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

Minneapolis vs. ICE

January 24, 2026 • 28 mins
Thousands of federal immigration officers have descended onto Minneapolis. The state is in a full-blown conflict with the Trump administration. What can Democratic leaders do, and what it would mean if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act there? This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado and Danielle Hewitt, engineered by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. A...
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You need a prenup

January 23, 2026 • 26 mins
More young people are insisting on prenups. They’re not just for millionaires and celebrities anymore. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers and Jenny Lawton, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Photo by Chantal CASANOVA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/member...
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Is Greenland free?

January 22, 2026 • 26 mins
President Trump has given up trying to buy Greenland — at least for now. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. President Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox M...
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The new ICE army

January 21, 2026 • 26 mins
Trump wants to hire a slew of new ICE agents. He's targeting fans of NASCAR, UFC, video games and guns. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Chicago. Photo by Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images. List...
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Project 2026

January 20, 2026 • 26 mins
Trump has delivered conservatives much of the Project 2025 wishlist already. The Heritage Foundation wants him to keep going. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Donald Trump being sworn into office a year ago. Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson - Pool/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Exp...
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The making of the Fox News empire

January 19, 2026 • 26 mins
How a nepo baby from Australia changed political discourse and remade the world. We revisit the rise of Rupert Murdoch and his media empire. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Rupert Murdoch speaking at a Fox News podium. Photo by Allan Tannenbaum/Getty Imag...
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Sexy TV is back

January 18, 2026 • 30 mins
Why we’re obsessed with Heated Rivalry and hooking up on the small screen. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton and Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Heated Rivalry press photo by Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max.  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...
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RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid

January 16, 2026 • 25 mins
Let them eat steak. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. The revised Food Pyramid from the Department of Health and Human Services. Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their m...
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Trump's Greenland obsession

January 15, 2026 • 26 mins
Europe is taking President Donald Trump’s threats against Greenland more seriously after the US’s actions in Venezuela. But will intervention be a red line for Republicans in Congress? This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado and Ariana Aspuru, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Protesters with Greenland...
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Can anyone stop ICE?

January 14, 2026 • 26 mins
The Trump administration says Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have "immunity" in Minneapolis. That could mean few — or no — consequences for the agent who shot Renee Good. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A Border Patrol Tactical Unit agent pepper spr...
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Your student loan bill is due

January 13, 2026 • 26 mins
The Trump administration has a warning for student loan borrowers in default: Pay up, or we'll take it out of your paycheck. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatisciore, and hosted by Noel King. Image by Hokyoung Kim for Vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/member...
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China is winning

January 12, 2026 • 26 mins
When President Donald Trump took office, he promised to be tough on China. One year later, China's global position is stronger than ever. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Miles Bryan. Labubu dolls on display at a Pop Mart store in Shanghai. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Ex...
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Why everyone is sick right now

January 11, 2026 • 30 mins
How this season’s flu got supercharged — and why viruses may make you healthier. 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 Elisa Schu/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 Vo...
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AI music is here 

January 9, 2026 • 25 mins
Most of us don't even realize it, but we're increasingly hearing AI music in the wild. This episode was producer by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. Photo by Ying Tang/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their ...
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An ICE shooting in Minnesota

January 8, 2026 • 23 mins
First there was a fraud scandal involving the Somali community in Minnesota. Then, Trump sent in ICE. Now a woman is dead and people want answers. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado and Ariana Aspuru, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. A protestor at the scene where an ICE officer shot a woman in her car in...
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Deported to a country you've never heard of

January 7, 2026 • 26 mins
How the Trump administration is using "third country deportations" to expel asylum seekers. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Miles Bryan. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their memb...
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Trump’s World Cup

January 6, 2026 • 26 mins
The biggest sporting event is coming to North America this year. Here’s what it means that President Trump will get to host the world. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon. President Donald Trump places the FIFA Peace Prize around his neck after receiving it f...
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What’s next for Venezuela

January 5, 2026 • 26 mins
President Trump says the US will "run Venezuela." Here’s what that looks like from Caracas, given the US's history in the region. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact checked by Avishay Artsy, Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, and Kelli Wessinger, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Noel King. A woman in Caracas holds a portrait of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a...
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Internet bad

January 4, 2026 • 30 mins
Once a place of serendipity and discovery, the internet now thrives on feeding us toxic rage bait designed to piss us off. Can we get the good internet back? This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Photo by Fairfax Media via Getty Images.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-8...
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Are boyfriends embarrassing?

January 2, 2026 • 28 mins
We investigate. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo credit Eder Paisan/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices....
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