The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

I was in the fifth grade. It was recess. A friend and I were playing by the jungle gym, and for whatever reason we were talking about kitchen appliances. I distinctly remember referring to the thing you use for baking as an “oh-ven,” rhymes with “woven.” My friend laughed and corrected me. My friend hadn’t been cruel about it, but I was mortified. I took pride in my English, even at that age. I had this sense, unarticulated but powerful, that if only I could get my accent right, if only I could sound American enough, I would automatically belong in my new California town – never mind that I’d been raised in the Philippines. Also: today’s stories, including Russia’s assault on Ukraine, President Joe Biden nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and Canadians rebuilding trust in government following the “Freedom Convoy” blockade. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Noelle Swan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The Monitor’s journalists begin to sort through Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine and what it means for the United States and the world. Also: Views of freedom and democracy from both sides of the American-Canadian border, efforts to save Florida’s manatees, and a review of the film “Lunana''. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The Arbery case in Georgia may serve as an example that accountability and motive matter, especially in a time of rising bigotry. Also: today’s stories, including the perspective of ordinary Ukraine residents on the conflict with Russia, a storytelling program in Baltimore that explores Black history, and community resilience after a tornado in Mayfield, Kentucky. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

This year, instead of featuring a slew of pieces celebrating Black people and their accomplishments during February, which is Black History Month in the United States, the Monitor redoubled its commitment to making Black perspectives a regular part of our coverage throughout the year – and not only for Black Americans but for all people of color in the U.S. and beyond. Also: today’s stories, including a look at Russia’s recognition of breakaway Ukrainian statelets, how trust factors into the U.S. response on Ukraine, and forest management in Canada. Join the Monitor's Trudy Palmer and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

If most of the athletes in a pro sport are Black, shouldn’t the leadership be too?

Also: today’s stories, including a look at Ukrainians on the front lines, why the meat industry is becoming an important test for Biden, and how Germany is fighting pandemic uncertainty. Join the Monitor's Noelle Swan and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

“But let me be clear: I am here today not to start a war, but to prevent one.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the U.N. Security Council in a surprise speech today. Here’s what the speech says about the U.S. strategy towards the Ukraine crisis. Also: today’s stories, including inflation’s impact on politics and non-profits, Qatar-U.S. relations, and one man’s fight for equality in rhythmic gymnastics. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The 2022 Winter Olympics were always going to be an exercise in compartmentalization. Could we enjoy the sport without feeling like enablers?

Also: today’s stories, including people affected by homelessness documenting their experiences through pictures they took; the shift in San Francisco liberals’ commitment to compassion-driven governance; Russian cyberattack threats. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang hail from very different poles of the political spectrum. But they agree on one thing: “The boys are not all right.” Also: today’s stories, including a look at the West’s potential sanctions against Russia, the current ‘crisis in masculinity’, and how tutoring programs are helping students in Tennessee. Join the Monitor's Yvonne Zipp and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Some Super Bowl fans – especially in Cincinnati – were hoping their team would end a 33-year dry spell on Sunday. Instead, pro football’s Cincinnati Bengals lost a close one to the Los Angeles Rams. But for viewers looking closely, the Super Bowl venue in Inglewood, California, still showcased a small win – for climate action. Also: today’s stories, including Ukraine facing Russian disinformation campaigns, Electoral Count Act reform, and young Arab citizens’ challenges in working in the tech sector. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A former Monitor Moscow correspondent reflects on progress and change she witnessed criss-crossing Ukraine in the late 80s and early 90s and juxtaposes that with the crisis that looms today. Also: today’s stories, including the Joe Rogan controversy, homelessness in Paris, and Monitor correspondent Fahad Shah’s last dispatch before he was imprisoned. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Jingnan Peng for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.