Today, Explained

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The making of a beauty king Feb 14, 2025

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Sephora revolutionized high-end beauty and turned tiny brands into household names. Now, comes the reckoning. Fast Company’s Liz Segran on whether Sephora is too powerful.

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

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Facade of Sephora store in Concord, California. Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images.

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Elon's African roots Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

President Trump is offering to resettle white South Africans in the US, and his white South African bestie may have something to do with it.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Travis Larchuk, edited by Miranda Kennedy and Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Tech billionaire Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images.

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Tater bot Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

The prices of all kinds of things have stayed stubbornly high even as inflation has cooled. And a spate of lawsuits point to algorithmic price fixing as the culprit. Just look at frozen potatoes.

This episode was produced by Peter Balanon-Rosen with help from Devan Schwartz, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Bpyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Chef Jay Murray at Grill 23 in Boston shows off a dish of tater tots. Photo by MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images.

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DOGE-y behavior Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Elon Musk promised to feed "USAID into the wood chipper." The way he's dismantling the agency provides a roadmap for the administration moving forward.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Devan Schwartz, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Flowers are left at the USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C. Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post via Getty Images.

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Guantanamo’s other history Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration has begun detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay. For more than 40 years, the US has sent immigrants to Gitmo, explains Jeffrey Kahn of UC Davis, who interviewed asylum-seekers there.

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

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

A 1992 image of a refugee camp at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay where Haitians were detained. Photo by © Steve Starr/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images.

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Super Bowl GNX Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Kendrick Lamar is celebrating his latest album, GNX, on the biggest stage in American music. But everyone wants to know if he’s bringing the beef. NPR’s Sidney Madden and Stephen Thompson explain.

This episode was produced by Travis Larchuk, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

A handmade t-shirt celebrating Kendrick Lamar's hit song "They Not Like Us." Photo by Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images.

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Chaos in Congo Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is at war. Again. Sixty-five years of mismanagement began with a CIA assassination plot that condemned millions of Congolese to unending conflict.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Miles Bryan, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Rebel soldiers with a group called M23 who have taken control of the Congolese city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo by MICHEL LUNANGA/AFP via Getty Images.

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Democrats, where you at? Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

NBC News reporter Sahil Kapur and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) try to explain if the Democrats are, like, dead.

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

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Democratic lawmakers protest against Elon Musk outside Treasury Department. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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Tariffied Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

The first battles have now been fought in the new North American trade war. President Donald Trump came out on top. Companies that make things across multiple borders are still holding their collective breath.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Peter Balonon-Rosen, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

The Canadian, Mexican and Chinese flags displayed. Multiple exposure illustration photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

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Rebuilding Los Angeles Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

LA Times reporter Liam Dillon assesses the damage now that the fires are fully contained. Torched editor Alissa Walker explains how the 2028 Olympics might impede rebuilding efforts.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Flea, Chad Smith, Anthony Kiedis, and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at the LA28 Olympic Games Handover Celebration. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for LA28.

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