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, ExplainedStop the press!
From Stephen Colbert to Rupert Murdoch, powerful media figures are in President Trump’s crosshairs. And in many cases, Trump is getting his way. This episode…
Today, ExplainedWe’re setting fire to food aid
The Trump administration is dismantling — or quite literally burning up — both domestic and international food aid programs. The actions will likely usher in a…
Today, ExplainedThe summer I turned into a bookworm
Summer. Time for pools, BBQs, and the beach read. But why do we read "summer books"? This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi…
Today, ExplainedSuper mad about Superman
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a bunch of pundits acting like Superman was ever anything but an immigrant and a humanitarian. This episode was produced by…
Today, ExplainedHow the YIMBYs won
Yes in My Backyard-ers are celebrating reforms to California's landmark environmental laws, which they say will bring much-needed housing. Nationwide, the…
Today, ExplainedTrump's Epstein problem
You probably shouldn't expect to see the Epstein Files anytime soon. That's because the Department of Justice belongs to President Trump. This episode was…
Today, ExplainedTrump’s dork philosopher
Curtis Yarvin began as an anonymous blogger arguing esoteric ideas about how America would be better off as a monarchy. He’s now the Trump administration’s…
Today, ExplainedElon's party in the USA
Elon Musk says he wants to launch a new political party. Voters consistently say they want more choices. But history is littered with failed third-party…
Today, ExplainedChat BFF
More and more of us are interacting with chatbots. Can we have real relationships with AI, and can AI teach humans to be better people? This episode is a…
Today, ExplainedPlastic rain
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about how we were mostly able to get the acid rain problem under control...only to find ourselves with a…
Today, ExplainedFrom Alligator Alcatraz to South Sudan
The Trump administration is not happy with their deportation numbers. They're turning to more extreme strategies to hit 1 million by year's end. This episode…
Today, ExplainedI was told there would be deals
After pressing pause on the steepest tariffs, the Trump Administration promised 90 tariff deals in 90 days. That deadline is nearly here but the deals are not…
Today, ExplainedTrump's Nobel Peace Prize
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump he has nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize for his Middle East efforts. We hear what…
Today, ExplainedTexas blame game
Dozens of people were swept away by flash floods in Texas this weekend. The finger-pointing has already begun. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and…
Today, ExplainedOur complicated relationship with the flag
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar openly celebrate the American flag. But a lot of Black Americans feel differently. What does that tell us about identity today? This…
Today, ExplainedDisney's America
There’s no shortage of fights over American history right now, but let’s see what we can learn from that one time in the '90s when Disney tried to build a…
Today, ExplainedMake America Uninsured Again
If the Senate's massive tax and immigration bill passes the House it will be the biggest cut to Medicaid since the program began and could fracture the GOP's…
Today, ExplainedUnmasking ICE
ICE agents are showing up to immigration raids masked. The Trump administration says it's for the protection of the agents, but how does it impact…
Today, ExplainedPorn on the docket
The Supreme Court has a long history of taking on cases about porn, including one they decided on Friday. Vox's Ian Millhiser explains how that history of…
Today, ExplainedCan we ever know our dogs?
So many of us believe we understand what our pets are feeling. Are we fooling ourselves? This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy…
Today, ExplainedSwole Girl Summer
Weightlifting is the fastest growing sport among women. It's challenging how we think about who is allowed to be strong and what fitness really means. This…
Today, ExplainedWars have rules
The legal architecture that would define and prosecute what’s happening in Gaza is failing. Reporter Suzy Hansen explains how 80 years of international…
Today, ExplainedBurrito now, pay later
Americans are turning to "buy now, pay later" apps for purchases as small as a burrito—it’s a symptom of a larger national addiction to debt. This episode was…
Today, ExplainedElon Musk presents: Taxis
Elon Musk and Tesla launched their long-delayed robotaxi service this weekend in Texas. The Verge's Andrew Hawkins explains why so much is riding on its…
Today, ExplainedAmerica First (unless Iran...)
Vox's Josh Keating and author Vali Nasr explain what bombing Iran won’t accomplish. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Hady Mawajdeh, edited…
Today, ExplainedSleepaway camp's nostalgia economy
Unpacking the American rite of passage that so many children love — but that isn't right for everyone. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by…
Today, ExplainedElon’s Boring town
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about the world's richest man and the company town he's developing outside of Austin, Texas. Like the…
Today, ExplainedFive boroughs. One mayor. Mad drama.
New York Public Radio icon Brian Lehrer breaks down the New York City mayor's race and New York magazine's David Freedlander explains what Democrats nationally…
Today, ExplainedIran, Israel, and Trump
The conflict between Israel and Iran is revealing a deep divide within the MAGA universe over whether to get more involved or stay on the sidelines. This…
Today, ExplainedAmerica the extreme
This weekend saw a shocking act of political violence, a military parade in DC, and political protests across the US. What's going on? This episode was…
Today, ExplainedLet's fight over bike lanes
A caller asks why it's so hard to make biking safe in LA. We bike around different US cities to get the answer. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan…
Today, ExplainedThe big business of small streamers
Dropout is a smaller streaming platform where improv comedy is king. It might be the blueprint for the future of streaming. This episode was produced by Hady…
Today, ExplainedPalantir has your info
The Trump administration wants to merge all of our data across government agencies. And it's asked a controversial company to help. This episode was produced…
Today, ExplainedElon and Trump need space
Vox’s Joshua Keating explains why the US government can’t have a big, beautiful breakup with Elon Musk. And now that he’s left DOGE, Elaine Kamarck from…
Today, ExplainedTrump's other big breakup
President Trump recently blew up his alliance with the conservative legal group that helped him remake the judiciary. But the group’s leader is already moving…
Today, ExplainedFire and ICE in Los Angeles
President Trump sent in the National Guard to quell protests caused by ICE raids. LA Times reporter Rachel Uranga covered the chaos, which Mark Krikorian from…
Today, ExplainedThe recession indicator game
Press-on nails, new music from Katy Perry, and an uptick in Klarna purchases: signs of an economic downturn or no? This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh…
Today, ExplainedAI Video Killed the Video Star
Google’s new AI video tool Veo 3 looks freakishly real, but it might take Hollywood to fully harness its power. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey…
Today, ExplainedBaby’s first gene edit
For the first time ever, experimental gene editing technology has been used to treat a baby with a fatal condition. Just don’t mess with the embryos. This…
Today, ExplainedBlack schools, red states
A supporter of President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis was just appointed to lead the historically Black college Florida A&M University. Students and…
Today, ExplainedDonald Trump's "Golden Dome"
President Trump wants to build a "Golden Dome" to protect the US from the threat of nuclear weapons. It’s a sign we’re in a new nuclear era. This episode was…
Today, ExplainedThe white gold rush
The US has enormous deposits of critical minerals like lithium right here at home. So why are we looking at mining the ocean floor and asteroids? This episode…
Today, ExplainedHow Gen Z found religion
For the first time in decades, American Christianity is not in decline. What are young people looking for–and finding–at church? Further reading: The…
Today, ExplainedWhat Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us
The legendary coach is getting more attention for his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson than football these days. It’s a reminder that we should…
Today, ExplainedAll eyes back on Gaza
From podcaster Theo Von to children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel to the new pope to President Trump, a strange coalition of people is criticizing Israel’s latest…
Today, ExplainedA comedian tries to fix aviation
Newark’s crisis is coming soon to an airport near you. Thankfully, comedian Nathan Fielder is dead serious about aviation safety. This episode was produced by…
Today, ExplainedThe minerals that rule our world
The race to control critical mineral deposits has become a major driver of US foreign policy -- and is redrawing global alliances. This episode was made in…
Today, ExplainedMethamphetamine: The most misunderstood drug?
Methamphetamine is best known as one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs out there. But it's also an FDA-approved drug that can be used to treat ADHD in…
Today, ExplainedAll the sad young literary men
Writer Ross Barkan says young men's voices have vanished from literary fiction. Economist Joel Waldfogel offers a reality check from the world of publishing…
Today, ExplainedShould women be in combat?
Combat roles have been open to women for a decade, but President Donald Trump's Pentagon still questions whether women can be lethal. Army veteran Emelie…
Today, ExplainedDonald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
“You are tearing me apart, Congress.” This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura…
Today, ExplainedWhite genocide Grok
When the Twitter/X chatbot, Grok, started glitching with responses about white genocide to unrelated questions, it pulled back the curtain on the people behind…
Today, ExplainedMy colleague, the scammer
North Korea has been sending young, tech-savvy operatives to pose as ordinary American job seekers. Tech reporter Bobbie Johnson investigates the scam. This…
Today, ExplainedWhy are my allergies getting worse?
It feels like sneezing season lasts longer and takes more victims every year. An allergist and a public health specialist explain how to fight back. This…
Today, ExplainedHow to "fix" your face
All that time staring at ourselves on Zoom has led to a rise in procedures like “baby botox.” The Atlantic’s Yasmin Tayag explains the lure and Dr. Michelle…
Today, ExplainedAll the president’s side hustles
Ethical concerns abound on the president's first big trip to the Middle East since reentering office. But if you really want conflicts of interest, take a look…
Today, ExplainedTrump’s emergency powers grab
President Donald Trump has declared an unprecedented number of national emergencies. He's used them to wage a trade war, deport people, and speed up oil…
Today, ExplainedOops!... I voted for Trump
In the run-up to the election, Donald Trump successfully convinced a historic number of younger, Black, and Latino voters that he was the best option. Some are…
Today, ExplainedIs John Fetterman ok?
New York magazine’s Ben Terris talks through his reporting on Sen. John Fetterman’s health and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party. This…
Today, ExplainedThe drama and trauma of 23andMe
With the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to all the data millions of Americans handed over? And how should you approach…