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Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day.

Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Today, Explained

You'd probably get fired for not showing up to work for a month — unless you're a member of Congress.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Ariana Aspuru with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and his wife Elaine Chao, in a photograph released by his office.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mitch McConnell mystery

The new guy overseeing ICE was supposed to dial back the shock and awe. But in Houston, another person was just shot and killed by an ICE agent.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

A portrait of Lorenzo Salgado is seen at a memorial where he was killed by an ICE agent, during a protest in Houston, Texas. Photo by Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ICE kills again

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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Tanning is back

The former vice president’s loyal base seems ready for another go, but Democratic donors are wary. 

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

You can also watch this episode on ⁠youtube.com/vox⁠. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: ⁠vox.com/members⁠. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. 

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

Kamala, 2028

Love Island has some lessons to teach us about modern dating.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Love Island USA season 8 cast members Caleb McDaniel and Jaiden Bacciocco. Photo by Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Love Island or Lust Island?

The recent excommunication of a conservative Catholic group and a sharp stance on AI means that Pope Leo XIV is dealing with the same problems as the rest of us.

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

Pope Leo XIV delivers a blessing in front of Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pope Leo excommunicates

There's a race to get smart glasses on your face. But privacy and security concerns are freaking people out.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

Victoria Song, senior reviewer for The Verge, models several pairs of smart glasses. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Smart glasses are officially here

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been blocking military promotions — especially if you're a woman, Black, or perceived as disloyal.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at Meridian Hill Park in Washington, DC. Photo by Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A white, male military

America's longest ongoing conflict isn't with Iran. It's in Somalia. But almost no one is talking about it.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

Officers from Somalia's security agencies perform prayers on top of their jeeps at a security checkpoint in the outskirts of Mogadishu. Photo by Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images.

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

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

Trump’s secret war

The Democratic Socialists of America is seeing a surge of enthusiasm for its candidates around the country.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jolie Myers and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. 

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on his election night. Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The socialists are coming!

A bodybuilder posing as a Muslim convert was welcomed into a California mosque. When he showed signs of extremism, members reported him to the FBI, only to learn that he was their informant. Now, their story is before the Supreme Court.
Today’s show was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Cristian Ayala and Paul Mounsey, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Will Reid and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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