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Artwork for DSR's Words Matter

DSR's Words Matter

The DSR Network
Donald Trump
Supreme Court
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Joe Biden
Congress
Trump
2024 Election
Democracy
Gaza
Covid-19
Tariffs
Iran
Reproductive Rights
Health Care
Voting Rights Act
Free Speech
Immigration Policy

American politics is undergoing seismic changes that will alter the course of history. At Words Matter, we believe that facts, evidence, truth and objective reality are necessary and vital in public discourse. Our hosts and guests have broad experience in government, politics and journalism -- this gives them a unique ability to explain recent events and place them in historic context. Together, w... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes469Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

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Artwork for DSR's Words Matter

Latest Episodes

There are reasons for optimism as we head into the 2026 midterms. Polling is showing that people are fed up with Trump and his policies, courts are holding firm against the president, and some Republicans are beginning to distance themselves to a gre... more

Donald Trump gave Xi Jinping quite the welcome after his arrival in Washington. At the same time Trump is trying to cuddle up to Beijing, he continues his attacks against freedom of the press by banning certain media outlets from the White House. Tru... more

Donald Trump is shutting down the Kennedy Center because he can’t put his name on it. The Center, of course, being a memorial to a slain US president, not just an arts center. He wants “Donald J. Trump” there to steal glory, because he’s not getting ... more

Almost every key official in the US government is currently playing a role to disrupt the upcoming midterms - whether it’s Todd Blanche, Howard Lutnick, or Donald Trump’s promise of $5,000 for US citizens. The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks sho... more

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Recent Guests

Norm Ornstein
Policy scholar and political scientist
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Breaking News: It Matters if the President is a Psychopath
Adam Smith
Representative, Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee
United States Congress
Episode: Top House Dem: Trump’s Got No Good Options in Iran
Pete Hegseth
Fox News contributor and veteran
Fox News
Episode: A Fiasco Wrapped In A Disaster Inside a Catastrophe
Mary Trump
Author and public commentator
Mary Trump, global media and publishing
Episode: Trump’s Mental Meltdown (feat. Mary Trump)
Jeremy Konyndyk
President of Refugees International, former senior official at USAID
Refugees International
Episode: DSR: Hard Truths About the Hell of Gaza
Miles Taylor
Former Chief of Staff of the Department of Homeland Security
Episode: Stop Waiting for Us to Become an Autocracy. We're Already There.
Leah Litman
Professor at the University of Michigan Law School and author of the book 'Lawless'
University of Michigan Law School
Episode: Lawless: How The Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes
Josh Marshall
Founder of Talking Points Memo (TPM), a political journalism site
TPM
Episode: Lessons in Kakistocracy
Dahlia Lithwick
A leading commentator and analyst on legal affairs
Episode: Three Bullets to the Heart of the Constitution

Hosts

David Rothkopf
Host with a long-running presence on related program networks; leads discussions with questions and guided analysis.
Norm Ornstein
Co-host with extensive background in political science and policy analysis; provides historical and policy critique.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • Words Matter

    I enjoy listening to Words Matter on a regular basis however I feel compelled to note that the episode of August 27, 2026 contained some factually inaccurate information. Norm stated that Canada sent tens of thousands of troops to war with Iraq and lost thousands of soldiers. Canada did NOT go to Iraq. The government of the day under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien made the very wise decision to not get involved. However, Canada did fulfill its NATO obligation to defend a fellow NATO member by ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Sabrina Qureshi
    Canadaa month ago
  • Almost afraid to listen

    Serious discussion of the horrors that have taken place and continue to take place. Take place is a neutral phrase I should say perpetrated, executed. The gravity of it all is conveyed in their voices and words.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mpkfeedback
    United States3 months ago
  • Great critique of the Supreme Court

    Podcast Addict
    5
    cougar
    5 months ago
  • Excellent Analysis

    I enjoy the excellent analysis on the show, as well as the sanity-saving humour.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bagelmuncher
    Canada7 months ago
  • Words Matter

    Really great to listen to-love their insight given in a palatable manner and a bit of snark. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Veritas100
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests bring deep expertise; insights are both informative and engaging.
Occasional critiques of co-host dynamics are outweighed by overall quality and credibility.
Listeners appreciate candid, unapologetic takes on current politics and policy.
The show delivers thoughtful, data-driven analysis with sharp humor.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#29
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#36
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#28
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#75
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#90
France/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Steps We Must Take to Stop Trump's American Gestapo
Q: What should Democratic states do against ICE?
They should enforce the law against ICE and arrest those who commit abuses, as federal officials can be charged if they break the law during their official duties.
In Search of Optimism About 2026
Q: Will Trump be healthier or less healthy at the end of next year?
Much less healthy; there are visible signs of decline in his physical and mental health.
In Search of Optimism About 2026
Q: Is the Supreme Court going to reverse Trump's tariffs?
I think the court may intervene against Trump regarding tariffs, as it could harm the economy further.
In Search of Optimism About 2026
Q: Will Trump finish the ballroom next year?
No, there will not be a ballroom finished, especially considering issues with contractors.
In Search of Optimism About 2026
Q: Are the Democrats going to win back the House of Representatives?
Yes, but it depends on how much Trump and his administration will do to influence the elections.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About DSR's Words Matter

What is DSR's Words Matter about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features seasoned political commentators and policy experts who dissect current events with rigorous analysis, historical context, and sharp humor. Episodes cover domestic governance, elections, and the interplay between U.S. policy and international dynamics, often tying in media narratives, legal developments, and the health of democratic institutions. A notable pattern is hosting and guest lineups drawn from government, think tanks, and journalism, delivering Roman-numeral depth on topics like judiciary power, election integrity, and accountability, while maintaining a candid, opinionated tone. A relaunch introduced new co-hosts and broadened the scope to cross-network content and deeper policy dives, making it particularly app... more

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Which podcasts are similar to DSR's Words Matter?

These podcasts share a similar audience with DSR's Words Matter:

1. The DSR Network
2. Talking Feds
3. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
4. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
5. The Oath and The Office

How many episodes of DSR's Words Matter are there?

DSR's Words Matter launched 8 years ago and published 469 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 DSR's Words Matter?

Recent guests on DSR's Words Matter include:

1. Norm Ornstein
2. Adam Smith
3. Pete Hegseth
4. Mary Trump
5. Jeremy Konyndyk
6. Miles Taylor
7. Leah Litman
8. Josh Marshall

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