Things That Matter: Story, Cast and Series Facts

Story and premise

We live in a divided country. A country where many cannot talk to those with whom they disagree. Where people can't speak across the political divide – or even sometimes across the kitchen table.

Things That Matter aims to change that.

Sponsored by Bank of America, Things That Matter is a series of town halls and debates that will feature the people in politics and culture who are shaping American life. The events will be held across the country, in front of audiences who have a stake in the topics under discussion.

The events take Americans into the most important issues that directly affect their lives – immigration, capitalism, public health, criminal justice, foreign policy, artificial intelligence and the state of politics. The debates echo the country's 250th anniversary, showing how the power of America's earliest principles – civil, substantive discussion, free of rancor – have immense value today.

Series details

• Title: Things That Matter
• Format: News
• Language: English
• Premiere date: 2026-02-15
• Status in TVmaze: Running
• Network listed by TVmaze: CBS
• Network country: United States
• Typical episode runtime: 60 minutes
• TVMaze ID: 89154

Cast and credited roles

• Norah O'Donnell — Host
• Tony Dokoupil — Host

Seasons in the TVmaze catalogue

• Season 1: premiered 2026-02-15; final listed air date 2026-03-14.

Source and licence

Adapted from Things That Matter on TVmaze. The synopsis is reproduced as plain text; catalogue facts, cast and season records are selected and reformatted. This adapted text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, following the TVmaze API licence. Network and web-channel credits identify the service listed in this source; they do not establish current streaming availability.