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What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Slate Podcasts
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
ICE
Iran
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Artificial Intelligence
Supreme Court
Portland
Prince Andrew
Congress
Data Centers
Venezuela
Virginia
Immigration Policy
Social Media
Minneapolis
Antifa
Protests
Government Shutdown

The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning. Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonu... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2405Founded8 years ago
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News

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Latest Episodes

Can a Republican Lieutenant Governor be reborn as a Democratic Governor? After failing to create a GOP 2.0, and being harried by Trump for admitting Biden won Georgia in 2020, Geoff Duncan has changed sides—and many of his old political positions.   more

In the early 2020s, Microsoft committed to buying 75 million tons of carbon removal—somewhere between 70 and 90 percent of the entire carbon removal market. But the company just announced it was putting that ambition on pause.. 

Guest: Robinson Meye... more

One of independent journalism’s success stories and most charismatic advocates stops by to answer the question: “If journalism is so great, how did all of THIS happen?” 

Guest: Amy Goodman, executive producer and host of Democracy Now!. 

This episo... more

This week marks the beginning of the jury trial between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. There are massive implications for the A.I. industry here, but at the end of the day, the question might just boil down to - who do people dislike more?

Guest: Gerrit ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Aisha Harris
Critic and host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR
Episode: Michael Jackson: Too Big to Fail
Sara Fisher
Media correspondent at Axios
Axios
Episode: How Mark Zuckerberg Finds Your Perfect Pair of Shoes
Jeet Heer
National affairs correspondent
The Nation
Episode: SchadenFriday: Cabinet Crashouts
Philippe Sands
Professor of Law at University College London
University College London
Episode: Why International Law Can’t Stop Trump
Ben McKenzie
Actor and director of Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Director, Everyone Is Lying to You for Money (film)
Episode: Everyone Is Lying to You For Money
Christopher Hale
Author of The Letters from Leo Substack, on Pope Leo XIV and politics
Letters from Leo / Substack
Episode: You Come at the Pope, You Best Not Miss
Asawin Suebsaeng
Senior political correspondent
Zeteo
Episode: Does JD Vance Have the Juice?
Ibram X. Kendi
Author and historian focused on racism and antiracism
Chain of Ideas, How To Be An Antiracist, Stamped From The Beginning
Episode: They Came For Ibram X Kendi. He’s Still Here.
Andrew Marantz
Staff writer at The New Yorker who researched and reported on Sam Altman and OpenAI
The New Yorker
Episode: Who is Sam Altman Anyway?

Hosts

Mary Harris
Host of What Next, providing daily insights and analysis on current events.
Lizzie O'Leary
Host of What Next TBD, and other Slate podcasts, contributing to daily news analysis.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • Yes Mary, push back harder! that’s what we want to see.

    Finally an episode (Roblox) where I genuinely saw real push back by the reporter/interviewer against the hypocritical stances of their guests. I hope to see more of this going forward bc I think this is a great way to get individuals to not only explore their own belief systems but to be more willingly to hear and accept others.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    E. Nicks
    United States2 months ago
  • Irritated

    I wanted to get through an episode to hear the topic, but the laughing during the announcing of serious news threw me off.

    Don’t get me wrong. I laughed when I talk as well, but I’m not reporting on our slide into authoritarianism. I hope the hosts read this comment and make a shift.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    garzangelica
    United States2 months ago
  • Hard to listen to

    Luke Willie talks like a 15 year old teen. Like, like, like, you know, you know, you know. Can’t this be fixed????

    Slate is trash .

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    StillWater1
    United States2 months ago
  • Hockey culture wars

    This person is insane haha I’m all for hockey getting every single person who’s interested in the game involved and welcomed but the NHL for all its faults has been significantly more embracing of the gay community than any other major league. Also seems this person is totally unaware of Carl Nassib who’s probably the most important name in this topic. Good work 👍🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sicknasty95
    United States2 months ago
  • Bonus preview

    I don’t care for teasers trying to get my money.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Vitamin_D
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the show's focus on timely, relevant topics, offering diverse expert insights into complex issues.
Overall, the informative nature of the podcast seems to provide substantial value to its audience, making it a go-to for understanding current events.
There are criticisms regarding the host's interviewing style, which some find flippant or dismissive towards serious subjects.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#145
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#71
Indonesia/News
Apple Podcasts
#134
Ukraine/News
Apple Podcasts
#239
Finland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why So Many Believe the WHCD Shooting Was Staged
Q: Can you walk me through the evidence some people are using to justify their belief that this is staged?
Sommer explains that supporters seize on perceived inconsistencies, such as timelines, door security, and symbolic cues, while also noting that many of these claims rely on interpreting videos, social posts, and unverified accounts rather than verifiable facts.
MAGA's A.I. Schism
Q: How would you describe the conservative Christian view on AI?
There is a spectrum among conservative Christians, with some located in rural, skeptical stances resisting tech influence, and others trying to balance protection of children with pragmatic use of AI, though the most extreme view that technology is a demon is not the majority.
Michael Jackson: Too Big to Fail
Q: In the meantime, as this movie has been made, do you know what's been happening with Michael Jackson's accusers and the lawsuits?
Harris describes ongoing legal actions by accusers, noting there have been new public accusers and silent settlements by the estate; the battles continue in court, with a broad strategy to manage reputational and financial consequences while the public conversation evolves around new media coverage and legacy management.
Michael Jackson: Too Big to Fail
Q: Can you tell me the story of how the movie Michael came to be in the first place?
Aisha Harris explains that the project arose after the Leaving Neverland controversy, with the estate pushing forward on a film that could reframe Michael's story while avoiding the most explosive allegations, and notes the involvement of notable talent and the decision to end the film around 1988 to focus on his independence from his father.
SchadenFriday: Cabinet Crashouts
Q: Final question, which former politician was caught on surveillance for smoking crack with his girlfriend at the Vista International Hotel, leading to a dramatic arrest and later re-election?
The correct answer is Marion Barry, the longtime Washington, D.C. mayor, whose 1990 sting and arrest became a defining political moment.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About What Next

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

This daily news and analysis show offers listeners concise insights into current events, breaking down complex topics and providing clarity amidst the overwhelming flood of information. Each episode addresses pressing news stories, featuring expert guests who contribute depth and perspective on various issues, ranging from politics to cultural phenomena. Unique in its approach, the show invites listeners to engage thoughtfully with the news rather than just consume it passively, aiming to empower its audience to understand and respond to the latest developments with informed awareness.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for What Next. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to What Next and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does What Next get?

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How many subscribers and views does What Next have?

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Which podcasts are similar to What Next?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Next:

1. Today, Explained
2. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
3. The Daily
4. Consider This from NPR
5. What A Day

How many episodes of What Next are there?

What Next launched 8 years ago and published 2405 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact What Next?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for What Next?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for What Next from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on What Next?

Recent guests on What Next include:

1. Aisha Harris
2. Sara Fisher
3. Jeet Heer
4. Philippe Sands
5. Ben McKenzie
6. Christopher Hale
7. Asawin Suebsaeng
8. Ibram X. Kendi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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