News comes at you fast. Join us at the end of your day to understand it. Today, Explained is your all killer,... more
A rabbi, a priest, and an imam walk into the abortion debate. The priest wins. This episode was produced by Victoria... more
It’s safe and easy to end a pregnancy during the first trimester using a pair of FDA-approved pills. Accessing them... more
The Supreme Court’s decision was most immediately felt in states that pegged abortion bans to the fall of Roe v.... more
The Supreme Court overturned a 49-year-old precedent that secured the right to an abortion. Irin Carmon from New York magazine... more
The US is spending billions to arm Ukraine against Russian invaders. But without the proper training or supplies, Javelin missiles... more
Venture capitalists spent years subsidizing the price of things like Uber rides and food delivery. The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson explains... more
Oligarchs from Russia and beyond stash their cash in British banks, which play a central role in the global offshore... more
John Temple was the editor of Rocky Mountain News in April 1999, when two students committed mass murder at Columbine... more
America’s gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis. After 24 years of blocked funding, Congress is finally starting to... more
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says tougher gun laws wouldn’t have stopped the Uvalde shooter. He’s wrong. This episode was produced by... more
It wasn’t until 2008 that the US Supreme Court established what a confusing sentence in the Constitution really meant for... more
You might look at school shootings and think “Yes, obviously.” But two people who have been studying and participating in... more
Ten months ago the faculty of Cramer Hill Elementary set out to get their kids back on track after a... more
The mental health startup Cerebral benefited from pandemic-era changes to federal telehealth laws. But its easy-to-get prescriptions for tightly regulated... more
Russia is weaponizing food by blockading Ukraine’s grain exports and withholding its own until other countries come to Putin to... more
The British government will deport UK-bound migrants to Rwanda. It’s part of a larger trend of rich countries offloading asylum... more
The Supreme Court is going to let Arizona kill Barry Jones, a man whose rape and murder convictions were vacated... more
We opened up our hotline. You called and asked questions. We found answers. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and... more
The stock market tumble and crypto crash are symptoms of a broader shift in the US economy. Jacob Goldstein explains... more
Does your immunity still last for months? We asked a researcher who has been studying omicron reinfections. This episode was produced... more
Police departments across the US are signing a pledge to increase the share of women in their ranks, hoping the... more
Writer and parent Joanna Schroeder wrote a guide for parents about what to look out for and how to intervene. This... more
Good news: Epidemiologists don’t think monkeypox will be as bad as Covid-19. Bad news: We stopped vaccinating people against this... more
Vox’s Marin Cogan, who lived through a school shooting herself, explains why she hasn’t given up on a solution to... more
It’s not just Johnny Depp’s fans — it’s Amber Heard’s anti-fans, too. The Atlantic's Kaitlyn Tiffany explains the Depp-ressing social... more
Their admission to NATO would further isolate Russia, leaving it the only Arctic country outside the alliance. This episode was produced... more
The Conservative Political Action Conference, which is like Republican Coachella, is usually held stateside, but this week it's throwing a... more
Noel King traveled to Hungary to talk to people who voted for Viktor Orbán, people being persecuted by his government,... more
The same man who helped usher in democracy in Hungary is the one who’s chipping away at it now. American... more
Millions of US parents are struggling to feed their infants due to a nationwide shortage of baby formula. This episode was... more
This week Pennsylvania voters decide whether to give Dr. Oz a shot at the US Senate. To mark the occasion,... more
Not explicitly, no. But neither is the right to travel from New York to New Jersey. NYU law professor Kenji... more
Sri Lanka’s “Go home, Gota!” protesters want to throw President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office. Reveal’s Ike Sriskandarajah explains what... more
The son of repressive dictator Ferdinand Marcos was just elected president of the Philippines. All he had to do was... more
A week before Russia invaded Ukraine, it detained WNBA superstar Brittney Griner. Now the United States is turning up the... more
Patriarch Kirill is the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. A former colleague describes him as a one-time anti-Kremlin nonconformist.... more
Scientists have developed a long-sought treatment — perhaps even a cure — for sickle cell anemia. But getting it to... more
And how the seemingly endless wait in the US is affecting their development. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited... more
Indiana lawyer Jim Bopp has spent most of his life chipping away at Roe v. Wade. His incremental approach to... more
A largely unprecedented leak of a draft Supreme Court decision reveals the Court’s conservative majority intends to overturn Roe v. Wade. New... more
For less than $20 plus shipping everyday people can turn their handguns into machine guns. The Trace’s Alain Stephens explains... more
Liberals turned to J.D. Vance’s book to better understand Donald Trump’s victory. Now the “Hillbilly Elegy” author is turning to... more
Elon Musk and Twitter have reached a deal. Recode’s Peter Kafka and Shirin Ghaffary explain what it means for the... more
Dianne Feinstein’s colleagues are concerned the 88-year-old senator is struggling with memory loss, reports Tal Kopan of the San Francisco... more
Accounts like “Libs of TikTok” are fueling right-wing media to label people who speak openly about sexuality and gender as... more
By making bitcoin a national currency, El Salvador tried to transform its economy. Rest of World’s Leo Schwartz explains why... more
A Florida judge ended the federal government’s mass transit mask mandate this week. Vox’s Dylan Scott explains if mask mandates... more
The Wagner Group, a superviolent (and supersecretive) team of Kremlin-aligned mercenaries, is doing Vladimir Putin’s dirty work in Ukraine and... more
Elon Musk says he wants to buy Twitter, but is also making 420 jokes. Kara Swisher (who knows him) and... more
Last year, Vox correspondent Dylan Matthews didn’t think inflation would be a big deal. He wasn’t the only one to... more
Russia is ramping up attacks on Ukraine’s digital infrastructure. The US could be next. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin,... more
Warner Bros. is censoring the newest Fantastic Beasts movie for Chinese audiences. It’s the latest reminder that Hollywood’s reliance on... more
The congressional committee investigating the Capitol insurrection has gathered an enormous amount of information. Now it must decide what to... more
Hunter Biden may not be the archcriminal that conservatives describe, but his actions present problems for his father (the president... more
Pakistan’s prime minister was ousted. He blames the US. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, engineered... more
Starting a union can be a tall order, but many baristas have found it’s an effective way to venti their... more
Vladimir Putin says the West is trying to erase 1,000 years of culture. Arts organizations say they have an obligation... more
The Buffalo Bills are set to receive a record-breaking $850 million in public funds to build a new stadium —... more
A 2012 law tried to limit lawmakers' ability to make money on Wall Street. It hasn’t worked. This episode was produced... more
The Russian president has come to rely on a skewed version of history and an increasingly small circle of advisers.... more
A groundbreaking new study claims to have found a way for a fully paralyzed person to communicate entirely via thought.... more
For thousands of years, there have been four basic tastes recognized across cultures. But thanks to Kumiko Ninomiya (aka the... more
There is growing support for psychedelics as performance enhancers, mood boosters, and a shortcut to therapy. The science is mixed. This... more
The US southern border remains closed to asylum seekers on account of Covid-19, unless you happen to be Ukrainian. This episode... more
And in Texas, they’re trying to unionize. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, engineered by Efim Shapiro and Paul Mounsey,... more
The Oscars were bordering on irrelevancy until Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh... more
One month in, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine isn’t going according to plan. Historian and retired Army colonel Andrew Bacevich explains... more
As Poland welcomes almost 2 million Ukrainians in, it’s spending $4 million on a wall to keep Syrians, Iraqis, and... more
The Russian military may have committed war crimes in its brutal attack on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. International law... more
A bill to make daylight saving time permanent slipped through the Senate. Now, the real fight for time begins. This episode... more
President Biden insists he won’t send American troops to join Ukraine’s war with Russia. Veterans like Alexander Szokoly joined the... more
With its neighbor distracted by domestic culture wars, North Korea is making new moves. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan,... more
The furor over Florida’s latest culture-war legislation has Disney, among the state’s largest employers, turning red. This episode was produced by... more
Millions of people have fled Ukraine since Russia’s war begin. We check back in with Kurii Vasyl, who stayed behind,... more
The coronavirus pandemic isn’t over, but certain corners of Congress don’t want to spend a penny more on it. Dr.... more
Americans bet more than $50 billion on sports last year, and that record will likely be broken in 2022 as... more
The BBC is bringing back shortwave radio broadcasts to counter censorship and disinformation in Russia and Ukraine. Professor D.W. Stupples... more
Russia has threatened to let the International Space Station plummet. The Verge’s Loren Grush explains the Star Wars. This episode was... more
The world watched in horror as tens of thousands fled Afghanistan last August. Today, Explained’s Haleema Shah meets with an... more
Gas prices hit a record high in the United States today. Then the White House put an embargo on Russian... more
The US and EU are denying a handful of Russian banks access to SWIFT, a key tool in the global... more
Volodymyr Zelenskyy went from a middling peacetime president to a heroic wartime president. Kyiv Independent’s Oleksiy Sorokin explains from an... more
Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed child protection officials to investigate the parents of transgender children. Dallas Morning News reporter Lauren... more
And how the fight might end. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro,... more
It depends a lot on where they get their news. Meduza’s Aleksey Kovalev reports from Moscow. This episode was produced by... more
President Joe Biden’s Supreme Court nominee is historic but may have little impact on American law. Vox’s Ian Millhiser explains. This... more
Vladimir Putin says Ukraine isn’t a country. He’s wrong. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, engineered... more
Kurii Vasyl and his niece Yulya try to make sense of Russia’s invasion of their country. And Kyiv Independent reporter... more
Vox’s Jonathan Guyer explains how a Russian invasion of Ukraine could affect me and you and everyone we know. This episode... more
This year’s weird Winter Olympics were overshadowed by politics, Covid-19, and the threat of war. But as NPR’s Tom Goldman... more
The US hopes the threat of sanctions will dissuade Russia from invading Ukraine. Historian Nicholas Mulder explains the surprising history... more
A tech investor and his rapper wife were busted for a multi-billion dollar bitcoin heist. They couldn’t really spend any... more
In her Today, Explained debut, co-host Noel King heads to Atlanta to find out why some people in one of... more
A convoy of truckers angry over Covid-19 mandates is disrupting life in Canada’s capital city. Their movement is gaining traction... more
The New York Times published an editorial that made false claims about Sarah Palin. A lawsuit over the error could... more
Quarterback Tom Brady will retire as the winningest football player in NFL history. ESPN's Seth Wickersham explains why so many... more
When it comes to fixing discriminatory voting maps, nine months may not be enough for some justices. Ian Millhiser explains. This... more
The Oscar nominations are out, but the No. 1 movie in America features Johnny Knoxville and his friends hurting each... more
President Biden gave strict orders to avoid collateral damage during a raid on an ISIS leader. Civilians still died, but... more
Why are colleges ditching the test? A) The SAT is biased B) Colleges want to admit more diverse students C)... more
Psychologists are worried that "trauma" is losing its meaning. A trauma survivor says they shouldn't be. This episode was produced by... more
At least in schools. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by... more
Vice President Kamala Harris just attended Honduras’s presidential inauguration. Her trip was really about the US-Mexico border. February 4, 2022 correction: An... more
The podcast host built a massive audience by speaking to fringe figures in culture, business, and science. During the pandemic,... more
The US government let the expanded child tax credit expire ... just as researchers produced a study showing giving parents... more
The US is negotiating to stop Russia from invading Ukraine, but a Germany-backed natural gas project complicates things. This episode was... more
Vox’s Ian Millhiser says American politics shifted during Justice Stephen Breyer’s career, until he no longer had a place in... more
Build Back Blunders, and other presidential misadventures. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim... more
Crimes against humanity are rarely prosecuted successfully, but a Syrian colonel got a life sentence for just that. Documentarian Adithya... more
The Games don’t begin until February 4, but the drama around the pandemic, free speech, and diplomatic boycotts has been... more
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing political ruin because his aides partied while the UK locked down. This episode was... more
That’ll do, pig. That’ll do. Today's show was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro and... more
To look into deep space is to look back in time. Ahead of the launch of the James Webb Space... more
This Sunday, the greatest telescope in the history of humanity is scheduled to reach its destination nearly a million miles... more
The 35-year-old president-elect in Chile loves tattoos, Taylor Swift, and progressive policies. Gabriel Boric will now try to overhaul the government... more
The speedy arrival of CSTO troops in Kazakhstan is unprecedented in the 30-year history of the Russia-backed regional security alliance. Today’s... more
President Joe Biden wants to change how the Senate works to pass voting reforms. Sen. Mitch McConnell is threatening hell... more
How the best-ranked men’s tennis player in the world went to Australia to become the greatest of all time and... more
What happens when all the teachers get sick? Today’s show was produced by Miles Bryan with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited... more
Fast fashion took over the apparel industry, but consumers are tiring of its poor labor and environmental standards. Vox’s Terry... more
Russia has kept its military at Ukraine’s doorstep for almost a decade. But a recent escalation on the border is... more
A tech startup said it could start a medical revolution with a little machine and a drop of blood. It... more
The omicron variant is very transmissible, but it might make Covid-19 less miserable. Today’s show was produced by Miles Bryan with... more
One year later, the United States is still trying to wrap its head around what happened on January 6, 2021.... more
This song was written and performed by Sean Rameswaram and Noam Hassenfeld, produced by Noam, engineered by Efim Shapiro, and... more
Giannis Antetokounmpo went from hawking watches and DVDs on the streets of Greece to winning an NBA championship for the... more
One of the biggest pop stars in the world is rerecording her first six albums at the artistic peak of... more
America's homicide rate rose by almost 30 percent in 2020. It was the biggest spike in 60 years, and the... more
The pandemic changed how we think about work. In this repodcast, Vox’s Anna North says it might be time to... more
2021 was better than 2020. Here's proof. Today’s show was produced by Matt Collette, edited by Jillian Weinberger, engineered by Efim... more
Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate has been ridiculed, erased, and let down by the world's most powerful people. She explains... more
We scored Biden’s first year The New Yorker’s Evan Osnos evaluates President Biden’s first year in office and whether Biden managed... more
Nearly 60 years after the assassination of Malcolm X, some of the men wrongly put in prison for killing him... more
Cobalt is powering the electric vehicle revolution, but much of the world’s supply is mined under deadly conditions in Congo.... more
Thanks to South Africa, the world now has some data on omicron’s severity, transmissibility, and whether or not the vaccines... more
A bodybuilder posing as a Muslim convert was welcomed into a California mosque. When he showed signs of extremism, members... more
Most people get about eight minutes' advance warning of a tornado. This episode of Vox’s Unexplainable podcast explores how scientists... more
While the nation’s attention has been focused on the opioid crisis, a new, more dangerous form of methamphetamine has swept... more
That’s what the United Nations says is taking place in Afghanistan right now. Today’s show was produced by Will Reid, edited... more
Today, Explained returns to Cramer Hill Elementary School to explore the challenges of vaccinating children against Covid-19. Today’s show was reported... more
The mass killing at Oxford High School in Michigan may seem comparable to those that preceded it, but the aftermath... more
The world’s most illustrious museums are finally having to reckon with the stolen art in their collections. Today’s show was produced... more
Big Bird got vaccinated, an Asian American Muppet moved in, and conservatives got really mad at Sesame Street. Today’s show was... more
A tennis star accused a former top Chinese official of sexual assault. Then she vanished. Now her case is changing... more
The Supreme Court today heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. Vox’s Ian Millhiser explains how the Court... more
Russia blew up a satellite and almost put the International Space Station in a precarious position. Recode’s Rebecca Heilweil explains... more
AA-muh-kraan or OH-muh-kraan Today’s show was produced by Miles Bryan and Will Reid, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro,... more
A deadly salmonella strain is spreading through American poultry, and there’s not much the government can do to stop it.... more
After the Chicago Tribune’s Stacy St. Clair runs through the Rittenhouse trial and verdict, legal scholar Eric Ruben explains how... more
But somehow it got very scary. Today’s show was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro,... more
And why they're easy to find in Europe (though they don't seem to be helping much at the moment). Today’s show... more
No. Vox's Jerusalem Demsas disproves a popular internet conspiracy theory. Today’s show was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette,... more
Belarus is promising migrants passage to Europe knowing the EU will turn them away. Today’s show was produced by Haleema Shah... more
Consumer prices are rising at their fastest rate in 30 years. Vox’s Emily Stewart explains why this is bad news... more
A third of American workers do gig work. In the third part of our series, The Future of Work, learn... more
China’s 1.4 billion people are averaging fewer than 100 cases of Covid-19 a day. All it takes is the willingness... more
Extremists in the right-wing militant organization known as the Oath Keepers are present in law enforcement and in the military.... more
How a music festival became a death trap, and what it would take for it never to happen again. Today’s show... more
You win some and you lose some. Just ask President Biden, who started last week with electoral setbacks and ended... more
They said the office would never be the same. In part two of our series, The Future of Work, what... more
While world leaders have descended on Glasgow to try to figure out how to slow emissions in the future, New... more
After a bloody fight for democracy, Sudan is sliding back into the hands of the military. CNN’s Nima Elbagir says... more
It's Election Day in the USA. This time around, the nasty political fights and insurrections are going local. NPR's Anya... more
While the doorbell recovers from Halloween, Nice Try explains how it’s an essential part of the American dream. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support... more
There are millions of job openings in America, and millions of Americans are still not able to find work that... more
From the company that brought you alternate facts comes an alternate reality! Today’s show was produced by Will Reid, edited by... more
Vox's Aja Romano explains how Dave Chappelle's latest standup special led to a reckoning at Netflix. Vulture's Craig Jenkins assesses... more
Variety’s Brent Lang explains how cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died on the Rust film set—and how the tragic shooting might catalyze... more
For 11 years, a Tennessee judge sent kids to jail for a crime that doesn’t exist. Nashville Public Radio’s Meribah... more
Since the Supreme Court’s "shadow docket" decision to allow the Texas abortion ban to go into effect, a growing chorus... more
The House is holding Steve Bannon in criminal contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena as part of its January... more
All I want for Christmas is a functional supply chain. Today’s show was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette,... more
Tim Murphy from Mother Jones explains how Sen. Kyrsten Sinema went from a left-wing activist to a Biden obstructionist. Today’s show... more
Iran is entering its fifth decade of taking hostages. One who made it out tells his story. Today’s show was produced... more
In 2007, Steve Jobs introduced a product that would change our lives forever. The new season of Land of the... more
And whether the show’s message is being lost in the shuffle. Today’s show was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt... more
Vox’s Umair Irfan explains how a new pill that might soon be authorized by the FDA could fill major gaps... more
Body cameras were supposed to bring greater transparency to law enforcement. The case of Ronald Greene suggests police departments are... more
The city of Philadelphia put an opportunistic 22-year-old in charge of its vaccine rollout. Nina Feldman of WHYY’s Half Vaxxed... more
But also, should we kill all the mosquitoes? Today’s show was produced by Will Reid with help from Miles Bryan, edited... more
An energy expert explains why offshore oil spills keep happening and whether they’ll ever stop. Today’s show was produced by Victoria... more
Facebook kicked off the week with an outage and followed that up today with a whistleblower testifying before Congress. The... more
School’s been back for a month. Today, Explained spent a month checking in with Cramer Hill Elementary to find out... more
The Brazilian butt lift isn’t just a cosmetic surgery; it’s a lifestyle. Vox’s Rebecca Jennings explains how influencers gave a decades-old... more
Twelve people at Rikers Island have died in custody so far this year. The pandemic is only part of the... more
Former CDC Director Nancy Messonnier and former White House Covid-19 adviser Andy Slavitt join Sean at Code Conference in Los... more
Moderates and progressives are threatening to vote down different parts of their own party’s agenda, all while a government shutdown... more
A former Defense Department adviser says President Biden might succeed where President Obama failed, and the man formerly known as... more
President Biden wants to give Americans four more years of free school: two years of pre-K and two of community... more
President Biden wants to give Americans four more years of free school: two years of pre-K and two of community... more
School’s been back for a month. Today, Explained spent a month checking in with Cramer Hill Elementary to find out how it’s... more