Why It Matters

Latest Episodes:

Tariff Turmoil, Part 2: Steel and Dog Gelato Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Tariffs have sparked intense debate in Washington, but their consequences land far from Capitol Hill. Tariffs can shape paychecks, shift prices for consumers, and affect markets. At best, tariffs offer short-term protection for certain industries. At worst, they can uproot the lives of American workers. In this episode, Why It Matters looks at what tariffs mean for a U.S. steel manufacturer and small business owner trying to stay afloat.

Featured Guests

Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, CFR

Jamie Sychak, President of United Auto Workers Local 3303

Debbie Hendrickx, Founder and CEO of Swell Gelato

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/tariff-turmoil-part-2-steel-and-dog-gelato

Tariff Turmoil, Part 1: How Tariffs Are Affecting Farmers Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Tariffs are often discussed in big, abstract terms—trade wars, economic strategy, global power struggles. But for ginseng farmers in Wisconsin, their effects are painfully personal. In this episode, Why It Matters dives into how tariffs work and how they’re hitting one of America's most niche yet lucrative exports: Wisconsin-grown ginseng.

Featured Guests

Matthew P. Goodman, Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies, CFR

Will Hsu, President of Hsu's Ginseng Enterprises Inc.

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/tariff-turmoil-part-1-how-tariffs-are-affecting-farmers

The Washington Consensus Could Not Hold Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

When it comes to trade, there is no consensus in Washington. The issue has become deeply polarizing, with lawmakers split over whether free trade agreements benefit or harm the U.S. economy. While some argue that open markets are essential for global leadership and economic growth, others believe that such policies disproportionately harm American workers and industries, fueling the rise of protectionist sentiment.

This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we’re examining how trade policy is sizing up to be anything but consensus.

Featured Guests

Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR

Edward Alden, Senior Fellow specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/washington-consensus-could-not-hold

We’ve Been Looking At Trade All Wrong Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

There was once a broad consensus in Washington that trade was a force for good—a way to connect, grow, and prosper. But today, trade has evolved into something much bigger than just the exchange of goods. It’s become a powerful tool to rewrite the rules of foreign policy, reshape how the United States is viewed by the rest of the world, and steer us toward an increasingly uncertain future. When did this change begin, and where did we go off course?

This season, Why It Matters is taking you through the ins and outs of trade. In this episode, we’re diving into the history books to learn what can the past tell us about the future of U.S. trade policy.

Featured Guest

Edward Alden, senior fellow specializing in U.S. economic competitiveness, trade, and immigration policy

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/weve-been-looking-trade-all-wrong

Why Trade Matters Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Why It Matters is back and this time we are dedicating an entire season to talking about trade. Alongside CFR’s leading experts, we are bringing you stories from Americans around the country and trying to figure out where Washington went wrong when it comes to U.S. trade policy.

Why Climate Matters: Nuclear Energy Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

As the climate crisis intensifies, so do discussions about the utilization of nuclear energy. In the aftermath of nuclear meltdowns such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, climate skeptics say the environmental benefits do not outweigh the associated costs and risks. But others think that nuclear energy might be the best option for a greener future. Weighed against the world’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, how could nuclear be a safeguard for our energy supply?

This episode was originally released on October 29, 2021.

Featured Guests

Leslie Dewan, CEO, RadiantNano

Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/the-climate-for-nuclear-energy

New Podcast Spotlight: The Interconnect Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Emerging technologies are transforming international relations and our country’s economy. So how do we connect science and engineering labs with Washington and the world of business?

The Interconnect, a new podcast series from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review, brings together leading minds in cutting-edge technology and foreign policy to explore recent ground-breaking developments, what's coming over the horizon, and the implications for U.S. innovation leadership.

In this featured episode, Stanford Emerging Technology Review Faculty Council Member Mark Horowitz and CFR’s technologist-in-residence Sebastian Elbaum discuss where chip manufacturing is heading, how hardware advances are powering the new artificial intelligence (AI) era, and what the United States should prioritize in order to sustain its leadership in this crucial domain.

Host

Martin Giles, Managing Editor of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review

Guests

Mark Horowitz, chair of the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University

Sebastian Elbaum, the Technologist in Residence at the Council on Foreign Relations

Why Climate Matters: Water Scarcity Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Fresh water sustains all life, but in many regions, especially arid ones, it is becoming increasingly scarce due to climate change. Aging infrastructure and ineffective policies are only making the situation worse, affecting communities, economies, and even the political stability of some countries. As water shortages intensify, it’s crucial to rethink how we manage this vital resource and develop more adaptable systems that can better withstand the effects of climate change.

This episode was originally released on July 8, 2021.

Featured Guests

Sandra Postel, Founder and Director, Global Water Policy Project

Mark Giordano, Professor of Geography and Cinco Hermanos Chair in Environment and International Affairs, Georgetown University

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/water-scarcity

Why Climate Matters: The Arctic Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Under international law, the North Pole and the Arctic waters surrounding it are not owned by any country. But this January, President Donald Trump announced his plans to buy the Arctic territory of Greenland, testing the claims of rivals and opening up a greater conversation around who governs the Arctic Circle. On top of these icy tensions, the North Pole is warming. Melting ice caps are opening up new shipping routes and making the region increasingly mineable, generating even more interest from leaders around the world.

This episode was originally released on March 29, 2023.

Featured Guests

Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance

Jeff Randall, Military Fellow, U.S. Coast Guard

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/whats-cracking-arctic

Why Climate Matters: Pricing Climate Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

What does it mean to price our climate? The goal of fees like the “carbon tax” is to put a price on pollutants such as carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change, and incentivize businesses to reduce their emissions and make cleaner choices. But many companies are continuing to value profit over protecting the planet, backing out of their clean energy goals and sinking more money into fossil fuels and other short-term investments that harm the Earth. This has been happening for years, but has ramped up in anticipation of a new Trump administration which has pulled away from climate initiatives like the Paris Accord and Inflation Reduction Act since taking office.

This episode was originally released on July 29, 2020.

Featured Guests

Kate Mackenzie, Green Columnist, Bloomberg

Michael Greenstone, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/pricing-our-climate

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