The startup that cried dire wolf
Colossal says it's brought the dire wolf back from extinction — but the accuracy of that claim and the ethics of de-extinction are in question. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Further reading: The Dire Wolf Is Back. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Colossal’s Dire Wolves, Romulus and Remus, at one month old. Photo credit Business Wire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
24 Apr 202526min
How the Abrego Garcia standoff ends
Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland recounts his visit with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Former prosecutor Elie Honig explains the three scenarios that could end this legal standoff. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Sen. Van Hollen during his meeting with Garcia at an undisclosed location in San Salvador. Photo by Sen. Van Hollen's Office via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23 Apr 202525min
Conclave (2025)
We try to divine who will follow Pope Francis and introduce you to one of his many legacies: the first millennial saint. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Gabrielle Berbey, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Pope Francis praying with priests at the Vatican several years ago. Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
22 Apr 202526min
American_history_v9_final_FINAL_THIS ONE
Government websites have erased references to American heroes like Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson in order to comply with Trump’s anti-DEI push. But America is no stranger to revisionist history. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Jackie Robinson, who integrated Major League Baseball in 1947, posing in his batting stance. Photo credit Bettmann/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
21 Apr 202525min
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 Apr 202529min
Mar-a-Lago makeover
There is a very distinct “look” many people in the MAGA world have adopted, and comedian Suzanne Lambert is making a career calling it out. Mother Jones senior editor Inae Oh says it’s bigger than bronzer. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18 Apr 202526min
Trump v. Mangione
The Trump administration is seeking the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who is scheduled back in court this week. Plus, a closer look at a work that may have inspired Mangione (the Unabomber’s manifesto). This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Luigi Mangione appearing at a February hearing for the murder of UHC CEO Brian Thompson. Photo by Curtis Means - Pool/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
17 Apr 202525min
Why Harvard is fighting back
Harvard is refusing to play along with the Trump administration's demands of elite universities, whereas at least 10 Florida public universities are openly cooperating with ICE. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Harvard University's unofficial turkey mascot during a February college basketball game. Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
16 Apr 202525min
