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, ExplainedWait, why did Canada arrest a Chinese CFO?
Canada arrested a Chinese executive at the request of the United States this week. It may set off a whole new Cold War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedDon Jr.
There used to be one Trump Tower controversy. Now there are two. Donald Trump Jr. is in the middle of both of them. The Washington Post’s David Fahrenthold…
Today, ExplainedPower, stripped
Wisconsin Republicans are scrambling to pass last-minute measures that would strip the incoming Democratic governor of a lot of his powers. Learn more about…
Today, ExplainedIs it time to delete Facebook?
The Verge’s Casey Newton explains the pros and cons of staying on Facebook after the latest scandal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedOne-term wonder
George H. W. Bush went from a record-breaking 89 percent approval rating after the Gulf War to losing his re-election bid to an upstart from Arkansas. Learn…
Today, ExplainedHumans 2.0
A Chinese scientist says he has genetically engineered two human babies, with another on the way. Is this the beginning of the end? Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedMadam Speaker
Nancy Pelosi is now officially the nominee for Speaker of the House. Time's Molly Ball explains who's happy and who's mad about it. Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedMandatory minimums
President Trump and both parties actually agree on something: mandatory minimum sentences are too harsh. Can they fix them? Learn more about your ad choices…
Today, ExplainedBattleship: Russia vs. Ukraine
Russia rammed one of its ships into a Ukrainian tug boat, further straining an already strung-out relationship. Vox’s Alex Ward takes us on a voyage to the…
Today, ExplainedFrom bad to worse at the border
U.S. Border Patrol tear-gassed asylum seekers who rushed the border yesterday. Maya Averbuch was there reporting for the New York Times. Vox’s Dara Lind…
Today, ExplainedWhen dogs fly
Airlines are getting tough on emotional support animals. Some people think they're a scam. Science isn’t sure. An expert weighs in, as does an emotional…
Today, ExplainedThose weird Cuban attacks
The Trump administration is punishing Cuba in response to mysterious attacks on U.S. diplomats in Havana. ProPublica's Sebastian Rotella explains what we know…
Today, ExplainedStill burning
The Camp Fire is the most destructive fire in California history, surpassing a record set just a few months ago. Vox’s Umair Irfan heads to Paradise. Learn…
Today, ExplainedDo it for the gram
Massive news: Scientists in France voted to officially redefine the kilogram today. They’ve been weighing their options for centuries. Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedThe simplest way to fix our gun laws
California has the strictest gun laws in the country, but they didn't prevent last week’s mass shooting in Thousand Oaks. Vox’s German Lopez explains the flaws…
Today, ExplainedThe citizenship question
The Trump administration would very much like to know if you’re a citizen come the 2020 census. NPR’s Hansi Lo Wang explains how that might break the census…
Today, ExplainedSit in a circle. Save your baby’s life.
South Carolina used to be one of the most dangerous places in America to have a baby. But now, it’s reducing infant mortality with an unconventional approach…
Today, ExplainedTotal Recount
Almost a week after the midterm elections, several key races remain undecided and recounts are coming. The president calls shenanigans. Learn more about your…
Today, ExplainedCould one man’s death change the conflict in Yemen?
The journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder has put the spotlight on an unlikely place: Yemen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, Explainedthank u, next (Attorney General remix)
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is out. His replacement has criticized the Mueller probe. Is the investigation safe? Vox’s Andrew Prokop isn’t so sure. Learn…
Today, ExplainedWhat now?
The results are in! Vox’s Libby Nelson provides a rundown. Matthew Yglesias predicts the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedWhy is voting optional?
For answers, we head to Australia where it isn't. Turnout surpasses 90% and elections are celebrated with democracy sausages on the barbie. Learn more about…
Today, ExplainedEverything you need to know about tomorrow’s midterms
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the midterm elections are tomorrow. A pair of Vox’s congressional reporters take a tour of key races before Ezra Klein…
Today, ExplainedCan I hack it? (Yes, you can.)
Hacking our elections is so easy, a 7-year-old can do it. (Really.) How we got here and why the best solution is one you might not expect. Learn more about…
Today, Explained$$ FREE MONEY FREE MONEY $$
What if the government just gave everyone money? No strings attached. Crazier things have happened. Nixon even tried to implement such a program once. The…
Today, ExplainedWhat the frack is up with Colorado
Colorado's Proposition 112 is dividing the state. The ballot measure could severely limit oil and gas production, including fracking. Sean Rameswaram speaks…
Today, ExplainedOne week to midterms, 5000 troops to border
THE CARAVAN IS COMING! DISEASE! MUSLIMS! DANGER! LOCK THE BORDER! Or maybe just listen to this episode in which Vox’s Dara Lind separates truth from fiction…
Today, ExplainedTree of Life
A mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue has confirmed what many believed to be true: Anti-Semitism is on the rise in America, and it's fueling white…
Today, ExplainedThe Purge
More than 50,000 voters in Georgia have found themselves on a “pending list.” One candidate for governor is responsible for it. The other is fighting it. The…
Today, ExplainedBombs in the mail
America’s favorite Democrats are getting pipe bombs in the mail. Who even mails bombs anymore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Kill the Treaty
The Trump administration announced it’s throwing out a decades-old arms treaty with Russia. Arms control specialist Alexandra Bell explains why this news pairs…
Today, ExplainedWhat the transgender memo means
A leaked Health and Human Services memo has left transgender Americans feeling like the Trump administration wants to define them out of existence. Dominic…
Today, ExplainedWe're gonna need a bigger vote
A ballot initiative on November 6 might re-enfranchise over a million Floridians. Demetrius Jifunza explains what it would mean to regain the right to vote…
Today, ExplainedFW: FW: FW: SECRETS TO BOOST YOUR METABOLISM
Metabolism is one of the greatest mysteries of the human body. Vox’s Julia Belluz spends a day in a metabolic chamber and emerges with some answers. Learn more…
Today, ExplainedConsequences
It is now almost certain that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered at the hands of the Saudi government. As more and more gruesome details emerge…
Today, ExplainedAffirmative reaction
Harvard is on trial. A group of Asian Americans is facing off against the college in court, where it might dismantle the very affirmative action law that was…
Today, ExplainedBeto and Ted's Excellent Adventure
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including a Senate race that feels more like a presidential one. Texas Monthly’s Eric Benson explains how Beto O’Rourke might…
Today, ExplainedRemember, remember the 6th of November
Midterm elections are three weeks and a day away. Vox’s Dylan Scott says if you think the country's polarized, you ain't seen nothing yet. Learn more about…
Today, ExplainedThe $629 Band-Aid
Imagine a world where a Band-Aid costs $629. Bad news: you live in that world. Vox’s Sarah Kliff explains how American hospitals tack on “facility fees” to…
Today, ExplainedDisappeared
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week, but he never left. Now, Turkish officials claim he was killed and then…
Today, ExplainedEarth is cancelled due to weather
The United Nations now says the planet has 12 years to avoid catastrophic climate change. Vox’s Umair Irfan explores the options humanity has left…
Today, ExplainedNikki out
Surprise! Nikki Haley, President Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, has resigned. Vox’s Alex Ward explains why one of the most popular members of the…
Today, ExplainedThe death penalty and the gopher frog
Brett Kavanaugh starts his new job tomorrow. The Washington Post’s Robert Barnes previews the Supreme Court’s new term and Vox’s Matthew Yglesias says his…
Today, ExplainedAll my friends are robocalls
Why even answer the phone anymore? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedThe Kavanaugh report is here and no, you can't see it
The FBI has finished its investigation of Brett Kavanaugh. Today, senators entered a highly secured room to review it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Today, ExplainedHow to run for president from a hospital bed
One candidate was stabbed. Another is sitting in jail. His replacement was slapped with corruption charges. Just your friendly neighborhood candidates for…
Today, ExplainedGood news for Canadians who like milk
The United States, Mexico, and Canada have a new trade deal. It’s called USMCA, or “the new NAFTA.” Vox’s Jen Kirby breaks it down before political scientist…
Today, ExplainedInternet fist fight
California passed the strongest net neutrality law the country’s ever seen this weekend. The Department of Justice immediately sued. Who’s gonna win this…
Today, Explained"Somebody's gotta explain this to Trump"
After tense words and a walkout, the Republicans got their man and the Democrats got their FBI investigation. Vox's Ezra Klein explains how both sides sorta…
Today, ExplainedTestimony (Part 2 of 2)
Today, Brett Kavanaugh responded to Christine Blasey Ford's testimony that he tried to rape her in high school. (An episode on Ford's testimony was released…
Today, ExplainedTestimony (Part 1 of 2)
Today, Christine Blasey Ford publicly testified about her allegations that Brett Kavanaugh attempted to rape her in high school. (Expect an additional episode…
Today, ExplainedThe ghost of Florence
Dozens died, millions of animals drowned, billions of dollars worth in damage done, and Hurricane Florence isn’t even over yet. Before rebuilding begins, the…
Today, ExplainedRed light, green card
The Trump administration wants to make it a whole lot harder to get a green card. Vox's Dara Lind explains the newest proposal to rein in legal immigration…
Today, ExplainedAccusers, plural
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is facing more accusations of sexual misconduct. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Today, ExplainedChicago on trial
Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke shot Laquan McDonald 16 times. His murder trial began this week, four years after Laquan was killed. WBEZ's Shannon…
Today, Explainedelon r u ok
Elon Musk is having a bit of a week, a month, a year. Now the Department of Justice is investigating him, as is Today, Explained. Learn more about your ad…
Today, ExplainedChina's concentration camps
China has a secret that’s slowly slipping out: roughly a million Uighurs are being held in “reeducation camps”. Gulchehra Hoja, a Uighur journalist, explains…
Today, ExplainedNow’s a great time to commit some white-collar crime
The Mueller investigation has revealed how easy it is to get away with white-collar crime in the United States. ProPublica’s Jesse Eisinger explains how we got…
Today, ExplainedWhat the letter said
Christine Blasey Ford has come forward to accuse Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault. Vox's Li Zhou recounts the alleged assault and Emily Bazelon from the New…
Today, ExplainedBack to Juul
The FDA announced this week it’s cracking down on e-cigarettes, demanding that manufacturers like Juul prove within 60 days they aren’t harmful to youth. Vox’s…