Podcast

Explain It to Me

From Vox News, Politics, Society & Culture

Should I buy a house? Why do I say “like” so much? Should Gen Z bother to save for retirement?
Explain It to Me is the hotline for the issues that matter to your life. Send us your questions about health, personal finance, relationships, and anything else that matters to you. Host Jonquilyn Hill will take you on a journey to find the answers, whether it's to the halls of Congress or the local bar. You’ll get the answers you were looking for, and sometimes ones you didn't expect — and always with a dose of humor. New episodes every Sunday. Part of Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes
830
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
30 min
On air since
2015
Latest episode
2 days ago

Episodes

830 episodes, newest first

  1. When hobbies take over your life

    Show notes

    If you've optimized your free time so much that it feels like work, maybe it’s time to rethink how you craft and kayak.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A woman athlete catching her breath and holding a padel racket on a blue court. Photo via Noko LTD/Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.

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

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    30 min
  2. When AI agents run your life

    Show notes

    What you gain, and what you give up, when you let AI agents take control.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Various examples of avatars for Muse, Meta's AI agent, during the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California on Sept. 23, 2026. Photo by Minh Connors/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.

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

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    31 min
  3. The quest for the perfect baby

    Show notes

    Men and women are trying to maximize their reproductive health due to anxieties around declining fertility trends. But are we taking “embryomaxxing” too far?

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A surrogate mother undergoes an ultrasound scan at the Beta Fertility Clinic, where her pregnancy is being monitored, in Tbilisi in Georgia. Photo by Marie Audinet / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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    30 min
  4. The cost of loving your pet

    Show notes

    Our emotional relationships with our pets have only grown since the pandemic — and so has the financial price we pay.

    This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Mackenzie Rullo, 4, waits ringside with golden retriever "Envy" at The Rocky Mountain Cluster All Breed Dog Show in Denver in 2016. Photo by Kathryn Scott Osler/The Denver Post via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
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    30 min
  5. Mass-produced fashion slop

    Show notes

    How algorithms and instant fashion killed style — and how to get it back.

    This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    People search for clothes by sorting through piles of second hand textiles displayed on large tables during an Emmaus clearance sale in Poitiers, France. Photo by Jean-François FORT / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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    31 min
  6. The end of etiquette

    Show notes

    It’s not just about being nice. Manners allow us to peacefully coexist at work, in transit, and out in the wider world.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Manspreading is the practice of some men sitting on public transportation with legs wide apart, thereby covering more than one seat. Photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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    31 min
  7. We should party more

    Show notes

    We’re lonely, isolated, and bored. The solution may be as simple as an invite and killer playlist.

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A raucous loft party. Photo by Hiroyuki Ito/Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
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    31 min
  8. How to date IRL

    Show notes

    People are getting tired of the dating apps and turning to a more old-fashioned way of finding love.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Known, an AI-driven dating app, has their branding plastered on a storefront in San Francisco, CA. Photo by Camille Cohen/For The Times.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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    30 min
  9. How to survive a flop

    Show notes

    In the streaming era, success is public, failure is viral, and everyone's one release away from a flop era. How do you come back?

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Lizzo at the "Scary Movie" global premiere at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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

    30 min
  10. Why everyone's an introvert now

    Show notes

    Move aside extroverts. In this episode — which aired last year — we explore personality types and whether they are set in stone.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by We Are/Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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

    27 min
  11. Why can’t I remember being a baby?

    Show notes

    Even if we have little to no memory of our first few years, our earliest experiences still matter.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noam Hassenfeld.

    A baby crawling on the floor. Photo via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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    29 min
  12. Vacation? In this economy?

    Show notes

    Gas is expensive and Europeans want us to stay home. How can you still make use of that precious PTO?

    This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Tourists take selfies in front of the Barcelona Cathedral. Photo by Paco Freire/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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

    30 min
  13. Going broke on wellness

    Show notes

    Americans spend billions on healthcare products, from green powders and cold plunges to costly gym memberships. Last summer we asked: what good do they do?

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Visitors wear the Myblend myLEDmask2 "Anti-Aging" product at the FIBO trade show for health, fitness and wellness in Cologne, Germany. Photo by Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members.

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

    31 min
  14. The perimenopause moment

    Show notes

    Women’s health and hormones have been misunderstood by the medical establishment for decades. That’s changing.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Photo by Edwin Tan for Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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    30 min
  15. What's in a name?

    Show notes

    Jalen and Olivia and Liam and Ailany. We look at what makes a name top the popularity charts.

    This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Two babies, just a few hours old, lie side by side in a hospital in Halle, Germany. Photo by Waltraud Grubitzsch/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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    30 min
  16. Tanning is back

    Show notes

    Never mind skin cancer. Summer 2026 is all about tanmaxxing.

    This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Young women sunbathing. Photo by Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.
    Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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    30 min
  17. Can we cheat death?

    Show notes

    The trick to living a longer, happier life.

    This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Iris Apfel celebrating her 100th birthday party in New York City. Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images for Central Park Tower.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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

    30 min
  18. How to beat mosquitoes

    Show notes

    They’re the deadliest animal on the planet. Now even Google is getting into the extermination business.

    This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A tiger mosquito is crushed in the hand of a man after being bitten. Photo by MATTHIEU DELATY/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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

    30 min
  19. The lost art of handwriting

    Show notes

    How our relationship with writing has changed, and how that’s changed us.

    This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    A third grader practices his cursive handwriting at P.S.166 in Queens, N.Y. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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

    31 min
  20. DIY or don’t?

    Show notes

    YouTube has advice for how to do everything from plumbing to electrical work. Should you take it?

    This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Isabelle Lichtenstein, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

    Home improvement DIY-er Imani Keal painting her Washington, DC apartment.

    If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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

    30 min