Rephonic
Artwork for Why It Matters
India
United States
Hindu Nationalism
Brain Drain
Globalization
Nigeria
West Africa
Narendra Modi
Bharatiya Janata Party
Muslims
Youth Unemployment
Political Instability
Rwandan Genocide
Press Freedom
Citizenship Law
Burkina Faso
Economic Opportunities
Healthcare Sector
Migration Trends
Covid-19 Pandemic

Each episode of Why It Matters breaks down an issue that is shaping our world’s future. Join host Gabrielle Sierra as she speaks with the leaders and thinkers who are facing these questions head on. Fueled by the minds at the Council on Foreign Relations, Why It Matters brings some of the world’s most compelling stories home to you.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded6 years ago
Category
News

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Artwork for Why It Matters

Latest Episodes

The unprecedented trade policies since the beginning of this year, driven largely by the Donald Trump administration’s pro-tariff agenda, have propelled the United States into uncertain and rocky territory. When it comes to our trading partners, the ... more

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Is having a trade deficit necessarily a bad thing? Many experts argue that the U.S. trade deficit is largely good for our economy. It allows Americans to enjoy a wider variety of cheap goods, attracts foreign investment, and reflects the strength of ... more

Host Gabrielle Sierra and podcast guests Johanna Mendelson Forman and Matthew Costello discuss food diplomacy, share stories from White House state dinners, and unpack how food has helped to create lasting international partnerships.

This taping was... more

YouTube

What role does the president have when it comes to making trade deals? In this episode, we dig into the expansive powers of the U.S. president when it comes to trade. From unilateral authority to congressional oversight, we unpack who truly calls the... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Brad Setser
Senior Fellow for CFR, focusing on global trade and capital flows.
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Mind the Trade Gap
Heather Hurlburt
Associate Fellow at Chatham House, former chief of staff to US Trade Representative Brian Tai.
Chatham House
Episode: Mind the Trade Gap
Johanna Mendelson Forman
Distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center heading the Food Security Program
Stimson Center
Episode: Why It Matters Live!: Food Diplomacy
Matthew Costello
Senior Historian at the White House Historical Association
White House Historical Association
Episode: Why It Matters Live!: Food Diplomacy
Inu Manak
Fellow for trade policy at CFR
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Trade Agreements: Deal or No Deal
Debbie Hendrickx
Owner of Swell Gelato for dogs
Swell Gelato
Episode: Tariff Turmoil, Part 2: Steel and Dog Gelato
Jamie Sychak
President of UAW Local for a steel mill in Butler, Pennsylvania
Episode: Tariff Turmoil, Part 2: Steel and Dog Gelato
Will Hsu
Ginseng farmer and president of Hsu's Gingsing Enterprises, Inc.
Hsu's Gingsing Enterprises, Inc.
Episode: Tariff Turmoil, Part 1: How Tariffs Are Affecting Farmers
Shannon O'Neil
Director of Studies for CFR and a leading authority on global trade and supply chains.
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: The Washington Consensus Could Not Hold

Host

Gabrielle Sierra
Host of discussions focused on pivotal global issues, engaging with various experts and thought leaders for in-depth analysis.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Good show, overproduced

    I enjoy this show but I find that I often have to skip a lot bc it just has a lot of filler noises and clips.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Beatpulsing
    United States7 months ago
  • Extremely Biased

    The Council on Foreign Relations podcasts claim the opinions presented are that of their hosts and the Council takes no positions on policy as an institution. However, this belies the fact that every one of their hosts is a progressive liberal and views anyone to the right of a liberal as a fascist.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    neal.j.fisher
    United Statesa year ago
  • Not Impressed

    I was a loyal Foreign Affairs subscriber for a decade or more after college, but over time the content and impartiality eroded. This podcast is a great example. Take the recent episode about abortion where the views of the Guttmacher Institute were represented as objective truth rather than arguments from an advocacy group. The podcast consistently argued the US was one of a handful of countries reducing abortion and was thus swimming against the tide, without acknowledging Roe created one of th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ALK444
    United Statesa year ago
  • Tune into American Foreign Policy Council

    For CFR promoting the leftist Elite’s agenda is all that matters. Concern for freedom of the press only extends to the leftist liars.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    This Ken
    United States2 years ago
  • Typical CFR

    For CFR promoting the leftist Elite’s agenda is all that matters. Concern for freedom of the press only extends to the leftist liars.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    This Ken
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast has been noted for its engaging host who facilitates discussions effectively, though some listeners feel interruptions detract from the flow.
Critiques exist regarding perceived biases in the content, with some reviews addressing concerns about political leaning in the discussions, while others appreciate the balanced views presented.
Listeners appreciate the depth of analysis offered in episodes, often highlighting the expert interviews as a valuable aspect.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mind the Trade Gap
Q: What does it mean exactly for our economy to be less resilient because of the trade deficit?
It could mean longer periods of recession, reliance on foreign suppliers, and a lack of investment in technology and development.
Mind the Trade Gap
Q: When does having a trade deficit become something that is harmful to a country's economy?
A trade deficit becomes harmful when it is too big, particularly if it corresponds with a boom in consumption and high public borrowing without investment.
Where Does U.S. Trade Go From Here?
Q: What are the long-term consequences of Trump's approach to trade?
Countries may look for alternative markets to trade, leading to a more fragmented and potentially expensive international trade environment without U.S. influence.
Where Does U.S. Trade Go From Here?
Q: How have the policies changed domestic industries and jobs?
It's still too early to tell, but there are numerous job openings in manufacturing that remain unfilled, complicating the path forward for the administration's job goals.
Where Does U.S. Trade Go From Here?
Q: Who has benefited most from Trump's trade policy?
It's early to tell; manufacturing sectors in the U.S. may benefit, but rising prices and inflation could negatively impact consumers and overall demand.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Why It Matters

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

Exploring a myriad of contemporary issues that significantly impact the global landscape, this podcast features deep, insightful discussions with thought leaders and experts. It navigates through topics such as trade policy, political tensions, and international relations, aiming to simplify complex subjects for listeners. Unique to this series is its focus on how these global dynamics intersect with domestic policy and everyday life, providing a well-rounded view that connects international concepts to local realities. The conversational format coupled with the expert insights aims to equip audiences with a greater understanding of the world around them, making it an engaging listen for anyone interested in current affairs and global trend... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Why It Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Why It Matters:

1. The President’s Inbox
2. The Foreign Affairs Interview
3. Foreign Policy Live
4. The Trade Guys
5. The Conversation with Dasha Burns

How many episodes of Why It Matters are there?

Why It Matters launched 6 years ago and published 100 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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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.

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What guests have appeared on Why It Matters?

Recent guests on Why It Matters include:

1. Brad Setser
2. Heather Hurlburt
3. Johanna Mendelson Forman
4. Matthew Costello
5. Inu Manak
6. Debbie Hendrickx
7. Jamie Sychak
8. Will Hsu

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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