OpenAI's founders promised its tech would benefit humanity. Now that it has split into a giant charity and a for-profit company, that mission has gotten complicated.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatsciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. This episode was produced in partnership with Vox's Future Perfect.

Disclosure: Vox Media is one of several publishers that have signed partnership agreements with OpenAI. Our reporting remains editorially independent.

Photo Illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

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Have you seen the video of the US military bombing Iran spliced with clips of SpongeBob Squarepants? It’s an official video released by the US government and represents a new kind of wartime propaganda.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

A screenshot from a White House X post about the Iran war titled "Operation Epic Fury."

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Iran's cutting-edge drones are changing how wars are fought, and the US is running out of munitions to combat them.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Missiles launched from Iran seen over Hebron in West Bank. Photo by Mamoun Wazwaz/Anadolu via Getty Images.

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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.

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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Nancy Pelosi, the longtime speaker of the House, plans to retire later this year at age 86 after trailblazing a path for women in Democratic politics.

This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Shannon Mahoney and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi marking the five year anniversary of the Jan. 6th attacks at the US Capitol. Photo by Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

You can also watch this episode on video at 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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One of the most influential chefs in the world has been accused of tormenting his staff physically and psychologically.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Chef Rene Redzepi in Copenhagen. Photo by Thibault Savary / AFP via Getty Images.

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AI code is here to stay.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Code generated by a prompt on Google AI studio. Photo by Sean Rameswaram.

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James Fishback is racist, antisemitic, economically populist, and the longshot candidate for Florida governor. He might be where the Republicans are heading next.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Image courtesy of Fishback for Florida/fishback2026.com.

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Prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are making it possible for just about anyone to profit off war.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi and Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A betting page on Kalshi about Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

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Iran's top leaders are dead, but regime change isn't in sight, and the US and Israel's attacks are dividing Iranians at home and abroad.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A huge Iranian flag alongside damaged structures in Tehran. Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP via Getty Images.

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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.

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