The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

There’s a lot of talk in journalism circles about what’s called “both sides-ism.” The basic idea is that, in some cases, the journalistic approach of representing both sides equally creates false equivalencies. Yet, in many cases, the avoidance of both sides-ism has become “one side-ism,” which can be worse. Also, today’s stories include Nicaragua’s new dictatorship, EU’s border tax on carbon, and a review of the movie “Eternals.” Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Noelle Swan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Some 2,300 New York City firefighters didn’t show up for work Monday, taking “sick leave” rather than get vaccinated. The situation seemed to be fueling fears and feeding a larger narrative of polarization. If you look a little closer, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Also: today’s stories, including a look at what Virginia’s latest election signals about negative partisanship, the view of climate justice from a village in Senegal, and the celebration of Diwali. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Reza is the real name for “Mohammad,” the Afghan we highlighted in September who worked as an interpreter and logistical aide for Americans and Canadians over the years. An intellectual, educated opponent of the Taliban, Reza Kateb was desperate to get himself and his family out of Afghanistan. Also: today’s stories, including a look at the labor shortage in America, a progress roundup on foster care, and commentary on the mental health of athletes. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Gifting is an economic culture-shifter. “It’s building more resilient communities. You know who your neighbors are in a hyperlocal marketplace. You come to rely on neighbors.” Also, today’s stories include China’s climate aspirations, a shorter workweek, and an East St. Louis grocer dedicated to community needs. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Noelle Swan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Economic growth is expected to rebound this fall, as pandemic caseloads fall. So is employment. Fewer people filed for first-time unemployment benefits last week than at any time since the United States was hit by the pandemic. A big question is when inflation will recede. Also: today’s stories, including how the Biden administration can react to a coup in Sudan, a look ahead of COP26, and what the Facebook Papers mean for the industry. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Democracy must build connections and create a steadily larger sense of community. But that work is not easy, and perhaps too easily reversed. If there’s a lesson in today’s Daily, that’s it. Also, today’s stories include Japan’s elections, the rights of Sudanese women, and Indigenous dispossession in the U.S. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A father showing up at school could be a kid’s worst nightmare. Embarrassing, right? But when a posse of dads started showing up at Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, it was an answer to prayer. Also: today’s stories, including a look at the proposed billionaire tax, whether the U.S. and China can avert a second Cold War, and a documentary that shows a different side of Chinese adoption. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Ashley Lisenby for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

For today’s lead story about Afghan refugees at a military base in Germany awaiting resettlement in the United States, we take a look at not just how families as a whole were faring, but specifically how the women were doing. Also: today’s stories, including communists facing a crackdown in Russia, how sea walls can protect the US against hurricanes, and the way Israel is extending a helping hand to Israeli Arabs. Join the Monitor's April Austin and Jingnan Peng for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Not long ago, Michael Mason supervised 6,500 adults in 56 offices across the U.S. Today, he supervises nine people – all children. That’s the result of answering a call to service far different from that which occupied most of his professional life. Also: today’s stories, including the "profound power" of vote by mail, the small-town mayor who could oust Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, and why Jane Goodall sees reasons for hope for the planet's survival. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Like the people of La Palma, I leaned on others to get me through – from the English woman who gave me a bag of oranges from her garden to the church that let me use the bathroom after being stranded at the top of a mountain. Also, today’s stories include why Americans are angry, the eruption of Cumbre Vieja, and the return of an ex-president in Ivory Coast. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Noelle Swann for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.