The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Populations of humpback whales in the South Atlantic have recovered from near extinction to pre-20th-century abundance. The numbers are unfathomable – from 450 in the 1950s to 25,000 now. Also: questions about Latino political power, Chinese students on U.S. campuses, and a new app for an old tradition in Jordan. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Who puts out an inflatable snowman on Nov. 1? Way too early, right? But there’s a catch. Also: the Republican point man on impeachment, resilience amid the Venice floods, and Venezuela’s musical gift to Argentina. Join the Monitor's Dave Scott and Lindsey McGinnis for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

These are trying times for journalists. They face growing threats globally, from violence to cyberbullying to legal challenges designed to intimidate. Also: today’s five stories, including how Houston curbed homelessness, a Mexican teacher’s push to end violence against women, and double discrimination in French soccer. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

A word on the value of every vote: We were reminded of that Thursday when Gov. Matt Bevin of Kentucky conceded that he lost his close reelection race last week. Also: our five stories, including a look at why voters are suddenly eyeing the middle, the source of Lebanese resolve, and how student journalists are balancing fairness and empathy on campus. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Noah Robertson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

The impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukraine has offered a living lab into the Constitution, one that teachers are upending their lesson plans to ensure their students understand. Also: our five stories, including the different worlds of Hong Kongers and mainland Chinese, where Bolivia’s democracy goes from here, and a new look at old-fashioned farming. Join the Monitor's Yvonne Zipp and Timmy Broderick for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

How we talk to each other matters. One study suggests that we face a moral empathy gap. It’s not that one side has no morals, it’s that we don’t see that people prioritize universal values differently. Also: our five stories, including impeachment through two different lenses, a potential sea change in British politics, and what pork says about Chinese identity. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Why would a billionaire and the first black governor of Massachusetts each suddenly be pondering a run for president? Also: today’s five stories, including lawmaking in a time of impeachment, a retail challenge to the Salvation Army, and black culture in America according to author Darryl Pinckney. Join the Monitor's David Clark Scott and Lindsey McGinnis for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

The Donald Trump presidential era has been something of a golden age for the sale of political books. Also: today’s five stories, including rugby as a reflection of inclusion in South Africa, the role of the Sabbath as sanctuary in modern life, and the power of music to capture the zeitgeist of tumultuous times. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Lindsey McGinnis for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

We often see texting as a divisive force increasing isolation in society. But recent stories of people supporting each other through text suggest that our capacity to love and care remains strong – no matter how we “meet.” Also: the unifying power of protests, what the 25th Amendment has to do with impeachment, and what meatless burgers say about the mainstreaming of green viewpoints. Join the Monitor's Eva Botkin-Kowacki and Noah Robertson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

One hundred years ago this week, Albert Einstein redefined the world’s sense of reality. Also: today’s five stories, including a universal message from unrest in Chile, the extraordinary grace of Ebola survivors in Congo, and the fantastical world of author Erin Morgenstern. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Noelle Swan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.