Today, Explained

In 1979, Jimmy Carter delivered his “Crisis of Confidence” speech, a tirade against American individualism and consumerism. Historian Kevin Mattson says the speech helps make sense of Carter the president, Carter the American, and even the state of the US today.

This episode was produced by Jillian Weinberger, edited by Matt Collette and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Serena Solin and Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

President Jimmy Carter about to address the nation from the White House on his energy proposals. Photo credit: Bettmann/Getty Images.

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The appeal of "Country Roads" extends far beyond West Virginia or even the United States. We're revisiting an episode from this summer that examines the global popularity of the John Denver classic.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

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Christmas is over and now comes the financial hangover. In an episode from earlier this year, guest host Jonquilyn Hill looks into the root causes of America's record-high credit card debt.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Amina Al-Sadi, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

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Sports betting is a costly mistake, says addiction researcher Charles Fain Lehman. He and NBA great Danny Green discuss how it's changed sports for the worse, and whether there's a way to fix it.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact checked by Laura Bullard with help from Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Special thanks to Steven Delaney, host of Fantasy or Reality? The Gambling Problem Podcast.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

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The Las Vegas Sphere was supposed to be the future of live entertainment. But just over a year into its run, New York Post writer Josh Kosman explains why the math ain’t mathin’.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

The realistic eyeball that kept watch over Las Vegas was one of Sphere's early breakout hits. Photo by K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images.

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Name and likeness rights are fundamentally changing college sports at a rapid pace. SB Nation’s JP Acosta and sports commentator Pablo Torre explain.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

The Georgia Bulldogs celebrate their victory in the 2024 SEC Championship game in Atlanta this month. Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images.

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He'd love to take credit for a deal, although Israel and Hamas are still deadlocked. But Amir Tibon of Haaretz and Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations say peace may be closer than ever.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Matt Collette with help from Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

President-elect Donald Trump after speaking at a "Fighting Anti-Semitism in America" event earlier this year. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana.

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A growing number of countries are legalizing assisted suicide, mostly for terminally ill patients. The Washington Post's Karla Adam and Vox's Marin Cogan explain the debate over right-to-die policies.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

A "suicide pod" in the Netherlands. Photo by AP Photo/Ahmad Seir, File.

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President-elect Trump says he can see Justin Trudeau becoming governor of “the great state of Canada.” It’s part of a pressure campaign to get big concessions on trade and immigration from Canada and Mexico.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Plaster figurines of Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum for sale at a crossing in Tijuana, Mexico. Photo by GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images.

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Trad wives are having a moment. A new conservative women’s magazine promising to be the anti-Cosmo is capitalizing on the trend.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

The archetype of a 1950s housewife. Photo by Debrocke/Classicstock/Getty Images.

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