Explain It to Me

Never mind skin cancer. Summer 2026 is all about tanmaxxing.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Young women sunbathing. Photo by Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

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The trick to living a longer, happier life.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Iris Apfel celebrating her 100th birthday party in New York City. Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images for Central Park Tower.

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They’re the deadliest animal on the planet. Now even Google is getting into the extermination business.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A tiger mosquito is crushed in the hand of a man after being bitten. Photo by MATTHIEU DELATY/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vo...

How our relationship with writing has changed, and how that’s changed us.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A third grader practices his cursive handwriting at P.S.166 in Queens, N.Y. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer.

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YouTube has advice for how to do everything from plumbing to electrical work. Should you take it?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Isabelle Lichtenstein, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Home improvement DIY-er Imani Keal painting her Washington, DC apartment.

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Our fears about infidelity reveal a lot about us. And so do our reasons for cheating.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Jay-Z and Beyonce attend a gala in 2014 in New York. Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.

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How to prepare for the worst while still living your best life.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A woman at her food supply shelf. Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images.

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From lotions to hair extensions, the products that make us look good may also make us feel bad.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images.

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Love is in the air, but only if you’ve got thousands to throw at it. How couples are navigating the pressures and expenses of planning their perfect wedding.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo of an October wedding by Alyssa Neely.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
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How to manage the squeeze of taking care of your kids and your parents at the same time.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Three generations of a family. Photo by ANDRE PAIN/AFP via Getty Images.

You can find AARP's Care for the Caregiver guide here.

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We've been stuck in cycles of burnout for decades. Have Gen Z workers found a way out?

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Empty battery. Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images.

You can take a version of the burnout test here.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by...

When the world is on fire, it’s difficult to stay hopeful. But our future depends on it.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo by Hasan Tacan/Anadolu via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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From the gas station to the café to the grocery store, we break down why things cost so much these days.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A customer fills up a truck at a gas station. AP Photo/Jenny Kane.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

How you talk reveals where you’re from and who you’d like to be.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A still from the movie "Clueless". Photo by CBS via Getty Images.

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From TikTok to reality TV, Mormons are having a big moment in pop culture.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Taylor Frankie Paul, who was going to be the first Mormon Bachelorette before the season was canceled, on the set of a special preview of The Bachelorette. Photo by John Fleenor/Disney via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox...

We’re obsessed with sugar. And Big Sugar is obsessed with us. How do we make a break?

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Image courtesy of Jenny Lawton.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.

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You won’t wear those jeans again. Or use that pasta maker. So why can’t you get rid of them?

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru with Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

Photo by Arthur Pollock/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. 

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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 by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. 

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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 Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Avishay Artsy and Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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When crises hit, neighbors turn to mutual aid.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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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 disorder, and how do we make the most of the season?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Avishay Artsy, it was also edited by Avishay alongside Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Thomas Warnack/picture alliance via Getty Images.

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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 Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Hady Mawajdeh.  

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 

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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 it back?

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 

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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 Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

Heated Rivalry press photo by Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max. 

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How this season’s flu got supercharged — and why viruses may make you healthier.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Photo by Elisa Schu/picture alliance via Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here.  Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. 

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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 internet back?

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

Photo by Fairfax Media via Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here.  Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Mem...

Our brain constructs the world we hear, see, and feel — but tinnitus shows how that superpower can backfire.

This episode is made in collaboration with Vox's Unexplainable. Hear their series on sound here.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for the Hearing Health Foundation. 

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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 was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Simona Granati - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images. 

This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting.

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Turns out those personality tests you’re taking online are all wrong.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Image credit Khosrork/Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 

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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-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Hill and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of the National Thanksgiving turkey by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. 

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

The episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image of homes in Hercules, California by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images. 

This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1...

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 that won’t break the bank?

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox...

You know those annoying scam texts offering an easy, remote job? We find out how they work, why they're so ubiquitous and the dark world behind them.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images.

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Patients and doctors both are turning to AI for help with diagnosing ailments and managing chronic issues. Should we trust it?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lily and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Vithun Khamsong/Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. 

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We tell the stories of three ingredients that can shine outside the US: beef, bread, and tomatoes.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. 

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What we know about early childhood and screens, including a surprising argument for introducing tech at a tender age.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images. 

You can find Dr. Jenny Radesky and her colleagues’ tool kit for parents here.

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Society teaches us empathy is a good thing. But some are now saying the opposite, and science is complicating our assumptions too.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Olga Pankova/Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. 

Young men are more interested in becoming parents than young women are, and there's a growing number of single dads by choice. A look at modern fatherhood.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

Thanks to Jonquilyn Hill for sharing a family photo for our episode image today. Image of dad John and baby Jonquilyn courtesy of the Hill family.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a...

Americans seem to be getting ruder. Are our attempts at making ourselves better actually making us worse?

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch and Isabelle Lichtenstein, engineered by Matthew Billy and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image: Francesco Carta Fotografo/Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. 

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Hollywood has always made money from vampires and brain-eating zombies. But this year's a record-breaker thanks to sequels, hilariously unlikely creators, and pure thrills.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

A detail from The Conjuring Museum Of The Occult based on "The Conjuring" films. Photo by David Benito/Getty Images. 

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It...