it still hold up? Tune in for laughs, nostalgia, and a look at what made this one of the greatest parody films of all time. Ap…

1
Leo Schofield spent decades in prison. Then another man confessed. 39:33

21d ago39:33

39:33

In 1987, Leo Schofield was convicted of murdering his wife, Michelle. Decades later, a different man confessed to the crime. Jeremy Scott’s DNA was found in the car Michelle was driving the night she was murdered. And yet, the state of Florida doesn’t believe either of them. Not only did Leo lose Michelle but he spent 36 years in prison for her mur…

1
Mike Stops by The Reason Roundtable 38:05

23d ago38:05

38:05

Mike joins The Reason Roundtable Podcast to talk about Trump's War on Harvard. Click here to listen to the rest of the podcastProduced 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 Subscr…

1
Ben Ansell on FAFO, FADFO, and the Myth of Immediate Consequence 44:44

24d ago44:44

44:44

Oxford political scientist Ben Ansell discusses the meme-worthy but deeply explanatory concept of FAFO—f**k around and find out—and its subtler cousin FADFO, where reckless policy choices oddly fail to produce blowback. Why bad ideas often go unpunished, from Brexit to tariffs to defund-the-police slogans and MMT. Ansell argues that liberal democra…

1
Bark Buttons: “Who Let the Dogs Talk?” 40:26

25d ago40:26

40:26

Today on The Gist: Sadie Dingfelder returns for an “Is That BS?” segment to investigate dog talking buttons—those viral gadgets that claim to give pets a voice. Are dogs actually communicating abstract thoughts, or is it all one big squeaky placebo? Then, a look at Trump’s trade policy unraveling —cue the Wall Street “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chic…

1
Tusk Talk: Why Cuomo Leads and the Subways Smell Like Sh*t 47:51

26d ago47:51

47:51

Political strategist and author Bradley Tusk joins to diagnose the 2025 New York City mayor’s race—why voters seem fine with Andrew Cuomo’s refusal to reckon with past scandals, and why the race feels like it’s happening in a parallel city only 3% of residents live in. Plus The Rehearsal, not only the best comedy on TV, makes a serious point about …

1
Pig Sacrifices and Talking Drums: Don't Squeeze the Shaman 45:33

27d ago45:33

45:33

Manvir Singh, author of Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, shares insights from a decade with Indonesia’s Mentawai people, where healing rituals double as communal celebrations. He discusses how language and metaphor shape worldviews—and where anthropology sits between science and ideology. The U.S. Mint’s final penny order closes the chapter on a c…

1
438 - Bats (1999) 35:32

28d ago35:32

35:32

Today we are sinking our teeth into Bats (1999), the creature feature where genetically modified bats terrorize a small Texas town while Lou Diamond Phillips tries to stop them. We talk 90s eco-horror tropes, unintentional comedy, government conspiracies, and why bats probably deserves better. Is it so-bad-it’s-good or just... bats? Tune in and dec…

1
Amanda Knox on what it took to reclaim her freedom 1:10:28

28d ago1:10:28

1:10:28

In 2009, Amanda Knox was wrongly convicted of the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. She should have been a footnote in a tragic story. But despite zero physical evidence linking her to the crime, she spent four years in prison. Amanda was vilified by the press and made infamous as ‘Foxy Knoxy’ in the tabloids. After eight years on trial, sh…

1
The Gist List Live w Ethan Strauss 44:05

1M ago44:05

44:05

Today on The Gist. Ethan Strauss joined Mike Pesca for a Substack Live conversation. Today we air a portion of it focusing on Caitlin Clark and shoes. You can listen to the full interview by clicking the link below. Live w Ethan Strauss Mike Pesca n' Caitlin Clark, Jayson Tatum & you Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ …

1
Funny You Should Mention: Robby Hoffman 1:11:27

1M ago1:11:27

1:11:27

Comedian, podcaster, and self-described cutie-in-her-own-way Robby Hoffman drops by to discuss her life, her comedy, and why she takes talking as seriously as any other art form. From growing up ultra-Orthodox and ultra-poor to becoming a sought-after stand-up with a Porsche no one wants, Hoffman explains how she’s thrived in disaster and learned t…

1
Realign for Palestine 39:35

1M ago39:35

39:35

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, founder of Realign for Palestine and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, joins to discuss his effort to reframe Palestinian advocacy around coexistence and accountability. He critiques both Hamas and Israel, pushes for reform within the diaspora, and draws a sharp ideological comparison between Hamas and ISIS. Plus, …

1
Not Even Mad: Eli Lake, Michael Cohen on Biden's Health, and the New Human-Rights-Free Foreign Policy 1:11:17

1M ago1:11:17

1:11:17

Eli Lake and Michael A. Cohen take stock of the Biden health debate—diagnosis, exaggeration, and whether it’s actually affected his presidency. Michael pushes back on what he calls the “decline industrial complex,” while Eli says its denial to think Biden was up to the job. Then they turn to Donald Trump’s proudly post-moral foreign policy, where h…

1
Inside the Movement to Dismantle Democracy in God’s Name 39:13

1M ago39:13

39:13

Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, explains how America’s Christian nationalist forces are exporting extremism abroad while cloaking domestic corruption in the guise of faith. Plus a suicide bombing outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic introduces the public to the dark ideology o…

1
Katherine Stewart on Christian Nationalism's Influence on Conservatism 42:32

1M ago42:32

42:32

Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, joins to discuss Christian nationalism’s influence on modern conservatism. Also, the distinction between sincere and performative beliefs in the Trump administration, especially economic fictions like tariffs not being taxes. Plus, in the context o…

1
437 - The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) 46:40

1M ago46:40

46:40

VIDEO EPISODE AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE Today we explore The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976), a chilling blend of true crime and horror. Based on the real-life Texarkana Moonlight Murders of 1946, the film walks a fine line between dramatization and documentary. We break down its unique narrative style, historical context, and lasting impact on the sla…

1
Hells Angels Hitman: The story of Canada's deadliest assassin 29:35

1M ago29:35

29:35

In 1977, the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club opened up a chapter in Montreal. One of its founding members was a man named Yves “Apache” Trudeau. Although he was quiet and diminutive, Trudeau had a knack for violence. And, before long, he had developed a reputation as a ruthless assassin. By the time his criminal career ended, he had murdered no fewer …

1
Alexa, What's with the Pope's Brother? 28:49

1M ago28:49

28:49

Today on The Gist we revisit an interview from 2017 with Lena Kahn and play a segment from this week where Mike talked abouts the new popes MAGA brother. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe…

1
Henry Abbott on the Logistics of Ballistics 43:55

1M ago43:55

43:55

Henry Abbott joins to discuss Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance, spotlighting insights from Dr. Marcus Elliott—not just about elite training, but how something as basic as learning to land can change careers and prevent lifelong injury. Plus, the three Yale professors so steeped in the study of fascism they fled to Toro…

1
Jocelyn Benson on Being a Purposeful / Purple State Warrior 48:37

1M ago48:37

48:37

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joins to discuss her new book The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High. Benson, frontrunner to become Michigan's next governor discusses the tactics she and other secretaries of state used to combat 2020 election denialism, but also her restraint during efforts to keep …

1
David Graham on The Project and the Plan to Remake American Government 41:20

1M ago41:20

41:20

David Graham author of The Project: How Project 2025 is Changing America, explains how Project 2025 seeks not smaller government, but a more obedient one—politicizing civil service, gutting regulation, and embedding a Trump-aligned worldview across federal agencies. He discusses how its authors blend sincere constitutional theory with radical insti…

1
Character Under Fire: Gen. Stanley McChrystal on the Costs of Conviction 36:34

1M ago36:34

36:34

Retired General Gen. Stanley McChrystal joins to discuss his book On Character: Choices that Define a Life, and how real character transcends grit or discipline to include values that hold under fire. Plus, Trump touches the economic stove, recoils, and suddenly recession odds drop along with tariffs rates. And from The Hague, Rodrigo Duterte wins …

1
Altman Almighty 35:43

1M ago35:43

35:43

Sam Altman’s outsize ambition and messianic optimism take center stage in a conversation with Keach Hagey, author of The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future. From failed flip-phone apps to billion-dollar AI bets, Altman emerges as one of Silicon Valley’s most effective—and unsettling—dream merchants. Plus: Trump’s flying…

1
436 - Host (2020) Guest: Mike Molino 40:30

1M ago40:30

40:30

Today we are talking Host (2020), a groundbreaking horror film shot entirely on Zoom during the COVID-19 lockdown. What begins as a harmless activity quickly spirals into terror as a demonic presence invades their homes. We explore the film's innovative use of screenlife storytelling, its timely commentary on isolation, and how it became a standout…

1
Keith Morrison on 30 years of true crime 29:02

1M ago29:02

29:02

When we started this podcast a year and a half ago, there was one name at the top of our dream guest list: Keith Morrison. For more than 30 years, Morrison has been the face – and the voice – of NBC’s Dateline, which, in some ways, is the original true crime show. In recent years, Morrison has moved into podcasting. His latest offering, Murder in t…

1
BLT: Bacon, Lettuce, and Todd 30:26

1M ago30:26

30:26

Today on The Gist we play back a section for our Chuck Todd interview that didn't make it on air and revisit a 2020 interview with Don Bacon. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Alec Lawless Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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