The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

They might seem unrelated: forgotten musical compositions, an overlooked obituary, the heralding of an Olympic athlete. But they all speak to black history, which is celebrated this month, and to the values a society reveals in the stories it chooses to tell. Also: a look at the mood of Democrats, North Africa as a frontline in climate change, and a hopeful Russian investigative journalist. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

What does it mean to be Virginian? Unnerved by political turnover, one rural, conservative county is considering leaving Virginia. Also: democracy in Libya, a technique to prevent forest fires, and an alternative preschool on wheels. Join the Monitor's Eva Botkin-Kowacki and Nate Richards for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Sen. Mitt Romney could easily have fallen in line. Instead, the Republican from Utah became the first U.S. senator to vote against the president of his own party in such a trial. It’s the “paradox of political courage”: Americans yearn for politicians who do what they think is right. But when public figures go against their own party, they are attacked. Also:which include the roots of divisions in the Democratic Party, a former coal town’s struggle to redefine itself, and one man’s quest to translate the internet into Arabic. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

What happens when the global ties that bind economies are suddenly cut? The world is getting a hint of the answer, in an unexpected way. Also: our five stories, which include a look at the road ahead for President Trump, what's at stake if Israel annexes West Bank territory, and actors who blissfully confound our expectations. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

What do football players and African grey parrots have in common? Altruism. Also: our five stories, which include Iowa’s wake-up call for democracy, a values clash among anti-abortion Democrats, and our global survey of progress. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

It’s a good moment to think about how we push for the political outcomes we want. The points of contention are familiar: health care, wages, and climate, among others. But can individuals better frame these debates? Can we assert facts without judgment? Also: our five stories, including engagement in Iowa, order and disorder in Rwanda, and hope that’s both local and national. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Eva Botkin-Kowacki for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Old Vienna is looking decidedly modern when it comes to giving its residents innovative incentives to fight climate change. Also: including Buttigieg and black voters in Iowa, the political stakes of the coronavirus, and whether a biological robot is alive. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie and Jessica Mendoza for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

When our reporter heard about an important new book by journalist Ezra Klein, which explores the roots of America’s partisan climate, his thought turned to Aristotle. The Greek philosopher linked ethics to moderation, defining core virtues in terms of finding a mean between the extremes. Also: a controversy over who gets to tell someone's stories, the “Trump effect” in Iowa, and how a space telescope changed human perspectives. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Eva Botkin-Kowacki for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Ahead of this weekend’s Super Bowl, consider this. The real game will be the mind game. Just watch the offense of the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s a symphony of misdirection, intended to befuddle and bewitch more than bludgeon. Also, details of President Trump’s Mideast peace plan, Brexit’s challenge in cutting global ties, and unexpected outbursts of friendship in Iowa Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

NASA’s naming contest for the next Mars rover received 28,000 essay submissions from K-12 students. The nine that made the finals show that kids get it: The contest is not only about naming a 2,300-pound robot going to the red planet in July. They’re defining the attributes for out-of-this-world success. Also, our five stories, which include misperceptions about the impeachment trial, finding trust in an age of misinformation, and the history of creativity among Cairo’s tentmakers. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Lindsey McGinnis for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.