The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

“Megxit” will remain an irresistible U.K. story. Also: a deep look at America’s political tribalism, what Saturday’s election means for Taiwan, and a profile of a would-be Steve Irwin who wants to save Thailand’s snakes. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Democracy worked better in the recent past because governments could largely control narratives, a former CIA analyst argued in his book. Also: what French strikes say about trust in government, the stunning scope of the Australian wildfires, and a firsthand glimpse of homebuying in California. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

An 8-year-old girl from New Zealand and her mother made 200 pairs of mittens for koalas with burned paws. Also: the diplomatic ripple effects of the Soleimani assassination, a search for solutions in California’s housing crisis, and a foray into ethical fashion design. Join the Monitor's Noelle Swan and Timmy Broderick for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

On Monday night, 60 satellites were launched into orbit – the next step in Elon Musk’s plan for high-speed internet access around the world. Also: security in Iraq, a shift in how U.S. colleges measure merit, and challenging injustice in South Africa. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Reducing intergroup conflict, which is often based on emotional, inaccurate beliefs rather than specific positions, appears daunting. But people may overcome their mistrust once they saw others as individuals rather than blocs. Also: cyberwarfare and the conflict with Iran, why TikTok matters, women’s rights and religious sensibilities in Israel. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Sometimes people need a little nudge to do something – even when it's in their own interest. That’s the human-behavior insight behind the rise of automatically enrolling workers in retirement-savings plans, and even automatically raising the contribution rate as their income goes up. Also: our five stories, including a look at escalation in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, an anthropologist’s role in the Ebola crisis, and progress for women in Russia. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

New Year’s conversations invariably turn to resolutions, which some avoid. But resolutions aren’t entirely about making literal goals. They can be a vehicle for reflection and regrouping, a chance to check in with oneself. Also: our five stories, including optimism in the world’s economy, a unique strain of environmentalism in Alabama, and an effort to break down barriers around Swiss dinner tables. Join the Monitor's Eva Botkin-Kowacki and Timmy Broderick for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

A koala is not a cuddly animal. It has sharp claws. It’s shy, and can be irascible with humans. That’s what makes Anna Heusler’s good Samaritan encounter with one of Australia’s iconic marsupials so surprising. Also: our five stories, including the fear underlying anti-Semitism, how American vets are stopping gun suicides, and a review of worldwide progress in 2019. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

The stabbing of five Jewish congregants Saturday at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, occurred on the seventh night of Hanukkah. That followed a string of recent incidents – more than a dozen this month – in which Jews were targeted. Also: our five stories, including a look at what Brexit doesn’t solve, why a Palestinian election seems more real, and how human habitation is being rethought. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and Kim Campbell for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Around the country, dialogues aimed at understanding the “red-blue divide” are springing up. Also: today’s five stories, including the ethics of alien life, a chat about the values of “Star Wars,” and finding meaning in Tuba Christmas. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Dwight Weingarten for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.