Explain It to Me
Vox
Should I buy a house? Why do I say “like” so much? Should Gen Z bother to save for retirement?Explain It to Me is the hotline for the issues that matter to your life. Send us your questions about health, personal finance, relationships, and anything else that matters to you. Host Jonquilyn Hill will take you on a journey to find the answers, whether it's to the halls of Congress or the local bar. You’ll get the answers you were looking for, and sometimes ones you didn't expect — and always with a dose of humor. New episodes every Sunday. Part of Vox and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 22, 2024 • 40min
Those pesky delivery fees
Vox senior reporter, Whizy Kim, dives into the woes of food delivery apps - rising prices for customers, low wages for workers, and restaurant struggles. The podcast explores the gig economy's impact, cost breakdowns, and ways to order ethically. Guests discuss fee transparency, regulations, and the importance of tipping delivery workers generously.
May 15, 2024 • 41min
Panic! At The Drugstore
Exploring the disconnect between public perception and actual crime data, the podcast discusses the impact of media coverage on crime rates, policies overreacting to crime, and the consequences of an aging prison population. The conversation dives into the need for data-driven policy-making and addressing root causes of crime, cautioning against knee-jerk tough on crime laws.
May 8, 2024 • 38min
A new era of cannabis research
Exploring the potential impact of reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule III drug for more medical research, despite existing barriers. Discussing the evolution of marijuana policies, challenges in cannabis research, and implications for the United States. Exploring innovations in cannabis consumption, Eurovision controversy, and the shift in cannabis culture and legislation.
May 1, 2024 • 39min
Are baby bonds a good investment?
Darrick Hamilton discusses the concept of baby bonds as a tool to bridge the wealth gap, exploring how a race-neutral policy can address racial disparities. The episode delves into the impact of baby bonds on investments, retirement savings, and policy changes to promote economic equity.
Apr 24, 2024 • 35min
Alexa, is Amazon a monopoly?
Reporter Dana Mattioli, who covered Amazon extensively, discusses their rise to power and the FTC lawsuit for monopolistic practices. The podcast explores Amazon's growth, monopoly power, antitrust laws, the FTC lawsuit, and public sentiment towards breaking up Amazon. It also delves into the broader tech giants' antitrust scrutiny and Amazon's culture under Jeff Bezos.
Apr 17, 2024 • 33min
Is homelessness a crime?
Exploring the legal battles around homelessness and constitutional rights, the escalating homeless crisis, and the complexities of homelessness in the US. Addressing the need for more housing options and shelters instead of punitive measures, navigating legal, social, and practical perspectives on homelessness, and discussing sustainable forest management.
Apr 10, 2024 • 40min
Abortion and the erosion of privacy
Exploring the erosion of privacy rights post-Dobbs decision, focusing on abortion bans in Florida and Arizona. Discussion on the historical evolution of privacy rights, impact on reproductive choices, and transgender health care. Analyzing political underrepresentation and simplifying furniture buying in the midst of legal shifts.
Apr 3, 2024 • 36min
What is “fetal personhood”?
The podcast explores the implications of Alabama Supreme Court ruling on frozen embryos, raising questions about IVF and personhood. It discusses the anti-abortion movement, fetal personhood laws, and the clash between America's two abortion realities. The debate delves into legal recognition, IVF implications, and the complexities of legislating fetal personhood.
4 snips
Mar 27, 2024 • 35min
A safety net’s poverty trap
Exploring the challenges of managing finances under the $2,000 asset limit for SSI beneficiaries; discussing the proposed bill to update limits and public response; introducing Able Accounts as a solution to asset cap challenges for individuals with disabilities; highlighting the need to raise asset limits for disability savings accounts; addressing frustrations with legislative barriers.
Mar 20, 2024 • 44min
Let’s fix child care together
Exploring the child care crisis in America, the podcast discusses the skyrocketing costs, market failures, and potential solutions. Topics include universal child care plans, advancements in child care technology, challenges faced by child care workers, and reevaluating federal spending. The discussion also touches on the origins of stuffed crust pizza and patenting food ideas, advocating for empowering families through universal child care and estate tax reform.
