An America First trap

Summer. Time for pools, BBQs, and the beach read. But why do we read "summer books"? This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.  Further Reading: Bad Witches by H.B. Akumiah and Constance Grady's newsletter from Vox. Further listening:  ⁠Limousine⁠ podcast. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Juli 30min

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a bunch of pundits acting like Superman was ever anything but an immigrant and a humanitarian. This episode was produced by Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by 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. A Dairy Queen ad promoting the Superman movie. Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 Juli 25min

Yes in My Backyard-ers are celebrating reforms to California's landmark environmental laws, which they say will bring much-needed housing. Nationwide, the revolution might finally be here. This episode was made in collaboration with Vox’s Future Perfect. It was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by 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. Former LA City Councilmember Joe Buscaino showing off a "YIMBY" (Yes In My Back Yard) shirt. Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Juli 26min

You probably shouldn't expect to see the Epstein Files anytime soon. That's because the Department of Justice belongs to President Trump. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, 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. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks alongside President Donald Trump. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16 Juli 26min

Curtis Yarvin began as an anonymous blogger arguing esoteric ideas about how America would be better off as a monarchy. He’s now the Trump administration’s favorite philosopher. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Further reading: Curtis Yarvin's plot against America; Liberalism's enemies are having second thoughts. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

15 Juli 25min

Elon Musk says he wants to launch a new political party. Voters consistently say they want more choices. But history is littered with failed third-party candidates. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, 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. Photo by ALEX WROBLEWSKI, ALLISON ROBBERT/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Juli 25min

More and more of us are interacting with chatbots. Can we have real relationships with AI, and can AI teach humans to be better people? This episode is a collaboration with Vox's Future Perfect team. It was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Kim Slotterback, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Photo by Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Juli 30min

We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about how we were mostly able to get the acid rain problem under control...only to find ourselves with a plastic rain problem. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin, 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. A handful of small plastic pellets, which are used as the raw material for nearly all plastic products, and wash up all over the world. Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Juli 25min