The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Why some U.S. high school students think announcing college plans perpeuates a “toxic” culture of competition. Also: a truce crumbles in Syria’s last refuge, the Harriet Tubman $20 bill as a chance to redfine American heroism, and why after a loss female candidates tend to shy away from rematches. Join the Monitor's Kim Campbell and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Eleven people have died on Everest this climbing season, and by the numbers that is not unusual. The total number of climbers, particularly those who seemed ill-prepared, is. Also: how cops find healing on the job, how language influences South Africa’s sense of identity, and whether there is anything in the world cuter than a corgi race. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Over Memorial Day weekend, World War II veteran Peter DuPré accomplished something extraordinary with “The Star-Spangled Banner” and his harmonica. Also: a look at the challenges of Afghan peace talks, what it’s like to cover Congress, and a bridge-builder between Mexicans in the U.S. and their home country. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

President Donald Trump is considering pardons for several U.S. service members charged with or convicted of war crimes. Also: a look at how employers are ditching their old thinking about age and hiring more older workers, and a story about a town in southern Jordan and its centuries-old tradition of hospitality and the feeding of travelers. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Molly Jackson for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Why top business leaders believe its time to make climate change a non-partisan issue. Also: a closer look at what’s really driving voter attitudes in Europe, the rising voice of veterans in U.S. politics, and what role humans should play in encouraging the revival of wild wolves. Join the Monitor's Mark Trumbull and Noelle Swan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

No matter who triumphs in the National Basketball Association playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors tomorrow, there will be a clear winner: Africa. Also: a look at one of the paradoxes of hyperpartisanship, a first-person account of what it’s like to vote with nearly a billion friends, and why fashion’s repeated cultural faux pas are eminently avoidable. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Eva Botkin-Kowacki for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Here’s an item from ABC News: “A Nepalese mountain guide reached the peak of Mount Everest for the 24th time, breaking his own world record for most summits – that he set less than one week earlier.” Also: our five stories of the day, which include a look at the fits and starts toward a new nuclear treaty, addressing global warming one tree at a time, and summer movies for people who don’t like summer movies. Join the Monitor's Laurent Belsie and Samantha Laine Perfas for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

Looking around at commencement exercises this weekend, of which there were many, it was hard to miss the emphasis on community – on the village that helps bring graduates to that special day, and the village that those graduates should aspire to join. Also: our five stories, which look at challenges involving activism, equity, and democratic engagement. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

In Louisiana, antiabortion activists say they emphasize the well-being of the woman as well as the fetus, an approach they claim has reaped dividends as the state passes more restrictions. Also: In Southern Spain, Farmers get creative in fighting climate change. And Saturday is International Museum Day, and institutions around the globe are celebrating with special events. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.

At Oregon’s only women’s prison, inmates help to raise endangered butterflies. Also: an in-depth examination of the hidden costs of free college; and in Europe, a 500-person experiment in disagreement as a path to understanding. Join the Monitor's Noelle Swan and Ken Kaplan for today's news. For more information, visit csmonitor.com/daily.