Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

The dictator vs. the homemaker Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

The longtime leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is facing nationwide protests and accusations that he stole Sunday’s election. His opponent, a 37-year-old homemaker who entered the race in place of her imprisoned husband, has fled the country.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

How Trump’s relief plan helps and hurts Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

President Trump wants to resolve the congressional deadlock over stimulus relief by himself. Vox’s Li Zhou rummages through the mixed bag.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

TikTok, on the clock, Donald says your time is up Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

President Trump is threatening to ban TikTok, but Microsoft might be able to stop the clock. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Florida’s Covid-19 tragedy Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

The state saw Covid-19 coming. It still became an outbreak epicenter. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

What’s going on in Lebanon Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

A chemical blast has made a very bad situation worse for Lebanon. Journalist Habib Battah explains from Beirut. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

Everything that could go wrong with the November election Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

A worsening pandemic. A poll worker shortage. A hobbled postal service. Russian hacking. Donald Trump. Vox’s Ella Nilsen explains the many obstacles facing the United States as Election Day nears. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

Who’s “Karen?” And what’s BIPOC? Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

A Washington Post columnist named Karen explains her feelings about “Karen.” A University of Arizona linguist named Sonja explains BIPOC and the capitalization of “Black” and “White.” Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

The Island of Explained: Election Day Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

It’s Election Day on the Island of Explained! Will the candidate with the most votes win, or will the island’s Electoral College determine a different leader? Go to vox.com/todayexplainedkids for a discussion guide and election activities, including how to craft the perfect persuasive speech.

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

Tim, Mark, Jeff, and Sundar Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

The leaders of Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Google testified before Congress on Wednesday in what The Verge’s Casey Newton says might have been the most important Webex in human history.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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

Life after Covid-19, explained by Carl (who had it) Jul 29, 2020

Show notes

Some people walk away from Covid-19 feeling fine. Others are dealing with a long list of lingering health issues.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.

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