Vox

Five things you need to know for the 2026 midterms | America, Actually

12 sep 2026

With the 2026 midterms fast approaching, we’re asking a simple question: What actually matters to voters right now? In this midterm study guide, Vox’s Astead Herndon breaks down five forces shaping the election cycle. He examines the shifting foundations of both major parties—from Donald Trump’s rising unpopularity over inflation and foreign policy, to the ideological civil war within the Democratic base. Plus, Astead answers your questions about the growing influence of AIPAC funding, why "affordability" has become the central message for both parties, how data centers are triggering mass voter anxiety over the future of AI, and what Trump’s executive orders mean for the future of mail-in voting and election integrity. America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

The truth behind the millennial "midlife crisis" | The Gray Area

11 sep 2026

Is "adulthood" a moving target? For millennials, hitting the milestones of the past—homeownership, secure careers, and financial independence—feels tougher than ever. We aren't just having our individual midlife crises; we are simultaneously navigating an economic, cultural, and existential crisis, too. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Guest host Jonquilyn Hill sits down with Amil Niazi, columnist at The Cut, to explore why this stage of life feels so precarious. From the domino effect of the 2008 financial crisis and the collapse of the traditional career path, to the pressures of the "sandwich generation" — caretaking for both children and aging parents — we break down why the millennial experience is fundamentally different from generations past. 00:00 Intro 01:43 The millennial economic domino effect 04:50 Redefining adulthood 07:45 Quarterlife vs midlife crisis 14:04 Is it late-stage capitalism? 21:42 The sandwich generation 38:24 Choosing optimism Host: Jonquilyn Hill, host of Explain It To Me Guest: Amil Niazi, columnist The Cut We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

How to be less neurotic | The Gray Area

7 sep 2026

If you could change anything about your personality, anything at all, what would it be? And why would you want to change it? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Writer Olga Khazan spent a year trying to answer those questions, and documented the experience in her new book Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change. In this episode, which originally aired in March of 2025, Sean speaks with Olga about the science of personality change, the work it takes to change yourself, and what makes up a personality, anyway. 00:00 Intro 02:16 What is ‘personality?’ 08:07 Neuroticism and you 15:31 The ‘best’ personality 19:52 The science of personality change 29:57 Is being ‘well-adjusted’ always good? 31:38 Practical ways to make changes Host: Sean Illing (@SeanIlling) Guest: Olga Khazan, author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change. We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

How to undo the damage of sitting all day | The Gray Area

4 sep 2026

We’ve all heard that "sitting is the new smoking," but the research behind that phrase goes much deeper. How bad is sitting for you really? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In this episode guest host Bryan Walsh is joined by Manoush Zomorodi — host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour and author of Body Electric — to explore how our sedentary, screen-filled lives are reshaping our physical health from the neck down. Manoush shares findings from her own clinical trial, where she partnered with scientists to determine the minimum amount of movement the human body actually needs to function. Whether you're a desk jockey or a parent concerned about screen time, this conversation offers a practical, science-backed approach to reclaiming your physical health in a digital world. 00:00 Intro 01:57 The hidden cost of sitting 09:13 Kinking your body and brain 17:23 The active couch potato trap 21:18 What screens are doing to your eyes 27:53 Shifting our relationship with technology 32:41 One minute of movement in practice Guest Host: Bryan Walsh, Senior writer, Coefficient Giving Guest: Manoush Zomorodi, Host, TED Radio Hour and author of Body Electric. We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Olympic weightlifting, explained

2 sep 2026

Olympic weightlifting is defined by only two moves: the snatch and the clean and jerk. But behind what seems like a simple contest to see who can lift the most is a sport built on technique, speed, strategy, and psychology. We speak to Matthew Tung, a competitive weightlifter who represents Hong Kong internationally, who breaks down how the lifts work, the strategy behind athletes changing their declared weights mid-competition, and how a lifter can miss four of their six attempts and still bring home gold. In this video, we explore what it really takes to compete in Olympic weightlifting and what the rest of us can learn from athletes who have pushed strength training to the extreme. Read more about professional weightlifting: Weightlifting in Olympics: Everything you need to know https://www.olympics.com/en/news/weightlifting-olympics-rules-history-snatch-clean-and-jerk A Guide to Competitive Weightlifting https://www.usaweightlifting.org/news/features/2022/july/29/a-guide-to-competitive-weightlifting Hong Kong’s first pro weightlifter in 12 years had to compete in tracksuit borrowed from footballer, learned to lift from YouTube https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3253998/hong-kongs-first-pro-weightlifter-12-years-had-compete-tracksuit-borrowed-footballer-and-learned This Northeastern grad taught himself weightlifting and is now competing internationally https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/09/10/international-weightlifting-competition-matthew-tung Unique aspects of competitive weightlifting: performance, training and physiology https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22873835/ This video is presented by Colgate. Colgate doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they make videos like this one possible. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Angie Nixon’s playbook to be Florida’s next senator | America, Actually

1 sep 2026

Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon overcame a 17-to-1 fundraising gap to win the state’s Democratic Senate primary. Can she score another upset victory in November? In this special episode of America, Actually, Nixon joins Vox’s Astead Herndon to break down her primary win, her progressive policy stance, and her strategy to become Florida’s next US Senator. 00:00 How Angie Nixon pulled off a stunning upset 01:55 The grassroots strategy that powered her victory 03:38 Can progressive policies win statewide in Florida? 07:01 From union organizer to Senate candidate 11:06 Why progressives struggle to reach Black voters 14:35 Nixon on Israel, Gaza, and supporting BDS 16:39 Policing, public safety, DEI, and reparations 22:49 The Democratic establishment, DSA, and the socialist label America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Why we can’t stop thinking about aliens | The Gray Area

31 aug 2026

Are we truly alone in the universe? Despite the lack of hard evidence, belief in aliens and UFOs, officially known as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), has shifted from the fringes to the center of mainstream culture. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In this episode of The Gray Area, host Jonquilyn Hill is joined by Adam Kirsch, senior editor at The Atlantic and author of the new book We Want to Believe: How Aliens Went Mainstream and Why It Matters. They explore why our fascination with extraterrestrial life persists and what that need to believe tells us about our current relationship with authority, scientific expertise, and even spirituality. The search for aliens has become the ultimate self-portrait of humanity. 00:00 Intro 03:10 Evidence vs testimony 07:59 Why UFO sightings come in waves 13:38 Why did our attitude towards UFOs shift? 22:08 UFOs and religion 31:58 UFOs and science 41:03 Why do we want to believe in UFOs? Host: Jonquilyn Hill, host of Explain It To Me Guest: Adam Kirsch, Senior editor, The Atlantic and author of We Want to Believe We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Gen Z is done with both political parties | America, Actually

29 aug 2026

It’s clear that the youngest generation of voters isn’t the same as the ones that came before. So, what’s up with the kids? Gen Z researcher Rachel Janfaza joins Vox’s Astead Herndon to discuss how young voters are prioritizing economic survival, confronting their anxieties related to AI-job displacement, and searching for pragmatic, transparent leaders who address their everyday challenges. 00:00 Astead’s love-hate relationship with Gen Z 05:04 The theory of two Gen Z’s 06:19 How the pandemic broke Gen Z 09:48 Growing up with a phone in one hand 16:15 Rejection of the algorithm 17:56 The drivers of economic anxiety 22:08 AI and the future of work 25:25 The gender divide, explained 31:43 Hope for a post-Trump politics 32:51 Takeaways Sources and further reading: The Up and Up: https://www.theupandup.us/ America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Why straight dating feels like a battleground | The Gray Area

28 aug 2026

Have you noticed the bad vibes around dating lately? Whether you’re swiping on apps or scrolling through social media, it’s easy to feel like the romantic landscape has become a battleground — at least, for the heterosexual among us. This pervasive feeling of hopelessness and negativity — often called "hetero-pessimism" — is everywhere. But is this cynicism the actual picture, or is it just another digital trap? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In this episode of The Gray Area, host Jonquilyn Hill is joined by Magdalene J. Taylor, senior editor at Playboy. Together, they dissect why we’ve become so hostile towards straight dating, the disconnect between our online expectations and real-world reality, and why Magdalene is making a radical case for "hetero optimism." 00:00 Intro 03:00 What is hetero-pessimism? 08:30 The evolving gender war 16:34 Optimism about straight dating 22:55 Needing vs wanting a relationship 27:06 Hetero-pessimism vs hetero-optimism 31:35 How the personal became political Host: Jonquilyn Hill, host of Explain It To Me Guest: Magdalene J. Taylor, senior editor for Playboy We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

What's safe to eat now?

26 aug 2026

What we eat and where it comes from is a critical part of human health. According to a 2025 survey, 59% of Americans think it's important to know where their food comes from, and 54% prioritize food that is consistently available locally. And one of the best places to get that locally sourced food? Farmers markets. The US has more than 8,700 farmers markets, where roughly 40,000 farmers sell their products. Recently, the markets have been getting a bit more attention thanks to a series of high-profile food recalls. Americans’ confidence in the safety of their food is being tested, and buying direct from your local farm could be the answer. Some produce travels hundreds or thousands of miles from where it’s grown to where it’s sold, passing through processing, storage, and distribution facilities. One advantage of a small local farm is the direct journey the produce takes from the field to the customer. But how does a small family farm business compete with major grocery stores for customers, and what’s behind their sales pitch for safer and fresher food? Vox producer Benjamin Stephen took a drive out to Camarillo, California, to a small family farm to find out. Read more about food sources and food safety: Vox’s guide to produce in a time of cyclospora: https://www.vox.com/health/495831/cyclospora-parasite-diarrhea-outbreak-food-avoid-taco-bell McGrath Family Farms history and growing practices: http://www.mcgrathfamilyfarm.com/ The FDA’s recall tracker: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts IFIC’s 2025 food and health survey: https://ific.org/research/2025-food-health-survey/ Farm Action’s report on Taylor Farms: https://farmaction.us/new-report-exposes-taylor-farms-hidden-reach-as-food-outbreaks-sweep-the-country/ The CDC’s page on how foodborne outbreaks happen: https://www.cdc.gov/foodborne-outbreaks/about/index.html This video is presented by Verizon Business. Verizon Business doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they help make videos like this one possible. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Kidneys for sale | The Gray Area

24 aug 2026

Is it ever okay to put a price on a kidney? Why is it illegal to sell an organ, but perfectly legal to sell blood plasma? This episode explores the world of "repugnant transactions"— the markets we find morally offensive — and asks why we ban certain markets as "gross" or "unethical" while ignoring others that might cause more harm. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In this episode of The Gray Area, host Bryan Walsh sits down with Nobel laureate Alvin Roth, who wrote the recent book Moral Economics, to discuss how markets are the key to understanding our most deeply held social values. They break down why society chooses to ban certain transactions, how those choices affect real lives, and whether we can use "market design" to save people without violating our ethical standards. Host: Bryan Walsh, Vox Editorial Director Guest: Alvin Roth, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and author of Moral Economics: From Prostitution to Organ Sales, What Controversial Transactions Reveal About How Markets Work. 00:00 Intro 02:57 What is a ‘repugnant transaction?’ 08:19 America’s kidney shortage 12:05 Iran’s kidney market 30:39 Kidney transplantation vs dialysis 24:22 The ethics of paying for kidneys 32:16 Other ‘repugnant transactions' We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

A MAGA influencer tests the GOP midterm message. Is it working? | America, Actually

22 aug 2026

Left-leaning Democratic candidates have faced a lot of scrutiny in the last year about whether they’re “electable” in a general election. But why aren’t Republican candidates facing the same question? Donald Trump’s approval ratings are at the lowest of his presidency, and he’s waging an unpopular war. Gas prices remain elevated, and the GOP has nominated a number of scandal-plagued candidates to run in November’s midterm elections. So, do Republicans have their own electability crisis? This week on America, Actually, Vox’s Astead Herndon asks GOP influencer and activist CJ Pearson to defend his party’s record. 00:00 Do Republicans have an electability problem? 03:03 Trump’s second term report card 05:43 The GOP’s midterm messaging: “common sense vs. crazy" 07:10 Gas prices and Iran war fallout 11:20 Is Trump still cool? 14:27 The influencer void after Charlie Kirk’s death 15:50 DEI and Black voters 18:30 2020 election denial and January 6th 23:54 Astead’s takeaways America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Nonalcoholic drinks SHOULD cost more. Here's why.

20 aug 2026

08/20/26 correction: the voiceover @ 4:58 should say "decreasing pressure to lower the boiling point of alcohol" rather than "increasing pressure to lower the boiling point of alcohol" The non-alcoholic beverage industry has exploded from once-a-year “Dry January” experiments to one of the fastest-growing categories in food and beverage, largely driven by younger consumers who are drinking less but still wanting the rituals and community of socializing. US sales of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits have grown over 20 percent year over year, and analysts project that the no-alcohol market will grow by over $4 billion by 2028. With the wine world experiencing one of its biggest downturns in decades, small businesses and food scientists are turning to non-alcoholic wines as a potential alternative. Some are using technology and chemistry to produce premium dealcoholized wines, while others, like Burden of Proof in Los Angeles, are recreating the community feel of wine shops through NA-only storefronts. However, even as consumers turn away from alcohol, many are still shocked by the sticker price of alcohol-free wine. How could something with alcohol removed cost just as much as something with alcohol? The answer is a mix of the high cost of dealcoholizing technology and the price attached to a growing movement. Read more about the non-alcoholic beverage trend: - Sales Are So Low, California Wineries Are Burning Their Vineyards (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/us/pinot-noir-california-wine-sales-decline.html - Non Alcohol Is No Longer a Niche—It’s a Billion-Dollar Movement (Nielsen): https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2025/non-alcohol-is-no-longer-a-niche-its-a-billion-dollar-movement/ - Investors Tap Into The Zero Proof and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market (Forbes): https://www.forbes.com/sites/shimiteobialo/2025/11/10/investors-tap-into-the-zero-proof-and-non-alcoholic-beverage-market/ - U.S. Drinking Rate at New Low as Alcohol Concerns Surge (Gallup): https://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge.aspx - BevZero Equipment Spinning Cone Column Explained (BevZero): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6XbefG7YFU This video is presented by Verizon Business. Verizon Business doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they help make videos like this one possible. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. -- Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications (🔔) so you don't miss any videos: http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@voxdotcom Check out our articles: https://www.vox.com/ Listen to our podcasts: https://www.vox.com/podcasts

Freud was more right than you think | The Gray Area

17 aug 2026

Sigmund Freud is probably the most famous psychoanalyst. Yet many of his theories have been critiqued or discredited. So is there anything we can still learn from the father of psychoanalysis? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode Sean speaks with professor Mark Solms, author of The Only Cure: Freud and the Neuroscience of Mental Healing. Mark argues that while Freud may have been wrong about many things, he was right about one important thing: the human mind cannot be fully understood on purely biological terms. He believes that modern psychiatry has become focused on treating mental suffering like a chemical problem, instead of focusing on emotional and psychological aspects. Sean and Mark discuss the conscious versus the unconscious mind, whether psychoanalysis is the best therapy, and why Freud is still relevant today. 00:00 Intro 03:14 Was Freud a scientist? 09:23 The conscious vs the unconscious mind 16:35 The limits of science 27:34 Is psychoanalysis still the best therapy? 38:28 Why it’s so hard to change our behaviour 46:22 The human element in therapy Host: Sean Illing (@SeanIlling) Guest: Mark Solms, neuropsychologist, psychoanalyst, and professor at the University of Cape Town. Author of The Only Cure: Freud and the Neuroscience of Mental Healing. We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Hasan Piker on what Democrats get wrong | America, Actually

15 aug 2026

Democrats have been duking it out all summer. An insurgent left has been driving the moderate establishment up a wall, with high-profile wins in places like New York, Colorado, and Michigan. But a big loss in Wisconsin for democratic socialist Francesca Hong has complicated the left’s narrative, and the battle between progressive momentum and establishment resilience has yet to be decided. At the center of it all is the leftist Twitch streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker. He joins Vox’s Astead Herndon once more to discuss the fault lines that will define the Democratic party’s future this November. 00:00 - Evaluating recent primary results in the Midwest 02:13 - Hasan Piker challenges the "electability narrative" 07:45 - Redefining the modern working-class electorate 14:28 - Is Piker a campaign liability? 21:05 - Obama as a blueprint 23:24 - The “vote blue no matter who” debate 28:18 - Why Democrats lack a bold vision 31:35 - Takeaways America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Why straight dating is harder than ever | The Gray Area

14 aug 2026

The internet is rife with chatter about “heteropessimism,” the feeling that gender relations are broken and heterosexual relationships are doomed. But is this just cynical discourse, like a coping mechanism for bad dates? Or is this a symptom of a much deeper, systemic breakdown? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In this episode of The Gray Area, guest host Jonquilyn Hill is joined by Sarah Jones, senior writer for The Intelligencer. Together, they peel back the performative irony to look at the harsh realities of dating in a post-Dobbs, politically volatile United States. From the economic structures that make leaving bad relationships feel impossible, to the "manosphere" versus the "pink pill," Sarah and Jonquilyn discuss why we are struggling to connect — and why "hopeful pessimism" might be the most responsible way to build a future. 00:00 Intro 01:42 Are the straights okay? 05:33 Defining hetero pessimism 16:33 Moving beyond cynicism with hopeful pessimism 27:32 Romantic relationships are hard work 29:47 Why political currents make dating fraught 41:29 Love and happiness are not finite resources 46:26 How women uphold patriarchal structures 52:18 Examining romantic norms Host: Jonquilyn Hill, host of Explain It To Me Guest: Sarah Jones, senior writer, Intelligencer We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Home Budgeting with Bobby Berk [Partner content from @progressive]

12 aug 2026

If you’ve been clicking through dreamy property listings, bookmarking your favorite neighborhoods, or squirreling away savings for a home, there are three key numbers: the down payment, the total price, and the mortgage. It’s a great start, but there's more you need to know for making a plan. Partner content from @progressive Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications (🔔) so you don't miss any videos: http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@voxdotcom Check out our articles: https://www.vox.com/ Listen to our podcasts: https://www.vox.com/podcasts

A wake-up call for the Democratic establishment | America, Actually

11 aug 2026

Progressives are racking up primary wins. Is the Democratic establishment getting the message? In a special episode of America, Actually, Vox’s Astead Herndon speaks to Democratic strategist Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, to discuss what it will take to build a coalition capable of defeating Trump. Tanden discusses the failures of the Biden era, the party’s need to win back working-class voters, and the ideological divide on AIPAC, Israel, and the Iran war. America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

What happens when we stop reading? | The Gray Area

10 aug 2026

What happens when we read less? What does that do to our ability to understand complex ideas, or even think for ourselves? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode, guest host Jonquilyn Hill speaks with Atlantic staff writer Rose Horowitch. In her recent cover story, Rose argues that we are entering a postliterate age. Although we’re surrounded by text — like emails, text messages, and notifications — we no longer have an interest in reading longer, book-length content. Jonquilyn and Rose discuss how the digital age has transformed the way we consume information, what deep reading teaches us that scrolling can't, and how being postliterate is changing our politics and culture. 00:00 Intro 04:05 A literacy crisis vs postliteracy 06:39 Why books are different from social media 13:24 The impact of postliteracy on students 26:53 Donald Trump is the first postliterate president 33:20 Print vs digital media 39:04 Deep reading vs the endless scroll 48:27 Could a postliterate society actually be better informed? Host: Jonquilyn Hill, host of Explain It To Me Guest: Rose Horowitch, staff writer for The Atlantic We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Will gas prices decide the midterms? | America, Actually

8 aug 2026

Gas prices are hovering around $4 a gallon nationally, and hitting $4.20 in swing states like Pennsylvania. President Trump has promised relief once the Iran war ends, but history shows voters’ patience at the pump doesn’t last long. So Vox’s Astead Herndon traveled to one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country to see if high fuel costs might actually flip votes in this year’s midterm elections. 00:00 Do gas prices decide elections? 01:10 Why $4 gas could hurt Republicans 02:00 What Pennsylvania voters told us 03:00 Did Trump break his promise on gas prices? 05:00 What’s to blame for the higher prices? 08:03 Why some voters still support Trump 12:47 The history of gas prices and elections 14:53 How gas prices helped unseat Jimmy Carter 15:45 Why presidents get blamed for gas prices 17:19 Why gas prices hit differently for Americans 18:45 Can the GOP survive $4 gas? 21:19 Will gas prices decide the midterms? 21:21 How should Democrats campaign? 23:51 The limits of presidential power Read more about gas prices: Why Gas Prices Hit Different https://julianzelizer.substack.com/p/why-gas-prices-hit-different America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

What does a parent owe their child? | The Gray Area

7 aug 2026

The Gray Area is taking a short break this week — but we’ve got something special for you. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO We’re dropping an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Unexplainable. In it, host Noam Hassenfeld and Vox senior reporter Sigal Samuel explore one of the biggest dilemmas facing growing families: How much should parents decide about their children’s future from prenatal testing alone? Noam and Sigal wrestle with the moral dilemmas surrounding genetic testing, parental choice, and the limitations of trying to predict the future. Host: Noam Hassenfeld, Host of Unexplainable Guest: Sigal Samuel, Vox Senior Reporter Listen to more Unexplainable episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unexplainable/id1554578197 Read Sigal’s advice column here: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/459003/designer-babies-embryo-selection-polygenic-testing-ethics 00:00 Intro 03:49 What does a parent owe their child? 04:59 What do genetic tests screen for? 09:29 The complexities of genetics screening 13:02 Should parents choose their baby’s traits? 21:41 How did the Vox audience respond? We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members The Gray Area is taking a short break this week — but we’ve got something special for you. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

India’s internet war

6 aug 2026

In 2014, Narendra Modi pioneered the use of social media and digital campaigning in India to become prime minister. Known as one of the first global politicians to harness the power of the internet, he has the most social media followers of any world leader currently in office. Today, over a decade since Modi’s digital-first political campaign, an internet-fueled youth movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (or the Cockroach People’s Party) is using the same social media platforms to organize protests, successfully forcing the resignation of one of Prime Minister Modi’s top advisers. The Indian government has responded with a crackdown, arresting protesters and increasingly censoring X, Meta, and other social meda sites. The legacy of the Cockroach Janta Party will be complex: on one hand, it brought to the forefront important conversations around Gen Z unemployment and meritocracy; on the other, it may have pushed the Indian government to create stricter new censorship laws to silence future dissent. The internet that helped propel Modi to power is becoming a tool that a new generation uses against him. How much further will Modi’s government go to censor its people and restrict free speech? Read more about censorship in India and the Cockroach Janta Party: Censorship tracker on MediaNama, a live list of censorship following the Jantar Mantar protests in New Delhi: https://www.medianama.com/2026/07/223-censorship-tracker-live-list-jantar-mantar-protests-new-delhi/ “Social Media Modi-Fication: Narendra Modi’s use of Social Media in Indian Elections 2014”: https://papers.iafor.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/mediasia2014/MediAsia2014_04062.pdf “India CJP protests: Young women face harassment and abuse”: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g43l251vyo “Activists decry AI surveillance at CJP protests”: https://www.dw.com/en/india-news-activists-decry-ai-surveillance-at-cjp-protests/live-78139564 “India’s young are more educated than ever. Why are so many jobless?”: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17841zez8wo If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Can you build a blue zone?

4 aug 2026

Blue zones are places around the world where people have been reported to live longer, healthier lives. The idea began with researchers studying communities in places like Sardinia, Okinawa, Ikaria, Nicoya, and Loma Linda, where daily life seemed to support longevity through movement, connection, purpose, and healthier eating. But over time, Blue Zones became more than a way to study longevity. They became a certification program exported to communities across the United States. In this video, we visit California’s Beach Cities to see what happens when a community tries to re-create the conditions of a blue zone, and ask whether the lessons of longevity can really be engineered, or whether basic public health ideas have been repackaged into something much bigger. Read more about Blue Zones: The Longevity Hot Spots That Weren’t https://newrepublic.com/article/188317/blue-zones-longevity-hot-spots-myth Shades of blue: Blue zones, supposed havens of longevity, have become a global brand. But skeptics think they rest on shaky science https://www.science.org/content/article/do-blue-zones-supposed-havens-longevity-rest-shaky-science Why People in “Blue Zones” Live Longer Than the Rest of the World https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/blue-zones Do People in ‘Blue Zones’ Actually Live Longer? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/24/well/live/blue-zones-longevity-aging.html This video is presented by Colgate. Colgate doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they make videos like this one possible. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

What technology can't give you | The Gray Area

3 aug 2026

Sean talks with writer and philosopher Ian Bogost about his new book The Small Stuff. They discuss what modern life has lost in its pursuit of convenience, efficiency, and optimization. From stick shifts to coffee cups, lawnmowers, and smartphones, Bogost argues that many of the small sensory experiences that once connected us to the physical world have quietly disappeared. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Ian Bogost 00:00 Intro 02:35 Why we feel disconnected from the physical world 07:23 Gratification vs. self-indulgence 20:09 Why owning things matters 26:05 How remote work ‘flattens’ our space 35:38 Living in expectation 41:35 Accepting sensory gifts We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. New episodes drop every Monday and Friday. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

Who will be president in 2028? We made our picks. | America, Actually

1 aug 2026

Who has a good shot at becoming president in 2028? Vox Media podcaster and journalist Kara Swisher and independent journalist and political commentator Don Lemon join Vox’s Astead Herndon for a fantasy draft of the Democratic and Republican fields, making the case for who could emerge as each party’s nominee. They debate everyone from JD Vance and Kamala Harris to Tucker Carlson and Lemon himself, while discussing the issues that are shaping the next presidential election, including electability, Donald Trump’s influence and who can actually win in an ever-evolving digital media landscape. 00:00 Why the 2028 race could be the messiest yet 02:24 The Republican fantasy draft 04:13 Is Marco Rubio the GOP's safest bet? 05:35 The surprising case for Tucker Carlson 07:12 JD Vance divides the panel 09:09 RFK Jr., Donald Trump (again), and the outsider candidates 12:55 Could Ivanka Trump inherit the MAGA movement? 14:37 The Republican long shots 18:05 The Democratic fantasy draft 19:00 Gavin Newsom or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Who’s the No. 1 pick? 21:35 Can Kamala Harris make a comeback? 24:15 Mark Cuban, Wes Moore & other outsiders 28:30 Don Lemon’s wildest 2028 pick? Himself. 30:36 Josh Shapiro and the moderate lane 32:55 George Clooney enters the draft 34:35 Raphael Warnock and the final picks 37:15 What we learned about the 2028 race America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

How Google broke the internet | The Gray Area

31 jul 2026

The internet is changing. For years our primary gateway to the internet has been search engines: we ask a question, a list of websites pops up, and we choose which ones to click on. But we are rapidly headed towards a different model, one in which AI-generated answers to our questions are our primary gateway to the internet. How we got here starts with Google. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode, guest host Miles Bryan interviews journalist Ryan Broderick to discuss “Google zero,” a point in time when Google stops pointing us towards a list of search results and instead only produces AI-generated answers. Miles and Ryan discuss the evolution of the internet, how search engine optimization changed content production, why AI may fundamentally change how we find information, and what the future of search might look like. Host: Miles Bryan, Vox Senior Producer and Reporter Guest: Ryan Broderick, Editor-in-Chief of Garbage Day 00:00 Intro 02:01 What is Google zero? 10:48 Why did Google become so popular? 16:06 Recipe blogs that SEO trap 21:31 Why the internet stopped feeling organic 28:22 Where did the ‘weird’ Internet go? 31:44 What is Ryan Broderick optimistic about? We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

How a Super El Niño affects the global climate

29 jul 2026

On June 11, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an El Niño advisory after temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean remained higher than average for several months. Declaring an El Niño isn’t out of the ordinary, as they happen in cycles every two to seven years. But this one could be extraordinary. Some are calling it a “Super” or “Godzilla” El Niño, and the NOAA predicts an 81 percent chance that it could develop to a “very strong” level, rivaling the historic and devastating El Niños of 1982-1983 and 1997-1998. Experts are predicting it will likely reach its peak this winter and into 2027, bringing heat, rainfall, and other potential extreme weather events. But even with that foresight and climate models that can confidently predict what might be in store, we still face a test of what could potentially be the strongest El Niño ever recorded and the wild weather that comes with it. We spoke with atmospheric scientists and meteorologists to find out how a Super El Niño forms, why it changes global climate, and what we should expect in the coming months. Read more about El Niño: The latest from NOAA about this El Niño: https://www.noaa.gov/topic-tags/el-nino-la-nina-enso Vox podcast The Gray Area covers the possibility of a “Godzilla El Niño”: https://www.vox.com/podcasts/495653/el-nino-climate-change-global-warming-david-wallace-wells NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ World Meteorological Organization’s seasonal outlook for El Niño heat and rainfall: https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/el-nino-forecast-intensify-increasing-likelihood-of-extreme-weather The Guardian’s coverage of California’s shark surge: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/14/california-sharks-el-nino New York Times article about powerful El Niños of the past: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/21/climate/el-nino-history-famine.html If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

The illusion of the ‘self’ | The Gray Area

27 jul 2026

Sean Illing talks with neuroscientist Gregory Berns, author of The Self Delusion. Berns claims that the idea of a unified, persistent self is a kind of illusion, and that we are better understood as multiple selves at different moments in time, tied together by a story — which is what we call our identity. Sean and Greg also talk about whether the brain is a computer, how perception works, the limits of thinking too much about thinking, and what psychedelics can do to disrupt and change the stories we tell about ourselves. This episode originally aired in November of 2022. Host: Sean Illing (@SeanIlling) Guest: Gregory Berns (@gberns), author; professor of psychology and distinguished professor of neuroeconomics, Emory University 00:00 Intro 06:34 The story we tell ourselves 10:38 The mystery of consciousness 17:32 Psychedelics and the self 25:49 We are constantly changing, even on a cellular level 34:54 Is the brain really like a computer? 39:41 How other people shape the stories we tell ourselves We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

The Boomer politicians who won't retire | America, Actually

25 jul 2026

Congressman James Clyburn remains one of the defining architects of modern Democratic politics. But as a new generation of voters pushes for structural reform, is the establishment listening? Vox’s Astead Herndon sits down with 86-year-old Clyburn to challenge him on corporate PAC contributions, the lessons of the 2024 election, and whether experience should triumph over generational turnover. 00:00 – Intro 01:22 – Why Rep. Jim Clyburn decided to run for reelection at 86 05:32 – Experience vs. youth in Congress and the debate over cognitive tests 09:08 – Looking back at Joe Biden's 2024 debate performance and reelection bid 11:34 – Working across the aisle: Clyburn on his relationship with Sen. Lindsey Graham 12:38 – Are younger politicians too rigid? 14:26 – The CBC’s defense of corporate PAC money 19:02 – Technology, AI, and how veteran lawmakers legislate modern issues 20:32 – Navigating the Democratic primaries 25:43 – Who is to blame for the Democratic Party’s brand problem? 30:35 - Lessons from the Biden administration and Kamala Harris’s defeat America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to hear more from Vox journalists, sign up for our Patreon at patreon.com/vox. Each month, our members get access to exclusive videos, livestreams, and chats with our newsroom. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

MAGA is eating its own | The Gray Area

24 jul 2026

For years, right-wing influencers and politicians have pushed the conservative movement to have more controversial, anti-establishment views. Why are some of those figures now upset about where the movement has ended up? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode, guest host Bryan Walsh speaks with Vox Senior Correspondent Zack Beauchamp about conservatives who decry the extremist direction that the right is moving but refuse to recognize the role they played in pushing the movement in that direction. The two discuss US Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), pundit Ben Shapiro, podcaster Candace Owens, the drivers of conservative extremism, and what the party might look like after Donald Trump. Guest Host: Bryan Walsh, Vox Senior Editorial Director Guest: Zack Beauchamp, Vox Senior Correspondent Read Zack’s essay: The MAGA stars freaked out by their own movement 00:00 Intro 01:54 Who are the ‘hot dog men?’ 03:41 US Rep. Thomas Massie and President Trump 07:26 Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens 16:23 Why scandal doesn’t stick to President Trump 23:04 Why the America Right keeps moving towards more controversial views 30:17 Anti-semitism and American politics 36:48 The future of the conservative movement We would love to hear from you. To tell us what you thought of this episode, email us at thegrayarea@vox.com or leave us a voicemail at 1-800-214-5749. Your comments and questions help us make a better show. And you can watch new episodes of The Gray Area on YouTube. Listen to The Gray Area ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H