Today, Explained

John Bolton, former UN ambassador and Trump national security adviser, joins to dissect Trump’s sudden turn on Iran. He talks about why he wanted regime change, but not this version. The conversation digs into shaky war planning, a wounded but dangerous Tehran, fractures needed for collapse, and why Trump’s chaotic decision-making worries even longtime hawks.

Ashley Rae Harris, a culture critic and TV writer, and Sachi Cole, a senior writer at Slate, dig into the backlash around Lindy West’s memoir and her move toward polyamory. They explore feminism, consent, coercion, public judgment, dating app baggage, and why polyamory sparks such intense debate.

Philip Kennicott, a Washington Post architecture critic, and Jonathan L. Fisher, a senior editor at The Atlantic, dig into Trump’s bid to remake Washington. They track the Kennedy Center takeover, the backlash from artists and audiences, and the shift in programming. They also explore how monuments, design rules, and a proposed victory arch could change the capital’s civic meaning.

Catherine Bracey, tech policy advocate and TechEquity founder, joins Sarah Hershander, a journalist covering philanthropy and institutions. They dig into OpenAI’s nonprofit beginnings, its awkward split with a for profit arm, and the strange idea of a $180 billion charity. They also examine legal challenges, shaky governance, and whether future giving could serve the public or the company.

Have you seen the video of the US military bombing Iran spliced with clips of SpongeBob Squarepants? It’s an official video released by the US government and represents a new kind of wartime propaganda. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. A screenshot from a White House X post about the Iran war titled "Operation Epic Fury." Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Horowitz, a political scientist focused on military tech, and Josh Keating, a foreign affairs journalist, dig into how Iran’s cheap drones are reshaping war. They explore interceptor shortages, the high cost of stopping low cost attacks, regional escalation, underground drone production, and why future conflicts may hinge on cheaper defenses.

Diane Winston, a USC scholar of religion and media, joins McKay Coppins, an Atlantic writer and Mormon commentator, and Bridget Read, a New York Magazine features writer. They dig into Mormon influencers, why Mormon homemaking aesthetics took off online, the faith’s path into mainstream America, and how TV turns religious themes into pop culture drama.

Nancy Pelosi, former House Speaker and a powerhouse California Democrat, reflects on entering politics at 47, breaking through sexism in Washington, and why she still believes in Americans after January 6 and the attack on her husband. She also talks legacy, voting rights, women in power, and what it takes to win elections.

Helen Rosner, New Yorker restaurant critic, and Stephanie Breijo, LA Times food reporter, dig into Rene Redzepi, Noma’s massive influence, and the abuse allegations surrounding its culture. They explore fine dining’s mythmaking, brutal kitchen hierarchies, public backlash, chef reactions, and why diners still chase the experience despite the controversy.

Clive Thompson, a journalist and author on coding culture, joins Lauren Goode, a Wired senior correspondent covering Silicon Valley. They dig into vibe coding, build an AI job-replacement checker live, and explore why AI coding tools spread so fast. They also tee up debates over security, technical debt, agent swarms, and a future of cheap, custom software.