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

October 27, 2026 • 23 mins
Trump's recent moves seem to pit the US squarely on the side of Russia rather than Ukraine. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15,...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Kansas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate in over 90 years, but moderate pastor Adam Hamilton might break the losing streak. And his approach to religion could help Democrats around the country. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Kansas Democra...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 25, 2026 • 30 mins
What you gain, and what you give up, when you let AI agents take control. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Various examples of avatars for Muse, Meta's AI agent, during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California on Sept. 23, 2026. Photo by Minh Connors/Bloomberg via Getty Images. If you have a...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 24, 2026 • 32 mins
Between the Trump administration’s executive orders, lawsuits, and relentless rhetoric, it feels like voting systems in America are under constant threat. Is it working?  Editor’s note: Earlier in this episode, Sweren-Becker said that 26 courts had decided that the DoJ is not entitled to voter records. Oklahoma settled its suit, and the state agreed to provide its voter data. This show was edited by Kasia Broussa...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 23, 2026 • 25 mins
The HHS secretary has pressured food companies like Mars, which makes M&M's, to stop using artificial dyes. Easier said than done. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. A close-up image shows a bowl of blue M&M candies. Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explai...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 22, 2026 • 25 mins
The first midterms to feature AI slop ads are also on track to be the most expensive ever. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A person holds a smartphone displaying President Donald Trump's Truth Social post featuring an AI-generated video of him interacting with a tiger,...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 21, 2026 • 25 mins
President Trump's playbook to go after his enemies is evolving. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) at a press conference on efforts to reform the Department of Homeland Security on January 13, 2026. Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images. Liste...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 20, 2026 • 27 mins
They promise you financial freedom with very little work, but these side hustles might just be the new pyramid schemes. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A young woman struggling with budget planning and financial stress. Photo by Witthaya Prasongsin via Getty Images. Listen to T...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 19, 2026 • 25 mins
The Maine senator has dodged decades of attacks, but President Trump’s low approval ratings could be her political deathblow. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is seen before her debate with Democratic candidate for the Senate T...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 18, 2026 • 30 mins
Men and women are trying to maximize their reproductive health due to anxieties around declining fertility trends. But are we taking “embryomaxxing” too far? This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. A surrogate mother undergoes an ultrasound scan at the Beta Fertility Clinic, where her pregnancy is b...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 17, 2026 • 35 mins
Republicans are entering the midterm home stretch with a staggering $1 billion campaign war chest. Will it make a difference?  This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Vasilis Fotopoulos, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: President Donald Trump speaks during an election rally for local Republican candidates in Youngstown, Ohio. (Photo by Al...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 16, 2026 • 26 mins
The internet has a crush on some of the candidates running for office this election season and it’s saying a lot about how Democrats and Republicans wield sexuality. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Abdul E...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 15, 2026 • 25 mins
Saudi Arabia's dreams of becoming a global financial hub are running into the reality of regional war. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Flames burn at a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco south of Riyadh on October 3, 2026. Aramco, majority-owned by the Saudi state, has c...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 14, 2026 • 25 mins
Data centers have maybe the worst image in America right now. Enter the public relations professionals. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. The sun rises on Microsoft's Project Ginger West and a nearby farmhouse in West Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Liz Rymarev, Post-Dispatch via Getty I...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 13, 2026 • 25 mins
Cornell University’s president is wary of an outright ban, but the school’s sexual assault case has campuses around the country considering the question. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Ariana Aspuru and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. The Chi Phi fraternity house a...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 12, 2026 • 25 mins
Support for the death penalty has dropped dramatically in the US, but in some places there's still a "death penalty assembly line" as this episode of The Gray Area explores. This episode was produced by Thor Neureiter and Beth Morrissey, with help from Miranda Kennedy and Amina Al-Sadi, engineered by Shannon Mahoney and David Tatasciore, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, and hosted by Miles Bryan. Walls Unit in Huntsville prison i...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 11, 2026 • 30 mins
Our emotional relationships with our pets have only grown since the pandemic — and so has the financial price we pay. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Mackenzie Rullo, 4, waits ringside with golden retriever "Envy" at The Rocky Mountain Cluster All Breed Dog Show in Denver in 2016. Photo by ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 10, 2026 • 34 mins
Most of the focus in this year’s midterms is naturally on Congress. But the battle to control state legislatures matters just as much, if not more. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: Francesca Hong during a primary election night watch party in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Talia Spra...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 9, 2026 • 25 mins
Football is by far the most popular sport in the US, but that isn’t stopping the NFL from investing in one of the least popular sports in the US. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers and Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe and Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. USA Women’s flag football quarterback Vanita Krouch...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
October 8, 2026 • 26 mins
The case of a California couple who had more than 20 kids via surrogacy before being charged with child abuse illustrates how a lack of regulation can lead to chaos. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A group of babies sitting on the floor. Photo by Tom Merton via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    DISGRACELAND

    DISGRACELAND is an award-winning music and true crime podcast about musicians getting away with murder and behaving very badly. Jerry Lee Lewis's 5th wife? Dead. Sid and Nancy? Both dead. Why? Because musicians are insane, and insane things happen to them. Why did we lose Amy Winehouse at 27? Was Debbie Harry really abducted by Ted Bundy as she claims? Is Patti Smith not just the "Godmother of Punk", but also the "Original True Crime Girl"? What really happened the night of the Jay Z nightclub stabbing? What do the Diddy indictments truly reveal? All these stories and more, on artists from every genre and their true crimes, in our massive 260-plus story archive. The Dead, the Stones, Johnny, Willie, Frank, Kurt, Courtney, Gaga, Lana, Taylor, and too many to name. DISGRACELAND is music history come to life through audio storytelling as you've never heard it before, with revealing facts: yes, assassins are the real reason the Beatles quit touring—reclaimed myths: no, Mama Cass didn't die from choking on a ham sandwich––and constant reckoning between art and artist––all told through the lens of true crime. This is the podcast for the self-proclaimed "Disgos", the musically obsessed and the true crime heads; the outsiders, the independent thinkers who know that the best history is the history that gets buried. DISGRACELAND is where host Jake Brennan tells the stories they didn't want told. The kind you'll end up telling someone else. Get ready to uncover hidden truths and buckle up for truly edge-of-your-seat storytelling. New, fully scripted, sound-designed episodes are released every Tuesday. Bonus chat-style episodes where Jake responds to voicemails, texts, and emails from Disgos hit on Thursdays, and "Rewind" episodes from our archive drop on Sundays. DISGRACELAND is not a journalistic podcast. It's an entertainment podcast inspired by true events. Certain dialogue and scenes are dramatized, as is common in scripted entertainment based on real stories. Sources and credits for each episode are available at www.disgracelandpod.com. To unlock ad-free listening, exclusive content, and connect with your fellow Disgos, go to www.disgracelandpod.com to become an All Access member. Rocka Rolla.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices