Explain It to Me

Latest Episodes:

No one will save us but ourselves Feb 15, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Living in a winter bummerland Feb 08, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Surviving online cringe Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Battling brain rot Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

Bland colors, AI summaries, and declining literacy rates have lots of us worried that we’re losing our intelligence to the modern world. Can we get it back?

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. Photo By BSIP/UIG 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

Sexy TV is back Jan 18, 2026

Show notes

Why we’re obsessed with Heated Rivalry and hooking up on the small screen.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton and Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Heated Rivalry press photo by Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max.

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

Why everyone is sick right now Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

How this season’s flu got supercharged — and why viruses may make you healthier.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Elisa Schu/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

Internet bad Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

Once a place of serendipity and discovery, the internet now thrives on feeding us toxic rage bait designed to piss us off. Can we get the good internet back?

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo by Fairfax Media 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

Is your brain lying to you? Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

Our brain constructs the world we hear, see, and feel — but tinnitus shows how that superpower can backfire.

This episode is made in collaboration with Vox's Unexplainable. Hear their series on sound here.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for the Hearing Health Foundation.

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

Let AI replace you Dec 14, 2025

Show notes

If AI handles all our busy work and optimizes our resources, it may also give us the one thing there never seems to be enough of: time.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Simona Granati - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images.

This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting.

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.

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The rise of the introverts Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

Turns out those personality tests you’re taking online are all wrong.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Khosrork/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