Explain It to Me

Explain It to Me

Should I buy a house? Why do I say “like” so much? Should Gen Z bother to save for retirement? Explain It to Me is the hotline for the issues that matter to your life. Send us your questions about health, personal finance, relationships, and anything else that matters to you. Host Jonquilyn Hill will take you on a journey to find the answers, whether it's to the halls of Congress or the local bar. You’ll get the answers you were looking for, and sometimes ones you didn't expect — and always with a dose of humor. New episodes every Sunday. Part of Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes

Can we ever know our dogs?

June 29, 2025 • 30 mins
So many of us believe we understand what our pets are feeling. Are we fooling ourselves? This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy and Naureen Khan, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered byPatrick Boyd and hosted by Noam Hassenfeld. Photo by Kylie Cooper for The Washington Post 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 ...
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Sleepaway camp's nostalgia economy

June 22, 2025 • 32 mins
Unpacking the American rite of passage that so many children love — but that isn't right for everyone. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by Matthew Billy and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Maskot/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 Mem...
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Let's fight over bike lanes

June 15, 2025 • 30 mins
A caller asks why it's so hard to make biking safe in LA. We bike around different US cities to get the answer. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Colleen Barrett, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of a cyclist in a bike lane intersection in Washington, DC by Kevin Carter/Getty Images.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send...
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The recession indicator game

June 8, 2025 • 30 mins
Press-on nails, new music from Katy Perry, and an uptick in Klarna purchases: signs of an economic downturn or no?  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. Photo of Katy Perry performing in Sydney, Australia by Nina Franova/Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a not...
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How Gen Z found religion

June 1, 2025 • 29 mins
For the first time in decades, American Christianity is not in decline. What are young people looking for–and finding–at church? Further reading: The surprising chasm splitting Americans along religious lines by Christian Paz. Pew report: Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off.  This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Mat...
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Why are my allergies getting worse?

May 18, 2025 • 30 mins
It feels like sneezing season lasts longer and takes more victims every year. An allergist and a public health specialist explain how to fight back. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Bernd Weißbrod/picture alliance via Getty Images.  If you have a question for us, give us a call on 1-800-618-85...
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The drama and trauma of 23andMe

May 11, 2025 • 32 mins
With the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to all the data millions of Americans handed over? And how should you approach the family you've found through sites like these? 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 This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda ...
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Why is personal style so hard?

May 4, 2025 • 32 mins
Fashion has made a big swing from a strict set of rules to the idea that we should all just wear what we want. But personal style is still dictated by outside forces. And a lot of people don't even know where to start. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image of Clinton Kelly and Stacy London by Donna S...
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Retire? In this economy?!

April 27, 2025 • 32 mins
With 401(k)s taking a hit and the fate of Social Security uncertain, we get some advice for how to talk to the elders in your life about work and retirement. This episode was produced by Carla Javier and Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo credit: Momo Productions/Getty Images.  Call us with your questions about perso...
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Is climate progress doomed?

April 20, 2025 • 31 mins
Many worry that the clean energy transition will be derailed by the Trump administration. But there's reason to believe otherwise. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Call in your question at 1-800-618-8545. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch and engineered by Matthew Billy. Photo of wind turbines in a storm in western Io...
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What if college isn't for everyone?

April 13, 2025 • 31 mins
For decades, high schools and parents have prioritized college for all graduating seniors. Now, more students are asking if there's another way. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Colleen Barrett, engineered by Matthew Billy and Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
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Is a house still a good investment?

April 6, 2025 • 32 mins
Given the economy and interest rates, homebuying doesn't seem like it’s necessarily the way to go anymore. So consider this not your parents’ real estate advice.  If you have a question about a story that matters to your life, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Carla Javier. It was edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hoste...
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Explain It to Me can be ad-free!

April 2, 2025 • 1 min
Vox Members now get all our podcasts, ad-free. If you become a member, you will also get unlimited reading on our website, member-exclusive newsletters, and more special perks as a thank you. If you’d like to support our work and get ad-free listening on our podcasts, go to vox.com/members today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Blinded by the headlights

March 30, 2025 • 33 mins
Drivers and passengers are right: Car headlights are brighter now. And the solutions aren't simple. If you have a question for us, please give a call at 1-800-618-8545 or send a note at vox.com/askvox. This episode was produced and sound designed by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by zhen li for Getty Images.  Learn more about...
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Gen Sex

March 23, 2025 • 32 mins
Gen X women are freeing themselves from the hangups of the '90s, and having the best sex of their lives. Media portrayals of middle-aged women are starting to catch up too. If you have a question for us, please call us at 1-800-618-8545 or send a note at vox.com/askvox. This episode was produced and sound designed by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and And...
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Did diversity ever work...at work?

March 16, 2025 • 32 mins
There's a backlash against corporate DEI efforts, and it’s not just from the right. It's everywhere. What does that mean for employees? This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, mixed by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo credit: jeffbergen for Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Why does dating suck for guys?

March 9, 2025 • 32 mins
The rules of romance have changed, and many young men feel they can't keep up. We get some tips from a Texas men's relationship coach. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Carla Javier, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, mixed by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Shutterstock image by fstop Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Ok for real, what is a REAL ID?

March 2, 2025 • 35 mins
Listener Tessa was at the airport and noticed that the REAL ID deadline had been extended — yet again — to May 2025. Why does it keep happening? Will REAL ID will ever become a thing? Team Explain It to Me goes on a reporting journey to bring her an answer nearly 20 years in the making.  If you have a question, please give us a call at 1-800-618-8545, or you can fill out this form.  This episode was produced by Carla Javier and Sof...
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We’ve got some news for you!

February 26, 2025 • 1 min
Starting this week, Explain It to Me is moving to Sundays. Check out our next episode here on March 2. You can also find us in the Today, Explained feed as of Sunday, March 9. If you have questions you'd like us to investigate, call our hotline: 1-800-618-8545. The Explain It to Me newsletter is publishing Sundays now too! Sign up here: https://www.vox.com/pages/explain-it-to-me-newsletter-sign-up. Learn more about your ad choices...
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Why can't I sleep?

February 19, 2025 • 28 mins
We spend about a third of our lives either sleeping or trying to fall asleep. Why are we so bad at it? We ask behavioral sleep specialist Jade Wu.  This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Carla Javier, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Have a question about relationships, the workplace, health or anything else that matters to you? Leave us a ...
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