Sign in
News
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.
Subpoena season
Post-Mueller, President Trump is navigating a sea of subpoenas. He says he doesn't want his aides to testify, setting the stage for a showdown with the House. Vox's Dylan Scott explains.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:5926/04/2019
Tuition: Impossible
Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to cancel your college debt. To pay for it, she wants to tax the ultra-rich and take more than just their income.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:0725/04/2019
Follow the drugs
For the first time, federal prosecutors have brought drug trafficking charges against pharmaceutical executives. It's one way to fight the opioid crisis. Vox's German Lopez went to Vermont in search of another.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:5624/04/2019
Martin Sheen 2020?
Ukraine elected a new president on Sunday and his only meaningful preparation for the position was playing the president on TV.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:5323/04/2019
Sri Lanka's Easter attacks
Almost 300 people were killed in a string of bombings on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Roel Raymond reports from Colombo and Amarnath Amarasingam explains how this attack was both familiar and unprecedented.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:2222/04/2019
Frankenswine
Maybe you've heard about the pig brains that were resuscitated by Yale researchers? But did you hear about the human brain genes that were inserted into monkey embryos in China? Vox's Brian Resnick and Sigal Samuel explain some scary science.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:4619/04/2019
It's Robert Time!
Attorney General William Barr released Robert Mueller’s report today. Vox’s Andrew Prokop reads between the redactions and Ezra Klein explains what it all means.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:4918/04/2019
The Jeffrey Epstein scandal isn't over
A Florida millionaire created a system to sexually abuse around 80 young girls. The sitting Secretary of Labor who let him off easy might now be held accountable.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:1417/04/2019
My lovely lady pumps
Check it out!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:4016/04/2019
It's a great time to cheat on your taxes
The IRS is in a bit of a crisis. ProPublica’s Paul Kiel explains how a profitable government agency succumbed to politics and ended up losing tens of billions in revenue.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:5715/04/2019
Maximum Pressure
Earlier this week, President Trump designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. It is the first time the United States has ever given such a designation to a part of another nation’s government.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:5612/04/2019
They called it (a revolution)
After 30 years in power, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the authoritarian leader of Sudan, has been ousted. Reporter Reem Abbas explains how the Sudanese people reclaimed power.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:1011/04/2019
Medicare Bears
Senator Bernie Sanders rolled out a new Medicare-for-all bill today. Vox’s Sarah Kliff explains how such a huge overhaul of the healthcare system went from fringe to mainstream.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:1710/04/2019
Achy Breaky Charts
“Old Town Road” officially became the most popular song in America today. But it’s also the most controversial. Vox’s Allegra Frank chronicles Lil Nas X’s challenges with the charts and Charlie Harding, co-host of the “Switched on Pop” podcast, attempts to figure out what counts as country. *An earlier version of our episode misstated the origins of “country trap.” Lil Nas X calls Young Thug a pioneer in the genre.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:4709/04/2019
A brutal new law in Brunei
Sex between men will now get you stoned to death in Brunei. It’s a strict reading of Sharia by a sultan who seems to have little regard for it.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:2308/04/2019
The Art of the Green New Deal
It's the hottest resolution since sliced bread. But is it just empty calories?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:0505/04/2019
Banned: Aid
After months of threats, President Donald Trump has officially taken steps to cut off aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Vox's Dara Lind explains what this might mean for the current unprecedented wave of family migration to the United States.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:0504/04/2019
RU$H HOUR
New York City wants to charge drivers a congestion fee to slim down traffic. We travel the world to see if it’s a good idea.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:5903/04/2019
What women really want
To mark Equal Pay Day 2019, Vox’s Sarah Kliff reveals the very simple reason women earn less than men.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:0702/04/2019
The right to refuse
The Texas Senate is debating a bill that would give state-licensed professionals the freedom to deny services based on religious beliefs. Lauren McGaughy from the Dallas Morning News says the state's LGBT community feels directly threatened.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:3701/04/2019
Once, twice, three times a Brexit
Theresa May staked her prime ministership on her Brexit deal and, for the third time, the British Parliament rejected it. Vox's Jen Kirby explains a very bad day for Theresa May.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:1829/03/2019
Grounded
Unsettling details continue to arise about Boeing's 737 Max and now Congress is pressing the FAA and America's largest manufacturing exporter for answers.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:2828/03/2019
I got 5G on it
You've heard about the trade war, but how about the phone war? Politico's Steven Overly explains why the US and China are fighting over Huawei and 5G.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:5527/03/2019
The Golan Heights
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, breaking with decades of United States policy. The move could alter the Middle East forever.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
19:1126/03/2019
The report on the report
Robert Mueller's investigation has ended and Attorney General William Barr has furnished a four-page summary. Vox's Andrew Prokop says this is far from over.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:0225/03/2019
Jacinda
The terrorist attacks in New Zealand have thrust Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern into the spotlight. Radio New Zealand’s Jane Patterson explains the 38-year-old's improbable rise.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:1522/03/2019
Electoral College dropout
Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are calling to abolish the Electoral College and a dozen states have signed on to a plan that would subvert it.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:3521/03/2019
Tried six times for the same crime
Today the Supreme Court hears oral arguments about Curtis Flowers, who has been tried six times for the same crime: a quadruple homicide at a furniture store in Mississippi. Madeleine Baran, host of the “In the Dark” podcast, explains how this case represents a fundamental problem with jury selection in the United States.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:4120/03/2019
CBD? TBD.
CBD is winding up in your lattes, your gummies, and your massages, but what exactly is it? And is anyone regulating it?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:5019/03/2019
American hate
The Christchurch shooting took place thousands of miles from the United States, but for Muslims in America, the threat of white supremacy remains very real.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:0118/03/2019
A mass shooting, live-streamed
A terrorist attacked two mosques in New Zealand during Friday prayer, killing at least 49 people.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
16:1315/03/2019
Boeing 737 Max
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on Sunday killing all 157 aboard. The response was unprecedented.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:4614/03/2019
Becky with the bad grades
Remember Aunt Becky from Full House? She might be heading to the big house. Fifty grown-ups, including Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, are facing federal charges over college admissions.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21:1613/03/2019
For all eyes only
Can't pass an FBI background check? Not a problem. That's the Trump administration's approach to top secret security clearances for some White House officials. Now Democrats are launching an investigation. Vox's Ella Nilsen explains.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17:0412/03/2019
Sailing a boat on an alien sea
SpaceX and Blue Origin have been driving much of the excitement around space travel for the past several years, but NASA got back in the game today. Dr. Ellen Stofan, the agency’s former chief scientist, explains what’s next for us, Mars, infinity and beyond.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:3711/03/2019
Trump's money man
Michael Cohen mentioned one name multiple times during his Congressional testimony: accountant Allen Weisselberg. We peel back the curtain on the keeper of Trump's fiercely guarded secrets.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:3908/03/2019
The Title X factor
The Trump administration got a lot closer to defunding Planned Parenthood this week — 21 states are fighting back with a sweeping new lawsuit.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18:3507/03/2019
Uh-oh, Trudeau!
Canada’s prime minister is accused of pressuring his attorney general to go easy on a wealthy corporation, and two cabinet officials resigned in protest. With an election mere months away, can Justin Trudeau survive?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:1006/03/2019
Outbreak
The United States officially eliminated measles in 2000. But the deadly disease is making a comeback, and the anti-vaccine movement is largely to thank.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23:3405/03/2019
Michael Jackson, allegedly
Two men accuse Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them as children in a new HBO documentary. Sean Rameswaram speaks with the film's director and a lawyer representing the estate of Michael Jackson.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
27:2104/03/2019
Friends without benefits
Facebook moderators watch suicides, decapitations, and drone attacks so you don’t have to—and they’re paid just a fraction of what the average Facebook employee makes. The Verge’s Casey Newton got a rare glimpse inside “the Trauma Floor.”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:3101/03/2019
Terrorism, airstrikes, tea
The long-simmering feud between nuclear powers India and Pakistan is boiling over. Ankit Panda from The Diplomat explains why.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:1528/02/2019
Michael Cohen LIVE
After weeks of delays and drama, President Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, testified before Congress today. Vox’s Andrew Prokop says his statements amount to much more than blockbuster political theater.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:2827/02/2019
Your money is under arrest
Police can seize your property without ever charging you with a crime. And you probably won’t get it back.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22:0526/02/2019
Aiding chaos
Venezuela's whole “two presidents” thing has turned lethal. Emiliana Duarte spent the weekend at Venezuela’s border with Colombia where security forces faced off against protesters.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17:1825/02/2019
Jussie Smollett's worst enemy
Jussie Smollett was the victim of a racist, homophobic hate crime last month. Or at least that’s what he’d have you believe. The Advocate’s Zach Stafford tells the Smollett saga from its shocking start to its outrageous end.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
25:3522/02/2019
Train takes a bullet
Californians were promised high-speed rail. Eleven years and billions of dollars later, all they have is a fight with President Trump. Vox’s Matthew Yglesias laments a train in vain.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:1921/02/2019
HQ2-1
Amazon decided on two headquarters: one in New York and the other in Arlington, Virginia. One deal fell apart, the other just might work out perfectly. Today, Explained’s Noam Hassenfeld finds out why. ************** Clarification: We noted that New York offered $3 billion in subsidies to Amazon. We have clarified that this was a mix of both cash grants and tax incentives.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24:4620/02/2019
A little privacy, please
The Verge's Casey Newton says a California privacy law to protect your online data might finally push federal legislators to come up with one set of rules for the entire country. Recode's Kara Swisher says it's high time big tech gets its act together.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:1119/02/2019
2020 vision
Nearly a dozen candidates have announced their run for the presidency and 2019 has only just begun. John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest explains the endless American tradition.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
20:1718/02/2019