The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

A Monitor reporter arrives for an interview with Serhii and Tetiana Khoroschiak, two Ukrainian farmers in the Black Sea-fronting Mykolaiv region, where a port exporting grain has recently reopened. It ends with the Monitor team finding themselves seated at the couple's son's wedding banquet, offering a toast to the newlyweds, and feasting on an endless spread of stuffed cabbage leaves, smoked mackerel, marinated eggplant, and liver pie. Also: today's stories, including government accountability in a Mexican massacre, another shot at a third party in American politics, and climate change in Minnesota – where too much rain, rather than too little, is posing issues. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Elizabeth Freeman has more to say. In 1781, she became the first African American woman to sue successfully for her freedom. Freeman’s pioneering advocacy is not widely known. But this month, a Massachusetts town unveiled a statue honoring her and shining fresh light on how we tell history. New research about her story may challenge long-standing perspectives – Massachusetts’ view of itself as a place where slavery didn’t really exist, for example. Also, today’s stories: hints that Democrats might yet avoid a midterm “shellacking,” a look at free school meals after the pandemic, and a reflection on Serena Williams’ triumphant career. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

When a video leaked last week of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin dancing boisterously at a private party, sparking fierce criticism, women around the world rushed to her defense – by dancing. They posted their own dance videos on social media with the hashtag #SolidarityWithSanna, scoring hundreds of thousands of views. Also: China’s military drills off the coast of Taiwan, checks and balances in Iraq, and an essay about an unathletic adult finding joy in paddleboarding. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Clay Collins for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Last summer, Khalida Popal knew the Taliban were winning before they got to Kabul. As program director of Afghanistan’s women’s national soccer team, she hoped “my girls” had begun to make plans to leave. With her help, all her players escaped Afghanistan safely. Next month, she’ll travel to Australia, where the team is thriving as a special member of an women’s soccer Australian league Also: today’s stories, including student debt relief, increasingly authentic Native American representation in film and TV, and how whales communicate. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A bit of good news out of Ukraine: The Russian invasion of Ukraine initially led to a spike in global wheat prices. But a Russian-Ukrainian deal to allow grain exports through the blockaded Black Sea has meant some 600,000 tons of grain, mostly wheat and corn, have now reached the global market. And thanks to bigger than expected harvests in Canada, the U.S., and Russia, world wheat exports are projected to be 5% higher than last year. Prices have fallen 40% since March. Also: today’s stories, including Native Americans reclaiming the sport of lacrosse, Gen Z abortion rights activists, and allegations of Saudi Arabian “sportswashing.” Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Classrooms are starting to fill up once again, and we’re finally moving on from many of the pandemic-related schooling measures that defined the last two years. But parents and children are still reckoning with a hostile political environment, seeing an escalation of temperatures on social media and in person. One middle school’s “theme” for this school year? Kindness. Also: today’s stories, including honoring the deceased in Ukraine, women breaking into politics in Japan, and four audio books worth a listen. Join the Monitor's Ali Martin and Clay Collins for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A dirty secret in the electric car industry is that the rare earth elements needed to power the vehicles often come from an dodgy supply chain. But 17-year-old Robert Sansone, subject of a recent Smithsonian magazine article, is 16 iterations into a possible solution: a synchronous reluctance electric motor. Also: today’s stories, including a series of labor strikes in the U.K., how a librarian navigates book bans in the U.S., and a greenhouse in Wyoming that doesn’t just give people with disabilities a job, but meaningful employment. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

While fear and depression have overwhelmed many Afghan activists under Taliban’s rule, signs of resilience and resistance shine through.

In today’s stories, we explore China’s role in Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, what sci-fi and fantasy say about conflict and cooperation, and we profile a musician who sang in Ukraine’s bomb shelters. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Society often looks to professional athletes as role models. When they stumble in their personal lives or in their on-field behavior, they’re rightly criticized as setting a bad example. A little league game in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently showed compassion and camaraderie that the pros could learn from. Also: today’s stories, including how cities are fighting back against state-level abortion restrictions, a reflection on Salman Rushdie, and the state of journalism in Kashmir. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Lindsey McGinnis for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

After last night’s primaries, what’s next for Liz Cheney and the GOP? In the wee hours Wednesday, Ms. Cheney reorganized her election account, flush with $7 million, into a federal political action committee called The Great Task – a phrase from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Will she run for president, either as a Republican or an independent? Also: today’s stories, including Gazans dodging rockets, mitigating air conditioning’s emissions, and an end to early morning start times for California schools. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Clara Germani for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.