The Gist

Today on The Gist, James Ledbetter from Inc. and Panoply's new Inc. Uncensored podcast sizes up presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. What was her impact on Hewlett-Packard, and does business experience translate to success in politics? For the Spiel, there's a lot of money in politics, but is it yogurt money or potato-chip money? Today's sponsor: Stamps.com. Buy and print official U.S. postage right from your desk using your own computer and printer. Right now, get a no-risk trial and a $110 bonus offer by going to Stamps.com and using the promo code THEGIST. And: 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 bucks. 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 http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, Artie Lange shares how he's developed his comedy around personal stories and failures. He's in the new film Laugh Killer Laugh, directed by Kamal Ahmed. For the Spiel, it's time to name our Lobstar of the Antentwig. Today's sponsor: Shari's Berries. Treat your mom to something sweet this Mother's Day with a gift from Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate start at $19.99. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. And by the Netflix original documentary series Chef's Table. Go inside the lives and kitchens of six of the world's most renowned, international culinary talents. All episodes now streaming on Netflix. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, former Rep. Barney Frank explains how he was able to be so frank and still survive in Congress. His new autobiography is Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage. For the Spiel, Mike points out the only time we ever note raids taking place. Today's sponsor: Shari's Berries. Treat your mom to something sweet this Mother's Day with a gift from Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate start at $19.99. 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 http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, Mark Leibovich from the New York Times discusses why Americans seem to dislike bald presidential candidates, yet love bald eagles. He's the author of Citizens of the Green Room, and a new host of the Panoply program Podcast for America. (He is also bald.) Plus, Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker explains the fine line between good stress and bad stress. For the Spiel, remembering Jack Ely and his mumbly "Louie Louie."

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Today on The Gist, author Zoe Cormier explores the science behind the trinity of human pleasures. She's the author of Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science. For the Spiel, Mike discusses how we discuss the Baltimore riots. Today's sponsor: Shari's Berries. Treat your mom to something sweet this Mother's Day with a gift from Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate start at $19.99. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. And by CVS Health, where health is everything. CVS is working to save thousands of lives, one pill at a time. Visit cvshealth.com to learn more. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, John Curtice from the What Scotland Thinks blog explains why Scottish nationalist politics are generally trending left, while much of Europe's nationalist movements shift right. Plus, Dan Pashman from The Sporkful vets Mike's soupspoon theories, and brings along his trongs. For the Spiel, exploring why we talk about certain victims of the Nepalese earthquake and not others. Today's sponsor: Shari's Berries. Treat your mom to something sweet this Mother's Day with a gift from Shari's Berries. Fresh berries dipped in chocolate start at $19.99. Visit berries.com, click on the microphone, and use the code GIST. And by the Netflix original documentary series Chef's Table. Go inside the lives and kitchens of six of the world's most renowned, international culinary talents. All episodes now streaming on Netflix. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, professional storyteller Matt Dicks speaks with the winner of our storytelling challenge. Did we make the right pick? Hear our entries from yesterday's Gist here. Plus, Emily Yoffe of Slate's Dear Prudence column advises a dad whose unavailable father serially dates young women in impoverished countries. Should the dad cast his father in a second act—as a grandfather? For the Spiel, Mike remembers Long Island's notorious Nassau Coliseum with Brian Koppelman from the Moment and Peter Thomas Fornatale. Today's sponsor: The Great Courses, engaging audio and video lectures taught by top professors. Courses like "The Skeptic's Guide to American History." Right now, get 80 percent off the original price when you visit thegreatcourses.com/gist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, professional storyteller Matt Dicks is here to coach one lucky Gist listener. We'll review some favorite entries and discuss what kind of action and resolution help a story stand out. Tune in tomorrow to hear whom we've selected as our winner. For the Spiel, Mike stumbles upon an event for Thomas' English muffins. 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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Today on The Gist, it's an episode that comes from the gut. First, reporters Erin Quinn and Chris Young of the Center for Public Integrity explain how companies have exploited a decades-old loophole in FDA approval of new food additives. Their article is called "Why the FDA Doesn't Really Know What's in Your Food." And, in another installment of "Is That Bulls--t?" Mike asks Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker if the science backs up the hype around healthy bacteria. For the Spiel, Mike quacks a joke. Today's sponsor: Stamps.com. Sign up for a no-risk trial and get a $110 bonus offer, when you visit Stamps.com and enter promo code TheGist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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Today on The Gist, Marc Caputo from Politico's Florida Playbook discusses Jeb Bush, who might be challenging the belief that candidates have to swing to the right to appeal to primary votecrs. Then, author Laura Silver traces her family history through the so-called Knish corridor of Eastern Europe. She's the author of Knish: In Search of the Jewish Soul Food. For the Spiel, why the name Gary will soon be extinct. Today's sponsor: Stamps.com. Sign up for a no-risk trial and get a $110 bonus offer, when you visit Stamps.com and enter promo code TheGist. Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at http://www.slate.com/gistplus.

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