Newark’s crisis is coming soon to an airport near you. Thankfully, comedian Nathan Fielder is dead serious about aviation safety.
This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.
The actor Nathan Fielder in HBO's The Rehearsal. Photograph by John P. Johnson/HBO.
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27:52
The minerals that rule our world
The race to control critical mineral deposits has become a major driver of US foreign policy -- and is redrawing global alliances.
This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s Future Perfect team. It was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.
Mining for chromite at the Mughulkhil mine in Logar Province, Afghanistan. Photo by MARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES).
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27:54
Methamphetamine: The most misunderstood drug?
Methamphetamine is best known as one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs out there. But it's also an FDA-approved drug that can be used to treat ADHD in children. In this special feed drop of the Spotify podcast Science Vs, scientists and meth users weigh in on what meth does to your brain.
This episode was produced and hosted by Wendy Zukerman, with production from Meryl Horn, Rose Rimler, Michelle Dang and Ekedi Fausther-Keeys. It was edited by Blythe Terrell, fact checked by Erica Akiko Howard, mixed by Bobby Lord, with music by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka, So Wylie, Emma Munger and Peter Leonard.
You can find and follow Science Vs here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5lY4b5PGOvMuOYOjOVEcb9?si=273dc5f470ba476d
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41:45
All the sad young literary men
Writer Ross Barkan says young men's voices have vanished from literary fiction. Economist Joel Waldfogel offers a reality check from the world of publishing.
This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.
A reader by the book wall at the 2025 Turin Book Fair. Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images.
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27:27
Should women be in combat?
Combat roles have been open to women for a decade, but President Donald Trump's Pentagon still questions whether women can be lethal. Army veteran Emelie Vanasse says the debate over women's battlefield fitness is long settled.
This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd and hosted by Noel King.
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.
Army veteran Emilie Vanass outside Army Ranger School at Camp Rogers in Fort Benning, GA. Image courtesy Emilie Vanass.
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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.