Today, Explained

The Michael Jackson "biopic"

The movie is breaking records at the box office despite — or maybe because of — moonwalking past the abuse allegations. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Today, Explained host Sean Rameswaram at a matinee showing of Michael. 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]

China is winning the Iran war

The US and Iran still have not reached a deal to end the war, but one winner is already clear: China. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near the Strait of Hormuz. Handout Photo by the US Navy 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]

“Staged”

Conspiracy theories flooded the internet after a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. What used to be fringe is now a default reaction. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Security agents rush HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. out of the ballroom during the shooting at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner. Photo by Andrew Harnik/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]

Who's afraid of teen takeovers?

Teenagers are taking over pockets of American cities and local governments are struggling to deal with them. We set out in search of solutions. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. An AI-generated flyer saying “Link up at U Street [https://www.facebook.com/TheDMVLive/posts/from-instagram-link-up-at-u-street-and-navy-yard-dc-dmv-takeover-ai-generated-fl/1339655884856041/]” advertising a teen takeover in Washington, DC. 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]

Burnout sandwich

How to manage the squeeze of taking care of your kids and your parents at the same time. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Three generations of a family. Photo by ANDRE PAIN/AFP via Getty Images. You can find AARP's Care for the Caregiver guide here [https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/caregiving/2025/07/2139805-care-cftcguide-booklet-web-final-1.pdf]. 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 [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]