From the gas station to the café to the grocery store, we break down why things cost so much these days.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A customer fills up a truck at a gas station. AP Photo/Jenny Kane.

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

How you talk reveals where you’re from and who you’d like to be.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A still from the movie "Clueless". Photo by CBS 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

From TikTok to reality TV, Mormons are having a big moment in pop culture.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Taylor Frankie Paul, who was going to be the first Mormon Bachelorette before the season was canceled, on the set of a special preview of The Bachelorette. Photo by John Fleenor/Disney 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

We’re obsessed with sugar. And Big Sugar is obsessed with us. How do we make a break?

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Image courtesy of Jenny Lawton.

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

You won’t wear those jeans again. Or use that pasta maker. So why can’t you get rid of them?

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru with Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

Photo by Arthur Pollock/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald 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

It’s not just for school kids anymore. Why more adults are getting diagnosed with the disorder.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance 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

America runs on credit. Those plastic cards we carry around can get us into big trouble — or score us free vacations.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Avishay Artsy and Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 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

When crises hit, neighbors turn to mutual aid.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 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

The days are shorter and colder, and can leave us feeling listless and drained of energy. When do the winter blues tip over into seasonal affective disorder, and how do we make the most of the season?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Avishay Artsy, it was also edited by Avishay alongside Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Thomas Warnack/picture alliance via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 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

The internet is forever. So how do we handle posts from our past selves?

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Hady Mawajdeh.  

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 

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