The Gist: Today’s Show is About a Different Show That is Not About Tapirs

Release Date: April 12, 2025
Host: Mike Pesca
Producer: Peach Fish Productions

Introduction

In this intriguing episode of The Gist, host Mike Pesca delves into a meta-discussion about creating a podcast episode that is explicitly not about tapirs. Embracing the show's signature provocative and thoughtful style, Pesca navigates the challenges and humorous contradictions inherent in attempting to avoid a specific topic while inadvertently bringing it into the conversation.

Concept Exploration: The Not-About-Tapirs Show

00:00 - 01:04 | Initial Setup

The episode begins with a brief nod to the unconventional premise: producing a show that purposely avoids discussing tapirs, yet the mere act of defining such a concept makes it impossible to remain oblivious to the subject.

Colin McEnroe introduces the idea:

“We decided that we would do a show that is not about tapirs... It is specifically a show that is not about tapirs or tapirs.”
[02:35]

Team Reactions: Embracing the Absurdity

The production team grapples with the paradox of avoiding a topic that becomes a focal point by definition.

• Josh Nalea expresses strong opposition:

  “I just don't think should be on the air.”
  [04:25]

• Jonathan McNicoll shares his confusion:

  “I'm starting to get really confused.”
  [05:07]

• Josh further critiques the concept by comparing it to an episode of Seinfeld pitched to network executives:

  “As soon as you sort of, like, state your intentions to do a show that is not about something, then it becomes a bad idea.”
  [05:32]

These reactions highlight the inherent difficulty in maintaining a show centered around the absence of a topic, as the mere mention of tapirs undermines the premise.

Analogies and Reflections: Seinfeld and Beyond

Colin McEnroe draws parallels to Seinfeld's "about nothing" concept, placing the not-about-tapirs show on a spectrum of thematic focus:

“If Seinfeld were truly a show about nothing, it would be zero on the scale... we would do something that is a negative number.”
[06:00]

This analogy underscores the innovative yet flawed nature of the endeavor, emphasizing how defining a show by what it excludes can inadvertently define it by what it includes.

The Tapir Dilemma: Unintended Focus

Despite efforts to avoid the topic, tapirs inevitably surface in discussions:

“See, now, see, look what's happening. We're talking about them, Mike. We're trying to do a show that's not about them, and we're talking about them.”
[15:33]

The team acknowledges that complete avoidance is nearly impossible, leading to humorous and self-aware reflections on their predicament.

Guest Insight: Conversation with Mike Pesca

As The Gist hosts Mike Pesca, a guest appearance by himself adds a layer of meta-commentary to the episode. Colin McEnroe engages Pesca in a conversation about the challenges of avoiding a topic in podcasting:

“What if we tried to do a show that was not about a topic?... it would certainly waste the listener's time.”
[13:13]

Pesca contributes by likening the concept to improv techniques, pondering the futility and potential of creating content without a central theme. This segment deepens the exploration of thematic absence and its implications for content creation.

Satirical Commentary: The Trump Tariff Speech

In a departure from the main theme, the episode includes a satirical rendition of a Donald Trump speech addressing tariffs. This segment serves as a humorous interlude, showcasing the show's ability to critique and parody political discourse.

Satirical Trump declares:

“No other president would have done what I did.”
[19:43]

Colin McEnroe humorously analyzes the implications:

“The President has started with the truth... he got into the world trade picture.”
[20:11]

This segment satirizes political rhetoric, aligning with The Gist's tradition of reasonable critique across the political spectrum.

Conclusion: Embracing Imperfection

As the episode wraps up, the production team reflects on the experiment's outcome. Jonathan McNicoll encapsulates the experience:

“I just want to say we've afforded ourselves the option of failing during this show.”
[09:46]

Colin McEnroe acknowledges the inherent challenges:

“We can still live with that. That'll be okay.”
[10:09]

Despite the struggles, the team appreciates the humorous and thought-provoking nature of their attempt, embracing the imperfections that come with such an unconventional approach.

Key Takeaways

• Nature of Content Creation: Attempting to exclude a topic can inadvertently highlight it, making thematic absence challenging to maintain.

• Team Dynamics: Diverse opinions within the production team reflect the complexities of innovative content strategies.

• Meta-Commentary: Engaging with the concept of not focusing on something offers a unique lens through which to examine podcasting and thematic development.

• Satirical Elements: Incorporating satire enriches the episode, aligning with The Gist's mission to critique and analyze ideas thoughtfully.

Notable Quotes

• Colin McEnroe:
  “This is fundamentally different from all the other shows, ostensibly not being about tapirs.”
  [05:32]

• Josh Nalea:
  “This is the only kind of show we've ever done. We've always done shows that were not about tapirs.”
  [04:58]

• Jonathan McNicoll:
  “This moment right here is about Tierce.”
  [09:50]

• Satirical Trump:
  “I could say, here's a wall. I'm going to go through it.”
  [17:05]

Final Thoughts

The Gist successfully navigates the humorous and philosophical challenges of creating a show that intentionally avoids a specific topic. Through candid discussions, team dynamics, guest insights, and satirical elements, the episode offers a reflective and entertaining exploration of thematic absence in podcasting.

Produced by: Corey Wara & Michelle Pesca
Brought to you by: Progressive Insurance