Today, Explained

Chef José Andrés explains what makes the winning wiener. A DC hot dog vendor respectfully disagrees.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A Seattle hot dog. Photo by Scott Suchman and food styling by Lisa Cherkasky for The Washington Post/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

Ticks are exponentially expanding their territory, using us for their next blood meal. We must fight back.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

The common wood tick, which can transmit Borrelia and TBE viruses to humans and animals. Photo by Patrick Pleul/dpa/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

The on-again, off-again war is on again. But we still don't know the point of it all or how it will end.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General John D. Caine listen during a Senate hearing on military funding. Photo from The Washington Post/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

Democrats in Congress voted in shocking numbers to cut aid to Israel.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto with help from Miles Bryan, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Pro-Israel protesters demonstrate during the Democratic National Convention in 2024 in Chicago. Photo by Jim Vondruska/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

President Trump has a midterm message that Republicans hate and Democrats love.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on July 16, 2026. Photo by Saul Loeb/Pool/AFP 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