Today, Explained

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Black schools, red states Jun 04, 2025

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A supporter of President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis was just appointed to lead the historically Black college Florida A&M University. Students and alumni are not happy. WFSU's Lynn Hatter and Tuskegee University's President Mark Brown explain how Black colleges are currently navigating red states.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Graduates during the Florida A&M University Commencement Ceremony in Tallahassee, Florida. Photo by Glenn Beil/Florida A&M University via Getty Images.

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Donald Trump's "Golden Dome" Jun 03, 2025

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President Trump wants to build a "Golden Dome" to protect the US from the threat of nuclear weapons. It’s a sign we’re in a new nuclear era.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Devan Schwartz, edited by Jollie Myers, fact-checked by Miles Bryan, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Further reading: The return of the nucleat threat. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

President Trump announcing plans for the national defense system, the "Golden Dome," in the Oval Office. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

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The white gold rush Jun 02, 2025

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The US has enormous deposits of critical minerals like lithium right here at home. So why are we looking at mining the ocean floor and asteroids?

This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s Future Perfect team. It was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

A lithium recovery demonstration plant at the Salton Sea. Photo by Darco Productions.

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How Gen Z found religion Jun 01, 2025

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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.
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What Bill Belichick’s relationship tells us May 30, 2025

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The legendary coach is getting more attention for his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson than football these days. It’s a reminder that we should probably retire the term “gold digger.”

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson pose for a photo backstage at the 14th Annual NFL Honors. Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images.

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All eyes back on Gaza May 29, 2025

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From podcaster Theo Von to children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel to the new pope to President Trump, a strange coalition of people is criticizing Israel’s latest actions in Gaza.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Denise Guerra, edited by Jollie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

A Palestinian man in Rafah carrying food aid delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana.

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A comedian tries to fix aviation May 28, 2025

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Newark’s crisis is coming soon to an airport near you. Thankfully, comedian Nathan Fielder is dead serious about aviation safety.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

The actor Nathan Fielder in HBO's The Rehearsal. Photograph by John P. Johnson/HBO.

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The minerals that rule our world May 27, 2025

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The race to control critical mineral deposits has become a major driver of US foreign policy -- and is redrawing global alliances.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Mining for chromite at the Mughulkhil mine in Logar Province, Afghanistan. Photo by MARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES).

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Methamphetamine: The most misunderstood drug? May 25, 2025

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Methamphetamine is best known as one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs out there. But it's also an FDA-approved drug that can be used to treat ADHD in children. In this special feed drop of the Spotify podcast Science Vs, scientists and meth users weigh in on what meth does to your brain.

This episode was produced and hosted by Wendy Zukerman, with production from Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. It was edited by Blythe Terrell, fact checked by Erica Akiko Howard, mixed by Bobby Lord, with music by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, So Wylie, Emma Munger and Peter Leonard.

You can find and follow Science Vs here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lY4b5PGOvMuOYOjOVEcb9?si=273dc5f470ba476d

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All the sad young literary men May 23, 2025

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Writer Ross Barkan says young men's voices have vanished from literary fiction. Economist Joel Waldfogel offers a reality check from the world of publishing.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

A reader by the book wall at the 2025 Turin Book Fair. Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images.

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