Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

You’re vaccinated. Now what? Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

New guidelines from the CDC for fully vaccinated people suggest it’s finally time to hug your grandparents. Dr. Kavita Patel explains the do’s and don’ts as we inch back towards “normal” life.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

Alabama shakes up Amazon Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Darryl Richardson, a worker at the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama, explains why he helped initiate a unionization effort that now has President Biden’s support. Recode’s Jason Del Rey explains how the Bessemer vote could be a game changer for American labor.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

The Bachelor meets reality Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

Beset by controversy, The Bachelor’s latest season is winding down with an identity crisis. It’s a rare case of reality TV reflecting our cultural reality.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

The surge of anti-Asian violence Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

The United States is stumbling through two racial reckonings at once. Author Jeff Chang says it’s an inflection point centuries in the making.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

Manchin in the middle Mar 03, 2021

Show notes

Joe Biden won the presidency, but it’s Joe Manchin from West Virginia who seems to be the decider. The Charleston Gazette-Mail’s Joe Severino shadowed Senator Joe in the spotlight. Mountain State Spotlight’s Greg Moore explains why this is West Virginia’s moment.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

The $15 dream Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

Washington’s hottest policy fight is over raising the minimum wage to $15. Emily Stewart explains the Democrats’ effort to get it through Congress, and Dylan Matthews explains whether it will cost the country jobs.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

How acid trips led to better policing Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

Thirty years ago, Eugene, Oregon, figured out an alternative to the police. They called it CAHOOTS. Seriously.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

Canceling Keystone XL Feb 27, 2021

Show notes

President Biden finally wants to put the Keystone XL pipeline to bed. But if the last 12 years of environmental fights are any indication, it won’t be easy.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

The case for Covid-19 optimism Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Vox’s German Lopez explains why he feels optimistic about the end of the pandemic even though 500,000 Americans have died, the virus is mutating, and it’s going to take a long time to vaccinate the world.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

A tale of two governors Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsom were hailed for their leadership early on in the pandemic. Now, the former is mired in scandal and the latter is facing a recall campaign.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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