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

Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Today, Explained

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

The perimenopause moment

Democratic Congressman James Clyburn turned 86 years old this week. He has no plans to retire.

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.

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) announcing he is running for a 18th term. Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images.

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

The Boomer politicians who won't retire 

Chef José Andrés explains what makes the winning wiener. A DC hot dog vendor respectfully disagrees.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A Seattle hot dog. Photo by Scott Suchman and food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post/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

America’s best hot dog

Ticks are exponentially expanding their territory, using us for their next blood meal. We must fight back.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

The common wood tick, which can transmit Borrelia and TBE viruses to humans and animals. Photo by Patrick Pleul/dpa/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

Our tick nightmare

The on-again, off-again war is on again. But we still don't know the point of it all or how it will end.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General John D. Caine listen during a Senate hearing on military funding. Photo from The Washington Post/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 truth about Iran

Democrats in Congress voted in shocking numbers to cut aid to Israel.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Pro-Israel protesters demonstrate during the Democratic National Convention in 2024 in Chicago. Photo by Jim Vondruska/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

Defunding Israel

President Trump has a midterm message that Republicans hate and Democrats love.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on July 16, 2026. Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool/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

Trump's 2020 obsession

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

What's in a name?

First there was New York, then Colorado. But can a progressive candidate win in the Rust Belt?

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

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. Photo by Sarah Rice/Getty Images.

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

Progressives take on the Rust Belt

Cyclospora can cause explosive diarrhea that can last a month. But you don’t need to swear off vegetables.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. 

Federal and state health officials are investigating whether lettuce served at some Taco Bell restaurants has led to the widespread outbreak of cyclosporiasis. Photo by Mario Tama/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