The Gist

David Glasgow, legal scholar focused on diversity and equality strategy, and Kenji Yoshino, law professor specializing in civil rights, discuss reframing DEI as Equality. They debate backlash legitimacy, warn against forced diversity statements, and call for systemic debiasing. They urge expanding the tent to working-class and faith communities and designing universal programs that address real harms.

Kenji Yoshino, NYU constitutional law professor who champions 'leveling,' and David Glasgow, NYU Meltzer Center director focused on practical DEI strategies. They debate reframing DEI from 'lifting' to 'leveling.' Short takes cover legal limits on affirmative action, blind auditions as a leveling win, and concrete tools like structured interviews and transparent criteria.

Ethan Strauss, host of House of Strauss and media commentator, joins Mike Pesca for a spirited conversation about Eileen Gu. They probe why mainstream U.S. coverage is overwhelmingly positive. Short takes explore Gu's polished image, youth culture's response, media reluctance to treat her story as geopolitics, and how endorsements and Chinese state narratives shape the conversation.

Alex Roarty, a Notus political reporter who covers campaigns and elections, surveys the 2026 midterm landscape. He dissects what counts as a 'quality' Democrat today. Short takes on Maine and Texas Senate primaries, a MAGA challenge to Thomas Massie, and how the attention economy now acts as a gatekeeper.

Kat Rosenfield, author and critic known for sharp cultural commentary, helps cut the ribbon on a new Museum of Bad Ideas. They dissect Harvard's proposed A+ amid rampant grade inflation. Short takes cover the customer-service model of higher education, rising competition over distinction, and the loss of student resilience.

Stuart (Stu), an aspiring DJ and former music journalist now in law/human rights, asks how to break in. Tom Nash, Australian DJ and founder of Starfuckers, shares craft, resilience, and practical tips. They discuss what separates true DJs from hobbyists. Conversations cover reading the room, building a night, dealing with setbacks, and marketing your first shows.

Charles Duhigg, investigative journalist and author known for work on habit and organizational behavior, explains why building local networks beats one-off mobilizations. He contrasts decentralized chapter models with centralized litmus-testing, examines how MAGA created durable local infrastructure, and explores why broad-tent organizing wins over purity policing.

Rui Teixeira, political commentator and host of The Liberal Patriot, offers heterodox takes on American politics. They debate the scalpel (targeted reform) versus the chainsaw (big disruptive moves). Conversations cover why maximalist tactics mobilize more than they organize, the trap of purity politics, and how objectivity is being rebranded in modern journalism.

Ben Terris, Washington correspondent for New York Magazine, breaks down reporting on President Trump’s 2026 health and White House dynamics. He recounts Oval Office access and doctors’ talking points. He explores explanations for visible signs like bruises and nodding off. He describes loyalty-driven praise and the surreal feeling of a team insisting the president is superhuman.

Jonah Goldberg, conservative commentator and editor-at-large at The Dispatch, and Joe Nocera, veteran business journalist and senior editor at The Free Press, unpack the Epstein files fallout in the UK vs US. They spar over whether Democrats are structurally equipped to win and critique legacy news strategies, from Wordle-driven growth to The Washington Post’s struggles. Plus rapid-fire cultural gripes and media oddities.