The Christian Science Monitor Daily Podcast

Senior congressional correspondent Christa Case Bryant spoke to citizen problem-solvers about fixing the institution that she covers. In today’s intro, she tells some of the story behind her story. Also: Christa's full report, and today’s stories, including the chaos of new lawmakers in Congress, Egyptians’ creativity during a food crisis, and a review of the new documentary “Wildcat.” Join the Monitor’s Clay Collins and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

The notion of progress can be fraught. Whose progress? Whose ideals? Whose metrics? Also: today's stories, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking to Congress, a multi-panel graphic depicting space exploration, and a look at our reviewer's top 10 movies this year. Join the Monitor's Mark Sappenfield and Clara Germani for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Like Jo March in “Little Women,” my mom firmly believed that Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without any presents. She loved giving gifts, and her generous heart just expanded every December. The family budget, however, did not. So sometimes she had to get creative. Also: today’s stories, including a collection of stories celebrating the light that shines this season, a look at Icelanders cozying up with books during the cold and dark, and Christmas without commerce. Join the Monitor’s Amelia Newcomb and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

“Why is there war?”

That’s what the 5-year-old daughter of a colleague’s friend asked a guide recently after visiting the Mapparium, a stained-glass globe visitors can walk through and is located in the same building as the Monitor. Standing literally inside a world on the cusp of global conflict in 1935, when it was created, she cut to the heart of what she was taking in. Also: today’s stories, including a look into the Jan. 6 House select committee failing to investigate why Capitol Police were unprepared, Christmas for children in Ukraine during wartime, and a program in Louisiana using discarded Christmas trees to help rebuild shorelines. Join the Monitor's Amelia Newcomb and Stephen Humphries for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Want a good-news story from Washington? Here’s one: Congress is very close to protecting democracy by plugging holes in a crucial 135-year-old law. Also: today’s stories, including Republicans questioning if Donald Trump is the way forward, a family in Canada reuniting with their child after 13 years, and a list of Monitor reviewers' favorite books this year. Join the Monitor's Peter Grier and Ali Martin for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

What do you do if you’re a politician, and Sam Bankman-Fried – aka SBF, the indicted cryptocurrency tycoon – donated to your campaign? Maxwell Frost, soon to be the first Gen Z member of Congress, made a show last week of giving his tainted SBF money to charity. Also: today’s stories, including Congress urging criminal prosecution against a former president for the first time in history, jubilation turning to determination in Kherson, and Pakistani director Saim Sadiq’s feature debut “Joyland”. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Monitor editor Mark Sappenfield reflects on the life and work of legendary journalist and former Monitor editor John Hughes. Also in today’s stories: Tunisians confront their autocratic president as he attempts to undermine democracy, India works to consolidate its power amid economic growth and Chinese influence, and the passing of the Respect for Marriage Act has revealed the progress and hangups of LGBTQ rights in Colorado. Join the Monitor’s Mark Sappenfield and Stephen Humphries for today’s news.

“AI is starting to play an increasingly important role in journalism, as more and more news organizations are using it to improve their operations and deliver high-quality content to their audiences.” A bot wrote that. Also: today’s stories, including COVID concerns in China, the prisoner exchange involving Brittney Griner, and a review of ‘Avatar’. Join the Monitor's Ali Martin and JJ Wahlberg for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Today, Morocco’s dream of reaching the World Cup final ended with a 2-0 loss to France. But it was a historic ride. Also: today’s stories, including a new sense of hope in Venezuela, how learning pods are helping students post-pandemic, and a Christmas music album that celebrates tradition and wider perspectives. Join the Monitor's Ken Makin, Mark Sappenfield, and Ken Kaplan for today's news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.

Headlines today show the power of persistence. A nuclear fusion experiment has produced more energy in a reaction than was used to ignite it. Also: today’s stories, including a push to reduce energy consumption in Europe, migration trends in the U.S. Southwest border, and a mentorship program that shows a more positive idea of manhood. Join the Monitor’s Mark Trumbull and JJ Wahlberg for today’s news. You can also visit csmonitor.com/daily for more information.