• 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.

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    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.

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    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
  • 30 minutes 26 seconds
    Can someone explain these prices?

    From the gas station to the café to the grocery store, we break down why things cost so much these days.

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

    A customer fills up a truck at a gas station. AP Photo/Jenny Kane.

    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

    5 April 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 21 seconds
    Your accent… explained

    How you talk reveals where you’re from and who you’d like to be.

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

    A still from the movie "Clueless". Photo by CBS 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

    29 March 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 48 seconds
    The book of Mormon influence

    From TikTok to reality TV, Mormons are having a big moment in pop culture.

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Taylor Frankie Paul, who was going to be the first Mormon Bachelorette before the season was canceled, on the set of a special preview of The Bachelorette. Photo by John Fleenor/Disney 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

    22 March 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 11 seconds
    Sugar crash

    We’re obsessed with sugar. And Big Sugar is obsessed with us. How do we make a break?

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Image courtesy of Jenny Lawton.

    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

    15 March 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 23 seconds
    Your clutter is holding you back

    You won’t wear those jeans again. Or use that pasta maker. So why can’t you get rid of them?

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

    Photo by Arthur Pollock/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald 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

    8 March 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 28 seconds
    You, me, and ADHD

    It’s not just for school kids anymore. Why more adults are getting diagnosed with the disorder.

    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance 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

    1 March 2026, 1:00 pm
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