The Two Matts

The Matts are joined by Jonathan Goodman, author of Invisible Rivals, a fascinating book about what really makes the world go round and its consequences for religion, politics and media. It’s a revelatory conversation that will change how you think about society. Also the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother, plus what the hell is going on in Number Ten? Enjoy!

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The Matts reflect on the prospect of famine in Gaza while the UK media obsesses on the antics of a rapper on a Glastonbury stage. Why is the crisis facing hundreds of thousands of children relegated to an afterthought? Why does Keir Starmer say more about Bob Vylan than the humanitarian disaster on the eastern shore of the Med?

Also: can Starmer survive the pirouettes of u-turns he is performing as the Parliamentary Labour Party rej...

The Matts again respond to your queries. They discuss whether the government’s Palestine Action decision means Just Stop Oil could now be considered terrorists, if AI could actually be the populists’ worst nightmare and the genius of David Lynch.

Plus they debate whether journalists should strive for detachment, Keir Starmer’s on-off welfare cuts and which is most cringeworthy: Mark Rutte calling Donald Trump Daddy, Trump comparing ...

As the international news agenda moves at a frenzied pace, back home Keir Starmer faces a crisis of his own. The Matts explore the depth of feeling from amongst his own backbenchers against his welfare bill. It’s a crisis wholly of his own making and as Reform continues to surge in the polls, it bodes badly for all of us. Also - why did Mark Rutte call Trump daddy? And what was the Matts’ greatest Glasto moment? All will be reveale...

It’s been a few days of head-spinning consequence and the Matts  explore the thinking of the man at its heart - Donald Trump. They kick off with an extraordinary moment; Trump losing his cool as Israel and Iran both appear to defy his ceasefire - but then the conversation moves quickly to what this means for the Middle East, for the UK, the United Nations, for NATO, and for the future of Europe. There’s a lot of ground covered...

The Matts again respond to your queries. They discuss whether we are witnessing the early stages of a global war without anyone admitting it, if we have collectively deleted our memory of 2016 and when we started confusing billionaires with philosophers. Plus there’s talk of whether Keir Starmer should have stooped at the feet of Donald Trump, if having children is ethical and what actually defines genius.

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As missiles fly between Israel and Iran, the Matts explore the long backstory to a conflict that has the capacity to spark a truly global conflict. Why has Netanyahu chosen now to attack? What can Iranians hope for? How will Keir Starmer handle the fact he is caught between a rock and hard place. And the biggest question of all: What will Trump do now. Ok - so not even Trump knows that - but the Matts explore the options. One note ...

The Matts are joined by Helen Lewis, journalist and author of The Genius Myth: A Curious History of a Dangerous Idea for a fascinating deep-dive into what it means to be a genius. Why does society worship difficult men? Who gets left out of the genius narrative? And what if collaboration, not isolation, is the real source of greatness? Enjoy!

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The Matts discuss whether the rift between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is actually far from amusing, if the US president is being insulated from the mockery being hurled at him and what is going on with the so-called Epstein files. Plus they talk about how to fix the manosphere, the way to react to Quran burnings and potential acronyms to give to Nigel Farage. Enjoy!

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The Matts are joined in the studio by one of the world’s greatest explainers of science; Marcus du Sautoy to discuss his new book Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity. It’s a thrilling conversation which leaves both Matts wondering … why can’t maths lessons in schools be this interesting?! Join them as Marcus explains how great art, music and literature all have the power of numbers embedded within - and how maths can tran...

The Matts are joined by author James Bloodworth whose new book Lost Boys is a brilliantly insightful exploration of misogyny and conspiracy rife within groups of young men today. James does what many journalists don’t - he goes on the road, all over the world, to meet with his subjects and understand what drives this alarming phenomenon. From Red Pill and Black Pill conspiracies to Instagram’s algorithmic gateway into Andrew Tate, ...

Today on The Two Matts podcast Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether the New World means the Brexit argument is now behind us, the emotive language around treating sex offenders and whether Keir Starmer needs to be replaced by a better entertainer. There’s also talk of whether Thames Water should be turned into a mutual, Donald Trump’s madness and tacos.

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The Matts are joined by Alastair Campbell to discuss today’s big news - the rebrand of The New European to The New World. Why are we changing? Who is The New World for? Who will be writing in it... and about what. All will be revealed. Founder and editor-in-chief Matt Kelly and editor-at-large Matthew d’Ancona explain the thinking and ambition behind this new chapter in the publishing success that started life as a 4-week pop-up… a...

Britain faces an unprecedented litany of threat, at home and abroad. If you want to know just how bad it is, don’t worry - we’ve got the full list. The Matts praise Keir Starmer’s response … and explore the consequences. Also - why Hope Not Hate are the good guys and a humbling encounter with Ed Vaizey. It’s all going on! Enjoy!

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Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. The pair discuss whether the Trump administration is aping the Tories' Rwanda scheme, why the government is so bad at communications and if Cyril Ramaphosa is really someone to admire. Plus the best way to treat prisoners with mental health or substance issues, the MAGA maniacs sticking their noses into the Polish elections and posh accents in Jane Austen dramas.

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The falling out between Elon Musk and Donald Trump was predictable enough but consequential all the same. The Matts explore what this says about the Trump administration and the personal damage to Musk. Also - as Sadiq Khan calls for the decriminalisation of small amounts of cannabis, the Matts take a deep breath and try to bring some perspective to an issue that has sent all their usual dopes into a frenzy. Enjoy!

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Matthew d'Ancona and Matt Kelly again respond to your queries. They discuss whether Keir Starmer really believes the Daily Mail can ever be won over, if there's a case for the study of wisdom in the age of AI and whether they share one reader's nostalgia for the dying days of the last Tory government.

Plus there's talk about whether the media panders to Nigel Farage and Donald Trump, the groupthink of the Lobby and the collectiv...

Is the government’s new plan for dealing with our burgeoning prison population sensible? And is it a vote winner? Two very different questions - the Matts discuss. And did the red top tabloids fall for the oldest trick in the art of political communications? Also this week - what did Trump’s Oval Office ambush of the South African President this week add up to? More than It appears is the Matts verdict. Enjoy!

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