Today, Explained

How to fix blue cities

This year Abundance went from a bestselling book to a political practice powering Democrats from New York to Seattle. This story was supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. Vox had full discretion over the content of this reporting. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Suburban houses in Elmont, New York. Photo by John Keating/Newsday RM 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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Epstein Files are still a "cover-up"

The Trump administration was ordered to release all the Epstein Files. They didn’t. Lawmakers say they are breaking the law. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein in one of the images released Friday by the State Department. Photo by The US Justice Department / Handout /Anadolu 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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Is your brain lying to you?

Our brain constructs the world we hear, see, and feel — but tinnitus shows how that superpower can backfire. This episode is made in collaboration with Vox's Unexplainable. Hear their series on sound here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-barrier-1-the-myth-of-hearing/id1554578197?i=1000735010354]. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for the Hearing Health Foundation.  If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoQe_YRwSSqUgd9fK57E1ypFbHd8B8bbah5Sx0T66ZLpTFgw/viewform]. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members [http://vox.com/members].  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Your pop music is influenced by God

Popular music went more Christian this year, but religion has had a long history of influencing secular sounds. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Worshipers during the 2023 "It's Time" tour in Atlanta, GA. Photo by Paras Griffin/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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

JD Vance is just getting started

From Twitter feuds to memes to providing cover for President Trump, the vice president had a big year. Up next, the midterms. And then — the presidency? This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Miranda Kennedy and Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Vice President JD Vance at the Congressional Ball last week. Photo by Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg 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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]