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Explain It to Me

Explain It to Me is Vox’s new franchise focused on answering your questions—through a weekly podcast, a weekly newsletter, and a video series.

Wondering about why American politics work the way they do? Have a question about retirement? Or just curious about something in your everyday life—like whether your dentist is scamming you? We want to hear from you.

The Explain It to Me newsletter tackles a question each week, delivering a digestible explainer that’s fun to read, answered by different journalists around our newsroom.

The Explain It to Me podcast is your hotline for all your unanswered questions, and host Jonquilyn Hill is your friendly guide who will find you the answers you’re looking for – and maybe even the ones you don’t expect. New episodes release every Wednesday. You can always call us at 1-800-618-8545 or fill out this form and tell us what’s on your mind.

Follow: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Amazon Music | All apps

Our staff includes supervising producer Carla Javier and producer Sofi LaLonde.

Vox, explain it to me
Explainers

Want to inspire a Vox story? Share your ideas with us.

By Gabriela Fernandez
Vox, explain it to me
Explainers

Want to inspire a Vox story? Share your ideas with us.

By Gabriela Fernandez
Why do hotel lobbies smell like that?Why do hotel lobbies smell like that?
Explain It to Me

Scent is a way to draw you in and, hopefully, get you to open your wallet.

By Whizy Kim
Could carbon capture fix climate change?Could carbon capture fix climate change?
The Highlight

A reader asks whether the latest developments in clean energy technology can help save the planet. We break it down.

By Umair Irfan
Why libraries need librariansWhy libraries need librarians
Explain It to Me

Public librarians have to be coders, social workers, and book rec machines. They’re irreplaceable.

By Constance Grady

The latest in Explain It to Me

Can Trump run again in 2028? Here’s what you need to know.Can Trump run again in 2028? Here’s what you need to know.
Explain It to Me

Here’s what to know about the 22nd Amendment.

By Li Zhou
How to make sense of the 2024 electionHow to make sense of the 2024 election
2024 Elections

Why did Trump win? What will he do now? And more questions, answered.

By Dylan Scott
Why are foods banned in other places still on US grocery shelves?Why are foods banned in other places still on US grocery shelves?
Explain It to Me

Who decides what can and can’t be in food in the US?

By Jonquilyn Hill
How safe is your vote from manipulation?How safe is your vote from manipulation?
Politics

Some election deniers are now election officials. That has caused concern.

By Li Zhou
Why do the ugly fashion trends from our youth keep coming back?Why do the ugly fashion trends from our youth keep coming back?
Explain It to MeMember Exclusive

A reader is horrified by the return of mom jeans. What’s happening?

By Rebecca Jennings
What’s up with all those unhinged texts from political campaigns?What’s up with all those unhinged texts from political campaigns?
Explain It to Me

Explain It to Me gets to the bottom of those pesky appeals for cash — and how to stop them.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Is every car dealer trying to rip me off?Is every car dealer trying to rip me off?
Explain It to Me

Why buying a car is the worst kind of shopping.

By Whizy Kim
I’m Gen Z. ​​How can I save for retirement and still enjoy my life?I’m Gen Z. ​​How can I save for retirement and still enjoy my life?
Explain It to Me

A financial expert explains why you can invest wisely and still take that trip.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Why are political campaigns always guilt-tripping us to donate?Why are political campaigns always guilt-tripping us to donate?
Explain It to Me

And is there a better way to ask for money?

By Nicole Narea
Am I less likely to get a divorce than my parents?Am I less likely to get a divorce than my parents?
Explain It to Me

Millennials are less likely to get divorced than their parents. Why?

By Jonquilyn Hill
Why is US health care like this?Why is US health care like this?
Explain It to Me

America unintentionally built a health care system that is hard to fix.

By Dylan Scott
Can clean energy handle the AI boom?Can clean energy handle the AI boom?
Play
Video

How digital lives are impacting our climate goals.

By Laura Bult
Is making friends as an adult really hard, or is it just me?Is making friends as an adult really hard, or is it just me?
Explain It to Me

It’s tough out there. But it’s not all bad news.

By Allie Volpe
Why do we say “like,” like, all the time? Why do we say “like,” like, all the time? 
Explain It to Me

In defense of the supremely useful and unfairly maligned word.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Is my dentist scamming me?Is my dentist scamming me?
Audio
Explain It to Me

How insurance treats dentistry different from medicine — and makes things weird.

By Jonquilyn Hill
Vox launches Explain It to Me franchise to answer audience questionsVox launches Explain It to Me franchise to answer audience questions
Explain It to Me

Explain It to Me will publish as a podcast, newsletter, and video series.

By Gabriela Fernandez and Bill Carey
Are bugs really disappearing?Are bugs really disappearing?
Explain It to Me

A Vox reader asks: Is there really an insect apocalypse happening? We explain what’s really going on.

By Benji Jones
Vox Expands Its Mission of Explaining the World With Multi-Platform Podcast Franchise, Explain It to MeVox Expands Its Mission of Explaining the World With Multi-Platform Podcast Franchise, Explain It to Me
Vox Press Room

Explain It to Me will include a weekly podcast and newsletter, as well as a video series.

By Vox Communications