• 26 minutes 5 seconds
    The culture wars turn deadly

    The US is intentionally losing a fight against HIV that could be won.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    Activists highlight the lives at stake if Congress fails to fund HIV services in the U.S. Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Save HIV Funding Campaign.

    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 July 2026, 6:08 pm
  • 28 minutes 1 second
    The scandal undoing the ICC

    The International Criminal Court has a lot on its hands. The chief prosecutor was ousted over abuse allegations, the Trump administration is on the warpath, and Netanyahu and Mamdani are fighting over an arrest warrant.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

    Karim Ahmad Khan, former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Photo by Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/LightRocket 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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    29 July 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 6 seconds
    AI just went rogue

    OpenAI recently briefly lost control of an AI agent during a contained security test. After years of warnings, AI is now outsmarting its masters.

    This episode was produced by Denise Guerra with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    The Hugging Face logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen. Photo by Omer Taha Cetin/Anadolu 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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    28 July 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 5 seconds
    The Trump-Saudi-Israel drama

    The US and Saudi Arabia signed a nuclear deal but Israel hates it.

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

    A billboard in Tel Aviv, Israel depicting the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, and Lebanon alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo by Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu 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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    27 July 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 9 seconds
    The perimenopause moment

    Women’s health and hormones have been misunderstood by the medical establishment for decades. That’s changing.

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

    Photo by Edwin Tan for Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected].
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    26 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 36 minutes 18 seconds
    The Boomer politicians who won't retire

    Democratic Congressman James Clyburn turned 86 years old this week. He has no plans to retire.

    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. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) announcing he is running for a 18th term. Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service 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.

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    25 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 6 seconds
    America’s best hot dog

    Chef José Andrés explains what makes the winning wiener. A DC hot dog vendor respectfully disagrees.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    A Seattle hot dog. Photo by Scott Suchman and food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post/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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    24 July 2026, 6:15 pm
  • 25 minutes 50 seconds
    Our tick nightmare

    Ticks are exponentially expanding their territory, using us for their next blood meal. We must fight back.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    The common wood tick, which can transmit Borrelia and TBE viruses to humans and animals. Photo by Patrick Pleul/dpa/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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    23 July 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 50 seconds
    The truth about Iran

    The on-again, off-again war is on again. But we still don't know the point of it all or how it will end.

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General John D. Caine listen during a Senate hearing on military funding. Photo from The Washington Post/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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    22 July 2026, 6:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 58 seconds
    Defunding Israel

    Democrats in Congress voted in shocking numbers to cut aid to Israel.

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    Pro-Israel protesters demonstrate during the Democratic National Convention in 2024 in Chicago. Photo by Jim Vondruska/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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    21 July 2026, 8:11 pm
  • 25 minutes 51 seconds
    Trump's 2020 obsession

    President Trump has a midterm message that Republicans hate and Democrats love.

    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

    President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on July 16, 2026. Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP 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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    20 July 2026, 6:00 pm
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