The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Thirty years ago, author James Davison Hunter looked over American politics with foreboding. In his book “Culture Wars,” he lamented how politics was being taken over by cultural issues on which compromise was impossible. Also: today’s stories, including the good business of clean energy, how The Sewing Machine Project stitches lives back together, and a review of ‘Underground Railroad.’ Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Graduating from high school is a major milestone. So when Timothy Harrison asked his boss at the Waffle House in Center Point, Alabama, to get May 27 off to go to his graduation ceremony, “Of course,” Cedric Hampton replied. “It’s your big day!” Also: today’s stories, including a look at a major expansion in gun rights, sports team owners and the call for racial justice, and our weekly point of progress. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Molly Jackson for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Hiking, swimming, fruit buffets. It’s the latest in retirement living for former Ringling Bros. circus elephants at White Oak Conservation center, in Yulee, Florida, where a dozen Asian elephants recently arrived. Also: today’s stories, including how thoughts about retirement are shifting, a view from the last abortion clinic in Mississippi, and when a Twitter war gets… respectful? 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 Monitor’s Peter Grier thinks of Memorial Day he thinks of lilacs. In much of the northern United States, lilacs bloom in May and are the flower of ritual remembrance – and perseverance, as well. Also: today’s stories, including Iran’s role in the conflict in Gaza, California’s long history with gun control, and our writer’s favorite gardening shows. Join Peter, and Molly Jackson, for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

This morning had that late spring mix of moist air and sunlight, which made Laurent push a little: three miles, farther than he had run in months. So later, reading a clip about China’s ultramarathon disaster this past weekend, he felt a certain twinge that got him thinking. Also: today’s stories, including the idea behind an unpopular housing tax in China, why parents are so angry in one of American’s best school districts, and women-only ride-hailing apps in Africa. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Last weekend, Simone Biles became the first female athlete to land a Yurchenko double pike in vault during a competition. What’s behind the kind of drive that leads her to execute moves so extraordinary that, so far, four are named after her? According to her coaches: being motivated from within. Also: today’s stories, including an uphill battle for President Biden’s agenda, British Indians rallying behind pandemic relief efforts for the homeland, and a coach helping incarcerated people run life’s race. Join the Monitor's April Austin and Mark Sappenfield for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

In March, a lawyer named Brandon Boulware delivered a speech that has more than 7 million views on Twitter. He wasn’t in court. He was asking Republicans in the Missouri state legislature not to ban his 12-year-old transgender daughter from playing sports with other girls. Mr. Boulware’s approach offers a model for civil discourse – regardless of the particular issue at hand. Also: today’s stories, including why more Democrats are pressing Biden to support Palestinian rights, what a reopening D.C. says about America, and whether heavy trucks can pull their weight in carbon emissions. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Kim Campbell for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Progress can be hard to find in stories that are relentlessly incremental – like the response to global climate change. But new developments suggest some movement on climate at a time when climate-related disasters are producing more internally displaced people than wars. Also: today’s stories, including a resurgent youth movement emerging in Palestine, a hard road forward for Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a list of books about respect. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

President Biden’s visit to an electric vehicle center highlights his economic goal: investing in innovation and infrastructure while creating jobs and combating climate change. In today’s stories, we look at the Taliban’s spin on US troops’ departure; how protests became a family affair in Colombia; and the journey of one of NASA’s ‘hidden figures.’ Join the Monitor's April Austin and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

In today’s stories, we explore efforts to redefine wildfire safety, Denmark’s refugee dilemma, and climate concerns over rice paddies. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.