Today, Explained
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Today, Explained

Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes 766
Books 340

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Sunseekers' Greek Islands cover

Sunseekers' Greek Islands

sunseekers

Mentioned 1 week ago

Tanning is back

The host noted that writer Lyra Kilston had covered the historical sunseeking movement in her book, highlighting its relevance to the modern tanmaxing trend.

Writer Lyra Kilston wrote all about it in her book, Sunseekers, The Cure of California.

Buy on Amazon
Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War cover

Black Hawk Down

Mark Bowden

Mentioned 2 weeks ago

Trump’s secret war

The hosts referenced the 1993 Black Hawk Down incident as historical context for U.S. involvement in Somalia.

Somalia has been in effectively a state of civil war since the early 1990s. And the U.S. has been involved almost since the beginning. You know, the Black Hawk Down incident was 1993.

Buy on Amazon
We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World's Greatest Sporting Event – Soccer's Triumphs, Heartbreaks, and the Passion That Unites Fans Worldwide cover

We Are the World (Cup)

Roger Bennett

Mentioned 3 weeks ago

The World Cup is healing us

The podcast noted that Roger Bennett authored "We Are The World Cup", a personal history of the world's greatest sporting events, covering soccer's triumphs, heartbreaks, and the passion that unites fans worldwide.

Roger Bennett is the author of We Are The World Cup, a personal history of the world's greatest sporting events, soccer's triumphs, heartbreaks and the passion that unites fans worldwide.

Buy on Amazon
More Rules for Aging: Making the Most of Your Ridiculous, Wondrous Life cover

More Rules for Aging

Roger Rosenblatt

Mentioned 3 weeks ago

Can we cheat death?

He had just released More Rules for Aging, a sequel to his earlier work, reflecting his current insights on growing older after living through the experience himself.

So you recently published a book called More Rules for Aging. It's the sequel to a book you wrote 25 years ago called Rules for Aging.

Buy on Amazon
The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un cover

The Great Successor

Anna Fifield

Mentioned 4 weeks ago

North Korea's girl dad dictator

Anna Fifield mentioned that she authored a book titled The Great Successor, focusing on Kim Jong-un's rise and rule.

I'm Anna Fifield. I am a journalist and I wrote a book called The Great Successor. The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong-un.

Buy on Amazon
Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity cover

Chosen Land

Matthew Avery Sutton

Mentioned 1 month ago

Why the Antichrist is back

The host introduced Sutton as a history professor and noted that his most recent book examined how Christianity shaped America and how Americans reshaped Christianity.

I can't believe you figured it out. Matthew Avery Sutton, and I'm a professor of history at Washington State University. I teach courses on religion and politics, and my most recent book is called Chosen Land, How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.

Buy on Amazon
History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s (Studies in United States Culture) cover

History Comes Alive

M. J. Rymsza-Pawlowska

Mentioned 1 month ago

America's birthday blues

The host noted that the historian had written a book about the bicentennial, which is titled History Comes Alive.

M.J. Rimshia Pavlovska teaches history at American University, wrote a book about the bicentennial.

Buy on Amazon
Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century cover

Power Play

Tim Higgins

Mentioned 1 month ago

AI goes IPO

The hosts noted that Tim Higgins authored a book about Elon Musk titled Power Play, Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century.

Tim Higgins wrote a book about Elon. It's called Power Play, Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century.

Buy on Amazon
The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity cover

The State of Affairs

Esther Perel

Mentioned 1 month ago

Why people cheat

The host expressed strong enthusiasm for the book, noting it explores the meaning of cheating for both the cheater and the cheated, emphasizing its focus on delving into the motivations behind affairs.

I really love the book The State of Affairs By Esther Perel

Buy on Amazon
Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set: Books 1-7 (Slipcase) cover

Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set

J. K. Rowling

Mentioned 1 month ago

Dating my AI

It was mentioned when describing a trip where participants visited a replica of Platform 9, referencing the Harry Potter universe.

They went and visited Platform 9 and 3 quarters, the replica of the train station in Harry Potter.

Buy on Amazon
Fifty Shades Trilogy Shrinkwrapped Set (Deckle Edge) cover

Fifty Shades Trilogy Shrinkwrapped Set (Deckle Edge)

E L James

Mentioned 1 month ago

Dating my AI

It was cited as a comparison to AI companions, describing them as a personalized interactive romance novel tailored to the user's tastes.

Some people sort of view their AI companions as almost like a personalized interactive romance novel. As one of my sources makes the comparison, like Fifty Shades of Grey, it's just tailored exactly to her tastes.

Buy on Amazon
Attention Span: The Science of Focus in the Digital Age cover

Attention Span

Gloria Mark

Mentioned 1 month ago

Ew, are we post-literate?

The hosts noted that the psychologist authored the book on attention span, which discusses how modern media have shortened viewers' attention to about 47 seconds.

the psychologist who literally wrote the book on attention span. The book is called Attention Span.

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

The Front Runner: A Small Town Fake Dating Romance (Gold Rush Ranch Book 3) Cover

Elsie Silver

The Front Runner

A Small Town Fake Dating Romance (Gold Rush Ranch Book 3)

The program noted that the movie The Front Runner was based on the book of the same name.

"

The movie based on the book is The Front Runner.

— Episode: TMZ Goes to Washington

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: TMZ Goes to Washington

The program noted that the movie The Front Runner was based on the book of the same name.

"

The movie based on the book is The Front Runner.

Pricing the Priceless Child: The Changing Social Value of Children Cover

Viviana A. Zelizer

Pricing the Priceless Child

The Changing Social Value of Children

The discussion pointed out that sociologist Viviana Zelizer had written a book titled Pricing the Priceless Child.

"

the sociologist Viviana Zelizer wrote this book called Pricing the Priceless Child.

— Episode: “Having kids was a mistake”

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: “Having kids was a mistake”

The discussion pointed out that sociologist Viviana Zelizer had written a book titled Pricing the Priceless Child.

"

the sociologist Viviana Zelizer wrote this book called Pricing the Priceless Child.

As Long as We Both Shall Love: The White Wedding in Postwar America Cover

Karen M. Dunak

As Long as We Both Shall Love

The White Wedding in Postwar America

The host introduced Karen Dunnick as the author of the historical study on postwar American weddings, noting her expertise on the subject.

"

Karen Dunnick is a history professor at Muskingum University and author of As Long as We Both Shall Love, The White Wedding in PostWar America.

— Episode: The cost of “I do”

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The cost of “I do”

The host introduced Karen Dunnick as the author of the historical study on postwar American weddings, noting her expertise on the subject.

"

Karen Dunnick is a history professor at Muskingum University and author of As Long as We Both Shall Love, The White Wedding in PostWar America.

They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals Cover

Mariah Blake

They Poisoned the World

Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals

Mariah Blake was noted as the author of the book and she traced how harmful ingredients entered everyday products.

"

Mariah is also the author of the book, They Poison the World, Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals. And she traces how these ingredients got into the products we use every day.

— Episode: Chems in your cosmetics

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Chems in your cosmetics

Mariah Blake was noted as the author of the book and she traced how harmful ingredients entered everyday products.

"

Mariah is also the author of the book, They Poison the World, Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals. And she traces how these ingredients got into the products we use every day.

The Deal (Collector's Edition) (Off-Campus, 1) Cover

Elle Kennedy

The Deal (Collector's Edition) (Off-Campus, 1)

The host mentioned it as a popular booktoscreen romance featured in the Prime ad.

"

Prime originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book-to-screen favorites you've already read twice. Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesi...

— Episode: "Affordability" is the new progressive

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "Affordability" is the new progressive

The host mentioned it as a popular booktoscreen romance featured in the Prime ad.

"

Prime originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book-to-screen favorites you've already read twice. Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more.

Every Summer After: Deluxe Edition Cover

Carley Fortune

Every Summer After

Deluxe Edition

It was cited as a booktoscreen romance in the Prime promotion.

"

Prime originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book-to-screen favorites you've already read twice. Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesi...

— Episode: "Affordability" is the new progressive

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "Affordability" is the new progressive

It was cited as a booktoscreen romance in the Prime promotion.

"

Prime originals have everything you want. Steamy romances, irresistible love stories, and the book-to-screen favorites you've already read twice. Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more.

Every Summer After: Deluxe Edition Cover

Carley Fortune

Every Summer After

Deluxe Edition

The title was cited as a Prime booktoscreen favorite that listeners had reportedly read twice.

"

Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow Burns, Second Chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen.

— Episode: Is smoking back?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Is smoking back?

The title was cited as a Prime booktoscreen favorite that listeners had reportedly read twice.

"

Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow Burns, Second Chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen.

Slow Burn: The Work and Wonder of the Wait Cover

DawnChere Wilkerson

Slow Burn

The Work and Wonder of the Wait

The book was listed as one of the Prime originals, a booktoscreen favorite that listeners had read twice.

"

Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow Burns, Second Chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen.

— Episode: Is smoking back?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Is smoking back?

The book was listed as one of the Prime originals, a booktoscreen favorite that listeners had read twice.

"

Off Campus, Elle, Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Sterling Point, and more. Slow Burns, Second Chances, chemistry you can feel through the screen.

Shy Girl Cover

Mia Ballard

Shy Girl

The episode described the selfpublished horror novel Shy Girl, its later acquisition by Hachette, and the controversy over suspected AIgenerated text that led to the book being pulled.

"

author called Mia Ballard, an American author, selfpublished a horror novel called Shy Girl.

— Episode: Is it a bad book or is it AI?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Is it a bad book or is it AI?

The episode described the selfpublished horror novel Shy Girl, its later acquisition by Hachette, and the controversy over suspected AIgenerated text that led to the book being pulled.

"

author called Mia Ballard, an American author, selfpublished a horror novel called Shy Girl.

Shy Girl by Mia Ballard. Does anyone else think this was written by ChatGPT?

It has this very recognizable and constant rhythmic use of adjectives and similes that stinks of AI.

The New York Times then get involved and decide to run their own little investigation into the book, doing things like putting it through AI detective software and take that to Hachette. Hachette then get off their ass, as it were, and pull the book.

She selfpublishes this book and it's popular among fans of selfpublished horror online. And then what happened was, as often enough happens these days, is that a big traditional publisher, in this case Hachette, will see a selfpublished novel and see that it's popular and decide to then publish it again under the imprint of their own house.

Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age Cover

Vauhini Vara

Searches

Selfhood in the Digital Age

The hosts highlighted that WahineVara's book Searches was available in paperback, mentioning it twice while introducing the guest.

"

Nothing we love more at Today Explained than a person running an experiment on herself. Wahine Vara, writer, journalist, author of Searches, out in paperback now.

— Episode: Is it a bad book or is it AI?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Is it a bad book or is it AI?

The hosts highlighted that WahineVara's book Searches was available in paperback, mentioning it twice while introducing the guest.

"

Nothing we love more at Today Explained than a person running an experiment on herself. Wahine Vara, writer, journalist, author of Searches, out in paperback now.

Wahini Vara, writer, journalist, contributor to Businessweek and The Atlantic and The New Yorker. Her book Searches is out in paperback.

100 Great American Parks Cover

Stephanie Pearson

100 Great American Parks

The podcast noted that Stephanie Pearson authored this book and suggested listeners could find it wherever books are sold.

"

Stephanie Pearson, who you heard from earlier, is the author of 100 Great American Parks and 100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA. Find them wherever you find your books.

— Episode: The Great American Road Trip?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Great American Road Trip?

The podcast noted that Stephanie Pearson authored this book and suggested listeners could find it wherever books are sold.

"

Stephanie Pearson, who you heard from earlier, is the author of 100 Great American Parks and 100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA. Find them wherever you find your books.

100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A.: The Country's Ultimate Scenic Trails (100 of a Lifetime) Cover

Stephanie Pearson

100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A.

The Country's Ultimate Scenic Trails (100 of a Lifetime)

The episode highlighted that Stephanie Pearson wrote this guide and encouraged listeners to locate it at any book retailer.

"

Stephanie Pearson, who you heard from earlier, is the author of 100 Great American Parks and 100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA. Find them wherever you find your books.

— Episode: The Great American Road Trip?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Great American Road Trip?

The episode highlighted that Stephanie Pearson wrote this guide and encouraged listeners to locate it at any book retailer.

"

Stephanie Pearson, who you heard from earlier, is the author of 100 Great American Parks and 100 Hikes of a Lifetime USA. Find them wherever you find your books.

A Death Doula's Guide to a Meaningful End Cover

Jane K. Callahan

A Death Doula's Guide to a Meaningful End

The host introduced Jane K. Callahan's new book, stating its title during the episode.

"

Jane K. Callahan, her new book is called A Death Doula's Guide to a Meaningful End.

— Episode: The rise of death doulas

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The rise of death doulas

The host introduced Jane K. Callahan's new book, stating its title during the episode.

"

Jane K. Callahan, her new book is called A Death Doula's Guide to a Meaningful End.

Fifty Shades Trilogy Shrinkwrapped Set (Deckle Edge) Cover

E L James

Fifty Shades Trilogy Shrinkwrapped Set (Deckle Edge)

It was cited as a comparison to AI companions, describing them as a personalized interactive romance novel tailored to the user's tastes.

"

Some people sort of view their AI companions as almost like a personalized interactive romance novel. As one of my sources makes the comparison, like Fifty Shades of Grey, it's just tailored exactly t...

— Episode: Dating my AI

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Dating my AI

It was cited as a comparison to AI companions, describing them as a personalized interactive romance novel tailored to the user's tastes.

"

Some people sort of view their AI companions as almost like a personalized interactive romance novel. As one of my sources makes the comparison, like Fifty Shades of Grey, it's just tailored exactly to her tastes.

Orality and Literacy: 30th Anniversary Edition (New Accents) Cover

Walter J. Ong

Orality and Literacy

30th Anniversary Edition (New Accents)

The hosts explained that the 1982 book argued oral societies rely on repetition and formulaic speech, shaping communication styles.

"

a lot of this analysis is really rooted in this 1982 book, Orality and Literacy, by the philosopher Walter Ong.

— Episode: Ew, are we post-literate?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Ew, are we post-literate?

The hosts explained that the 1982 book argued oral societies rely on repetition and formulaic speech, shaping communication styles.

"

a lot of this analysis is really rooted in this 1982 book, Orality and Literacy, by the philosopher Walter Ong.

History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s (Studies in United States Culture) Cover

M. J. Rymsza-Pawlowska

History Comes Alive

Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s (Studies in United States Culture)

The host noted that the historian had written a book about the bicentennial, which is titled History Comes Alive.

"

M.J. Rimshia Pavlovska teaches history at American University, wrote a book about the bicentennial.

— Episode: America's birthday blues

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: America's birthday blues

The host noted that the historian had written a book about the bicentennial, which is titled History Comes Alive.

"

M.J. Rimshia Pavlovska teaches history at American University, wrote a book about the bicentennial.

M.J. Rimsha-Pavlovska of American University. Her book is History Comes Alive.

Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity Cover

Matthew Avery Sutton

Chosen Land

How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity

The host introduced Sutton as a history professor and noted that his most recent book examined how Christianity shaped America and how Americans reshaped Christianity.

"

I can't believe you figured it out. Matthew Avery Sutton, and I'm a professor of history at Washington State University. I teach courses on religion and politics, and my most recent book is called

— Episode: Why the Antichrist is back

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Why the Antichrist is back

The host introduced Sutton as a history professor and noted that his most recent book examined how Christianity shaped America and how Americans reshaped Christianity.

"

I can't believe you figured it out. Matthew Avery Sutton, and I'm a professor of history at Washington State University. I teach courses on religion and politics, and my most recent book is called Chosen Land, How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.

Matthew Avery Sutton is a professor of history at Washington State University. His most recent book is Chosen Land, How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity.

We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World's Greatest Sporting Event – Soccer's Triumphs, Heartbreaks, and the Passion That Unites Fans Worldwide Cover

Roger Bennett

We Are the World (Cup)

A Personal History of the World's Greatest Sporting Event – Soccer's Triumphs, Heartbreaks, and the Passion That Unites Fans Worldwide

The podcast noted that Roger Bennett authored "We Are The World Cup", a personal history of the world's greatest sporting events, covering soccer's triumphs, heartbreaks, and the passion that unites fans worldwide.

"

Roger Bennett is the author of We Are the World Cup, a personal history of the world's greatest sporting events, soccer's triumphs, heartbreaks and the passion that unites fans worldw...

— Episode: The World Cup is healing us

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The World Cup is healing us

The podcast noted that Roger Bennett authored "We Are The World Cup", a personal history of the world's greatest sporting events, covering soccer's triumphs, heartbreaks, and the passion that unites fans worldwide.

"

Roger Bennett is the author of We Are the World Cup, a personal history of the world's greatest sporting events, soccer's triumphs, heartbreaks and the passion that unites fans worldwide.

More Rules for Aging: Making the Most of Your Ridiculous, Wondrous Life Cover

Roger Rosenblatt

More Rules for Aging

Making the Most of Your Ridiculous, Wondrous Life

He had just released More Rules for Aging, a sequel to his earlier work, reflecting his current insights on growing older after living through the experience himself.

"

So you recently published a book called More Rules for Aging. It's the sequel to a book you wrote 25 years ago called Rules for Aging.

— Episode: Can we cheat death?

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Can we cheat death?

He had just released More Rules for Aging, a sequel to his earlier work, reflecting his current insights on growing older after living through the experience himself.

"

So you recently published a book called More Rules for Aging. It's the sequel to a book you wrote 25 years ago called Rules for Aging.

Sunseekers' Greek Islands Cover

sunseekers

Sunseekers' Greek Islands

The host noted that writer Lyra Kilston had covered the historical sunseeking movement in her book, highlighting its relevance to the modern tanmaxing trend.

"

Writer Lyra Kilston wrote all about it in her book, Sunseekers, The Cure of California.

— Episode: Tanning is back

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Tanning is back

The host noted that writer Lyra Kilston had covered the historical sunseeking movement in her book, highlighting its relevance to the modern tanmaxing trend.

"

Writer Lyra Kilston wrote all about it in her book, Sunseekers, The Cure of California.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.