logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
32m 15s

The silent war

Vox
About this episode

The story of Army specialist Austin Valley highlights a crisis the US military can’t seem to solve: More service members die by suicide than in combat. A veteran psychologist told Congress what to do about it, and today he tells us.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Photo courtesy of Erik Valley.

Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast

Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Saudi Arabia is no joke
The Riyadh Comedy Festival was billed as “two weeks of laughs in the desert” but has comics asking, “At what cost?” This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. A poster f ... Show More
26 m
Oct 8
Trump deploys the National Guard
The president is attempting to send the National Guard into two American cities for two (seemingly) different reasons with two (for now) different results. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and K ... Show More
25m 55s
Oct 7
We're in our AI slop era
Meta just dropped Vibes and OpenAI just dropped Sora 2. Both social media platforms are filled with AI videos that warp our sense of reality. This episode was made in collaboration with Vox's Future Perfect. It was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by ... Show More
26m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2023
Thursday Jan 19 2023 Hour 2 - Alec Baldwin to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in 'Rust' set shooting
We are joined by a film armourer from Gunslingers Inc, Seth Rossman describes the use of guns on movie sets. Music journalist Eric Alper checks in to talk to us about the legacy of David Crosby who died earlier in the day. Did you catch the Slap Fight? Aaron Bronsteter, TSN's UFC ... Show More
39m 19s
Sep 11
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk & The Scourge Of Political Violence
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday at a conservative activism event held at Utah Valley University. President Trump called this political assassination “a tragedy,” while speaking with FOX’s Bret Baier, the President praised Kirk as “an unbeli ... Show More
32m 55s
Sep 13
Full Episode: Friday, September 12, 2025
Following the horrific assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Matt Gutman reports on the arrest of 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, Pierre Thomas has details on what we’re learning about the suspect and Jon Karl has more on Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s stark warning a ... Show More
23m 44s
Oct 2
The US military’s MAGA makeover
Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor turned Secretary of Defense, summoned US military leaders from around the world to present a new, “anti-woke” vision for the military – one without transgender troops, “fat” generals, or beards. Then, he closed with a prayer. It’s all part of a lon ... Show More
22m 12s
Sep 11
Full Episode: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
31-year-old conservative political activist, husband and father Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University, Matt Gutman has the latest on what is being called a “political assassination”, Pierre Thomas reports on the new details in the inve ... Show More
28m 16s
Sep 12
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, one of the most influential voices in the MAGA movement and the co-founder of Turning Point USA, is shot and killed during a speaking event in Utah. Jon and Dan react to the news and discuss the reactions from the left and right, and why we're seeing such a troublin ... Show More
1h 27m
Sep 11
Tragedy At Turning Point
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/damagereport and get on your way to being your best self. We discuss the latest of the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Trump pushes more divisive ... Show More
55m 15s
Sep 12
Full Episode: Thursday, September 11, 2025
More than 24 hours after a single bullet killed Charlie Kirk before a crowd of thousands, Matt Gutman has the latest on the FBI’s investigation and Pierre Thomas has details on the high-powered rifle the FBI says may have been used in the shooting; Rebecca Jarvis breaks down the ... Show More
23m 47s
Sep 12
The Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Killing
We look at the hunt for the killer of the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and at the political fallout of his assassination.Nicholas Bogel-Borroughs, an investigative reporter at The New York Times, discusses why the police are struggling to answer basic questions about the shoo ... Show More
27m 24s
Oct 8
Republicans Demand Answers Over Alleged FBI Spying Scandal
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot allegedly had a focus on the communications of eight Republican senators, including Senator Bill Hagerty, who has revealed how the FBI accessed their private messages. United States Senator Bill Hagerty ... Show More
33m 46s