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What Next | Daily News and Analysis

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes2439Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for What Next

Latest Episodes

It’s real: The two great flavors of What Next and What Next TBD together at last. But what’s not real? Where does a sincere speaker using a medium with a motive fall? And how much wolf can you cry before they just take you off shepherd duty?

This ep... more

Is Elon Musk’s SpaceX leading humanity to Mars? Or is that just grandiose window-dressing for an A.I. company leading several other A.I. companies to IPOs? 

Guest: Max Chafkin, reporter with Bloomberg Businessweek and cohost of the Everybody's Busin... more

How Donald Trump rearranging the White House lawn to accommodate a UFC fight neatly mirrors the way the organization and its parent company have reshaped themselves around the president.

Guest: Luke Thomas, MMA journalist and host of the Morning Kom... more

After being eradicated in the United States in the ‘60s, screwworm is back—at a time when beef is even more in demand and the American herd is already depleted. How long will consumers be forced to choose between high prices and, ugh, turkey burgers?... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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?
Anna Gomez
Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
FCC
Episode: Trump's Disney Shakedown
Emma Greenman
Minnesota House of Representatives member who authored the legislation banning prediction markets
Minnesota House of Representatives
Episode: The Feds Won’t Touch Polymarket. She Will.
Liz Oyer
Former DOJ pardon attorney
Former Department of Justice
Episode: Did Todd Blanche Try to Bribe the Senate?
Dan Curell
Writer and management consultant
Episode: It’s a Rich Man’s Disney World
Shadwick Yoder
President of the Lehigh Valley Young Democrats
Lehigh Valley Young Democrats
Episode: The Bethlehem Project: Democrats battle over their party’s future
Bob Brooks
Democratic candidate for Congress (District in Bethlehem area)
Brooks for Congress
Episode: The Bethlehem Project: Democrats battle over their party’s future

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
  • ads

    so, so many ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    willow-sc
    United Statesa month 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 States2 months 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 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
#204
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#131
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Did DOGE Cause the Ebola Outbreak?
Q: Can you paint a picture of how the current outbreak started and where it stands?
The outbreak began a few weeks prior to the interview, with early case numbers that grew quickly. It's geographically widespread across a tough region, with multiple flavors of Ebola complicating testing and surveillance. The key is understanding that testing needs to match the specific strain and locale, and that testing infrastructure plus timely reporting are critical to containment.
The Hunger Strike at Delaney Hall
Q: What has driven the current escalation and who bears responsibility?
Escalation is driven by a combination of private facility management by GeoGroup, perceived federal pressure, and local political responses; guests argue for greater oversight, accountability, and legal mechanisms to close or reform the facility.
The Hunger Strike at Delaney Hall
Q: What is inside Delaney Hall and what are detainees experiencing there?
The guest describes a pattern of poor medical care, unsanitary conditions, reports of frozen or defrosted food, and limited access to education and consistent oversight, which motivates ongoing protests and hunger strikes.
Gradu-AI-tion Day
Q: How does the 10-point plan address funding and the role of the federal government?
The plan calls for adequate funding for education at both state and federal levels, while also opposing privatization and voucher schemes; it argues funding is essential to implement guardrails and teacher training so that AI serves the public education system effectively.
Gradu-AI-tion Day
Q: Tell me what you're hearing from your members right now.
Educators are seeking a clear, comprehensive plan for AI in schools, with many thanking the union for proposing a framework while acknowledging that it may not be perfect; they want guidance, guardrails, and a path to ensure students can thrive in a future shaped by AI.

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.

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How many listeners does What Next get?

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What are the audience demographics for What Next?

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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. Trump's Terms
5. Political Gabfest

How many episodes of What Next are there?

What Next launched 8 years ago and published 2439 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. Craig Spencer
2. Randi Weingarten
3. Ken Klippenstein
4. Anna Gomez
5. Emma Greenman
6. Liz Oyer
7. Dan Curell
8. Shadwick Yoder

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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