Why It Matters

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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.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • This Ken
    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.
  • Aaa641580531
    More topics please!!!
    Love this podcast! It does cover what’s hot in the headlines now which can be a little tiring (and redundant) but a lot of episodes are topics that you really don’t hear much about but may be the underpinning factor(s) in current events.
  • 00093638
    Three Internets Episode is astoundingly bad
    I found it through the “webby awards”. It makes absolutely no mention of the USA surveillance state when discussing the “American internet”. Are they all completely unfamiliar with Edward Snowden’s memoir? To not address USA government surveillance shows impressive ineptitude. It is hatf to imagine them having a trustworthy presentation on any other matter.
  • Hfcfx go
    Hubgvgvgv
    Hugs to uoiger
  • mad overlord
    Great
    Our foreign policy thinkers are now gen Z speculating about nuclear policy.
  • Mesmerized in Music
    Great content but host is distracting
    Love the content but the host needs to learn best practices of podcasting and be aware that the mic picks up every nonverbal response. While these responses are natural in daily conversation they are distracting when played on a podcast. Host severely distracts from the guest speakers. Stop interrupting with affirmative “uh huh” and just let people talk. It’s not pleasant for listeners!
  • BATSU William
    Def worth a listen
    Informative with a wide range of topics. Love diving deep into things I might not otherwise consider.
  • Dr.D.S.MN
    Excellent podcast
    Although I only recently discovered this podcast and am just two episodes deep thus-far, I am impressed with the topics being covered as well as the depth and attention of their coverage. Am recommending this to my friends and family as a podcast to go deeper and more thoughtful on issues we all already know something about, but could benefit from additional perspectives and expertise on.
  • CMZ!
    Very interesting topics
    I really enjoy this podcast. They cover the latest current events that keep you educated beyond the major news media headlines. Fairly unbiased too which is great, albeit not perfect (but honestly what is these days). Highly recommend their coverage of interesting and often complex topics in a digestible manner!
  • R0Y/876
    Great Podcast
    I think they do an outstanding job of explaining or putting perspective on current and complicated issues/headlines. I really look forward to each new episode. Keep up the great work.
  • Involved A2
    Podcaster should limit her interruptions
    It is disconcerting for the podcaster, Gabrielle to interrupt every few word with a hm, right, um-um.
  • JJRROMI
    Get voice coach!
    We don’t Ned women who sound like men unless their voices are pitched low. But we also don’t need and can’t bear women who sound like children. Unbearable! Spoils a great show!
  • Codybroken
    Excellent show
    Superbly scripted, edited, produced and highly informative podcast. Very accessible and intelligent. If you actually want to learn things give this pod a chance.
  • The Shadow Nose
    Often informative but media narrative pushed
    Gabrielle presents topics well with good historical perspective. Focus is on policy and ethics while avoiding partisan politics. What I seek is quantitative info and expert explanation: sometimes that’s what’s given. However the Media Narrative is never rebuked and often reinforced despite facts. One example is the episode on domestic terrorism focused exclusively on white supremacy despite the truth that 8 or 9 out of 10 deaths from mass shootings are caused by non-white perpetrators. Interestingly, at the end of the episode, Gabrielle explained why she personally was worried about the threat yet never questioned the stereotyping that fueled the fear. Ironic to make yourself a fear victim when it could be your job to dispel fear using facts/statistics . This podcast does not escape the tendency of the Media Narrative to fear-monger with bigotry instead of fighting fear with truth.
  • Wsglvr
    Excellent episode
    The Perspective on Ukraine with guest Richard Haas was outstanding. Very well presented fact based dissertation on all the factors leading up to the invasion of Ukraine. Plus a reasoned discussion about why the events 1/2 a world away, matter to me.
  • Malik7x
    Disappointed
    I was looking forward to this, but you can’t have a real conversation along this line without putting Tesla significantly in the middle of the discussion. Most every challenge you discuss is being addressed masterfully by Tesla. Instead, much of your discussion ignores Tesla just like inept Biden administration. Tesla is looking decades ahead while our government cares not beyond the next election.
  • Ajdpic
    Insightful
    A great foreign and domestic relations podcast that doesn’t get too overwhelming. They say the basic facts and it keeps you hooked. They give you the facts you need to educate yourself and keep up to date.
  • Cococo8455
    Wonderful interviews
    Expert interviews on a variety of important, interesting topics of national concern, but what separates it from the pack is the host’s ability to weave in candor, humor, and a wry inquisitiveness. Great work!
  • MarksOpinion1
    Important facts left out
    I’m referring to the segment on hypersonic weapons. First, I have heard from other sources that the U.S. has held back from developing these weapons to avoid an arms race. This was never mentioned in the podcast. Second, if China was worried about about the U.S. missile defense systems then they could have developed their own. Instead they are developing a first strike weapon (a term that the podcast conveniently never used). The conclusion of this podcast was that it’s really the United States fault that China is building hypersonic weapons because the U.S. develops missile defense systems. No balance was offered. It’s better to know nothing about a subject than to get a biased version.
  • jaslyn_ne
    One sided
    Concepts and ideas talked about are intriguing but lack visibility of the whole picture. Would be great to get viewpoints from opposing sides instead of being so biased.
  • J. Shields
    Very smart show!
    Want to really start to understand the issues circling the headlines? Why it Matters goes deep and tells the stories behind the headlines to give the listener a clearer comprehension of the subject matter. A++. Keep up the great work y’all!
  • Otherlleft
    so
    "So" is the word that the host says prior to every question. Every single one. At no point does the word "so" add anything, and at every point it's irritating. Humans use filler words and noises. That's normal. However, this is a well-funded podcast, and there is no reason all of this can't be cleaned up with editing. One star for being cheap or lazy.
  • Connorady
    mixed baggie
    great production, good rhetoric and presentation, but overtly leftist and misleading// outright untrue reporting on anything partisan.
  • WokeWithLoveDaily
    Re: Water Scarcity — #NoSoilRequiredFarms
    Great Show! About time this got the attention due! Seems to me the best way to not continue the crazy train is to stop insisting on growing the same old way that requires soil - the much sade cleaner and in the long run less wasteful Way to grow what we humanos need to live well —?— hydroponics
  • mikem765432
    Insightful
    Really enjoy this podcast - interesting and comprlling
  • caitlinrcruz
    Fish law?!
    I always learn so much from every episode but it was the phrase “fish law” that made me review. Love Gabrielle’s topic choices!!
  • BrownB40
    Awesome!
    Interesting and informative approach to important matters. Look forward to each new episode. Way to go!
  • Jon 802
    Jon 802
    I listen to three different CFR podcast. All are partisan or bias. The amount of liberal internationalist vs realist. Free market vs Keynesian. So on and so forth. They put out what they advocate for but sometimes give the spiel that CFR holds no institutional positions. Having a civil debate or at least highlighting different viewpoints would be better.
  • Labmarku
    Why It Matters rocks!
    Jogging and learning at the same time! Keep them coming!
  • Bknut83
    Excellent and informative podcast
    Why it matters is one of my favorite podcasts. The shows takes various complex issues and explains them in a thorough and easy to understand form. Thanks for what you do.
  • jasmandad
    I’m a big fan!
    Great show covering critical topics that somehow fall between the cracks in other outlets. Interesting, entertaining and always informative!
  • 123-987$&@//
    Covers issues that matter!
    Season 3 episode on China & Hollywood was really good!
  • stewy52
    Thank you!
    I just found this podcast. The Amazon episode was outstanding. Thought I understood the issue pretty well, but I learned a lot. I’m looking forward to playing past episodes now.
  • kdeanie
    A favorite for this news junkie!
    I have a Pavlovian response to the theme song of this pod, I look forward to it every week! I love hearing about what’s going on in the world and appreciate the deep dives that I don’t always get from other pods. 10/10 would recommend!
  • SomaTekumalla
    Fast Fashion podcast
    Great podcast on Fast Fashion and its impact on climate change. I thought that wearing cotton clothes was environmentally better than clothes made with synthetic fabric. I need to better educate myself!!!
  • alien race
    Good questions raised
    They really helped explain how WhatsApp is the one stop all for Information and the danger of that
  • csmit115
    Amazing!!!
    Absolutely love this podcast! However, they rarely release new episodes, and those that are released are only about 30 min. Just wish they put out more content, because the topics discussed are so interesting!
  • Mays240
    Coronavirus
    Well done as usual! We were most impressed with how WIM has taken a complicated, rapidly breaking news story, and identified two crucial factors that were clearly examined and enhanced by articulate guest experts, great writing, and an always engaging host. In addition, the show provided information that helped address questions where there are no easy answers.
  • Kellkny
    Love.
    Fresh and informative.
  • S7k5
    Informative without being condescending
    Bite sized news!!
  • blueyefour
    Wow!
    Friend turned me onto the show. I listened to the hacking episode and enjoyed it so much that I binged all the way back to the beginning. I’m now a super fan. Keep up the good work and hope they start making them every week.
  • WillA25
    Not bad, one sided arguments
    It’s an interesting podcast with lots of food for thought. One thing that I have noticed is that there’s a very obvious political/partisan slant which isn’t bad in itself as everyone has their own opinion. My problem with this podcast is that they don’t usually attempt to cover the other side of the argument. Very in-depth research that is crammed into a short amount of time, but the one sidedness of the podcast is starting to bug me... Other than that, well done.
  • Omgswag1234
    Informative and efficient
    Good work Gabrielle! Refreshing to have a young woman as the host asking the important questions on foreign policy
  • Scrappy 67
    Great info in a short amount of time
    I love how the show packs so much info in a 24 minute podcast. The diversity of topics is nice too. There is something for everyone from the environmental issue of recycling to a president being able to hit the nuclear “red button”. I learn something new ever time.
  • bh_pdx
    Great Way to Unpack What Y’all Think About!
    Thanks for giving us a sense of the scope of the work you do, and for the relevant info!
  • 0000m3ga
    Well needed
    Well protected and written
  • Dr. Stacks
    Nothing to see here
    Everything is bad. The United States is terrible. There is no hope. Playing off people’s fears gets subscribers so why not right?
  • clint wolf
    Terrific
    A great, very interesting podcast. Thanks.
  • WineIslandPod
    Surprised.. wow
    This actually seemed super quick and enjoyable! Things happening in the world that you probably didn't know about. Wonder what my next revlation will be...
  • Bvassal
    Informative in a concise and understandable way
    My first podcast and I love it. Informative and easy to follow. Hopefully soon it will be weekly and not bi-weekly. Excellent.
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