Today, Explained

A man, no plan, Iran

02 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump got what he wanted in Iran: a change in leadership. But what he wants next isn't clear... and seems to change by the minute. This epi...

You, me, and ADHD

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s not just for school kids anymore. Why more adults are getting diagnosed with the disorder. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited ...

The “Epstein class”

28 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

No one did enough to stop Jeffrey Epstein, including elected Democrats. Rep. Ro Khanna says they should be held accountable. The episode was produced...

The reality TV that made us

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A new documentary about America's Next Top Model has people reckoning with its legacy and the industry that birthed it. This episode was produced by ...

Conspiracy theory nation

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Epstein files are giving new life to the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. American political culture has long been built on conspiracy theorizing. Th...

A toymaker who got tariffed

25 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

And then sued the president, and won. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea...

The authoritarian hangover

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Beating an authoritarian regime at the ballot box is hard, but rolling back its changes is harder. Just look at Poland. This episode was produced by ...

One Battle for Democracy After Another

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For nearly 10 years, Poland's authoritarian government chipped away at the county's freedoms. Here's how Poles mobilized to get their democracy back b...

Make credit cards work for you

22 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

America runs on credit. Those plastic cards we carry around can get us into big trouble — or score us free vacations. This episode was produced by ...

How Epstein fooled America

21 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jeffrey Epstein remained a thriving member of the elite for decades, even when everyone seemed to know what he was doing. This episode was produced ...

A concert? In this economy?

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A thousand bucks to see Harry Styles. Who’s to blame for high concert ticket prices, and why some artists are ditching the tour bus altogether. Thi...

Sex, lies, and Kristi Noem

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The DHS secretary and her work husband who have been tormenting America. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Am...

The darkness behind looksmaxxing

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When streamer Clavicular bashes his face with a hammer or does meth to stay skinny, it's not just himself he's hurting. This episode was produced by ...

How Trump-style authoritarians lose

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lessons from the defeat of the "Trump of the Tropics." This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López...

Packing in protein

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Protein in your soda. Protein in your cereal. Protein in your bread. In this rerun from last year, we explain how protein got added into so much of wh...

No one will save us but ourselves

15 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When crises hit, neighbors turn to mutual aid. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch,...

The billionaire governor taking on Trump

14 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

JB Pritzker of Illinois has a playbook for fighting back against the Trump administration — and he says it's working. This episode was produced by ...

Skinny and sad on GLP-1s

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

GLP-1 drugs are easier than ever to get. But losing weight might also mean losing your personality. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edi...

How deportation broke the courts

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The number of immigration cases has risen sharply since President Donald Trump took office, and DOJ lawyers are crashing out. This episode was produc...

When Border Patrol comes to town

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations helped him win. But the reality of enforcement is hitting people hard. Even in red states. Thi...

AI is gossiping about you

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

On Moltbook, AI agents yap about their creators, trade coding tips, and wonder about the meaning of life and memory. Should we be concerned? This epi...

The Art of the Steal

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has a track record of election interference. And now he's threatening to nationalize or even cancel the midterm elections. This episo...

Living in a winter bummerland

08 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The days are shorter and colder, and can leave us feeling listless and drained of energy. When do the winter blues tip over into seasonal affective di...

Jasmine Crockett isn’t backing down

07 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rep. Jasmine Crockett wants you to know she comes by her controversies and clap-backs honestly. This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Mir...

Bad Bunny keeps winning

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From the Grammys to the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny is having an amazing year. We’re revisiting last summer’s historic concert series in his home island...

The Epstein fallout

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Millions of new documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation have been released, and it doesn't look good for the world's rich and powerful....

Trouble at TikTok

04 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok has new owners in the US. With claims of censorship, widespread outages, and possible algorithm changes on the way, the reboot has been rocky s...

What Melania reveals

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As a first lady, Melania Trump has kept a low profile. Until now. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked b...

The healthiest president of all time

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Donald Trump will be 80 this year. He says worries about his age and health are unfounded. But the evidence is mixed, and Americans are susp...

Surviving online cringe

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The internet is forever. So how do we handle posts from our past selves? This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenn...

Even Trump voters are mad

31 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The polls all point to the new reality: Trump voters are disappointed in the president they helped elect, especially when it comes to ICE, affordabili...

Millennials are getting old

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It's 2016 on the internet again. The nostalgia is a reminder that many Millennials are starting to his their first "aging cliff." This episode was pr...

Pardoner-in-chief

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of pardons and commutations in his second term — but it's not entirely different from how his predecessor...

Trump's model UN

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The president's Board of Peace is kind of like the UN Security Council. But it costs a billion dollars to join for life. Israel, Hungary, Saudi Arabia...

They are Charlie Kirk

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Young conservatives are struggling with where to turn after Kirk's assassination. Some of the options are frightening. This episode was produced by K...

"Abolish ICE"

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Federal agents killed a second civilian observer in Minneapolis this weekend. Now, the Trump administration is feeling the political pressure. This e...

Battling brain rot

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Bland colors, AI summaries, and declining literacy rates have lots of us worried that we’re losing our intelligence to the modern world. Can we get ...

Minneapolis vs. ICE

24 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of federal immigration officers have descended onto Minneapolis. The state is in a full-blown conflict with the Trump administration. What c...

You need a prenup

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

More young people are insisting on prenups. They’re not just for millionaires and celebrities anymore. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, ...

Is Greenland free?

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has given up trying to buy Greenland — at least for now. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amin...

The new ICE army

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trump wants to hire a slew of new ICE agents. He's targeting fans of NASCAR, UFC, video games and guns. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt ...

Project 2026

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Trump has delivered conservatives much of the Project 2025 wishlist already. The Heritage Foundation wants him to keep going. This episode was produc...

The making of the Fox News empire

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How a nepo baby from Australia changed political discourse and remade the world. We revisit the rise of Rupert Murdoch and his media empire. This epi...

Sexy TV is back

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why we’re obsessed with Heated Rivalry and hooking up on the small screen. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton and...

RFK Jr.'s new food pyramid

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Let them eat steak. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boy...

Trump's Greenland obsession

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Europe is taking President Donald Trump’s threats against Greenland more seriously after the US’s actions in Venezuela. But will intervention be a...

Can anyone stop ICE?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration says Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have "immunity" in Minneapolis. That could mean few — or no — consequen...

Your student loan bill is due

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration has a warning for student loan borrowers in default: Pay up, or we'll take it out of your paycheck. This episode was produce...

China is winning

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When President Donald Trump took office, he promised to be tough on China. One year later, China's global position is stronger than ever. This episod...

Why everyone is sick right now

11 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How this season’s flu got supercharged — and why viruses may make you healthier. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawt...

AI music is here 

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us don't even realize it, but we're increasingly hearing AI music in the wild. This episode was producer by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Mirand...

An ICE shooting in Minnesota

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

First there was a fraud scandal involving the Somali community in Minnesota. Then, Trump sent in ICE. Now a woman is dead and people want answers. Th...

Deported to a country you've never heard of

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How the Trump administration is using "third country deportations" to expel asylum seekers. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited ...

Trump’s World Cup

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The biggest sporting event is coming to North America this year. Here’s what it means that President Trump will get to host the world. This episode...

What’s next for Venezuela

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump says the US will "run Venezuela." Here’s what that looks like from Caracas, given the US's history in the region. This episode was ...

Internet bad

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Once a place of serendipity and discovery, the internet now thrives on feeding us toxic rage bait designed to piss us off. Can we get the good interne...

Are boyfriends embarrassing?

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We investigate. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and h...

The cocaine comeback

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Demand for cocaine around the world has exploded. Production is at record highs. Law enforcement can barely keep up. Cocaine is back in a big way. Th...

A sit-down with Zohran Mamdani

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New York City's Democratic socialist mayor takes office on January 1. Can he follow through on all those campaign promises? We ask him. This episode ...

The rise of baby Botox

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More people are getting facial injections — and they're starting younger too. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi...

How to fix blue cities

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This year Abundance went from a bestselling book to a political practice powering Democrats from New York to Seattle. This episode was produced by Mi...

The Epstein Files are still a "cover-up"

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration was ordered to release all the Epstein Files. They didn’t. Lawmakers say they are breaking the law. This episode was produ...

Is your brain lying to you?

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our brain constructs the world we hear, see, and feel — but tinnitus shows how that superpower can backfire. This episode is made in collaboration ...

Your pop music is influenced by God

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Popular music went more Christian this year, but religion has had a long history of influencing secular sounds. This episode was produced by Hady Maw...

JD Vance is just getting started

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Twitter feuds to memes to providing cover for President Trump, the vice president had a big year. Up next, the midterms. And then — the preside...

AI: 1 — Humanity: 0

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump's new executive order makes it harder for states to regulate AI, giving a powerful industry even more power. This episode was produce...

The Price is Rigged

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Instacart is using customer data to charge different prices for the exact same products. It's called surveillance pricing, and it means you could be p...

GOP women are over it

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some Republican women in the House are so frustrated with the leadership of speaker Mike Johnson that they're turning on him. This episode was produc...

Let AI replace you

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If AI handles all our busy work and optimizes our resources, it may also give us the one thing there never seems to be enough of: time. This episode ...

Pop culture is conservative now

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why books, movies, music, and fashion all took a turn to the right. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-che...

The ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ economy

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trump calls the idea of “affordability” a hoax. Nonetheless, he pressured the Fed to fix it. It's just one example of Trump prizing loyalty over e...

Everyone’s fired now

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case that could give President Donald Trump the power to fire…just about anyone. This episode was produ...

The Republicans bucking Trump

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From a redistricting fight in Indiana to a wave of GOP retirements from Congress, there are signs MAGA's chokehold on the Republican Party may be loos...

Fear and uncertainty in Venezuela

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's a waiting game inside the country, where the US is threatening military action. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-S...

The rise of the introverts

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Turns out those personality tests you’re taking online are all wrong. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-ch...

I fell in love with my AI

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two humans — and their AI lovers — spill it all. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura...

Fishy business

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fish farms promise to grow massive amounts of seafood to feed a hungry planet, and to do it ethically. But what’s good for the humans isn’t always...

Bettor living through Polymarket

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Polymarket is making it easier than ever to bet billions on anything — including politics. But should we be able to? This episode was produced by A...

Can Rubio end the Ukraine war?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration is trying to sell its latest peace plan to Russia — and it's enlisted the help of former Russia hawk Marco Rubio. This epi...

Data center backlash!

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI data centers are driving up the cost of energy — and it's starting to get political. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Miles Bryan,...

The DOJ's revenge agenda

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A judge just threw out indictments against some of Trump's sworn enemies. It's part of a long year of chaos and confusion at the Justice Department. ...

MAGA’s other immigration battle

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The debate over high-skill work visas is revealing cracks between President Trump and his base. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and...

Trump's new billionaire bestie

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nvidia is the most valuable company in the world. Major parts of the economy hinge on its success. CEO Jensen Huang and President Trump have become in...

Talk turkey to me

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How this big, lean bird became the staple of the most American of meals. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-che...

Attention deficit television

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The screens are getting smaller, and so are our attention spans. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by...

How antidepressants got political

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More young people are taking antidepressants. And there's a brewing backlash to the meds on the right. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, ed...

Can Trump help Sudan?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two military generals are responsible for Sudan's brutal civil war. The American president just pledged to get involved. This episode was produced by...

Trump's Epstein flip

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Donald Trump told Congress to vote to release the Epstein files. That shows just how eager he is to close the growing gap within his MAGA mo...

Trump can't bring prices down

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The affordability crisis is not entirely the president's fault. But he promised lower prices, and now it is his problem. This episode was produced by...

The case for renting forever

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Housing prices aren't coming down, and that's challenging us to redefine the American dream. Maybe renting isn't so bad? This story was supported by ...

The billionaire backlash

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The number of billionaires is growing. So is the call to abolish them. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checke...

The bet that's ruining sports

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another week, another sports betting scandal. This time, it's the MLB. It's all happening because of an increasingly popular way to bet on games. Thi...

Republicans have a Nazi problem

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An antisemitic influencer went on Tucker Carlson's show. What happened next is fracturing the American right. This episode was produced by Miles Brya...

The end of dieting

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration is making GLP-1s more affordable. This class of drugs seems to have forever changed the game on diet and exercise for America...

Why Democrats caved

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Enough Democrats joined the GOP to strike a deal that could end the government shutdown. And now they're feeling the heat. This episode was produced ...

Why your health insurance is so expensive

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s open enrollment season, and new health insurance premiums are causing sticker shock around the country. So how do you pick a health care plan t...

The art of the breakup album

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lily Allen's West End Girl is a scorched-earth tell-all about the end of her celebrity marriage. It's the breakup album for our parasocial age. This ...

Your flights will be canceled

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The government shutdown is making flying even worse. And maybe more dangerous. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, f...

The Mamdani moment

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Democrats had a very big night and now need to figure out how to make it last. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Ariana Aspuru, edited by ...

Trump’s ICE shakeup

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The president wants more arrests and faster deportations of unauthorized immigrants. Which means the shock-and-awe enforcement campaigns might get eve...