Explain It to Me

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...

Three roads to universal coverage

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dylan Scott and special guest Sarah Kliff join Matt for a close look at health care in Taiwan, Australia, and the Netherlands. Recommended reading: "E...

The way forward on family leave

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New America's Vicki Shabo joins Matt to discuss universal paid leave and how to finance it. Guest: Vicki Shabo, (@VShabo) Senior Fellow, Paid Leave P...

Ezra and Matt debate the debaters

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt break down the last debate before the Iowa caucuses, and explore the current state of the Democratic field. Related reading: "Joe Biden...

Mission Accomplished?

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox national security correspondent Alex Ward joins Jane and Matt to break down Trump's Iran policy. Recommended reading: "Trump’s team insists Sole...

Why are we fighting Iran?

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cato’s Emma Ashford joins Matt to explain America’s larger (lack of) strategy in the Persian Gulf region. Guest: Emma Ashford, (@EmmaMAshford) Re...

Midichlorian chili

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt kick the new year off by answering listeners' questions on everything under the sun. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Sen...

Neighborhood Defenders

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boston University's Katherine Levine Einstein explains the dysfunctional politics behind America's housing crisis. Guest: Katherine Levine Einstein, ...

2019 in review

31 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt talk about what surprised them in 2019, remember the last decade, and predict what 2020 might have in store.  Hosts: Matthew Ygl...

The next abortion debate

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

UC Berkley's Abigail Burman on the growing battles over self-managed abortion. Guest: Abigail Burman, UC Berkeley Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesi...

No room at the inn (live!)

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the global crackdown on refugees. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the historic 6th and I synagogue in...

Wine cave cage match

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vox politics reporter Ella Nilsen joins Matt to break down this week's Democratic debate. Guest: Ella Nilsen (@ella_nilsen), Politics & Policy Report...

Primary mooples

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on America's odd system of choosing presidential nominees. What to read: "There is no single “black vote.” There are many." b...

Policy by other means

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Georgetown’s Don Moynihan and Pamela Herd explain administrative burdens and why they matter. Guest: Don Moynihan (@donmoyn), Professor at Georgeto...

The free college debate

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on tuition, debt relief, and the role of major choice in the gender wage gap. What to read: "Democrats’ ongoing argument about ...

Movement building in the Trump era

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Indivisible co-founder Leah Greenberg joins Matt to talk about her new book and the path forward for democratic reform. Guest: Leah Greenberg (@Leahg...

You say "usmca," I say "U-S-M-C-A"

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara and Matt on the congressional debate over Trump's trade deal. What to read: "USMCA, the new trade deal between the US, Canada, and Mexico, explai...

Build housing near transit

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

San Diego-area congressman Scott Peters joins Matt to talk about his plan to boost transit-oriented development. Guest: Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottP...

Impeachment's policy roots

26 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Prokop joins Dara and Matt to discuss the long shadow of Viktor Yanukovitch's downfall. What to read: "Top U.S. official visits protesters in ...

Single-payer federalism

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rep. Ro Khanna joins Matt to make the case for his legislation encouraging state-based Medicare for All programs. What to read: Rep. Khanna's proposed...

Groypers vs. Conservatism Inc.

19 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on white nationalists' campus battles, plus a major scandal in Swedish administrative data. What to read: "Why alt-right trolls s...

The case for subsidized jobs

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Indi Dutta-Gupta of the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality's big idea for turning Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) into an effe...

Introducing Reset

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every story is a tech story. We live in a world where algorithms drive our interests, scientists are re-engineering our food supply, and a robot may b...

The billionaire backlash

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Michael Bloomberg’s presidential aspirations and the case against billionaires. What to read: "Bashing Bill Gates lets the ...

The internet we lost

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Function's Anil Dash joins Matt to discuss how Big Tech broke the web and how we can get it back. Guest: Anil Dash (@anildash), CEO of Glitch and hos...

Paying for single-payer

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Elizabeth Warren's Medicare-for-all financing plan and its critics. What to read: "Elizabeth Warren’s plan to pay for Medica...

Beyond the leaky bucket

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Heather Boushey of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth makes the case that a rise in equality would stimulate the economy. Guest: Heather Bous...

The fall of Katie Hill

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the California representative’s resignation, power imbalances, and the problem of “revenge porn.” Relevant links: "Reve...

The scary truth about air pollution

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Gretchen Goldman of the Union of Concerned Scientists on the science and politics of clean air. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior corres...

The electability debate

22 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt debate the idea of pundits trying to guess what the public thinks — plus research on what happens when doctors are patients. Re...

The four words that will decide impeachment

19 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This was the week of confessions. Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney admitted to a Trump administration quid quo pro with Ukraine, with c...

Debating the robot takeover

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt break down some of the nerdier aspects of the fourth Democratic primary debate. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspo...

Understanding the student debt crisis

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Aspen Institute's Katherine Lucas McKay joins Matt to discuss the origins and consequences of America's ballooning student debt loan. Learn more...

Progressives' Supreme Court problem

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's judiciary reporter Ian Millhiser joins Matt to analyze the Supreme Court's new term and what the left gets wrong about the courts. Guest: Ian M...

Mayor Pete explains his prescription drug plan

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Pete Buttigieg joins Matt to discuss his latest prescription drug plan policy rollout and his broader thinking on health care. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias...

What to expect when you’re impeaching

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt answer your questions on the impeachment inquiry. Related pieces: "What’s wrong with a President Pence?" by Jane Coaston, Vox "...

Homelessness and how to fix it

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mary Cunningham, vice president of Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy at the Urban Institute, joins Matt for part two of homelessness week to...

Trump's war on the homeless

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We’re live from the Texas Tribune Festival! Jane, Dara, and Matt take the stage to discuss the strange revival of interest in punitive approaches to...

America's missing babies

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lyman Stone of the Institute for Family Studies joins Matt to discuss why Americans have fewer kids than they say they want. More to explore: Subscrib...

The Kiev Caper

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt break down the scandal that seems to have set Trump on the road to impeachment. Links to resources discussed: “To beat Trump,...

Did economists break America?

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The New York Times' Binyamin Appelbaum joins Matt to explain his new book, The Economists' Hour. More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein...

Out of sight, out of mind

17 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt explore how Trump “fixed” the asylum crisis. Links to resources discussed: “Trump's Asylum Policies Sent Him Back to Mexic...

ABCDebate

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After Vox's Tara Golshan reviews the third Democratic debate, Matthew Yglesias explains how Joe Biden wins even when he loses. News comes at you fast....

50 shades of Green New Deal

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Vox climate reporter David Roberts joins Jane and Matt live in Seattle to break down the 2020 candidates' climate change plans. Hosts: Matthew Yglesia...

A plan to revive American unions

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry joins Matt to explain her push for sectoral bargaining. Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Mar...

The left’s path to power

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Data for Progress co-founder Sean McElwee explains his strategy for a left-wing takeover of American politics, and the data-driven path to winning ele...

Trump's primary challengers

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt talk about Donald Trump’s potential 2020 presidential primary challengers — Joe Walsh, Bill Weld, Justin Amash, and others, a...

The case for foreign policy restraint

30 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Emma Ashford, a research fellow in defense and foreign policy at the Cato Institute, joins Matt for a wide-ranging discussion on China and the Middle ...

Trump's latest trade war

27 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra, Jane, and Matt talk about Trump's approach to China and what his critics get right and wrong. Links to resources discussed: “Making China Gr...

Does America need trade deals?

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Yale's Hilary Matfess joins Matt to debate Elizabeth Warren's trade proposals, and the role of trade policy in progressive politics. Recommended readi...

Slavery and its legacy

20 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss the 1619 project and its critics Related reading: “The 1619 Project” New York Times Magazine “Henry Clay, Edward Ba...

Trump's war on Medicaid

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Jessica Schubel explains how Medicaid works, and how the White House is trying to undermine it. Join the W...

Epstein conspiracy time

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt try to offer actual facts about prison suicide and new research on hot weather and crime. Related reading: “Jeffrey Epstein’s...

The case for a Green New Deal

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Julian Brave NoiseCat of Data for Progress joins Matt to discuss the vision of the Green New Deal, the need to link it to social justice, and whether ...

Domestic terrorism after El Paso

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

ProPublica’s Dara Lind joins Jane and Matt to talk about the mass shooting in El Paso and what it means to take white nationalist violence seriously...

The second Democratic debate

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra and Matt dissect the six-hour, two-night July debate marathon. Vox’s guide to where 2020 Democrats stand on policy Join the Weeds Facebook grou...

The many mysteries of Jeffrey Epstein

30 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

ProPublica’s Dara Lind joins Jane and Matt to discuss the sexual assault case that’s also a political scandal and a financial puzzle. **White pap...

Dysfunctional federalism

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Yale law professor David Schleicher joins Matt to talk about why state and local politics don’t work anymore. Join the Weeds Facebook group! Learn ...

Go back to Cincinnati

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

ProPublica reporter Dara Lind joins Jane and Matt to discuss President Trump’s rhetoric around the small group of congresswomen known as “the Squa...

Why everyone hates Big Tech, with The Verge's Nilay Patel

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Verge editor-in-chief and Vergecast host Nilay Patel joins Matt in this special crossover episode to explain what Section 230 of the Communications De...

Space Force all the way!

16 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Worldly's Alex Ward joins Jane and Matt to explain Trump's more-tedious-than-it-sounds plan for military domination of the final frontier. Recommended...

School’s out for summer

12 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Cristina Novoa from the Center for American Progress joins Matt to talk about child care disruptions and possible solutions. “When Parents Can’t F...

Ask Weeds Anything

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

ProPublica reporter Dara Lind joins Jane and Matt to answer your questions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A progressive case for globalism

05 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Reed College economist Kimberly Clausing joins Matt to talk about trade and the middle class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...

Democracy's week in court

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt on two big Supreme Court cases on gerrymandering and the census. White paper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic...

Debate Weeds: Ezra and Matt on the long-awaited Democratic presidential debate

28 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Matt and Ezra weigh in on the first Democratic presidential debate of the 2020 cycle. Read more of Vox's coverage of the debate here: Winners and los...

What’s really going on with child detention?

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the breakdown of trust that’s driving the latest crisis at the border. Related reading: The horrifying conditions facing kid...

What’s really happening in Central America

21 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Adriana Beltrán of the Washington Office on Latin America joins Matt to explain the deep roots of the migration crisis. Learn more about your ad choi...

Jamestown: Utopia for Whom

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nice Try! is a new podcast from Curbed and the Vox Media Podcast Network that explores stories of people who have tried to design a better world, and ...

The “illiberal” right

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane and Ezra discuss the ongoing conservative crackup and the case of Parkland teen Kyle Kashuv. Related reading: A New Consensus Kyle Kashuv Becomes...

5 big ideas to use tax credits to fight poverty

14 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Meg Wiehe from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy explains the leading progressive tax plans in Congress and how they differ from Trump’s...

Into the weeds with Elizabeth Warren

11 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Massachusetts senator joins Ezra Klein to explain her plans, and her plan to make the plans happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

A user's guide to antitrust

07 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Matt sits down with Public Knowledge policy counsel Charlotte Slaiman to explain how US antitrust enforcement works and how it might better wrestle wi...

Trump’s tariff triple option

04 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss Trump's efforts to halt unauthorized immigration through Mexico by threatening tariffs, and a white paper on private pris...

Monetary mysteries revealed

31 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bloomberg’s Karl Smith joins Matt to explain how the Federal Reserve’s errors discredited capitalism and how full employment can fix almost everyt...

Building the Trump state

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt break down Trump's multi-front resistance to congressional oversight and increasing pressure on the civil service. Related readin...

Rethinking education reform

24 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Libby Nelson and Dylan Scott join Matt to talk about 2020 Democrats' K-12 policy Bernie's charter school plan - link Harris' teacher pay plan - link E...

The loneliness of Justin Amash

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt analyze the Michigan Republican's call to consider impeaching Trump. White paper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

America's two housing crises

17 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Brookings's Jenny Schuetz joins Matt to discuss subsidies, zoning reform, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

Make America 2015 Again

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss Joe Biden's claim that Trump is an aberration, plus some fresh research on the macroeconomics of bankruptcy. Related read...

Green New Weeds

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

David Roberts joins Ezra and Jane to explain the policy and politics of the Green New Deal. Plus: Which candidate has the better climate plan, Beto O’...

Sarah's Last Stand

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dylan Scott joins Sarah and Matt to talk about single-payer's big day on Capitol Hill and some hot administrative data from Rhode Island. Related read...

Mexico: America's waiting room

03 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dara, Jane, and Matt discuss Dara's fresh reporting on asylum officers' complaints about Trump's "wait in Mexico" policy initiative. Related reading: ...

Incels and bullshitters

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp joins Jane and Matt to share his reporting on the origins and evolution of a troubling new internet community. Rel...

Was The Weeds on the wrong side of history?

26 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah, Ezra, and Matt celebrate Vox's fifth anniversary with a look at the changing nature of the policy dialogue in Washington. This special episode ...