Vox

How old is too old to be in office? | America, Actually

25/07/2026

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

24/07/2026

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

The truth about gut health

21/07/2026

Worried about the spread of the diarrhea-causing illness cyclosporiasis? A healthier gut might better prepare your body to deal with it. With all the noise of wellness experts and coaches, we decided to go directly to doctors and researchers who have been studying gut health and the human microbiome for decades. Gut health is everywhere right now. The hashtag #GutTok has over 6 billion views on TikTok, the global digestive health product market is worth over $60 billion, and viral trends that promise to “hack your gut” through miracle products, cleanses, and restrictive diets are all the rage. But what does gut health really mean, and what can science tell us about how to make sure our gut is in good shape? With so many voices chiming in on gut health, pushing everything from probiotic foods and supplements to wellness shots and coffee enemas, it can be hard to tell what information is based on real research and what might just be a marketing gimmick or social media clickbait. Vox producer Benjamin Stephen spoke to doctors and visited Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles to bust some gut health myths for science-backed advice. Read more about gut health and gut microbiome research: Vox editor Katherine Courage’s book, Cultured: How Ancient Foods Can Feed Our Microbiome: https://katherinecourage.com/book/ Cedars-Sinai’s Human Microbiome Research Institute: https://www.cedars-sinai.edu/health-sciences-university/research/departments-institutes/medicine/human-microbiome.html The MAST program at Cedars-Sinai: https://csmast.com/ Trisha Pasricha’s book, You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong: https://www.trishapasricha.com/youvebeenpoopingallwrong Vox’s explainer video on probiotics in yogurt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYj09lx15ik Pew Research’s findings on why people look to influencers for health and wellness information: https://www.pewresearch.org/data-labs/2026/05/07/why-do-americans-get-information-from-health-and-wellness-influencers-and-how-do-they-find-them/ The Myths and Scientific Realities About Gut Microbiota: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12525918/ This video is presented by Colgate. Colgate doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they 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

The global baby bust | The Gray Area

20/07/2026

Birth rates are dropping and global population growth is slowing. Why? We’re heard all the different speculation: It’s the economy. It’s housing costs. It’s the feminists. But what if the biggest driver is that thing we all carry in our pockets? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode, guest host Christine Emba speaks with data journalist John Burn-Murdoch about declining fertility rates across vastly different cultures and economies. They discuss the role smartphones might play in this phenomenon, why governments have struggled to reverse the trend, and how dropping birthrates could change our economy and culture. Guest Host Christine Emba, columnist and author Guest: John Burn-Murdoch, Chief Data Reporter for The Financial Times 00:00 Intro 01:49 What is the replacement rate? 07:43 Why are birth rates dropping? 12:48 Why governments cannot reserve the trend 25:13 Why are birthrates dropping in developing countries? 33:02 Can birthrates recover? 42:40 How can we change our relationship to our phones? 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

Dems are in the middle of a civil war. He’s at the heart of it | America, Actually

18/07/2026

First there was New York, then Colorado. But can a progressive candidate win a primary in the Rust Belt? And if so, what does that mean for the general election? Michigan has become the ultimate battleground for the future of the Democratic Party. This week on America, Actually, host Astead Herndon dives into the party’s civil war by speaking to Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate running in a must-watch Senate race in Michigan. 00:00 What does it mean to be “electable?” 07:22 The Democratic Party's internal ideological war 14:54 Why Trump won Michigan in 2024 16:16 The story that Democrats need to sell to voters 18:47 Financial transparency 19:45 Rethinking America’s relationship with Israel 25:50 The stakes beyond Michigan 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 public opinion turned on AI | The Gray Area

17/07/2026

AI was supposed to make our lives better. Instead, it’s made many of us scared and angry. Communities are protesting data centers across the country, and polling shows most Americans think AI is moving too fast. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today's episode, guest host Miles Bryan talks with independent journalist Jasmine Sun, who argues that public attitudes toward AI are undergoing a fundamental shift. Jasmine argues that AI is seen not simply as a technology to adopt, but as an elite political project to resist. The two discuss “AI populism,” the parallels with the Industrial Revolution, how public opinion about AI may affect US politics, and how the leaders of Silicon Valley are unprepared for the growing backlash against AI. Guest Host: Miles Bryan, Vox reporter and senior producer Guest:Jasmine Sun, journalist Find Jasmine’s Substack here: https://jasmi.news/ 00:00 Intro 02:33 What is AI populism? 05:29 Why people are protesting data centers 09:11 Incidents of violence 12:11 What industrial revolution can teach us 22:14 Why people are anxious about AI 29:04 Social contracts in the AI era 34:41 China’s approach to AI 40:12 AI populism and American politics 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 F1 drivers survive their own cars

16/07/2026

F1 races are exhilarating. While racing alongside 21 other cars, an F1 driver can reach speeds of up to 231 mph, making it one of the world's most dangerous sports. And F1 drivers need to be physically prepared to prevent disaster. Over the course of a single race, they experience hundreds of pounds of force, temperatures up to 130°F, and risk extreme dehydration which can lead to lowered brain function. In order to stay on the road and not pass out, F1 drivers have to be in peak physical condition. In order to find out how F1 drivers can survive a sport that is so physically demanding, Vox producer Nate Krieger hit the gym. Since F1 is such an international sport, there aren’t many specialized trainers in the US. So with the help of an F1 performance expert currently based in the United Arab Emirates, Nate worked out with David Dunlop, a strength and conditioning coach who works with NFL players. And it turns out that training for F1 is surprisingly similar to training to be a linebacker. Read more about the fitness required to drive in an F1 race: Mercedes has an excellent breakdown of G-force on a turn: https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/news/g-force-and-formula-one-explained This article from The Drive breaks down the physics of an F1 race: https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/28189/modern-formula-1-cars-braking-forces-so-brutal-itll-extract-tears-from-your-eyes-report-says Motorsport Industry Association on how F1 simulators help drivers train for the mental side of races: https://www.schoolofraceengineering.co.uk/blog/post/15044/what-are-formula-1-simulators-used-for/ New York Times article about the history of F1 in the US (and why people in the States are talking about it now): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6552909/2025/08/15/f1-history-in-america/ This video is presented by the Ford Motor Company. Ford doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they make videos like this one possible. https://www.ford.com/new-performance-vehicles/ 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

A skeptic considers the case for God | The Gray Area

13/07/2026

Show Description Sean talks with writer Liz Bruenig about faith, doubt, and the experience of believing in God in a modern, skeptical age. They discuss religious experience, the limits of science, the appeal of cynicism, Dostoevsky, beauty, mystery, and whether belief is ultimately a choice. They also explore why religion persists and whether living with uncertainty is itself a form of faith. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Elizabeth Bruenig (@ebruenig) 00:00 Intro 05:17 Why do we search for proof of God? 15:31 God, awe, and beauty 20:12 The writing of Saint Augustine and Fyodor Dostoevsky 33:28 Faith in America 38:59 Questions for a curious skeptic 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.

Who wants Kamala Harris to run again? | America, Actually

11/07/2026

Despite a bruising defeat in the 2024 presidential election, early polling has Kamala Harris ahead of major Democratic alternatives like Gavin Newsom and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a 2028 run. Her loyal base says that another White House bid feels like an opportunity to build a real campaign free from the constraints of last time. But there’s a lot of division behind the scenes. This week, Vox’s Astead Herndon travels to a picnic in the crucial primary state of South Carolina to ask voters directly what they think. And then, Astead talks with the prominent Democratic donor John Morgan, who says it’s time to turn the page on the Biden-Harris era entirely. 00:00 - Is Kamala Harris running for president (again?) 01:44 - Democratic insiders make the case for Harris 2028 04:40 - Taking the question to South Carolina voters 06:01 - Is America ready for a Black woman president? 08:20 - The generational divide 11:49 - The "third time's a charm" perspective 17:32 - What Democratic donors are thinking 23:56 - The push for a fresh Democratic bench 25:15 - Counting the votes from South Carolina 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

The “Godzilla El Niño” is coming | The Gray Area

10/07/2026

Sean talks with journalist David Wallace-Wells about a looming climate event that could make 2027 one of the hottest years ever recorded. They discuss the return of El Niño, why some scientists are calling it a “Godzilla El Niño,” and what it could reveal about the future of global warming. They also explore climate adaptation, political complacency, extreme weather, technological progress, and whether humanity is prepared for the world it’s creating. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: David Wallace-Wells (@dwallacewells) 00:00 Intro 01:41 What is El Niño? 04:45 Why is this El Niño different? 13:18 2027 could be a preview of the next decade 19:23 What could spur climate action? 28:20 How much more vulnerable will we become? 32:38 What climate adaptation looks like 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

Everything we still can't explain | Unexplainable on Netflix

9/07/2026

Unexplainable is coming to Netflix starting Monday, July 13. Vox’s award-winning science podcast tackles scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and everything we learn by diving into the unknown — and now you can watch new episodes on Netflix every Monday. How do we know what we know about dinosaurs? Why do some people hear music while others hear lyrics when they listen to a song? Should we rethink our relationship with the sun? The Unexplainable team and world-class experts explore these questions and more July 13th. Is there a scientific mystery you'd like us to explore? Leave it in the comments! 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 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

Why the left ignored Graham Platner’s red flags | America, Actually

8/07/2026

What should the progressive left take away from the collapse of Graham Platner’s campaign? In a special episode of America, Actually, Vox’s Astead Herndon speaks to progressive commentator Emma Vigeland, co-host of The Majority Report and former Platner supporter, about the sexual assault allegations that have upended his run for Senate against Republican Susan Collins. They discuss what the controversy reveals about candidate vetting and who should have a say in deciding who takes his place. 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

Are soccer players the most fit athletes on the planet?

7/07/2026

Soccer might be one of the hardest sports to train for. Players need endurance to run for 90 minutes, with only one 15-minute break. And in the World Cup knockout rounds, if there is a tie, match time could extend to 120 minutes. Over the course of a game, the average player runs between 6 and 8 miles. But endurance is just a piece of the puzzle. Players also need to be capable of explosive acceleration, quick stops, jumping, and have a surprising amount of upper body strength. Plus, soccer is really hard to predict. Unlike sports like cycling or rowing, the exact movements of a soccer match are dependent on the movements of 21 other players and can feel completely spontaneous. In order to find out how soccer players can train for a sport that is so physiologically complex and chaotic, Vox producer Nate Krieger went to a practice with Brooklyn FC, a professional soccer team in the USL Championship League. He talked to forward Stefan Stojanovic and tried a drill designed by the team’s head of performance, Michael Higbee, to see how hard training for soccer can really be. Read more about the fitness required to play high-level soccer: Chris Barnes on the evolution of sports science in professional soccer: https://robertsontrainingsystems.com/blog/chris-barnes-podcast/ Sportsmith is a platform for trainers and coaches that has a lot of information about sports science and fitness. https://www.sportsmith.co/learn/ This Sports Illustrated article breaks down how many miles a player runs in a game, broken down by position: https://www.si.com/soccer/how-many-miles-do-soccer-players-run-in-a-game This video is presented by Colgate. Colgate doesn’t have a say in our editorial decisions, but they 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

The fight over America’s national story | The Gray Area

3/07/2026

Who are America’s heroes? Who deserves our admiration and a place in our nation’s story? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode, guest host Jonquilyn Hill talks with constitutional law professor Kermit Roosevelt about his book The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story, which argues that America’s most important ancestors are not the founding fathers but the heroes of Reconstruction. The two discuss the importance of founding myths, why Americans are constantly fighting over “the real America,” and what it means to be American. Guest Host: Jonquilyn Hill, Host of Vox’s Explain It To Me podcast Guest: Kermit Roosevelt, constitutional law professor and author of The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America’s Story 00:00 Intro 03:16 America’s two foundings 07:20 The fight over America’s founding myth 15:18 Why every nation needs a story 21:43 Does a national story have to be a success story? 34:06 Why are Americans so attached to their ancestors? 42:02 Will the political pendulum swing back-and-forth forever? 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

Democrats don't know how to fix America’s spiritual crisis | The Gray Area

29/06/2026

Sean talks with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy about the crisis lurking beneath America's political dysfunction. Murphy’s new book “Crisis of the Common Good” argues that the country is suffering from a collapse of connection, belonging, and purpose. They discuss loneliness, powerlessness, liberalism, democracy, Trumpism, corporate power, social media, and why so many Americans feel disconnected from their communities, their institutions, and each other. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Sen. Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) 00:00 Intro 01:11 America’s ‘spiritual sickness’ 06:34 What does it mean to pursue the ‘common good?’ 10:33 In America, the powerful profit from ‘the disintegration of the broader populace’ 12:14 The story Trump is telling America 16:25 How does the Right diagnosis America’s spiritual crisis? 23:14 Why the Left’s rhetoric isn’t landing 36:35 Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Party 38:48 Why AI is the most important policy fight of the future 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

Young men are turning on Trump. Here’s why. | America, Actually

27/06/2026

Young men are no longer happy with Donald Trump. His net approval rating among the group that famously helped propel him to the White House in 2024 has dropped by 56 points. But is this shift real, or just noise? Vox’s Astead Herndon recently went to an event billed as an opportunity for the administration to reconnect with young men to find out: the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington DC. 00:00 - Is Trump losing young men? 00:58 - Inside the White House’s UFC event 01:25 - Gas prices and the Iran war 03:15 - Epstein files and a crisis of elite transparency 09:01 - Where masculinity and politics overlap 12:43 - Jack Posobiec on how Trump reached young men in 2024 16:58 - Defending the Trump administration’s foreign policy 17:49 - The Epstein dilemma 23:07 - Can JD Vance woo young men? 24:01 - The Blue Dog strategy 26:40 - What Astead took away from his trip to Washington DC 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

The internet is all bots now | The Gray Area

26/06/2026

Sean talks with Atlantic writer Charlie Warzel about the increasingly weird experience of being online. They discuss AI-generated content, bots, algorithms, the “dead internet theory,” and why so much of the web now feels artificial, manipulated, or unreal. They also explore psyops, conspiracy culture, social media, and the deeper question lurking beneath the AI boom: What are human beings actually for? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Charlie Warzel (@cwarzel) 00:00 Intro 01:45 The bot-haunted internet 08:53 Why the internet feels fake 15:11 The post-human internet 22:37 What is a psyop? 29:22 What is AI slop? 37:57 Charlie Warzel’s favorite part of the internet 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

Is America’s democracy beyond repair?

23/06/2026

“The Court has been putting a thumb on the scale in favor of the Republican Party, but it hasn't been putting a boulder on the scale.” Vox’s Ian Millhiser explains how, while the US is an “imperfect democracy,” it’s still a democracy that’s responsive to voters. 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

JD Vance’s new memoir is a pitch for his presidential run

23/06/2026

JD Vance is heavily rumored to be Donald Trump's successor in 2028. His new memoir is one of the first windows into how he wants to be seen and what he wants people to think of him. Vox's Christian Paz reads between the lines and finds a candidate whose Catholic faith and political record don't quite line up. Read the full piece at the link in bio. 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

What masculinity does to men | The Gray Area

22/06/2026

Sean talks with journalist Jordan Ritter Conn about his book “American Men,” an intimate look at four men trying to figure out what manhood and masculinity have given them versus what they have cost them, and what to do with the gap between the men they think they’re supposed to be and the men they actually are. They talk about being fathers and sons as well as about violence, shame, ambition, male friendship, loneliness, and why being a “good man” might mean finally letting go of the desire to perform manhood. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Jordan Ritter Conn (@jordanconn) 00:00 Intro 00:47 Beyond the ‘what’s wrong with men’ debate 06:30 Why so many men feel like they’re not enough 08:14 Four different paths to manhood 16:17 The role of fathers 19:44 Achieve doesn’t always bring confidence 24:54 The cost of male loneliness 33:21 Rethinking what it means to be a good man 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

Darializa Avila Chevalier’s win in NY points Dems in a new direction | America, Actually

20/06/2026

Two newcomers in high profile races in New York City are trying to get to Washington. On the way, they’re forcing the Democratic Party to confront its immediate future on technology, identity, and immigration. Vox’s Astead Herndon sits down with New York Congressional candidates Alex Bores and Darializa Avila Chevalier to talk about AI regulation, generational change, and why their races hold national significance. 00:00 — Why New York primaries have national implications 01:02 — Meet Alex Bores: Target of a tech super PAC 01:51 — From Palantir engineer to AI regulatory watchdog 06:32 — The debate over an AI moratorium and global competition 08:42 — The AI dividend: Universal basic income vs. tech disruption 09:55 — Inside the RAISE Act: Moving beyond watered-down safety laws 12:15 — Money and fear: Why Washington stays quiet on tech 14:50 — Part II: Darializa Avila Chevalier challenges the Democratic establishment in NY-13 15:43 — Generational change vs. identity politics 19:00 — Foreign policy at home: Connecting local budgets to global warfare 20:59 — Public safety and rethinking the criminal justice arsenal 23:14 — Moving past the 2020 "woker than thou" rhetoric 24:49 — The legality and ethics of deportation enforcement 27:35 — Navigating the future of the left Sources and further reading: 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

When colleges think Plato is too gay | The Gray Area

19/06/2026

Who gets to decide what’s taught in college classrooms? And should the answer be different at private colleges than at public universities? Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO In today’s episode, guest host Avishay Artsy speaks to philosophy professor Martin Peterson about why Texas A&M University asked him to stop teaching part of Plato’s “Symposium.” The two discuss academic freedom, who gets to decide what’s taught in university classrooms, and the value of Plato’s writing. The episode explores what happens when politics and educational values collide on campus. Host: Avishay Artsy, Vox Supervising Producer Guest: Martin Peterson, Professor of Philosophy at Texas A&M University 00:00 Intro 01:21 Why Professor Peterson was asked to revise his syllabus 03:02 Why Plato’s Symposium still matters 05:39 What do students expect to read in this class? 06:01 Texas A&M’s new policy 09:46 How professors responded 19:52 How students responded 22:25 Why is Professor Peterson resigning? 30:06 How Professor Peterson's research connects to his decisions 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

Why LA will never get a Mayor Zohran Mamdani

18/06/2026

With the election of Zohran Mamdani in New York City, big-city mayors have once again become a focal point of national politics. Now, in Los Angeles, the mayoral race in November is heating up with Councilmember Nithya Raman edging out reality TV star Spencer Pratt to secure her candidacy against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. And Raman, a Democratic Socialist like Mamdani, is zeroing in on housing and affordability as defining issues of local politics. But beneath the promises to take on hot-button issues that plague Angelenos, a persistent question remains: Why can’t the LA mayor get anything done? Part of the answer takes us back to the creation of the LA city charter, a product of the turn-of-the-20th-century progressive movement that emerged in response to the corrupt politics that plagued cities like New York and Chicago. Despite the radical and experimental origins of LA’s decentralized governance approach, a weak mayoral office may no longer be the best way to serve the people of Los Angeles today. Even if LA elected a progressive, Mamdani-esque candidate, the mayor’s office still has an uphill battle with fragmentation and decades of mounting red tape designed to favor negotiators over visionaries for mayor. Read more about the Los Angeles mayoral position: How much power does the mayor of LA really have? (Spectrum News): https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/california/inside-the-issues/2022/02/25/how-much-power-does-the-mayor-of-la-really-have- The 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles City Charter holds lessons for today’s LA (Haynes Foundation): https://haynesfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Essay-100th_Anniversary_of_Charter_Election.pdf How We Got This Way (Los Angeles has Always Been Suburban) (PBS SoCal): https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/lost-la/how-we-got-this-way-los-angeles-has-always-been-suburban Proposition 13's Hidden Effects On the Built Environment (PBS SoCal): https://www.pbssocal.org/history-society/proposition-13s-hidden-effects-on-the-built-environment Coming in 2028: “The second most powerful person in California” (Harvard Kennedy School): https://www.hks.harvard.edu/more/student-life/student-stories/coming-2028-second-most-powerful-person-california 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

Are you anxious, avoidant, or secure? | The Gray Area

15/06/2026

Sean talks with psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine about attachment, insecurity, and why our relationships shape us more than we think. They discuss his updated framework for anxious, avoidant, and secure attachment styles, why being ignored or excluded can feel so threatening, and how small everyday interactions can either calm the brain or send it spiraling. They also dig into childhood dynamics, therapy, conflict, friendship, loneliness, and different ways we can build more secure lives. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Amir Levine, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author of Secure: the revolutionary guide to creating a secure life 00:00 Intro 01:39 What is attachment theory? 08:17 Why is it so hard to feel secure? 12:11 The stories that fuel our insecurity 17:21 Why we overthink our relationships 20:50 Why being ignored feels so threatening 29:58 Why predictability isn’t boring 32:36 It may not be you. It may be your environment. 37:18 How to build a more secure life 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

Hasan Piker vs. The Establishment | America, Actually

13/06/2026

Hasan Piker has become one of the most prominent leftist voices in the US, serving as an online guide for a Democratic Party trying to navigate the new internet. But his rapid rise has sparked a furious backlash from the party's centrist establishment. Vox’s Astead Herndon sits down with Jonathan Cowan, president of the premier centrist think tank Third Way, who argues that Piker’s history of inflammatory rhetoric makes him a toxic liability that Democrats must cast out. Then, we put those exact claims to the Twitch streamer himself. 00:00 — Introduction: Is Hasan Piker toxic? 01:12 — The centrist case against Piker with Third Way's Jonathan Cowan 04:47 — Comparing Piker to far-right extremists 07:34 — Evaluating rhetoric and the threat of violence 10:19 — Electoral strategy: Moderates vs. deep blue progressive pushes 18:14 — The apology question: Third Way's challenges for Hasan 21:26 — Hasan Piker responds: Addressing the "cringe" past content 23:55 — "Pig dog" and allegations of antisemitic tropes 26:01 — Rick Scott hyperbole and streaming accountability 30:37 — Quadrupling down on Hamas and Israel stances 35:19 — Piker’s theory of political change and the Democratic Party 40:45 — Why liberals fail to capture Twitch and streaming culture 44:00 — Closing message to the Democratic establishment Sources and further reading: Democrats Are Too Cozy With Hasan Piker, WSJ Opinion: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/free-expression/democrats-are-too-cozy-with-hasan-piker-2ecee4cc 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 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

The AI movement to end humanity | The Gray Area

12/06/2026

Sean talks with writer Sigal Samuel about AI successionism, the growing movement that sees artificial intelligence as humanity’s rightful successor. They discuss why some people in the AI world think humanity should be replaced, how this vision borrows from old religious ideas about salvation and transcendence, and why artificial intelligence is a dangerous thing to worship. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Sigal Samuel (@SigalSamuel) Click here to read Sigal’s article on AI successionism. 00:00 Intro 01:15 What is AI successionism? 07:26 Intelligence vs consciousness 09:59 The disturbing politics of AI successionism 12:12 Is AI secessionism a religion? 23:04 Is this a way to escape our mortality? 24:49 Is intelligence the most valuable thing in the universe? 33:28 Is it wrong to put humans first? 44:49 Is successionism a way of reframing the ‘AI takeover?’ 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 understand your dreams & nightmares | The Gray Area

8/06/2026

Sean talks with dream scientist Michelle Carr about what dreams are, why we have them, and what they might reveal about the mind. They discuss nightmares, lucid dreaming, memory, consciousness, and whether dreams are just random brain noise or a kind of overnight therapy. They also explore why dreams feel so real and what the strange world of sleep can teach us about waking life. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling) Guest: Michelle Carr 00:00 Intro 00:53 What are dreams for? 05:14 Are dreams simulations? 10:45 Why do we forget our dreams? 17:31 Why do we have nightmares? 26:31 What are lucid dreams? 41:28 Can lucid dreaming backfire? 42:51 Is there a connection between dreams and consciousness? 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

Democrats in Virginia think they've found a winning message | America, Actually

5/06/2026

We went to Virginia to report on redistricting. What we found was a potential new message for Democrats to win over voters. Gerrymandering is usually treated as an academic problem. In Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, it’s a gut punch for many Democrats. After courts struck down a voter-approved redistricting amendment, grassroots volunteers are facing an uphill battle against voter cynicism. But now, Democratic candidates are pivoting away from abstract warnings about authoritarianism. Instead, they’re aiming at a new sweet spot: tying political corruption directly to the rising cost of living. 00:00 The midterms map battle 00:51 Ashland, VA: the center of the political universe 02:31 From Republican to Democratic protester: Katie Sitterson's journey 03:33 Why didn’t defending democracy work in 2024? 04:27 Maps whiplash and morale 09:06 How candidates are responding to gerrymandering 13:21 Linking corruption to affordability 18:01 Candidate forum at Libby Mill 23:12 Candidates pitch reforms 24:33 Takaways 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 the war in Iran could end affordable air travel

3/06/2026

Since the conflict in the Middle East led to the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, about 20 percent of global oil supply has been choked off, sending prices sky-high, especially for jet fuel. So far, the war may already be costing the airline industry an additional $15 billion. Airlines have responded by raising ticket prices, charging more for bag fees, and cutting flights that they’ve deemed unprofitable because of higher fuel costs. This price shock was a deciding factor in the May 2026 closure of Spirit Airlines. When a low-cost airline like Spirit goes under, it has a ripple effect through the entire industry, canceling flight routes and raising ticket prices all around. But even if the war were to end and fuel costs stabilize, major airlines might not be willing to bring their prices back down. In fact, corporations seem all but guaranteed to take advantage of pressuring consumers to pay more to fly. For over 40 years, flying has been an affordable way to travel. We’ve been living in an era of cheap flights that has shifted air travel from a luxury experience to a globalized mode of public transportation. This video explains how that era might be coming to an end. Read more about the state of the airline industry and the impact of the war in Iran: Changes in airfare in the US: https://onemileatatime.com/news/airline-fares-skyrocketing-data/ Reuters’ analysis of how the war is costing airlines: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/iran-war-saddles-global-companies-with-25-billion-bill-counting-2026-05-18/ Bill McGee on NPR discussing the state of the airline industry: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/26/nx-s1-5795931/how-the-iran-war-is-impacting-the-airline-industry Peter Campbell’s piece on the Iran war and the future of cheap flights: https://www.ft.com/content/a8f9aa9b-94f7-4188-8c53-e18b614c373f The Today, Explained newsletter covers the Spirit Airlines shutdown: https://www.vox.com/today-explained-newsletter/487758/spirit-airlines-shutdown 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

Americans don’t know how to stop working | The Gray Area

1/06/2026

Americans have absorbed the Protestant work ethic: the idea that our value as human beings – and our eventual salvation – is determined by how hard we work. Political philosopher Elizabeth Anderson explains how this evolved, why it pervades everything, and why it’s no longer serving us. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO This episode originally aired in January of 2024. Host: Sean Illing (@SeanIlling) Guest: Elizabeth Anderson, professor of public philosophy at the University of Michigan. 00:00 Intro 04:21 Why the Protestant work ethic still controls us 12:32 Why do treat wealth as a virtue and poverty as a vice 23:51 When making money becomes the point of life 30:40 Why can’t we have a better work-life balance? 32:35 How workers can reclaim their freedom 36:27 How to build support for a progressive work ethic 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