The 6 Best Why It Matters Podcast Episodes
1) When the Microchips Are Down
Silicon chips are in almost all electronics, and access to them can make or break a country’s economic future. Their production relies on complex supply chains, and during the pandemic, the world lear...Show More
2) Spying 101
The glamour and thrill of espionage, brought to life on screen by characters such as James Bond, have long captivated imaginations. But this profession is deeply misunderstood, and it is always changi...Show More
3) China's Starring Role in Hollywood
What does it take to make a Hollywood blockbuster? Movie stars? A great script? How about approval from the Chinese government? In this episode, two guests explore the surprising role of Chinese censo...Show More
4) The World is Watching Us
The killing of George Floyd, the anti-racist protest movement that followed, and the administration’s response have shaken America, and reverberations can be felt across the globe. It is unclear what ...Show More
5) The One Where We Talk About NATO at a Party
You’re making the rounds at a party when someone asks you about NATO. Is it still important? The alliance is credited with preventing a third world war, but a lot of us don’t know what it is or how it...Show More
6) Hey, Remember the Olympics?
Hosting the Olympics is a monumental undertaking that often leaves behind rusted stadiums and financial losses. So why do nations compete to do it? This episode examines the political history of the g...Show More
7) Autonomous Ukraine: Allies, Partners, or Frenemies?
As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, Russian and Ukrainian forces remain locked in a brutal stalemate. Advanced technology and battlefield adaptation have shaped the conflict, but outside supp...Show More
8) Autonomous Ukraine: We Are in a New Era of Warfare
The war in Ukraine is redefining modern conflict and what it takes to win a war. Ushering in a new era of mass warfare and blurring the idea of a front line, millions of low-cost drones are swarming t...Show More
9) The Risk Report for 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, U.S. foreign policy stands at an inflection point. Under the second Trump administration, traditional alliances have been tested, a hard-edged national security strategy has ...Show More
10) Where Does U.S. Trade Go From Here?
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 terr...Show More