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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
Haredi Community
Judicial Reform

The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for What Matters Now

Latest Episodes

Welcome to "A Mandatory Listen," a new weekly podcast in which The Times of Israel deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan asks the big questions facing Israel and the Jewish people.

For this inaugural episode, who better to ask "Is the IDF justified in ... more

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

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 the head of the Israel Democracy Institute, Yohanan Plesner.

As millions of Israeli voters... 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 the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, Jonathan Greenblatt.

As antisemitism surges worldwi... more

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Recent Guests

Yohanan Plesner
Head of the Israel Democracy Institute
Israel Democracy Institute
Episode: Yohanan Plesner: 3 existential issues facing Israel’s voters
Jonathan Greenblatt
Head of the ADL (Anti-Defamation League)
ADL
Episode: Jonathan Greenblatt: Surging antisemitism brings ADL to a moment of reckoning
Richard Priem
CEO of Community Security Service
Community Security Service
Episode: Richard Priem: The ‘age of security’ has ended for US Jews
Dan Ben-David
Professor, head of the Shoresh Institute, economist at Tel-Aviv University
Shoresh Institute, Tel-Aviv University
Episode: Dan Ben-David: Israel is on the brink of a spiral of collapse
Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz
Head of the Religion and State Program at the Israel Democracy Institute
Israel Democracy Institute
Episode: Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz: Nothing is black and white in Israel's religious societies
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

Hosts

Amanda Borschel-Dan
Host of What Matters Now; Senior journalist at The Times of Israel
Jessica Steinberg
Host of the episode, introducing and guiding the conversation; journalist

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 629 ratings
  • Antizionist Comments in bad faith

    Ignore the bad ratings - it seems the antizionists tell whatever lies they can to libel Israel when the rest of us want to listen to podcasts such as this to be able to form our own opinions or better, just find out more without passing judgement. Well done ToI for a great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    747461:+(£
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • 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 States5 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
    Canada6 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 Statesa year 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the calm, nuanced interviewing style and rigorous questioning.
The show is described as a trusted lifeline for Israel-related news and analysis by many listeners.
Guest variety and depth are frequently praised, with insightful takes on current events.
Some comments note perceived bias from certain guests or topics, highlighting polarization in feedback.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#90
Israel/News
Apple Podcasts
#183
Norway/News
Apple Podcasts
#212
Argentina/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas is to blame for October 7 and Gaza's ‘collateral damage’
Q: How do you view the role of media and documentary narratives like NAZA in shaping perceptions of both sides?
Ahmed criticizes biased portrayals and stresses the need for balanced scrutiny of all parties' actions, including Hamas and Israeli forces. He advocates for a broader, more robust dialogue that questions sources, seeks airtight evidence, and avoids one-sided storytelling that entrenches hostility, while acknowledging the value of press freedom and open discourse.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas is to blame for October 7 and Gaza's ‘collateral damage’
Q: Your surprising defense of Netanyahu in light of the UAE and regional warnings—how do you reconcile that with your broader critique of Israeli leadership?
Ahmed explains that his critique is not a blanket defense of any single leader, but a distinction between analyzing strategic decisions and assigning blame for pre-existing conditions. He argues the UAE warning narrative is often overstated and stresses the importance of looking at broader geopolitical goals, such as normalization efforts, rather than letting a single incident define judgment.
Jonathan Greenblatt: Surging antisemitism brings ADL to a moment of reckoning
Q: Is anti-Zionism anti-Semitism according to the ADL?
Yes, anti-Zionism is considered anti-Semitism when it negates Jewish self-determination or targets Jews as a group; intent can be mixed, but the impact and pattern still translate to anti-Jewish hate.
Richard Priem: The ‘age of security’ has ended for US Jews
Q: Tell me about Krav Maga and how it applies on campus.
Krav Maga is used as part of a broader training that includes de-escalation and security awareness, giving student leaders practical tools to plan events, manage access, communicate emergency procedures, and reduce the risk of disruption or targeted harm.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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 program consistently centers on high-stakes issues shaping Israel and the Jewish world, spanning security, politics, demographics, and cultural identity. Episodes frequently feature analysts, policymakers, and high-profile journalists who unpack complex dynamics—from community safety models and governance challenges to diaspora relationships, AI policy, and food as cultural diplomacy. A standout thread is thoughtful, in-depth dialogue that connects on-the-ground realities with broad societal implications, often highlighting resilience, ethical considerations, and pragmatic paths forward for communities under pressure. The show tends to favor nuanced perspectives, rigorous questioning, and expert guests who illuminate underexplored angle... 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. 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. Yohanan Plesner
2. Jonathan Greenblatt
3. Richard Priem
4. Dan Ben-David
5. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz
6. Haviv Rettig Gur
7. Dr. Deborah Gilboa
8. Steve Cook

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