Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

The drama and trauma of 23andMe May 11, 2025

Show notes

With the at-home DNA testing company 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, what happens to all the data millions of Americans handed over? And how should you approach the family you've found through sites like these?

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545. Or send us a note here.

Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Brandon MacFarland and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo of 23andMe Ancestry + Traits Service DNA kit by Tiffany Hagler-Geard/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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

Chicago Pope May 09, 2025

Show notes

The first American pope's pro-immigrant views have put him publicly at odds with Vice President JD Vance. How Pope Leo XIV's ancient Catholic order collides with the beliefs of a growing group of converts like Vance.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Gabrielle Berbey, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King and Sean Rameswaram.

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

Photo by Francesco Sforza - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images.

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

What did Wikipedia do? May 08, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration is going after the free encyclopedia. Journalist Stephen Harrison explains how the site went from “the last bastion of shared reality” to “Wokepedia.”

This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey 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 Sean Rameswaram.

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

Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

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

Little Marco’s big portfolio May 07, 2025

Show notes

A former rival of President Donald Trump’s now holds four positions in his administration. How Marco Rubio became important at work.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, 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.

Photo of Secretary Marco Rubio by Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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

The two dolls economy May 06, 2025

Show notes

Shortages are on the way. President Trump says children must live with fewer dolls and the rest of us have to adapt, too.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, 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.

Realistic silicone dolls on display during the World Doll Day show in CA. Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images.

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

The Harvey Weinstein apologist May 05, 2025

Show notes

Candace Owens has found a new audience with her breakdown of the Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively saga. Her latest cause? Exonerating Harvey Weinstein.

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

Further reading: The culture warriors who say Harvey Weinstein is innocent by Constance Grady, Candace Owens Has Gone Mainstream by E.J. Dickson. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Candace Owens hosting a taping of her show. Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images.

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

Why is personal style so hard? May 04, 2025

Show notes

Fashion has made a big swing from a strict set of rules to the idea that we should all just wear what we want. But personal style is still dictated by outside forces. And a lot of people don't even know where to start.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Image of Clinton Kelly and Stacy London by Donna Svennevik/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images.

If you have a question for us, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545, or send us a note here.

Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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

Prepping for doomsday May 02, 2025

Show notes

Preparing for the end of the world is a multibillion-dollar business. People are stockpiling weapons, buying luxury bunkers, and even building flammable moats...but prepping is also an American tradition.

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

Further reading: Be Prepared: Doomsday Prepping in the United Statesby Robert E. Kirsch and Emily Ray, Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell about the End of the Worldby Dorian Lynskey
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

A member of the post-apocalyptic "Wasteland Warriors" group celebrating to metal music. Photo by Axel Heimken/picture alliance via Getty Images.

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

No love (on the spectrum) for RFK Jr. May 01, 2025

Show notes

Love on the Spectrum stars James B. Jones and Dani Bowman say the HHS secretary’s planned autism studies are making things worse for people with autism.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, 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.

Photo of "Love on the Spectrum" castmember Dani Bowman by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.

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

Tariffs hit like a Mack truck Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Workers at a Mack truck plant in Pennsylvania hoped tariffs would help protect their jobs. Now they are facing layoffs — and corporate is citing tariffs as the reason.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, 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.

Dan Hand has worked at Mack Truck's Lehigh Valley plant for nearly three decades. Photo by Miles Bryan for Vox.

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected