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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
Congress
Kamala Harris
Joe Biden
Trump
2024 Election
Democracy
Gaza
Covid-19
Tariffs
Reproductive Rights
Health Care
Voting Rights Act
Free Speech
Immigration Policy
Iran

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes448Founded8 years ago
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GovernmentNews

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Artwork for DSR's Words Matter

Latest Episodes

The lunatics are truly running the asylum formerly known as the White House. Sadly, a man who collects raccoon genitalia running the HHS isn’t even the craziest of the bunch. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to try and navigate the insanity ... more

Corruption, dark money, and dangerous leadership - three elements that have characterized the Trump administration. We are governed by a maniac and his corrupt cronies, such as Howard Lutnick. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf are back to discuss the ... more

Pam Bondi is out as attorney general. Todd Blanche is set to replace her, at least according to Trump. Why did Bondi’s firing come now? Was it the result of her mismanagement of the DOJ, or did this decision have more to do with Donald Trump and the ... more

Donald Trump’s war in Iran is turning into quicksand. With every decision he makes, we sink deeper into this conflict, and our President is nowhere close to achieving his goals. So what will the next phase of the war look like? Representative Adam Sm... more

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Recent Guests

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
Norm Ornstein
A political analyst and commentator
Episode: Three Bullets to the Heart of the Constitution

Hosts

David Rothkopf
Host with deep experience in policy, governance, and journalism; frequently discusses democracy, economy, and national security.
Norm Ornstein
Co-host and political analyst, widely cited for governance, policy, and democratic norms.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • Excellent Analysis

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bagelmuncher
    Canadaa month 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 States5 months ago
  • Truth!

    Thank you for telling the truth while making me laugh!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Democracy is my Religion
    United States5 months ago
  • Politics as it really happens

    Funny and informative. Keep up the good work and please include as many versions of a Howard Nutlick’s name as possible

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RipTim
    Canada6 months ago
  • June 20 pod

    Hello Norm from SLP. Thanks for your words in the latest podcast. It gave substance/voice to not just the outrage we feel in MN about the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman — but the real sorrow. We are all “close by” — I am not alone in having relationships to residents of every single community that was targeted that night. And we all still do talk to our neighbors, including about politics — even this past week. But what sadness.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    From Flyover Country
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critique pacing and occasional vocal delivery, but overall high regard for content quality.
The medical policy angle from Kavita Patel is seen as a strong, unique element.
Listeners value deep policy insight and accessible analysis with clear takeaways.
Fans appreciate accountability-focused discussions and historical context.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#33
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#44
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#82
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#98
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#111
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#135
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
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About DSR's Words Matter

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

A sharp, policy-forward discussion pair analyzes American governance, democracy, and current events with a focus on accountability, institutions, and the implications for markets, energy, and civil rights. Across recent episodes, they critique presidential actions, party dynamics, and constitutional checks, while weaving in historical context and data-driven skepticism. A notable strength is the blend of seasoned policy analysis with accessible, sometimes acerbic commentary, often featuring specialists who bring medical, political, and governance expertise to the conversation. The show frequently revisits themes like democratic norms, voting rights, and the role of media and corporations in shaping public discourse, making it a go-to for li... 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. The Lawfare Podcast
4. The Lincoln Project
5. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

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

DSR's Words Matter launched 8 years ago and published 448 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. Adam Smith
2. Pete Hegseth
3. Mary Trump
4. Jeremy Konyndyk
5. Miles Taylor
6. Leah Litman
7. Josh Marshall
8. Dahlia Lithwick

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