The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

America’s image as a beacon of hope has taken a hit with the indictment of Donald Trump. Still, Americans can take heart in the lessons of other democracies: former leaders can be held to account while their country survives. In today’s stories, we also examine the drop in murder rate in U.S. cities, America’s “epidemic of loneliness,” and India’s rail safety. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Liam Archacki for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Lionel Messi is coming to America. By this point, many of you will have heard. At the end of one of the most storied careers in soccer history, the legend and World Cup hero is coming to Miami to play in Major League Soccer. Also: today’s stories, including From MLK to Black Power: Books trace Civil Rights Movement, At Odd Pet Vet, quirky critters find love and care, and At French Open, Ukrainian stars seek Russian support. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Could a young family make it through a week of grocery shopping without picking up any plastic? Our climate writer, Stephanie Hanes, gave it a try. Also, today’s stories including: Will 2024 play out like 2016 all over again? How do you balance the demands of a sports league that’s promoting a social agenda with the rights of players wanting to express their personal beliefs? Why did a mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party go largely unnoticed? For the town itself, that adds to the struggle to find healing. Join the Monitor's Ali Martin and JJ Wahlberg for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

When Americans travel, they see mountains and valleys and oceans. When Susan Straight travels, she sees novels. As she passes through regions of the country on one of her epic road trips, she views people and landscapes through the lens of literature. Also: today’s stories, including: As both red and blue states loosen child labor laws, Americans are debating questions that last came up at the beginning of the 20th century, How one city stopped culture wars in its tracks, and eastern Germans are wrestling with after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

How does one respond when a once-trusted friend turns out to be an aggressive threat to its neighbors? Join the Monitor's April Austin and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

During Matt Williams’ career in television, he often heeded “a divine nudge.” Mr. Williams felt a divine nudge to quit Hollywood. He’s launched a multimedia project titled “Glimpses,” a counterpoint to the darkness in the news. His new podcast and a forthcoming book focus on glimpses of God in everyday life. Also: today’s stories, including Secret schools defy Taliban to offer Afghan girls light and hope, A path to guaranteed transfers for community college, and Boosting jobs: Coding camps and streamlining for startups. Join the Monitor's Stephen Humphries and Clay Collins for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

America is the most homicidal rich country in the world, and from its founding, the South has been the country’s most violent region. But there are signs of progress. In today’s stories, we also look at Biden’s debt deal, Henry Kissinger’s tough questions for America, and the new Spider-Man animation. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Currently, I have 99 problems and lack of time is the biggest one. I bemoan not having enough time to read every single book that I scooped up recently at Publishers Weekly’s first in-person U.S. Book Show in New York City. Where do I go from here? Summer doesn’t last forever, but I feel like my reading list does. Also, today’s stories including: While some far-right members are unhappy with the debt deal, others say Speaker Kevin McCarthy is holding an unwieldy GOP caucus together better than most. Royal weddings often highlight tradition and history but in Jordan, celebrations around its crown prince’s nuptials are all about the future. Few plastics are recycled, and instead, particles are increasingly ubiquitous in the environment. Our story explores a problem facing governments as well as individuals and corporations. Join the Monitor’s Laurent Belsie and JJ Wahlberg for today’s Christian Science Monitor Daily.

As a Monitor correspondent in Thailand, Simon Montlake covered elections and coups, in that order. Any elected government that takes on the military, or is seen as a threat to its status, runs the risk of being deposed, if not by tanks in the streets then by a “judicial coup,” in the form of a court order that disbars politicians and dissolves their parties.

Also: today’s stories, including Secular women fear for future under new Erdoğan term, Why Camille Dungy can’t separate her garden from Black history, and ‘Past Lives’ looks at childhood love, and what we leave behind.

Join the Monitor's Clay Collins and April Austin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

While ChatGPT has made some journalists worry about their jobs. Some also see reasons for optimism – about the kind of journalism it can free news outlets to do, and the new ways it can reach a broader audience. In today’s stories, we talk to Taiwan’s representative to the U.S. about tensions with China; we explore the crucial role of AI in Hollywood strikes; and give you a taste of Jordan’s ‘yogurt that unites.’ Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

A week ago, a British researcher published an article titled “Stories of kindness may counteract the negative effects of looking at bad news.” As you might imagine, I was intrigued. Kathryn Buchanan of the University of Essex shared four main takeaways from her research: Stories of kindness remind us of our shared values. They support “the belief that the world and people in it are good.” And they provide “relief to the pain we experience when we see others suffering.” Also, today’s stories include: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is focused on Iowa as a key to the 2024 primary race. Pundits predicted incorrectly that earthquake victims would take out their anger on President Erdoğan. Across Asia, communities are adapting to extreme temperatures, showcasing both human resilience and the far-reaching costs of climate change. Join the Monitor’s Ali Martin and Troy Sambajon for today’s Christian Science Monitor Daily.