Today, Explained

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Should women be in combat? May 22, 2025

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Combat roles have been open to women for a decade, but President Donald Trump's Pentagon still questions whether women can be lethal. Army veteran Emelie Vanasse says the debate over women's battlefield fitness is long settled.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, 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.

Army veteran Emilie Vanass outside Army Ranger School at Camp Rogers in Fort Benning, GA. Image courtesy Emilie Vanass.

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Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” May 21, 2025

Show notes

“You are tearing me apart, Congress.”

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Seam Rameswaram.

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

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson ahead of a House Republican meeting at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.

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White genocide Grok May 20, 2025

Show notes

When the Twitter/X chatbot, Grok, started glitching with responses about white genocide to unrelated questions, it pulled back the curtain on the people behind the AI machine.

This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s Future Perfect team. It was produced by Miles Bryan and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, and engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd. Disclosures: Vox Media has a partnership with OpenAI. Future Perfect is funded in part by the BEMC Foundation, whose major funder was also an early investor in Anthropic.

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

Photo by VINCENT FEURAY/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.

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My colleague, the scammer May 19, 2025

Show notes

North Korea has been sending young, tech-savvy operatives to pose as ordinary American job seekers. Tech reporter Bobbie Johnson investigates the scam.

This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Further reading: North Korea stole your job by Bobbie Johnson.
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Photo of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un by Contributor/Getty Images.

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Why are my allergies getting worse? May 18, 2025

Show notes

It feels like sneezing season lasts longer and takes more victims every year. An allergist and a public health specialist explain how to fight back.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Bernd Weißbrod/picture alliance via Getty Images.

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Correction: This episode mentions Xarelto as a potential allergy medication. It is not.

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How to "fix" your face May 16, 2025

Show notes

All that time staring at ourselves on Zoom has led to a rise in procedures like “baby botox.” The Atlantic’s Yasmin Tayag explains the lure and Dr. Michelle Hure injects some caution.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, 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.

Image credit Visoot Uthairam/Getty.

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All the president’s side hustles May 15, 2025

Show notes

Ethical concerns abound on the president's first big trip to the Middle East since reentering office. But if you really want conflicts of interest, take a look at his crypto projects.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, 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 billboard featuring President Donald Trump holding Bitcoin in Hong Kong. Photo by May James/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

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Trump’s emergency powers grab May 14, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump has declared an unprecedented number of national emergencies. He's used them to wage a trade war, deport people, and speed up oil drilling. And more could be coming.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Hady Mawajdeh, 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.

President Donald Trump during an executive order signing in the Oval Office. Photo by Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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Oops!... I voted for Trump May 13, 2025

Show notes

In the run-up to the election, Donald Trump successfully convinced a historic number of younger, Black, and Latino voters that he was the best option. Some are now second-guessing their decision.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, 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.

Sharita White, a former Democrat who voted for Donald Trump last year, at her rowhouse home in Philadelphia. Photo by Christian Paz for Vox.

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Is John Fetterman ok? May 12, 2025

Show notes

New York magazine’s Ben Terris talks through his reporting on Sen. John Fetterman’s health and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz with help from Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, 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.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) questions tech leaders in artificial intelligence during a Senate hearing. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

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