Explain It to Me

Vox

The hotline for all your unanswered questions.

  • 31 minutes 4 seconds
    Is climate progress doomed?

    Many worry that the clean energy transition will be derailed by the Trump administration. But there's reason to believe otherwise.


    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.


    Call in your question at 1-800-618-8545.


    This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch and engineered by Matthew Billy. Photo of wind turbines in a storm in western Iowa by Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images. 


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

    20 April 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 31 minutes 48 seconds
    What if college isn't for everyone?

    For decades, high schools and parents have prioritized college for all graduating seniors. Now, more students are asking if there's another way.


    This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Colleen Barrett, engineered by Matthew Billy and Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images.

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

    13 April 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 36 seconds
    Is a house still a good investment?

    Given the economy and interest rates, homebuying doesn't seem like it’s necessarily the way to go anymore. So consider this not your parents’ real estate advice. 


    If you have a question about a story that matters to your life, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545.


    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Carla Javier. It was edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images. 


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

    6 April 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 1 minute 20 seconds
    Explain It to Me can be ad-free!

    Vox Members now get all our podcasts, ad-free.


    If you become a member, you will also get unlimited reading on our website, member-exclusive newsletters, and more special perks as a thank you.


    If you’d like to support our work and get ad-free listening on our podcasts, go to vox.com/members today.

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

    2 April 2025, 6:43 pm
  • 33 minutes 10 seconds
    Blinded by the headlights

    Drivers and passengers are right: Car headlights are brighter now. And the solutions aren't simple.


    If you have a question for us, please give a call at 1-800-618-8545 or send a note at vox.com/askvox.


    This episode was produced and sound designed by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by zhen li for Getty Images. 

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

    30 March 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 3 seconds
    Gen Sex

    Gen X women are freeing themselves from the hangups of the '90s, and having the best sex of their lives. Media portrayals of middle-aged women are starting to catch up too.


    If you have a question for us, please call us at 1-800-618-8545 or send a note at vox.com/askvox.


    This episode was produced and sound designed by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.


    Actress Demi Moore at a press conference for the film "The Substance." Photo by ZOULERAH NORDDINE/AFP via Getty Images. 


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

    23 March 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 44 seconds
    Did diversity ever work...at work?

    There's a backlash against corporate DEI efforts, and it’s not just from the right. It's everywhere. What does that mean for employees?

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, mixed by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Photo credit: jeffbergen for Getty Images

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

    16 March 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 29 seconds
    Why does dating suck for guys?

    The rules of romance have changed, and many young men feel they can't keep up. We get some tips from a Texas men's relationship coach.

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Carla Javier, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, mixed by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.


    Shutterstock image by fstop Images.


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

    9 March 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 35 minutes 42 seconds
    Ok for real, what is a REAL ID?

    Listener Tessa was at the airport and noticed that the REAL ID deadline had been extended — yet again — to May 2025. Why does it keep happening? Will REAL ID will ever become a thing? Team Explain It to Me goes on a reporting journey to bring her an answer nearly 20 years in the making. 

    If you have a question, please give us a call at 1-800-618-8545, or you can fill out this form. 

    This episode was produced by Carla Javier and Sofi LaLonde, edited by Jorge Just, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 


    READ MORE:

    Real IDs, explained

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

    2 March 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 1 minute 39 seconds
    We’ve got some news for you!

    Starting this week, Explain It to Me is moving to Sundays. Check out our next episode here on March 2.

    You can also find us in the Today, Explained feed as of Sunday, March 9.

    If you have questions you'd like us to investigate, call our hotline: 1-800-618-8545.

    The Explain It to Me newsletter is publishing Sundays now too! Sign up here: https://www.vox.com/pages/explain-it-to-me-newsletter-sign-up.

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

    26 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • 28 minutes 13 seconds
    Why can't I sleep?

    We spend about a third of our lives either sleeping or trying to fall asleep. Why are we so bad at it? We ask behavioral sleep specialist Jade Wu. 

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Carla Javier, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. 

    Have a question about relationships, the workplace, health or anything else that matters to you? Leave us a voicemail with your question at 1-800-618-8545.

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

    19 February 2025, 10:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App