Today, Explained

Many of us think our individual actions can’t combat systemic problems. Vox's Rachel Cohen and Bowling Alone author Robert Putnam explain why volunteer work, no matter how small, can make a difference for you and for us all. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A volunteer serving a Thanksgiving meal at the Long Beach Rescue Mission. Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two American presidents are trying to shape the future of the war in Ukraine at the same time. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Haleema Shah, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Photo by MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was one of the few Democrats to win a swing district in the 2024 election. She explains what lessons Democrats can learn from her win and what she hopes to accomplish, even as a minority, in the 119th Congress. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., after her 2022 election. Photo by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer Emi Nietfeld says she felt relief when she cut her mom out of her life. Clinical psychologist Joshua Coleman explains why family estrangement is on the rise. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette and Miranda Kennedy, engineered by Rob Byers and Andrea Kristinsdottir, fact checked by Laura Bullard, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A 1970's 3-generation family turkey dinner. Photo by H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If RFK Jr. leads the Department of Health and Human Services, he could radically reshape public health priorities in America, from vaccines to fluoride in the water. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a UFC event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

College students in 2024 are less willing and able to read full books. Today, Explained asks whether that matters. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Boston University students relaxing. Photo by Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportations. "Operation Wetback" from the Eisenhower days is serving as inspiration. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah and Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Trump supporters hold signs reading "Mass Deportation Now!" at the Republican National Convention in July. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated some unconventional people to his Cabinet, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense. Washington Post Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe and military researcher Katherine Kuzminski explain what the picks say about Trump's national security agenda. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Pete Hegseth during an Independence Day celebration on Fox & Friends Weekend in 2021. Photo by James Devaney/GC Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Prince is the subject of a new film from one of the greatest living documentarians, but it might never come out and almost no one’s seen it. We talk to someone who did: editor and writer Sasha Weiss. Meanwhile, the rise in pop star docs can be a good hang for fans, but when a film is a glorified press release, we miss out on a lot, says journalist Matthew Belloni. This episode was produced by Zachary Mack and Miles Bryan, edited by Lissa Soep, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Prince performs during Super Bowl XLI in 2007. Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage. Check out his guitair solo during a performance of "While My Guitar Genty Weeps" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004: Director's Cut: "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" - Prince, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne & Dhani Harrison - YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump’s tariffs could remake world trade. The Wall Street Journal’s Greg Ip explains the president-elect’s plan and how the world is preparing. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Haleema Shah, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members President-elect Donald Trump and China's president Xi Jinping outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2017. Photo by Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An air of musky manliness settled over the 2024 presidential campaign and brought the bros to the polls. But a second Trump term has some women swearing off men — forever. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members President-elect Donald Trump at a UFC fight in Las Vegas. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The quest to live forever has taken us from diet fads to geographic fantasies like Blue Zones. But none of these ideas are based in reality, according to Washington Post health columnist Anahad O'Connor and Saul Justin Newman, a researcher on aging. This episode was produced by Zachary Mack and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members "Blue Zones" founder Dan Buettner, who produced "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones" Netflix show, in an appearance. Photo credit: Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It looks like Donald Trump will arrive in Washington without much of a movement in place to challenge him. Politico’s Melanie Mason and Vox’s Christian Paz explain how the left is bracing for Trump. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members The vandalized star for President-elect Donald Trump on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vox’s Joshua Keating explains how Trump’s foreign policy will influence some of the world’s biggest conflicts. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, Amanda Lewellyn and Hady Mawajdeh, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Matryoshka dolls featuring President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo by Misha Friedman/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats lost big on Election Day: the presidency, the Senate, and maybe the House too. Vox's Eric Levitz explains what went wrong, and political strategist Jeff Weaver imagines what comes next for the party. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Amanda Lewellyn, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Attendees during Vice President Kamala Harris' concession speech at Howard University in Washington, DC. Photo by Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump won. Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains how and Semafor’s Shelby Talcott explains what comes next. Today’s show was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Miles Bryan with help from Avishay Artsy, Victoria Chamberlin and Eliza Dennis, edited by Amina Al-Sadi with help from Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It seems as though every election is “the most important election of our lifetime." Historian Jeffrey Engel and political scientist Julia Azari assess whether this is really the one. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A screen shows "Nov. 5 - the most important day in the history of our country" at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Tempe, Arizona. Photo by REBECCA NOBLE/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The key battleground state of Michigan could be decided by Arab American voters disappointed with Democrats' handling of the war in Gaza. Detroit Free Press opinion editor Khalil AlHajal and Michigan State University political scientist Matt Grossmann explain the stakes. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Buttons being handed out during early voting in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marathon participation is surging, fueled in large part by 20-somethings who’ve embraced distance running as a way to deal with their quarter-life crises. Journalist Maggie Mertens and researcher Kevin Masters break down the state of the race. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A runner in a Rubik's Cube costume during the 2024 London Marathon. Photo by Daniel Lai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dodger Blue Dream podcast host Richard Parks III looks back on a cinematic season. The Wall Street Journal’s Jared Diamond explains whether it was enough to revive ratings. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Eliza Dennis, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Matt Collette, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Fans celebrate the Los Angeles Dodgers' win over the New York Yankees in East L.A. Photo by Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices