Explain It to Me
Is my dentist scamming me? Why do political campaigns cost so much? Should Gen Z bother to save for retirement?
Explain It To Me is the hotline for all your unanswered questions. Sometimes explanations are hard to find, misinformation is rampant, and those internet searches and AI asks can come up empty. Call 1-800-618-8545 with what’s on your mind, and host Jonquilyn Hill will be your friendly guide to the answers you're looking for — and maybe even the ones you don’t expect. New episodes every Wednesday starting September 18.
Part of Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
326
Covid-19 and the border
Dara, Jane, and Matt on the intersection between the pandemic and Trump's border crackdown.
56 min
327
Coronavirus meets health reform
Ezra and Matt discuss Covid-19's impact on insurance premiums, the case for single-payer, and more.
56 min
328
The mask fiasco
Jane, Dara, and Matt on the evidence for mask wearing, and a totally non-coronavirus white paper
55 min
329
When $2 trillion isn’t enough
Ezra and Matt analyze the huge but inadequate stimulus bill
52 min
330
Fighting coronavirus with corporate conscription
Jane, Dara, and Matt on the Defense Production Act, wartime mobilization, and pandemic-induced autarky
51 min
331
The story of Trump's swamp
Jane talks to Asawin Suebsaeng and Lachlan Markay about their new book on chaos at the White House and how President Trump differs (and doesn't) from prior administrations
55 min
332
Devaluing black assets
Brookings’ Andre Perry explains his research on how racism cripples black entrepreneurs and homeowners
45 min
333
Rescuing the economy from coronavirus
Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss President Trump’s new more serious tone and competing economic stimulus proposals.
48 min
334
Weeds 2020: The coronavirus election
Ezra and Matt on dueling pandemic response plans from Sanders and Biden, and Trump's disastrous speech
51 min
335
Meet the YIMBYs
Conor Dougherty on his new book "Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America"
61 min
336
Mayor Pete and the state of LGBTQ politics
Jane, Dara, and Matt on queer politics after marriage equality.
46 min
337
A "titan" of social conservatism on the courts ...
Conservative thinker Robert George joins Jane to talk about abortion, marriage, the Supreme Court, and wielding the power of the federal government.
56 min
338
Behind the Covid-19 curve
The Kaiser Foundation's Josh Michaud explains what the US is — and should be — doing to fight coronavirus.
59 min
339
Coronavirus 101
Jane, Dara and Brian Resnick talk about COVID-19 -- how it started, its potential impact, and where we go from here.
40 min
340
Weeds 2020: The Bernie electability debate
Welcome to Weeds 2020! Every other Saturday Ezra and Matt will be exploring a wide range of topics related to the 2020 race.
55 min
341
Going nuclear
Jessica Lovering joins Matt to discuss nuclear power's role in combatting climate change.
58 min
342
Black voters take the stage
The New Republic's Osita Nwanevu joins Jane and Matt to discuss black voting patterns and the South Carolina primary.
51 min
343
The year of housing reform
Mercatus' Emily Hamilton on what's working and what isn't to increase housing abundance
54 min
344
Mike can get what done?
Jane, Dara, and Matt on Michael Bloomberg’s record as mayor of New York City.
59 min
345
Private equity, explained
Vox business and politics reporter Emily Stewart on the mysteries of one of America's most powerful industries.
47 min
346
After asylum
Jane and Matt join as Dara explains her reporting on the new reality at the border.
43 min
347
How we pick a president
University of Maryland political scientist David Karol joins Matt to explain the consequences of presidential nomination reform.
84 min
348
Iowapocalypse Now
Vox politics reporter Andrew Prokop joins Dara and Matt to explain Monday night's disaster.
64 min
349
Fix recessions by giving people money
Claudia Sahm from the Washington Center for Equitable Growth joins Matt to explain a surprisingly simple strategy to stabilize the economy.
71 min
350
A conversation about anti-Semitism
Matt, Dara and Jane talk about the rise in anti-Semitic violence aimed at Hassidic communities, and what the political implications may be.
47 min