Today, Explained

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Turkey with the good hair Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Turkey has become the hair transplant capital of the world. And it's part of a global boom in medical tourism.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, 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

Top view of a scalp after hair transplant surgery. Photo by ridvan_celik/Getty Images.

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DeepSeek deepdive Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

The emergence of DeepSeek — a Chinese AI model that was developed for a fraction of the cost of leading Western ones, but seems to perform on par with them — caused chaos in the markets and electrified the tech industry.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Victoria Chamberlin with help from Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, 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 DeepSeek logo on a phone in front of a flag of China. Photo illustration by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images.

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How America went MAHA Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

RFK Jr. adviser Calley Means explains why so many Americans are suspicious of food and pharma companies, and what the HHS secretary nominee plans to do about it if he's confirmed.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Avishay Artsy, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, 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

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

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Trump’s government purge Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Trump is remaking the federal government in his name, says Vox’s Andrew Prokop. Efforts at a more efficient government may have a point, says Jennifer Pahlka, who co-founded the precursor to DOGE.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Travis Larchuk, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, 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

An Elon Musk X post about DOGE displayed on a phone screen. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

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The Silk Road pardon Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump pardoned Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht and launched his own memecoin, signaling a new attitude toward cryptocurrency in his second term.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, 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 supporter of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road underground market who was serving life in prison until President Trump pardoned him on his first full day in office. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.

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From TikTok to 小红书 Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

TikTok's uncertain future has driven a flood of users to a fully Chinese social media app full of opportunities for genuine cultural exchange. And it's given fresh fodder for proponents of a decentralized social media ecosystem known as the fediverse.

This episode was produced by Travis Larchuk, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, 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 logo for Xiaohongshu, aka RedNote, and a TikTok logo displayed on smartphone screens in China. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images.

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It’s not easy being Greenland Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump says he wants Greenland for America. Greenlandic government minister Naaja Nathanielsen says the country's not for sale but it's open for business.

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

An aircraft allegedly carrying Donald Trump Jr. after it arrived in Nuuk, Greenland earlier this month. Photo by EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images.

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Cafeteria wars Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

RFK Jr. is the latest in a long line of reformers who have tried to clean up school lunch. The history of those attempts illustrates how hard it is to change the American food system.

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 Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

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

Healthy cafeteria food options at IDEA Public Charter School in northeast Washington, DC. Photo by Miles Bryan.

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Back in (executive) action Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Trump kicked off his second term with a flurry of executive actions. Vox’s Andrew Prokop and Nicole Narea explain.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

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

President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order during the inauguration events at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

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47 Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

The New Yorker’s Susan B. Glasser says Donald Trump’s second inauguration is very different from his first. Vox’s Ian Millhiser explains how the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity has changed executive power.

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

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

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

Salesmen on Independence Ave in Washington, DC hawking Confederate flags and flags celebrating the 47th president, Donald J. Trump, on his Inauguration Day 2025.

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