The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

This week, I discovered BTS. OK, stop laughing. BTS, I now know, is a K-pop supergroup – seven South Korean lads who have sung and danced their way into billions of hearts. Their success – and fan devotion – rivals that of the Beatles. Also: today’s stories, including a look at shifting geopolitics in Latin America, how farmers are adapting to extreme weather in Canada, and how social media is connecting poets with new audiences. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Lucy Harper wants Americans to think about their country differently. She has taught classes and led workshops from Florida to Illinois, all to instill the conviction that America is not a political prize to be fought over, but an idea to be fought for. Also: today’s stories, including a look at increasing diversity in the GOP, why people are turning to cryptocurrency, and what the end of Roe would mean for U.S. servicewomen. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

New Orleans often showcases overcoming adversity (hurricanes) and exemplifies jubilation (Mardi Gras). In that sense, one graduation class is a mirror of its hometown. Also: today’s stories, including a look at how election distrust affects local officials, contrasting political responses to the Partygate scandal, and how Mexican and U.S. journalists are providing guidance to migrants through a newspaper. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Over the past few days, songwriter Jesca Hoop hasn’t been able to stop thinking about the victims and survivors of the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas. Also: today’s stories, including a look at why the Ukrainian Orthodox church is striking out on an independent path after 350 years, a new plan to rename Army bases, and grassroots solutions to flooding in New Orleans. Join the Monitor's Stephen Humphries and Erika Page for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Defending people’s freedoms should not be at odds with protecting lives. Today’s stories explore various potential solutions to gun violence and mass shootings in the U.S. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

When a student hurled an antisemitic slur at Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, the rabbi took the opportunity to have a friendly conversation with the young man about the history of antisemitism. “The lie has to be countered,” Rabbi Litvin says. “But the whole conversation doesn’t have to be a condemnation.” Also: today’s stories, including a look at China and the U.S.’s Taiwan strategy, the rise of eco-fascism, and our review of “Top Gun: Maverick.” Join the Monitor's Noelle Swan and Clay Collins for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Nationally, in Congress, there’s been little or no agreement on how to protect children from mass shootings. Also: today’s stories, including a letter from Uvalde, a look at how the Federal Reserve is battling inflation, and an explainer on when an atrocity rises to the level of genocide. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Erika Page for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

President Joe Biden has this funny habit: He says what he thinks, even if he contradicts his own government’s policy. It happened again yesterday in Tokyo, when a reporter asked if he was “willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan, if it comes to that.” Also: today’s stories, including a look at how Chief Justice John Robert’s track record of consensus building is being tested, what Lebanon’s elections tell us about the electorate, and how a single mother is faring amid the affordable housing crisis in Northern California. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Have you heard about the car with no windows? If you love vehicular innovation then you might have seen that Apple’s been filing patents reportedly aimed at developing an autonomous ride that would pair virtual reality feedback with exterior cameras and could, well, look like a giant wireless mouse on wheels. Also: today’s stories, including how an Army ethicist works to mold moral soldiers, whether voting should only be for citizens, and how a show about corruption might encourage better policing. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The Buffalo community is coming together to fill the void left by the shuttered grocery store where the shooting happened. In today’s stories, we explore Joe Biden’s Asia visit, the “great replacement theory,” and the relevancy of “Downton Abbey.” Join the Monitor's Ali Martin and Laurent Belsie for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.