Today, Explained

Latest Episodes:

Suing big food Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

Tostitos chips without real lime. Root beer made with fake vanilla. Instant mac and cheese that isn’t so instant. These products are among the hundreds targeted by lawyer Spencer Sheehan. We talked to him last year about why he wants Big Food to stop misrepresenting its products.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey with help from Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The Rikers takeover Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Today a federal judge hears arguments on whether New York City Mayor Eric Adams should be stripped of control of the jails on Rikers Island. Gothamist’s Matt Katz explains.

This episode was produced by Siona Peterous, edited by Matt Collette with help from Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman with help from Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Shein trouble Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

The Chinese apparel company Shein is a favorite of Gen Z shoppers and the latest frontier in US-China tensions. Vogue Business editor Hilary Milnes explains why Congress, designers, and worker advocates are all determined to take down the global fast fashion juggernaut.

This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette and Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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ESPN 4 SALE Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Disney CEO Bob Iger says the company is looking for a “strategic partner” to invest in the massive sports network, which has been struggling in an era of cord-cutting. Peter Kafka explains what it could mean for fans.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Hot topic Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

When it comes to climate policy, President Biden has accomplished more than any of his predecessors. But activists want more: They want him to declare a climate emergency.

This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Serena Solin and Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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The air-istocracy Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

Private jets aren’t what they used to be. AOC is calling out Hollywood executives for having too many, and European nations are trying to ban them. People are even saying Taylor Swift’s the problem. But wait until you hear who’s really paying for them.

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

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Battlechips Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

Semiconductors are used in just about every piece of technology. The US wants to limit what China can do with them. Alex W. Palmer explains the latest front in the fight for tech dominance.

This episode was produced by Jon Ehrens, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Michael Raphael, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Florida man indicted (again) (again) Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

The latest unprecedented is about January 6, but does the American public still care about January 6?

This episode was produced by Siona Peterous with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Amanda Lewellyn and Matt Collette, engineered by Michael Raphael and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Where did the recession go? Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

A much-dreaded recession doesn’t actually seem to be materializing. We called up some experts — economics reporters Tracy Alloway and Greg Ip, plus our boss, Vox CEO Jim Bankoff — to figure out what’s going on.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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Will “parental rights” mobilize Muslims? Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

Some Muslim parents wanted their kids to opt out of reading schoolbooks with LGBTQ characters and themes. Today, Explained reporter Haleema Shah explains what happened when their fight went national.

This episode was reported and produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Serena Solin, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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