Start your day with our new, bite-sized podcasts, Vox Quick Hits

Vox Quick Hits cover the big, important topics in news, politics, and pop culture in just a fraction of the time.

2020 took one look at my podcast listening habits, laughed maniacally, and tore them to shreds. My commute disappeared, along with my gym membership and planned travel. I no longer had time to kill while making my way to an appointment, friend’s place, bar, restaurant, or movie theater.

More critically, my brain started to short-circuit in March, fried from the deluge of news and stress and the blurring boundary between work and home life. I rarely had the mental capacity, let alone the time, for a 30- or 60-minute podcast. Listening started to feel more like a chore than a respite, which was a problem. And I’m willing to bet you’ve felt the same way.

Luckily for me (and you, if this made you think “same”), Vox now has something to help with this exact problem: Vox Quick Hits.

Vox Quick Hits isn’t a traditional podcast, but rather a playlist where you can hear a mix of short episodes from Vox podcasts you know and love, plus some brand-new series. You’ll get the concise yet deep explanations you need on everything from Biden’s first 100 days in office to the best Netflix binge-watch.

Episodes are 10 minutes or less — perfect for squeezing into those random pockets of free time in your day. Three new episodes arrive in the Vox Quick Hits playlist each morning*, Monday through Friday. (*Except for Tuesdays, which will typically have two new episodes.)

Your interests vary, so the types and topics of podcasts in your day-to-day lineup will too. But episodes will always arrive in this order:

First, the most important news story of the day from Today, Explained.

Next, an update on politics and policy.

And the last episode will either cover pop culture or consumerism …

… or recommend your next book or binge-watch.

You can find Vox Quick Hits and subscribe in all the usual podcast places. If you’re more of a smart-speaker person, you can find us on Google Nest and Home speakers, too. Just say: “Hey/Okay, YOU KNOW WHO, play the Vox Quick Hits podcast.”)

Want more bite-sized content from Vox? Recode Daily, hosted by senior reporter Teddy Schleifer, focuses on the most important Silicon Valley people, businesses, and stories that are influencing the rest of the world. Hear a new episode each day, always 10 minutes or less, wherever you listen to podcasts — including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

May your brain feel less fried and more informed in 2021.