Why volunteering is worth it
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
27 Nov 202424min
Handing off a war
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
26 Nov 202425min
The Democrat who won in Trump country
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
25 Nov 202426min
Breaking up with your parents
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
22 Nov 202425min
Robert Fluoride Kennedy Jr.
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
21 Nov 202425min
The kids aren't reading all right
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
20 Nov 202425min
Deportation nation
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
19 Nov 202425min
Team America
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
18 Nov 202425min
