• 33 minutes 26 seconds
    A working-class midterm mandate

    Don’t call it a blue wave. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore outlines what a winning Democratic playbook actually looks like.

    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.

    Photo credit: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in New York City. Photo by Dominik Bindl/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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    7 November 2026, 1:00 pm
  • 33 minutes 42 seconds
    Will Democrats deliver?

    Political strategist David Axelrod discusses how the new wave of congressional Democrats can deliver the affordability relief voters need while facing President Trump. 

    This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Special thanks to Kasia Broussalian.  

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now.  


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    6 November 2026, 7:52 pm
  • 47 minutes 20 seconds
    Can Trump close the deal?

    Ahead of the midterm elections, we look at Republicans’ closing arguments and whether MAGA’s loyalty to President Trump will help the party win the most critical races. 

    This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian , fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, and hosted by Astead Herndon. 

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  


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    2 November 2026, 7:15 pm
  • 31 minutes 19 seconds
    Nevada's Trump slump

    Nevada is in many ways “ground zero” for this year’s midterms. The state swung to the right in 2024 and voted for Donald Trump. Now, many voters there are grappling with buyer’s remorse. 

    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.

    Photo caption: Vox’s Astead Herndon joins volunteers from the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union canvassing before the midterm election. Photo by Pavel Gazdyuk.

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. 


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    31 October 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 38 minutes 43 seconds
    Sports in midterm America

    Pablo Torre discusses what sports reveal about President Trump, billionaire power, and America’s mood ahead of the midterms. 

    This show was produced and video edited by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, and hosted by Astead Herndon. 

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  


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    27 October 2026, 5:59 pm
  • 32 minutes 10 seconds
    Can Trump steal the midterms?

    Between the Trump administration’s executive orders, lawsuits, and relentless rhetoric, it feels like voting systems in America are under constant threat. Is it working? 

    Editor’s note: Earlier in this episode, Sweren-Becker said that 26 courts had decided that the DoJ is not entitled to voter records. Oklahoma settled its suit, and the state agreed to provide its voter data.

    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.

    Photo caption: President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.


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    24 October 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 50 minutes 1 second
    Who gets to lead Democrats next?

    Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) makes the case for new leaders and a stronger strategy for standing up to Trump.

    This show was produced by Frank Posillico, edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. 

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.  


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    20 October 2026, 1:25 pm
  • 35 minutes 41 seconds
    Can you buy the midterms?

    Republicans are entering the midterm home stretch with a staggering $1 billion campaign war chest. Will it make a difference? 

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

    Photo caption: President Donald Trump speaks during an election rally for local Republican candidates in Youngstown, Ohio. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. 


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    17 October 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 7 seconds
    Can Dems flip state legislatures?

    Most of the focus in this year’s midterms is naturally on Congress. But the battle to control state legislatures matters just as much, if not more.

    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.

    Photo caption: Francesca Hong during a primary election night watch party in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.


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    10 October 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 9 seconds
    Democrats’ abortion blind spot

    Why are Democrats playing it safe and missing an opportunity to make a stronger case for abortion rights?

    This show was produced by Frank Posillico, edited by Christina Vallice, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Matt Boynton, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. 

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.


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    6 October 2026, 8:12 pm
  • 22 minutes 3 seconds
    The GOP strategy: Ignore Trump

    Can a Republican candidate run for governor in a red state without bringing up Donald Trump a single time? We went to Ohio to find out. 

    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.

    Photo caption: Republican Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during a town hall. Photo by Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

    You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to America, Actually ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. 


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    3 October 2026, 12:00 pm
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