The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

As the Federal reserve tries to slow rapid inflation, how are everyday Americans coping with increasing economic pressure? Also: today’s stories, including how Mike Pence braved the ‘lions' den’ on Jan. 6, how Colombians are shaking up their elections, and why women are pushing back against machismo in French politics. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Jingnan Peng for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Ukraine war shows need for Germany to rearm. But is it ready? Also: today’s stories, including what a French heat wave could mean for North Africa, How Boston’s Haley House builds community, and how democracies deflate empty lies. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Though many expected the Jan. 6 committee to investigate Mr. Trump’s involvement and piece together what he was doing in the West Wing as police officers battled rioters for hours on Jan. 6, the laser-like focus on him as the instigator of an attempted coup has surprised even some Democrats. Also: today’s stories, including a look at what is being done to curb rising gas prices, how Cuban's are reacting to food shortages and how 80’s icon Kate Bush is back like she never left. Join the Monitor's David Scott and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A biographer’s role is “helping readers bridge the gap between their experience and a life from the past,” says Megan Marshall, who has written three biographies of extraordinary women. She says that when readers see themselves and their times reflected in a biography, it can give them perspective. Also: today’s stories, including a look at the contrasting ways to tell American history, an account of Ukrainian farmers striving to grow their crops in wartime, and the month’s 10 best books. Join the Monitor's April Austin and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Nowadays, it’s worth pondering over the place of electronics, and particularly smartphones, in our lives. Looking at what the Amish do may bring both insight and perspective. Also: today’s stories, including U.S. intelligence support to Ukraine, China’s interactions with the UN, and garland vendors in Saudi Arabia. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

I’ve attended, watched, or read the transcript of countless congressional hearings in my decades as a journalist. But I’ve never encountered anything like Thursday night’s hearing of the U.S. House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Also: today’s stories, including a look at Ukrainians using tech to fight war crimes, how young people are transforming worship, and why the Star Wars universe is speaking out against racism. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Many Americans are looking deeply into why the nation seems so fractured. This week, with the news of the assassination of a former judge in Wisconsin and an apparent attempt to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, that question is only more urgent. What have we become? Are things spinning out of control? Also: today’s stories, including a rundown of the upcoming Jan. 6 hearings, how Indigenous peoples see their North America, and an inspiring youth soccer team. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Clara Germani for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Dustin Johnson and five other golfers resigned this week from the PGA. Is Mr. Johnson being disloyal to the tour – and the corporate sponsors – that spawned his career? Also: today’s stories, including a look at public education and the way it connects to America’s future, the effects of China’s ‘zero-Covid policy,’ and India’s living bridges. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Perhaps no photo has captured the terrors of modern war, and of the Vietnam War in particular, more than the image of a group of South Vietnamese children running in horror from a napalm bombing. Associated Press photographer Nick Ut’s image, “The Terror of War,” was taken 50 years ago tomorrow. Also: today’s stories, including why Liz Cheney is staking her career on Jan. 6, how European educators are supporting Ukrainian students, and how a Canadian volunteer patrol is keeping Indigenous women safer. Join the Monitor's Clara Germani and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Joaquin Ciria spent 32 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Mr. Ciria’s nightmare ended on April 20, when he was released. His was the first case reviewed by the Innocence Commission, an independent panel of experts set up by San Francisco’s district attorney to correct wrongful convictions. Also: today’s stories, including a look at whether the gun has become a sacred object in America, how advocates are working to spotlight the unresolved cases of missing and murdered Native women, and a new project that celebrates birdsong. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Laurent Belsie for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.