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
December 22, 2025 • 25 mins
The Trump administration was ordered to release all the Epstein Files. They didn’t. Lawmakers say they are breaking the law.
This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein in one of the images released Friday by the State Department. Photo b...
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December 21, 2025 • 30 mins
Our brain constructs the world we hear, see, and feel — but tinnitus shows how that superpower can backfire.
This episode is made in collaboration with Vox's Unexplainable. Hear their series on sound here.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for the Hearing Health Foun...
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December 19, 2025 • 25 mins
Popular music went more Christian this year, but religion has had a long history of influencing secular sounds.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon.
Worshipers during the 2023 "It's Time" tour in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images.
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December 18, 2025 • 25 mins
From Twitter feuds to memes to providing cover for President Trump, the vice president had a big year. Up next, the midterms. And then — the presidency?
This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Miranda Kennedy and Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
Vice President JD Vance at the Congressional Ball last week. Photo by Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Ima...
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December 17, 2025 • 25 mins
President Trump's new executive order makes it harder for states to regulate AI, giving a powerful industry even more power.
This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.
President Trump with David Sacks, the White House AI and Crypto czar. Photo by Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Ge...
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December 16, 2025 • 25 mins
On Instacart, food brands can use buyer behavior to charge people different prices for the exact same products. It's called surveillance pricing.
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
The Instacart delivery bear in Minneapolis. Photo By Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via Getty Images.
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December 15, 2025 • 25 mins
Some Republican women in the House are so frustrated with the leadership of speaker Mike Johnson that they're turning on him.
This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene at the US Capitol after President Trump addressed Congress last March. Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty...
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December 14, 2025 • 28 mins
If AI handles all our busy work and optimizes our resources, it may also give us the one thing there never seems to be enough of: time.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Simona Granati - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images.
This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discr...
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December 12, 2025 • 25 mins
Why books, movies, music, and fashion all took a turn to the right.
This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.
Actors Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the movie "Rush Hour 2," circa 2001. President Trump reportedly has been lobbying for another installment of the movie. Photo by Michael Ochs Archi...
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December 11, 2025 • 25 mins
Trump calls the idea of “affordability” a hoax. Nonetheless, he pressured the Fed to fix it. It's just one example of Trump prizing loyalty over economic expertise.
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
President Donald Trump during an event on inflation in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Photographer: Adam...
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December 10, 2025 • 26 mins
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case that could give President Donald Trump the power to fire…just about anyone.
This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Kelli Wessinger, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
A demonstrator outside the Supreme Court as it heard arguments in the case over President Dona...
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December 9, 2025 • 26 mins
From a redistricting fight in Indiana to a wave of GOP retirements from Congress, there are signs MAGA's chokehold on the Republican Party may be loosening.
This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon.
President Donald Trump. AP Photo/Alex Brandon.
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December 8, 2025 • 29 mins
It's a waiting game inside the country, where the US is threatening military action.
This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Danielle Hewitt, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro gestures to his supporters in Caracas. Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images.
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December 7, 2025 • 27 mins
Turns out those personality tests you’re taking online are all wrong.
This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Khosrork/Getty Images.
If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here.
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December 5, 2025 • 26 mins
Two humans — and their AI lovers — spill it all.
This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.
An AI rendering made using the NightCafe software that Chris Smith made of his AI lover, Sol.
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December 4, 2025 • 26 mins
Fish farms promise to grow massive amounts of seafood to feed a hungry planet, and to do it ethically. But what’s good for the humans isn’t always good for the salmon.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Kelli Wessinger and Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.
The seafood counter at a Ralphs grocery store in Los Angeles. Photo by Avishay Artsy/V...
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December 3, 2025 • 25 mins
Polymarket is making it easier than ever to bet billions on anything — including politics. But should we be able to?
This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Miles Bryan and Kelli Wessinger, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tasciore, and hosted by Noel King.
A Polymarket billboard displaying New York City mayoral election odds in Times Square. Photo by Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty I...
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December 2, 2025 • 25 mins
The Trump administration is trying to sell its latest peace plan to Russia — and it's enlisted the help of former Russia hawk Marco Rubio.
This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Hady Mawajdeh and Miles Bryan, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo by Win McNamee/Ge...
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December 1, 2025 • 25 mins
AI data centers are driving up the cost of energy — and it's starting to get political.
This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Hady Mawajdeh, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. This show was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting.
The Google Midlothian...
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November 26, 2025 • 26 mins
A judge just threw out indictments against some of Trump's sworn enemies. It's part of a long year of chaos and confusion at the Justice Department.
This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King.
Interim US attorney Lindsey Halligan at the Oval Office. Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images.
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