Today, Explained

The Russian president has come to rely on a skewed version of history and an increasingly small circle of advisers. Journalist Marvin Kalb explains what that means for the war in Ukraine.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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A groundbreaking new study claims to have found a way for a fully paralyzed person to communicate entirely via thought. But the scientists behind it have a checkered past.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Tori Dominguez and Laura Bullard, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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For thousands of years, there have been four basic tastes recognized across cultures. But thanks to Kumiko Ninomiya (aka the Umami Mama), scientists finally accepted a fifth. As part of its Making Sense series, Vox’s Unexplainable podcast explores whether there could be even more.

This episode was reported and produced by Meradith Hoddinott and edited by Katherine Wells, Noam Hassenfeld, Brian Resnick with help from Mandy Nyugen and Byrd Pinkerton. Music by Noam. Cristian Ayala handled the mixing and sound design. Research and fact checking by Richard Sima. Tori Dominguez is our audio fellow.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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There is growing support for psychedelics as performance enhancers, mood boosters, and a shortcut to therapy. The science is mixed.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, engineered by Paul Mounsey, fact-checked by Victoria Dominguez, and edited by Matt Collette and host Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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The US southern border remains closed to asylum seekers on account of Covid-19, unless you happen to be Ukrainian.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Hady Mawajdeh, engineered by Paul Mounsey, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and edited by Matt Collette and host Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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And in Texas, they’re trying to unionize.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Efim Shapiro and Paul Mounsey, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and edited by Matt Collette and Sean Rameswaram, who also hosted.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained  

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The Oscars were bordering on irrelevancy until Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Will Reid, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Victoria Chamberlin, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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One month in, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine isn’t going according to plan. Historian and retired Army colonel Andrew Bacevich explains how it might end.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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As Poland welcomes almost 2 million Ukrainians in, it’s spending $4 million on a wall to keep Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghans out. Vox’s Sigal Samuel explains the myth of the “deserving” refugee.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The Russian military may have committed war crimes in its brutal attack on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. International law expert Philippe Sands explains how Vladimir Putin could be held accountable.

This episode was produced by Will Reid, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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