https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-ThisWho reports the news? People. And at The Christian Science Monitor, we believe that it’s our job to report each story with a sense of shared humanity. Through conversations with our reporters and editors, we explain the qualities behind our reporting that affect how we approach the news. Behind today’s headlines we find respect, resilience, dignity, agency, and hope. “Why We Wrote This” shows how. The Monitor is an award-winning, nonpartisan news organization with bureaus around the globe. Visit CSMonitor.com/whywewrotethis to learn more.https://images.csmonitor.com/csm/2026/01/1145231_3_why-we-wrote-this-album-cover-1400_square.jpghttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-ThisSun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 EDT© 1980–2026 The Christian Science Monitoren-useditor@csmonitor.comtechnical@csmonitor.comepisodicChristian Science Monitorpodcasts@csps.comThe Christian Science MonitornoThe Christian Science Monitorpodcasts@csps.comSun, 05 Apr 2026 13:13:03 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2606Movies about aliens have fascinated audiences for decades. But two new movies about alien life – “Project Hail Mary” and “Disclosure Day” – led Monitor culture writer Stephen Humphries to wonder, What does our fascination with aliens tell us about our views of humanity? In this writer’s-notebook variation on our “Why We Wrote This” podcast, Stephen shares excerpts of his conversations with three of the experts in his recent story.Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2606Movies about aliens have fascinated audiences for decades. But two new movies about alien life – “Project Hail Mary” and “Disclosure Day” – led Monitor culture writer Stephen Humphries to wonder, What does our fascination with aliens tell us about our views of humanity? In this writer’s-notebook variation on our “Why We Wrote This” podcast, Stephen shares excerpts of his conversations with three of the experts in his recent story.Movies about aliens have fascinated audiences for ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2605Amid recent ICE operations in Portland, Maine, Monitor staff writer Cameron Pugh and Director of Photography Alfredo Sosa traveled to see how Mainers were responding in the face of the immigration enforcement surge. But the story of one activist, documentary filmmaker, and self-described “African Mainer” offered an exploration of an age-old question: What does it really mean to be an American?Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:59:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2605Amid recent ICE operations in Portland, Maine, Monitor staff writer Cameron Pugh and Director of Photography Alfredo Sosa traveled to see how Mainers were responding in the face of the immigration enforcement surge. But the story of one activist, documentary filmmaker, and self-described “African Mainer” offered an exploration of an age-old question: What does it really mean to be an American?Amid recent ICE operations in Portland, Maine, Mon...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2604In our last episode, we spoke with a veteran of Olympics coverage, in Milan for his eighth Games. This week, we sit down with an Olympics rookie, also in Milan, who has brought to bear the reporting skills she honed covering hardball national politics. Olympics editor Kendra Nordin Beato guest hosts this conversation with Story Hinckley. They discuss how Story attacked her assignment like a slalom skier running the gates, got thoroughly swept up in the spirit of competition – and learned a few things about herself while delivering some gold-medal coverage.Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2604In our last episode, we spoke with a veteran of Olympics coverage, in Milan for his eighth Games. This week, we sit down with an Olympics rookie, also in Milan, who has brought to bear the reporting skills she honed covering hardball national politics. Olympics editor Kendra Nordin Beato guest hosts this conversation with Story Hinckley. They discuss how Story attacked her assignment like a slalom skier running the gates, got thoroughly swept up in the spirit of competition – and learned a few things about herself while delivering some gold-medal coverage.In our last episode, we spoke with a veteran of Ol...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2603With the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Mark Sappenfield has now covered eight Olympics. Those include four previous Winter Games – in Salt Lake City, Turin, Vancouver, and Sochi. In this episode, Mark, the Monitor’s global correspondent, joins Kendra Nordin Beato, our Olympics editor. They talk about why the Winter Games are Mark’s favorite, how he finds distinctly Monitor angles on important stories that are magnets for other professional outlets and social media influencers alike, and what he’s watching for, this time around.Mon, 09 Feb 2026 05:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2603With the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Mark Sappenfield has now covered eight Olympics. Those include four previous Winter Games – in Salt Lake City, Turin, Vancouver, and Sochi. In this episode, Mark, the Monitor’s global correspondent, joins Kendra Nordin Beato, our Olympics editor. They talk about why the Winter Games are Mark’s favorite, how he finds distinctly Monitor angles on important stories that are magnets for other professional outlets and social media influencers alike, and what he’s watching for, this time around.With the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Mark Sappenfiel...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2602For a few generations of newsmakers and newsgatherers, the Monitor Breakfast has been a place to come together over a meal and parse the big issues of the day. In this episode, the host of this storied event joins her predecessor for a conversation about the Breakfast’s winning formula: Invite a newsmaker and a group of reporters to sit down for an hour and have a conversation, on the record. And to explore how its guiding principle – to generate “light, not heat” – stands today.Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2602For a few generations of newsmakers and newsgatherers, the Monitor Breakfast has been a place to come together over a meal and parse the big issues of the day. In this episode, the host of this storied event joins her predecessor for a conversation about the Breakfast’s winning formula: Invite a newsmaker and a group of reporters to sit down for an hour and have a conversation, on the record. And to explore how its guiding principle – to generate “light, not heat” – stands today.For a few generations of newsmakers and newsgather...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2516In this episode, Howard LaFranchi, a U.S.-based diplomacy writer for the Monitor who’s also an old Latin America hand, talks about waking to the news of Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela and working through how he could best pitch in on coverage with context. He talks with host Clay Collins about the complementary interplay of high-altitude analysis and on-the-ground coverage. About the Trump administration’s evolution of the Monroe Doctrine. About framing reports on the country to which he traveled repeatedly during the Hugo Chávez days. And about the state of a postwar, U.S.-led order historically anchored in law and alliances.Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2516In this episode, Howard LaFranchi, a U.S.-based diplomacy writer for the Monitor who’s also an old Latin America hand, talks about waking to the news of Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela and working through how he could best pitch in on coverage with context. He talks with host Clay Collins about the complementary interplay of high-altitude analysis and on-the-ground coverage. About the Trump administration’s evolution of the Monroe Doctrine. About framing reports on the country to which he traveled repeatedly during the Hugo Chávez days. And about the state of a postwar, U.S.-led order historically anchored in law and alliances.In this episode, Howard LaFranchi, a U.S.-based di...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2515The Golden State is politically blue, and it’s a leader in green energy. It also has a foothold in crude. Reporter Simon Montlake went to a SoCal town built by oil – and to a festival called “Oildorado,” which celebrates that fact – to take the measure of a place that illustrates the trade-offs and halting transitions that characterize the global energy story. He joined our podcast to talk about the cover story that his reporting yielded, and about how he bakes fairness into his work. Hosted by Clay Collins.Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2515The Golden State is politically blue, and it’s a leader in green energy. It also has a foothold in crude. Reporter Simon Montlake went to a SoCal town built by oil – and to a festival called “Oildorado,” which celebrates that fact – to take the measure of a place that illustrates the trade-offs and halting transitions that characterize the global energy story. He joined our podcast to talk about the cover story that his reporting yielded, and about how he bakes fairness into his work. Hosted by Clay Collins.The Golden State is politically blue, and it’s a l...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2514The cranberry, with its short seasonal star turn, has a compelling history as a North American fruit. Growing the crop is a tricky business – climate-sensitive, naturally collaborative – with some old practices but also a growing cast of innovators. In this episode, food writer Kendra Nordin Beato goes deep on the tart, red orb. Also included: An encore excerpt from last year’s show with Kendra on the history of Thanksgiving food. And on the side-dish skirmish over how cranberries should best be served. Hosted by Clay Collins.Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2514The cranberry, with its short seasonal star turn, has a compelling history as a North American fruit. Growing the crop is a tricky business – climate-sensitive, naturally collaborative – with some old practices but also a growing cast of innovators. In this episode, food writer Kendra Nordin Beato goes deep on the tart, red orb. Also included: An encore excerpt from last year’s show with Kendra on the history of Thanksgiving food. And on the side-dish skirmish over how cranberries should best be served. Hosted by Clay Collins.The cranberry, with its short seasonal star turn, ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2513Sarah Matusek didn’t wake up one recent morning expecting that her day would include driving a getaway car. Reporting can be like that. In this episode, Monitor immigration writer Sarah Matusek talks with host Clay Collins about the logistics of getting access to – and egress from – places including a Portland ICE facility, about the nuance of the legal language around her beat, and about how she approaches reporting fairly on what might be the most divisive set of dueling narratives in modern U.S. discourse.Fri, 14 Nov 2025 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2513Sarah Matusek didn’t wake up one recent morning expecting that her day would include driving a getaway car. Reporting can be like that. In this episode, Monitor immigration writer Sarah Matusek talks with host Clay Collins about the logistics of getting access to – and egress from – places including a Portland ICE facility, about the nuance of the legal language around her beat, and about how she approaches reporting fairly on what might be the most divisive set of dueling narratives in modern U.S. discourse.Sarah Matusek didn’t wake up one recent morning ex...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2512Taylor Luck, an Amman, Jordan-based writer for The Christian Science Monitor, recently joined Christa Case Bryant, the Monitor’s editor, on our Daily podcast to talk about his dynamic beat. This episode of “Why We Wrote This” begins with a reprise of that conversation, followed by a curation of excerpts from Taylor’s previous appearances on this show. Those include Taylor’s account of his career’s beginnings, more anecdotes from the field, and a discussion about his sense of a restive region’s yearning for stability.Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2512Taylor Luck, an Amman, Jordan-based writer for The Christian Science Monitor, recently joined Christa Case Bryant, the Monitor’s editor, on our Daily podcast to talk about his dynamic beat. This episode of “Why We Wrote This” begins with a reprise of that conversation, followed by a curation of excerpts from Taylor’s previous appearances on this show. Those include Taylor’s account of his career’s beginnings, more anecdotes from the field, and a discussion about his sense of a restive region’s yearning for stability.Taylor Luck, an Amman, Jordan-based writer for The...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2511You can’t go home again. Except maybe you can, for an open-hearted second look that applies lessons in listening gained during years of immersion abroad. Scott Baldauf, a Monitor staff reporter who’s been operating at a distance for decades, talks about the early days of his new U.S.-based gig as America correspondent, about his philosophy and process, and about what makes Monitor journalism different. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2511You can’t go home again. Except maybe you can, for an open-hearted second look that applies lessons in listening gained during years of immersion abroad. Scott Baldauf, a Monitor staff reporter who’s been operating at a distance for decades, talks about the early days of his new U.S.-based gig as America correspondent, about his philosophy and process, and about what makes Monitor journalism different. Hosted by Clay Collins.You can’t go home again. Except maybe you can, for...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2510We’re back from our hiatus! In this episode, we talk with Mark Sappenfield, the Monitor’s former top editor turned roaming Europe reporter and watcher of global trends. Find out what that shift has been like, and what went into the framing of his highly readable recent story on Finland’s grassroots defense strategy – a talker in the newsroom and beyond. Plus, Mark gets going on his favorite word (nuance) and his favorite riff: what’s special about Monitor journalism. Also, hear about a Finn so stealthy that he gave up hunting because it had begun to feel unfair. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2510We’re back from our hiatus! In this episode, we talk with Mark Sappenfield, the Monitor’s former top editor turned roaming Europe reporter and watcher of global trends. Find out what that shift has been like, and what went into the framing of his highly readable recent story on Finland’s grassroots defense strategy – a talker in the newsroom and beyond. Plus, Mark gets going on his favorite word (nuance) and his favorite riff: what’s special about Monitor journalism. Also, hear about a Finn so stealthy that he gave up hunting because it had begun to feel unfair. Hosted by Clay Collins.We’re back from our hiatus! In this episode, we ta...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2509Nairobi is like many cities. It’s vibrant but chaotic. Well-functioning here, showing cracks in its infrastructure there. In this episode we go behind writer Erika Page’s reporting of a tale of two (satellite) cities outside of Kenya’s capital, part of a growing constellation of such centers of life and commerce. And we talk about how a reporter keeps finding stories about people trying, at least, to do things better. Hosted by Clay Collins.Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2509Nairobi is like many cities. It’s vibrant but chaotic. Well-functioning here, showing cracks in its infrastructure there. In this episode we go behind writer Erika Page’s reporting of a tale of two (satellite) cities outside of Kenya’s capital, part of a growing constellation of such centers of life and commerce. And we talk about how a reporter keeps finding stories about people trying, at least, to do things better. Hosted by Clay Collins.Nairobi is like many cities. It’s vibrant but chao...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2508A lot of technology, including some that ultimately makes us “greener,” calls for extractive practices and carries upfront costs. Its use slurps resources. But it also makes us productive and provides essential support for modern lives. Climate writer Stephanie Hanes joins host Clay Collins for a conversation about data centers and rare earths – and about being intentional and aware of the tradeoffs that modern life puts in front of us.Thu, 15 May 2025 10:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2508A lot of technology, including some that ultimately makes us “greener,” calls for extractive practices and carries upfront costs. Its use slurps resources. But it also makes us productive and provides essential support for modern lives. Climate writer Stephanie Hanes joins host Clay Collins for a conversation about data centers and rare earths – and about being intentional and aware of the tradeoffs that modern life puts in front of us.A lot of technology, including some that ultimatel...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2507How does a Saskatchewan farmer dreaming of a better life end up in rural Russia? In this episode, the Monitor’s Fred Weir, a Canadian journalist with 40 years in Russia, talks about how he found and profiled a new kind of invited Western expat: one who has warmed to some aspects of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, seems somewhat oblivious to others, and appears to be quite happy, so far, with the trade-offs. Hosted by Gail Russell Chaddock.Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2507How does a Saskatchewan farmer dreaming of a better life end up in rural Russia? In this episode, the Monitor’s Fred Weir, a Canadian journalist with 40 years in Russia, talks about how he found and profiled a new kind of invited Western expat: one who has warmed to some aspects of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, seems somewhat oblivious to others, and appears to be quite happy, so far, with the trade-offs. Hosted by Gail Russell Chaddock.How does a Saskatchewan farmer dreaming of a bette...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2506What does the hit Apple TV+ show that could be thought of as “Black Mirror” meets “Office Space” tell us about perceptions of workplace culture and Generation Z trends like “boreout”? About work with purpose and meaning? On the eve of the Season 2 finale of “Severance,” culture writer Stephen Humphries takes us inside the making of his report on a dark series that explores a kind of community resilience.Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2506What does the hit Apple TV+ show that could be thought of as “Black Mirror” meets “Office Space” tell us about perceptions of workplace culture and Generation Z trends like “boreout”? About work with purpose and meaning? On the eve of the Season 2 finale of “Severance,” culture writer Stephen Humphries takes us inside the making of his report on a dark series that explores a kind of community resilience.What does the hit Apple TV+ show that could be tho...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2505How does a justice reporter stay focused when nearly every politics story seems to have intricate – and sometimes massive – legal ramifications? Avoid loaded phrasing. Keep it clinical. And remember to breathe. Henry Gass joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk about his work at the intersection of law and American politics, the busiest corner of his much broader beat.Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:30:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2505How does a justice reporter stay focused when nearly every politics story seems to have intricate – and sometimes massive – legal ramifications? Avoid loaded phrasing. Keep it clinical. And remember to breathe. Henry Gass joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk about his work at the intersection of law and American politics, the busiest corner of his much broader beat.How does a justice reporter stay focused when near...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2504What does good policing looks like when it comes to managing sometimes bristly human interactions at street protests or in rowdy sports stadiums? Writer Simon Montlake and photographer Alfredo Sosa learned in Columbus, Ohio, how police dialogue units can play a role. But is it sustainable, and transferable? How far might it extend in an era when violence and fear seem sometimes seem more prevalent than an openness to discourse? Hosted by Clay Collins.Thu, 06 Feb 2025 08:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2504What does good policing looks like when it comes to managing sometimes bristly human interactions at street protests or in rowdy sports stadiums? Writer Simon Montlake and photographer Alfredo Sosa learned in Columbus, Ohio, how police dialogue units can play a role. But is it sustainable, and transferable? How far might it extend in an era when violence and fear seem sometimes seem more prevalent than an openness to discourse? Hosted by Clay Collins.What does good policing looks like when it comes t...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2503Who’s in the pews these days? What about those in – or adjacent to – American political leadership who proclaim religiosity even while exhibiting behaviors that don’t necessarily comport with it? Beginning to decode some of those questions represented a politics writer’s early swings on the religion beat. Many more remain. Sophie Hills, the Monitor’s new faith and religion writer, joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock on this episode to discuss.Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2503Who’s in the pews these days? What about those in – or adjacent to – American political leadership who proclaim religiosity even while exhibiting behaviors that don’t necessarily comport with it? Beginning to decode some of those questions represented a politics writer’s early swings on the religion beat. Many more remain. Sophie Hills, the Monitor’s new faith and religion writer, joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock on this episode to discuss.Who’s in the pews these days? What about those in ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2502When it comes to humanity’s relationship to Earth’s other creatures, does “dominion” really mean “stewardship”? Monitor writer Stephanie Hanes joins host Clay Collins for a look behind the reporting of her recent deep dive into what new research suggests about the richness of animals’ inner lives – and what that might mean for humans’ relationship to them.Fri, 10 Jan 2025 08:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2502When it comes to humanity’s relationship to Earth’s other creatures, does “dominion” really mean “stewardship”? Monitor writer Stephanie Hanes joins host Clay Collins for a look behind the reporting of her recent deep dive into what new research suggests about the richness of animals’ inner lives – and what that might mean for humans’ relationship to them.When it comes to humanity’s relationship to Earth’...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2501A new writer’s local assignment on a gun violence memorial brought him face to face with a mother whose trying experience, and her telling of it, seemed to underscore an organization’s healing mission. It also showcased his source’s strength, resilience, and agency. In this episode, we break from the conversation format to make room for a writer’s annotation of a interview – used with permission of his source – that informed his reporting.Fri, 03 Jan 2025 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2501A new writer’s local assignment on a gun violence memorial brought him face to face with a mother whose trying experience, and her telling of it, seemed to underscore an organization’s healing mission. It also showcased his source’s strength, resilience, and agency. In this episode, we break from the conversation format to make room for a writer’s annotation of a interview – used with permission of his source – that informed his reporting.A new writer’s local assignment on a gun violence ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/www_2442Covering an incoming administration is about more than tracking the words and deeds of the new chief executive. Plates are shifting from the Cabinet to Congress. That warrants careful reporting, too. It means staying grounded in facts, not engaging in speculation, as a government emerges that is in some ways quite different from Trump 1.0. Washington writer Cameron Joseph, a frequent recent guest, joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk it through.Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/www_2442Covering an incoming administration is about more than tracking the words and deeds of the new chief executive. Plates are shifting from the Cabinet to Congress. That warrants careful reporting, too. It means staying grounded in facts, not engaging in speculation, as a government emerges that is in some ways quite different from Trump 1.0. Washington writer Cameron Joseph, a frequent recent guest, joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk it through.Covering an incoming administration is about more ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2441In this stretch between Election Day and the inauguration, the United States waits on a president-elect who has a long list of actions to take “on Day 1,” many without precedent, even given his earlier term. What will Monitor coverage of this transition and this presidency look like? How do journalists stay curious and focused on truth? How do they avoid appearing to be condescending? Two Washington-based Monitor writers join guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk about the kind of careful listening and deep introspection that good reporting requires. First of two parts.Fri, 06 Dec 2024 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2441In this stretch between Election Day and the inauguration, the United States waits on a president-elect who has a long list of actions to take “on Day 1,” many without precedent, even given his earlier term. What will Monitor coverage of this transition and this presidency look like? How do journalists stay curious and focused on truth? How do they avoid appearing to be condescending? Two Washington-based Monitor writers join guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk about the kind of careful listening and deep introspection that good reporting requires. First of two parts.In this stretch between Election Day and the inaug...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2440Fresh cranberries or canned? Northern pumpkin pie or Southern sweet potato pie? An assembling of intergenerational family members, a handful of friends, or a group of strangers? Almost everything about Thanksgiving, from travel to table talk about politics, has the potential to become fraught. Calm can prevail when a simple sense of gratitude gets its place at the table. The Monitor’s Kendra Nordin Beato joins host Clay Collins to talk turkey and more.Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2440Fresh cranberries or canned? Northern pumpkin pie or Southern sweet potato pie? An assembling of intergenerational family members, a handful of friends, or a group of strangers? Almost everything about Thanksgiving, from travel to table talk about politics, has the potential to become fraught. Calm can prevail when a simple sense of gratitude gets its place at the table. The Monitor’s Kendra Nordin Beato joins host Clay Collins to talk turkey and more.Fresh cranberries or canned? Northern pumpkin pie ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2439Another U.S. election is behind us. Can civility – deep civility, not just politeness – heal divides? Stephen Humphries, the Monitor’s chief culture writer, joined host Clay Collins in this encore episode to talk about his expansive view of the culture beat and about how he came to write about Alexandra Hudson’s book, “The Soul of Civility.” Ms. Hudson, too, joined the 2023 episode to talk further about how to bridge the empathy gap that reveals itself around so many issues.Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:00:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2439Another U.S. election is behind us. Can civility – deep civility, not just politeness – heal divides? Stephen Humphries, the Monitor’s chief culture writer, joined host Clay Collins in this encore episode to talk about his expansive view of the culture beat and about how he came to write about Alexandra Hudson’s book, “The Soul of Civility.” Ms. Hudson, too, joined the 2023 episode to talk further about how to bridge the empathy gap that reveals itself around so many issues.Another U.S. election is behind us. Can civility –...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2438A land war grinds on into another winter in Europe’s east. The Mideast keeps spiraling, old enmity refueled. A U.S. presidential election claims whatever sliver of attention is left. The West tends to forget about the African continent even in less distracting times. But stories from many of its more than 50 countries abound – of wars, yes. Of starvation. But also of human courage and resilience. In this episode, the Monitor’s Peter Ford, our international news editor, joins host Clay Collins to explore the why and how of our recent series on Sudan.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2438A land war grinds on into another winter in Europe’s east. The Mideast keeps spiraling, old enmity refueled. A U.S. presidential election claims whatever sliver of attention is left. The West tends to forget about the African continent even in less distracting times. But stories from many of its more than 50 countries abound – of wars, yes. Of starvation. But also of human courage and resilience. In this episode, the Monitor’s Peter Ford, our international news editor, joins host Clay Collins to explore the why and how of our recent series on Sudan.A land war grinds on into another winter in Europe...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2437Georgia’s voting-rules dispute has been given a lot of attention. So have process changes in other states, along with the standard complexities of mail-in ballot counts and the (now standard, it seems) preelection charges of a “rigged” process. In the second of two parts of a conversation with guest host Gail Russell Chaddock, the Monitor’s Cameron Joseph talks about this presidential election cycle compared with the past two, and about how he works to hold both sides to account in telling the full story.Tue, 22 Oct 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2437Georgia’s voting-rules dispute has been given a lot of attention. So have process changes in other states, along with the standard complexities of mail-in ballot counts and the (now standard, it seems) preelection charges of a “rigged” process. In the second of two parts of a conversation with guest host Gail Russell Chaddock, the Monitor’s Cameron Joseph talks about this presidential election cycle compared with the past two, and about how he works to hold both sides to account in telling the full story.Georgia’s voting-rules dispute has been given a lo...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2436The late-game ouster of an incumbent as candidate, state rules in flux, and back-to-back hurricanes in battleground states? Yes, the 2024 U.S. presidential election sits in a category of its own. Beneath those big factors: a set of wedge issues and a pair of candidates with stark differences of approach and appeal. Monitor politics writer Cameron Joseph joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk about the work of covering the wild run-up – and bracing for what’s next.Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2436The late-game ouster of an incumbent as candidate, state rules in flux, and back-to-back hurricanes in battleground states? Yes, the 2024 U.S. presidential election sits in a category of its own. Beneath those big factors: a set of wedge issues and a pair of candidates with stark differences of approach and appeal. Monitor politics writer Cameron Joseph joins guest host Gail Russell Chaddock to talk about the work of covering the wild run-up – and bracing for what’s next.The late-game ouster of an incumbent as candidate,...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2435Amid intensifying strife and humanitarian disaster, how do you report a story like the war in Gaza accurately and compassionately? How do you recognize the complexities of a war in which intense suffering exists alongside a powerful humanity and an effort to cling to hope? Monitor correspondents Ghada Abdulfattah in Gaza and Taylor Luck in Jordan join Managing Editor Amelia Newcomb, our guest host, to talk about the challenges they face – and, in Ghada’s case, how she navigates the danger and chaos that confront her every moment of the day.Fri, 11 Oct 2024 06:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2435Amid intensifying strife and humanitarian disaster, how do you report a story like the war in Gaza accurately and compassionately? How do you recognize the complexities of a war in which intense suffering exists alongside a powerful humanity and an effort to cling to hope? Monitor correspondents Ghada Abdulfattah in Gaza and Taylor Luck in Jordan join Managing Editor Amelia Newcomb, our guest host, to talk about the challenges they face – and, in Ghada’s case, how she navigates the danger and chaos that confront her every moment of the day.Amid intensifying strife and humanitarian disaster...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2434Americans’ loss of social connection has long been an issue, and it worsened during the pandemic era to the point where loneliness hit epidemic levels. Today, some 6 Americans in 10 are reluctant to talk politics with those whose views oppose their own, even though it’s well known that such exchanges can be a balm. In this episode – an encore of one recorded in May 2023 – writer Sophie Hills talks about how she crafted a kind of antidote story, one about front-porch culture and the power of people to collectively make their lives a bit richer. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 04 Oct 2024 10:59:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2434Americans’ loss of social connection has long been an issue, and it worsened during the pandemic era to the point where loneliness hit epidemic levels. Today, some 6 Americans in 10 are reluctant to talk politics with those whose views oppose their own, even though it’s well known that such exchanges can be a balm. In this episode – an encore of one recorded in May 2023 – writer Sophie Hills talks about how she crafted a kind of antidote story, one about front-porch culture and the power of people to collectively make their lives a bit richer. Hosted by Clay Collins.Americans’ loss of social connection has long been...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2433Western news reports about Taiwan tend to focus on the island’s relationships with global superpowers, notably China and the United States. The people of Taiwan and their history can sometimes get lost in those narratives. Writer Ann Scott Tyson made a return trip to Taiwan to gather more of those important perspectives. Her cover story is a sort of coming of age story for Taiwan, exploring issues of national identity, civic responsibility, and peace. She joins guest host Lindsey McGinnis, the Monitor’s Asia editor, to discuss it.Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2433Western news reports about Taiwan tend to focus on the island’s relationships with global superpowers, notably China and the United States. The people of Taiwan and their history can sometimes get lost in those narratives. Writer Ann Scott Tyson made a return trip to Taiwan to gather more of those important perspectives. Her cover story is a sort of coming of age story for Taiwan, exploring issues of national identity, civic responsibility, and peace. She joins guest host Lindsey McGinnis, the Monitor’s Asia editor, to discuss it.Western news reports about Taiwan tend to focus on...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2432You wouldn’t want your kid toting a television to class. So why allow a smartphone? That’s one take on a big back-to-school issue this year. Another take: Phones can be lifelines in emergencies. Two Monitor writers reported on the perspectives of parents, students, and educators and found a conversation growing that might finally yield some compromise solutions.Fri, 20 Sep 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2432You wouldn’t want your kid toting a television to class. So why allow a smartphone? That’s one take on a big back-to-school issue this year. Another take: Phones can be lifelines in emergencies. Two Monitor writers reported on the perspectives of parents, students, and educators and found a conversation growing that might finally yield some compromise solutions.You wouldn’t want your kid toting a television to ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2431How does the Monitor’s film critic decide what to review – especially in festival settings? For Peter Rainer, it’s about staying moored by his own long experience and curating with a Monitor audience in mind. After the Toronto festival in 2023, Peter spoke on our podcast about how he does that. The films have changed; the work has not. We’ve reprised some of that episode this week.Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2431How does the Monitor’s film critic decide what to review – especially in festival settings? For Peter Rainer, it’s about staying moored by his own long experience and curating with a Monitor audience in mind. After the Toronto festival in 2023, Peter spoke on our podcast about how he does that. The films have changed; the work has not. We’ve reprised some of that episode this week.How does the Monitor’s film critic decide what to ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2430Hopes, fears, and hard decisions: The stories of would-be immigrants are stories that matter. So, too, are the stories and views of the many other stakeholders in the immigration debate, including U.S. ranchers whose land becomes the first zones of contention. Monitor writer Sarah Matusek is based in Denver, a city that has received thousands of people from South and Central American countries over the past two years. She joined host Clay Collins to talk about reporting a sprawling story with completeness and compassion.Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2430Hopes, fears, and hard decisions: The stories of would-be immigrants are stories that matter. So, too, are the stories and views of the many other stakeholders in the immigration debate, including U.S. ranchers whose land becomes the first zones of contention. Monitor writer Sarah Matusek is based in Denver, a city that has received thousands of people from South and Central American countries over the past two years. She joined host Clay Collins to talk about reporting a sprawling story with completeness and compassion.Hopes, fears, and hard decisions: The stories of w...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2429What’s it like being in a president’s presence at big moments? What about at small ones, as when the commander-in-chief offers to buy you a burger? It’s all part of working in the press pool, where a hand-picked gaggle of reporters chronicles the president’s moves in real time and faithfully feeds detailed missives to the wider media. Linda Feldmann, who has cycled through the work for two decades, and Sophie Hills, who’s just getting her feet wet, joined veteran D.C. writer and our podcast’s guest host to describe the work and tell some tales.Fri, 30 Aug 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2429What’s it like being in a president’s presence at big moments? What about at small ones, as when the commander-in-chief offers to buy you a burger? It’s all part of working in the press pool, where a hand-picked gaggle of reporters chronicles the president’s moves in real time and faithfully feeds detailed missives to the wider media. Linda Feldmann, who has cycled through the work for two decades, and Sophie Hills, who’s just getting her feet wet, joined veteran D.C. writer and our podcast’s guest host to describe the work and tell some tales.What’s it like being in a president’s presence at ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2428An Americana-infused folk music revival has been a surging in the United States for years now. Georgia’s Jake Xerxes Fussell has emerged as one of the most singular interpreters of that music and all of its tributaries. Writer (and fan) Simon Montlake, a hard-news reporter most of the time, joins host Clay Collins to talk about why the modest Mr. Fussell is worth discovering – and about what folk music means to the transmission, down through generations, of the cultures it preserves.Fri, 23 Aug 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2428An Americana-infused folk music revival has been a surging in the United States for years now. Georgia’s Jake Xerxes Fussell has emerged as one of the most singular interpreters of that music and all of its tributaries. Writer (and fan) Simon Montlake, a hard-news reporter most of the time, joins host Clay Collins to talk about why the modest Mr. Fussell is worth discovering – and about what folk music means to the transmission, down through generations, of the cultures it preserves.An Americana-infused folk music revival has been a...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2427Drug decriminalization is another story that often sets up as a binary debate: It's either a path to societal meltdown or a way to regulate behaviors that appear inevitable, and to stop filling jails. Test cases in three places – Portland, Oregon; British Columbia, Canada; and Portugal – show that solutions require very nuanced thinking. And compassion. Yvonne Zipp, our features editor, introduces this episode, which includes full story reads by three Monitor writers.Fri, 16 Aug 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2427Drug decriminalization is another story that often sets up as a binary debate: It's either a path to societal meltdown or a way to regulate behaviors that appear inevitable, and to stop filling jails. Test cases in three places – Portland, Oregon; British Columbia, Canada; and Portugal – show that solutions require very nuanced thinking. And compassion. Yvonne Zipp, our features editor, introduces this episode, which includes full story reads by three Monitor writers.Drug decriminalization is another story that often...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2426When a sports-loving writer gets a shot at covering an Olympic Games, the story becomes one of joyful immersion and inspired output. Ira Porter joins host Clay Collins for this episode about reporting from the Paris Games and finding the human stories that matter most in that sea of competition and aspiration, heartbreak and triumph.Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2426When a sports-loving writer gets a shot at covering an Olympic Games, the story becomes one of joyful immersion and inspired output. Ira Porter joins host Clay Collins for this episode about reporting from the Paris Games and finding the human stories that matter most in that sea of competition and aspiration, heartbreak and triumph.When a sports-loving writer gets a shot at coverin...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2425Reporting straight news can be an outsider’s game: Get the facts, look for color, file on deadline, repeat. Gathering news that’s meaningful to readers, news that’s human and relatable, often means collaborating with a region’s own reporters. Two Monitor writers who also co-write stories and edit journalists from across Latin America and Africa join guest host Amelia Newcomb, our managing editor, to talk about balancing the special challenges and opportunities of that work.Fri, 02 Aug 2024 07:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2425Reporting straight news can be an outsider’s game: Get the facts, look for color, file on deadline, repeat. Gathering news that’s meaningful to readers, news that’s human and relatable, often means collaborating with a region’s own reporters. Two Monitor writers who also co-write stories and edit journalists from across Latin America and Africa join guest host Amelia Newcomb, our managing editor, to talk about balancing the special challenges and opportunities of that work.Reporting straight news can be an outsider’s game:...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2424Good research can transform public knowledge. It can affect the evolution of public attitudes. But the way in which data and findings are arrayed and framed for consumption matters. A lot. In this episode, Monitor climate writer Stephanie Hanes talks about reporting her story of a climate scientist who had a very public moment of self-reflection – and found himself reflecting on his role as a shaper of a certain narrative.Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2424Good research can transform public knowledge. It can affect the evolution of public attitudes. But the way in which data and findings are arrayed and framed for consumption matters. A lot. In this episode, Monitor climate writer Stephanie Hanes talks about reporting her story of a climate scientist who had a very public moment of self-reflection – and found himself reflecting on his role as a shaper of a certain narrative.Good research can transform public knowledge. It c...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2423Photography does so much to humanize reporting. What does it mean to come at stories quite literally through the “Monitor lens” that this show explores? A longtime staff shooter who has made images in more than 80 countries and on every continent, Melanie Stetson Freeman talks with host Clay Collins about joyful moments and sobering ones, and about how the people and places she encounters still bring surprises after all of that travel and all of those years. This is an encore presentation of a 2023 episode.Wed, 03 Jul 2024 16:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2423Photography does so much to humanize reporting. What does it mean to come at stories quite literally through the “Monitor lens” that this show explores? A longtime staff shooter who has made images in more than 80 countries and on every continent, Melanie Stetson Freeman talks with host Clay Collins about joyful moments and sobering ones, and about how the people and places she encounters still bring surprises after all of that travel and all of those years. This is an encore presentation of a 2023 episode.Photography does so much to humanize reporting. Wh...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2422Everyone loves a good counternarrative, especially when the prevailing narrative is a dire one and the counter offers credible reasons for hope – backed by data that bears up to scrutiny. In this episode, writer Troy Aidan Sambajon talks with host Clay Collins about a crime-stat story that became something more. It’s a validation – with some big caveats – of community policing, community agency, and the central ingredient: a willingness to try building trust.Fri, 28 Jun 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2422Everyone loves a good counternarrative, especially when the prevailing narrative is a dire one and the counter offers credible reasons for hope – backed by data that bears up to scrutiny. In this episode, writer Troy Aidan Sambajon talks with host Clay Collins about a crime-stat story that became something more. It’s a validation – with some big caveats – of community policing, community agency, and the central ingredient: a willingness to try building trust.Everyone loves a good counternarrative, especially...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2421What’s happening in women’s sports besides Caitlin Clark? A lot. Two years to the week since this podcast soft-launched with a conversation with writer Kendra Nordin Beato on Title IX’s 50th anniversary, we offer an update. This encore episode adds some discussion of how much has transpired in all three braids of the Title IX story: women in education, women in college sports, and progress in fighting sexual harassment and abuse. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 21 Jun 2024 07:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2421What’s happening in women’s sports besides Caitlin Clark? A lot. Two years to the week since this podcast soft-launched with a conversation with writer Kendra Nordin Beato on Title IX’s 50th anniversary, we offer an update. This encore episode adds some discussion of how much has transpired in all three braids of the Title IX story: women in education, women in college sports, and progress in fighting sexual harassment and abuse. Hosted by Clay Collins.What’s happening in women’s sports besides Caitlin...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2420Urban tree loss is a widespread phenomenon that has been addressed, with different degrees of success, in cities from New York to Nashville. For multimedia reporter Jingnan Peng, a story about a tree-planting initiative in Louisville, Kentucky, became a story about rebuilding community trust. He spoke to host Clay Collins for this episode, which includes encore material from a 2023 show on Jing’s coverage of another greening-of-cities phenomenon – compact Miyawaki forests – and a discussion about how a multimedia reporter matches storytelling format to story.Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2420Urban tree loss is a widespread phenomenon that has been addressed, with different degrees of success, in cities from New York to Nashville. For multimedia reporter Jingnan Peng, a story about a tree-planting initiative in Louisville, Kentucky, became a story about rebuilding community trust. He spoke to host Clay Collins for this episode, which includes encore material from a 2023 show on Jing’s coverage of another greening-of-cities phenomenon – compact Miyawaki forests – and a discussion about how a multimedia reporter matches storytelling format to story.Urban tree loss is a widespread phenomenon that ha...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2419Maybe it’s because she came up through the Monitor’s Points of Progress franchise. We like how Erika Page, our Madrid-based writer, frames one big part of her beat. “It’s [about] looking for where creativity and ingenuity and humanity are in operation,” she tells host Clay Collins in this episode. “Because once you start to look for these things, you kind of start to see them everywhere.” A return guest on this podcast, she talks this time about reporting from northern Spain on a particular brand of capitalism that workers appear to believe in.Fri, 07 Jun 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2419Maybe it’s because she came up through the Monitor’s Points of Progress franchise. We like how Erika Page, our Madrid-based writer, frames one big part of her beat. “It’s [about] looking for where creativity and ingenuity and humanity are in operation,” she tells host Clay Collins in this episode. “Because once you start to look for these things, you kind of start to see them everywhere.” A return guest on this podcast, she talks this time about reporting from northern Spain on a particular brand of capitalism that workers appear to believe in.Maybe it’s because she came up through the Monitor...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2418Capturing the nation’s mood in the hours after 9/11. Trading parts of a Soviet Army uniform for some “CIA trinkets.” Keeping that one big foster beagle no one else would have. All are episodes in the writing life of Peter Grier, a 45-year Monitor veteran whose quick mind and economy of language have brought Washington politics down to earth for Monitor readers (and no doubt still will, sometimes, even from retirement). For this episode, he spoke with guest host Gail Chaddock, a Monitor alum and fellow D.C. traveler, about his rich Monitor career.Fri, 31 May 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2418Capturing the nation’s mood in the hours after 9/11. Trading parts of a Soviet Army uniform for some “CIA trinkets.” Keeping that one big foster beagle no one else would have. All are episodes in the writing life of Peter Grier, a 45-year Monitor veteran whose quick mind and economy of language have brought Washington politics down to earth for Monitor readers (and no doubt still will, sometimes, even from retirement). For this episode, he spoke with guest host Gail Chaddock, a Monitor alum and fellow D.C. traveler, about his rich Monitor career.Capturing the nation’s mood in the hours after 9/1...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2417To some degree, members of one major political party or the other have historically swung into distrust mode when it comes to elections – typically (and predictably) when their own parties have been down. What’s different now: One side is stuck on denialism. That’s despite a lack of evidence that fraud exists on a scale that could change an election, especially on the national level. Veteran Washington-watcher Peter Grier joins host Gail Chaddock to talk about mistrust – and about the fact that it might not really run nearly as deep as many seem to think.Fri, 24 May 2024 07:30:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2417To some degree, members of one major political party or the other have historically swung into distrust mode when it comes to elections – typically (and predictably) when their own parties have been down. What’s different now: One side is stuck on denialism. That’s despite a lack of evidence that fraud exists on a scale that could change an election, especially on the national level. Veteran Washington-watcher Peter Grier joins host Gail Chaddock to talk about mistrust – and about the fact that it might not really run nearly as deep as many seem to think.To some degree, members of one major political par...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2416What might help give Black women more agency and control around their care when it comes to maternal health? It’s a realm in which positive outcomes have historically (and significantly) lagged behind those for other groups of women. In this episode, writer Cameron Pugh talks about reporting on how birth doulas may be one key to restoring some expectant mothers’ trust in a medical system that has a long history of underserving them. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 17 May 2024 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2416What might help give Black women more agency and control around their care when it comes to maternal health? It’s a realm in which positive outcomes have historically (and significantly) lagged behind those for other groups of women. In this episode, writer Cameron Pugh talks about reporting on how birth doulas may be one key to restoring some expectant mothers’ trust in a medical system that has a long history of underserving them. Hosted by Clay Collins.What might help give Black women more agency and c...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2415What does it take to run a democratic election in a nation of 1.4 billion people? Well, time, for one thing. And as the 40-plus-day process has been elapsing, Monitor correspondent Fahad Shah has confronted his own logistical challenges – including a (literal) landslide. What’s more, he’s worked with his editor, Lindsey McGinnis, to frame coverage as a Monitor story, not just a play-by-play from the polls. In this episode, guest host Lindsey talks to Fahad about this high-stakes election and the high-wire work of exploring it through the lens of trust.Fri, 10 May 2024 06:36:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2415What does it take to run a democratic election in a nation of 1.4 billion people? Well, time, for one thing. And as the 40-plus-day process has been elapsing, Monitor correspondent Fahad Shah has confronted his own logistical challenges – including a (literal) landslide. What’s more, he’s worked with his editor, Lindsey McGinnis, to frame coverage as a Monitor story, not just a play-by-play from the polls. In this episode, guest host Lindsey talks to Fahad about this high-stakes election and the high-wire work of exploring it through the lens of trust.What does it take to run a democratic election in ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2414“I grew up in Gaza, loved it – and complained about it for most of the time.” From that honest starting point of resilience, writer Ghada Abdulfattah, a contributor to the Monitor since the start of the latest conflict in Gaza last October, has produced a remarkable series of stories from the conflict zone. Moving to stay ahead of airstrikes, she has brought to Monitor readers a rare and important perspective. In this writer’s read format episode, Ghada shares her observations about a war like no other she’s seen. Then she offers a full read of her recent story on how women, in particular, have been affected.Thu, 02 May 2024 06:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2414“I grew up in Gaza, loved it – and complained about it for most of the time.” From that honest starting point of resilience, writer Ghada Abdulfattah, a contributor to the Monitor since the start of the latest conflict in Gaza last October, has produced a remarkable series of stories from the conflict zone. Moving to stay ahead of airstrikes, she has brought to Monitor readers a rare and important perspective. In this writer’s read format episode, Ghada shares her observations about a war like no other she’s seen. Then she offers a full read of her recent story on how women, in particular, have been affected.“I grew up in Gaza, loved it – and complained abou...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2413What does it take to weave a creative nonfiction tale that’s engaging and universal enough to draw readers all the way through? Owen Thomas, a longtime editor of essays for The Home Forum at the Monitor – and now a contributing essayist himself – joins host Clay Collins to talk about that question, and about how his work aligns with the Monitor’s mission to find and celebrate the humanity behind every story we tell.Sat, 30 Mar 2024 10:33:39 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2413What does it take to weave a creative nonfiction tale that’s engaging and universal enough to draw readers all the way through? Owen Thomas, a longtime editor of essays for The Home Forum at the Monitor – and now a contributing essayist himself – joins host Clay Collins to talk about that question, and about how his work aligns with the Monitor’s mission to find and celebrate the humanity behind every story we tell.What does it take to weave a creative nonfiction t...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2412Whether prepared or uttered on the fly, the campaign statements of former President Donald Trump often appear to be at least as fiery as his 2016 rhetoric. It’s impossible to ascribe intent. Some see unvarnished truth; others hear dog whistles that they fear will yield trouble. For this episode, guest host Gail Chaddock spoke with Linda Feldmann, a veteran White House reporter, on the challenge of sizing up Mr. Trump’s speech. How it’s interpreted by fervent fans – and by impassioned detractors – will help decide a critical U.S. election.Mon, 25 Mar 2024 17:25:28 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2412Whether prepared or uttered on the fly, the campaign statements of former President Donald Trump often appear to be at least as fiery as his 2016 rhetoric. It’s impossible to ascribe intent. Some see unvarnished truth; others hear dog whistles that they fear will yield trouble. For this episode, guest host Gail Chaddock spoke with Linda Feldmann, a veteran White House reporter, on the challenge of sizing up Mr. Trump’s speech. How it’s interpreted by fervent fans – and by impassioned detractors – will help decide a critical U.S. election.Whether prepared or uttered on the fly, the campai...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2411Pressure from the South on the U.S. southern border is real. But over the past decade, more and more people from Mexico and beyond – people who had initially pictured their futures in the United States – have by choice or circumstances ended up instead building successful lives in Mexico. “I just finally felt wanted,” one source told Mexico City-based writer Whitney Eulich, who describes her reporting, from Tijuana and Mexico City, at the top of this episode. Our special-format show also includes full-story audio, voiced by the writer.Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:05:54 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2411Pressure from the South on the U.S. southern border is real. But over the past decade, more and more people from Mexico and beyond – people who had initially pictured their futures in the United States – have by choice or circumstances ended up instead building successful lives in Mexico. “I just finally felt wanted,” one source told Mexico City-based writer Whitney Eulich, who describes her reporting, from Tijuana and Mexico City, at the top of this episode. Our special-format show also includes full-story audio, voiced by the writer.Pressure from the South on the U.S. southern borde...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2410A notoriously slow legal system, within a culture that has let auteurs become demigods, gave rise to what one French film star’s agent apologetically called “a sacred monster.” Paris-based writer Colette Davidson wrote about a slow shift in trust – from transgressors to accusers – that may finally bring some accountability in a nation wrestling with sexual abuse scandals involving some of its cinema icons. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:57:11 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2410A notoriously slow legal system, within a culture that has let auteurs become demigods, gave rise to what one French film star’s agent apologetically called “a sacred monster.” Paris-based writer Colette Davidson wrote about a slow shift in trust – from transgressors to accusers – that may finally bring some accountability in a nation wrestling with sexual abuse scandals involving some of its cinema icons. Hosted by Clay Collins.A notoriously slow legal system, within a culture ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2409Partisan side-taking is real. But it isn’t the whole story. When you get way beyond the Beltway and filter out the manufactured distrust that’s cultivated by those on the extremes, you can often find public thought moving in the same direction on important issues. And you can find data to support that movement. Marshall Ingwerson, a special contributor and former editor of the Monitor, explored a counternarrative. In this episode, he joins guest host Gail Chaddock to discuss.Thu, 29 Feb 2024 07:13:04 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2409Partisan side-taking is real. But it isn’t the whole story. When you get way beyond the Beltway and filter out the manufactured distrust that’s cultivated by those on the extremes, you can often find public thought moving in the same direction on important issues. And you can find data to support that movement. Marshall Ingwerson, a special contributor and former editor of the Monitor, explored a counternarrative. In this episode, he joins guest host Gail Chaddock to discuss.Partisan side-taking is real. But it isn’t the who...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2408When the Monitor began planning a series focused on trust, Texas-based writer Henry Gass immediately thought of “the freeze.” Three years after a winter storm devastated the state’s unique power grid, experts say the grid has become more reliable, more weatherized. There hasn’t been a repeat of the widespread outages. But “it’s deep in the Texan psyche now to worry about the grid,” a source told Henry. Rebuilding trust will take time and work. For this experimental, alternative-format episode of our weekly podcast, we go host-free – letting the writer set up the story he reported before reading the story in full.Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:05:32 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2408When the Monitor began planning a series focused on trust, Texas-based writer Henry Gass immediately thought of “the freeze.” Three years after a winter storm devastated the state’s unique power grid, experts say the grid has become more reliable, more weatherized. There hasn’t been a repeat of the widespread outages. But “it’s deep in the Texan psyche now to worry about the grid,” a source told Henry. Rebuilding trust will take time and work. For this experimental, alternative-format episode of our weekly podcast, we go host-free – letting the writer set up the story he reported before reading the story in full.When the Monitor began planning a series focused o...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2407Ahead of a major museum retrospective on the thriving Harlem of the 1920s and its often overlooked artists, the Monitor’s cultural commentator toured that upper Manhattan neighborhood to get a better sense of the Harlem of today. He found an neighborhood that venerates its historical heroes while nurturing new ones. He found pride and purpose. Ken Makin joins host Clay Collins to talk about the staggering power of being there – and about the many ways Harlem draws from its past to shape its future.Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:25:26 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2407Ahead of a major museum retrospective on the thriving Harlem of the 1920s and its often overlooked artists, the Monitor’s cultural commentator toured that upper Manhattan neighborhood to get a better sense of the Harlem of today. He found an neighborhood that venerates its historical heroes while nurturing new ones. He found pride and purpose. Ken Makin joins host Clay Collins to talk about the staggering power of being there – and about the many ways Harlem draws from its past to shape its future.Ahead of a major museum retrospective on the thriv...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2406AI and education might appear destined to be in conflict. Generative chat and video set up as tempting cheats, ones that might be somewhat transparent for now but that are rapidly gaining in sophistication. Education writer Jackie Valley spoke with host Clay Collins about schools that are countering fear of misuse by incorporating forms of AI in responsible ways that also deepen learners’ engagement and joy.Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:02:12 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2406AI and education might appear destined to be in conflict. Generative chat and video set up as tempting cheats, ones that might be somewhat transparent for now but that are rapidly gaining in sophistication. Education writer Jackie Valley spoke with host Clay Collins about schools that are countering fear of misuse by incorporating forms of AI in responsible ways that also deepen learners’ engagement and joy.AI and education might appear destined to be in co...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2405News always answers the “what.” That’s important. But a news organization built to elevate humanity also has a mandate to go much deeper, to look at what’s really driving the news. Monitor Editor Mark Sappenfield joins host Clay Collins to talk about a current Monitor focus on trust, and about how serially focusing on universal values that need attention – as well as on global news – can help make the Monitor an indispensable beacon on the media landscape.Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:03:30 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2405News always answers the “what.” That’s important. But a news organization built to elevate humanity also has a mandate to go much deeper, to look at what’s really driving the news. Monitor Editor Mark Sappenfield joins host Clay Collins to talk about a current Monitor focus on trust, and about how serially focusing on universal values that need attention – as well as on global news – can help make the Monitor an indispensable beacon on the media landscape.News always answers the “what.” That’s important. ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2404Sweden is, of course, more complex than the Utopian collective that some have long considered it to be. That’s not to say that its societal emphasis on better living doesn’t persist. Writer Erika Page reported from around Sweden on the aspirational concept of “lagom” – essentially, a life kept in balance. She tells host Clay Collins about the reporting, and what it showed about a Scandinavian concept that reflects a universal yearning.Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:51:37 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2404Sweden is, of course, more complex than the Utopian collective that some have long considered it to be. That’s not to say that its societal emphasis on better living doesn’t persist. Writer Erika Page reported from around Sweden on the aspirational concept of “lagom” – essentially, a life kept in balance. She tells host Clay Collins about the reporting, and what it showed about a Scandinavian concept that reflects a universal yearning.Sweden is, of course, more complex than the Utopia...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2403American politics tends to meet with broad-brush depictions. That has colored perceptions of Evangelical Christians as always being in lock step with right-wing Republican views. But while there are clear overlaps, that’s not the whole story. Harry Bruinius, a religion and culture writer for the Monitor, joins guest host Gail Chaddock to talk about his recent piece on post-Evangelicals – including MAGA followers’ relationship to the movement and what that could bode for 2024 and beyond.Fri, 12 Jan 2024 13:57:49 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2403American politics tends to meet with broad-brush depictions. That has colored perceptions of Evangelical Christians as always being in lock step with right-wing Republican views. But while there are clear overlaps, that’s not the whole story. Harry Bruinius, a religion and culture writer for the Monitor, joins guest host Gail Chaddock to talk about his recent piece on post-Evangelicals – including MAGA followers’ relationship to the movement and what that could bode for 2024 and beyond.American politics tends to meet with broad-brush d...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2402What’s work life like at the center of conflict coverage? It’s highly collaborative, by necessity. It calls for attention to more than the reportable news points that map a war’s course. It means keeping humanity at the center of the story. Ken Kaplan, the Monitor’s Mideast and diplomacy editor – and a close observer of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for nearly four decades – talks with host Clay Collins about life with little sleep, about logistics, and about helping to enforce “the Monitor difference” on stories that have every news outlet’s attention.Tue, 09 Jan 2024 12:44:48 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2402What’s work life like at the center of conflict coverage? It’s highly collaborative, by necessity. It calls for attention to more than the reportable news points that map a war’s course. It means keeping humanity at the center of the story. Ken Kaplan, the Monitor’s Mideast and diplomacy editor – and a close observer of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for nearly four decades – talks with host Clay Collins about life with little sleep, about logistics, and about helping to enforce “the Monitor difference” on stories that have every news outlet’s attention.What’s work life like at the center of conflict co...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2401What goes into writing about a handful of candidates’ monthslong presidential runs? Working tactically to gain the up-close access that brings insights into not only the nuances of the behavior and messaging, but also the public response. That’s the heart of the story. Guest host Gail Chaddock, a veteran of the game, chats with a Monitor rising star, politics writer Story Hinckley, just ahead of primary season 2024.Tue, 02 Jan 2024 14:48:06 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2401What goes into writing about a handful of candidates’ monthslong presidential runs? Working tactically to gain the up-close access that brings insights into not only the nuances of the behavior and messaging, but also the public response. That’s the heart of the story. Guest host Gail Chaddock, a veteran of the game, chats with a Monitor rising star, politics writer Story Hinckley, just ahead of primary season 2024.What goes into writing about a handful of candidat...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2347Call it the Climate Generation. Its members born since 1989, it’s the demographic cohort with the most to gain from climate action and the most to lose from inaction. The Monitor sent a team to four continents to report for the better part of a year. In this “making of” episode, guest host Clara Germani, the project’s leader, speaks with staff writers Sara Miller Llana and Stephanie Hanes about the just-finished series’ motivations, its shaping (and reshaping), and its careful, often complicated execution.Mon, 18 Dec 2023 12:00:17 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2347Call it the Climate Generation. Its members born since 1989, it’s the demographic cohort with the most to gain from climate action and the most to lose from inaction. The Monitor sent a team to four continents to report for the better part of a year. In this “making of” episode, guest host Clara Germani, the project’s leader, speaks with staff writers Sara Miller Llana and Stephanie Hanes about the just-finished series’ motivations, its shaping (and reshaping), and its careful, often complicated execution.Call it the Climate Generation. Its members born s...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2346Monitor readers love books. That adds to both the joy and the difficulty of serving as the publication’s books editor – and upholding a legacy of smart coverage. April Austin joins host Clay Collins to talk about what it’s like to be a literary gatekeeper, how reviewers get matched to books, and what job a Monitor review should aim to do for a busy reader.Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:36:07 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2346Monitor readers love books. That adds to both the joy and the difficulty of serving as the publication’s books editor – and upholding a legacy of smart coverage. April Austin joins host Clay Collins to talk about what it’s like to be a literary gatekeeper, how reviewers get matched to books, and what job a Monitor review should aim to do for a busy reader.Monitor readers love books. That adds to both the ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2345Grammy-winner Taylor Swift has inspired a record amount of Spotify streaming, notched Billboard firsts, inspired a Harvard course, and – oh, yeah – been named Time’s person of the year. But she’s more than a pop culture and economic juggernaut. She's also the de facto president of a pro-girlhood community that, in its best and most inclusive applications, empowers people to connect. Writer Isa Meyers spoke to host Clay Collins about seeing both stories at once.Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:25:18 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2345Grammy-winner Taylor Swift has inspired a record amount of Spotify streaming, notched Billboard firsts, inspired a Harvard course, and – oh, yeah – been named Time’s person of the year. But she’s more than a pop culture and economic juggernaut. She's also the de facto president of a pro-girlhood community that, in its best and most inclusive applications, empowers people to connect. Writer Isa Meyers spoke to host Clay Collins about seeing both stories at once.Grammy-winner Taylor Swift has inspired a record a...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2344Mass shootings enter and exit the U.S. news cycle with an almost numbing regularity. How can a reporter cover gun violence, one of the hottest hot-button issues in the nation, with fairness and respect? Can any hope be found amid the eruptions that dissolve into a cycle of thoughts and prayers, of debates over rights, restrictions, and root causes? Correspondent Patrik Jonsson spoke to host Clay Collins about reporting in the wake of the Lewiston, Maine, shooting – and about the notion of a right to public peace.Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:39:11 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2344Mass shootings enter and exit the U.S. news cycle with an almost numbing regularity. How can a reporter cover gun violence, one of the hottest hot-button issues in the nation, with fairness and respect? Can any hope be found amid the eruptions that dissolve into a cycle of thoughts and prayers, of debates over rights, restrictions, and root causes? Correspondent Patrik Jonsson spoke to host Clay Collins about reporting in the wake of the Lewiston, Maine, shooting – and about the notion of a right to public peace.Mass shootings enter and exit the U.S. news cycle ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2343In this re-topped encore episode, writer Harry Bruinius reflects on his exploration last Thanksgiving of the effects that letters of gratitude can have on senders and recipients alike. For this Thanksgiving, he speaks with host Clay Collins about how he has been thinking about that story and its subject since – and about tapping into the enduring power of gratitude, even in especially troubling times.Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:27:49 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2343In this re-topped encore episode, writer Harry Bruinius reflects on his exploration last Thanksgiving of the effects that letters of gratitude can have on senders and recipients alike. For this Thanksgiving, he speaks with host Clay Collins about how he has been thinking about that story and its subject since – and about tapping into the enduring power of gratitude, even in especially troubling times.In this re-topped encore episode, writer Harry Bru...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2342The recent elevation to U.S. House speaker of a relative unknown set off a wave of declarative side-taking. Some pointed to hopes for civility and responsible government. Others to controversial stands on social issues and the division they can sow. For our senior congressional writer, the news meant sifting factual accounts of Mike Johnson’s words and actions, and not getting caught in the efforts to shape any particular narrative. Gail Chaddock guest hosts this episode.Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:24:07 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2342The recent elevation to U.S. House speaker of a relative unknown set off a wave of declarative side-taking. Some pointed to hopes for civility and responsible government. Others to controversial stands on social issues and the division they can sow. For our senior congressional writer, the news meant sifting factual accounts of Mike Johnson’s words and actions, and not getting caught in the efforts to shape any particular narrative. Gail Chaddock guest hosts this episode.The recent elevation to U.S. House speaker of a re...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2341Can civility – true, deep civility – save what can sometimes seem like a broken world? Stephen Humphries, the Monitor’s chief culture writer, joins host Clay Collins to talk about his expansive view of the culture beat and about how he came to write about Alexandra Hudson’s book, “The Soul of Civility.” Ms. Hudson, too, joins this episode to talk further about how to bridge the empathy gap that reveals itself around issues ranging from Mideast side-taking to vaccines.Fri, 03 Nov 2023 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2341Can civility – true, deep civility – save what can sometimes seem like a broken world? Stephen Humphries, the Monitor’s chief culture writer, joins host Clay Collins to talk about his expansive view of the culture beat and about how he came to write about Alexandra Hudson’s book, “The Soul of Civility.” Ms. Hudson, too, joins this episode to talk further about how to bridge the empathy gap that reveals itself around issues ranging from Mideast side-taking to vaccines.Can civility – true, deep civility – save what can...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2340Where does Israel’s pursuit of Hamas go next, and what does it mean for the broader Israeli-Palestinian struggle? Ned Temko, a veteran Mideast-watcher, joins host Clay Collins to talk about a region that demands command of context to cover – let alone analyze – fairly. Ned offers a high-altitude look at how this latest round of violence has, in a way, returned the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to its deepest roots – but also is focusing eyes on the importance of attempting some form of political resolution.Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:23:51 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2340Where does Israel’s pursuit of Hamas go next, and what does it mean for the broader Israeli-Palestinian struggle? Ned Temko, a veteran Mideast-watcher, joins host Clay Collins to talk about a region that demands command of context to cover – let alone analyze – fairly. Ned offers a high-altitude look at how this latest round of violence has, in a way, returned the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to its deepest roots – but also is focusing eyes on the importance of attempting some form of political resolution.Where does Israel’s pursuit of Hamas go next, and ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2338How does the Monitor’s film critic approach the work of identifying what to review, and how? For Peter Rainer, it’s about intelligent curating, and staying moored by his own context-rich experience – even amid buzz around topics like “Barbenheimer,” or the question of whether superhero movies are a scourge. It’s about serving his audience by filtering the noise that can overshadow the works themselves. Peter spoke with host Clay Collins about how he does that – with a bonus anecdote about a surprising encounter with Quentin Tarantino.Fri, 06 Oct 2023 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2338How does the Monitor’s film critic approach the work of identifying what to review, and how? For Peter Rainer, it’s about intelligent curating, and staying moored by his own context-rich experience – even amid buzz around topics like “Barbenheimer,” or the question of whether superhero movies are a scourge. It’s about serving his audience by filtering the noise that can overshadow the works themselves. Peter spoke with host Clay Collins about how he does that – with a bonus anecdote about a surprising encounter with Quentin Tarantino.How does the Monitor’s film critic approach the wo...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2339A hot war in the Middle East rightly owns international headlines now. But Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to deeply affect daily lives – including those of the very young. This year, a third of Ukrainian students are going back to in-person classes full time, in places where their schools can be called relatively safe. Writer Dominique Soguel spoke to host Clay Collins about the work of reporting her recent story on Ukrainians’ resolve to give their children the human connection they need to thrive.Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:45:46 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2339A hot war in the Middle East rightly owns international headlines now. But Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to deeply affect daily lives – including those of the very young. This year, a third of Ukrainian students are going back to in-person classes full time, in places where their schools can be called relatively safe. Writer Dominique Soguel spoke to host Clay Collins about the work of reporting her recent story on Ukrainians’ resolve to give their children the human connection they need to thrive.A hot war in the Middle East rightly owns internat...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2337How does the Monitor report fairly on the rising number of important U.S. politicians who are reaching advanced ages – and getting ever greater media and public scrutiny over issues of mental acuity? Two longtime Washington reporters, Linda Feldmann, the Monitor’s D.C. bureau chief, and Gail Chaddock, guest host and former congressional correspondent, discuss how not to get swept up in a prevailing narrative.Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:37:45 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2337How does the Monitor report fairly on the rising number of important U.S. politicians who are reaching advanced ages – and getting ever greater media and public scrutiny over issues of mental acuity? Two longtime Washington reporters, Linda Feldmann, the Monitor’s D.C. bureau chief, and Gail Chaddock, guest host and former congressional correspondent, discuss how not to get swept up in a prevailing narrative.How does the Monitor report fairly on the rising n...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2336Talk about seeing the forest for the trees. When Jingnan Peng, a multimedia reporter as well as regular producer of this show, caught wind of a forest-planting project near our Boston base, he grabbed his video camera and a drone. The story he ended up filming: that of Maya Dutta, whose work with Biodiversity for a Livable Climate has her creating Miyawaki forests. For this episode – partly an encore of one in which Jing described his approach to videography – Jing spoke to host Clay Collins about how he found this story, why it’s a natural Monitor piece, and how it fits his oeuvre.Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:17:38 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2336Talk about seeing the forest for the trees. When Jingnan Peng, a multimedia reporter as well as regular producer of this show, caught wind of a forest-planting project near our Boston base, he grabbed his video camera and a drone. The story he ended up filming: that of Maya Dutta, whose work with Biodiversity for a Livable Climate has her creating Miyawaki forests. For this episode – partly an encore of one in which Jing described his approach to videography – Jing spoke to host Clay Collins about how he found this story, why it’s a natural Monitor piece, and how it fits his oeuvre.Talk about seeing the forest for the trees. When J...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2335Journalists on the culture beat often get to be on hand for big events. Usually they can see them coming. As Season 2 of the Welsh football series “Welcome to Wrexham” rolls out on FX, the Monitor’s Stephen Humphries relives a May assignment that dropped him into the stadium where a low-tier team would notch an improbable victory. He tells guest host Kendra Nordin Beato about the surge of fan identity that the team’s win gave to its sleepy hometown – and to a larger community beyond.Fri, 01 Sep 2023 08:41:58 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2335Journalists on the culture beat often get to be on hand for big events. Usually they can see them coming. As Season 2 of the Welsh football series “Welcome to Wrexham” rolls out on FX, the Monitor’s Stephen Humphries relives a May assignment that dropped him into the stadium where a low-tier team would notch an improbable victory. He tells guest host Kendra Nordin Beato about the surge of fan identity that the team’s win gave to its sleepy hometown – and to a larger community beyond.Journalists on the culture beat often get to be on...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2333What does it take to report on a disaster sensitively, safely, and through a Monitor lens? How can a reporter find credible hope for eventual renewal amid devastation? Writer Sarah Matusek spoke to host Clay Collins about reporting from West Maui immediately following the Aug. 8 fires – and about finding generosity and agency in abundance.Wed, 16 Aug 2023 08:34:09 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2333What does it take to report on a disaster sensitively, safely, and through a Monitor lens? How can a reporter find credible hope for eventual renewal amid devastation? Writer Sarah Matusek spoke to host Clay Collins about reporting from West Maui immediately following the Aug. 8 fires – and about finding generosity and agency in abundance.What does it take to report on a disaster sensitiv...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2334Photography does so much to humanize reporting. What does it mean to come at stories quite literally through the “Monitor lens” that this show explores? A longtime staff shooter who has made images in more than 80 countries and on every continent, Melanie Stetson Freeman talks with host Clay Collins about joyful moments and sobering ones, and about how the people and places she encounters still bring surprises after all of that travel and all of those years.Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:45:46 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2334Photography does so much to humanize reporting. What does it mean to come at stories quite literally through the “Monitor lens” that this show explores? A longtime staff shooter who has made images in more than 80 countries and on every continent, Melanie Stetson Freeman talks with host Clay Collins about joyful moments and sobering ones, and about how the people and places she encounters still bring surprises after all of that travel and all of those years.Photography does so much to humanize reporting. Wh...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2332Debates have been a part of American politics at least since the Lincoln-Douglas Senate tilt became, perhaps unfairly, kind of a standard-setter. Some (Kennedy-Nixon) have been media moments. Some (Bentsen-Quayle) have spawned sound bites that ricocheted through a race. They can entertain. They can inform. As a new debate season kicks off, what does it mean to size them up for substance? Veteran Washington reporter Peter Grier spoke to guest host Gail Russell Chaddock.Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:15:12 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2332Debates have been a part of American politics at least since the Lincoln-Douglas Senate tilt became, perhaps unfairly, kind of a standard-setter. Some (Kennedy-Nixon) have been media moments. Some (Bentsen-Quayle) have spawned sound bites that ricocheted through a race. They can entertain. They can inform. As a new debate season kicks off, what does it mean to size them up for substance? Veteran Washington reporter Peter Grier spoke to guest host Gail Russell Chaddock.Debates have been a part of American politics at l...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2331Small-group learning has been around for a while. It got a boost from pandemic learning pods. Are microschools – essentially modern-day one-room schoolhouses – effective? Education writer Jackie Valley joins host Clay Collins to discuss her reporting on an emerging trend that one proponent says is about “building a civil society from scratch” – and that others hail as a transformational, bottom-up movement that could ultimately help reform U.S. education.Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:10:25 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2331Small-group learning has been around for a while. It got a boost from pandemic learning pods. Are microschools – essentially modern-day one-room schoolhouses – effective? Education writer Jackie Valley joins host Clay Collins to discuss her reporting on an emerging trend that one proponent says is about “building a civil society from scratch” – and that others hail as a transformational, bottom-up movement that could ultimately help reform U.S. education.Small-group learning has been around for a while. ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2330Honest, well-presented data ought to be ironclad. In what some have dubbed a “post-truth” age, however, numbers can be dismissed simply for not matching a chosen narrative. Jake Turcotte builds graphics and data visualizations for the Monitor. He spoke with host Clay Collins about the importance of arraying data that presents information in a way that’s credible, digestible, and a tool for helping readers make up their own minds about complex stories.Mon, 07 Aug 2023 14:38:48 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2330Honest, well-presented data ought to be ironclad. In what some have dubbed a “post-truth” age, however, numbers can be dismissed simply for not matching a chosen narrative. Jake Turcotte builds graphics and data visualizations for the Monitor. He spoke with host Clay Collins about the importance of arraying data that presents information in a way that’s credible, digestible, and a tool for helping readers make up their own minds about complex stories.Honest, well-presented data ought to be ironclad. ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2329A new museum went up this summer in Charleston, South Carolina, at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf. From this spot, through which thousands of enslaved people were forced, writer Ken Makin reported a story of progress toward reclamation – and of hard work left to be done. He spoke with host Clay Collins about the transformation of this harrowing place, and about how it left room to celebrate a culture’s will to thrive.Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:25:34 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2329A new museum went up this summer in Charleston, South Carolina, at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf. From this spot, through which thousands of enslaved people were forced, writer Ken Makin reported a story of progress toward reclamation – and of hard work left to be done. He spoke with host Clay Collins about the transformation of this harrowing place, and about how it left room to celebrate a culture’s will to thrive.A new museum went up this summer in Charleston, So...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2328How much more effective is journalism when its practitioners take extra care to account for local perspectives and practices? And what does it mean when media organizations stay with their stories over time? Xanthe Scharff’s reporting in Malawi in 2005 and then again this year helps answer both questions. She and her recent colleague Madalo Samati – a mentor Xanthe met when she shifted from reporting to actively participating – spoke with guest host Amelia Newcomb.Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:43:30 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2328How much more effective is journalism when its practitioners take extra care to account for local perspectives and practices? And what does it mean when media organizations stay with their stories over time? Xanthe Scharff’s reporting in Malawi in 2005 and then again this year helps answer both questions. She and her recent colleague Madalo Samati – a mentor Xanthe met when she shifted from reporting to actively participating – spoke with guest host Amelia Newcomb.How much more effective is journalism when its pra...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2327How does a Mideast reporter find, amid recurring conflict, stories loaded with humanity and shared values? Amman-based Taylor Luck, a return guest on this podcast, works to balance credible hope and the cycle of setbacks wrought by hard regional realities. He spoke to host Clay Collins about a generation bent on bringing change – and about what he’s seen while producing datelines from Tunisia to the West Bank.Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:42:36 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2327How does a Mideast reporter find, amid recurring conflict, stories loaded with humanity and shared values? Amman-based Taylor Luck, a return guest on this podcast, works to balance credible hope and the cycle of setbacks wrought by hard regional realities. He spoke to host Clay Collins about a generation bent on bringing change – and about what he’s seen while producing datelines from Tunisia to the West Bank.How does a Mideast reporter find, amid recurring c...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2326Charges of politicization are nothing new. But what goes into keeping Supreme Court reporting fair at a time when the justices themselves are making headlines over issues of ethics? Writer Henry Gass and his editor, Yvonne Zipp, join guest host Gail Chaddock for a look at covering the sometimes surprising session that just ended – staying glued to SCOTUSblog and reporting smart stories ahead of decisions from the places where the human impact of those rulings is most acutely felt.Mon, 10 Jul 2023 09:01:21 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2326Charges of politicization are nothing new. But what goes into keeping Supreme Court reporting fair at a time when the justices themselves are making headlines over issues of ethics? Writer Henry Gass and his editor, Yvonne Zipp, join guest host Gail Chaddock for a look at covering the sometimes surprising session that just ended – staying glued to SCOTUSblog and reporting smart stories ahead of decisions from the places where the human impact of those rulings is most acutely felt.Charges of politicization are nothing new. But wha...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2325In rural China, millions of elderly farmers are getting by despite a dwindling government pension reserve. In some ways, it’s a story of desperation. But on a reporting swing deep into northern Shaanxi province, the Monitor’s Ann Scott Tyson found it also to be one of resilience, perseverance, and agency. She spoke to guest host and show producer Jingnan Peng.Fri, 07 Jul 2023 09:00:00 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2325In rural China, millions of elderly farmers are getting by despite a dwindling government pension reserve. In some ways, it’s a story of desperation. But on a reporting swing deep into northern Shaanxi province, the Monitor’s Ann Scott Tyson found it also to be one of resilience, perseverance, and agency. She spoke to guest host and show producer Jingnan Peng.In rural China, millions of elderly farmers are ge...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2324A long-awaited report to California’s legislature by a reparations task force is fueling broader conversations, at institutions and among individuals. The Monitor’s commitment to exploring the issues means considering – fairly and factually – a wide range of views. In this episode, writers Maisie Sparks and Clara Germani speak with guest host Trudy Palmer about how the work of recording perspectives and changes of heart shaped their own understanding of this complex story of justice, dignity, and transformation.Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:02:11 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2324A long-awaited report to California’s legislature by a reparations task force is fueling broader conversations, at institutions and among individuals. The Monitor’s commitment to exploring the issues means considering – fairly and factually – a wide range of views. In this episode, writers Maisie Sparks and Clara Germani speak with guest host Trudy Palmer about how the work of recording perspectives and changes of heart shaped their own understanding of this complex story of justice, dignity, and transformation.A long-awaited report to California’s legislature ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2323You don’t know everything that someone is capable of just from a single observation or interaction. That’s the core idea behind the anti-bullying work of Shadi Pourkashef. She delivers on it with a very intentional focus shift: from problem to solution. The Monitor’s JJ Wahlberg spoke with host Clay Collins about reporting – for her first Monitor story – on one shining exhibition of the power of kindness.Fri, 26 May 2023 11:07:44 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2323You don’t know everything that someone is capable of just from a single observation or interaction. That’s the core idea behind the anti-bullying work of Shadi Pourkashef. She delivers on it with a very intentional focus shift: from problem to solution. The Monitor’s JJ Wahlberg spoke with host Clay Collins about reporting – for her first Monitor story – on one shining exhibition of the power of kindness.You don’t know everything that someone is capable ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2322With much of the world’s attention on the cold wins-and-losses scorecard of Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine, and with a counteroffensive reportedly underway, how are Ukrainian civilians holding up? Scott Peterson has now reported from the conflict zone a half-dozen times. For this updated, encore episode of his February show, “War Stories,” he stopped by our Boston newsroom and spoke with host Clay Collins.Fri, 26 May 2023 10:41:16 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2322With much of the world’s attention on the cold wins-and-losses scorecard of Russia’s grinding war in Ukraine, and with a counteroffensive reportedly underway, how are Ukrainian civilians holding up? Scott Peterson has now reported from the conflict zone a half-dozen times. For this updated, encore episode of his February show, “War Stories,” he stopped by our Boston newsroom and spoke with host Clay Collins.With much of the world’s attention on the cold win...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2321A once largely invisible minority, transgender people have swiftly moved into the mainstream of popular culture, and some conservatives appear intent on stoking a social and political backlash, particularly among older voters. Writer Simon Montlake talks about bringing fairness to the fore in coverage of a rights issue on which two sides’ stances are so fundamentally different. Hosted by Gail Russell Chaddock.Wed, 17 May 2023 20:32:21 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2321A once largely invisible minority, transgender people have swiftly moved into the mainstream of popular culture, and some conservatives appear intent on stoking a social and political backlash, particularly among older voters. Writer Simon Montlake talks about bringing fairness to the fore in coverage of a rights issue on which two sides’ stances are so fundamentally different. Hosted by Gail Russell Chaddock.A once largely invisible minority, transgender peo...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2320Does the promise of a big push into afforestation and renewable energy point to an authentically “greening” Saudi Arabia? To an open quest for an edge in an emerging global market? To both of those things? Our Amman, Jordan-based writer describes the careful listening that went into the reporting of a counternarrative cover story that’s really all about balance and transformation. Hosted by Clay Collins.Mon, 15 May 2023 13:30:16 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2320Does the promise of a big push into afforestation and renewable energy point to an authentically “greening” Saudi Arabia? To an open quest for an edge in an emerging global market? To both of those things? Our Amman, Jordan-based writer describes the careful listening that went into the reporting of a counternarrative cover story that’s really all about balance and transformation. Hosted by Clay Collins.Does the promise of a big push into afforestation ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2319Americans’ loss of social connection has long been an issue, and it worsened during the pandemic to the point where loneliness has now hit epidemic levels. In this episode we talk about why we wrote a kind of antidote story – one about front-porch culture and the power of people to collectively make their lives a bit richer. Hosted by Clay Collins.Thu, 11 May 2023 10:44:20 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2319Americans’ loss of social connection has long been an issue, and it worsened during the pandemic to the point where loneliness has now hit epidemic levels. In this episode we talk about why we wrote a kind of antidote story – one about front-porch culture and the power of people to collectively make their lives a bit richer. Hosted by Clay Collins.Americans’ loss of social connection has long been...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2318Where in the Americas can you find the core elements of democracy being well modeled? Some suggest ... Uruguay. It is by no means a utopia. But these days, Uruguay showcases stability and balance in some striking ways. It’s exhibiting lively disagreement without a lot of extreme discourse. Erika Page, who has been writing from around the region for the Monitor, explains. Hosted by Clay Collins.Tue, 18 Apr 2023 09:50:35 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2318Where in the Americas can you find the core elements of democracy being well modeled? Some suggest ... Uruguay. It is by no means a utopia. But these days, Uruguay showcases stability and balance in some striking ways. It’s exhibiting lively disagreement without a lot of extreme discourse. Erika Page, who has been writing from around the region for the Monitor, explains. Hosted by Clay Collins.Where in the Americas can you find the core elemen...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2317There’s a prevailing narrative about U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and it’s not a particularly nuanced one. How can a writer build fairness into a profile of a political figure about whom many have a narrow view? Step one: Get out of Washington. Christa Case Bryant, the Monitor’s congressional writer, talks it over with her predecessor in that role, guest host Gail Chaddock.Fri, 14 Apr 2023 17:08:09 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2317There’s a prevailing narrative about U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and it’s not a particularly nuanced one. How can a writer build fairness into a profile of a political figure about whom many have a narrow view? Step one: Get out of Washington. Christa Case Bryant, the Monitor’s congressional writer, talks it over with her predecessor in that role, guest host Gail Chaddock.There’s a prevailing narrative about U.S. House Sp...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2316Generosity is often an attribute of those who have little. Monitor contributor Nick Roll talks about the discovery and execution of a powerful counternarrative to so much Africa coverage. From a village in Niger, he reported a credible and moving affirmation of humanity, decency, and dignity. Hosted by Clay Collins.Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:47:52 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2316Generosity is often an attribute of those who have little. Monitor contributor Nick Roll talks about the discovery and execution of a powerful counternarrative to so much Africa coverage. From a village in Niger, he reported a credible and moving affirmation of humanity, decency, and dignity. Hosted by Clay Collins.Generosity is often an attribute of those who have...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2315Sure, some Republicans and Democrats have their dug-in stances on key aspects of climate change. But a middle may be bulking up, led by those from across the political spectrum who value immersion in nature and feel compelled, finally, to act – even if in different ways. Christa Case Bryant and Stephanie Hanes spoke with host Clay Collins about shifting perspectives.Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:21:26 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2315Sure, some Republicans and Democrats have their dug-in stances on key aspects of climate change. But a middle may be bulking up, led by those from across the political spectrum who value immersion in nature and feel compelled, finally, to act – even if in different ways. Christa Case Bryant and Stephanie Hanes spoke with host Clay Collins about shifting perspectives.Sure, some Republicans and Democrats have their du...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2314Emmanuel Macron’s push for retirement reform has brought the French into the streets in numbers that have been surprisingly vast, even for a country where protest is baked into the culture. How Paris-based writer Colette Davidson sized up why the movement is broadening, explored how hope shines through the anger, and gave space to the less popular perspective that the numbers may add up to a need for reform. Hosted by Clay Collins.Mon, 27 Mar 2023 16:57:44 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2314Emmanuel Macron’s push for retirement reform has brought the French into the streets in numbers that have been surprisingly vast, even for a country where protest is baked into the culture. How Paris-based writer Colette Davidson sized up why the movement is broadening, explored how hope shines through the anger, and gave space to the less popular perspective that the numbers may add up to a need for reform. Hosted by Clay Collins.Emmanuel Macron’s push for retirement reform has b...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2313Stories of the U.S. West’s water woes often run from the feast-or-famine saga of snowpack to overdrawn aquifers and conflict over a resource. In this episode, the Monitor’s Mountain West writer, Sara Matusek, talks with host Clay Collins about how she found and told a story of responsibility and ingenuity, of careful stewardship and agency that brings some hope.Fri, 17 Mar 2023 09:05:04 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2313Stories of the U.S. West’s water woes often run from the feast-or-famine saga of snowpack to overdrawn aquifers and conflict over a resource. In this episode, the Monitor’s Mountain West writer, Sara Matusek, talks with host Clay Collins about how she found and told a story of responsibility and ingenuity, of careful stewardship and agency that brings some hope.Stories of the U.S. West’s water woes often run fr...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2312For more women to become collegiate athletic directors, decisionmakers must be intentional about creating opportunities – especially for women who have already put in the work. Ira Porter, who covers higher education for the Monitor, spoke with host Clay Collins about reporting on an eight-college HBCU conference that’s modeling leadership on gender equality in a male-dominated field.Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:21:40 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2312For more women to become collegiate athletic directors, decisionmakers must be intentional about creating opportunities – especially for women who have already put in the work. Ira Porter, who covers higher education for the Monitor, spoke with host Clay Collins about reporting on an eight-college HBCU conference that’s modeling leadership on gender equality in a male-dominated field.For more women to become collegiate athletic direc...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2311Predictive bots using ChatGPT technology are one of the grabbier forms of artificial intelligence, with its ever deepening tentacles into daily life. How does a Monitor writer take on issues of ethics and trust around a disruptive technology that’s at once alluring and very disconcerting? Laurent Belsie joins host Clay Collins.Fri, 03 Mar 2023 08:38:11 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2311Predictive bots using ChatGPT technology are one of the grabbier forms of artificial intelligence, with its ever deepening tentacles into daily life. How does a Monitor writer take on issues of ethics and trust around a disruptive technology that’s at once alluring and very disconcerting? Laurent Belsie joins host Clay Collins.Predictive bots using ChatGPT technology are one o...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2310Smart, contextual analysis. A high fiber news-diet supplement for a fast-info age. A unique, universal lens. All hallmarks of the Monitor approach. But how can a ‘slow news’ approach accommodate a go-go news cycle that whipsaws the world’s attention – and demands the Monitor’s too? Managing Editor Amelia Newcomb joins host Clay Collins.Fri, 03 Mar 2023 08:34:23 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2310Smart, contextual analysis. A high fiber news-diet supplement for a fast-info age. A unique, universal lens. All hallmarks of the Monitor approach. But how can a ‘slow news’ approach accommodate a go-go news cycle that whipsaws the world’s attention – and demands the Monitor’s too? Managing Editor Amelia Newcomb joins host Clay Collins.Smart, contextual analysis. A high fiber news-diet...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2308One community’s struggle to come to terms with enormous loss became a powerful story about forgiveness – including of people not quite ready yet to forgive. That made it the most universal of stories. Reporter Sara Miller Llana spoke with host Clay Collins about her process, and about producing the hardest story she’d ever done.Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:15:52 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2308One community’s struggle to come to terms with enormous loss became a powerful story about forgiveness – including of people not quite ready yet to forgive. That made it the most universal of stories. Reporter Sara Miller Llana spoke with host Clay Collins about her process, and about producing the hardest story she’d ever done.One community’s struggle to come to terms with eno...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2309This year’s Oscar nominations delivered a nope for “Nope.” And Viola Davis was overlooked. But there were five nods for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Commentator Ken Makin spoke with host Clay Collins for an update of this encore presentation of our Black Hollywood episode from December. It’s Ken’s take on what this year’s Academy Awards tell us about a slow path to progress and representation.Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:23:29 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2309This year’s Oscar nominations delivered a nope for “Nope.” And Viola Davis was overlooked. But there were five nods for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Commentator Ken Makin spoke with host Clay Collins for an update of this encore presentation of our Black Hollywood episode from December. It’s Ken’s take on what this year’s Academy Awards tell us about a slow path to progress and representation.This year’s Oscar nominations delivered a nope for...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2307Actively reporting from Ukraine, and with a foreign correspondent’s pedigree that includes stints from Rwanda to Kabul to Fallujah to Mogadishu, Scott Peterson has developed a deep skill set around covering conflicts with humility, respect, and sensitivity. He spoke with host Clay Collins about why Monitor war stories are different.Thu, 02 Feb 2023 11:56:33 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2307Actively reporting from Ukraine, and with a foreign correspondent’s pedigree that includes stints from Rwanda to Kabul to Fallujah to Mogadishu, Scott Peterson has developed a deep skill set around covering conflicts with humility, respect, and sensitivity. He spoke with host Clay Collins about why Monitor war stories are different.Actively reporting from Ukraine, and with a foreig...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2305Public-school teachers run on passion for their work and for the kids in their classrooms. That work is vital to a thriving society. But teachers also are widely regarded as being underpaid – often moonlighting to get by. A Monitor education writer looks at a push to create a higher baseline for compensation in a story that really extends to equality and fairness. Hosted by Clay Collins.Fri, 20 Jan 2023 17:16:25 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2305Public-school teachers run on passion for their work and for the kids in their classrooms. That work is vital to a thriving society. But teachers also are widely regarded as being underpaid – often moonlighting to get by. A Monitor education writer looks at a push to create a higher baseline for compensation in a story that really extends to equality and fairness. Hosted by Clay Collins.Public-school teachers run on passion for their wo...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2304The notion of assistance in dying as an act of mercy is ancient. Now it has become part of a global debate that’s taking a variety of forms, and that ultimately is about what a caring society truly looks like. How a team of Monitor writers parsed that, with care and compassion. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:38:01 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2304The notion of assistance in dying as an act of mercy is ancient. Now it has become part of a global debate that’s taking a variety of forms, and that ultimately is about what a caring society truly looks like. How a team of Monitor writers parsed that, with care and compassion. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.The notion of assistance in dying as an act of mer...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2303Is there a credible counternarrative to the sense that industrial-grade partisan brinkmanship is all that’s on tap in U.S. politics? Francine Kiefer talks about reporting an Alaska story that shows how cooperation and respect might be a way forward. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Tue, 10 Jan 2023 11:00:20 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2303Is there a credible counternarrative to the sense that industrial-grade partisan brinkmanship is all that’s on tap in U.S. politics? Francine Kiefer talks about reporting an Alaska story that shows how cooperation and respect might be a way forward. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Is there a credible counternarrative to the sense ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2306How does a political reporter go about gathering vox pop that’s meaningful – authentic personal perspectives that contribute value to stories, and don’t just parrot pre-cooked talking points? Story Hinckley speaks with host Clay Collins about the persistence, balance, and respect that the work requires.Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:08:38 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2306How does a political reporter go about gathering vox pop that’s meaningful – authentic personal perspectives that contribute value to stories, and don’t just parrot pre-cooked talking points? Story Hinckley speaks with host Clay Collins about the persistence, balance, and respect that the work requires.How does a political reporter go about gathering v...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2301Every storyteller has a favorite medium. For the Monitor’s Jingnan Peng, it’s videography that carries that special power to humanize his reporting and drive stories home – especially stories that bring respect to underdogs and marginalized groups. Revealing their agency brings Jing joy. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:55:32 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2301Every storyteller has a favorite medium. For the Monitor’s Jingnan Peng, it’s videography that carries that special power to humanize his reporting and drive stories home – especially stories that bring respect to underdogs and marginalized groups. Revealing their agency brings Jing joy. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Every storyteller has a favorite medium. For the M...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2211Popular uprisings, and hints of more. Stories of struggles that seem to run in unending cycles. How does a news organization committed to finding evidence of shared human values keep a constructive framing? Peter Ford, the Monitor’s international news editor, spoke with host Clay Collins about the challenge.Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:41:57 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2211Popular uprisings, and hints of more. Stories of struggles that seem to run in unending cycles. How does a news organization committed to finding evidence of shared human values keep a constructive framing? Peter Ford, the Monitor’s international news editor, spoke with host Clay Collins about the challenge.Popular uprisings, and hints of more. Stories of s...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2210Hollywood might not have had a “tipping point” year when it comes to diversity. But Monitor columnist Ken Makin acknowledges that the year reflected a continuum of progress for representation. In this episode, he speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about how some of the year's top hits – including “Wakanda Forever,” “Till,” and “Star Wars” – expanded the genre of Black storytelling.Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:38:27 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2210Hollywood might not have had a “tipping point” year when it comes to diversity. But Monitor columnist Ken Makin acknowledges that the year reflected a continuum of progress for representation. In this episode, he speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about how some of the year's top hits – including “Wakanda Forever,” “Till,” and “Star Wars” – expanded the genre of Black storytelling.Hollywood might not have had a “tipping point” yea...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2209Farming is among the most basic, and essential, relationships that humans can have with our planet. And it’s evolving to keep pace with changing climate conditions. In this episode, Whitney Eulich, the Monitor’s Mexico City-based Latin America editor and writer, talks with host Clay Collins about the roots of a Monitor story on global innovation in small-scale agriculture.Wed, 30 Nov 2022 11:34:16 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2209Farming is among the most basic, and essential, relationships that humans can have with our planet. And it’s evolving to keep pace with changing climate conditions. In this episode, Whitney Eulich, the Monitor’s Mexico City-based Latin America editor and writer, talks with host Clay Collins about the roots of a Monitor story on global innovation in small-scale agriculture.Farming is among the most basic, and essential, re...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2208Will the four-day workweek take hold, at least in sectors where qualified workers remain scarce? Veteran reporter Laurent Belsie took a close look at a long-running labor reform idea that is again sparking the popular imagination. He talks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about finding a Monitor angle on a workplace dynamics story that’s getting a lot of coverage.Mon, 14 Nov 2022 17:10:15 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2208Will the four-day workweek take hold, at least in sectors where qualified workers remain scarce? Veteran reporter Laurent Belsie took a close look at a long-running labor reform idea that is again sparking the popular imagination. He talks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about finding a Monitor angle on a workplace dynamics story that’s getting a lot of coverage.Will the four-day workweek take hold, at least in ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2206Native adoption and child welfare have reached the U.S. Supreme Court. There’s no simple answer to the question of whether the Indian Child Welfare Act works. The Monitor’s justice writer, Henry Gass, talks about presenting different, nuanced perspectives compellingly and without judgment, with dignity and respect. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Wed, 09 Nov 2022 08:34:11 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2206Native adoption and child welfare have reached the U.S. Supreme Court. There’s no simple answer to the question of whether the Indian Child Welfare Act works. The Monitor’s justice writer, Henry Gass, talks about presenting different, nuanced perspectives compellingly and without judgment, with dignity and respect. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Native adoption and child welfare have reached the...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2302How did a story on solutions to Toronto’s deepening housing crisis become a story about empathy and compassion? Staff writer Sara Miller Llana tracked down those working to shift intergenerational tension toward a focus on mutual goals, resulting in potential win-win solutions. She spoke with host Samantha Laine Perfas.Thu, 03 Nov 2022 14:20:10 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2302How did a story on solutions to Toronto’s deepening housing crisis become a story about empathy and compassion? Staff writer Sara Miller Llana tracked down those working to shift intergenerational tension toward a focus on mutual goals, resulting in potential win-win solutions. She spoke with host Samantha Laine Perfas.How did a story on solutions to Toronto’s deepenin...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2207What is the role of gratitude in our lives? To answer that question, staff writer Harry Bruinius gathered written expressions of thanks from people who had sent or received them, and then conducted interviews about their impact. He spoke to the Monitor’s Samantha Laine Perfas about what he learned.Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:10:29 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2207What is the role of gratitude in our lives? To answer that question, staff writer Harry Bruinius gathered written expressions of thanks from people who had sent or received them, and then conducted interviews about their impact. He spoke to the Monitor’s Samantha Laine Perfas about what he learned.What is the role of gratitude in our lives? To ans...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2205Fairness should be a given in political journalism. But today even the media can struggle to stay neutral, or there’s a creeping “both-sides-ism” that creates false equivalencies. That fuels distrust. How does the Monitor navigate this? The Monitor’s politics editor, Liz Marlantes, speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas.Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:07:17 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2205Fairness should be a given in political journalism. But today even the media can struggle to stay neutral, or there’s a creeping “both-sides-ism” that creates false equivalencies. That fuels distrust. How does the Monitor navigate this? The Monitor’s politics editor, Liz Marlantes, speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas.Fairness should be a given in political journalism...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2204Lenora Chu turned a story on the nuances of new conscription policies in Northern Europe into a look at balance and responsibility – at governments working to deliver what their societies need, and at the right time. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Wed, 05 Oct 2022 17:13:23 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2204Lenora Chu turned a story on the nuances of new conscription policies in Northern Europe into a look at balance and responsibility – at governments working to deliver what their societies need, and at the right time. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Lenora Chu turned a story on the nuances of new co...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2203John Gould, a regular presence in the Monitor’s essay section, The Home Forum, left a lasting impression on the Monitor and on his longtime editor Owen Thomas, who is using the 80th anniversary of Mr. Gould’s first published essay to highlight the late writer’s work for a new generation. Hosted by Clay Collins.Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:31:28 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2203John Gould, a regular presence in the Monitor’s essay section, The Home Forum, left a lasting impression on the Monitor and on his longtime editor Owen Thomas, who is using the 80th anniversary of Mr. Gould’s first published essay to highlight the late writer’s work for a new generation. Hosted by Clay Collins.John Gould, a regular presence in the Monitor’s es...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2202What happens when a storied journalism brand moves to sharpen its long-standing approach to news? For our second episode, we spoke to Monitor Editor Mark Sappenfield about the Monitor’s renewed commitment to focusing on what’s universal – and uniting – about the human experience. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:26:24 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2202What happens when a storied journalism brand moves to sharpen its long-standing approach to news? For our second episode, we spoke to Monitor Editor Mark Sappenfield about the Monitor’s renewed commitment to focusing on what’s universal – and uniting – about the human experience. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.What happens when a storied journalism brand moves...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2201Why float a new podcast into the sea of podcasts? At the Monitor, we see the world in a different way, with an eye to progress and credible hope, yes, but also to the common values that undergird the shared human experience. In this new podcast, we share the stories behind our stories. Host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with editor Clayton Collins and producer Jingnan Peng about the launch of “Why We Wrote This.”Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:40:46 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2201Why float a new podcast into the sea of podcasts? At the Monitor, we see the world in a different way, with an eye to progress and credible hope, yes, but also to the common values that undergird the shared human experience. In this new podcast, we share the stories behind our stories. Host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with editor Clayton Collins and producer Jingnan Peng about the launch of “Why We Wrote This.”Why float a new podcast into the sea of podcasts? ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2200This new weekly podcast features conversations with Monitor reporters and editors that help explain how we approach the news – and how we find shared values such as respect, resilience, dignity, agency, and hope behind the headlines. Host Samantha Laine Perfas explains.Tue, 27 Sep 2022 14:57:03 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/wwwt_2200This new weekly podcast features conversations with Monitor reporters and editors that help explain how we approach the news – and how we find shared values such as respect, resilience, dignity, agency, and hope behind the headlines. Host Samantha Laine Perfas explains.This new weekly podcast features conversations wit...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_60Sides have long been staked out on nuclear power: It’s either a poisonous menace or a means of getting past dirty, extractive energy production. The Monitor’s Stephanie Hanes, who covers climate change and the environment, explores a rising middle ground. Hosted by Samatha Laine Perfas.Fri, 16 Sep 2022 10:55:19 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_60Sides have long been staked out on nuclear power: It’s either a poisonous menace or a means of getting past dirty, extractive energy production. The Monitor’s Stephanie Hanes, who covers climate change and the environment, explores a rising middle ground. Hosted by Samatha Laine Perfas.Sides have long been staked out on nuclear power: ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_59Writer Martin Kuz remembers his father’s love for Ukraine. As Martin traveled the country reporting, including for a story on how Ukrainians find dignity and hope in honoring people they’ve lost in the ongoing war, he could see even more clearly the depth of Ukrainians’ resolve. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:15:50 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_59Writer Martin Kuz remembers his father’s love for Ukraine. As Martin traveled the country reporting, including for a story on how Ukrainians find dignity and hope in honoring people they’ve lost in the ongoing war, he could see even more clearly the depth of Ukrainians’ resolve. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Writer Martin Kuz remembers his father’s love for ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_57“Goodnight Moon,” the Margaret Wise Brown classic read to children across generations, has its 75th anniversary on Sept. 3. The Monitor’s Harry Bruinius talks about a book that’s “modern and odd and elliptical” – one that was radical in its day, and that has since worked its way into so many bedtime rituals. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Sun, 28 Aug 2022 21:21:43 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_57“Goodnight Moon,” the Margaret Wise Brown classic read to children across generations, has its 75th anniversary on Sept. 3. The Monitor’s Harry Bruinius talks about a book that’s “modern and odd and elliptical” – one that was radical in its day, and that has since worked its way into so many bedtime rituals. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.“Goodnight Moon,” the Margaret Wise Brown classic ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_58What goes into writing a weekly survey of where in the world things are going right? A fair assessment of what credible “progress” actually is, and a determination to present a diversity of coverage. Staff writer Erika Page talks with editor Clay Collins about the Monitor’s long-running Points of Progress feature.Fri, 29 Jul 2022 13:05:20 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_58What goes into writing a weekly survey of where in the world things are going right? A fair assessment of what credible “progress” actually is, and a determination to present a diversity of coverage. Staff writer Erika Page talks with editor Clay Collins about the Monitor’s long-running Points of Progress feature.What goes into writing a weekly survey of where in...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_56As a reporter, Ned Temko had a front-row seat to a remarkable string of world-changing events. As a Monitor columnist, he looks for global patterns. And at a time of mounting global stressors, he sees a spirit of communality emerging as a simple human response. In this episode, Ned speaks with the Monitor’s Clay Collins about the work of connecting world events and the underlying human impulses.Fri, 29 Jul 2022 12:51:04 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_56As a reporter, Ned Temko had a front-row seat to a remarkable string of world-changing events. As a Monitor columnist, he looks for global patterns. And at a time of mounting global stressors, he sees a spirit of communality emerging as a simple human response. In this episode, Ned speaks with the Monitor’s Clay Collins about the work of connecting world events and the underlying human impulses.As a reporter, Ned Temko had a front-row seat to a...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_54How did a reporter’s story evolve from being a report on Saudi Arabia’s economic reorientation to one about that society’s fundamental, bottom-up change? The Monitor’s Taylor Luck speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about finding in a notebook the scribbled asides that would actually form the heart of his story.Tue, 19 Jul 2022 16:20:08 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_54How did a reporter’s story evolve from being a report on Saudi Arabia’s economic reorientation to one about that society’s fundamental, bottom-up change? The Monitor’s Taylor Luck speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about finding in a notebook the scribbled asides that would actually form the heart of his story.How did a reporter’s story evolve from being a rep...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_53What happened on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol? The answers are shaded by deeply held perspectives. How can a journalist cover such an event and its fallout without being prejudicial? The Monitor’s Christa Case Bryant speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about the sense of fairness that guides her reporting work, and how that helps define the Monitor’s approach.Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:31:53 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_53What happened on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol? The answers are shaded by deeply held perspectives. How can a journalist cover such an event and its fallout without being prejudicial? The Monitor’s Christa Case Bryant speaks with host Samantha Laine Perfas about the sense of fairness that guides her reporting work, and how that helps define the Monitor’s approach.What happened on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_55Alfredo Sosa, the Monitor’s director of photography, relishes fieldwork – no matter how challenging – for the humbling connections that it brings. He spoke to the Monitor’s Samantha Laine Perfas about his rigorous recent assignment to capture the high-altitude work of a wildfire lookout in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness.Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:25:20 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_55Alfredo Sosa, the Monitor’s director of photography, relishes fieldwork – no matter how challenging – for the humbling connections that it brings. He spoke to the Monitor’s Samantha Laine Perfas about his rigorous recent assignment to capture the high-altitude work of a wildfire lookout in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness.Alfredo Sosa, the Monitor’s director of photograph...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_52What does it mean for democracy if the public education system breaks? Host Samantha Laine Perfas and Managing Editor Amelia Newcomb discuss the Monitor’s latest series, which explores public education, democracy, and the future of America.Fri, 17 Jun 2022 13:35:53 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_52What does it mean for democracy if the public education system breaks? Host Samantha Laine Perfas and Managing Editor Amelia Newcomb discuss the Monitor’s latest series, which explores public education, democracy, and the future of America.What does it mean for democracy if the public educ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_51Title IX is complicated. Reporting on the 50th anniversary of this 37-word law, the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato saw the many and varied ways it reshaped US society. In today's episode, she shares how women have pushed for equal treatment with courage and resilience, inspiring generation after generation. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Fri, 10 Jun 2022 10:03:04 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_51Title IX is complicated. Reporting on the 50th anniversary of this 37-word law, the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato saw the many and varied ways it reshaped US society. In today's episode, she shares how women have pushed for equal treatment with courage and resilience, inspiring generation after generation. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas.Title IX is complicated. Reporting on the 50th ann...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/RTN-For-those-with-disabilities-new-ways-to-express-their-voiceFor someone with a speech disability, what does it mean to have a voice? In our final episode, we pose the question to two families: one with a husband losing his ability to talk, and another with a disabled son on the cusp of adulthood. Each is looking to technology to help them literally be heard with their own unique voices. At the same time, they remind us that to be human is to be so much more than the sounds we make.Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:39:18 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/RTN-For-those-with-disabilities-new-ways-to-express-their-voiceFor someone with a speech disability, what does it mean to have a voice? In our final episode, we pose the question to two families: one with a husband losing his ability to talk, and another with a disabled son on the cusp of adulthood. Each is looking to technology to help them literally be heard with their own unique voices. At the same time, they remind us that to be human is to be so much more than the sounds we make.For someone with a speech disability, what does it...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/Say-That-Again-Our-Listeners-SpeakIn this episode, we break format to have a conversation about accent, language, and identity with special guest and recurring contributor Katherine Kinzler from the University of Chicago. We talk about the challenges of overcoming bias, share listeners’ experiences (as well as our own), and reflect on the series so far.Thu, 07 Apr 2022 10:09:52 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/Say-That-Again-Our-Listeners-SpeakIn this episode, we break format to have a conversation about accent, language, and identity with special guest and recurring contributor Katherine Kinzler from the University of Chicago. We talk about the challenges of overcoming bias, share listeners’ experiences (as well as our own), and reflect on the series so far.In this episode, we break format to have a convers...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_48Imagine teaching a language you’re still learning. Or raising your kids to speak it when you’re not yet fluent. For communities trying to revive their Indigenous languages, these are daily challenges – and at stake are both the history and future of their culture. In this episode, we meet educators and parents fighting to give their children their ancestral language, Lingít (Tlingit). What does it take to save a language?Mon, 21 Mar 2022 13:41:38 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_48Imagine teaching a language you’re still learning. Or raising your kids to speak it when you’re not yet fluent. For communities trying to revive their Indigenous languages, these are daily challenges – and at stake are both the history and future of their culture. In this episode, we meet educators and parents fighting to give their children their ancestral language, Lingít (Tlingit). What does it take to save a language?Imagine teaching a language you’re still learning....The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_47Language has power. This was a hard-earned lesson for Vivian Nixon and Elaine Richardson, two women who were told all their lives that their way of talking – talking Black – was something to be kept out of public and professional spaces. This episode follows their separate journeys to embrace the history, beauty, and breadth of Black English, and liberate long-buried parts of themselves in the process.Mon, 14 Mar 2022 13:30:33 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_47Language has power. This was a hard-earned lesson for Vivian Nixon and Elaine Richardson, two women who were told all their lives that their way of talking – talking Black – was something to be kept out of public and professional spaces. This episode follows their separate journeys to embrace the history, beauty, and breadth of Black English, and liberate long-buried parts of themselves in the process.Language has power. This was a hard-earned lesson ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_46Legally, you can discriminate against someone because of their accent. Dominic Amegashitsi found this out firsthand when he first came to the U.S. from Ghana to start a new life. This episode follows his journey to communicating more confidently, and examines our assumptions about what it means to communicate well in one of the most important spaces in American life: the workplace.Wed, 09 Mar 2022 13:35:17 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_46Legally, you can discriminate against someone because of their accent. Dominic Amegashitsi found this out firsthand when he first came to the U.S. from Ghana to start a new life. This episode follows his journey to communicating more confidently, and examines our assumptions about what it means to communicate well in one of the most important spaces in American life: the workplace.Legally, you can discriminate against someone beca...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_45Diversity in media isn’t just about the way characters look; it’s also about how they sound. The creators of “Molly of Denali” knew that when they started producing the animated kids’ show about the adventures of an Alaska Native girl. We talk to producers about what it takes to meaningfully portray Indigenous peoples on screen. And we meet a family in Fairbanks, Alaska, who share with us what it’s like to finally see their own experiences – and hear their people’s voices – represented in ways that make them proud.Wed, 02 Mar 2022 13:30:00 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_45Diversity in media isn’t just about the way characters look; it’s also about how they sound. The creators of “Molly of Denali” knew that when they started producing the animated kids’ show about the adventures of an Alaska Native girl. We talk to producers about what it takes to meaningfully portray Indigenous peoples on screen. And we meet a family in Fairbanks, Alaska, who share with us what it’s like to finally see their own experiences – and hear their people’s voices – represented in ways that make them proud.Diversity in media isn’t just about the way charac...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_44After years of trying to blend in as a Los Angeles transplant, Cynthia Santos DeCure realized she had all but lost her Puerto Rican accent. So she set out to reclaim it. Across the country, Amy Mihyang Ginther struggled to find her voice as a young girl living in one world – the mostly white community she grew up in – while yearning for another – the Korean family who gave her up for adoption. Each woman’s story is a journey to discover what our voices say about who we are and who we could be.Wed, 23 Feb 2022 09:47:38 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_44After years of trying to blend in as a Los Angeles transplant, Cynthia Santos DeCure realized she had all but lost her Puerto Rican accent. So she set out to reclaim it. Across the country, Amy Mihyang Ginther struggled to find her voice as a young girl living in one world – the mostly white community she grew up in – while yearning for another – the Korean family who gave her up for adoption. Each woman’s story is a journey to discover what our voices say about who we are and who we could be.After years of trying to blend in as a Los Angeles...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_43What do our voices say about us? “Say That Again?” is a new podcast series about how our identities and experiences shape how we sound – and how the way we speak can be a source of pride, resilience, and shared understanding. New episodes weekly beginning Feb. 25.Tue, 22 Feb 2022 07:31:59 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_43What do our voices say about us? “Say That Again?” is a new podcast series about how our identities and experiences shape how we sound – and how the way we speak can be a source of pride, resilience, and shared understanding. New episodes weekly beginning Feb. 25.What do our voices say about us? “Say That Again?”...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_42Home Forum contributors Murr Brewster and Robert Klose were the top-of-mind answers to Monitor editors’ question: “Who should we bring to the table this holiday season to discuss joy?” Listen as the two writers talk about how, for them, joy requires that you be your authentic self. And that you keep moving, and looking.Tue, 30 Nov 2021 09:42:05 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_42Home Forum contributors Murr Brewster and Robert Klose were the top-of-mind answers to Monitor editors’ question: “Who should we bring to the table this holiday season to discuss joy?” Listen as the two writers talk about how, for them, joy requires that you be your authentic self. And that you keep moving, and looking.Home Forum contributors Murr Brewster and Robert K...The Christian Science Monitornofull42https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_41In August, the United States left Afghanistan after 20 years. The Taliban poured in. Monitor writers Scott Peterson and Ann Scott Tyson spoke about how Ann managed to find light in this dark situation – in the brave work of PARSA’s Afghan National Scouts. She knew one the organization’s leaders, Marnie Gustavson, and got in touch. “It became apparent,” Ann says, “that this story was important to tell.”Tue, 30 Nov 2021 09:39:46 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_41In August, the United States left Afghanistan after 20 years. The Taliban poured in. Monitor writers Scott Peterson and Ann Scott Tyson spoke about how Ann managed to find light in this dark situation – in the brave work of PARSA’s Afghan National Scouts. She knew one the organization’s leaders, Marnie Gustavson, and got in touch. “It became apparent,” Ann says, “that this story was important to tell.”In August, the United States left Afghanistan afte...The Christian Science Monitornofull41https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_40Francine Kiefer and her editor, Ali Martin, discuss how the work of two inmates addressing mental health issues in the Los Angeles County Jail reflects brotherly love. “Craigen and Adrian not only work with these men, they live with them,” Francine says. “They are incarcerated right alongside them. They get to know them. And as peers, they earn their trust.”Tue, 30 Nov 2021 09:35:34 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_40Francine Kiefer and her editor, Ali Martin, discuss how the work of two inmates addressing mental health issues in the Los Angeles County Jail reflects brotherly love. “Craigen and Adrian not only work with these men, they live with them,” Francine says. “They are incarcerated right alongside them. They get to know them. And as peers, they earn their trust.”Francine Kiefer and her editor, Ali Martin, discus...The Christian Science Monitornofull40https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_39Howard LaFranchi’s encounter with a subway quartet of classically trained musicians in Argentina – Venezuelan refugees who had joined together – opens into a look at genuine appreciation of their musical gift. This quality of gratitude is one that Howard has seen not only in Argentina, but also in other countries where refugees fleeing war or economic crisis seek to use their talents to tangibly say “thank you” to their hosts.Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:01:03 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_39Howard LaFranchi’s encounter with a subway quartet of classically trained musicians in Argentina – Venezuelan refugees who had joined together – opens into a look at genuine appreciation of their musical gift. This quality of gratitude is one that Howard has seen not only in Argentina, but also in other countries where refugees fleeing war or economic crisis seek to use their talents to tangibly say “thank you” to their hosts.Howard LaFranchi’s encounter with a subway quartet...The Christian Science Monitornofull39https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_38“The places where we learn about God’s love,” says writer Maisie Sparks, “should also be the places where we … learn to accept and respect and worship with each other. She speaks with the Monitor’s Trudy Palmer about a respect that crosses religious and cultural lines, and about the healing work of The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco.Mon, 29 Nov 2021 16:53:03 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_38“The places where we learn about God’s love,” says writer Maisie Sparks, “should also be the places where we … learn to accept and respect and worship with each other. She speaks with the Monitor’s Trudy Palmer about a respect that crosses religious and cultural lines, and about the healing work of The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco.“The places where we learn about God’s love,” says...The Christian Science Monitornofull38https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_37In a little more than two years, Ojok Okello has helped transform a small Ugandan village into a model of rural development, adding a preschool, a boxing club, a shea butter co-op, and an adult literacy program. It’s a vision of progress in the heart of Africa. Hosted by Dave Scott.Sun, 14 Nov 2021 13:52:55 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_37In a little more than two years, Ojok Okello has helped transform a small Ugandan village into a model of rural development, adding a preschool, a boxing club, a shea butter co-op, and an adult literacy program. It’s a vision of progress in the heart of Africa. Hosted by Dave Scott.In a little more than two years, Ojok Okello has h...The Christian Science Monitornofull37https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_36Kris Kepler leads LavaMaeX, a California organization that provides mobile showers for those who are unhoused, and creates Pop-Up Care Villages, providing everything from haircuts to job interviews. A story of hope, empathy, and innovation. Hosted by Dave Scott.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:54:48 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_36Kris Kepler leads LavaMaeX, a California organization that provides mobile showers for those who are unhoused, and creates Pop-Up Care Villages, providing everything from haircuts to job interviews. A story of hope, empathy, and innovation. Hosted by Dave Scott.Kris Kepler leads LavaMaeX, a California organizat...The Christian Science Monitornofull36https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_35Professor Theresa Betancourt of Boston College has studied why some child soldiers in Sierra Leone heal after the trauma of war. But she took it a step further. She’s helping create programs that foster resilience, love, and hope. Hosted by Dave Scott.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:46:28 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_35Professor Theresa Betancourt of Boston College has studied why some child soldiers in Sierra Leone heal after the trauma of war. But she took it a step further. She’s helping create programs that foster resilience, love, and hope. Hosted by Dave Scott.Professor Theresa Betancourt of Boston College has...The Christian Science Monitornofull35https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_34Twelve-year-old Daisy Hampton’s mission is to forge friendships with peers who have disabilities and help close the digital access gap for kids who face income inequality. Hosted by Dave Scott.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:41:38 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_34Twelve-year-old Daisy Hampton’s mission is to forge friendships with peers who have disabilities and help close the digital access gap for kids who face income inequality. Hosted by Dave Scott.Twelve-year-old Daisy Hampton’s mission is to forg...The Christian Science Monitornofull34https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_33Susan Murabana’s mission is to give all Kenyans equal access to the skies, and to inspire the next generation of scientists. She and her husband have reached about 200,000 school kids with their Travelling Telescope program. A tale of dream-building and love. Hosted by Dave ScottTue, 09 Nov 2021 11:35:42 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_33Susan Murabana’s mission is to give all Kenyans equal access to the skies, and to inspire the next generation of scientists. She and her husband have reached about 200,000 school kids with their Travelling Telescope program. A tale of dream-building and love. Hosted by Dave ScottSusan Murabana’s mission is to give all Kenyans eq...The Christian Science Monitornofull33https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_32Global Gardens is in more than a dozen elementary schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yes, it helps kids grow gardens. But sowing seeds is also a path to learning how to cooperate, manage conflict, and nurture critical thinking skills. It's a program about peace, science, and hope. Hosted by Dave Scott.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 09:08:34 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_32Global Gardens is in more than a dozen elementary schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Yes, it helps kids grow gardens. But sowing seeds is also a path to learning how to cooperate, manage conflict, and nurture critical thinking skills. It's a program about peace, science, and hope. Hosted by Dave Scott.Global Gardens is in more than a dozen elementary ...The Christian Science Monitornofull32https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_31Megan Cohen struggled with addiction and homelessness for nearly a decade. But then, aided by small acts of kindness by strangers, she turned her life around. Today, at age 28, she leads The Grace Project, which brings food and medical supplies – and hope – to people who are experiencing homelessness and dealing with addiction in Philadelphia. Hosted by Dave Scott.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 09:00:37 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_31Megan Cohen struggled with addiction and homelessness for nearly a decade. But then, aided by small acts of kindness by strangers, she turned her life around. Today, at age 28, she leads The Grace Project, which brings food and medical supplies – and hope – to people who are experiencing homelessness and dealing with addiction in Philadelphia. Hosted by Dave Scott.Megan Cohen struggled with addiction and homelessn...The Christian Science Monitornofull31https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_30Margaret Jankowski has given away more than 3,300 secondhand sewing machines. But The Sewing Machine Project is also a vehicle for teaching empathy, generosity, and how to repair lives. And she has learned to trust that a good idea has power, and is often shaped in ways she could never have imagined. Hosted by Dave Scott.Tue, 09 Nov 2021 08:57:26 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_30Margaret Jankowski has given away more than 3,300 secondhand sewing machines. But The Sewing Machine Project is also a vehicle for teaching empathy, generosity, and how to repair lives. And she has learned to trust that a good idea has power, and is often shaped in ways she could never have imagined. Hosted by Dave Scott.Margaret Jankowski has given away more than 3,300 ...The Christian Science Monitornofull30https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_29In preparing its students for the future of flying, the Chicago organization Tuskegee NEXT – named for the esteemed Black military airmen – also represents a small part of a growing effort to supply a new wave of qualified pilots as many in an aging workforce reach retirement age. In an industry where 3.4 percent of pilots are Black, many realize that inclusion efforts are key considerations in filling this important workforce pipeline. Meet Jaylen Bush, a young pilot whose career and life goals this organization is bringing into reach. Produced by Ashley Lisenby.Thu, 21 Oct 2021 08:56:06 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_29In preparing its students for the future of flying, the Chicago organization Tuskegee NEXT – named for the esteemed Black military airmen – also represents a small part of a growing effort to supply a new wave of qualified pilots as many in an aging workforce reach retirement age. In an industry where 3.4 percent of pilots are Black, many realize that inclusion efforts are key considerations in filling this important workforce pipeline. Meet Jaylen Bush, a young pilot whose career and life goals this organization is bringing into reach. Produced by Ashley Lisenby.In preparing its students for the future of flying...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_28The Monitor’s London correspondent Shafi Musaddique was 10 years old at the time of 9/11. He, like Monitor editor Husna Haq, experienced the shift as “a flick of a switch,” he says. As the world reflects on 20 years of loss and conflict since the 9/11 attacks, Ms. Haq and Mr. Musaddique reflect on how Western views of Islam and Muslims shaped their view of faith, country, and self. Produced by Ashley Lisenby.Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:40:50 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_28The Monitor’s London correspondent Shafi Musaddique was 10 years old at the time of 9/11. He, like Monitor editor Husna Haq, experienced the shift as “a flick of a switch,” he says. As the world reflects on 20 years of loss and conflict since the 9/11 attacks, Ms. Haq and Mr. Musaddique reflect on how Western views of Islam and Muslims shaped their view of faith, country, and self. Produced by Ashley Lisenby.The Monitor’s London correspondent Shafi Musaddiqu...The Christian Science Monitornofull28https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_27While millions of women lost or left their jobs in the pandemic, college student Jennifer Ashley Ciballos and her sister Jaelynn, a high school senior, faced a different problem: They had to start working to keep their multigenerational household afloat. For more than a year, they’ve juggled their studies with long hours at low-wage jobs to pay the rent and other bills. Their story shows the lengths women go to support the people they love – even if it means putting their own dreams on hold. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Fri, 23 Jul 2021 09:05:54 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_27While millions of women lost or left their jobs in the pandemic, college student Jennifer Ashley Ciballos and her sister Jaelynn, a high school senior, faced a different problem: They had to start working to keep their multigenerational household afloat. For more than a year, they’ve juggled their studies with long hours at low-wage jobs to pay the rent and other bills. Their story shows the lengths women go to support the people they love – even if it means putting their own dreams on hold. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.While millions of women lost or left their jobs in...The Christian Science Monitornofull27https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_26Leslie Stevenson had been resisting burnout for years. Though she loves being a teacher, the daily grind of blurred boundaries, after-hours demands, and lack of community support had made it harder and harder to stay on. The pivot to remote and hybrid learning only made things worse for her. Now, as the US prepares for its first post-pandemic school year, she’s wondering: Is the work still worth it? Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Wed, 21 Jul 2021 09:31:47 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_26Leslie Stevenson had been resisting burnout for years. Though she loves being a teacher, the daily grind of blurred boundaries, after-hours demands, and lack of community support had made it harder and harder to stay on. The pivot to remote and hybrid learning only made things worse for her. Now, as the US prepares for its first post-pandemic school year, she’s wondering: Is the work still worth it? Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Leslie Stevenson had been resisting burnout for ye...The Christian Science Monitornofull26https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_25When Mariza Rocha lost her job as a utility porter at The STRAT Hotel in March 2020, she turned to her union. Through the organization, she was able to get unemployment benefits and food assistance. And when she was diagnosed with COVID-19, the union fought for compensation for her and others like her. Now she’s convinced she wouldn’t have survived the pandemic without that community help. In this episode, we see how a support network can be vital in helping people face crises – and find their voice. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Mon, 19 Jul 2021 08:33:15 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_25When Mariza Rocha lost her job as a utility porter at The STRAT Hotel in March 2020, she turned to her union. Through the organization, she was able to get unemployment benefits and food assistance. And when she was diagnosed with COVID-19, the union fought for compensation for her and others like her. Now she’s convinced she wouldn’t have survived the pandemic without that community help. In this episode, we see how a support network can be vital in helping people face crises – and find their voice. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.When Mariza Rocha lost her job as a utility porter...The Christian Science Monitornofull25https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_24The pandemic is not Yarleny Roa-Dugan’s first trial by fire. But it's the hardest she’s faced by far. A nurse and mother of two, she's come up against everything that parents and frontline workers have been having to deal with. And when members of her own family were diagnosed with COVID-19, she had to care for them while running the household on her own. Despite all that, she’s determined not just to survive – but to come out of this period better than ever. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Fri, 16 Jul 2021 07:29:40 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_24The pandemic is not Yarleny Roa-Dugan’s first trial by fire. But it's the hardest she’s faced by far. A nurse and mother of two, she's come up against everything that parents and frontline workers have been having to deal with. And when members of her own family were diagnosed with COVID-19, she had to care for them while running the household on her own. Despite all that, she’s determined not just to survive – but to come out of this period better than ever. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.The pandemic is not Yarleny Roa-Dugan’s first tria...The Christian Science Monitornofull24https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_23Christine Hudman Pardy had made it. After decades of touring on and off Broadway, she was performing in a nightly show she loved, for a company that paid well and let her go home to her kids. Then the pandemic hit. Her show closed for good – and so did her husband’s. After more than a year without work, she’s asking herself: What’s next? When the odds seem to be against you, how do you keep on dreaming and growing? Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:49:34 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_23Christine Hudman Pardy had made it. After decades of touring on and off Broadway, she was performing in a nightly show she loved, for a company that paid well and let her go home to her kids. Then the pandemic hit. Her show closed for good – and so did her husband’s. After more than a year without work, she’s asking herself: What’s next? When the odds seem to be against you, how do you keep on dreaming and growing? Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Christine Hudman Pardy had made it. After decades ...The Christian Science Monitornofull23https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_22The numbers were grim: 2.3 million women pushed out of the workforce between March 2020 and March 2021. A generation’s worth of progress in women’s workforce participation lost, by some accounts. Women of color hit especially hard. Now, as the U.S. recovers from the pandemic, it’s time to look not only at what we’ve lost, but also at what we’ve learned. Can we rethink how and when we work to better support women? Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:35:34 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_22The numbers were grim: 2.3 million women pushed out of the workforce between March 2020 and March 2021. A generation’s worth of progress in women’s workforce participation lost, by some accounts. Women of color hit especially hard. Now, as the U.S. recovers from the pandemic, it’s time to look not only at what we’ve lost, but also at what we’ve learned. Can we rethink how and when we work to better support women? Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.The numbers were grim: 2.3 million women pushed ou...The Christian Science Monitornofull22https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_21Through job loss, burnout, and the pressures of caregiving, women are fighting to win back what they’ve lost to COVID-19. This podcast follows six women from Las Vegas, one of the hardest hit economies in the U.S. Their stories capture what the pandemic has cost – and what it truly takes to move forward. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Sun, 11 Jul 2021 07:38:55 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_21Through job loss, burnout, and the pressures of caregiving, women are fighting to win back what they’ve lost to COVID-19. This podcast follows six women from Las Vegas, one of the hardest hit economies in the U.S. Their stories capture what the pandemic has cost – and what it truly takes to move forward. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Through job loss, burnout, and the pressures of ca...The Christian Science Monitornofull21https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_20How does a city confront a racist past? Tulsa, Oklahoma, is commemorating the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racist violence in U.S. history. Producers and hosts Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas share a teaser for their new podcast, “Tulsa Rising,” which explores how a community rebuilt in the face of hostility – and what it truly takes to repair what hate has broken.Thu, 27 May 2021 13:12:39 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_20How does a city confront a racist past? Tulsa, Oklahoma, is commemorating the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, one of the worst incidents of racist violence in U.S. history. Producers and hosts Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas share a teaser for their new podcast, “Tulsa Rising,” which explores how a community rebuilt in the face of hostility – and what it truly takes to repair what hate has broken.How does a city confront a racist past? Tulsa, Okl...The Christian Science Monitornofull20https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_19Odessa Davis is used to helping families as a public school teacher and summer camp director in Maryland’s Montgomery County. But when the pandemic forced camps to close, she realized her own family was in need. Ms. Davis is one of many Americans who struggled to put food on the table for the first time during the past year, raising the question: how do we effectively combat hunger and support those newly in need? Guests: Odessa Davis, Hilary Salmon and Radha Muthiah of Capital Area Food Bank, Alex Moore of DC Central Kitchen, and food insecurity expert Caitlin Caspi. Hosted by Ibrahim Onafeko.Fri, 30 Apr 2021 11:49:05 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_19Odessa Davis is used to helping families as a public school teacher and summer camp director in Maryland’s Montgomery County. But when the pandemic forced camps to close, she realized her own family was in need. Ms. Davis is one of many Americans who struggled to put food on the table for the first time during the past year, raising the question: how do we effectively combat hunger and support those newly in need? Guests: Odessa Davis, Hilary Salmon and Radha Muthiah of Capital Area Food Bank, Alex Moore of DC Central Kitchen, and food insecurity expert Caitlin Caspi. Hosted by Ibrahim Onafeko.Odessa Davis is used to helping families as a publ...The Christian Science Monitornofull19https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_18You have a superpower: The ability to imagine the future. But when we procrastinate, we get disconnected from that superpower. So how do we stop procrastinating, get unstuck from the present, and get connected to our future selves? Guests: Evolutionary anthropologist Dorsa Amir, procrastination expert Fuschia Sirois, and social psychologist Tim Wilson. Part 6 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.Mon, 12 Apr 2021 09:37:48 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_18You have a superpower: The ability to imagine the future. But when we procrastinate, we get disconnected from that superpower. So how do we stop procrastinating, get unstuck from the present, and get connected to our future selves? Guests: Evolutionary anthropologist Dorsa Amir, procrastination expert Fuschia Sirois, and social psychologist Tim Wilson. Part 6 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.You have a superpower: The ability to imagine the ...The Christian Science Monitornofull18https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_17JJJJJerome Ellis used to think his stutter was his fault. But he’s done blaming himself. This is the story of how he took his time back – and how disability, gender, and race all affect our access to time. Guests: cultural critic, academic, and activist Brittney Cooper, linguist Deborah Tannen, and composer, performer, and poet JJJJJerome Ellis. Part 5 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to the research and performances mentioned in this episode.Mon, 05 Apr 2021 08:34:07 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_17JJJJJerome Ellis used to think his stutter was his fault. But he’s done blaming himself. This is the story of how he took his time back – and how disability, gender, and race all affect our access to time. Guests: cultural critic, academic, and activist Brittney Cooper, linguist Deborah Tannen, and composer, performer, and poet JJJJJerome Ellis. Part 5 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to the research and performances mentioned in this episode.JJJJJerome Ellis used to think his stutter was his...The Christian Science Monitornofull17https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_16Have you ever been too glued to the clock? Ten-year-old Madeline was becoming a little obsessed with her alarm clock. So her mom took it away. But Madeline isn’t alone. We look at how the clock became king in the West – and how its rule is both tyrannical and liberating. Guests: Historian Alexis McCrossen, time and work expert Dawna Ballard, and clock enthusiast Madeline Hanes. Part 4 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.Mon, 29 Mar 2021 08:55:40 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_16Have you ever been too glued to the clock? Ten-year-old Madeline was becoming a little obsessed with her alarm clock. So her mom took it away. But Madeline isn’t alone. We look at how the clock became king in the West – and how its rule is both tyrannical and liberating. Guests: Historian Alexis McCrossen, time and work expert Dawna Ballard, and clock enthusiast Madeline Hanes. Part 4 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.Have you ever been too glued to the clock? Ten-yea...The Christian Science Monitornofull16https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_15If you feel like you don’t have enough time, you’re not alone. We objectively have more free time than ever before, but we feel more pressed for time than ever. Why do we feel this way? And are there ways to get the most out of the time we do have? Part 3 of 6. Guests: Psychologist Ashley Whillans and sociologist Leah Ruppanner. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.Mon, 22 Mar 2021 09:12:03 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_15If you feel like you don’t have enough time, you’re not alone. We objectively have more free time than ever before, but we feel more pressed for time than ever. Why do we feel this way? And are there ways to get the most out of the time we do have? Part 3 of 6. Guests: Psychologist Ashley Whillans and sociologist Leah Ruppanner. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.If you feel like you don’t have enough time, you’r...The Christian Science Monitornofull15https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_14Why the most exciting parts of being alive are creative moments. For the renowned physicist and writer Alan Lightman, dreaming up a fictional character or discovering a new equation leads to unparalleled exhilaration. In this interview, Dr. Lightman shares his definition of time, and discusses Albert Einstein's work, and the joys of creating. This is a bonus episode of “It’s About Time.” Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to Dr. Lightman’s books that are mentioned in this episode.Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:40:13 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_14Why the most exciting parts of being alive are creative moments. For the renowned physicist and writer Alan Lightman, dreaming up a fictional character or discovering a new equation leads to unparalleled exhilaration. In this interview, Dr. Lightman shares his definition of time, and discusses Albert Einstein's work, and the joys of creating. This is a bonus episode of “It’s About Time.” Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to Dr. Lightman’s books that are mentioned in this episode.Why the most exciting parts of being alive are cre...The Christian Science Monitornofull14https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_13Have you ever wanted to time travel? Modern physics shows that it's possible to manipulate time. But does that mean we can travel to the past? And what does this say about what time actually is? The last word often comes from physicists, but there are many definitions of time. Guests: sci-fi writer Ted Chiang (17:16), physicist Ron Mallet (9:02), and philosopher Heather Dyke (3:00). Part 2 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to books and stories mentioned in this episode.Mon, 15 Mar 2021 08:22:28 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_13Have you ever wanted to time travel? Modern physics shows that it's possible to manipulate time. But does that mean we can travel to the past? And what does this say about what time actually is? The last word often comes from physicists, but there are many definitions of time. Guests: sci-fi writer Ted Chiang (17:16), physicist Ron Mallet (9:02), and philosopher Heather Dyke (3:00). Part 2 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to books and stories mentioned in this episode.Have you ever wanted to time travel? Modern physic...The Christian Science Monitornofull13https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_12Why does time fly when you're having fun? But slow to a crawl when you're under stress? Experiencing the world more like a child could help us all slow down and make the most of our time. Guests: Psychologist Peter Tse and magician Debbie O'Carroll. Part 1 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll (yes, he's Debbie's son). Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.Mon, 08 Mar 2021 08:46:44 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_12Why does time fly when you're having fun? But slow to a crawl when you're under stress? Experiencing the world more like a child could help us all slow down and make the most of our time. Guests: Psychologist Peter Tse and magician Debbie O'Carroll. Part 1 of 6. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and Eoin O'Carroll (yes, he's Debbie's son). Visit csmonitor.com/time for the full transcript, episode art, and links to research mentioned in this episode.Why does time fly when you're having fun? But...The Christian Science Monitornofull12https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_11Do you know what time is? No, not "what time is it?" But "what time is." In this six-part science series, "It's About Time," experts unravel the mysteries of time. Because understanding time more deeply can help you make the most of the time you have. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and science reporter Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for episode transcripts, episode art, and links to research mentioned in the show.Mon, 01 Mar 2021 16:39:41 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_11Do you know what time is? No, not "what time is it?" But "what time is." In this six-part science series, "It's About Time," experts unravel the mysteries of time. Because understanding time more deeply can help you make the most of the time you have. Hosted by Rebecca Asoulin and science reporter Eoin O'Carroll. Visit csmonitor.com/time for episode transcripts, episode art, and links to research mentioned in the show.Do you know what time is? No, not "what time ...The Christian Science Monitornofull11https://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_10For many societies, 21 is a significant age. It’s a period of promise and potential, of leaving behind childhood to forge a way into the world. So what happens when a pandemic stalls that momentum? In this episode, we talk with Ryan Lenora Brown, the lead reporter in the Monitor’s new special global report “21 in ‘21.” She shares how the project came to be, the experiences of the 12 young adults the Monitor interviewed, and the common threads they all shared – wherever they were in the world. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:48:48 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_10For many societies, 21 is a significant age. It’s a period of promise and potential, of leaving behind childhood to forge a way into the world. So what happens when a pandemic stalls that momentum? In this episode, we talk with Ryan Lenora Brown, the lead reporter in the Monitor’s new special global report “21 in ‘21.” She shares how the project came to be, the experiences of the 12 young adults the Monitor interviewed, and the common threads they all shared – wherever they were in the world. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.For many societies, 21 is a significant age. It’s ...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_09The false narrative that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election was powerful. It led to his supporters storming the Capitol, his second impeachment by the House of Representatives, and even to extremists discussing the possibility of infiltrating President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. In this episode, we take a close look at political conspiracy theories. Why are they so compelling? And how do we combat them? Part 2 of 2. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:01:57 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_09The false narrative that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election was powerful. It led to his supporters storming the Capitol, his second impeachment by the House of Representatives, and even to extremists discussing the possibility of infiltrating President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. In this episode, we take a close look at political conspiracy theories. Why are they so compelling? And how do we combat them? Part 2 of 2. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.The false narrative that President Donald Trump wo...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_08Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Americans remain divided over the integrity of the election. This is despite Congress having certified the results, and officials assuring the public that the 2020 election was perhaps “the most secure in American history.” But what does it mean to have secure elections? And why do conspiracy theories around our elections continue to thrive? In this episode, we look at what truly makes elections fair, free, and secure. Part 1 of 2. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:49:06 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_08Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, Americans remain divided over the integrity of the election. This is despite Congress having certified the results, and officials assuring the public that the 2020 election was perhaps “the most secure in American history.” But what does it mean to have secure elections? And why do conspiracy theories around our elections continue to thrive? In this episode, we look at what truly makes elections fair, free, and secure. Part 1 of 2. Hosted by Jessica Mendoza and Samantha Laine Perfas.Ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration,...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_07Lenora Chu, the Monitor’s special correspondent for Europe, is a keen observer of culture and politics. She draws part of that from her background as the U.S.-born grandchild of migrants who fled China during the 1949 Communist revolution. But over 18 years of reporting, she’s also found that her personal connections inform her coverage of unfolding events. Ann Scott Tyson, the Monitor’s Beijing bureau chief, talks to Lenora about her experience writing for the Monitor and how own history enriches her reporting. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:40:49 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_07Lenora Chu, the Monitor’s special correspondent for Europe, is a keen observer of culture and politics. She draws part of that from her background as the U.S.-born grandchild of migrants who fled China during the 1949 Communist revolution. But over 18 years of reporting, she’s also found that her personal connections inform her coverage of unfolding events. Ann Scott Tyson, the Monitor’s Beijing bureau chief, talks to Lenora about her experience writing for the Monitor and how own history enriches her reporting. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.Lenora Chu, the Monitor’s special correspondent fo...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_06The Monitor’s Francine Kiefer is nothing if not passionate. For 30 years, she’s brought energy and intensity to her reporting, whether it’s about the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, or the tumultuous politics of the past decade. Multimedia reporter Jessica Mendoza talks to Francine, now serving as West Coast bureau chief, about how her experience gives her an edge – and why she still responds to every reader email she gets. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:00:24 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_06The Monitor’s Francine Kiefer is nothing if not passionate. For 30 years, she’s brought energy and intensity to her reporting, whether it’s about the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, or the tumultuous politics of the past decade. Multimedia reporter Jessica Mendoza talks to Francine, now serving as West Coast bureau chief, about how her experience gives her an edge – and why she still responds to every reader email she gets. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.The Monitor’s Francine Kiefer is nothing if not pa...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_05After 15 years and three international posts at the Monitor, Sara Miller Llana has all the qualities of a veteran journalist: curiosity, energy, persistence. But Sara’s stories also radiate with compassion – and a commitment to listening to and understanding her sources. Managing editor Amelia Newcomb talks to Sara about her appreciation for the people she interviews, her love for getting to know what matters to them, and her effort to convey that to readers. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.Wed, 23 Dec 2020 08:43:06 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_05After 15 years and three international posts at the Monitor, Sara Miller Llana has all the qualities of a veteran journalist: curiosity, energy, persistence. But Sara’s stories also radiate with compassion – and a commitment to listening to and understanding her sources. Managing editor Amelia Newcomb talks to Sara about her appreciation for the people she interviews, her love for getting to know what matters to them, and her effort to convey that to readers. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.After 15 years and three international posts at th...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_04Columnist Ken Makin just started writing for the Monitor this year. But he’s already brought incredible insight into issues like racial justice and the Black experience in America. Noelle Swan, editor of the Monitor Weekly, talks to Ken about why he thinks the past matters in news coverage, and where he turns when he’s looking for hope. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.Wed, 23 Dec 2020 07:22:09 ESThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_04Columnist Ken Makin just started writing for the Monitor this year. But he’s already brought incredible insight into issues like racial justice and the Black experience in America. Noelle Swan, editor of the Monitor Weekly, talks to Ken about why he thinks the past matters in news coverage, and where he turns when he’s looking for hope. In this four-part holiday series, we hear from Monitor reporters about how they find the humanity and compassion behind today's headlines.Columnist Ken Makin just started writing for the M...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_03Tulsa’s efforts to commemorate the centennial of the 1921 race massacre seem to be moving the city toward racial reconciliation. But reconciliation means different things to different people, including within the Black community. This episode looks at how a new generation of Tulsans is finding ways to process, and to own, the story of the massacre and Black Wall Street. What can we, as a country, learn from their efforts? Part 3 of 3, hosted by Jessica Mendoza.Thu, 29 Oct 2020 22:21:39 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_03Tulsa’s efforts to commemorate the centennial of the 1921 race massacre seem to be moving the city toward racial reconciliation. But reconciliation means different things to different people, including within the Black community. This episode looks at how a new generation of Tulsans is finding ways to process, and to own, the story of the massacre and Black Wall Street. What can we, as a country, learn from their efforts? Part 3 of 3, hosted by Jessica Mendoza.Tulsa’s efforts to commemorate the centennial of t...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_02The idea that “the Black vote” is a monolith suggests that Black Americans are politically unified. But in Tulsa – and across the country – the reality is much more complicated. Though both Democrats and Republicans promise benefits to Black voters, both parties have also systematically failed them for generations. What gives Black voters in Tulsa hope in our political system? Part 2 of 3, hosted by Jessica Mendoza.Wed, 28 Oct 2020 19:13:47 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_02The idea that “the Black vote” is a monolith suggests that Black Americans are politically unified. But in Tulsa – and across the country – the reality is much more complicated. Though both Democrats and Republicans promise benefits to Black voters, both parties have also systematically failed them for generations. What gives Black voters in Tulsa hope in our political system? Part 2 of 3, hosted by Jessica Mendoza.The idea that “the Black vote” is a monolith sugge...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_01The legacy of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre – its horrific violence and the subsequent silence – is still front of mind for many of its Black residents. How has this history shaped the politics of the city? This episode shows listeners Tulsa as it is and as it was – and paints a picture of a city reckoning with racism both past and present. Part 1 of 3, hosted by Jessica Mendoza.Tue, 27 Oct 2020 18:14:15 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/rtn_ep_01The legacy of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre – its horrific violence and the subsequent silence – is still front of mind for many of its Black residents. How has this history shaped the politics of the city? This episode shows listeners Tulsa as it is and as it was – and paints a picture of a city reckoning with racism both past and present. Part 1 of 3, hosted by Jessica Mendoza.The legacy of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre – its h...The Christian Science Monitornofullhttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/Introducing-Rethinking-the-NewsToday’s news cycle can leave us feeling uncertain – about what’s true, about whom to believe, and about what’s really important to us. We want to bring you something different. Welcome to “Rethinking the News,” a new podcast by The Christian Science Monitor.Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:38:05 EDThttps://www.csmonitor.com/Podcasts/Why-We-Wrote-This/Introducing-Rethinking-the-NewsToday’s news cycle can leave us feeling uncertain – about what’s true, about whom to believe, and about what’s really important to us. We want to bring you something different. Welcome to “Rethinking the News,” a new podcast by The Christian Science Monitor.Today’s news cycle can leave us feeling uncertain ...The Christian Science Monitornotrailer