Explain It to Me

Latest Episodes:

Can we ever know our dogs? Jun 29, 2025

Show notes

So many of us believe we understand what our pets are feeling. Are we fooling ourselves?

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy and Naureen Khan, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered byPatrick Boyd and hosted by Noam Hassenfeld. Photo by Kylie Cooper for The Washington Post 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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Sleepaway camp's nostalgia economy Jun 22, 2025

Show notes

Unpacking the American rite of passage that so many children love — but that isn't right for everyone.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by Matthew Billy and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Maskot/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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Let's fight over bike lanes Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

A caller asks why it's so hard to make biking safe in LA. We bike around different US cities to get the answer.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Colleen Barrett, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of a cyclist in a bike lane intersection in Washington, DC by Kevin Carter/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 recession indicator game Jun 08, 2025

Show notes

Press-on nails, new music from Katy Perry, and an uptick in Klarna purchases: signs of an economic downturn or no?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of Katy Perry performing in Sydney, Australia by Nina Franova/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. Help us plan for the future of Explain It to Me by filling out a brief survey: ⁠voxmedia.com/survey⁠. Thank you!

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How Gen Z found religion Jun 01, 2025

Show notes

For the first time in decades, American Christianity is not in decline. What are young people looking for–and finding–at church?

Further reading: The surprising chasm splitting Americans along religious lines by Christian Paz. Pew report: Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off.

This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of a parishioner praying at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral by Scott Olson/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. Help us plan for the future of Explain It to Me by filling out a brief survey: ⁠voxmedia.com/survey⁠. Thank you!

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

Why are my allergies getting worse? May 18, 2025

Show notes

It feels like sneezing season lasts longer and takes more victims every year. An allergist and a public health specialist explain how to fight back.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Bernd Weißbrod/picture alliance via Getty Images.

If you have a question for us, 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.

Correction: This episode mentions Xarelto as a potential allergy medication. It is not.

Help us plan for the future of Explain It to Me by filling out a brief survey: voxmedia.com/survey. Thank you!

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

The drama and trauma of 23andMe May 11, 2025

Show notes

With the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to all the data millions of Americans handed over? And how should you approach the family you've found through sites like these?

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

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Brandon MacFarland and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo of 23andMe Ancestry + Traits Service DNA kit by Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Help us plan for the future of Explain It to Me by filling out a brief survey: voxmedia.com/survey. Thank you!

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

Why is personal style so hard? May 04, 2025

Show notes

Fashion has made a big swing from a strict set of rules to the idea that we should all just wear what we want. But personal style is still dictated by outside forces. And a lot of people don't even know where to start.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Image of Clinton Kelly and Stacy London by Donna Svennevik/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images.

If you have a question for us, give us a call at 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.

Help us plan for the future of Explain It to Me by filling out a brief survey: ⁠voxmedia.com/survey⁠. Thank you!

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

Retire? In this economy?! Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

With 401(k)s taking a hit and the fate of Social Security uncertain, we get some advice for how to talk to the elders in your life about work and retirement.

This episode was produced by Carla Javier and Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo credit: Momo Productions/Getty Images.

Call us with your questions about personal style: 1-800-618-8545. You can also send us a note at vox.com/askvox.

Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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Is climate progress doomed? Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

Many worry that the clean energy transition will be derailed by the Trump administration. But there's reason to believe otherwise.

Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

Call in your question at 1-800-618-8545.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch and engineered by Matthew Billy. Photo of wind turbines in a storm in western Iowa by Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

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