Explain It to Me

Vox

The hotline for all your unanswered questions.

  • 28 minutes 40 seconds
    Let AI replace you

    If AI handles all our busy work and optimizes our resources, it may also give us the one thing there never seems to be enough of: time.

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Simona Granati - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images. 

    This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting.

    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


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    14 December 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 27 minutes 23 seconds
    The rise of the introverts

    Turns out those personality tests you’re taking online are all wrong.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Image credit Khosrork/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


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    7 December 2025, 3:48 pm
  • 29 minutes 37 seconds
    Talk turkey to me

    How this big, lean bird became the staple of the most American of meals.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Hill and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of the National Thanksgiving turkey by Andrew Harnik/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

    23 November 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 18 seconds
    The case for renting forever

    Housing prices aren't coming down, and that's challenging us to redefine the American dream. Maybe renting isn't so bad?

    This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. The episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image of homes in Hercules, California by David Paul Morris/Bloomberg 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

    16 November 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 24 seconds
    Why your health insurance is so expensive

    It’s open enrollment season, and new health insurance premiums are causing sticker shock around the country. So how do you pick a health care plan that won’t break the bank?

    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg 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

    9 November 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 32 seconds
    That text is a scam

    You know those annoying scam texts offering an easy, remote job? We find out how they work, why they're so ubiquitous and the dark world behind them.

    This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance 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

    2 November 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 26 seconds
    Paging Dr. ChatBot

    Patients and doctors both are turning to AI for help with diagnosing ailments and managing chronic issues. Should we trust it?

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lily and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Vithun Khamsong/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

    26 October 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 11 seconds
    Why (some) food tastes better abroad

    We tell the stories of three ingredients that can shine outside the US: beef, bread, and tomatoes.

    This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto 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

    19 October 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 52 seconds
    Should we give toddlers phones?

    What we know about early childhood and screens, including a surprising argument for introducing tech at a tender age.

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images. 

    You can find Dr. Jenny Radesky and her colleagues’ tool kit for parents here.

    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. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. 

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

    12 October 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 16 seconds
    Is empathy toxic?

    Society teaches us empathy is a good thing. But some are now saying the opposite, and science is complicating our assumptions too.

    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Olga Pankova/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. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. 


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

    5 October 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 27 seconds
    Who is the modern American dad?

    Young men are more interested in becoming parents than young women are, and there's a growing number of single dads by choice. A look at modern fatherhood.

    This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

    Thanks to Jonquilyn Hill for sharing a family photo for our episode image today. Image of dad John and baby Jonquilyn courtesy of the Hill family.

    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

    28 September 2025, 12:00 pm
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