Today, Explained

Schooling kids at PragerU

PragerU’s AI slop is the Trump administration’s new favorite educational resource for a revisionist history. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Denise Guerra and Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who spoke at the White House launch of the PragerU "Road to Liberty" videos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America’s high-speed rail fail

The US is well behind much of the world in building passenger rail, especially high-speed trains. But we do have one major advantage. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Naureen Khan, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd with help from Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note ⁠here⁠. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: ⁠vox.com/members⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is your brain off books

A return to orality is frying our politics and our brains. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers and Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Denise Guerra, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A caveman using tools in his cave. Photo via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trumpiest judge yet

Emil Bove, the president's former lawyer, was just confirmed to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The only place to go from there is the Supreme Court — not that the president needs any help there. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Avishay Artsy and Gabrielle Berbey, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Emil Bove has been confirmed to serve as a federal appellate judge. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AI is killing the internet

In a first-of-its-kind decision, an AI company wins a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by authors. It's part of a larger fight that is remaking the internet. This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s ⁠Future Perfect⁠ team. It was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Rebeca Ibarra, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Noted fan of the internet Al Gore with his boss at the time, President Bill Clinton. (Photo by Sharon Farmer/White House/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gaza's breaking point

Israel says it will allow more food aid to reach starving Palestinians, but it’s going to be tough if the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation remains in the mix. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Rebeca Ibarra and Amina Al-Sadi, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A charity distributes meals to Palestinians facing food shortages in Gaza. (Photo by Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The mother of all conspiracies

The Epstein scandal won't go away, but that won't stop President Donald Trump from trying to pivot to "Russia Russia Russia." This episode was produced by Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Hady Mawajdeh and Denise Guerra, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A protest truck in Scotland. Photo by LESLEY MARTIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is tipping fair?

From raising the tipped minimum wage to "no tax on tips," we look at the challenges of remaking tipped work. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Crashing out

Everyone from Love Island’s Huda to Hunter Biden is screaming, crying, or throwing up for the cameras. The big emotions are real, but so are the downsides of having them in public. This episode was produced by Rebeca Ibarra and Devan Schwartz, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Miles Bryan, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Huda Mustafa on the set of Love Island with Jeremiah Brown, the co-star she "crashed out" over. Photo by Kim Nunneley/Peacock via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Revoking US citizenship

President Trump wants to ramp up denaturalization — revoking citizenship from Americans who were born elsewhere. It’s a practice with a long and controversial history. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Immigrants take the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony. Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America’s miraculous murder decline

Over the last two years, crime rates have been plunging in cities across America. In Baltimore, gun crime is at the lowest it’s been in decades. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Young men at ROCA, a Baltimore non-profit serving youth at risk of gun violence. Photo by Miles Bryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stop 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 was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’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 new era of hunger. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A discarded USAID wheat sack outside a shelter in Mekele, Ethiopia. Photo by XIMENA BORRAZAS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 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, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.  Further Reading: Bad Witches by H.B. Akumiah and Constance Grady's newsletter from Vox. Further listening:  ⁠Limousine⁠ podcast. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Super 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 Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A Dairy Queen ad promoting the Superman movie. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How 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 revolution might finally be here. This episode was made in collaboration with Vox’s Future Perfect. It was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Former LA City Councilmember Joe Buscaino showing off a "YIMBY" (Yes In My Back Yard) shirt. Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump'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 produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks alongside President Donald Trump. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump’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 favorite philosopher. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Further reading: Curtis Yarvin's plot against America; Liberalism's enemies are having second thoughts. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elon'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 candidates. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI, ALLISON ROBBERT/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chat 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 collaboration with Vox's Future Perfect team. It was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Kim Slotterback, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Photo by Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plastic 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 plastic rain problem. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A handful of small plastic pellets, which are used as the raw material for nearly all plastic products, and wash up all over the world. Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From 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 was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. The entrance to the Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center in Ochopee, Florida. Photo by Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I 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. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Photo of President Donald Trump on the South Lawn by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump'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 he's done to deserve it. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Gabrielle Berbey, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas 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 Peter Balanon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabrielle Berbey and Miles Bryan, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. A search and rescue worker looks through debris along the Guadalupe River in central Texas. Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our 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 episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image of Kendrick Lamar performing at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disney'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 theme park that tackled slavery. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Photo of Minnie Mouse at Disneyworld in Orlando by Peter Bischoff/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Make 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 2024 base. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unmasking 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 accountability? This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Miles Bryan with help from Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Gabrielle Berbey, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Residents surround federal and Border Patrol agents after an immigrant raid in Bell, CA. Photo by Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Porn 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 First Amendment rulings once meant the justices had to watch porn in a basement. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey and Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Devan Schwartz, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Photoillustration of Pornhub logo by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices