• 26 minutes 5 seconds
    RIP Spirit Airlines

    Lessons from the life and death of America’s most beloved, most hated, most bootleg airline.

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

    Spirit Airlines planes parked on the tarmac in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photo by Joe Raedle/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.⁠

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    5 May 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 8 seconds
    The Supreme Court's gerrymaxxing

    States are already making changes to their election maps after the Supreme Court decided to unleash a new era of partisan gerrymandering. And just in time for the midterms!

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    Activists protesting gerrymandering outside the Supreme Court. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc 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.⁠

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    4 May 2026, 6:26 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.

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    3 May 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 57 seconds
    Grading America's first 250 years

    America at 250 years old may need a new founding document. Historian Heather Cox Richardson drafts a new social contract.

    This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. In this episode, Richardson references a tweet of Boebert's, not a text.

    A protester holds a copy of the Declaration of Independence and a US flag at a rally. Photo by ANDREW HOLBROOKE/Corbis via Getty Images.

    You can also watch this episode on 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.⁠

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    2 May 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 18 seconds
    The burnout economy

    From special coaches to luxury sleep vacations, you can beat burnout — for a price.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

    Producer Peter Balonon-Rosen with his recording equipment in his room at the Sleep Lab at Equinox Hotel in New York.

    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.⁠

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    1 May 2026, 6:12 pm
  • 27 minutes 49 seconds
    The Michael Jackson "biopic"

    The movie is breaking records at the box office despite — or maybe because of — moonwalking past the abuse allegations.

    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    Today, Explained host Sean Rameswaram at a matinee showing of Michael.

    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.⁠

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    30 April 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 33 seconds
    China is winning the Iran war

    The US and Iran still have not reached a deal to end the war, but one winner is already clear: China.

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

    US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near the Strait of Hormuz. Handout Photo by the US Navy 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

    29 April 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 10 seconds
    “Staged”

    Conspiracy theories flooded the internet after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. What used to be fringe is now a default reaction.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

    Security agents rush HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. out of the ballroom during the shooting at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner. Photo by Andrew Harnik/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.⁠

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    28 April 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 11 seconds
    Who's afraid of teen takeovers?

    Teenagers are taking over pockets of American cities and local governments are struggling to deal with them. We set out in search of solutions.

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    An AI-generated flyer saying “Link up at U Street” advertising a teen takeover in Washington, DC.

    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.⁠

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    27 April 2026, 6:20 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 45 seconds
    This Senator has an Eric Swalwell problem

    We were set to talk to Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego about solving our immigration crisis. Then Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress.

    This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

    Rep. Eric Swalwell and Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.

    You can also watch this episode on 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.⁠

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    25 April 2026, 12:00 pm
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