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The Two Matts

The New World
Donald Trump
Keir Starmer
Brexit
Labour Party
Nigel Farage
Gaza
Artificial Intelligence
Ukraine
Rachel Reeves
Iran
European Union
The New World
Populism
BBC
Israel
Elon Musk
Climate Change
NATO
UK Politics
The New European

Join The New World's Matt Kelly and Matt d'Ancona plus occasional guests for weekly chat on politics and media with a side of cultural stuff. A podcast in the spirit of the award-winning New World newspaper - irreverent, witty, surprising, argumentative ... and annoying all the right people.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesDailyEpisodes657Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsGovernment

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Artwork for The Two Matts

Latest Episodes

The Matts answer listener questions including: how can we change the system so our young people thrive; has reality TV gone too far; is Elon Musk a legend after all; why does anyone give a damn about bond markets; how does Nigel Farage get away with ... more

The Matts answer listeners' questions including: will the smear against Misan Harriman work; what will it take to get the UK back in the EU; should the Tories defer to Reform in the Makerfield by-election; and why does Eurovision hate the UK so much?... more

The Matts are joined by Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote on the day they launch their incredibly impactful, important and moving report into the plight of one million NEETs in Britain - that’s young people Not in Education, Employment or Training. It’s a... more

YouTube

The Matts speak with Misan Harriman, the chair of Britain’s largest arts and culture institution, the Southbank Centre. Misan has been under persistent attack from much of the UK’s right wing media - all for something he didn’t say. It’s an extraordi... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Peter Hyman
Former head teacher, co-author of the report
Changing the Story / One Million Futures
Episode: Britain is failing the next generation. With Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
Shuab Gamote
Researcher and author of the report
One Million Futures
Episode: Britain is failing the next generation. With Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
Misan Harriman
Artist and activist, chair of the Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre
Episode: SPECIAL with Misan Harriman: Under attack from the UK’s right wing press
Phil Tinline
Author of The Ghosts of Iron Mountain
Author, The Ghosts of Iron Mountain
Episode: Special: Exploring the Ghosts of Iron Mountain with Phil Tinline
John Kampfner
Author of Braver New World; discusses global case studies in governance and democracy
Episode: Is a brave new world possible? With John Kampfner
Alan Rusbridger
Editor-at-large at The New World; lead journalist on investigation into GB News' regulatory breaches
The New World
Episode: Inside the GB News scandal - with Alan Rusbridger
Andy Burnham
Mayor of Greater Manchester, former cabinet minister
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Episode: Andy Burnham revisited
Saul Klein
Venture capitalist and co-founder of Phoenix Court
Phoenix Court
Episode: Saul Klein: Britain can succeed - but a lot must change
Paul Mason
Contributing editor to The New World and a researcher for a think tank focused on defense and resilience.
The New World
Episode: In defence of a new Europe - with Paul Mason

Hosts

Matt Kelly
Host of The Two Matts
Matt d'Ancona
Co-host / Host of The Two Matts

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 918 ratings
  • Disappointing argument about Artemis

    I'll take the optimism right now over cynicism and pessimism. I think its more healthy. Generally a worthwhile listen but sometimes seems badly informed. The Artemis episode was like listening to a bad prolonged argument with my other half and a lots of statements about the programme were plain wrong. I'm unsubscribing for a period

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Adrian1423
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Decent podcast…terrible audio

    Lively discussion but something has changed of late and the sound quality is terrible. Matt d’Ancona sounds muffled and barely audible. Can you fix this asap?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    uncletupelo
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Worth a listen

    If only to know how highly informed and educated people end up in the cul-de-sac of confusion searching for meaning and clarity. Unintentionally amusing.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ❤️Radio4Comedy
    Netherlands3 months ago
  • D’Ancona Drivel

    The most oppressed muddled thinking I have ever heard.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ❤️Radio4Comedy
    Netherlands3 months ago
  • A PSA test is not definitive.

    Matt Ancona paints a disappointing picture of himself. Dismissing compassion is desperately sad and he seems to lack any depth of feeling towards a very young person who was deeply misguided. Owning the problem is our responsibility.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    gsbfjb
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the high-quality discussions and thoughtful debates between the hosts.
Fans appreciate the show's ability to connect politics with culture and media, while a portion of reviews call for sharper questioning of guests.
Audience comments reveal engagement with long-form format and willingness to hear contested viewpoints.
Some episodes draw criticism for sound quality and perceived bias or over-reliance on specific guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#58
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#101
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#182
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#207
France/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#68
United Arab Emirates/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Britain is failing the next generation. With Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
Q: What did you learn from talking to the young people and employers in the study?
There is a gap between what employers say they want—potential and skills—and what young people believe employers want—explicit work experience; many feel rejected and unheard, which deepens disengagement unless programs offer genuine feedback and pathways.
Britain is failing the next generation. With Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote
Q: Peter, can you start with the scale of the problem and what's going wrong?
Nearly a million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment, or training, about 14% of that age group; this is worse than in comparable countries, and the problem stems from a system that fails to turn lived experiences into effective policy and opportunities.
The Two Matts Q&A: Farage and the five million plus Palestine Action trial scandal
Q: From Ed in South Norfolk about the Palestine Action retrial and sentencing as terrorists, is this acceptable or authoritarian?
The hosts argue it raises serious concerns about natural justice and retroactive sentencing, highlighting that convictions were achieved under one framework while sentencing invoked a terrorist connection, which they see as an affront to due process.
The Two Matts Q&A: Kings good, zoos bad
Q: What is the single most extraordinary object the Matts have seen, based on a Cairo visit and Tutankhamun encounter?
The Dead Sea Scrolls in the Israel Museum are highlighted for their historical significance and emotional impact, with a vivid personal memory of viewing Tutankhamun's death mask up close in the old museum, described as an extraordinary and almost magical experience.
The Two Matts Q&A: Kings good, zoos bad
Q: What are the political risks of constant Starmer criticism, and is there an alternative that could be more constructive?
They discuss being fair to Starmer while acknowledging concerns about constant bashing; there is a tension between critical scrutiny and maintaining credibility without alienating voters, with some critique of the media's handling of the narrative.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Two Matts

What is The Two Matts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on UK politics, media, and cultural commentary, driven by sharp banter between two veteran hosts. Episodes frequently dissect leadership dynamics, party strategy, media behavior, and policy debates, while sprinkling broader cultural observations. Notable strengths include high-caliber debates with guests ranging from researchers and authors to public figures, and a knack for turning current events into long-form, idea-driven conversations. The show often blends rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, making it appealing to listeners who enjoy principled argument, insider context, and candid assessments of political trends. A few standout formats include deep-dive specials, Q&A sessions, and cross-topic episodes ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Two Matts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Two Matts:

1. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
2. Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards
3. Oh God, What Now?
4. Quiet Riot
5. The News Agents

How many episodes of The Two Matts are there?

The Two Matts launched 9 years ago and published 657 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Two Matts?

Recent guests on The Two Matts include:

1. Peter Hyman
2. Shuab Gamote
3. Misan Harriman
4. Phil Tinline
5. John Kampfner
6. Alan Rusbridger
7. Andy Burnham
8. Saul Klein

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