Today, Explained

With the 2026 midterms fast approaching, we’re asking a simple question: What actually matters to voters right now?

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

A polling station at Colebrook Academy and Elementary School in Colebrook, New Hampshire, on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images.

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On the 25th anniversary of the deadliest attack on America, 9/11 has quite possibly become the most memed event in human history.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

President George W. Bush was reading to an elementary school classroom in Sarasota, Florida on September 11, 2001 when White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card informed him about the second plane hitting the World Trade Center towers. Photo by Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images.

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Restricting voting by mail is President Trump's latest obsession ahead of the 2026 midterms.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov and Ariana Aspuru, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

An election worker sorts ballots at a polling location in San Francisco. Photo by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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Taxing billionaires is on the ballot in California. The measure has split Democrats — and may do more harm than good.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Supporters cheer at the Billionaire Tax Now rally where Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke on Feb. 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images.

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Big investors are pouring money into kids' sports and parents say it’s ruining the game.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Hady Mawajdeh and Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunagan, and hosted by Noel King.

The Curaçao Region from Willemstad celebrates winning the 2026 Little League Baseball World Series Championship against the Mountain Region from Henderson, Nevada at Lamade Stadium on August 30, 2026 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images.

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We are living in a time of inflammation information overload. Chronic inflammation is real, but Vox’s Unexplainable asks if it’s all bad.

This episode was produced and hosted by Sally Helm, edited by Lissa Soep, with help from Joanna Solotaroff. Mixing and sound design from Cristian Ayala. Fact checking from Melissa Hirsch.

A doctor assists a patient. Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous major health conditions. Photo via Me 3645 Studio/Getty Images.

For Unexplainable transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unxtranscripts⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unexplainable⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Listen to Unexplainable ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/members⁠⁠⁠

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As farmers and rural voters reel from moves made by the Trump administration, Democrats see an opening.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

Guests attend a campaign event hosted by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek in Westside, Iowa. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.

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Data centers have become politically untenable, even in very Republican Texas.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunagan, and hosted by Noel King.

People gather at the Texas Capitol to protest data center expansion. Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images.

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Meta is giving teens a curfew on Instagram and Facebook. And they want other social media sites to join them.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A 15-year-old boy looks at an iPhone smartphone screen in his bedroom. Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images.

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It’s been a summer of food-safety scares and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new cooking show probably isn’t going to make things better.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Packaged salad mixes are displayed in the refrigerated produce section of a Target store. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images.

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In the streaming era, success is public, failure is viral, and everyone's one release away from a flop era. How do you come back?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Lizzo at the "Scary Movie" global premiere at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images.

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What’s up with the kids these days? We asked a Gen Z researcher to explain her generation’s politics. 

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

An attendee wears a Vote hair accessory during a debate watch party with the Miami-Dade Young Democrats. Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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The Up and Up: https://www.theupandup.us/ 

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Dolly Parton never endorsed a party or candidate, but that doesn't mean she was apolitical.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Dolly Parton performs at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014. Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage.

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The US debt keeps breaking records. Should we panic?

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

An electronic display shows the national debt in Washington, DC on August 19, 2026, after the US gross national debt surged past $40 trillion for the first time. Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images.

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President Trump is racing to finish his ballroom, and if the Supreme Court doesn't stop him it will have major implications for conservation efforts around the country.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media alongside posters of his proposed White House ballroom amid construction at the White House. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

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Natalie Harp may be the most powerful executive assistant in the world, and her unusual relationship with her boss — the president — is getting a lot of attention.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

President Donald Trump and his executive assistant Natalie Harp at Dover Air Force Base on July 22, 2026. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images.

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A new crop of Democrats is running on an old slogan: Medicare for All. Now might be the moment it finally catches on.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

A protester holds a sign at a rally in New York calling on lawmakers to pass comprehensive healthcare for all, without exception. Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images.

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Move aside extroverts. In this episode — which aired last year — we explore personality types and whether they are set in stone.

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. Photo by We Are/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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Left-leaning Democratic candidates have faced a lot of scrutiny in the last year about whether they’re “electable” in a general election. Why aren’t people asking the same about Republican candidates? 

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs after speaking to the press in the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images.

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Ella Langley’s heartbreak anthem “Choosin’ Texas” is ruling the charts in this sad girl summer we’re having.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Ella Langley performs at CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images.

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What the death of a star Cambridge professor accused of plagiarism tells us about race, culture, and who we are.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A memorial for former Cambridge professor Jason Arday was set up by students and staff outside The Senate House in Cambridge, England. Photo by Nordin Catic/Getty Images.

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When WNBA player Sophie Cunningham recently said she wanted to protect girls in sports from "biological men," a new front in the culture wars opened up.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever prepares to shoot a free throw. Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images.

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Law enforcement agencies are using a vast network of AI-powered license plate cameras to track drivers. You may not have noticed them, but they have noticed you.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A Flock surveillance camera in a Lowe's parking lot in Lawnside, New Jersey. Photo by Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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Reddit is one of the last remaining websites where people are still talking to people. But brands and AI bots want in.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

The logo of the Reddit app can be seen on the display of a smartphone. Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images.

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Even if we have little to no memory of our first few years, our earliest experiences still matter.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noam Hassenfeld.

A baby crawling on the floor. Photo via Getty Images.

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Democrats have been duking it out all summer. He’s at the center of it all.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Hasan Piker at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, Canada in 2026. Photo By Florencia Tan Jun/Web Summit via Sportsfile via Getty Images.

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An oversaturated internet filled with slop has made influencing a lot harder. It's left creators and brands scrambling for ways to regain our attention.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Influencers and crew seen at Black Bear Pictures "Spa Weekend" Burbank Southwest Airlines Spa Retreat. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Black Bear Pictures via Getty Images.

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The progressive left wants your vote. But some candidates for major races have a lot of online baggage.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic lawmakers took a knee on Capitol Hill on June 8, 2020 to observe a moment of silence for George Floyd and other victims of police brutality. Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images.

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Prescriptions for testosterone are way up. But it's not just men looking to live a high-T life. We revisit our show on taking T.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly with help from Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

An outdoor billboard for testosterone replacement therapy in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by George Rose/Getty Images.

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AIPAC is one of the biggest spenders in American politics. This year, it could backfire.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Pro-Palestinian Jewish American demonstrators rally outside the Manhattan headquarters of pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who accept donations from the group, in 2024. Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images.

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After years of skepticism, an important MAGA figure is warming to the Ukrainian cause. And she has the ear of the president.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Political activist Laura Loomer films with her cellphone as President Donald Trump takes part in an event at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images.

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Gas is expensive and Europeans want us to stay home. How can you still make use of that precious PTO?

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

Tourists take selfies in front of the Barcelona Cathedral. Photo by Paco Freire/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

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Will high gas prices actually change how people vote? We went to Pennsylvania to find out. 

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

A customer refuels his van at a gas station in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania in July. Photo by Matthew Hatcher / AFP via Getty Images.

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We revisit an episode about how our shrinking attention spans are changing TV.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Miles Bryan and Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King.

A 13-year-old boy looks at an iPhone screen in Bath, England. Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images.

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A Massachusetts jury is weighing whether a woman should be convicted in the deaths of her three young children or found not guilty based on her defense of postpartum psychosis.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Lindsay Clancy attends her murder trial at Plymouth Superior Court on July 29, 2026. Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images.

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There's a new Red Scare bubbling up in politics. Just how real is the communist threat?

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

"Are you a Communist?" poster in Forest Hills, New York City. Photo by Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

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Young people used to vote reliably blue. But they're burnt out on politics as usual, which means their votes are up for grabs.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan Abdul El-Sayed at a youth coffee event in Ann Arbor. Photo by Peter Balonon-Rosen/Vox.

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A new book imagines the chaos that could unfold if a biological weapon were released — either accidentally or on purpose.

This episode was produced in partnership with Vox's Future Perfect. It was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

A person wearing an orange protective suit and a gas mask is seen at an event to promote the German government's new initiative to strengthen civil defence nationwide. Photo by Maryam Majd/Getty Images.

Americans spend billions on healthcare products, from green powders and cold plunges to costly gym memberships. Last summer we asked: what good do they do?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Visitors wear the Myblend myLEDmask2 "Anti-Aging" product at the FIBO trade show for health, fitness and wellness in Cologne, Germany. Photo by Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images.

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Journalists Astead Herndon, Don Lemon, and Kara Swisher hold a fantasy draft to find out who has the best shot at becoming president in 2028.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Flags are displayed on the lawn of the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol Building in the background. Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images.

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