Explain It to Me

Dara, Jane, and Matt take a look at America's first pandemic Census. Resources: "The pandemic may leave communities of color undercounted in the census — and cost them billions" by Donna M. Owens, Vox "Trump is still trying to collect citizenship data for redistricting" by Nicole Narea, Vox "A once-in-a-century pandemic collides with a once-in-a-decade census" by Andrew Whitby, Brookings "Over a m...

Ezra and Matt on the deep roots (or not) of the lockdown debate. Resources: "Experts’ 7 best ideas on how to beat Covid-19 and save the economy" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "This drawing explains a surprising amount about your political views" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "America’s coronavirus testing numbers are really improving — finally" by German Lopez "The Density Divide" by Will Wilkinson, Niskane...

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the road ahead for the worst labor market since the Great Depression. Resources: "As deaths mount, Trump tries to convince Americans it’s safe to inch back to normal" by Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker, Philip Rucker and Yasmeen Abutaleb, Washington Post "Get ready for a second wave of economic pain" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "The economy is in free fall. So why isn’t the stock m...

Ezra and Matt on America's lost month and what happens next. Resources: "April was another lost month for Trump’s coronavirus response" by German Lopez, Vox "Flattening the curve isn’t good enough" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "COVID-19: The CIDRAP Viewpoint" by Peter M. Sandman & Jody Lanard, Cidrap "Canada succeeded on coronavirus where America failed. Why?" by Zack Beauchamp, Vox "US coronavirus da...

Dara, Jane, and Matt break down the great mobilization vs persuasion debate. Resources: "What Happened in the Georgia Gubernatorial Election?" Catalist Analytics, Medium "The case for taking Trump’s black outreach seriously" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "Michelle Obama Is Mad at ‘Our Folks,’ Not Trump Voters: ‘That’s My Trauma’" by Kevin Fallon, Daily Beast White paper Hosts: Matt Yglesias (@mattygles...

Ezra and Matt on congressional bargaining strategy and the China blame game. Resources: "Congressional Democrats are governing from the minority" by Ezra Klein, Vox "Many world leaders have seen double-digit polling surges amid coronavirus. Trump isn’t one of them." by Roge Karma, Vox Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox C...

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss the possibility of "human challenge trials" to speed vaccine development. Resources: "How Anthony Fauci Became America’s Doctor" by Michael Specter, The New Yorker "What Each Side of the COVID-19 Debate Should Understand About the Other" by Brian Doherty, Reason "Special Report: Peruvian coca farmers to Paris pushers, coronavirus upends global narcotics trade" by Gabri...

Ezra and Matt on the failures of some popular epidemiological forecasts and a viral Silicon Valley essay urging America to build again. Resources: "The US has a national service for predicting the weather. It needs one for predicting disease." by Brian Resnick, Vox "What happens next in the coronavirus outbreak? We mapped 8 scenarios." by Julia Belluz, Vox "It's time to build" by Marc Andreessen,...

Dara, Jane, and Matt on conservatives’ desire for a rapid reopening of American businesses, and a 'feel good' white paper about air pollution. Resources: "This is where all 50 states stand on reopening" by Alaa Eslassar, CNN The Heritage Foundation's plan. The American Enterprise's plan. The Center for American Progress's plan "The legal scholar who shaped Trump’s coronavirus response defends his...

Ezra and Matt break down the implementation problems that have bedeviled the CARES Act. Resources: "Policy by no other means" The Weeds Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox Credits: Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and Producer Cold open courtesy of NBC News More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podc...

Congressional oversight committee member Bharat Ramamurti joins Matt to explain his new job and what's wrong with shareholder capitalism. Guest: Bharat Ramamurti (@BharatRamamurti), Member, Congressional Oversight Commission Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Credits: Jeff Geld (@jeff_geld), Editor & Producer More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Ap...

Ezra and Matt review four major plans for after social distancing; plus the Democratic primary finally ends. Resources: Dan Hopkins' tweet "National coronavirus response: A road map to reopening" by Scott Gottlieb, AEI "A National and State Plan To End the Coronavirus Crisis" By Zeke Emanuel, Neera Tanden, Topher Spiro, Adam Conner, Kevin DeGood, Erin Simpson, Nicole Rapfogel, and Maura Calsyn, Ce...

Dara, Jane, and Matt on the intersection between the pandemic and Trump's border crackdown, and a white paper about happiness. Resources: "It’s Impossible to “Distance” in ICE Detention. Doctors Say Free All Detainees." by Jack Herrera, Truthout "How ice operations in New York set the stage for a coronavirus nightmare in local jails" by Ryan Devereaux, The Intercept "Leaked Border Patrol Memo Tell...

Ezra and Matt discuss Covid-19's impact on insurance premiums, the case for single-payer, and more. Resources: "Coronavirus May Add Billions to U.S. Health Care Bill" by Reed Abelson, NYTimes "The coronavirus crisis hasn't changed Joe Biden's mind on 'Medicare for All'" by Sahil Kapur, NBC News Briahna Joy Gray Tweet "Fighting coronavirus won’t help struggling Maine hospitals pay the bills" by Cha...

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the evidence for mask wearing, and a totally non-coronavirus white paper. Resources: "Why America ran out of protective masks — and what can be done about it" by German Lopez, Vox "Why Telling People They Don’t Need Masks Backfired" by Zeynep Tufekci, NYTimes "It's Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work" by Ferris Jabr, Wired "Masks for Coronavirus Will Not Last Long in th...

Ezra and Matt analyze the huge but inadequate stimulus bill Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast app to get stay updated on this story every week. About Vox Vox is a news network that...

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the Defense Production Act, wartime mobilization, and pandemic-induced autarky. Resources: "Trump’s excuses for not using the Defense Production Act are wrong — and dangerous" by Alex Ward, Vox "“We are desperate”: Trump’s inaction has created a crisis with protective medical gear" by Caroline Hopkins, Vox "The Defense Production Act, the law Trump is using to boost coronav...

Jane talks to Asawin Suebsaeng and Lachlan Markay about their new book "Sinking in the Swamp" on chaos at the White House and how President Trump differs (and doesn't) from prior administrations. As a note - this episode was recorded on February 26, 2020. Resources: "Too Many Trump Books Are Like Eagles Records. These Daily Beast Reporters Wanted Theirs to Feel Like a Mudhoney Album" by Andrew Bea...

Brookings’ Andre Perry explains his research on how racism cripples black entrepreneurs and homeowners Guest: Andre Perry, (@andreperryedu) Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast a...

Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss President Trump’s new more serious tone and competing economic stimulus proposals. Resources: "Coronavirus’s threat to the global economy — and what to do about it" by Matt Yglesias, Vox "Dear Congress: Send Americans cash. Send it now." by Dylan Matthews, Vox "Mitt Romney’s coronavirus economic plan: $1,000 to each American adult" by Dylan Matthews, Vox "Restaurants A...

Ezra and Matt on dueling pandemic response plans from Sanders and Biden, and Trump's disastrous speech. Resources: President Trump's oval office address Joe Biden's coronavirus address Bernie Sanders' coronavirus address Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox About Vox Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noi...

Conor Dougherty on his new book "Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America" Guest: Conor Dougherty, (@ConorDougherty) Economics reporter, New York Times Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite podcast app to get stay updated on this story...

Jane, Dara, and Matt on queer politics after marriage equality. Resources: "Before Stonewall" by Jane Coaston, MTV News "My Mayor Pete Problem" by Dale Peck, New Republic "Last Men Standing" by Erin Allday, SF Chronicle "You Wanted Same-Sex Marriage? Now You Have Pete Buttigieg." by Shannon Keating, BuzzFeed "The Struggle for Gay Rights Is Over" by James Kirchick, Atlantic Census & LGBT Demographi...

Conservative thinker Robert George joins Jane to talk about abortion, marriage, the Supreme Court, and wielding the power of the federal government.  Guest: Robert George, (@McCormickProf) Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University Host: Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast,...

The Kaiser Foundation's Josh Michaud explains what the US is — and should be — doing to fight coronavirus.  Guest: Josh Michaud, (@joshmich) Associate Director, Global Health Policy, The Kaiser Foundation Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favori...