Explain It to Me

Jalen and Olivia and Liam and Ailany. We look at what makes a name top the popularity charts.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Two babies, just a few hours old, lie side by side in a hospital in Halle, Germany. Photo by Waltraud Grubitzsch/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.
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Never mind skin cancer. Summer 2026 is all about tanmaxxing.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Young women sunbathing. Photo by Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com.Listen 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

The trick to living a longer, happier life.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Iris Apfel celebrating her 100th birthday party in New York City. Photo by Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images for Central Park Tower.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen 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

They’re the deadliest animal on the planet. Now even Google is getting into the extermination business.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Michelle Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A tiger mosquito is crushed in the hand of a man after being bitten. Photo by MATTHIEU DELATY/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen 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

How our relationship with writing has changed, and how that’s changed us.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

A third grader practices his cursive handwriting at P.S.166 in Queens, N.Y. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer.

If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email askvox@vox.com. Listen 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