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What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Slate Podcasts
Donald Trump
Iran
ICE
Democratic Party
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Minneapolis
Venezuela
Supreme Court
Immigration Policy
Renee Good
Republican Party
Trump Administration
Gaza
Uber
MAGA
Openai
Congress
Voting Rights Act
Bad Bunny

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes2491Founded8 years ago
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News

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Artwork for What Next

Latest Episodes

Why Donald Trump’s proudly announced executive order on childhood vaccines is a move in the wrong direction—and towards a less healthy, more measle-y America.

Guest: Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent, host of the KFF Health News weekly he... more

Donald Trump’s success with Gen Z men was one of the many surprises in 2024, but as the second administration has gone on, that support has been plummeting. What would it take for Democrats to win the Zoomers?  

Guest: Adam Mockler, host of The Adam... more

Any jobs report, by necessity, is going to be vague and subject to revision, but the latest from the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a pretty clear picture: America hasn’t added as many jobs as hoped or expected this summer, and the labor market is... more

Credible accusations of sexual assault, eventually, led to Graham Platner leaving the Maine Senate race. But Ohio Representative Max Miller is responding to his own allegations with a different tact: the Trump method of ignoring, denying, and staying... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Adam Mockler
Host of The Adam Mockler Show on YouTube
The Adam Mockler Show
Episode: Ok, Zoomer!
Jim Newell
Senior politics writer at Slate, discussing Senate primary dynamics
Slate
Episode: Off the Record: Democrats Go to War (With Other Democrats)
Ed Elson
Co-host of the Prof G Markets podcast
Prof G Markets
Episode: Artificial Intelligence, Very Real Debt
Saji Koul
Senior writer at Slate
Slate
Episode: Why Ariana Grande Is Stepping Away
Peter Beinart
Author and journalist, editor-at-large for Jewish Currents; Beinart Notebook writer
Jewish Currents / Substack Beinart Notebook
Episode: A Test For Pro-Israel Democrats
Sam Adams
Senior writer and editor and film critic at Slate
Slate
Episode: The Odyssey’s Neverending Journey Through the Discourse
Cory Booker
U.S. Senator from New Jersey, guest on the show
U.S. Senate (New Jersey)
Episode: Bonus: Cory Booker on Blanche, Epstein, and 2028
Ben Casselman
Chief Economics Correspondent, The New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: Can We Trust the Jobs Report?
Kate Knibbs
Senior writer at Wired
Wired
Episode: What the Hell is a Peptide?

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
  • No

    Who is this for?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bjohns383
    United States23 days ago
  • Sucks

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bjohns383
    United States2 months 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 States2 months ago
  • ads

    so, so many ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    willow-sc
    United States3 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 States4 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
#136
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#185
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#134
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#190
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Off the Record: Democrats Go to War (With Other Democrats)
Q: What do you think this means for the future of Democratic strategy—especially with a focus on branding and unity?
The leadership is moving toward unity, but there is an ongoing reassessment of messaging and candidate quality, with a push to counter the left's organizational strength while convincing voters that center-left governance can deliver results.
Off the Record: Democrats Go to War (With Other Democrats)
Q: You had been in Michigan covering this primary. So just give me your straight up unfiltered Jim reaction to what happened this week.
El-Sayed's win, despite enormous outside money against him, was a striking demonstration of a unique talent matching up against the establishment in a purple state, suggesting the left's rising resonance even in traditional battleground areas.
You Should Worry About the July Jobs Report
Q: How reliable are the payroll and household surveys, and could revisions change the picture?
Revisions are common as more firms report data and benchmarks are updated; the payroll survey is considered timely and often more reliable than the household survey, but both can be revised
You Should Worry About the July Jobs Report
Q: Why is the stock market seemingly unfazed by the jobs data?
Because investors weigh expectations about future Fed policy and how the data will influence rate decisions, sometimes seeing the figures as less alarming for the short term even when the headline is weak.
Why Ariana Grande Is Stepping Away
Q: So how surprised were you when earlier this week, Ariana Grande announced she was taking a step back from public life?
The hosts respond that they weren't surprised and discuss how the announcement emphasizes that the decision is about regaining control and balance, with a note that it's a planned, thoughtful leave, implying it's a choice rather than a capitulation to scrutiny.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
3. The Daily
4. Up First from NPR
5. The NPR Politics Podcast

How many episodes of What Next are there?

What Next launched 8 years ago and published 2491 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 Next?

Recent guests on What Next include:

1. Adam Mockler
2. Jim Newell
3. Ed Elson
4. Saji Koul
5. Peter Beinart
6. Sam Adams
7. Cory Booker
8. Ben Casselman

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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