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🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
This enlightening series from Vox digs into a wide range of topics such as the rise of cryptocurrency, why diets fail, and the wild world of K-pop.
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Episodes
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- E1 SugarJul 16, 2021 · 24 min · ★ 8.0
Synopsis
Once crucial for survival, sugar now poses a health risk. Is there a way to satisfy our primeval craving for sweetness in a healthy, balanced way?
Guest stars: Keri Russell (Narrator (voice))
- E2 RoyaltyJul 23, 2021 · 24 min · ★ 7.3
Synopsis
How do monarchies survive when they no longer wield power? By presenting a royal fairy tale that may not reflect the reality of the past — or present.
Guest stars: Rosario Dawson (Narrator (voice))
- E3 FlagsJul 30, 2021 · 22 min
Synopsis
A flag can unite, divide and terrorize. Explore how a piece of cloth transformed into a powerful symbol of both love and hate, freedom and oppression.
Guest stars: Samira Wiley (Narrator (voice)), Fidel Castro (Self (archive footage)), George H. W. Bush (Self (archive footage)), George W. Bush (Self (archive footage)), Adolf Hitler (Self (archive footage)), Donald Trump (Self (archive footage)), Ronald Reagan (Self (archive footage)), Nelson Mandela (Self (archive footage))
- E4 DogsAug 6, 2021 · 23 min
Synopsis
Who's a good dog? They all are! From puppy-dog eyes to feats of heroism, see how canines evolved into humankind's best friends and sources of pure love.
Guest stars: Jake Gyllenhaal (Narrator (voice))
- E5 The End of OilAug 13, 2021 · 21 min · ★ 6.8
Synopsis
Oil led to huge advancements - and vast inequities. As the planet warms, why is it so hard to turn away from fossil fuels, and can it be done in time?
Guest stars: Ethan Hawke (Narrator (voice)), Boris Johnson (Self (archive footage)), Lyndon B. Johnson (Self (archive footage)), Moon Jae-in (Self (archive footage)), Vladimir Putin (Self (archive footage)), Xi Jinping (Self (archive footage)), Joe Biden (Self (archive footage))
- E6 ChessAug 20, 2021 · 23 min
Synopsis
For centuries, chess has captured hearts and minds — and pawns — and it's more popular than ever. What makes this ever-changing board game so special?
Guest stars: Rainn Wilson (Narrator (voice))
- E7 Your SkinAug 27, 2021 · 21 min
Synopsis
Don’t panic, but our skin plays host to trillions of bacteria, fungi, mites and other microscopic guests. Go beyond skin-deep with our largest organ.
Guest stars: Sophie Okonedo (Narrator (voice))
- E8 ApologiesSep 3, 2021 · 22 min
Synopsis
Apologizing is tough, and in this era of public mea culpas, forgiveness isn't guaranteed. What makes for a good apology, and why does it hold such power?
Guest stars: Keke Palmer (Narrator (voice)), Doja Cat (Self (archive footage)), Joe Biden (Self (archive footage)), Justin Trudeau (Self (archive footage)), Ted Cruz (Self (archive footage)), Michael Bloomberg (Self (archive footage))
- E9 HurricanesSep 10, 2021 · 23 min
Synopsis
As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive.
Guest stars: Héctor Elizondo (Narrator (voice))
- E10 Plastic SurgerySep 17, 2021 · 24 min
Synopsis
The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.
Guest stars: Kim Cattrall (Narrator (voice))
- E11 Dance CrazesSep 24, 2021 · 20 min
Synopsis
From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?
Guest stars: Kelly Rowland (Narrator (voice))
- E12 TimeOct 1, 2021 · 25 min
Synopsis
Time flies… sometimes. Its passage can seem to speed up and slow down. Why do we experience time the way we do, and how do we take back some control?
Guest stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Narrator (voice))
- E13 Country MusicOct 8, 2021 · 25 min
Synopsis
Dirt roads. Pickup trucks. Hip-hop? As the borders around country music shift, who decides what defines the popular genre, and who gets to be a star?
Guest stars: Connie Britton (Narrator (voice))
- E14 Fairy TalesOct 15, 2021 · 24 min
Synopsis
Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.
Guest stars: Ruth Negga (Narrator (voice))
Cast & crew
Created by Ezra Klein
Videos
Trailers
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