The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Unity is difficult. As the Taliban are finding, it’s easier to take shortcuts or to leave some people out. But ultimately, that doesn’t work. Unity is not a “nice to have.” It’s an essential foundation stone. Also, today’s stories include the European Union’s rules on democracy, a wildlife refuge in Albuquerque, and a movie review of “Dune.” Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Fair pay in pro baseball’s minor leagues is about as rare as a no-hitter. On average, these wannabe Big Leaguers make less per hour than workers at McDonald’s or Walmart. And it’s legal. Also: today’s stories, including a look at President Biden’s efforts to bridge divides in the Democratic Party, the coalition government in Israel, and how one Afghan refugee is fighting to save her sisters. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

It likely comes as no surprise that people in the U.S. believe there’s considerable conflict between those with different backgrounds or political viewpoints. But despite not getting along very well right now, most people recognize that differences enrich us. Also: today’s stories, including what a deadly street battle means for accountability in Lebanon, why solar panels aren’t always welcome in rural America, and how odds are improving for animals caught up in environmental disasters. Join the Monitor's Trudy Palmer and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The Monitor dipped into broadcasting back in the late 1920s, and then went international via shortwave the following decade. It continued doing audio and in 2018, launched three podcast series. Now we’re poised to lean in more. Why? Audio can be convenient and engaging, heads up, and hands free. It can also be deeply affecting. Audio delivers emotional intimacy. It humanizes. Also: today’s stories, including a look back at the life of Colin Powell, how a dam removal marks a win for environmentalists and Native Americans, the way that polish witches are bringing joy and comfort to their community. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Old coal mines. Shuttered auto plants. A decrepit U.S. Navy yard. Promising sites for landscape architecture? They don’t sound like it. But one pioneering designer takes such rough grounds and transforms them into beautiful places that honor what happened there, using reclaimed materials, grasses and trees, and imagination. Also: today’s stories, including a look at executive privilege in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot, how Éléonore Laloux is helping France see disability differently, and a day in Joshua Tree National Park. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Ashley Lisenby for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Let me share with you one of the more unpopular words in politics and society today: pragmatism. Today’s issue throws light on that idea from a different perspective. Also, today’s stories include electoral challenges in 2022, Europe’s scramble for coal, and kayaking in Soweto. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Noelle Swan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

As economic demand has revived, the supply of workers has – to the surprise of some – been slow to catch up. Concern about health risks of public-facing work during a pandemic clearly seems to have weighed on workers, in addition to other challenges. Also: today’s stories, including a look at what’s next for Congress, housing discrimination in Boston, and how para rowers demonstrate resilience. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Monitor reporter Sara Miller Llana, writes about her recent trip to Canada’s Resolute Bay as she and Fred Weir and I take you to a changing Arctic this week – the Northwest Passage of Canada and the Northern Sea Route of Russia. Also: today’s stories, including how the U.S. and Canada can work together in a thawing Arctic, what Congress can do to keep our data private, and the possibilities of power without fossil fuels. Join the Monitor's Yvonne Zipp and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Hamilton the endangered donkey will be 3 months old this Saturday. Hamilton is rare because he’s a purebred Poitou donkey, one of only several hundred worldwide; he’s important because he was conceived using artificial insemination, the first time that’s worked with a Poitou in the U.S. Also: today’s stories, including one Western town’s solution to wildfires, whether the world is averting its eyes from famine in Ethiopia, and the invasive fish spurring creative responses in Cyprus. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A senior at Fordham University in New York last year, Ms. Quiroga saw her beloved Bronx devastated by the pandemic. So she did what she thought she could do best: She gave her neighbors a voice. Also, today’s stories include shuttering Guantanamo Bay, Afghan midwives during the Taliban rule, and how languages in Africa impact science. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.