Today, Explained
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Episodes
AI also lost the election
This episode examines the political backlash against AI following the midterm elections, where voters rejected numerous data center initiatives.
"Impeach Hegseth"
This episode analyzes how the Iran war and rising gas prices contributed to Republican losses in the midterm elections, prompting calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Is intelligence overrated?
Host John Glenn Hill explores the complexities of intelligence with guests David Robson, Jeff Sebo, and Susan Yackey.
A working-class midterm mandate
Governor Wes Moore joins America Actually to analyze the historic "blue wave" midterm results, highlighting the surge in Black and Latino voter turnout and the election of five new Black governors.
Trump’s Venezuelan oil grift
Vox’s Anne Applebaum explains that the U.
Is MAGA dead?
Following a historic Republican defeat in the midterms, this episode examines the internal fractures within the MAGA movement and the ensuing "narrative warfare" over blame.
Dems won. Now what?
Vox’s Sean Ramos and Ested Herndon analyze the historic "blue tsunami" in the midterms, highlighting how affordability concerns and anti-corruption…
Was populism worth it?
This episode examines the impact of a decade of populism on American politics, featuring Jonathan Chait who analyzes how Trump’s rise challenged…
Make groceries cheap again
This episode examines the drivers of high grocery prices, arguing that middlemen in the food supply chain, rather than retailers, are responsible for most of the cost increases.
When hobbies take over your life
This episode of *Explained* explores why hobbies often feel like work, featuring journalist Mahika Barua and author Jenny O'Dell.
Nevada's Trump slump
Reporter Estet Herndon visits Las Vegas to examine how the "Trump slump" is affecting working-class voters ahead of the midterms.
Life in the rage economy
This episode explores the surge in American consumer rage, driven by worsening service quality and the financialization of everyday goods through private equity.
Texas Talarico freakout
This episode analyzes the 2026 Texas Senate race between Democrat James Tallarico and Republican Ken Paxton, highlighting how Paxton’s corruption…
The future of MAGA is... Nixon?
This episode explores the "Nixonmaxing" movement, where young conservatives like JD Vance and Chris Rufo are rehabilitating Richard Nixon’s legacy to legitimize their political goals.
Is Trump abandoning Ukraine?
This episode examines whether President Trump is abandoning Ukraine, featuring Wall Street Journal reporter Alex Ward.
Democrats find God
Vox reporter Christian Paz reports from Kansas on the Senate race between incumbent Roger Marshall and megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton, analyzing how…
When AI agents run your life
Host John Quinlan Hill explores the rise of AI agents with Wired reporter Reese Rogers, discussing consumer tools like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots.
Can Trump steal the midterms?
Host Estet Herndon interviews Eliza Swearener, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Voting Rights Program, to assess election security ahead of the midterms.
RFK Jr. and the chocolate factory
This episode examines the challenges Mars Inc.
The rise of political slopaganda
This episode explores the surge of AI-generated "slopaganda" in the 2026 midterms, featuring NYU’s Scott Babois Brennan who argues these satirical…
Can Trump deport Ilhan Omar?
This episode examines the federal raid on Rep.
The passive income influencers
This episode explores how social media influencers promote "passive income" side hustles that often leave followers feeling scammed, drawing parallels to multi-level marketing schemes.
Susan Collins, political ninja
This episode of Today Explained examines Susan Collins' bid for a historic seventh Senate term in Maine, framing her as a "ninja" who has survived…
The quest for the perfect baby
This episode explores the emerging trend of fertility optimization, or "maxing," through the lens of both male and female experiences.
Can you buy the midterms?
Shane Goldmacher analyzes the GOP’s historic $1 billion fundraising advantage, driven by tech oligarchs and crypto donors, which contrasts with recent Democratic spending surges.
Thirst trap politics
This episode explores the surge of "thirst edits" featuring Senator John Ossoff and other Democratic candidates on social media, analyzing how the…
The Iran war is spreading
Yemen's Houthis launched unprecedented missile strikes on Riyadh's airport and Aramco, escalating a regional conflict that threatens Saudi Arabia's…
Data centers fight back
This episode examines the growing public backlash against massive AI data centers, featuring a PR executive who explains how the industry is attempting to educate communities on their necessity.
Should we ban fraternities?
This episode examines the Cornell University fraternity scandal and the broader failure of campus sexual violence policies.
America’s death penalty problem
This episode examines the botched lethal injection of Krista Pike in Tennessee, a failure that prompted Governor Lee to suspend executions and review protocols.
The cost of loving your pet
This episode explores the history of pet ownership, tracing how cats and dogs transitioned from utility animals to beloved family members.
Can Dems flip state legislatures?
This episode examines the critical importance of state legislative control in the 2024 midterms, focusing on Wisconsin’s race for a Democratic trifecta.
Football's future is flag
This episode explores the NFL’s strategic push to promote flag football, featuring sports reporter Took Neen and star player Vinita Crouch.
The dark side of surrogacy
This episode details the case of a California couple who used surrogacy to have over 15 children, only for authorities to discover severe abuse and neglect in their mansion.
The West Bank’s boiling point
This episode examines the escalating violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, featuring a detailed account of a mob attack on the Tubasi family in Jalud.
Why the right turned on Indians
Vox’s Zed Jelani examines the rise of anti-Indian racism on the online right, sparked by a viral tweet from Texas politician Beau French criticizing the demographic of University of Texas fans.
When Dems take the House
Vox’s Today Explained examines the likely Democratic House flip in the 2024 midterms and Hakeem Jeffries’ path to becoming Speaker.
Mass-produced fashion slop
Host Jonquill Hill explores how algorithms and social media have transformed fashion from a trickle-down model to "real-time" fast fashion, featuring…
The GOP strategy: Ignore Trump
Vox’s Michael Schnell reports on the chaos in the Republican Party with 47 days until the midterms, as candidates avoid debates and town halls to…
Gas station opioids
Host Sean Ramesur and guest Matta Busby discuss the surge in kratom and its potent extract, 7-OH, sold in U.
What happened at Cornell
This episode examines the civil lawsuit filed by a Cornell student alleging sexual assault by seven fraternity members, highlighting the Tompkins…
The limits of free speech
Vox’s Ben Wofford details the case of Ellie Fisher, a Texas Tech law student accused of celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder, which led to her…
The coming oil shock
Diesel prices are spiking due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to drive up food and shipping costs ahead of the midterm elections.
Our AI Cold War
This episode examines the influence of David Sacks on Trump’s AI policy, highlighting his push for open-weight models and minimal regulation despite his rivalry with OpenAI and Anthropic.
The end of etiquette
Host Jonquelyn Hill explores the decline of basic manners in public spaces, discussing the "social contract" with Professor Kirsty Sedgman and modern etiquette with Lizzie Post.
The AI election
In this episode of *America Actually*, host Estelle Hordern interviews Will Lawrence, a Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 7th congressional…
Everything is gambling now
This episode investigates the addictive mechanics of live auction apps like Whatnot, where users have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars on trading cards and collectibles.
Why we're still arming Israel
Akbar Shahid Ahmed discusses his book *Crossing the Red Line*, arguing the Biden administration failed to enforce its own restrictions on Israel’s…
Ruining a young woman’s life for sport
Vox’s “Today, Explained” investigates the “burnerverse,” an anonymous online network where young women like University of Florida student Maddie…
What the AI doom debate misses
This episode of Today, Explained explores the dual nature of AI, featuring Wired correspondent Will Knight on existential risks like terrorist…