Skip to content
Melo Podcasts Home
CategoriesLanguagesFollowing

Episode · Today, Explained

What the AI doom debate misses

22 Sep 2026 · 25 min

Play episode WhatsApp Download

Episode notes

Some top AI thinkers warn that the technology could kill us all. But it could also save us. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. This episode was produced in partnership with Vox's Future Perfect. The question "Should I kill humans?" is projected onto a wall behind robot "Alfie", a Moral Choice Machine, during a press conference at the Technische Universität Darmstadt. Photo by Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images. Listen to Today,…

Podcast

Today, Explained

Vox · News · English

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.

More from Today, Explained All episodes →

  1. 27 Sep 2026 · 31 min

    The end of etiquette

    It’s not just about being nice. Manners allow us to peacefully coexist at work, in transit, and out in the wider world. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Manspreading is the practice of some men sitting on public transportation with legs wide apart, thereby covering more than one seat. Photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected] to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox…

  2. 26 Sep 2026 · 29 min

    The AI election

    Polling says less than 1 percent of voters consider AI a top concern this election cycle. Michigan congressional candidate Will Lawrence sees things differently. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: Emily Taylor leads chants during a protest against data center development in Austin. Photo by Jay Janner/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox…

  3. 25 Sep 2026 · 26 min

    Everything is gambling now

    From live auction sites like Whatnot to games like Monopoly Go!, mobile apps are now designed to addict kids as well as adults. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Image courtesy Monopoly Go!, a free-to-play mobile board game developed by Scopely. 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…

  4. 24 Sep 2026 · 26 min

    Why we're still arming Israel

    A majority of Americans have a negative view of Israel. Trump wants to send a massive shipment of bombs to the country anyway. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Protesters rally outside the White House against Israeli bombing of Gaza on March 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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…

  5. 23 Sep 2026 · 28 min

    Ruining a young woman’s life for sport

    It’s called the “burnerverse": an online community of anonymous college sports fans who mostly trash talk other teams, except when things turn very, very dark. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Avishay Artsy with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A man looking at his phone. Photo by Petri Oeschger/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…

  6. 21 Sep 2026 · 26 min

    Trump’s temper tantrum

    President Trump got so mad about his name not being on the Kennedy Center he threatened to demolish it. We try to understand his obsession. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Danielle Hewitt and Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Image of protesters outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts courtesy Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right…

  7. 20 Sep 2026 · 31 min

    We should party more

    We’re lonely, isolated, and bored. The solution may be as simple as an invite and killer playlist. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. A raucous loft party. Photo by Hiroyuki Ito/Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected] 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

  8. 19 Sep 2026 · 33 min

    Latino voters swing back

    Latino voters swung hard to the right in 2024. Now, they’re giving Dems another look. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo caption: A Sun Valley resident votes at the polling station located at Our Lady of The Holy Church on election day at the Sun Valley's Latino district, Los Angeles County. Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images. Editor's note: In her interview, Stephanie Valencia said that the zip code with the highest enrollment numbers for the ACA was in…

  9. 18 Sep 2026 · 26 min

    Miss Piggy, feminist diva

    From Miss Piggy to the Housewives, depictions of women who refuse to be anything but larger than life has revolutionized the way culture views the other side of middle age. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Miles Bryan, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. Miss Piggy received the honorary "Grand Dame Diva of Culture, Divahood & Porcine Glamour" award at the 2026 Las Culturistas Culture Awards. Photo by Monty Brinton/Bravo via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member:…

  10. 17 Sep 2026 · 26 min

    Speaking up for Gaza

    It's not just Macklemore. A new documentary on atrocities in Gaza has enraged the Israeli government... and some pro-Palestinian activists. This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Kelli Wessinger, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. A 'Boycott Israel' banner is seen at a solidarity demonstration with Palestinian political prisoners in Krakow, Poland on April 17, 2026. Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their…

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.

Get it on Google Play