Today, Explained

The consumer experience is getting worse even as everything is getting more expensive. AI agents could make things better... or much, much worse. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A stock art photo of a furious woman on the phone. Photo by Antonio Guillem via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Texas hasn't elected a Democrat for Senate since 1988. James Talarico has a shot, but Republicans have launched a full culture war to try to prevent it. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. Democratic US Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a campaign rally during his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts Tour" at the Galveston Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas, on October 22, 2026. Photo by Mark Felix / AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New...

MAGA-aligned conservatives, including Vice President JD Vance, are trying to rehabilitate Richard Nixon's image. That's evidence of where they want to take their party. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. Richard Nixon gives his well-known two-armed victory salute during a campaign stop in El Paso. Photo by Bettmann Archive via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Trump's recent moves seem to pit the US squarely on the side of Russia rather than Ukraine. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com...

Kansas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate in over 90 years, but moderate pastor Adam Hamilton might break the losing streak. And his approach to religion could help Democrats around the country. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Kansas Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton addresses a crowd of supporters on Oct. 24, 2026 in Olathe, Kansas. Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Ne...

What you gain, and what you give up, when you let AI agents take control. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Various examples of avatars for Muse, Meta's AI agent, during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California on Sept. 23, 2026. Photo by Minh Connors/Bloomberg via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected]. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

Between the Trump administration’s executive orders, lawsuits, and relentless rhetoric, it feels like voting systems in America are under constant threat. Is it working?  Editor’s note: Earlier in this episode, Sweren-Becker said that 26 courts had decided that the DoJ is not entitled to voter records. Oklahoma settled its suit, and the state agreed to provide its voter data. 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. Photo caption: President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Alex...

The HHS secretary has pressured food companies like Mars, which makes M&M's, to stop using artificial dyes. Easier said than done. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. A close-up image shows a bowl of blue M&M candies. Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

The first midterms to feature AI slop ads are also on track to be the most expensive ever. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A person holds a smartphone displaying President Donald Trump's Truth Social post featuring an AI-generated video of him interacting with a tiger, while a laptop screen in the background shows footage circulated on social media of William Chapman being attacked by a tiger at Britain's Yorkshire Wildlife Park, on October 14, 2026 in Shenzhen, Guangdong...

President Trump's playbook to go after his enemies is evolving. 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. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) at a press conference on efforts to reform the Department of Homeland Security on January 13, 2026. Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

They promise you financial freedom with very little work, but these side hustles might just be the new pyramid schemes. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A young woman struggling with budget planning and financial stress. Photo by Witthaya Prasongsin via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

The Maine senator has dodged decades of attacks, but President Trump’s low approval ratings could be her political deathblow. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is seen before her debate with Democratic candidate for the Senate Troy Jackson in Bangor, Maine on October 15, 2026. Photo by Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership ri...

Men and women are trying to maximize their reproductive health due to anxieties around declining fertility trends. But are we taking “embryomaxxing” too far? This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. A surrogate mother undergoes an ultrasound scan at the Beta Fertility Clinic, where her pregnancy is being monitored, in Tbilisi in Georgia. Photo by Marie Audinet / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected] to Expl...

Republicans are entering the midterm home stretch with a staggering $1 billion campaign war chest. Will it make a difference?  This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Vasilis Fotopoulos, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: President Donald Trump speaks during an election rally for local Republican candidates in Youngstown, Ohio. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. I...

The internet has a crush on some of the candidates running for office this election season and it’s saying a lot about how Democrats and Republicans wield sexuality. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed at a town hall event on September 3, 2026 in Waterford, Michigan. Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox me...

Saudi Arabia's dreams of becoming a global financial hub are running into the reality of regional war. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Flames burn at a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco south of Riyadh on October 3, 2026. Aramco, majority-owned by the Saudi state, has come under attack from the Houthi authorities targeting the kingdom as part of the war in Yemen. Photo by AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member...

Data centers have maybe the worst image in America right now. Enter the public relations professionals. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. The sun rises on Microsoft's Project Ginger West and a nearby farmhouse in West Des Moines, Iowa. Photo by Liz Rymarev, Post-Dispatch via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Cornell University’s president is wary of an outright ban, but the school’s sexual assault case has campuses around the country considering the question. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Ariana Aspuru and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. The Chi Phi fraternity house at the center of a rape allegation stands on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Photo by Ryan Murphy/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com...

Support for the death penalty has dropped dramatically in the US, but in some places there's still a "death penalty assembly line" as this episode of The Gray Area explores. This episode was produced by Thor Neureiter and Beth Morrissey, with help from Miranda Kennedy and Amina Al-Sadi, engineered by Shannon Mahoney and David Tatasciore, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, and hosted by Miles Bryan. Walls Unit in Huntsville prison is where lethal injections are carried out on inmates. Photo by Jerry Cabluck/Sygma via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members...

Our emotional relationships with our pets have only grown since the pandemic — and so has the financial price we pay. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Mackenzie Rullo, 4, waits ringside with golden retriever "Envy" at The Rocky Mountain Cluster All Breed Dog Show in Denver in 2016. Photo by Kathryn Scott Osler/The Denver Post via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected] to Explain It to Me ad-free by...

Most of the focus in this year’s midterms is naturally on Congress. But the battle to control state legislatures matters just as much, if not more. 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. Photo caption: Francesca Hong during a primary election night watch party in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox me...

Football is by far the most popular sport in the US, but that isn’t stopping the NFL from investing in one of the least popular sports in the US. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers and Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Sarah Schweppe and Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. USA Women’s flag football quarterback Vanita Krouch looks to pass during halftime at Highmark Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vo...

The case of a California couple who had more than 20 kids via surrogacy before being charged with child abuse illustrates how a lack of regulation can lead to chaos. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A group of babies sitting on the floor. Photo by Tom Merton via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Violent attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank — largely perpetrated by young militant Jewish settlers — have drawn international condemnation, but to little effect. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A Palestinian inspects burnt cars at a scrapyard following an attack allegedly carried out by Israeli settlers in the village of Ayn Yabrud, northeast of Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on October 4, 2026. Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by beco...

A surge of hate against Indian immigrants and Indian Americans has broken out of the far-right influencer sphere and into mainstream Republican politics. 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 Noel King. Tarrant County, Texas former GOP Chair Bo French speaks during a rally in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 20, 2025, in downtown Fort Worth. Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News via Getty Images. Further reading: Frisco Was a Welcoming Place for Indian Immigrants. Then Came the Influencers. Listen...

Hakeem Jeffries will almost certainly be the next Democratic speaker of the House. What will he and his party do with all that power? This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks to the press on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off...

How algorithms and instant fashion killed style — and how to get it back. 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. People search for clothes by sorting through piles of second hand textiles displayed on large tables during an Emmaus clearance sale in Poitiers, France. Photo by Jean-François FORT / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected] to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox...

Can a Republican candidate run for governor in a red state without bringing up Donald Trump a single time? We went to Ohio 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. Photo caption: Republican Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a town hall. Photo by Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members g...

Drugs like kratom and 7-OH are widely available at corner stores and smoke shops. They've remained largely unregulated until now. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Capsules of the herbal supplement Kratom, a psychoactive drug derived from the leaves of the kratom plant. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

It took "Jane Doe" two years to get an investigation reopened into allegations of sexual assault against seven men at Cornell University. Why does the legal system continue to fail survivors? This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. The Cornell Police headquarters on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript...

A recent law-school graduate in Texas is facing disciplinary action over her “overexuberant” response to Charlie Kirk’s murder. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. Counter-protesters display a painting of Charlie Kirk near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on October 12, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. Photo by Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transc...

You might not use diesel to fill up your car, but it fuels the US economy, and President Trump’s solution to lower diesel prices might just make things worse. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. The price of diesel fuel above $8 a gallon is displayed outside of a Shell gas station in Carson, California on September 22, 2026. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vo...

The worries in China over AI are not the same as the worries in the US, but both countries agree they want to win the AI race for themselves. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping looks to U.S. President Donald Trump as they descend the grand staircase before a state dinner in the White House on September 24, 2026. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox...

It’s not just about being nice. Manners allow us to peacefully coexist at work, in transit, and out in the wider world. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Manspreading is the practice of some men sitting on public transportation with legs wide apart, thereby covering more than one seat. Photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected] to Explain It to Me...

Polling says less than 1 percent of voters consider AI a top concern this election cycle. Michigan congressional candidate Will Lawrence sees things differently. 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. Photo caption: Emily Taylor leads chants during a protest against data center development in Austin. Photo by Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members...

From live auction sites like Whatnot to games like Monopoly Go!, mobile apps are now designed to addict kids as well as adults. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Image courtesy Monopoly Go!, a free-to-play mobile board game developed by Scopely. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

A majority of Americans have a negative view of Israel. Trump wants to send a massive shipment of bombs to the country anyway. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Protesters rally outside the White House against Israeli bombing of Gaza on March 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

It’s called the “burnerverse": an online community of anonymous college sports fans who mostly trash talk other teams, except when things turn very, very dark. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Avishay Artsy with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A man looking at his phone. Photo by Petri Oeschger/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast⁠.⁠

Some top AI thinkers warn that the technology could kill us all. But it could also save us. 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. The question "Should I kill humans?" is projected onto a wall behind robot "Alfie", a Moral Choice Machine, during a press conference at the Technische Universität Darmstadt. Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off t...

President Trump got so mad about his name not being on the Kennedy Center he threatened to demolish it. We try to understand his obsession. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Danielle Hewitt and Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Image of protestors outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts courtesy Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠⁠vox.com/toda...