Today, Explained

By Vox

What's Today, Explained about?

News comes at you fast. Join us at the end of your day to understand it. Today, Explained is your all killer, no filler, Monday to Friday news explainer co-hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King. Every episode features the finest reporters from the Vox Media Podcast Network and beyond.

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The police killing of Tyre ...

01.31.2023

Memphis braced for an explosive reaction to footage of the deadly police beating. It never came. Wendi C. Thomas of the nonprofit newsroom MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, wasn’t surprised: “I know this city.” This episode was produced by Siona Peterous ...

Today, Explained episodes:

01.31.2023 The police killing of Tyre Nichols Memphis braced for an explosive reaction to footage of the deadly police beating. It never came. Wendi C. Thomas of the nonprofit newsroom MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, wasn’t surprised: “I know this city.” This episode was produced by Siona Peterous ...
01.30.2023 “Okay, Google, what’s a monopoly?” The Department of Justice wants Google to break up its advertising business. The Wall Street Journal’s Keach Hagey explains how the DOJ’s antitrust suit could reshape the internet. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited and fact-checked by Matt ...
01.27.2023 Why are businesses acting like there’s a recession? Wealthy companies like Google and Microsoft are announcing unprecedented layoffs — all while the economy is trending in the right direction. Vox’s Emily Stewart explains. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, ...
01.26.2023 Peru’s democracy crisis Dozens have died in anti-government protests in Peru. Journalist Simeon Tegel reports from Lima on how the mounting anger over corruption and inequality has implications for the entire hemisphere. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, ...
01.25.2023 Fine dining isn’t fine Chef René Redzepi said his Copenhagen restaurant, Noma, deemed the best in the world, isn't sustainable and will close next year. But if an establishment charging top dollar can't survive, what restaurant can? KCRW's Evan Kleiman explains. This episode was ...
01.24.2023 Why Mexico’s top cop is on trial in NYC The US and Mexican governments trusted Genaro Garcia Luna to crack down on the drug trade. Now he’s on trial for conspiring with El Chapo’s Sinaloa cartel. Peniley Ramírez, co-host of the new podcast USA v. Garcia Luna, explains. This ...
01.23.2023 Thanks but no tanks, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine desperately needs tanks to fight Russia. The US, which has provided many other weapons, is refusing. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited and fact-checked by Matt Collette, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and ...
01.20.2023 The politics of India’s biggest blockbusteRRR Most people watch RRR and see one of the greatest action epics in the history of cinema. But some see an insidious brand of Hindu nationalism that’s been creeping into Indian culture. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, fact-checked ...
01.19.2023 It’s debt ceiling season House Republicans are refusing to raise the US debt ceiling without huge concessions. Vox’s Dylan Matthews explains why we have a debt ceiling to begin with (and how President Biden could bypass it). This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, ...
01.18.2023 The half-baked gas stove debate No, the government isn’t coming for your gas stove. Vox’s Rebecca Leber explains why you might want to switch anyway. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited and fact-checked by Matt Collette and Amina Al-Sadi, engineered by Paul Robert ...
01.17.2023 Compost yourself Remember you are dirt and to dirt you shall return. Science journalist Eleanor Cummins and law professor Tanya Marsh explain the rise of human composting, now legal in six states, as an alternative to burial or cremation. This episode was ...
01.13.2023 What’s up, docs? What do a Delaware garage and a Florida palace have in common? We dig into Joe Biden’s classified document mess. This episode was produced by Siona Peterous and Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by ...
01.12.2023 Too much water for California Rain is good for California, but the state was not prepared for what might be a megastorm. KQED’s Dan Brekke assesses the damage from the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Institute’s Peter Gleick explains how we can be ...
01.11.2023 The Taliban vs. women When the Taliban took power, it promised a place for women in its new Afghanistan. Now, hardliners are embracing policies that do the opposite. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered ...
01.10.2023 Brazil’s January 6? Except it was on January 8. The Brazilian Report’s Gustavo Ribeiro explains from São Paulo. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. ...
01.09.2023 Andrew Tate: The king of toxic masculinity Controversial manfluencer Andrew Tate is in a Romanian prison, accused of rape and human trafficking. Vox’s Rebecca Jennings and sociolinguist Robert Lawson explain why his brand of grotesque misogyny appeals to millions of men. This episode was produced by Avishay ...
01.06.2023 Will Kevin McCarthy become speaker? The 118th Congress has begun with a showdown over who will be elected House speaker. Vox’s Andrew Prokop argues that this is the culmination of a decade-long trend of stonewalling in Congress. Today’s show was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and ...
01.05.2023 Why we’re all on antidepressants Ray Osheroff was a successful doctor in the DC area until his depression became debilitating. The way he was treated — and not treated — changed psychiatry. Rachel Aviv tells the surprising story of the rise of psychiatric medication. Today’s ...
01.04.2023 The many lies of George Santos George Santos is supposed to become a member of Congress this week. We still have no idea who he is. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Serena Solin, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, ...
01.03.2023 Let’s eat lab meat Happy New Year! Maybe you’re interested in trying new things? Sean and his mom are. In today’s episode, they drive to Alameda, California to try “hybrid meat” — a mixture of lab-grown meat and veggie meat substitute that could deliver ...
12.29.2022 Abortions before Roe Before Roe v. Wade, Eleanor Oliver was a Jane: a member of a group in Chicago that helped women get safe but illegal abortions. Sean Rameswaram sat down with her on the day Roe was overturned. This episode was edited ...
12.28.2022 How to save kids from online extremism A lot of IRL violence starts with online radicalization. We revisit our conversation with writer and parent Joanna Schroeder, who wrote a guide for parents about what to look out for and how to intervene. This episode was produced by ...
12.27.2022 Why the Ukraine war happened Vladimir Putin believes Ukraine belongs to Russia, and he used that a pretense to invade. In an episode originally released in February, historian Timothy Snyder explains why Putin is wrong. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt ...
12.22.2022 What’s the dill with pickleball? Pickleball is bringing America together. Pickleball is tearing America apart. Sports Illustrated’s John Walters explains. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Efim Shapiro, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript ...
12.21.2022 Why gaslighting is the word of the year It’s sooo 2016, but the word still mattered a lot in 2022. Merriam-Webster explains. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Efim Shapiro, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at ...
12.20.2022 Criminal referrals for Donald Trump The January 6 committee sent the Justice Department four criminal referrals against the former president, who it alleges engaged in an elaborate criminal conspiracy to remain in office after his 2020 defeat. Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains what happens next. This ...
12.19.2022 The case against movie trailers Movie trailers are misleading audiences. Vox’s Alissa Wilkinson says you should stop watching them. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Efim Shapiro, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained ...
12.16.2022 Do I have to care about the Twitter Files? Maybe not, but you’re going to be hearing about them for a while anyway. Republicans are saying they’ll use them to investigate the Biden administration. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Victoria Chamberlain, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked ...
12.15.2022 Megan Thee Stallion Megan Thee Stallion is everywhere — including in court, testifying against the rapper Tory Lanez, who is charged with shooting her. Vox’s Fabiola Cineas explains. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Siona Peterous, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked ...
12.14.2022 Throwing soup at art Tensions are simmering in London as climate protesters turn up the heat on their soup-flinging activism. Rishi Sunak’s government is attempting to keep the situation from boiling over. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked ...
12.13.2022 Art-ificial intelligence Between chatbots and image generators, artificial intelligence has gotten scary good lately. The Verge’s James Vincent explains what’s behind the latest wave of AI-powered creations. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, ...
12.12.2022 Hint of crime Tostitos chips without real lime. Root beer made with fake vanilla. Instant mac and cheese that isn’t so instant. These products are among the hundreds targeted by lawyer Spencer Sheehan, who wants Big Food to stop misrepresenting its products. This ...
12.09.2022 R-E-S-P-E-C-T (for Marriage Act) Sen. Tammy Baldwin managed to rally bipartisan support for a marriage equality bill, but she’s the first to admit the legislation is “humble.” An activist wonders if there’s an overemphasis on the institution of marriage. This episode was produced by ...
12.08.2022 The prisoner swap for Brittney Griner US officials are sending the “Merchant of Death” — a notorious arms dealer named Viktor Bout — back to Russia in exchange for the WNBA star’s release. We revisit our conversation with author Douglas Farah, author of “Merchant of Death: ...
12.07.2022 Power-tripping sheriffs A growing number of county sheriffs believe they hold ultimate power in their jurisdictions. Some have even stopped enforcing state and federal laws they deem unconstitutional. The Marshall Project’s Maurice Chammah explains. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited ...
12.06.2022 The Moscow murders Investigators are still trying to solve the brutal November killings of four college students in Moscow, Idaho. Making their work harder: the hordes of online sleuths who’ve latched on to the case. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and ...
12.05.2022 Digging tunnels for cars Elon Musk created The Boring Company to fix traffic, but his fantasy of underground Tesla tunnels is running on empty. Curbed’s Alissa Walker and author Paris Marx explain. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and ...
12.02.2022 8 billion humans The United Nations says humanity has reached 8 billion, but Western nations are worried about population decline. Africa isn’t, though. The continent is about to shape the rest of the century. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, fact-checked by ...
12.01.2022 China’s biggest protests since Tiananmen Square The protests in China might force the government to back down from its extreme Covid restrictions and ramp up its extreme surveillance programs. The Wall Street Journal’s Josh Chin explains. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, fact-checked by Laura ...
11.30.2022 Disney’s boomerang CEO Disney’s board wished upon a star and brought back former CEO Bob Iger, who replaced his own replacement, the now-axed CEO Bob Chapek. The Hollywood Reporter’s Kim Masters explains. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, ...
11.29.2022 Nancy podcast Democrats vote on new leadership this week, meaning Nancy Pelosi is out. Time’s Molly Ball explains why the country might really miss her. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by ...
11.28.2022 Can you spare some climate change? In a UN-brokered agreement, more than 190 countries agreed to pay for “loss and damage” caused by climate change. But determining who owes what — and for what and to whom — will be a real challenge. This episode was ...
11.25.2022 NASA wants to live in space NASA’s Artemis mission is the first step toward a long-term human settlement on the moon. Vox’s Unexplainable examines whether humans are even capable of living far from Earth for an extended period of time. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained ...
11.23.2022 Little influencers, big business Parents are turning their kids into influencers on social media. What could go wrong? This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram, who also edited. Transcript at ...
11.22.2022 Gen Z in the House Florida’s Maxwell Frost, 25, is the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress. He tells us what he plans to get done. This episode was produced by Siona Peterous, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help ...
11.21.2022 Ticketmaster (Taylor’s Version) It’s me, Ticketmaster. I’m the problem, it’s me. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. This episode features a fun Taylor Swift ...
11.18.2022 World Cup: How 2 B a legend Pelé. Maradona. Ronaldo. Soccer’s greats are so good, they’re typically known by one name. Men in Blazers soccer journalist Roger Bennett explains how winning the World Cup can turn a player into a legend. This episode was produced by Hady ...
11.17.2022 Pushing the Russians back In its biggest victory yet, Ukraine retook its vital port city, Kherson. The Guardian’s Luke Harding calls Russia’s retreat a turning point in the war — but a long, cold winter awaits. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and ...
11.16.2022 An inconvenient glacier While the world’s leaders are meeting at COP27 to discuss climate change, Antarctica’s massive Thwaites Glacier is melting. The world’s coastlines face catastrophic consequences. Rolling Stone’s Jeff Goodell went to see it with his own eyes. This episode was produced ...
11.15.2022 The FTX cryptocalypse With the collapse of one of its largest exchanges, crypto’s having its very own Lehman Brothers moment. Semafor’s Liz Hoffman explains the repercussions for the real world. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Amanda Lewellyn, edited and fact-checked ...

Older episodes

Today, Explained

What's Today, Explained about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Today, Explained episodes:

The police killing of Tyre Nichols

“Okay, Google, what’s a monopoly?”

Why are businesses acting like there’s a recession?

Peru’s democracy crisis

Fine dining isn’t fine

Why Mexico’s top cop is on trial in NYC

Thanks but no tanks, Ukraine

The politics of India’s biggest blockbusteRRR

It’s debt ceiling season

The half-baked gas stove debate

Compost yourself

What’s up, docs?

Too much water for California

The Taliban vs. women

Brazil’s January 6?

Andrew Tate: The king of toxic masculinity

Will Kevin McCarthy become speaker?

Why we’re all on antidepressants

The many lies of George Santos

Let’s eat lab meat

Abortions before Roe

How to save kids from online extremism

Why the Ukraine war happened

What’s the dill with pickleball?

Why gaslighting is the word of the year

Criminal referrals for Donald Trump

The case against movie trailers

Do I have to care about the Twitter Files?

Megan Thee Stallion

Throwing soup at art

Art-ificial intelligence

Hint of crime

R-E-S-P-E-C-T (for Marriage Act)

The prisoner swap for Brittney Griner

Power-tripping sheriffs

The Moscow murders

Digging tunnels for cars

8 billion humans

China’s biggest protests since Tiananmen Square

Disney’s boomerang CEO

Nancy podcast

Can you spare some climate change?

NASA wants to live in space

Little influencers, big business

Gen Z in the House

Ticketmaster (Taylor’s Version)

World Cup: How 2 B a legend

Pushing the Russians back

An inconvenient glacier

The FTX cryptocalypse

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