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.
Should I buy a house? Why do I say “like” so much? Should Gen Z bother to save for retirement? The Explain It to Me podcast is the hotline for the issues that matter to your life. Call in your questions about health, personal finance, relationships, and anything else that matters to you at 1-800-618-8545. 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.
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Want to inspire a Vox story? Share your ideas with us.

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


A dating coach for men on the state of relationships.


In the past four decades, the gap between rich and poor has grown significantly. It’s a dangerous trend.


The unregulated morass of vitamins and supplements makes it hard to know what’s legitimate. We can help.
The latest in Explain It to Me


Here’s the story of the 9/11-era law that still hasn’t been enacted.


Everything you need to know about tariffs but were too afraid to ask.


America is still the most influential country in the world, for better or worse.


No, they aren’t a scam.


And your other urgent sleep questions, answered.


The rules of romance have changed. Can men keep up?


Egg donation is common. How well do we understand the risks?


Men’s sports have historically been much more popular than women’s. But that may be changing.


The global fight against HIV is at a perilous tipping point.


The science behind why we think the past was better than the present.


Despite being reviled by just about everyone.


Is the holiday season also cuffing season?


Since World War II, the economy has, on average, fared better when Democrats are in the White House.


When you were born is actually an important risk factor for cancer.


In a culture that rewards relentless bragging, staying humble takes practice and introspection.


New tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China could make life more expensive.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Why buying a car is the worst kind of shopping.


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


And is there a better way to ask for money?


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


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


How digital lives are impacting our climate goals.


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


In defense of the supremely useful and unfairly maligned word.


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


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


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


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