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What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Slate Podcasts
Donald Trump
Iran
ICE
Trump Administration
Artificial Intelligence
Republican Party
Minneapolis
Democratic Party
Data Centers
Supreme Court
United States
Immigration Policy
Venezuela
Hollywood
Renee Good
Congress
Gaza
Virginia
Ukraine
Openai

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes2455Founded8 years ago
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News

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Artwork for What Next

Latest Episodes

Well, the movement to change society so it stops heating up the world didn’t take, so now we need to figure out how to change society to deal with a hotter planet. That means new forms of insurance, new models for construction and—yes, looking at you... more

The Supreme Court wrapped up a year of giving Trump and the Republican Party nearly everything they could want. And even in the final, birthright citizenship case, what is remarkable is not that Trump lost, but how close he came to winning that one t... more

The Gilded Age has nothing on the present when it comes to a huge—and growing—portion of wealth being controlled by a smaller and smaller group of men—and they’re doing their best to keep it that way. Must everything that goes up come down?

Guest: P... more

How far does Zohran Mamdani’s political approach and appeal carry beyond liberal strongholds in city centers? 

Guest: Perry Bacon, staff writer at The New Republic and host of the TNR show Right Now With Perry Bacon. 

Want more What Next? Subscribe... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Perry Bacon
Staff writer at The New Republic and host of the TNR show Right Now With Perry Bacon
The New Republic
Episode: Here Come the Socialists
Cory Doctorow
Author of The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI
Electronic Frontier Foundation (contextual)
Episode: A.I. Enshittifies Everything
Tommy Vietor
Host of Pod Save the World; former diplomat/policy commentator
Pod Save America / Pod Save the World
Episode: No One Knows the Truth About the Iran Deal
Reverend Jeff Hood
Priest, activist against the death penalty
Execution Intervention Project
Episode: The Return of the Firing Squad
Maurice Chammah
Staff writer at The Marshall Project; author
The Marshall Project
Episode: The Return of the Firing Squad
Rebecca Nagle
Writer, journalist, host of First America
First America, Cherokee Nation
Episode: America Before 250
Craig Spencer
Physician and professor at Brown University; Ebola survivor and frontline clinician
Brown University
Episode: Did DOGE Cause the Ebola Outbreak?
Randi Weingarten
President of the American Federation of Teachers
American Federation of Teachers
Episode: Gradu-AI-tion Day
Ken Klippenstein
Independent journalist covering national security and US politics
Independent
Episode: Do the Dems Need More Graham Platners?

Hosts

Elizabeth (Lizzie) O'Leary
Host with roles tied to What Next and related Slate initiatives; grounded in political economy, media, and public policy.
Mary Harris
Lead host known for guiding conversation, pushing back, and coordinating coverage across politics and policy.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • Sucks

    Barely informative. Host has a weird tone. We deserve something more serious

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bjohns383
    United Statesa month ago
  • Liz Oyer

    Liz Oyer made the Trump slush fund & related immunity so much easier to understand than any other podcast or article I have read. Instead of repeating some of the same language she broke it down, & plainly said what the corruption is. Thank u!! So grateful for folks like Oyer! Please continue to speak out!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    k!k!m@su
    United Statesa month ago
  • ads

    so, so many ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    willow-sc
    United States2 months ago
  • LADY?

    Why are you calling the three fired women members of the cabinet “ladies” or even worse lady people?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    informed and entertainec
    United States2 months ago
  • Liberal take, good if not your only source

    I like Mary Harris, but I was disappointed that she platforms Hassan Piker without giving context to what a firebrand he is.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackieSimms911
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews highlight entertainment value and timely coverage, while others critique tone and balance.
Listeners note strong reporting and credible guests but criticism exists around ad load and perceived bias.
Fans appreciate pushback and rigorous questioning of guests, especially on controversial topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#148
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#230
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#188
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Return of the Firing Squad
Q: Why has the possibility of public or televised executions become part of the discussion again?
The host and guests discuss how public exposure could force reckoning with the reality of executions, but it also risks sensationalism and public spectacle; experts argue transparency can influence policy, while others worry about cultural desensitization or renewed bloodlust.
The Return of the Firing Squad
Q: Can firing squads be more humane than lethal injection?
Maurice explains that while some see firing squads as faster and potentially less painful, the evidence is mixed and depends on execution protocols; the broader point is that no method is without suffering, and the debate often centers on transparency and process rather than a clear, humane verdict.
A.I. Enshittifies Everything
Q: What do you say to people who think AI is just a productivity boost that will create new jobs later?
The episode argues that the real issue is the material, money-driven growth narratives behind AI, which push rapid deployment and cost-cutting while outsourcing accountability, making it less about replacing specific jobs and more about shifting power and incentives.
Trump’s War Is Still Going to Cost You
Q: What does the counterfactual thinking tell us about price signals and policy impact?
He emphasizes evaluating policy by comparing current outcomes to a counterfactual scenario (no war) to gauge true costs, rather than focusing on whether prices rose or fell in isolation.
Trump’s War Is Still Going to Cost You
Q: Economically, was this a different kind of crisis than you expected at the beginning of the war?
Wolfers argues that the crisis is multi-dimensional—human, political, diplomatic, and deeply economic—and the real surprise is how persistent and wide-ranging the effects would be, not just the price level changes.

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 Next

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

A concise, timely show that translates daily news into actionable ideas for what comes next. Episodes often center on politics, technology, media, and policy, with guests ranging from journalists and policymakers to tech executives and researchers. The cadence is brisk and evidence-driven, frequently featuring live experiments, policy debates, and sharp interviewer pushback. Notable strengths include a steady roster of credible guests who provide insider context and clear takeaways for decision-makers in business, PR, and advertising. Overall, it's likely to appeal to listeners who want thoughtful analysis of current events and their impact on markets, governance, and digital life, delivered in 30 minutes or less each weekday morning.

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Which podcasts are similar to What Next?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Next:

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

How many episodes of What Next are there?

What Next launched 8 years ago and published 2455 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?

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What guests have appeared on What Next?

Recent guests on What Next include:

1. Perry Bacon
2. Cory Doctorow
3. Tommy Vietor
4. Reverend Jeff Hood
5. Maurice Chammah
6. Rebecca Nagle
7. Craig Spencer
8. Randi Weingarten

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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