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.

Society & Culture
Politics
Education
76
What if college isn't for everyone?
For decades, high schools and parents have prioritized college for all graduating seniors. Now, more students are asking if there's another way.
26 min
77
Is a house still a good investment?
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.
27 min
78
Explain It to Me can be ad-free!
1 min
79
Blinded by the headlights
Drivers and passengers are right: Car headlights are brighter now. And the solutions aren't simple.
27 min
80
Gen Sex
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.
26 min
81
Did diversity ever work...at work?
27 min
82
Why does dating suck for guys?
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.
26 min
83
Ok for real, what is a REAL ID?
And do I need it?
30 min
84
We’ve got some news for you!
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.
1 min
85
Why can't I sleep?
25 min
86
Should I freeze my eggs?
Listener Elisa has heard egg freezing touted as “an easy, perfect solution” for women who want to have it all, but she’s skeptical. Writer MeiMei Fox tells the disastrous story of freezing her own eggs, and Vox senior correspondent Anna North explains why freezing your eggs is not really a girlboss panacea.
31 min
87
We have some questions for you
9 min
88
Is flying ethical?
Sometimes questions don’t have one right answer. Then what?
24 min
89
Why can I make a citizen's arrest?
Are they a real-life thing, or just something on TV?
35 min
90
Should I buy antibacterial soap?
Am I using the wrong soap? Does it even matter?
26 min
91
Is cuffing season real?
When temperatures drop, do our romantic prospects heat up?
36 min
92
Bite-sized questions
What’s the deal with hush puppies, wedding cakes, and A2 milk?
49 min
93
Why is it so hard to make new friends?
We have some research-backed tips for breaking the ice.
39 min
94
Could ranked choice voting fix our elections?
Ranked choice voting — yay, nay, or something else?
41 min
95
Why can’t I tell my left from my right?
And why are there lefties and righties?
26 min
96
What just happened, and what comes next
Your election questions answered
46 min
97
It’s election week. Ask us anything.
Call us with your election questions.
1 min
98
Why can I buy Halloween candy that would be ban...
How food additive regulation works in the US.
43 min
99
Why do I keep getting these weird fundraising t...
Two of your election questions, explained
48 min
100
Will the world end before I can retire?
How to balance retirement advice and climate change realism
35 min