Today, Explained

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Latest Episodes:

Raw milk is having a mooment May 27, 2026

Show notes

Lawmakers around the country are trying to make it easier to access raw milk. Our co-host Sean takes a sip.

This episode was produced by 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 cow gets acquainted with Today, Explained’s Sean Rameswaram at Prigel Family Creamery in Glen Arm, Maryland.

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.⁠

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Cuba, too May 26, 2026

Show notes

Cuba seems willing to concede more than ever if the Trump administration is willing to take the win.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A rally in support of former Cuban president Raul Castro outside the US Embassy in Havana. Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE / 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.⁠

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Dating my AI May 25, 2026

Show notes

Real-life humans are searching for love and seem to be finding it… with their chatbots. We revisit our conversation with them.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

An AI rendering of Anina Lampret and her chatbot.

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.⁠

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Ew, are we post-literate? May 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode from last year, we explain how a return to orality is frying our politics and our brains.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers and Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Denise Guerra, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Photo by Matt Cardy/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.⁠

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Late night’s long goodbye May 21, 2026

Show notes

The end of Colbert is just the beginning.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS 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.⁠

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Everything is clips now May 20, 2026

Show notes

An army of people posting clips of podcasts, songs, and movies has taken over your algorithm, which means everything you see could be a psyop.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Scrolling through X on a phone. Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto 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.⁠

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The Great American Road Trip? May 19, 2026

Show notes

The Secretary of Transportation took a sponsored road trip across the US with his wife and nine kids. Now if only Boeing could pay for YOUR family's summer vacation.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaking during a Great American Road Trip Expo hosted by the Department of Transportation. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg 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.⁠

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How the right embraced psychedelics May 18, 2026

Show notes

The MAGA right is enthusiastically embracing a potent psychedelic called ibogaine. Its the new counter-counter-culture.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Danielle Hewitt, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

President Donald Trump signing an executive order to further medical research for certain psychedelic drugs, with Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., podcaster Joe Rogan, and W. Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine looking on. Photo by Jim WATSON / 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.⁠

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Prepping for doomsday (or Tuesday) May 17, 2026

Show notes

How to prepare for the worst while still living your best life.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A woman at her food supply shelf. Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images.

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

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The data center war May 16, 2026

Show notes

There’s a growing disconnect between a local community that says it’s being treated as the "guinea pigs" in a new industrial revolution, and Washington politicians.

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

A massive new data center in Vineland, New Jersey. Photo by Alex Peterson.

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. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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