Puberty hits different now

Kids are going through puberty earlier, and scientists think they have found another reason why. Pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson and puberty educator Vanessa Kroll Bennett explain why it should also change the way we talk about puberty.
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Miles Bryan, engineered by Rob Byers and Andrea Kristinsdottir, 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
Cover art for "This is so Awkward" by Cara Natterson, MD and Vanessa Kroll Bennett. Image published with courtesy of Rodale Books.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day.

Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

• No. of episodes: 1,896
• Latest episode: 2025-08-01
• News Daily News Politics

Where can you listen?