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Vox
Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
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A preexisting debate

A preexisting debate

Obamacare is back in court. Vox’s Li Zhou explains how the healthcare bill might finally meet its maker and Ezra Klein explains why that might be great news for Democrats in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:0210/07/2019
The renegade general

The renegade general

Libya’s ongoing civil war has escalated into one of its bloodiest moments yet—the bombing of a migrant detention center in Tripoli. Analyst Anas El Gomati explains why the likeliest culprit is a rogue Libyan general who worked with the CIA and once launched a coup online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:3709/07/2019
Switch to Mitch

Switch to Mitch

In the first Democratic debates, candidates seemed to be running against a powerful Republican who arrived long before Trump and will likely outlast him. NPR's Kelly McEvers explains the secret to Senator Mitch McConnell's dominance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
28:2308/07/2019
Know your enemy (Part II)

Know your enemy (Part II)

When people see Deeyah Khan's documentary about white supremacists they tell her, "The real problem is jihad. You should spend time with jihadists." She says, "I did." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:5305/07/2019
Know your enemy (Part I)

Know your enemy (Part I)

Documentary filmmaker Deeyah Khan grew tired of receiving death threats from white supremacists so she traveled to a Detroit motel to meet up with one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:1503/07/2019
Equal pay is the goooooaaaaaallllllllll!

Equal pay is the goooooaaaaaallllllllll!

Team USA is having quite the World Cup, but the women made headlines even before the tournament started by suing the United States Soccer Federation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:2402/07/2019
40 acres and a bill

40 acres and a bill

Slavery reparations were once an untouchable idea in American politics, but now presidential candidates openly support it. And for the first time ever, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has Congress considering it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:3501/07/2019
Two days, Explained

Two days, Explained

Twenty Democratic candidates. Two debates. Some awkward Spanish. Vox’s Ella Nilsen hits the highlights and Ezra Klein explains why Democrats should be worried. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:0728/06/2019
Supreme Count

Supreme Count

The Supreme Court dropped two doozies today. NPR’s Hansi Lo Wang details a ruling on the 2020 census before Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains how the Court finally weighed in on partisan gerrymandering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:0227/06/2019
"Safe and sanitary"

"Safe and sanitary"

The Senate passed $4.6 billion in emergency aid for the crisis at the southwestern border today. Last night, the House passed its own version. Aid will help, but for lasting change Congress will have to deal with Flores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17:2626/06/2019
Republicans on the run

Republicans on the run

A landmark cap-and-trade bill in Oregon is on life support after Republicans fled the state to avoid voting on it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:1025/06/2019
The rise and fall of R. Kelly

The rise and fall of R. Kelly

R. Kelly is facing new criminal charges, as well as investigations that involve the IRS, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security. Jim DeRogatis went from reviewing his music to documenting his alleged misdeeds against minors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
33:3724/06/2019
Never forget

Never forget

The 9/11 first responders and Jon Stewart are fighting Congress for what they hope is the last time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:5421/06/2019
Drone down

Drone down

Iran kicked off the day by blowing up a very expensive US surveillance drone. Vox's Alex Ward explains why tensions keep getting more tense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:1620/06/2019
I see fake people

I see fake people

Doctored videos of Nancy Pelosi and Mark Zuckerberg have Congress worried about the nation’s grasp on reality. Drew Harwell from the Washington Post explains how “deepfakes” might corrupt upcoming elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:3319/06/2019
Change for a 20?

Change for a 20?

As Washington gears up for the 2020 elections, it's fighting over who should be on the $20 bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:1718/06/2019
After the ouster

After the ouster

Sudanese protesters pulled off the impossible: ousting dictator Omar al-Bashir. Now, the protestors face a new adversary: al-Bashir's military. Reem Abbas reports on the latest from Khartoum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:1818/06/2019
Little pink houses for nobody

Little pink houses for nobody

California is the most populous state in the country, but people increasingly can’t afford to live there. Single family zoning is partly to blame, but state legislators haven’t been able to dump the housing policy. Minneapolis has. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:0014/06/2019
Hong Kong in the streets

Hong Kong in the streets

Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting in Hong Kong. CNN’s Matt Rivers is on the scene and the BBC's Helier Cheung explains how British colonialism complicated everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
26:5113/06/2019
Guatemala’s corruption conundrum

Guatemala’s corruption conundrum

There are nearly twenty candidates vying to be president of Guatemala. Some are being investigated for corruption by the country’s watchdog court, the CICIG. But corruption isn’t the only problem facing Guatemala right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:1912/06/2019
Planting dreams

Planting dreams

Erica Alfaro just got her master’s degree. But underneath the cap and gown is the story of migrant farm workers, a teen pregnancy, and domestic abuse. Wil Del Pilar explains why it’s time for colleges to do more to cater to first-generation college students like Erica and himself. (Daniel Alarcón of Radio Ambulante guest hosts.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:5011/06/2019
Mushroom magic

Mushroom magic

Denver and Oakland have become the first US cities to effectively decriminalize magic mushrooms. Michael Pollan, author of “How to Change Your Mind,” explains how taking a trip could help treat depression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:4110/06/2019
My Brexit brings all the boys to the yard

My Brexit brings all the boys to the yard

Right-wing politicians in the UK are under attack. Delicious, sticky attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:5007/06/2019
Crisis of faith

Crisis of faith

Iraq’s Christian population has been fleeing the country en masse. The United States wants to help, so long as they don’t come here. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:1105/06/2019
The new secession

The new secession

Wealthy white residents are trying to secede from East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. The Atlantic’s Adam Harris says they’re part of a growing trend of school resegregation. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:0304/06/2019
It’s hard to ratify U-S-M-C-A

It’s hard to ratify U-S-M-C-A

President Trump wants his NAFTA replacement deal ratified. But President Trump appears to be standing in the way. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:2703/06/2019
Sex and branding

Sex and branding

Nxivm: sounds like a drug, looks like a cult. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:1131/05/2019
Agent Assange?

Agent Assange?

Julian Assange was already in heaps of trouble when the United States indicted him under the Espionage Act last week. Now he (and journalism) might be put on trial. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:1530/05/2019
Mueller speaks

Mueller speaks

Special counsel Robert Mueller made his first public statement about his investigation today. No questions. (Transcript here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17:3329/05/2019
Hack to the Future

Hack to the Future

Baltimore is under attack. Hackers have hijacked the city’s online services and are demanding $100,000 worth of bitcoin. ProPublica’s Renee Dudley explains how ransomware is threatening cities across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:0728/05/2019
How to save a life

How to save a life

Dylan Matthews, host of Vox's Future Perfect podcast, gave away his kidney because it felt like the right thing to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:2624/05/2019
"Keep our honor clean"

"Keep our honor clean"

President Trump is reportedly considering issuing a series of pardons for alleged war crimes in time for Memorial Day. Some see parallels to Nixon’s handling of the My Lai massacre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:1023/05/2019
Tissue issues

Tissue issues

Stem cell clinics are popping up all over the United States. They're profitable and full of promises, but almost totally unregulated. ProPublica's Caroline Chen explores the shadier side of a booming business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:2822/05/2019
The mother of all elections

The mother of all elections

When you have 900 million eligible voters, elections take a little longer. After 39 days of polling, India’s will be over this week. Journalist Ashish Malhotra explains what’s at stake from New Delhi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:2121/05/2019
How to kill a gram

How to kill a gram

Today, a new definition of the kilogram officially takes effect. But it's just one piece in the massively complicated history of weight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:4820/05/2019
All shows must die

All shows must die

What do we say to the God of Death? Not today. Explained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:4617/05/2019
The race to ban abortion

The race to ban abortion

The governor of Alabama signed the nation’s strictest anti-abortion bill into law. Vox’s Anna North explains what the legislation means and Sean Rameswaram speaks with Eric Johnston, the man who helped write it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:3716/05/2019
Make America Trade Again

Make America Trade Again

President Trump's trade war with China just got a lot worse. Can you feel it? Vox's Matthew Yglesias says most Americans won't, but it's still bad for America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:0115/05/2019
The fight for your face

The fight for your face

Today San Francisco could become the first American city to ban government agencies from using facial recognition technology. Vox’s Sigal Samuel explains how a cool sci-fi feature might now wreak havoc on civil liberties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17:1014/05/2019
Life sentence, no trial

Life sentence, no trial

Terry Allen has been in prison for over 30 years without a conviction because of a little-known rule that was meant to reform the criminal justice system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:2513/05/2019
Missile in a bottle

Missile in a bottle

After a long hiatus, Kim Jong-un is back to launching missiles. A lot of people are up in arms, but Vox's Alex Ward says North Korea's Supreme Leader is only interested in one of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:3310/05/2019
Uber but for strikes

Uber but for strikes

Uber drivers want some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. And it might actually be as easy as A-B-C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:2809/05/2019
Who framed Mayor Pete?

Who framed Mayor Pete?

Two right-wing operatives tried to frame Mayor Pete Buttigieg for sexual assault. It didn’t go as planned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:3408/05/2019
“Awwww, Shucky Ducky!”

“Awwww, Shucky Ducky!”

President Trump has tried and failed to install two controversial candidates onto the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. Vox’s Matthew Yglesias argues that while failing the president might also be succeeding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:5707/05/2019
Sarah Kliff vs. Zuckerberg General

Sarah Kliff vs. Zuckerberg General

Vox's Sarah Kliff has been writing about surprise ER bills for a year, but the practices at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital were unlike anything she had seen before. Her reporting changed them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:2206/05/2019
A Mueller walks into a Barr

A Mueller walks into a Barr

This week in Mueller report aftermath: An incendiary letter leaks; the attorney general spars with senators and then cancels a date with the House. Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick reflects on what might be a constitutional crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:1403/05/2019
Track and Female

Track and Female

The track and field world is trying to figure out what it means to be female. South African Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya’s future is caught in the balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:5803/05/2019
Bovine intervention

Bovine intervention

Burger King announced it's going nationwide with a meatless Whopper that tastes like the real thing. Is this the end for Big Meat? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:1601/05/2019
After the smoke clears

After the smoke clears

Sri Lanka is both returning to normalcy and struggling with last week’s Easter attacks. Roel Raymond provides an update from Colombo and Amarnath Amarasingam explains how nations can battle extremism without violating human rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:0830/04/2019
Standoff at the NRA

Standoff at the NRA

Things are so bad at the NRA that President Trump told the organization to get its act together today. Infighting, self-dealing, and lavish spending have led to a state investigation and turmoil at the top. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17:2129/04/2019