Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

I see fake people Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

Doctored videos of Nancy Pelosi and Mark Zuckerberg have Congress worried about the nation’s grasp on reality. Drew Harwell from the Washington Post explains how “deepfakes” might corrupt upcoming elections.

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Change for a 20? Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

As Washington gears up for the 2020 elections, it's fighting over who should be on the $20 bill.

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After the ouster Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

Sudanese protesters pulled off the impossible: ousting dictator Omar al-Bashir. Now, the protestors face a new adversary: al-Bashir's military. Reem Abbas reports on the latest from Khartoum.

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Little pink houses for nobody Jun 14, 2019

Show notes

California is the most populous state in the country, but people increasingly can’t afford to live there. Single family zoning is partly to blame, but state legislators haven’t been able to dump the housing policy. Minneapolis has.

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Hong Kong in the streets Jun 13, 2019

Show notes

Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting in Hong Kong. CNN’s Matt Rivers is on the scene and the BBC's Helier Cheung explains how British colonialism complicated everything.

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Guatemala’s corruption conundrum Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

There are nearly twenty candidates vying to be president of Guatemala. Some are being investigated for corruption by the country’s watchdog court, the CICIG. But corruption isn’t the only problem facing Guatemala right now.

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Planting dreams Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

Erica Alfaro just got her master’s degree. But underneath the cap and gown is the story of migrant farm workers, a teen pregnancy, and domestic abuse. Wil Del Pilar explains why it’s time for colleges to do more to cater to first-generation college students like Erica and himself. (Daniel Alarcón of Radio Ambulante guest hosts.)

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Mushroom magic Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

Denver and Oakland have become the first US cities to effectively decriminalize magic mushrooms. Michael Pollan, author of “How to Change Your Mind,” explains how taking a trip could help treat depression.

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My Brexit brings all the boys to the yard Jun 07, 2019

Show notes

Right-wing politicians in the UK are under attack. Delicious, sticky attack.

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Crisis of faith Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

Iraq’s Christian population has been fleeing the country en masse. The United States wants to help, so long as they don’t come here. (Transcript here.)

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