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.
How to prepare for the worst while still living your best life.
26 min
2
The data center war
There’s a growing disconnect between a local community that says it’s being treated as the "guinea pigs" in a new industrial revolution, and Washington politicians.
21 min
3
The rise of death doulas
Celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Chloé Zhao say they're training in this growing field. What preparing people for death teaches us about life.
23 min
4
All Quiet on the Climate Front
The fight against climate change has never been more urgent, but no one in US politics wants to talk about it anymore. And maybe they shouldn’t.
26 min
5
Is it a bad book or is it AI?
An author gets her book pulled after accusations that it was written with AI, but it might not always be so easy to catch AI writing.
23 min
6
Abortion pills at the Supreme Court
There are more abortions now than when the Court overturned Roe v. Wade. But a ruling on whether to keep abortion pills accessible could change that.
23 min
7
Controlling hantavirus
Quarantine, cruise ships, and passenger tracking are reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the hantavirus is different, and public health officials are telling us not to freak out.
22 min
8
Chems in your cosmetics
From lotions to hair extensions, the products that make us look good may also make us feel bad.
27 min
9
"Affordability" is the new progressive
What do buzzwords like “progressive” and “affordability” mean to voters? We went to one of the most Democratic congressional districts to find out.
22 min
10
Is smoking back?
24 min
11
One billion humanoid robots
Tech companies are betting big on robots that look like humans and do human jobs. Why, robot?
24 min
12
Is Venezuela better now?
It’s been over four months since the United States overthrew Nicolás Maduro. One Venezuelan says she is grateful for the intervention and is cautiously optimistic for the future.
23 min
13
RIP Spirit Airlines
Lessons from the life and death of America’s most beloved, most hated, most bootleg airline.
23 min
14
The Supreme Court's gerrymaxxing
States are already making changes to their election maps after the Supreme Court decided to unleash a new era of partisan gerrymandering. And just in time for the midterms!
23 min
15
The cost of “I do”
Love is in the air, but only if you’ve got thousands to throw at it. How couples are navigating the pressures and expenses of planning their perfect wedding.
26 min
16
Grading America's first 250 years
America at 250 years old may need a new founding document. Historian Heather Cox Richardson drafts a new social contract.
24 min
17
The burnout economy
From special coaches to luxury sleep vacations, you can beat burnout — for a price.
23 min
18
The Michael Jackson "biopic"
The movie is breaking records at the box office despite — or maybe because of — moonwalking past the abuse allegations.
25 min
19
China is winning the Iran war
The US and Iran still have not reached a deal to end the war, but one winner is already clear: China.
23 min
20
“Staged”
Conspiracy theories flooded the internet after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. What used to be fringe is now a default reaction.
23 min
21
Who's afraid of teen takeovers?
Teenagers are taking over pockets of American cities and local governments are struggling to deal with them. We set out in search of solutions.
23 min
22
Burnout sandwich
How to manage the squeeze of taking care of your kids and your parents at the same time.
26 min
23
This Senator has an Eric Swalwell problem
We were set to talk to Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego about solving our immigration crisis. Then Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress.
27 min
24
“Having kids was a mistake”
They thought they would learn to love parenthood. They were wrong.
23 min
25
When your college closes
Hampshire College's closure is the latest sign of a death spiral in American higher education.