Shows / Today, Explained
Today, Explained
Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Today, ExplainedSex and branding
Nxivm: sounds like a drug, looks like a cult. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedAgent Assange?
Julian Assange was already in heaps of trouble when the United States indicted him under the Espionage Act last week. Now he (and journalism) might be put on…
Today, ExplainedMueller speaks
Special counsel Robert Mueller made his first public statement about his investigation today. No questions. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedHack to the Future
Baltimore is under attack. Hackers have hijacked the city’s online services and are demanding $100,000 worth of bitcoin. ProPublica’s Renee Dudley explains how…
Today, ExplainedHow to save a life
Dylan Matthews, host of Vox's Future Perfect podcast, gave away his kidney because it felt like the right thing to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, Explained"Keep our honor clean"
President Trump is reportedly considering issuing a series of pardons for alleged war crimes in time for Memorial Day. Some see parallels to Nixon’s handling…
Today, ExplainedTissue issues
Stem cell clinics are popping up all over the United States. They're profitable and full of promises, but almost totally unregulated. ProPublica's Caroline…
Today, ExplainedThe mother of all elections
When you have 900 million eligible voters, elections take a little longer. After 39 days of polling, India’s will be over this week. Journalist Ashish Malhotra…
Today, ExplainedHow to kill a gram
Today, a new definition of the kilogram officially takes effect. But it's just one piece in the massively complicated history of weight. Learn more about your…
Today, ExplainedAll shows must die
What do we say to the God of Death? Not today. Explained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedThe race to ban abortion
The governor of Alabama signed the nation’s strictest anti-abortion bill into law. Vox’s Anna North explains what the legislation means and Sean Rameswaram…
Today, ExplainedMake America Trade Again
President Trump's trade war with China just got a lot worse. Can you feel it? Vox's Matthew Yglesias says most Americans won't, but it's still bad for America…
Today, ExplainedThe fight for your face
Today San Francisco could become the first American city to ban government agencies from using facial recognition technology. Vox’s Sigal Samuel explains how a…
Today, ExplainedLife sentence, no trial
Terry Allen has been in prison for over 30 years without a conviction because of a little-known rule that was meant to reform the criminal justice system…
Today, ExplainedMissile in a bottle
After a long hiatus, Kim Jong-un is back to launching missiles. A lot of people are up in arms, but Vox's Alex Ward says North Korea's Supreme Leader is only…
Today, ExplainedUber but for strikes
Uber drivers want some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. And it might actually be as easy as A-B-C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedWho framed Mayor Pete?
Two right-wing operatives tried to frame Mayor Pete Buttigieg for sexual assault. It didn’t go as planned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, Explained“Awwww, Shucky Ducky!”
President Trump has tried and failed to install two controversial candidates onto the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. Vox’s Matthew Yglesias argues that…
Today, ExplainedSarah Kliff vs. Zuckerberg General
Vox's Sarah Kliff has been writing about surprise ER bills for a year, but the practices at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital were unlike anything she…
Today, ExplainedA Mueller walks into a Barr
This week in Mueller report aftermath: An incendiary letter leaks; the attorney general spars with senators and then cancels a date with the House. Slate’s…
Today, ExplainedTrack and Female
The track and field world is trying to figure out what it means to be female. South African Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya’s future is caught in the…
Today, ExplainedBovine intervention
Burger King announced it's going nationwide with a meatless Whopper that tastes like the real thing. Is this the end for Big Meat? Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedAfter the smoke clears
Sri Lanka is both returning to normalcy and struggling with last week’s Easter attacks. Roel Raymond provides an update from Colombo and Amarnath Amarasingam…
Today, ExplainedStandoff at the NRA
Things are so bad at the NRA that President Trump told the organization to get its act together today. Infighting, self-dealing, and lavish spending have led…
Today, ExplainedSubpoena season
Post-Mueller, President Trump is navigating a sea of subpoenas. He says he doesn't want his aides to testify, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…
Today, ExplainedTuition: Impossible
Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to cancel your college debt. To pay for it, she wants to tax the ultra-rich and take more than just their income. Learn more about…
Today, ExplainedFollow the drugs
For the first time, federal prosecutors have brought drug trafficking charges against pharmaceutical executives. It's one way to fight the opioid crisis. Vox's…
Today, ExplainedMartin Sheen 2020?
Ukraine elected a new president on Sunday and his only meaningful preparation for the position was playing the president on TV. Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedSri Lanka's Easter attacks
Almost 300 people were killed in a string of bombings on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Roel Raymond reports from Colombo and Amarnath Amarasingam explains how…
Today, ExplainedFrankenswine
Maybe you've heard about the pig brains that were resuscitated by Yale researchers? But did you hear about the human brain genes that were inserted into monkey…
Today, ExplainedIt's Robert Time!
Attorney General William Barr released Robert Mueller’s report today. Vox’s Andrew Prokop reads between the redactions and Ezra Klein explains what it all…
Today, ExplainedThe Jeffrey Epstein scandal isn't over
A Florida millionaire created a system to sexually abuse around 80 young girls. The sitting Secretary of Labor who let him off easy might now be held…
Today, ExplainedMy lovely lady pumps
Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedIt's a great time to cheat on your taxes
The IRS is in a bit of a crisis. ProPublica’s Paul Kiel explains how a profitable government agency succumbed to politics and ended up losing tens of billions…
Today, ExplainedMaximum Pressure
Earlier this week, President Trump designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. It is the first time the United States has ever given such a…
Today, ExplainedThey called it (a revolution)
After 30 years in power, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the authoritarian leader of Sudan, has been ousted. Reporter Reem Abbas explains how the Sudanese…
Today, ExplainedMedicare Bears
Senator Bernie Sanders rolled out a new Medicare-for-all bill today. Vox’s Sarah Kliff explains how such a huge overhaul of the healthcare system went from…
Today, ExplainedAchy Breaky Charts
“Old Town Road” officially became the most popular song in America today. But it’s also the most controversial. Vox’s Allegra Frank chronicles Lil Nas X’s…
Today, ExplainedA brutal new law in Brunei
Sex between men will now get you stoned to death in Brunei. It’s a strict reading of Sharia by a sultan who seems to have little regard for it. Learn more…
Today, ExplainedThe Art of the Green New Deal
It's the hottest resolution since sliced bread. But is it just empty calories? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedBanned: Aid
After months of threats, President Donald Trump has officially taken steps to cut off aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Vox's Dara Lind explains…
Today, ExplainedRU$H HOUR
New York City wants to charge drivers a congestion fee to slim down traffic. We travel the world to see if it’s a good idea. Learn more about your ad choices…
Today, ExplainedWhat women really want
To mark Equal Pay Day 2019, Vox’s Sarah Kliff reveals the very simple reason women earn less than men. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedThe right to refuse
The Texas Senate is debating a bill that would give state-licensed professionals the freedom to deny services based on religious beliefs. Lauren McGaughy from…
Today, ExplainedOnce, twice, three times a Brexit
Theresa May staked her prime ministership on her Brexit deal and, for the third time, the British Parliament rejected it. Vox's Jen Kirby explains a very bad…
Today, ExplainedGrounded
Unsettling details continue to arise about Boeing's 737 Max and now Congress is pressing the FAA and America's largest manufacturing exporter for answers…
Today, ExplainedI got 5G on it
You've heard about the trade war, but how about the phone war? Politico's Steven Overly explains why the US and China are fighting over Huawei and 5G. Learn…
Today, ExplainedThe Golan Heights
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, breaking with decades of United States policy. The…
Today, ExplainedThe report on the report
Robert Mueller's investigation has ended and Attorney General William Barr has furnished a four-page summary. Vox's Andrew Prokop says this is far from over…
Today, ExplainedJacinda
The terrorist attacks in New Zealand have thrust Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern into the spotlight. Radio New Zealand’s Jane Patterson explains the…
Today, ExplainedElectoral College dropout
Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are calling to abolish the Electoral College and a dozen states have signed on to a plan that would subvert it. Learn more…
Today, ExplainedTried six times for the same crime
Today the Supreme Court hears oral arguments about Curtis Flowers, who has been tried six times for the same crime: a quadruple homicide at a furniture store…
Today, ExplainedCBD? TBD.
CBD is winding up in your lattes, your gummies, and your massages, but what exactly is it? And is anyone regulating it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedAmerican hate
The Christchurch shooting took place thousands of miles from the United States, but for Muslims in America, the threat of white supremacy remains very real…
Today, ExplainedA mass shooting, live-streamed
A terrorist attacked two mosques in New Zealand during Friday prayer, killing at least 49 people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedBoeing 737 Max
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on Sunday killing all 157 aboard. The response was unprecedented. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedBecky with the bad grades
Remember Aunt Becky from Full House? She might be heading to the big house. Fifty grown-ups, including Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, are facing federal…
Today, ExplainedFor all eyes only
Can't pass an FBI background check? Not a problem. That's the Trump administration's approach to top secret security clearances for some White House officials…
Today, ExplainedSailing a boat on an alien sea
SpaceX and Blue Origin have been driving much of the excitement around space travel for the past several years, but NASA got back in the game today. Dr. Ellen…
Today, ExplainedTrump's money man
Michael Cohen mentioned one name multiple times during his Congressional testimony: accountant Allen Weisselberg. We peel back the curtain on the keeper of…