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What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

Tablet Magazine
Donald Trump
Iran
China
Ukraine
Israel
Russia
Biden Administration
United States
Middle East
Trump Administration
Hamas
Taiwan
India
Republican Party
NATO
Gaza
North Korea
European Union
Artificial Intelligence
Benjamin Netanyahu

Walter Russell Mead, a historian, columnist, and popular author, is encyclopedic about politics, culture, and history. On What Really Matters, Mead joins Bill Drexel, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, to help you navigate the headlines, 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 Wall S... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes152Founded3 years ago
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Artwork for What Really Matters

Latest Episodes

This week, Walter and Bill discuss what's at stake in today's midterm elections, President Trump's announcement that US aid to Israel will end this year, North Korea's record $6 billion crypto heist at Binance, and why, despite the shale revolution a... more

This week, Walter and Bill discuss Anthropic's blockbuster IPO filing and its warnings about AI, reports that the US is preparing a short, intense renewal of the Iran war after the midterms, Kim Jong Un's surprise trip across a newly finished bridge ... more

This week, Walter and Bill discuss Trump's endorsement of Benjamin Netanyahu days before Israel votes, Elon Musk's throttling and alleged restoration of Ukraine's Starlink and Putin's push for a summit with Trump and Xi, the AI-discovered software fl... more

After more than 140 episodes, Jeremy Stern is stepping down as co-host, and Hudson's Bill Drexel takes his place.

This week, Walter and Bill discuss the Houthis' widening missile war on Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon's plan to livestream a military exec... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Walter Russell Mead
Historian, pundit, and Tablet writer; frequent guest and co-host
Tablet; The Wall Street Journal; Hudson Institute; Hamilton School at the University of Florida
Episode: A Bad Year For Incumbents
David French
New York Times columnist and former army lawyer
New York Times
Episode: Religion and Politics in the American Experiment
Jane Kamensky
President and CEO of Monticello
Monticello
Episode: Religion and Politics in the American Experiment
Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine
Government of Ukraine
Episode: Live From Davos 2026

Hosts

Jeremy Stern
Host of What Really Matters; frequent co-host; senior editorial voice guiding conversation and framing.
Walter Russell Mead
Co-host and guest expert; renowned historian and policy analyst.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 810 ratings
  • Trusted

    As a kid, used to watch my dad turn on the CBS evening news to watch Walter Cronkite. He would hush us all and we knew we could not interrupt him for anything. Nowadays, it’s hard to find someone that I can trust in that same way with the news. I feel as though Walter Russell Mead is my Walter Cronkite, and I’m so glad to have found him.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mgp211
    United Statesa month ago
  • Every episode is gold.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    PaleHorse
    3 months ago
  • A challenging performer…

    …used to really appreciate this podcast. I have read much of WRM’s historical work and believe him to be knowledgeable and clear-thinking.

    However, over the last several months it appears he believes it useful to respond to various topics in an overly animated way; perhaps someone told him an interjection of exaggerated vocal intonations would improve his following; I suspect this directional change is having the opposite effect; it certainly has in my case.

    His voice is grating to begin with,... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bittybump
    United States4 months ago
  • WRM is priceless

    Walter Russell Meade’s scope of knowledge, wisdom, and respect for humanity brings together a level of reporting an information that I have grown to rely upon. He is a true gem.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    October 13 2023
    United States4 months ago
  • Excellent Analysis

    WRM provides excellent analysis of current domestic and international affairs, with an unusual degree of Wisdom. A rare combination among today’s American pundits.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Need a Churchill
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates the balance of long-form discussion with historical and literary framing.
Listeners praise the show for deep, calm, and well-sourced geopolitical analysis.
Some listeners critique delivery style or tone as polarizing or dry.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#149
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#169
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#146
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#48
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#49
Ukraine/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Generation Conflagration: Protests in France and India
Q: Do you see any world in which there's an American version of these more widespread or kind of destructive generational protests coming? What would it take for something like that to happen?
Mead says American political coalitions have historically been shaped more by identity than class, limiting the appeal of a unified socialist movement. Social media may create new coalitions, but he sees nationalism as a powerful force and warns that minority identity politics can provoke majority backlash.
The Generation Conflagration: Protests in France and India
Q: What's driving young people into the streets and why now?
Mead points to debt, uncertain job prospects, and frustration with older leaders in the United States. In India, internet access has made inequality and poor public services more visible, while electoral disputes have fueled protest. In France, economic stagnation, demographic change and cultural divisions compound young people's sense of exclusion.
Are We Past Peak Trump?
Q: So, Walter, has it?
Mead says the world will eventually pass peak Trump. Low polling, possible midterm losses, and the approaching end of his term could reduce the value of his promises and threats, though his skill at commanding attention may preserve influence and generate further political drama.
Are We Past Peak Trump?
Q: And is the succession of such gigantic IPOs amid a possible bubble, a warning sign to you, or you think this is what we would expect during a technological revolution of this scale?
Mead says both interpretations can be true: major companies and infrastructure can emerge during a technological revolution even as some investments collapse. He cautions that the episode does not offer investment advice.
The Slop of War
Q: Final question for this week. What's your sense at this point in terms of how big of an issue is this for Trump and Republicans heading toward the midterms?
Mead suggests the issue is less hot than expected, potentially overshadowed by economic concerns, with independents wavering and overall sentiment not rallying strongly around the war narrative.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About What Really Matters

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

Long-form conversations centered on geopolitics, public policy, and history led by a well-connected analyst and a seasoned host. Episodes frequently explore US foreign policy, great-power dynamics, and the interplay between media narratives and elite decision-making, often weaving in historical context and long-range strategic thinking. The format tends toward deep-dive analysis with a focus on credibility, incentives, and the practical implications of global events for domestic politics. A recurring strength is synthesizing complex topics—ranging from Iran and Ukraine to immigration and civic virtue—into accessible, thought-provoking discourse. A notable hook is pairing rigorous geopolitical analysis with literary and cultural touches to b... more

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What Really Matters launched 3 years ago and published 152 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 Really Matters?

Recent guests on What Really Matters include:

1. Walter Russell Mead
2. David French
3. Jane Kamensky
4. Volodymyr Zelensky

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