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Josh Voorhees breaks down Rex Tillerson’s unexpected—and unconvincing—press conference, during which he denied he threatened to quit but didn’t deny calling Trump a “moron.”

Julia Turner, Stephen Metcalf, and Dana Stevens discuss the new film Battle of the Sexes, the life and work of Tom Petty with Hit Parade's Chris Molanphy, and the mind of John McPhee with The New York Times Magazine's Sam Anderson. Segments: Battle of the Sexes: 2:25Tom Petty: 20:16John McPhee: 38:36Endorsements: 55:43

Jacob Weisberg checks back in with Yascha Mounk about the state of liberal democracy in America and abroad.

Before the Cold War, the president spent most of his time focusing on long-term problems facing the nation. But ever since Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president has had to devote more time to immediate crises than overarching strategy. Author Jeremi Suri explains how the office of the president has changed so drastically—and whether there’s any way for occupants to succeed now. Suri’s new book is The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office.In the Spiel, more ways to think about gun reform. 

Y.A. fiction writer and advocate for the disabled Maggie Faid joins Prudie to consult on matters of wedding guests, grief, and giving iPads to strangers. Should I tell my best friend how sad I am that she can’t come to my wedding? My sister tells everyone she lost a child, but I don’t think a miscarriage counts. A stranger got mad at me for not letting her kid play with my iPad – did I do something wrong? Can I tell my brother not to spank his children when my kids are around? Is it self-serving to offer condolences to someone I hardly know? Hear more Prudence by joining Slate Plus: Slate.com/Prudiepod.

Josh Voorhees takes a look at the big question that remains in the wake of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas: that of the gunman’s motive.

After parking in front of a garage, John received a note written in Spanish.Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/podcastsplus. Twitter: @lexiconvalleyFacebook: facebook.com/LexiconValleyEmail: lexiconvalley@slate.com

On The Gist, we’re thinking about the mass shooting in Las Vegas and the errors we make when we attempt to explain the motives of an attacker. Author Masha Gessen says it’s all part of our desire to reassure ourselves that we won’t fall victim to a bomb blast or a spray of bullets. “As soon as we find an explanation, we set it aside and we’re reassured that it’s not going to happen to us.” Gessen went in search of an explanation for the Boston Marathon bombing in her book, The Brothers. She’ll be back soon to talk about her latest book, The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia. In the Spiel, Mike found the perfect metaphor for our familiar reaction to a mass shooting. 

Stefan Fatsis and Josh Levin discuss the shifting politics of the NFL protests with Jamil Smith. Bloomberg View’s Joe Nocera also joins to discuss the FBI investigation of NCAA basketball, the Ringer’s Ben Lindbergh previews the baseball playoffs.NFL protests (2:24): Jamil Smith joins for a conversation about how NFL owners have tried to co-opt players’ protests for racial equality. FBI vs. NCAA (23:46): Joe Nocera comes on the show to break down the FBI’s investigation into the nexus between shoe companies, assistant coaches, and college basketball players. Why is the federal government sticking its nose into college hoops now, and can anything good come out of this inquiry. Baseball playoffs (41:11): Ben Lindbergh joins to discuss some of the postseason’s top contenders, among them the Cleveland Indians, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Washington Nationals, and the Houston Astros.Afterballs (56:42):

Josh Voorhees tells you what we know—and what we don’t—about last night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.

On this season on Working, Jacob Brogan talks to the team behind DC's Batman comic book. He'll be speaking to the penciler, colorist, editor, and more. In this episode, Jacob sits down with Dean White, a freelance colorist, who recently worked on DC's All Star Batman.  They talk about how he went from a traditional painter to a digital colorist, the joy of collaboration, and his three step process he uses when choosing colors.

Jacob Weisberg is joined by Studio 360's Kurt Andersen and Slate's Mike Pesca live in our Slate Brooklyn office to talk about Kurt's latest book Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire.This was recorded as a part of IAB's Leadership Dialogues.

Felix Salmon of Fusion, political risk consultant Anna Szymanski, and Slate Moneybox columnist Jordan Weissmann, discuss:Taking part of Eminem’s music public with guest Justin Kalifowitz of Downtown Music PublishingBondholders of Puerto Rican debtThe ousting of Wolfgang SchäubleOn Slate Plus, we continue talking to Justin about music rights and the streaming industry.Check out other Panoply podcasts at panoply.fm.Email: slatemoney@slate.comTwitter:@felixsalmon, @Three_Guineas, @JHWeissmannProduction by Daniel Schroeder

Virginia Heffernan talks to Politico's Josh Dawsey about Jared's private email use in the White House and the strange story behind how that story leaked.It's Pledge Week here at Trumpcast. Sign up for Slate Plus by going to Slate.com/TrumpcastPlus.

Charlatans and magical thinkers aren’t new to this country; they helped shape it. So goes the thesis of Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire. Author Kurt Andersen joins Mike to consider religious quacks, the wackadoodles of the left and right, and the shrinking authority of the academy. Andersen is the host of Studio 360. In the Spiel, we’re long overdue for another Lobstar.