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

“It must suck to be young”

August 4, 2026 • 25 mins
Young people used to vote reliably blue. But they're burnt out on politics as usual, which means their votes are up for grabs. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan Abdul El-Sayed at a youth coffee event in Ann Arbor. Photo by Peter Balonon-R...
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Weapons of mass infection

August 3, 2026 • 25 mins
A new book imagines the chaos that could unfold if a biological weapon were released — either accidentally or on purpose. This episode was produced in partnership with Vox's Future Perfect. It was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A person wearing an orange protective sui...
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Going broke on wellness

August 2, 2026 • 30 mins
Americans spend billions on healthcare products, from green powders and cold plunges to costly gym memberships. Last summer we asked: what good do they do? This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Visitors wear the Myblend myLEDmask2 "Anti-Aging" product at the FIBO trade show for health, fitness and wellness i...
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Fantasy draft: 2028 presidential race

August 1, 2026 • 43 mins
Journalists Astead Herndon, Don Lemon, and Kara Swisher hold a fantasy draft to find out who has the best shot at becoming president in 2028. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Flags are displayed on the lawn of the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background. Photo by Kevin Carter...
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Dad, where’s my inheritance?

July 31, 2026 • 26 mins
When boomers die, they’ll leave trillions to their adult children. Some of those kids say they should get that money now. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A senior couple sold their house in Minnesota and moved to central Florida, where they will have more time for their convertible...
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The culture wars turn deadly

July 30, 2026 • 26 mins
The US is intentionally losing a fight against HIV that could be won. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Activists highlight the lives at stake if Congress fails to fund HIV services in the U.S. Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Save HIV Funding Campaign. Liste...
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The scandal undoing the ICC

July 29, 2026 • 28 mins
The International Criminal Court has a lot on its hands. The chief prosecutor was ousted over abuse allegations, the Trump administration is on the warpath, and Netanyahu and Mamdani are fighting over an arrest warrant. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Karim Ahmad Khan, former Prosecutor ...
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AI just went rogue

July 28, 2026 • 26 mins
OpenAI recently briefly lost control of an AI agent during a contained security test. After years of warnings, AI is now outsmarting its masters. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. The Hugging Face logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen. Photo by Omer Taha Cetin/Anadolu via ...
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The Trump-Saudi-Israel drama

July 27, 2026 • 26 mins
The US and Saudi Arabia signed a nuclear deal but Israel hates it. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A billboard in Tel Aviv, Israel depicting the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, and Lebanon alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benj...
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The perimenopause moment

July 26, 2026 • 30 mins
Women’s health and hormones have been misunderstood by the medical establishment for decades. That’s changing. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Edwin Tan for Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.Listen to Explain It to Me ...
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The Boomer politicians who won't retire

July 25, 2026 • 36 mins
Democratic Congressman James Clyburn turned 86 years old this week. He has no plans to retire. 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. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) announcing he is running for a 18th term. Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on ⁠⁠youtu...
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America’s best hot dog

July 24, 2026 • 26 mins
Chef José Andrés explains what makes the winning wiener. A DC hot dog vendor respectfully disagrees. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A Seattle hot dog. Photo by Scott Suchman and food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox ...
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Our tick nightmare

July 23, 2026 • 25 mins
Ticks are exponentially expanding their territory, using us for their next blood meal. We must fight back. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. The common wood tick, which can transmit Borrelia and TBE viruses to humans and animals. Photo by Patrick Pleul/dpa/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-f...
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The truth about Iran

July 22, 2026 • 25 mins
The on-again, off-again war is on again. But we still don't know the point of it all or how it will end. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General John D. Caine listen during a Senate hearing on military funding. Photo from The Washington Post/Getty Images. Li...
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Defunding Israel

July 21, 2026 • 25 mins
Democrats in Congress voted in shocking numbers to cut aid to Israel. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Pro-Israel protesters demonstrate during the Democratic National Convention in 2024 in Chicago. Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by b...
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Trump's 2020 obsession

July 20, 2026 • 25 mins
President Trump has a midterm message that Republicans hate and Democrats love. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on July 16, 2026. Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becom...
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What's in a name?

July 19, 2026 • 30 mins
Jalen and Olivia and Liam and Ailany. We look at what makes a name top the popularity charts. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Two babies, just a few hours old, lie side by side in a hospital in Halle, Germany. Photo by Waltraud Grubitzsch/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB via Getty Images. If you have a question, ...
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Progressives take on the Rust Belt

July 18, 2026 • 31 mins
First there was New York, then Colorado. But can a progressive candidate win in the Rust Belt? This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder and Benjamin Stephen, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. Photo by Sarah Rice/Getty Images. You can also wat...
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Parasite (2026)

July 17, 2026 • 26 mins
Cyclospora can cause explosive diarrhea that can last a month. But you don’t need to swear off vegetables. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Federal and state health officials are investigating whether lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants has led to the widesp...
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Vance vs. Rubio 2028

July 16, 2026 • 29 mins
The Republican front-runners for the 2028 presidential nomination represent two competing visions for post-Trump conservatism. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. Photo by Niall Carson...
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