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What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Slate Podcasts
Donald Trump
ICE
Trump Administration
Republican Party
Iran
Democratic Party
Artificial Intelligence
Prince Andrew
Congress
Supreme Court
Data Centers
Minneapolis
Immigration Policy
Venezuela
Government Shutdown
Jeffrey Epstein
Virginia
Hollywood
Renee Good
United States

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes2422Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for What Next

Latest Episodes

The promise of an “internet for niche communities” and “the empowered independent creator” has been taking a beating as the web has become less open and increasingly dominated by a few platforms and players. But does it have to be that way?

Guest: J... more

When Cameron Hamilton testified to Congress that he did not believe “it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” he was fired from his job as FEMA’s acting administrator. 

But now, a year ... more

The late-night show is a staple of network television—maybe even one that has held on past its era. Still, that doesn’t mean The Late Show with Stephen Colbert had to end like this. 

Guest: Adam Conover, comedian and host of the Factually! podcast. ... more

With his approval rating dropping to its lowest point yet this term, why are politicians still giving in to Donald Trump? As Senator Bill Cassidy found out, Trump still has enough juice to sink a Republican in a primary.

Guest: Molly Jong Fast, host... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Mary Harris
Host of the other What Next
Episode: TBD Tries…Roblox
Stella Dove
Mary Harris's daughter who is a Roblox player
Episode: TBD Tries…Roblox
Cecilia D'Anastasio
Bloomberg journalist who covered Roblox
Bloomberg
Episode: TBD Tries…Roblox
Matt Kaufman
Roblox Chief Safety Officer
Roblox
Episode: TBD Tries…Roblox
Munmun Deshaudry
Researcher at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech
Episode: TBD Tries…Roblox
Josh Chin
Senior global correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, based in Asia
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: Trump Visits the First World
Katherine Wu
Staff writer covering science at The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Should I Be Freaking Out About Hantavirus?
Sarah Longwell
Publisher of The Bulwark, former Republican strategist turned never-Trumper
The Bulwark
Episode: Has Trump Doomed the GOP?
Nilay Patel
Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Verge; host of Decoder; guest on What Next TBD
The Verge
Episode: Does Anyone Like A.I.?

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 3.7k ratings
  • ads

    so, so many ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    willow-sc
    United States22 days 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month ago
  • Justice for Lindy

    slate is now obsessed with dragging Lindy West as much as possible to cling to relevance and it’s really sad. I didn’t even like her book that much but I don’t think that it’s a good look for slate to be treating her like she’s evil because they don’t think she’s okay with her polyamorous situation. They might be right but I don’t think she deserves what they are doing to her. And slate hasn’t been good since Danny Lavery left anyway.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Horsefan101ggggg
    United States2 months ago
  • 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

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
#245
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#143
Indonesia/News
Apple Podcasts
#224
Hong Kong/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

TBD Tries…Roblox
Q: What are the privacy concerns tied to age verification, and how is Roblox addressing them?
There are concerns about data security with third-party verification vendors and potential misuse of identity data; Roblox argues for limited data collection, transparency, and security measures to minimize risk while enabling safety features.
TBD Tries…Roblox
Q: How do age checks affect user experience and parental control?
Age checks are designed to empower parents with defaults and controls while allowing reasonable access; the system aims to respect parental decisions but also provide safer defaults for all users.
TBD Tries…Roblox
Q: Why did Roblox implement age checks for communication first, and then for content access?
The company wanted to prioritize protecting younger users while recognizing the complexity and privacy concerns involved; age checks are part of a staged approach to safety that can adapt as technology and policies evolve.
How "Tax the Rich" Went Mainstream
Q: Does wealth taxation actually drive the rich to relocate or move assets to avoid taxes?
Yes, there is evidence that wealth taxes can incentivize some wealthy individuals to migrate assets or relocate to friendlier jurisdictions, though outcomes vary by jurisdiction and tax design.
The Case for Fighting Dirty
Q: What are the long-term implications if courts continue to shape electoral maps?
The discussion suggests that repeated court-driven redistricting could fuel a cycle of escalation and political cynicism, potentially prompting broader electoral reforms or deepening partisan divides depending on who holds power and how they choose to act after securing it.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for What Next?

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?

To see how many followers or subscribers What Next has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Radio Atlantic
5. Political Gabfest

How many episodes of What Next are there?

What Next launched 8 years ago and published 2422 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. Mary Harris
2. Stella Dove
3. Cecilia D'Anastasio
4. Matt Kaufman
5. Munmun Deshaudry
6. Josh Chin
7. Katherine Wu
8. Sarah Longwell

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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