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What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead

Tablet Magazine
Israel
Biden Administration
Donald Trump
United States
Iran
Green Movement
North Korea
Hamas
Middle East
Argentina
Kissinger's Middle East Policy
American Jewish Community
Middle East Peace Process
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Ukraine
Javier Milei
Global Trade
Zionism
Antisemitism
Texas Governor Greg Abbott

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes115Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Artwork for What Really Matters

Latest Episodes

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Xi Jinping's purge of the People's Liberation Army, the ongoing showdown between ICE and Minneapolis, the death toll in Iran, and how the tech-MAGA alliance could outlast Trump.

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss why the mood at Davos this year went from denial to fear, why the United States has never been both so unpopular and so dominant there, and what Trump and Zelensky's speeches revealed about the state of the Wester... more

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Netanyahu's proposal to end U.S. aid to Israel, Trump's disavowal of rightwing antisemites, his ever-changing assessment of what's happening in Iran, and what China and Russia think of his moves in Venezuela and G... more

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss the Trump administration's appetite for Greenland, the ongoing anti-regime protests in Iran, and how America's enemies will try to turn the Maduro operation into a quagmire for Washington.

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine
Government of Ukraine
Episode: Live From Davos 2026

Hosts

Walter Russell Mead
Historian, pundit, and popular author; known for his insights on politics, culture, and history.
Jeremy Stern
Co-host and journalist, contributing to discussions on news and political affairs.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 730 ratings
  • An insightful podcast

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Kreis
    United Statesa month ago
  • Truth

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    iwantpizzawithswine
    United States2 months ago
  • ‘splain it to us, Russ!

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chattasteff
    United States2 months ago
  • Please change the intro music

    You need a more upbeat musical intro.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Joshgladwin
    Australia2 months ago
  • Love it

    Love this show. Very level headed

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jeffmed9191
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and insightful analysis of global and national issues.
Some critiques mention occasional audio issues but still laud the content as essential listening for news enthusiasts.
There's a strong recognition of the host's depth of knowledge and the engaging format of the discussions.
Many find the historical context provided to be enriching and essential for understanding current events.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#247
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#20
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#68
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#73
Israel/News
Apple Podcasts
#112
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#158
South Korea/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Live From Davos 2026
Q: How much, if at all, did Iran and Venezuela figure this week?
They did not come up much, as discussions were dominated by Greenland.
Heritage, MAGA, Venezuela, Trump, and the Great Ben Sasse
Q: What role do you expect Trump to play in the party's infighting?
Trump will want to control the succession and not formally designate an heir until late to maintain his power.
Bondi Beach and the Nihilism of Palestinian Strategy
Q: Walter, was this news or phone news?
It is phone news. Traditional Oval Office addresses don't significantly impact public opinion, and Trump's incumbency creates a challenging situation as people often blame the president for unfavorable conditions.
Bondi Beach and the Nihilism of Palestinian Strategy
Q: Walter, that last sentence seems particularly relevant. So is this news or a faux news?
It is in fact news. It indicates that discussions about a change in US policy towards China are exaggerated. Trump sees maintaining Taiwan's security as essential to the relationship with China.
Trump's New National Security Strategy
Q: Is this more of a reflection of Trump himself? How do you read that dynamic?
It suggests that there's less space between Rubio and Vance on some of these foreign policy issues than one might expect.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

This podcast offers insightful commentary on pressing political and global affairs, blending historical context with contemporary issues. The discussions often revolve around international relations, particularly involving the United States, and cover topics like the implications of Donald Trump's policies, geopolitical shifts, and cultural movements. With a unique blend of expertise in history and current events, the hosts provide listeners with a deeper understanding of not only what is happening but also why it matters, making complex topics accessible and engaging. The show is known for its analytical depth and ability to connect historical patterns to modern-day scenarios, appealing to those interested in politics, culture, and interna... more

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Which podcasts are similar to What Really Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What Really Matters:

1. Breaking History
2. Ask Haviv Anything
3. Honestly with Bari Weiss
4. The Commentary Magazine Podcast
5. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

How many episodes of What Really Matters are there?

What Really Matters launched 3 years ago and published 115 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. Volodymyr Zelensky

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