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.
26
The new ICE army
Trump wants to hire a slew of new ICE agents. He's targeting fans of NASCAR, UFC, video games and guns.
23 min
27
Project 2026
Trump has delivered conservatives much of the Project 2025 wishlist already. The Heritage Foundation wants him to keep going.
23 min
28
The making of the Fox News empire
How a nepo baby from Australia changed political discourse and remade the world. We revisit the rise of Rupert Murdoch and his media empire.
23 min
29
Sexy TV is back
Why we’re obsessed with Heated Rivalry and hooking up on the small screen.
27 min
30
RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid
Let them eat steak.
23 min
31
Trump's Greenland obsession
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?
23 min
32
Can anyone stop ICE?
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.
23 min
33
Your student loan bill is due
The Trump administration has a warning for student loan borrowers in default: Pay up, or we'll take it out of your paycheck.
23 min
34
China is winning
When President Donald Trump took office, he promised to be tough on China. One year later, China's global position is stronger than ever.
23 min
35
Why everyone is sick right now
How this season’s flu got supercharged — and why viruses may make you healthier.
26 min
36
AI music is here
Most of us don't even realize it, but we're increasingly hearing AI music in the wild.
23 min
37
An ICE shooting in Minnesota
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.
23 min
38
Deported to a country you've never heard of
How the Trump administration is using "third country deportations" to expel asylum seekers.
23 min
39
Trump’s World Cup
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.
23 min
40
What’s next for Venezuela
President Trump says the US will "run Venezuela." Here’s what that looks like from Caracas, given the US's history in the region.
23 min
41
Internet bad
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?
26 min
42
Are boyfriends embarrassing?
We investigate.
25 min
43
The cocaine comeback
Demand for cocaine around the world has exploded. Production is at record highs. Law enforcement can barely keep up. Cocaine is back in a big way.
23 min
44
A sit-down with Zohran Mamdani
New York City's Democratic socialist mayor takes office on January 1. Can he follow through on all those campaign promises? We ask him.
23 min
45
The rise of baby Botox
More people are getting facial injections — and they're starting younger too.
23 min
46
How to fix blue cities
This year Abundance went from a bestselling book to a political practice powering Democrats from New York to Seattle.
26 min
47
The Epstein Files are still a "cover-up"
The Trump administration was ordered to release all the Epstein Files. They didn’t. Lawmakers say they are breaking the law.
23 min
48
Is your brain lying to you?
Our brain constructs the world we hear, see, and feel — but tinnitus shows how that superpower can backfire.
26 min
49
Your pop music is influenced by God
Popular music went more Christian this year, but religion has had a long history of influencing secular sounds.
23 min
50
JD Vance is just getting started
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?
23 min