• 30 minutes 11 seconds
    Can we cheat death?

    The trick to living a longer, happier life.

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Iris Apfel celebrating her 100th birthday party in New York City. Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images for Central Park Tower.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 June 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 24 seconds
    How to beat mosquitoes

    They’re the deadliest animal on the planet. Now even Google is getting into the extermination business.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A tiger mosquito is crushed in the hand of a man after being bitten. Photo by MATTHIEU DELATY/Hans Lucas/AFP 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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    21 June 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 30 seconds
    The lost art of handwriting

    How our relationship with writing has changed, and how that’s changed us.

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A third grader practices his cursive handwriting at P.S.166 in Queens, N.Y. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    14 June 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 26 seconds
    DIY or don’t?

    YouTube has advice for how to do everything from plumbing to electrical work. Should you take it?

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Isabelle Lichtenstein, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Home improvement DIY-er Imani Keal painting her Washington, DC apartment.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    7 June 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 26 seconds
    Why people cheat

    Our fears about infidelity reveal a lot about us. And so do our reasons for cheating.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Jay-Z and Beyonce attend a gala in 2014 in New York. Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    31 May 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 24 seconds
    Prepping for doomsday (or Tuesday)

    How to prepare for the worst while still living your best life.

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A woman at her food supply shelf. Photo by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek 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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    17 May 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 45 seconds
    Chems in your cosmetics

    From lotions to hair extensions, the products that make us look good may also make us feel bad.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Photo by Edward Berthelot/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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    10 May 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 40 seconds
    The cost of “I do”

    Love is in the air, but only if you’ve got thousands to throw at it. How couples are navigating the pressures and expenses of planning their perfect wedding.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Photo of an October wedding by Alyssa Neely.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3 May 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 43 seconds
    Burnout sandwich

    How to manage the squeeze of taking care of your kids and your parents at the same time.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Three generations of a family. Photo by ANDRE PAIN/AFP via Getty Images.

    You can find AARP's Care for the Caregiver guide here.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    26 April 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 17 seconds
    How to fight burnout

    We've been stuck in cycles of burnout for decades. Have Gen Z workers found a way out?

    This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Empty battery. Photo Illustration by Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images.

    You can take a version of the burnout test here.

    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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    19 April 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 36 seconds
    Why you have to be optimistic

    When the world is on fire, it’s difficult to stay hopeful. But our future depends on it.

    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Photo by Hasan Tacan/Anadolu 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.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    12 April 2026, 12:00 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App