Today, Explained

Data centers have become politically untenable, even in very Republican Texas.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

People gather at the Texas Capitol to protest data center expansion. Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meta is giving teens a curfew on Instagram and Facebook. And they want other social media sites to join them.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A 15-year-old boy looks at an iPhone smartphone screen in his bedroom. Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a summer of food-safety scares and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new cooking show probably isn’t going to make things better.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Packaged salad mixes are displayed in the refrigerated produce section of a Target store. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the streaming era, success is public, failure is viral, and everyone's one release away from a flop era. How do you come back?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Lizzo at the "Scary Movie" global premiere at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected].
Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What’s up with the kids these days? We asked a Gen Z researcher to explain her generation’s politics. 

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

An attendee wears a Vote hair accessory during a debate watch party with the Miami-Dade Young Democrats. Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Read more about Gen Z:

You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dolly Parton never endorsed a party or candidate, but that doesn't mean she was apolitical.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Dolly Parton performs at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014. Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US debt keeps breaking records. Should we panic?

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

An electronic display shows the national debt in Washington, DC on August 19, 2026, after the US gross national debt surged past $40 trillion for the first time. Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is racing to finish his ballroom, and if the Supreme Court doesn't stop him it will have major implications for conservation efforts around the country.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media alongside posters of his proposed White House ballroom amid construction at the White House. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natalie Harp may be the most powerful executive assistant in the world, and her unusual relationship with her boss — the president — is getting a lot of attention.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

President Donald Trump and his executive assistant Natalie Harp at Dover Air Force Base on July 22, 2026. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new crop of Democrats is running on an old slogan: Medicare for All. Now might be the moment it finally catches on.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

A protester holds a sign at a rally in New York calling on lawmakers to pass comprehensive healthcare for all, without exception. Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices