Today, Explained

A new era of American populism kicked off with Donald Trump in 2016. Ten years later, Americans don't have much to show for it.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

People cheer as President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Macomb Community College on April 29, 2025 at Warren, Michigan. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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Is it even possible? Voters going to the polls this week hope so, but solutions will require some out-of-the-box thinking.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

A woman shopping for groceries in the supermarket. Photo by chabybucko via Getty Images.

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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.

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Nevada is in many ways “ground zero” for this year’s midterms. The state swung to the right in 2024 and voted for Donald Trump. Now, many voters there are grappling with buyer’s remorse.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo caption: Vox’s Astead Herndon joins volunteers from the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union canvassing before the midterm election. Photo by Pavel Gazdyuk.

You can also watch this episode on http://youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.

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The consumer experience is getting worse even as everything is getting more expensive. AI agents could make things better... or much, much worse.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A stock art photo of a furious woman on the phone. Photo by Antonio Guillem via Getty Images.

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Texas hasn't elected a Democrat for Senate since 1988. James Talarico has a shot, but Republicans have launched a full culture war to try to prevent it.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

Democratic US Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a campaign rally during his "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts Tour" at the Galveston Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas, on October 22, 2026. Photo by Mark Felix / AFP via Getty Images.

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MAGA-aligned conservatives, including Vice President JD Vance, are trying to rehabilitate Richard Nixon's image. That's evidence of where they want to take their party.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

Richard Nixon gives his well-known two-armed victory salute during a campaign stop in El Paso. Photo by Bettmann Archive via Getty Images.

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Trump's recent moves seem to pit the US squarely on the side of Russia rather than Ukraine.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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Kansas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate in over 90 years, but moderate pastor Adam Hamilton might break the losing streak. And his approach to religion could help Democrats around the country.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Kansas Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton addresses a crowd of supporters on Oct. 24, 2026 in Olathe, Kansas. Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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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.

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Between the Trump administration’s executive orders, lawsuits, and relentless rhetoric, it feels like voting systems in America are under constant threat. Is it working?

Editor’s note: Earlier in this episode, Sweren-Becker said that 26 courts had decided that the DoJ is not entitled to voter records. Oklahoma settled its suit, and the state agreed to provide its voter data.

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo caption: President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally Wasilla, Alaska. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

You can also watch this episode on http://youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.

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The HHS secretary has pressured food companies like Mars, which makes M&M's, to stop using artificial dyes. Easier said than done.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

A close-up image shows a bowl of blue M&M candies. Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images.

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The first midterms to feature AI slop ads are also on track to be the most expensive ever.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A person holds a smartphone displaying President Donald Trump's Truth Social post featuring an AI-generated video of him interacting with a tiger, while a laptop screen in the background shows footage circulated on social media of William Chapman being attacked by a tiger at Britain's Yorkshire Wildlife Park, on October 14, 2026 in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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President Trump's playbook to go after his enemies is evolving.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) at a press conference on efforts to reform the Department of Homeland Security on January 13, 2026. Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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They promise you financial freedom with very little work, but these side hustles might just be the new pyramid schemes.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A young woman struggling with budget planning and financial stress. Photo by Witthaya Prasongsin via Getty Images.

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The Maine senator has dodged decades of attacks, but President Trump’s low approval ratings could be her political deathblow.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is seen before her debate with Democratic candidate for the Senate Troy Jackson in Bangor, Maine on October 15, 2026. Photo by Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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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.
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Republicans are entering the midterm home stretch with a staggering $1 billion campaign war chest. Will it make a difference?

This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Vasilis Fotopoulos, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Photo caption: President Donald Trump speaks during an election rally for local Republican candidates in Youngstown, Ohio. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

You can also watch this episode on http://youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox.

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The internet has a crush on some of the candidates running for office this election season and it’s saying a lot about how Democrats and Republicans wield sexuality.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed at a town hall event on September 3, 2026 in Waterford, Michigan. Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images.

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Saudi Arabia's dreams of becoming a global financial hub are running into the reality of regional war.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Flames burn at a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco south of Riyadh on October 3, 2026. Aramco, majority-owned by the Saudi state, has come under attack from the Houthi authorities targeting the kingdom as part of the war in Yemen. Photo by AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: http://vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at https://www.vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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