Explain It to Me - podcast cover

Explain It to Me

Should I buy a house? Why do I say “like” so much? Should Gen Z bother to save for retirement? Explain It to Me is the hotline for the issues that matter to your life. Send us your questions about health, personal finance, relationships, and anything else that matters to you. Host Jonquilyn Hill will take you on a journey to find the answers, whether it's to the halls of Congress or the local bar. You’ll get the answers you were looking for, and sometimes ones you didn't expect — and always with a dose of humor. New episodes every Sunday. Part of Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes

The internet we lost

Function's Anil Dash joins Matt to discuss how Big Tech broke the web and how we can get it back. Guest: Anil Dash (@anildash), CEO of Glitch and host of Function with Anil Dash Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast app to get stay updated on this story every week. About Vox Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noi...

Nov 08, 20191 hr 1 minEp. 363

Paying for single-payer

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Elizabeth Warren's Medicare-for-all financing plan and its critics. What to read: "Elizabeth Warren’s plan to pay for Medicare-for-all, explained" by Ezra Klein, Vox "The Sanders-Warren dispute about how to pay for Medicare-for-all, explained" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "From Incremental to Comprehensive Health Reform: How Various Reform Options Compare on Coverage and Costs" Urban Institute (white paper) Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ja...

Nov 05, 201957 minEp. 362

Beyond the leaky bucket

Heather Boushey of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth makes the case that a rise in equality would stimulate the economy. Guest: Heather Boushey (@HBoushey), Executive Director and Chief Economist at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublica More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Sp...

Nov 01, 201958 minEp. 361

The fall of Katie Hill

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the California representative’s resignation, power imbalances, and the problem of “revenge porn.” Relevant links: "Revenge porn, biphobia, and alleged relationships with staffers: The complicated story around Rep. Katie Hill, explained" by Anna North, Vox "The Trauma of Revenge Porn" by Rebekah Wells, NYT White paper Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration rep...

Oct 29, 201948 minEp. 360

The scary truth about air pollution

Gretchen Goldman of the Union of Concerned Scientists on the science and politics of clean air. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublica More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast app to get stay updated on this story every week. About Vox Vox is a news network that he...

Oct 25, 20191 hr 3 minEp. 359

The electability debate

Jane, Dara, and Matt debate the idea of pundits trying to guess what the public thinks — plus research on what happens when doctors are patients. Relevant links: American Voter Bot (@american__voter) White paper Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublica More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts...

Oct 22, 201954 minEp. 358

The four words that will decide impeachment

This was the week of confessions. Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney admitted to a Trump administration quid quo pro with Ukraine, with cameras rolling. EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland confirmed that President Trump made Rudy Giuliani the hinge of America’s Ukraine policy. And then the administration announced that the location for the upcoming G7 summit: Trump’s own resort in Doral, Florida. We break down the three stories that mattered most in impeachment this week. And then we dig ...

Oct 19, 201956 minEp. 357

Debating the robot takeover

Ezra and Matt break down some of the nerdier aspects of the fourth Democratic primary debate. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublica More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast app to get stay updated on this story every week. About Vox Vox is a news network that help...

Oct 16, 20191 hr 2 minEp. 357

Understanding the student debt crisis

The Aspen Institute's Katherine Lucas McKay joins Matt to discuss the origins and consequences of America's ballooning student debt loan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 15, 20191 hrEp. 356

Progressives' Supreme Court problem

Vox's judiciary reporter Ian Millhiser joins Matt to analyze the Supreme Court's new term and what the left gets wrong about the courts. Guest: Ian Millhiser, (@imillhiser) Senior Correspondent, Vox Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast app to get stay updated on this story every week. About Vox Vox is a news network that helps yo...

Oct 11, 20191 hr 5 minEp. 355

Mayor Pete explains his prescription drug plan

Pete Buttigieg joins Matt to discuss his latest prescription drug plan policy rollout and his broader thinking on health care. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublica More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge res...

Oct 09, 201927 minEp. 354

What to expect when you’re impeaching

Dara, Jane, and Matt answer your questions on the impeachment inquiry. Related pieces: "What’s wrong with a President Pence?" by Jane Coaston, Vox "9 scenarios for how the Trump-Ukraine impeachment process could end" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox White paper Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox Dara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublica More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podca...

Oct 08, 201954 minEp. 354

Homelessness and how to fix it

Mary Cunningham, vice president of Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy at the Urban Institute, joins Matt for part two of homelessness week to discuss the causes and potential solutions of homelessness. They dive deep into the data surrounding the issue, and take a look at President Trump's claim that homelessness is on the rise. More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illum...

Oct 04, 201956 minEp. 353

Trump's war on the homeless

We’re live from the Texas Tribune Festival! Jane, Dara, and Matt take the stage to discuss the strange revival of interest in punitive approaches to the housing crisis and answer questions from the audience. References: "The New American Homeless" by Brian Goldstone, The New Rupublic "The most cost-effective way to help the homeless is to give them homes" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox White paper: "Ideology Justifies Morality: Political Beliefs PredictMoral Foundations" by Peter K. Hatemi, Charles Cra...

Oct 01, 20191 hr 4 minEp. 352

America's missing babies

Lyman Stone of the Institute for Family Studies joins Matt to discuss why Americans have fewer kids than they say they want. More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research. About Vox:Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Follow Us: Vox.com Facebook group: ...

Sep 27, 20191 hr 4 minEp. 351

The Kiev Caper

Jane, Dara, and Matt break down the scandal that seems to have set Trump on the road to impeachment. Links to resources discussed: “To beat Trump, try running an outsider” by Matthew Yglesias, Vox “The timeline of Trump’s decision to withhold aid to Ukraine is increasingly suspicious” by Sean Collins, Vox “A wave of moderate House Democrats are suddenly eager for an impeachment investigation” by Ella Nilson, Vox “Segregation and Violence Reconsidered: Do Whites Benefit from Residential Segregati...

Sep 24, 20191 hr 2 minEp. 350

Did economists break America?

The New York Times' Binyamin Appelbaum joins Matt to explain his new book, The Economists' Hour. More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research. About Vox:Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Follow Us:Vox.com Facebook group: The Weeds We are conducting a...

Sep 20, 201955 minEp. 349

Out of sight, out of mind

Dara, Jane, and Matt explore how Trump “fixed” the asylum crisis. Links to resources discussed: “Trump's Asylum Policies Sent Him Back to Mexico. He Was Kidnapped Five Hours Later By a Cartel.” by Emily Green, Vice “Letter to the Orlando Sentinel” by Zora Neale Hurston “Student-Teacher Racial Match and Its Association With Black Student Achievement: An Exploration Using Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling” by Lisa M. Yarnell & George W. Bohrnstedt (white paper Matt referenced toward the end)...

Sep 17, 201954 minEp. 348

ABCDebate

After Vox's Tara Golshan reviews the third Democratic debate, Matthew Yglesias explains how Joe Biden wins even when he loses. News comes at you fast. Join us at the end of your day to understand it. Subscribe to Today, Explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 13, 201928 minEp. 347

50 shades of Green New Deal

Vox climate reporter David Roberts joins Jane and Matt live in Seattle to break down the 2020 candidates' climate change plans. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox David Roberts (@drvox), Writer, Vox More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research. About Vox...

Sep 13, 20191 hr 29 minEp. 347

A plan to revive American unions

SEIU President Mary Kay Henry joins Matt to explain her push for sectoral bargaining. Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Mary Kay Henry (@MaryKayHenry) , International President, Service Employees International Union (@SEIU) More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research. About Vox: Vox is a news network that helps y...

Sep 10, 201958 minEp. 346

The left’s path to power

Data for Progress co-founder Sean McElwee explains his strategy for a left-wing takeover of American politics, and the data-driven path to winning elections. Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Sean McElwee (@SeanMcElwee) , Co-founder, Data for Progress More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research. About Vox:Vox is ...

Sep 06, 20191 hr 4 minEp. 345

Trump's primary challengers

Jane, Dara, and Matt talk about Donald Trump’s potential 2020 presidential primary challengers — Joe Walsh, Bill Weld, Justin Amash, and others, and what their bids mean for the post-Trump future. We also ruminate on a white paper exploring potentially racist hiring practices. Links to resources discussed: “Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld explains why he’s primarying Donald Trump” by Jane Coaston, Vox “The problem with primarying Trump” by Jane Coaston, Vox “Former Rep. Joe Walsh, once a Tru...

Sep 03, 201957 minEp. 344

The case for foreign policy restraint

Emma Ashford, a research fellow in defense and foreign policy at the Cato Institute, joins Matt for a wide-ranging discussion on China and the Middle East, the United States’ relationship with Russia since the Cold War, and the defense budget. They also explore the difference between restraint and realism, and whether or not President Donald Trump is an isolationist. More to explore: Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about h...

Aug 30, 20191 hr 1 minEp. 343

Trump's latest trade war

Ezra, Jane, and Matt talk about Trump's approach to China and what his critics get right and wrong. Links to resources discussed: “Making China Great Again” by Evan Osnos, The New Yorker “The past 3 wild days in Trump’s trade war with China, explained” by Matthew Yglesias, Vox “Trump’s puzzling trade war with China, sort of explained” by Matthew Yglesias, Vox “Why Elizabeth Warren is declaring war on an obscure trade policy” by Danielle Kurtzleben, Vox “Elizabeth Warren’s vision for changing Ame...

Aug 27, 20191 hrEp. 342

Does America need trade deals?

Yale's Hilary Matfess joins Matt to debate Elizabeth Warren's trade proposals, and the role of trade policy in progressive politics. Recommended reading: “The progressive case for free trade” by Hilary Matfess ------------------------------------------------------- Join the Weeds Facebook group! News comes at you fast. Join us at the end of your day to understand it. Subscribe to Today, Explained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 23, 201959 minEp. 341

Slavery and its legacy

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss the 1619 project and its critics Related reading: “The 1619 Project” New York Times Magazine “Henry Clay, Edward Baptist, and the Whipping Machine” by Bradley A. Hansen “Cotton, Slavery, and the New History of Capitalism” by Alan L. Olmstead and Paul W. Rhode “Capitalism and Slavery” by John J. Clegg, New York University “Slavery and Anglo-American capitalism revisited” by Gavin Wright, Stanford University White paper -------------------------------------- Join the W...

Aug 20, 201956 minEp. 340

Trump's war on Medicaid

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Jessica Schubel explains how Medicaid works, and how the White House is trying to undermine it. Join the Weeds Facebook group! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 16, 201956 minEp. 339

Epstein conspiracy time

Jane, Dara, and Matt try to offer actual facts about prison suicide and new research on hot weather and crime. Related reading: “Jeffrey Epstein’s Death, in Context”’ by Ken White, the Atlantic "Jeffrey Epstein’s Death Underlines A Nationwide Problem" by Jesselyn Cook, Huffington Post White paper ********************************** National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Join the Weeds Facebook group! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 13, 201951 minEp. 338

The case for a Green New Deal

Julian Brave NoiseCat of Data for Progress joins Matt to discuss the vision of the Green New Deal, the need to link it to social justice, and whether or not it’s politically viable. Recommended reading: “No, climate action can’t be separated from social justice” by Julian Brave NoiseCat Join the Weeds Facebook group! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 09, 20191 hr 4 minEp. 337