The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

10 years ago the LeBron James Family Foundation offered free laptops and bicycles to more than 300 third graders in Ohio. This month, those students graduate high school. Also: today’s stories, including how the Biden administration aims to rectify relationships with Asian countries, how churches aim to save a warming planet, and the story of how J.P. Morgan’s librarian hid her race to advance during the 20th century. Join the Monitor's Laurent Beslie and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Extreme heat and wildfires are again testing the western United States, including the country’s northwest corner. For help, some states have long reached into prisons. In Oregon, trial by wildfire has led to a kind of compensatory justice, and a chance to redefine people who’ve made mistakes as valued participants, too, in an effort to help. Also: today’s stories, including How Joe Biden is navigating a Catholic Church in conflict, how race shaped the South’s punitive approach to justice, and whether the great outdoors’ diversity problem can be fixed. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

In warmer months, hermit thrush song is one of the glories of the woodlands of northern America and Canada. The hermit thrush has inspired a number of poets. Sometimes it’s even been called “the poet’s bird.” Also: today’s stories, including political motives inspiring support for a revived Iran nuclear deal, the demand for a papal apology following the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves in Canada, and renewed international attention on Nicaragua amid democratic decline. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

At The Monitor, we value conversations that bridge divides. That’s why the Human Library – where volunteers are “books” with titles like “Muslim,” “Soldier (PTSD),” or “Young Mother” and visitors can “check out” that book for a conversation – caught our eye. Also: today’s stories, including two accounts of the human impact of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a free speech win in the case of the cursing cheerleader, and reopening in New York. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Almost no one, especially not the highest court in the land, buys the National Collegiate Athletic Association argument that the only form of payment for student athletes should be an education. The U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled 9-0 against the NCAA caps on education-related compensation.

Also: today’s stories, including how public schools are balancing goals of academic merit and racial equality of opportunity and how Jordan’s royal family manages to shake public confidence.

Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Molly Jackson for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

When David Rosmarin was just starting out as a psychologist, a number of patients asked him, “Can I talk to you about God?” His perplexed response? “Well, not really,” he says with a laugh. “I’m here to be a behavior therapist.” Also: today’s stories, including, how your ‘cloud’ data ended up in one Virginia county, women on a mission: Life-changing adventures by horse and bicycle, and a deep dive into Croatia’s tourism problem. Join the Monitor's Stephen Humphries and Noelle Swan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Becky Shu Chen could not be more engaged. Her issue – the wild elephants of China – had become international news as a herd roamed toward her native city, Kunming, in southern Yunnan province. Also: today’s stories, including whether the rich are taxed too lightly, how the Stonewall Uprising changed the course of LGBTQ activism, and why Pixar’s ‘Luca’ will leave you smiling from gill to gill. Join the Monitor's Kim Campbell and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

When the girl was born, her golden hair reminded her grandmother of a fine silk ribbon. So that became her name. But most of Canada never knew, because it was in Kanien’kéha, the Mohawk language, and most of Canada didn’t have any interest in it. So she just went by Jessica Deer. But her name is part of a larger story. Also: today’s stories, including how greater status means more scrutiny for Kamala Harris, why COVID-19 lab leak hypothes is getting a fresh look, and what one painter is doing to put Black art in people’s hands. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

U.S. climate policy has led to no small amount of controversy and hand-wringing. The data show a planet hurtling toward crisis while American policy is the crooked line of a nation divided on the issue. Also: today’s stories, including an update on the U.S. Supreme Court rulings, politics in Israel, and Juneteenth’s belated message of emancipation. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

You’ve probably seen news reports about the 15 elephants trekking across southwest China’s Yunnan province. Why are these Asian elephants migrating so far?

Also: today’s stories, including the summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the health of American democracy, and insights from “worker bee” dancer Gavin Larsen. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Molly Jackson for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.