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What Matters Now

The Times of Israel
Israel
Hamas
Gaza
Iran
Anti-Semitism
Holocaust
Hezbollah
Zionism
United States
Antisemitism
Gaza War
Humanitarian Aid
October 7th
Israel Defense Forces
Donald Trump
Jewish Identity
Judaism
Gaza Strip
Judicial Reform
Palestinian Authority

A weekly exploration of one key issue shaping Israel and the Jewish World right now.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for What Matters Now

Latest Episodes

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Jessica Steinberg speaking with acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook.

Solomonov and Cook, the ... more

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Jessica Steinberg speaking with celebrated writer Etgar Keret.

Etgar Keret, a leading voice in Israeli literature, with book... more

YouTube

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World.

This week, we hear from former prime minister Naftali Bennett in conversation with founding editor David Horovitz and political corres... more

YouTube

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Israel Democracy Institute senior fellow Dr. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler.

Shwartz Altshuler,... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Naftali Bennett
Former Prime Minister of Israel
Former Israeli government
Episode: Naftali Bennett: This existential moment
Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
Senior Fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute
Israel Democracy Institute
Episode: Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler: How AI is poisoning the information well
Yishay Ishi Ron
Author of Of Dog; former IDF combat officer
Author, WisDog; former IDF unit member
Episode: Yishai Ishi Ron: Ex-commando writes novels about trauma and recovery
Michael Wegier
Chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews
Board of Deputies of British Jews
Episode: Michael Wegier: British Jews aren't living in fear, but they're certainly anxious
Cochav Elkayam-Levy
Member of the Civil Commission on the Crimes Committed Against Women and Children by Hamas on Oct. 7
Civil Commission / USC Shoah Foundation
Episode: Cochav Elkayam-Levy: Hamas weaponized rape and humiliation on Oct. 7
Rachel Goldberg-Polin
Author of When We See You Again, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Author, educator
Episode: Rachel Goldberg-Polin: Mother of murdered hostage Hersh 'parcels out her pain' in book
Aron Heller
Author and journalist
Author of Zaidy's Band
Episode: Aron Heller: 1.5 million-strong Jewish band of brothers
Shahar Cohen
Comic, actor and creator behind the Nofar and other characters
Independent creator in Israel
Episode: Shahar Cohen: 'My life' comic laughs about 'managing the war' with Nescafe in hand
Angela Buchdahl
Senior rabbi of Central Synagogue, author of Heart of a Stranger
Central Synagogue
Episode: Angela Buchdahl: This Passover, have faith in the story of the Exodus

Hosts

Amanda Borschel-Dan
Host of What Matters Now
Jessica Steinberg
Host of What Matters Now

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 621 ratings
  • Great Journalism

    You really know how to ask the right questions. It takes skill to even negate or to present a differing opinion with kindness and respect like you do. It’s what makes me want to listen again and again. It’s not just the news but it’s how you dialogue and that is respectable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Earth_alien
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Podcast

    Great podcast. Offers different and smart perspectives you don’t hear in North American mainstream media. Intelligent and refreshing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LarbyDarby
    Canada4 months ago
  • Hollywood movie review

    I generally find the podcast very interesting, but a podcast about movies where only one participant is knowledgeable and is explaining the movie to a novice is not interesting. The conceit is that Borscell-Dan is a “tabula rasa,” and Hoffman is the expert explaining the film to her. Ick! She’s a smart cookie as a journalist, smart enough to assign someone who loves movies to partner Hoffman. Otherwise, it is a “mansplaining” 101 venture.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    womanbyherradio
    United States8 months ago
  • Lifeline

    Amanda Borschel-Dan, Lazar B, David H, et al are top of the line podcast journalists and a lifeline to Israel in turbulent times! We tune in first thing dailyand salute their brilliance.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vincentthecat
    United Statesa year ago
  • A real pain

    The only thing this Jordan person (yeah I know who he is) said was: “Medjanik”. How does anyone Jewish and a Variety critic doing Jewish films not know the name of Majdanek?!

    Oh and he was certainly smitten with Guy Pierce. Why else in the middle of describing his antisemitism would he drop the “information” (twice) that he’s handsome? (I myself don’t particularly think so.)

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    nucuplmnjuyh
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback critiques over-format or balance when discussing sensitive topics, though overall sentiment is positive.
Audience notes the depth and nuance, with strong appreciation for the host's interviewing style.
Listeners praise the show for thoughtful questioning and respectful handling of differing views.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#235
Israel/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Naftali Bennett: This existential moment
Q: What is your plan for dealing with Gaza and Hamas, and how would you conduct a faster, decisive end to conflicts without prolonging wars?
Bennett describes a differential siege approach, isolating enemy-held areas, allowing civilians out, and 'smoking out' terrorists from tunnels, while stating a preference for swift, decisive actions that avoid prolonged conflict and reduce international risk; he emphasizes a broader strategy beyond military action, including economic and diplomatic tools.
Naftali Bennett: This existential moment
Q: What would you do practically about drafting for the military and the role of Haredim in society, and how would you handle education funding and public schools?
Bennett argues for reform that includes private schools funded by parents, a framework dubbed the Brooklyn model, a significant on-ramp to integrate Haredim through curricula that balance secular and religious studies, and a clear stance against state funding for schools that do not teach core curriculum, while expanding accessible education and practical training.
Naftali Bennett: This existential moment
Q: Going into that, when you have all of your plans, the big question is, will you have a coalition to go with that? Mansoor Abbas says he's willing to draft people to Sheirut Leumit.
Bennett states that his principles would guide coalition decisions and argues for a Zionist, Jewish-democratic state with universal draft and constitutional commitments; he suggests he would engage with parties that share core values, but not compromise on fundamental conditions, and emphasizes unity around shared democratic principles.
Matti Friedman: As Israel plays king of the castle in Lebanon, what's its endgame?
Q: Does Friedman see a realistic endgame for Israel in Lebanon in the near term?
He suggests that a realistic endgame is hard to define given the structural realities: Hezbollah's strength, Iran's backing, and the fragile Lebanese state. He warns against illusions of easy diplomatic remedies and emphasizes the need for a practical approach that acknowledges these power dynamics rather than pursuing unrealistic disarmament or purely symbolic victories.
Matti Friedman: As Israel plays king of the castle in Lebanon, what's its endgame?
Q: What is the core challenge in Lebanon today according to the guest, and what does that imply for Israel's strategy?
The core challenge is Hezbollah's entrenched control in southern Lebanon backed by Iran, with a weak Lebanese state and limited willingness or ability to disarm militias. This implies that any long-term strategy must address the Iran-Hezbollah axis, the political vacuum in Lebanon, and the difficulty of achieving durable security without broader regional diplomacy and a credible endgame beyond occupation or symbolic territorial gains.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About What Matters Now

What is What Matters Now about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on pivotal issues shaping Israel and the Jewish world, often balancing high-stakes geopolitics with human impact and historical context. Across episodes, topics routinely cover Hamas governance, Gaza humanitarian dynamics, Israeli domestic politics, memory and trauma related to Oct. 7, and the evolving role of Iran and regional players. The conversations frequently feature close reads of policy decisions, armed conflict implications, and the personal stakes for families and communities. A notable strength is the deep, evidence-based approach to complex crises, complemented by guests who bring legal, historical, cultural, and strategic perspectives. Listeners can expect rigorous analysis, candid takes from seasoned journalis... more

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Which podcasts are similar to What Matters Now?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Matters Now:

1. The Times of Israel Daily Briefing
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Unpacking Israeli History
5. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

How many episodes of What Matters Now are there?

What Matters Now launched 11 years ago and published 100 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 What Matters Now?

Recent guests on What Matters Now include:

1. Naftali Bennett
2. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
3. Yishay Ishi Ron
4. Michael Wegier
5. Cochav Elkayam-Levy
6. Rachel Goldberg-Polin
7. Aron Heller
8. Shahar Cohen

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