
The Two Matts
Join The New World's Matt Kelly and Matt d'Ancona plus occasional guests for weekly chat on politics and media with a side of cultural stuff. A podcast in the spirit of the award-winning New World newspaper - irreverent, witty, surprising, argumentative ... and annoying all the right people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 44min
Keir Starmer in big trouble at home
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 revealed! Enjoy!OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2025 • 46min
Trump drags the world to the edge of reality
The hosts dive into Donald Trump's chaotic responses to defiance from Israel and Iran, questioning the implications for global and Middle Eastern politics. They analyze the current dissonance in political statements alongside military actions, examining the UK’s evolving responses and the importance of international collaboration. The discussion also touches on rising global powers, particularly Africa and India. Additionally, humorous exchanges provide a lighthearted contrast to the serious geopolitical themes, painting a vivid picture of today’s unpredictable landscape.

Jun 22, 2025 • 42min
This week's Two Matts Q&A: Are we witnessing the early stages of a global war?
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.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19, 2025 • 47min
The week the world holds its breath
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 of light relief - MAGA is in a mess over it. It’s a small silver lining to a dark cloud overshadowing the planet this week.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 2025 • 49min
The genius of myth-busting ... with Helen Lewis
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!OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 15, 2025 • 33min
Q&A: Is the Trump-Musk rift far from amusing?
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!OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2025 • 60min
The extraordinary science of creativity with Marcus du Sautoy
Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor at Oxford and author of 'Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity', dives into the captivating interplay between math and the arts. He reveals how mathematical principles, like the golden ratio, elevate art and music, sparking wonder about why school math isn't as thrilling. The conversation also touches on how narrative structures in literature and sports strategies intertwine with mathematical concepts, showcasing the unexpected ways numbers can fuel creativity.

Jun 10, 2025 • 49min
Down and out in the manosphere - with James Bloodworth
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, James explains how the manosphere works … starting with his own flirtation with it twenty years ago. It’s a fascinating conversation. Enjoy!OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 8, 2025 • 29min
Is the Brexit argument now behind us?
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.OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 5, 2025 • 55min
The New European becomes The New World - with Alastair Campbell
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… and turned into the fastest growing title in the UK. While Alastair Campbell - who, it is rumoured, has a podcast of his own - joins them on the sofa to explain why The New World is his new favourite magazine. Enjoy!OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.