
Walter Russell Mead, a historian, pundit, and popular author, is encyclopedic about politics, culture, and history. On What Really Matters, Mead and Tablet deputy editor Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what news matters and what doesn’t, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. Check out Walter Russell Mead’s Tablet column at www.tablet... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 120 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsSociety & CultureNews | |||

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Joe Kent's resignation, Trump's frustration with NATO's refusal to help in the Gulf, JD Vance's show of support for Viktor Orban, and the state of the war in Iran.
This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Iran campaign's economic shocks, the upsides for Russia, US-Cuba negotiations, and the three ways the Iran war could end.
This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Anthropic's standoff with the Pentagon, whether munitions being used in Iran are really drawing down US stockpiles in other theaters, the CIA's attempt to arm a Kurdish rebellion, the cards the Ayatollahs still ha... more
This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the drug wars in Mexico, the tides turning against Russia in Ukraine, Trump's plans to strike Iran, and the Supreme Court's ruling against his tariff regime.
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This has become one of my essential listening activities. The show has a very skilful host (Jeremy) who deftly steers a well read and opinionated “guest” (Walter) through news / faux news / big topics etc.
In an age of alarmism and news “fluff”, Mr Mead provides a calm and seemingly objective interpretation of the stories. He seems to be primarily concerned not with telling his audience what to think, but rather in teaching his listeners how to think about geopolitics and culture, which is much-needed.
WRM seems to have no dog in any fight. In
All he wants to do is help us understand what’s true, and he’s very very good at that.
Thank you, Mr. Mead. I do appreciate your inside and levelheadedness. Reminds me of my deceased David who was my anchor. Keep up the good work, good health, and happy holidays.
You need a more upbeat musical intro.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Covering a wide array of political, cultural, and historical topics, the discussions emphasize understanding current events through a nuanced and often critical lens. The episodes often touch on significant geopolitical issues including relationships between major world powers, internal political dynamics in the U.S., and notable global movements. The hosts aim to not only inform but challenge listeners to consider the deeper implications of news stories, making complex subjects accessible and engaging.
What's particularly noteworthy is the way the content merges weekly news summaries with historical context, allowing listeners to grasp not just the 'what' but the 'why' behind current events. The format encourages thoughtful discussions th... more
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What Really Matters launched 3 years ago and published 120 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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Recent guests on What Really Matters include:
1. Walter Russell Mead
2. Volodymyr Zelensky
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