Many of us think our individual actions can’t combat systemic problems. Vox's Rachel Cohen and Bowling Alone author Robert Putnam explain why volunteer work, no matter how small, can make a difference for you and for us all. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette and Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A volunteer serving a Thanksgiving meal at the Long Beach Rescue Mission. Photo by Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Rachel Cohen had decided that volunteering her time wasn't really worth her time.
I'm 32 years old, and I'd say really since I was in late high school, junior, senior year, I started to see volunteering as kind of pointless.
It wasn't gonna make a big difference on the things I cared about.
It wasn't gonna move the needle.
So I just stopped doing it.
But then she changed her mind, and then that changed.
Hi, it's Rachel with We are family.
I have groceries and produce ahead on.
Today Explained you will need something good in 2025.
And we have an idea for.
I'm Ashley C.
Ford, and I host into the Mix, a Ben and Jerry's podcast about joy and justice produced with Vox Creative.
For the past few years, I've seen a lot of hand wringing about Governor Ron DeSantis agenda to end what he calls woke indoctrination.
But we wanted to know, what does that mean?
And how does this agenda actually affect the people living and working there, especially those who have benefited from the divers equity and inclusion programs that DeSantis policies would uproot.
Check out the latest miniseries on into the Mix of Ben and Jerry's podcast.
Subscribe now.
I'm Noel King with vox's Rachel Cohen.
Rachel covers some of the most fraught topics in America.
Abortion, childcare, housing.