Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

Caste away Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

A bill outlawing caste-based discrimination in California could become the first law of its kind in the US. Reporter Sonia Paul explains the backlash to the bill, and Georgetown University’s Ananya Chakravarti explains how India's ancient social hierarchy became a problem here.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Isabel Angell with an assist from Siona Peterous, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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We Need to Talk About Kevin Oct 04, 2023

Show notes

As House speaker, Kevin McCarthy worked with Democrats to keep the government open. Then Matt Gaetz worked with Democrats to get McCarthy fired. Semafor’s Jordan Weissmann returns to explain an unprecedented moment in American politics.

This episode was produced by Jon Ehrens and Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Hady Mawajdeh, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Crypto’s crown prince in court Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial begins today; a guilty verdict could represent the final nail in crypto’s coffin. Bloomberg’s Zeke Faux, who spent two years chronicling SBF’s downfall, explains.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi with help from Matt Collette, fact-checked by Serena Solin with help from Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Disclosure: In August 2022, Sam Bankman-Fried’s philanthropic family foundation, Building a Stronger Future, awarded Vox’s Future Perfect a grant for a 2023 reporting project. That project is now on pause.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Shutshow Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

The US government is open for business at the cost of Ukraine aid. Semafor’s Jordan Weissmann explains how we got here. And White House communications director Ben LaBolt explains how the Biden administration is justifying the compromise.

This episode was produced by Jon Ehrens and Miles Bryan with an assist from Siona Peterous, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Amanda Lewellyn and Laura Bullard, and engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Hip-hop is 50 and it's having a midlife crisis Sep 30, 2023

Show notes

So much of the coverage of hip-hop’s 50th birthday has been congratulatory, in spite of its record of misogyny and anti-LGBTQ sentiment. In this episode of Into It, host Sam Sanders talks to journalist Kiana Fitzgerald about how the women of hip-hop are leading the way today, and he catches up with hip-hop scholar Jason England, who argues hip-hop's midlife crisis has left an empty shell of what the genre once was.

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Blame Capitalism: Degrowing pains Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Capitalism isn’t natural, was never inevitable, and endless growth is killing Earth. The final episode of “Blame Capitalism” examines the degrowth movement, whose proponents call to end capitalism as we know it.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Haleema Shah and Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman with original music by Jon Ehrens, and hosted by Noel King. Additional editorial support from Jolie Myers and Miranda Kennedy.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Man’s best friend banned in UK Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says his government will ban a type of dog called the American Bully XL — a relative of the pit bull. Political editor Tom McTague and writer Bronwen Dickey explain the complex politics and charged history of an iconic dog.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Miles Bryan, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Why the US is suing Amazon Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

The Federal Trade Commission has brought a landmark antitrust suit against Amazon. The Verge’s Makena Kelly and former FTC director Bill Baer explain how it’s part of chair Lina Khan’s effort to change the way the US regulates monopolies.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Haleema Shah, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Hady Mawajdeh and Jon Ehrens, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Should you blow up a pipeline? Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Climate activists have tried marching and lobbying. Now, a growing flank of movement radicals want to take more extreme action. Author Dana Fisher tells us who they are, and sociologist Matthew Wolfe traces the history of radical environmentalism in the US.

Today's episode was produced by Avishay Artsy with an assist from Siona Peterous. It was edited by Miranda Kennedy and fact-checked by Jon Ehrens. Our engineer is Patrick Boyd.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Murder, Canada Wrote Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Canada’s unprecedented decision to publicly accuse India of assassinating a Canadian citizen in Canada is upending the two countries' relationship.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Serena Solin, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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