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Artwork for What Matters Now

What Matters Now

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded10 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 author and scholar Dara Horn.

Horn visited ToI's Jerusalem studio while on ... 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 author Yishay Ishi Ron.

Ishi Ron's award-winning 2023 book, "Dog," is about an Israeli comba... more

YouTube

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring one key issue currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, founding editor David Horovitz speaks with CEO of the British Board of Deputies Michael Wegier.

Wegier has been the CEO ... more

YouTube

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring one key issue currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World. This week, host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaks with legal expert Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy.

Almost immediately following Ha... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib
Head of Realign for Palestine, project of the Atlantic Council
Atlantic Council / Realign for Palestine
Episode: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Hamas triggered the Iran war. Now it may outlast the Islamic Republic
Matti Friedman
Author and journalist; expert on Lebanon and Israel
Author of Out of the Sky; journalist for Times of Israel
Episode: Matti Friedman: Israel's forever wars in Lebanon

Hosts

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

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 612 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 Statesa month 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
    Canada3 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 States7 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
#72
Israel/News
Apple Podcasts
#158
Argentina/News
Apple Podcasts
#222
Brazil/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Yishai Ishi Ron: Ex-commando writes novels about trauma and recovery
Q: Let me ask you a question. What was the timing of the translation in terms of the book's reach?
The English translation followed after October 7th, which amplified interest and connected the story with a wider Jewish and diaspora audience.
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib: Israel has re-embraced Hamas rule in Gaza
Q: You are saying that you believe that Israel is reluctantly embracing Hamas at this point?
Israel is managing a tenuous, uneasy peace with Hamas, maintaining control over parts of Gaza while avoiding a full-scale invasion, largely due to strategic considerations and the broader regional context. The situation is framed by containment, fear of escalation, and a desire to avoid reopening multiple fronts.
Haviv Rettig Gur: Political footballs and politicians' fumbles
Q: How does the Haredi draft issue affect party coalitions and voter behavior?
The discussion explains that the Haredi draft is a central fault line impacting coalition viability, with broader implications for welfare state allocations and party strategy, including how leaders balance promises to the Haredi community against broader national priorities.
Haviv Rettig Gur: Political footballs and politicians' fumbles
Q: What are the main personality dynamics shaping this fantasy football lineup and which figures could shift the balance?
Haviv highlights leadership personalities, loyalties within coalitions, and the strategic placement of candidates like Eisenkot, Bennett, and Lapid, noting how public perception and religious-secular divides influence voter alignments and potential coalition stability.
Haviv Rettig Gur: Political footballs and politicians' fumbles
Q: Do you think the elections will be at the end of October?
Haviv explains that in a parliamentary system the timing is uncertain but suggests October is plausible, with volatility driven by coalition dynamics and potential off-ramps related to budget and governance, making the wait-and-see approach a realistic posture for many parties.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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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 10 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. Yishay Ishi Ron
2. Michael Wegier
3. Cochav Elkayam-Levy
4. Rachel Goldberg-Polin
5. Aron Heller
6. Shahar Cohen
7. Angela Buchdahl
8. Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib

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