The Gist

On The Gist, professional storyteller Matthew Dicks tells a story to demonstrate how to tell better stories. We'll learn why it's important to give your story a setting in the physical world. He's the author of The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs. You can listen back to all the past appearances in our storytelling series here on Soundcloud. For the Spiel, happy manipulating with air bag manufacturer Takata. The Gist and Story Collider Event, Jan 15: Coming up on Friday, Jan. 15, our host Mike Pesca and listener Frank Kennedy will be live onstage as part of the Story Collider STEM FEST. Visit the Story Collider website for tickets and more information about the lineup. Slate Plus members are invited to a free happy hour before the show. RSVP here.

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On The Gist, how significant is the impact of the shale revolution on the international oil markets? We ask Robert Weiner, professor of international business at George Washington University. For the Spiel, Mike wonders what we should call the armed protesters who took over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. The Gist and Story Collider Event, Jan 15: Coming up on Friday, January 15th, our host Mike Pesca and listener Frank Kennedy will be live on stage as part of the Story Collider STEM FEST. Visit the Story Collider website for tickets and more information about the lineup. Slate Plus members are invited to a free happy hour before the show. RSVP here. Today's sponsor: Texture, the mobile app that lets you tap directly into the world's most popular magazines using your phone or tablet. Dive deeper into Vogue, People, Esquire, Time—with interactive content for a richer reading experience. Try Texture for free at Texture.com/gist.

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This year, many of us were consuming the same big songs at the same time. On The Gist, music writer Chris Molanphy explains how 2015 continues a modern trend toward a shared pop music monoculture. Chris writes Slate's Why Is This Song No. 1 column, and for more 2015 analysis you can check out his contribution to The Music Club, 2015. For the Spiel, favorite ideas and sentences of the year. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, Gretchen Rubin explains what self-knowledge has to do with forming lasting habits. To identify your core tendency, try filling out her quiz here. She's the author of Better Than Before and hosts the Happier Podcast, a fellow member of the Panoply network. For the Spiel, please indulge our host in a particularly self-indulgent meditation on simplicity. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, Dan Pashman from The Sporkful podcast explains the food science behind why we're more in the mood for a lemony Blood Mary this week instead of a creamy glass of eggnog. If you're going to serve eggnog anyway, there's a great recipe for Puerto Rican eggnog from The Sporkful here. For the Spiel, an issue in American life that is terrorizing us. Spoiler—it's terrorism.

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On The Gist, the big news from Zimbabwe. Then, Mike asks Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker what can be done to fight off a common cold. Maria's new book The Confidence Game is now available for preorder. For the Spiel, we welcome friendly carolers into the studio to perform a new holiday classic. Today's sponsor: Make holiday shopping easier with the Slate Gift Guide, a curated collection of products selected by Slate editors and writers. These are the things that most improved our lives this year, wrapped up in one guide for you. Find something for everyone on your list at picks.slate.com.

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On The Gist, a look back at major news stories made possible by data leaks and analysis. Too bad there's no award for data … or is there? Jody Avirgan from the FiveThirtyEight podcast What's the Point joins us to share the winners and losers of various data-related awards for 2015. For the Spiel, we're all a bunch of stinking political hypocrites. Today's sponsors: Harry's, the shaving company that offers German-engineered blades, well-designed handles, and shipping right to your door. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code THEGIST. Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99, are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just $10. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, Mike has a song in his heart about Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Listeners sensitive to Mike's singing should tune out around 25:40. But first, has conceal-and-carry helped armed civilians defend themselves against criminals with guns? It turns out this happens. Our guest John Lott is the president of the Crime Prevention Research Center. He's the author of More Guns, Less Crime. For the Spiel, if you like Star Wars films then you'll definitely like Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Today's sponsors: Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99, are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just 10 bucks. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. Bonobos. Discover the difference an expertly crafted, better-fitting wardrobe can make. For a limited time, all new customers can get 20 percent off their first order by going to bonobos.com/gist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, music writer Chris Molanphy explains what's made Adele's new album 25 an epic success. It is her voice or the cult of Adele? Chris writes Slate's Why Is This Song No. 1 column. For the Spiel, a Bruce Springsteen bootleg features a very special holiday preamble. Today's sponsors: Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99 are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just $10. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. Make holiday shopping easier with the Slate Gift Guide, a curated collection of products selected by Slate editors and writers. These are the things that most improved our lives this year, wrapped up in one guide for you. Find something for everyone on your list at picks.slate.com. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at slate.com/gistplus.

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On The Gist, a few glib chortles are exchanged about the venerable institution of New Yorker cartoons. Director Leah Wolchok joins us to discuss her film Very Semi-Serious. For the Spiel, wouldn't it be great to live in the world that the Republican candidates have been telling us about? Today's sponsors: Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate, starting at just $19.99 are a great last-minute gift, and double your berries for just $10. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. Give the gift of Slate Plus to another Slate fan in your life and she'll receive all the benefits of membership: ad-free podcasts, bonus podcast segments, access to our ambitious, multipart Slate Academies, and so much more. No wrapping required! Give Slate Plus today. Visit slate.com/giveplus

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