• How Epstein fooled America
    Feb 21 2026
    Jeffrey Epstein remained a thriving member of the elite for decades, even when everyone seemed to know what he was doing. This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Pictures provided by the Department of Justice as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on video at 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. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • A concert? In this economy?
    Feb 20 2026
    A thousand bucks to see Harry Styles. Who’s to blame for high concert ticket prices, and why some artists are ditching the tour bus altogether. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Harry Styles performing at The O2 Arena in London. Photo by Dave J Hogan/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.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Sex, lies, and Kristi Noem
    Feb 19 2026
    The DHS secretary and her work husband who have been tormenting America. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Corey Lewandowski behind her. 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/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • The darkness behind looksmaxxing
    Feb 18 2026
    When streamer Clavicular bashes his face with a hammer or does meth to stay skinny, it's not just himself he's hurting. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Illustration photo of a male TikTok influencer hammering his cheekbone. Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/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/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • How Trump-style authoritarians lose
    Feb 17 2026
    Lessons from the defeat of the "Trump of the Tropics." This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. It was supported by a grant from Protect Democracy. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace. Photo by Ton Molina/NurPhoto 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.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Packing in protein
    Feb 16 2026
    Protein in your soda. Protein in your cereal. Protein in your bread. In this rerun from last year, we explain how protein got added into so much of what we eat and drink. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Noel King. Protein Cold Foam drink at Starbucks. Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/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.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • No one will save us but ourselves
    Feb 15 2026
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • The billionaire governor taking on Trump
    Feb 14 2026
    JB Pritzker of Illinois has a playbook for fighting back against the Trump administration — and he says it's working. This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joins demonstrators during a "No Kings" protest in Chicago. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on video at 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. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 mins