Explain It to Me

The job nobody wants

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara and Matt on Biden’s choice to run Homeland Security and the many challenges he’ll face. Resources: "Biden picks Alejandro Mayorkas, a son of...

The post-election economy

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Stewart joins Dara and Matt to discuss the prospects for Covid relief and Janet Yellen. Resources: "Janet Yellen's mistake" by Matthew Yglesias,...

The Next Four Years: Joe Biden’s world

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Atlantic Council’s Emma Ashford joins Matt to explain the president-elect’s approach to national security. Guest: Emma Ashford (@EmmaMAshford...

Georgia on my mind

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Resources: "Why Georgia has runoff elections" by Jerusalem Demsas, Vox "David Perdue and Jon Ossoff advance to Georgia Senate runoff" by Ella Nilsen a...

The Next Four Years: How to make a Biden Boom

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox’s new series THE NEXT FOUR YEARS delving into the policy prospects for the Biden Era kicks off with Bloomberg’s Karl Smith explaining a bipart...

The never ending election story

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Trump’s refusal to quit and his “surprising” Hispanic support. Resources: "How Democrats Missed Trump’s Appeal to Lat...

Democracy lost

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the election results and the prospects for majority rule. Resources: Chris Hayes and I process this wild election, Ezra Klein Show ...

Election Day Special

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this special live episode of the Weeds - Ella Nilsen joins Matt and Jane to highlight the most contested senate races, and what to watch for as res...

Lessons learned from Trump’s first term

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt look back on what’s surprised them.  Resources: "Can anything change Americans’ minds about Donald Trump?" by Ezra Klein, Vox "Rep...

Biden’s border options

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the big immigration questions that will face a new administration. Resources: "Would Biden 'rebuild the old program' to reduc...

Trump’s last stand

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the final presidential debate. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at...

Trump's second term agenda

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt break down the policy stakes in 2020. Hosts: Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior Correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), ...

Go For Broke: Inside the Dot-Com Bubble

17 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Go For Broke is a new narrative series from Epic Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network exploring the 2000 dot-com bubble... and what happened whe...

Email scandals are back!

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt discuss Hunter Biden’s laptop, social media regulation, and the ongoing stimulus standoff. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), S...

What is critical race theory, anyway?

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ian Haney Lopez joins Jane to discuss critical race theory: what it is and what it isn't. Resources: "Which Party Represents the Racial Future?" by R...

By the People: The Supreme Court's war on democracy

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this last episode of the By The People mini-series, host Ian Millhiser talks with legal scholar Pam Karlan about how the Supreme Court has harmed o...

The stimulus standoff

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the deadlock in congress and the VP debate. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklei...

On biracial identity (with Thomas Chatterton Williams)

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane and Thomas Chatterton Williams talk about mixed-race identity, race and racism, and what being biracial means now. Resources: "My Family's Life ...

By the People: Blame the Constitution

03 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Ian Millhiser talks with political scientist Norm Ornstein and Vox’s Matt Yglesias about the structural factors — many of them written into t...

Fighting back against factory farming

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this special episode, we give you a preview of season 3 of the Future Perfect podcast. Vox's Dylan Matthews comes on to talk about meat and environ...

A dark, dangerous debate

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the disturbing presidential showdown. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Ed...

By the People: How to make sure your vote is counted

26 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Host Ian Millhiser talks with voting rights lawyer Sophia Lin Lakin and vote-by-mail advocate Amber McReynolds about voting, COVID-19, and what steps ...

Dianne Feinstein, please listen to this episode!

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt discuss the past and future of the US Senate. Resources: "How Mitch McConnell is changing the Democratic Party" by Ezra Klein, Vox "Amer...

After RBG

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox’s judiciary expert Ian Milhiser joins the panel to explain Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy and the future of American jurisprudence Resources: "R...

By the People: How to rig an election

19 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing By The People?, a new podcast miniseries on voting rights in the 2020 election, hosted by Ian Millhiser. Each episode will examine a speci...

One Billion Americans

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this crossover episode from the Ezra Klein Show - Ezra and Matt discuss the early days of blogging, Twitter, climate change, and Matt's case for ha...

How Trump closed the border

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rep. Veronica Escobar joins Jane, Dara, and Matt to talk about Texas politics and the use of the pandemic as a pretext to clamp down on asylum. Guest:...

The definitive case against the filibuster

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra joins Matt to workshop his latest article — and save American democracy. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ez...

Steal this podcast

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Meredith Haggerty joins Jane and Matt to debate looting and corporate cooptation of social justice. Resources: "One Author's Controversial View: 'In ...

LAW AND ORDER

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt and Ezra discuss why crime is rising in certain American cities, and the country's growing housing crisis. Resources: "Trump claims crime is up ...

Trump sells out

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt discuss Jane’s argument that the GOP establishment changed Trump more than he changed the party. Resources: "Trump was suppose...

The Trump Show

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the GOP convention and the politics of "law and order". Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klei...

The Cut: Optimism

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing The Cut, a new podcast from our friends at New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network that dives deep into the cultural conversat...

Trump's peddling a fake Covid-19 cure

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on convalescent plasma, FDA reform, and the politics of science. Resources: "Trump used a rare disease survivor to take a shot at...

Democratic convention special

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt stay up late to review Joe Biden's big speech and the Democrats' big week. Resources: "Obama’s Convention Speech Is the First Time I ...

WTF is happening with USPS

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the health and history of the postal service, the political games being played, and what it means for November's election.  R...

What the hell is the Republican party doing?

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on Republican policy nihilism and the Kamala Harris pick. Resources: "Kamala Harris Is Biden’s Choice for Vice President" by Alexande...

What is the economy, stupid?

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Emily Stewart joins Dara and Jane to discuss the relationship between "the market" and the "real economy." Resources: "The Stock Market Is an En...

Veepstakes

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on Susan Rice, Kamala Harris, and Trump’s increasingly chaotic authoritarianism. Resources: "What we know about Joe Biden’s possible...

The stimulus standoff

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the congressional deadlock over economic aid. Resources: "“The jobs aren’t there”: Why cutting off enhanced unemployment...

The Great Awokening

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

John McWhorter joins Matt to discuss the changing way we talk about racism in America. Resources: "“Latinx” is growing in popularity. I made a com...

Trafficking, and trafficking panics

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on Wayfair, massage parlors, and reality. Resources: "The modeling industry is filled with exploitation—this labor activist is ...

The evidence on crime and policing

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Texas A&M's Jennifer Doleac joins Matt to explain what we know (and don't know) about criminal justice. Resources: "How to Fix Policing" by Jennifer ...

Bad for the Jews?

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on Nick Cannon, Louis Farrakhan, and antisemitic conspiracy theories. Resources: "The conspiracy theories behind the anti-Semiti...

Biden reloaded

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on Joe Biden’s unification strategy with the left. Resources: BIDEN-SANDERS UNITY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS "How Joe Biden and Bernie...

School’s out for Covid

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the school reopening debate and the political consequences of HIV/AIDS. Resources: "The debate over reopening America’s K-1...

The Covid resurgence

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on how America failed while the world made progress on the pandemic, and what on earth is going on with the republican party. Resources:...

Contagious enthusiasm

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on Biden’s excitement gap. Resources: "So … About That Supposed Lack Of Enthusiasm For Biden?" Five Thirty Eight "Social cons...

Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Land of the Giants is a podcast from our friends at Recode and the Vox Media Podcast Network that examines the most powerful tech companies of our ti...

The war on bad statues

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Confederate Memorials, Woodrow Wilson, and the battle for historical memory. Resources: "Woodrow Wilson was extremely racist —...

The Veepstakes

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on Warren, Abrams, Harris, and the Tammies and the links between racial and economic justice. Resources: "The Second Defeat of Bernie S...

Talking about talking

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt explain “intersectional,” “structural” and the new language of identity discourse. Resources: "The intersectionality wars...

The legal doctrine that protects brutal policing

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cato's Clark Neily joins Jane to discuss Qualified Immunity - where is came from, why it exists, and what's being done to eliminate it. Clark details ...

Fixing the police

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on what we know about police reform and its limits Resources: "Unbundle the Police" by Derek Thompson, The Atlantic "Why Are the ...

America gives up on Covid-19

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the return of a virus that never went away. Resources: "America Is Giving Up on the Pandemic" by Alexis C. Madrigal & Robinson Meyer,...

After George Floyd

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on America's dual reckonings with racism and police impunity Resources: "It's Time To Bust Police Unions" by Peter Suderman, Reas...

Defund the police?

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on reformism vs radicalism and reimagining law enforcement Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Kle...

The global class war

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Barron's economics commentary Matt Klein explains what's really behind international trade conflicts Guest: Matthew C. Klein (@M_C_Klein) Senior Writ...

Tweeting through it

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on Trump's war on social media, plus Joe Biden's policy agenda. *This episode was recorded on Thursday, May 28th, 2020. Resources: "Twit...

Joe Biden ain't black

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on gaffes and the racial politics of 2020 Resources: "Do Joe Biden’s “you ain’t black” comments ultimately matter?" by Fa...

The stimulus failure

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on Trump's pseudo-federalism and Pelosi's strange aversion to automatic stabilizers. Resources: "Nancy Pelosi says Democrats opted again...

Actual enumeration

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt take a look at America's first pandemic Census. Resources: "The pandemic may leave communities of color undercounted in the cens...

The psychology of opening up

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the deep roots (or not) of the lockdown debate. Resources: "Experts’ 7 best ideas on how to beat Covid-19 and save the economy" by...

Will the economy bounce back?

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the road ahead for the worst labor market since the Great Depression. Resources: "As deaths mount, Trump tries to convince Am...

Reopening without a plan

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on America's lost month and what happens next. Resources: "April was another lost month for Trump’s coronavirus response" by German Lo...

How to win elections

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt break down the great mobilization vs persuasion debate. Resources: "What Happened in the Georgia Gubernatorial Election?" Catali...

Are Democrats getting rolled?

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on congressional bargaining strategy and the China blame game. Resources: "Congressional Democrats are governing from the minority" by E...

A faster Covid-19 vaccine

28 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss the possibility of "human challenge trials" to speed vaccine development. Resources: "How Anthony Fauci Became America’...

Who models the modelers?

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on the failures of some popular epidemiological forecasts and a viral Silicon Valley essay urging America to build again. Resources: "T...

Opening up

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on conservatives’ desire for a rapid reopening of American businesses, and a 'feel good' white paper about air pollution. Reso...

Help is on the way (sort of)

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt break down the implementation problems that have bedeviled the CARES Act. Resources: "Policy by no other means" The Weeds Hosts: Matth...

The corporate bailout watchdog

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Congressional oversight committee member Bharat Ramamurti joins Matt to explain his new job and what's wrong with shareholder capitalism. Guest: Bhara...

How does this end?

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt review four major plans for after social distancing; plus the Democratic primary finally ends. Resources: Dan Hopkins' tweet "National c...

Covid-19 and the border

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the intersection between the pandemic and Trump's border crackdown, and a white paper about happiness. Resources: "It’s Imp...

Coronavirus meets health reform

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt discuss Covid-19's impact on insurance premiums, the case for single-payer, and more. Resources: "Coronavirus May Add Billions to U.S. ...

The mask fiasco

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the evidence for mask wearing, and a totally non-coronavirus white paper. Resources: "Why America ran out of protective masks ...

When $2 trillion isn’t enough

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt analyze the huge but inadequate stimulus bill Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein...

Fighting coronavirus with corporate conscription

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the Defense Production Act, wartime mobilization, and pandemic-induced autarky. Resources: "Trump’s excuses for not using th...

The story of Trump's swamp

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane talks to Asawin Suebsaeng and Lachlan Markay about their new book "Sinking in the Swamp" on chaos at the White House and how President Trump diff...

Devaluing black assets

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brookings’ Andre Perry explains his research on how racism cripples black entrepreneurs and homeowners Guest: Andre Perry, (@andreperryedu) Fellow ...

Rescuing the economy from coronavirus

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss President Trump’s new more serious tone and competing economic stimulus proposals. Resources: "Coronavirus’s threat t...

Weeds 2020: The coronavirus election

14 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt on dueling pandemic response plans from Sanders and Biden, and Trump's disastrous speech. Resources: President Trump's oval office addre...

Meet the YIMBYs

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Conor Dougherty on his new book "Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America" Guest: Conor Dougherty, (@ConorDougherty) Economics reporter, New Yor...

Mayor Pete and the state of LGBTQ politics

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on queer politics after marriage equality. Resources: "Before Stonewall" by Jane Coaston, MTV News "My Mayor Pete Problem" by Dal...

A "titan" of social conservatism on the courts and his battles ahead

07 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Conservative thinker Robert George joins Jane to talk about abortion, marriage, the Supreme Court, and wielding the power of the federal government. ...

Behind the Covid-19 curve

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Kaiser Foundation's Josh Michaud explains what the US is — and should be — doing to fight coronavirus.  Guest: Josh Michaud, (@joshmich) Ass...

Coronavirus 101

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara and Brian Resnick talk about COVID-19 -- how it started, its potential impact, and where we go from here. Resources: "11 questions about th...

Weeds 2020: The Bernie electability debate

29 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Weeds 2020! Every other Saturday Ezra and Matt will be exploring a wide range of topics related to the 2020 race.  Since the Nevada caucus...

Going nuclear

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jessica Lovering joins Matt to discuss nuclear power's role in combatting climate change. Guest: Jessica Lovering, (@J_Lovering) Fellow, Energy for G...

Black voters take the stage

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The New Republic's Osita Nwanevu joins Jane and Matt to discuss black voting patterns and the South Carolina primary. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyg...

The year of housing reform

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mercatus' Emily Hamilton on what's working and what isn't to increase housing abundance. Guest: Emily Hamilton, (@ebwhamilton) Research Fellow, Merca...

Mike can get what done?

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Michael Bloomberg’s record as mayor of New York City. Related material: "National education ratings show NYC student test sc...

Private equity, explained

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox business and politics reporter Emily Stewart on the mysteries of one of America's most powerful industries. Guest: Emily Stewart, (@EmilyStewartM...

After asylum

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jane and Matt join as Dara explains her reporting on the new reality at the border. Related material: "“Women to One Side, Men to the Other”: How ...

How we pick a president

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

University of Maryland political scientist David Karol joins Matt to explain the consequences of presidential nomination reform. Guest: David Karol, ...

Iowapocalypse Now

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox politics reporter Andrew Prokop joins Dara and Matt to explain Monday night's disaster. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspond...

Fix recessions by giving people money

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Claudia Sahm from the Washington Center for Equitable Growth joins Matt to explain a surprisingly simple strategy to stabilize the economy. Guest: Cl...

A conversation about anti-Semitism

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt, Dara and Jane talk about the rise in anti-Semitic violence aimed at Hassidic communities, and what the political implications may be.  Related ...

The road to polarization

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra Klein joins Matt to discuss his forthcoming book; Why We're Polarized. Guest: Ezra Klein, (@ezraklein) Co-founder and Editor-at-Large, Vox Host...

Green New Germany

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing season 3 of The Impact! The 2020 candidates have some bold ideas to tackle some of our country's biggest problems, like climate change, th...