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Artwork for What Matters Now

What Matters Now

The Times of Israel
Israel
Hamas
Gaza
Iran
Anti-Semitism
Holocaust
United States
Hezbollah
Zionism
Antisemitism
Gaza War
Humanitarian Aid
October 7th
Israel Defense Forces
Donald Trump
Gaza Strip
Jewish Identity
Judaism
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 deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign for Palestine, an Atlantic Council p... more

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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 The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur.

With the sudden death of US Sen. Li... more

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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 Deborah Gilboa, MD, an expert in resilience and navigating change.

The Pittsburgh-based fa... more

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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

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Ask Haviv AnythingHaviv Rettig Gur

Recent Guests

Haviv Rettig Gur
Senior analyst and host of Ask Haviv Everything Because He Knows Everything
The Times of Israel
Episode: Haviv Rettig Gur: Why is Israel still the first campaign stop for wannabe US presidents?
Dr. Deborah Gilboa
Physician and resilience expert
Episode: Dr. Deborah Gilboa: The neuroscience of resilience
Steve Cook
Co-owner of CookNSolo Restaurants, Israeli cuisine advocate
CookNSolo Restaurants
Episode: Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook: The Israeli food we serve tells our story
Michael Solomonov
Chef, co-owner of CookNSolo Restaurants
CookNSolo Restaurants
Episode: Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook: The Israeli food we serve tells our story
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

Hosts

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

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 622 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 States3 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 States9 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
#109
Israel/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas still holds two million hostages
Q: Do you think Turkey's praise for his appointment signals genuine international legitimacy or is it more of a pragmatic stance given regional dynamics?
The situation likely blends diplomacy and realpolitik; Turkey's stance reflects contemporary regional alignments and the broader effort to engage with Hamas despite its isolation, rather than a straightforward endorsement of a democratic process.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas still holds two million hostages
Q: And we saw the announcement of the new leader of Hamas. Do you think it was truly an election or more of an appointment?
Honest speculation suggests a mix of both, with some Hamas-style influence shaping the outcome; the hawkish wing appears to have asserted control, indicating a leadership change more of an appointment with coercive influence than a clean democratic process.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas still holds two million hostages
Q: Let's begin with the protest, which was at the end of June. When you heard that this was going to take place, were you in any way encouraged by the force of will to have such a protest after such a long time under Hamas rule and terrible conditions?
Protests against Hamas are not surprising given the long-standing grievances; Gazans are fed up and want change, but Hamas has become highly organized and capable of mobilizing security and intelligence resources to quell dissent, making organic protests essential for effectiveness.
Dr. Deborah Gilboa: The neuroscience of resilience
Q: Can resilience be taught or prescribed like a medical intervention?
Yes, resilience can be cultivated through deliberate practice of eight skills, with emphasis on managing emotions, setting boundaries, building connections, and aligning actions with meaningful goals.
Dr. Deborah Gilboa: The neuroscience of resilience
Q: What is resilience?
Resilience is a sociological and neurochemical concept defined as the ability to navigate change toward a positive goal, and it can be learned and strengthened through eight core skills.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. For Heaven's Sake
3. Ask Haviv Anything
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. Unpacking Israeli History

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. Haviv Rettig Gur
2. Dr. Deborah Gilboa
3. Steve Cook
4. Michael Solomonov
5. Naftali Bennett
6. Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler
7. Yishay Ishi Ron
8. Michael Wegier

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