Mickey Bergman, who negotiates the release of political prisoners, returns to explain how freeing hostages from the world's most hostile regimes runs entirely on emotional intelligence, not geopolitical leverage. He walks through two cases — using Bill Richardson's death to unlock a Venezuelan prisoner release, and a single carefully orchestrated meeting with Myanmar's military junta leader. Bergman also discusses the Gilad Shalit exchange that put Yahya Sinwar back in circulation. Plus, Mike updates the March Madness bracket with injury news: Ali Larijani is out for the tournament. And in the Spiel, why Burger King's Baba O'Riley rebrand is less a comeback than a confession. Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠<a class="c-link" href= "mailto:thegist@mikepesca.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "mailto:thegist@mikepesca.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-haspopup="menu">thegist@mikepesca.com</a> For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at <a class="c-link" href="https://www.mikepesca.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://www.mikepesca.com/" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://www.mikepesca.com/</a>⁠ For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠<a class="c-link" href="https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/</a> For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List <a class="c-link" href="https://mikepesca.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://mikepesca.substack.com/" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://mikepesca.substack.com/</a> Follow us on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube <a class="c-link" href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram <a class="c-link" href= "https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/</a> X <a class="c-link" href="https://x.com/pescami" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://x.com/pescami" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://x.com/pescami</a> TikTok <a class="c-link" href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist</a> To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠<a class="c-link" href= "mailto:ad-sales@libsyn.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "mailto:ad-sales@libsyn.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-haspopup="menu">ad-sales@libsyn.com</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠<a class="c-link" href="https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link= "https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist" data-sk= "tooltip_parent">https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist</a>

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