Today, Explained

One giant leap for SpaceX

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time in almost a decade, an American rocket is launching people into space. The Verge’s Loren Grush explains why the launch could fund...

Today, Explained: Greatest Hits

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You asked. We answered. Sean and Noam break down all the original songs in Today, Explained's back catalog. Today, Explained: Greatest Hits is now str...

Blame WHO?

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump would like to. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The case for reopening parks

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Reopening America’s parks could help fight the pandemic. It’s a good time to rethink streets, too. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Learn more...

Is this Trump's fault?

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ezra Klein has some thoughts. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elongate

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Elon Musk fought the law and Elon won. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Class of 2020

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Graduate? In this economy!? The Atlantic's Annie Lowrey explains the economic reality new graduates face and Sean offers one graduating senior a comme...

Facebook’s PTSD payout

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook has agreed to pay a $52 million settlement to its content moderators. Reporting by The Verge’s Casey Newton was a game changer. Transcript ...

Covid, kids, and a mystery illness

13 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dozens of children have fallen ill with an inflammatory syndrome that may be linked to Covid-19. Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Kevin Friedman explain...

Will Ahmaud Arbery’s killing change Georgia law?

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Two white men are accused of killing a black jogger. Georgia state Rep. Jasmine Clark wants to change the laws that could be used to defend them. Tran...

A few men in fishing boats try to take Venezuela

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While the world was distracted by a pandemic, a ragtag team of Americans and Venezuelans attempted to overthrow President Maduro. Transcript at vox.co...

Quarantine dreams

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Think you’ve been having exceptionally strange dreams lately? Harvard psychologist Deirdre Barrett says it’s not a figment of your imagination. Tr...

The Reopening States of America

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Richard Besser, former head of the Centers for Disease Control, explains how states can reopen without putting lives in danger. Transcript at vox....

Why Sweden stayed open

06 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Kingdom of Sweden watched the world lock down and decided to do the opposite. Swedish journalist Nathalie Rothschild explains. Transcript at vox.c...

How to be happy

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The most popular course in Yale's 300-year history is all about achieving happiness. The pandemic has made it more relevant than ever. Transcript at v...

Tara Reade alleges, Joe Biden denies

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Laura McGann explains the sexual assault allegation against former Vice President Joe Biden, and the implications for his campaign. Transcript a...

The Island of Explained

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Come with us to the magical Island of Explained, where we’ll climb trees and venture into caves to answer kids’ biggest coronavirus questions. Go ...

The Invisible Man

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Alex Ward explains what's going on with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...

Overflowing farms, desperate food banks

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

American farmers are destroying their crops while demand is mounting at food banks. Politico food and agriculture reporter Helena Bottemiller Evich ex...

Inside the world's biggest lockdown

28 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered 1.4 billion Indians to stay home. The world had never seen anything like it. (Transcript here.) Learn more about ...

Oil is broke. Green New Deal with it?

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Oil just went negative for the first time in history. Vox's David Roberts says that creates an opportunity to make more history. (Transcript here.) Le...

Georgia on my mind

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the state reopens, Vox's Jillian Weinberger zooms to rural Georgia to hear how a Covid-19 outbreak spiraled out of control. (Transcript here.) Lear...

Conspiracy-19

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox’s science editor, Eliza Barclay, arms you with the facts you need to fight your uncle’s favorite coronavirus conspiracy theories. (Transcript ...

This one's for Earth

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cryptic treehunters. Unknown apples. Flowers fighting back. On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Vox’s Umair Irfan and Brian Resnick explain what w...

One day, three healthcare workers

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A nurse, a paramedic, and a physician’s assistant record themselves throughout the course of a day in the fight against Covid-19. (Transcript here.)...

The epicenter of the epicenter

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Covid-19's victims, and the people they leave behind. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long shot

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 It could be a year or more before the vaccine is ready, but there’s a radical plan to speed up the process. (Transcript here.) Learn more about yo...

Zeke Emanuel’s exit strategy

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump wants to reopen the country yesterday. Bioethicist Zeke Emanuel, who served as a health policy advisor to former President Obama, offe...

Death Cab for The Postal Service?

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The United States Postal Service is on the brink of collapse. Vox's Matthew Yglesias explains how and why the country should save it. (Transcript here...

All praise, no pay

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Essential workers in the food, transportation, and retail industries are being called American heroes. They want to be paid as such. (Transcript here....

Elizabeth Warren has a plan for this, too

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Friend of the show Ezra Klein speaks to Sen. Elizabeth Warren about several plans she has proposed to combat this pandemic. (Transcript here.) Learn m...

The loneliness pandemic

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coronavirus has led to another pandemic: social isolation. Vox’s Ezra Klein says this sickness has a cure. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ...

Six feet away from God

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While a few religious leaders flout shelter in place ordinances, Easter, Passover, and Ramadan are inspiring most to get creative with worship. (Trans...

Vote and die

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Wisconsinites had to choose between catching Covid-19 and voting on Tuesday. Is the rest of the country next? (Transcript here.) Learn more about your...

"The Great Equalizer"

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Madonna was wrong. Covid-19 isn't an equalizer. It's coming for America's most vulnerable populations. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad cho...

The immunity test

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A vaccine will take a while, but Vox’s Umair Irfan says the global effort to test for immunity and treat Covid-19 is well underway. (An earlier vers...

Mask on? Mask off?

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In an about-face, the Centers for Disease Control would now like you to cover your mouth and nose when you go outside. (Transcript here.) Learn more a...

6.6 million more unemployed

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Last week's unemployment numbers shattered all records. This week, they doubled. Vox's Matthew Yglesias, host of The Weeds podcast, proposes a way out...

Lockdown while locked up

01 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Arthur Longworth calls Sean from Washington State Reformatory to explain what it's like to serve a life sentence at a prison where the coronavirus is ...

The trouble with Trump’s daily briefings

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Part rally, part media-bashing, part critical updates on the coronavirus crisis, President Trump's daily press briefings are muddying the message. (Tr...

How Covid-19 attacks your body

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Vox's Reset podcast Ed Yong from The Atlantic explains how a little spiky ball called SARS-CoV2 brought the world to its knees. (Tr...

Your coronavirus questions, answered (Part II)

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show, more listener questions: Why isn't everyone social distancing? Will I be immune after I get it? When will this end? My anxiety is spi...

The emergency room emergency

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Atlantic's James Hamblin explains why America has a critical shortage of medical supplies. New York City ER doctor Calvin Sun says, “It’s like...

The two trillion dollar question

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Congress has settled on an historic stimulus package, but Ezra Klein is worried it might not be enough. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad ch...

Asia's second wave

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore managed to contain Covid-19, but now things look less promising. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices....

Giving birth in a pandemic

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Julia Belluz went from covering the global coronavirus pandemic to giving birth in the middle of it. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your a...

Your coronavirus questions, answered

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show, we answer listener questions: Why is there no TP? Will we run out of food? Can I get the virus from sex? How can I help? (Transcript ...

Six feet away

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox’s Brian Resnick (safely) meets Sean in a Washington, D.C. park to deliver the Five Commandments of social distancing. Start your #SixFeetAwaySon...

TFW your dad gives you Covid-19

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sean speaks to a Brooklyn family that has Covid-19, and Vox’s Dylan Scott explains how the United States is still trying to get its act together on ...

Can President Trump fix this?

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After dismissing coronavirus concerns for months, President Donald is pivoting to serious action to slow the crisis in the United States. (Transcript ...

School's out for Covid

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The country’s largest school district told a million kids to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s creating chaos for teachers, students...

Living in lockdown

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Italy has quarantined the whole country in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. Vox’s Julia Belluz explains why the US might look like Italy...

How to slow down coronavirus

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has banned most Europeans from traveling to the US. Vox’s Jen Kirby explains why that won’t stop the novel coronavirus from spread...

Old Country for Old Men

11 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After last night, Joe Biden is one step closer to the nomination, but no matter who wins, the next president will be over 70. The Atlantic’s Derek T...

Coronavirus hits the markets

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The stock market’s going haywire. Major companies are telling their employees to stay home. Austin has canceled SXSW. Vox’s Matthew Yglesias says ...

James Carville thinks Trump will lose

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The veteran political strategist argues that Democrats are well-positioned to win back not only the White House, but the Senate, too. (Transcript here...

So you think you have Covid-19

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thus far, the United States hasn't been doing the best job of testing for the novel coronavirus. ProPublica's Caroline Chen explains why. (Transcript ...

Roe v. Wade v. Roberts

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There's a new fight over abortion at the Supreme Court and Chief Justice John Roberts is in the swing position. (Transcript here.) Learn more about yo...

Thanks, Obama

04 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Andrew Prokop runs through Super Tuesday results, before Laura McGann explains Vice President Biden's "Joementum." (Transcript here.) Learn more...

Covid-19, explained by Carl (who has it)

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Carl Goldman was on the Diamond Princess cruise ship and now he has Covid-19. He speaks to Sean Rameswaram from a CDC quarantine in Omaha, Nebraska. (...

Tuesday, Explained

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Andrew Prokop explains what makes this Tuesday so super and performs some basic arithmetic to suggest how Democrats could end up with a conteste...

Make America Doubt Again

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

McKay Coppins built a fake Facebook profile to fully experience President Trump's 2020 digital strategy. It didn't take long for him to start doubting...

The last stronghold in Syria

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Idlib province in northwestern Syria is now the last stronghold of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad and one of the world’s greatest humanitar...

Pandemic?

26 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Covid-19 may be on the brink of becoming a pandemic. Vox’s Julia Belluz explains what that p-word means and Brian Resnick breaks down what an outbre...

Putin his thumb on the scale

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Russian interference in U.S. elections could go from Vlad to worse as President Trump sidelines U.S. intelligence agencies. (Transcript here.) Learn m...

Weekend at Bernie’s

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bernie Sanders took Nevada with a landslide coalition so diverse it has left Joe Biden feeling nervous heading into South Carolina. (Transcript here....

The sixth sense (the real one)

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A study at the National Institutes of Health offers a window into some of science’s biggest mysteries, from the origins of pain to how consciousness...

Ok, Bloomberg

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Enter the Bloomberg! Exit the Bloomberg? (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where Medicare-for-all is real

19 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Democratic presidential candidates keep having the same argument over Medicare-for-all at the televised debates. To spice up the conversation, Vox...

The floating petri dish

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One coronavirus. Two cruise ships. Lots of mistakes. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Love Me Tinder

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A new investigation reveals what you may have suspected: dating apps can be very dangerous. But there are safer ways to look for love online.(Transcri...

Between a Stone and a hard place

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this, the 500th episode of your favorite daily news podcast, Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains why the sentencing of Roger Stone has thrown the United...

Bernie, bro.

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New Hampshire felt the Bern. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Old Hampshire vs. New Hampshire

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

House parties are key to picking a president in New Hampshire, but they’re quickly being replaced by impersonal rallies. New Hampshire Public Radio ...

President Trump's "Africa ban"

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Nicole Narea explains how new immigration restrictions that will hit a quarter of Africa's population might be President Trump's version of dipl...

Why the wrong movies win Oscars

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox film critic Alissa Wilkinson would like to blame the Academy. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...

How will coronavirus end?

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In 2015, Dr. Vineet Menachery said a SARS-like virus could spread to humans more easily than previously believed. Now he explains what we can do to st...

Acquitted

05 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Senate has acquitted President Trump. Vox’s Ezra Klein argues it’s time to change the Constitution. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your a...

Iowhaaaaat?!

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Iowa caucuses? More like caucus chaos. Or a raucous caucus. Or an Iowasca trip. Somebody's got some explaining to do. (Transcript here.) Learn more ab...

Whyowa?

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Iowa gets to take the first swing at nominating the Democratic presidential candidate today. But why? (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choi...

The invisible border

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After nearly four years of acrimony, Britain finally Brexits tonight. But it risks plunging Northern Ireland back into a living nightmare. (Transcript...

Let’s talk about how to talk about Kobe

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kobe Bryant’s death stunned the world. Then people started arguing. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

From Nobel Peace Prize to denying genocide

29 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The International Court of Justice is ordering Myanmar to protect the Rohingya from genocide, but no one knows if Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Su...

The Bolton's back in town

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Andrew Prokop explains why John Bolton’s leaked manuscript has upended the GOP’s hopes to wrap up the impeachment trial quickly without call...

Shaken like a polarized picture

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The political polarization of America didn’t start with Donald Trump and it won’t end in 2020 either. Ezra Klein explains "Why We're Polarized." (...

The Crown Prince and the Amazon King

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Did Mohammed Bin Salman hack Jeff Bezos? Recode’s Peter Kafka returns with an update and Kara Swisher explains Saudi Arabia's impunity in the tech w...

Coronavirus

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A SARS-like virus has killed at least 17 people, quarantined millions in China, and made its way to the United States. Vox’s Julia Belluz explains w...

A George Washington Bridge too far

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Supreme Court is trying to settle the fight over the biggest traffic jam in the history of American politics once and for all. WNYC's Matt Katz, a...

The Senate trial begins

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Vox's Andrew Prokop explains everything you need to know as President Trump's Senate impeachment trial gets underway. (Transcript here.) Learn more ab...

The 100 year fight for equal rights

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment this week. Now, Congress is the only thing standing between the 28th amendment and...

Ukraine International Flight 752

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Canada now has the unfortunate job of dealing with the collateral damage from the conflict between Iran and the United States. (Transcript here.) Lear...

Booker blames the rules

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Senator Cory Booker tells Sean Rameswaram why he never stood a chance and Vox's Ella Nilsen explains why Senators Warren and Sanders are fighting. (Tr...

Elizabeth Warren needs a poster boy

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Elizabeth Warren’s best bet to fight the opioid epidemic might be stealing a page from the battle against AIDS. Vox’s Jillian Weinberger explains ...

One billion animals dead

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Australia is suffering unprecedented damage from months of bush fires, but the country remains divided on the politics of climate change. (Transcript ...

Megxit

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Meghan Markle and her husband have announced their own personal Brexit. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

The (first) trial of Harvey Weinstein

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Irin Carmon from New York magazine explains how #MeToo is on trial alongside Harvey Weinstein. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

What about Iraq?

08 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Iran fired back. The United States issued a statement. Iraq wishes its allies would fight somewhere else. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad ...

The view from Iran

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Iran analyst Dina Esfandiary explains why the killing of Qassem Soleimani was “the greatest gift the Trump administration could have given the Irani...

War with Iran?

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The United States killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq last week. Vox's Alex Ward explains what might happen next. (Transcript here.) Learn...

Should we burn our recycling?

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The vast majority of our plastic isn’t being recycled. It might be time to consider lighting it on fire. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad...