Podcast appearances and mentions of The Christian Science Monitor

After decades of conflict, Iraqis have enjoyed increased political stability and a promising future, even embracing a unified national identity. But attacks by Iran, the United States, and homegrown militias are tugging at the divides that had held Iraq back. Also: today's stories, including how MAGA voters are throwing their support behind the Iran war, despite strident criticism from some conservative commentators; how government UFO records and films exploring out-of-this-world connections are renewing attention on the question of whether humankind is truly alone in the universe; and how Haiti's 'Resistance Artists' believe in new beginnings. Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

President Donald Trump has been pressuring the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. But the Iran war and surging oil prices are complicating the economic picture, prompting the U.S. central bank to hold rates steady. Also: today's stories, including a look at how U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are seeking relief during another funding shutdown; how U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is assessing the Iran war; and how a growing court backlog is delaying justice in India. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

Israel's claim to have killed Ali Larijani, a pivotal Iranian leader, served only to escalate the crisis atmosphere that Iranians are feeling: How to cope and envision a future, while facing crushing U.S.-Israeli attacks and a rigid regime that sees protesters as “just like the enemy”? Also: today's stories, including how Israelis acknowledge war fatigue's toll even as they want arch foe Iran to be defeated; how U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran have had wide impacts on the Middle East — and the U.S. budget; and how in Nigeria, Hoomsen Women Farmers Shepwan Cooperative Society are helping women obtain ownership of land plots. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Gray divorce is becoming more common, yet many women don't realize the financial implications until it's too late. In today's episode, Maraya Brown is joined by Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Laurie Itkin to explore divorce financial planning, spousal support, marital assets, and how women can protect their financial future.   About Laurie Itkin: Laurie Itkin, CDFA®, is a highly-rated certified divorce financial analyst in California. She works with individuals and couples throughout the state. Laurie Itkin is a past board member for the Association of Divorce Financial Planners and is a member of the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts. She is also the author of the Amazon best-seller, Every Woman Should Know Her Options: Invest Your Way to Financial Empowerment. Through her financial consulting company, The Options Lady, she provides divorce-related financial planning and analysis to individuals and couples throughout all stages of the divorce process and has worked on over 550 divorce cases either as a financial neutral or advocate to one spouse. She speaks at seminars for divorce attorneys and mediators on how to divide equity compensation, including restricted stock units and non-qualified and incentive stock options.  Laura has appeared as a guest expert on investing and financial aspects of divorce on television, radio and podcasts. She has been quoted in numerous publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, San Diego Union Tribune, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, U.S. News and World Reports, Parade, Redbook, and Forbes.   Connect with Laurie: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOptionsLady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurieitkin/ Website: https://www.theoptionslady.com/ Check out Laurie's Blog here.   The Women's Vibrancy Accelerator Trifecta: Your 90-Day Health Reset Ready to take your health to the next level? The Women's Vibrancy Accelerator Trifecta offers deep, personalized support to help you regain control of your energy, hormones, and well-being. This program includes: Three one-on-one calls with Maraya Dutch Plus Test and full assessment Bi-weekly live Q&A sessions Self-paced health portal covering energy, hormones, libido, and confidence   Podcast listeners get an exclusive discount. Use code PODCAST. Learn more and enroll now: https://marayabrown.com/trifecta/ _______________________ Free Wellness Resources Access free tools like the Menstrual Tracker, Adaptogen Elixir Recipes, Two-Week Soul Cleanse, Food Facial, and more. Download now: https://marayabrown.com/resources/ _______________________ Subscribe to The Women's Vibrancy Code Podcast Listen on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify. _______________________ Connect with the Show Find us on Facebook,  Linkedin | Website | Tiktok | Facebook Group _______________________ Apply for a Call with Maraya Brown Start your journey with personalized support. Apply here: https://marayabrown.com/call  _______________________ About Maraya Brown Maraya is a Yale and Functional Medicine-trained Women's Health and Wellness Expert (CNM, MSN). She helps women feel energized, confident, and connected to themselves and their lives. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in energy, hormones, libido, confidence, and deep transformation. _______________________ Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical or professional advice. Listeners should consult with a qualified professional before making any health decisions.     This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact 

Iran has shown they can do a lot of damage to United States and Israeli assets – and regional allies in the Gulf – via missile and drone attacks. But one country can offer its deep experience on how to counter such a blitz: Ukraine. Also: today's stories, including why President Donald Trump's appeal for assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz has not been well-received by allies; how a leadership change is underway at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at a critical time for the agency; and how, despite economic insecurity and a violent conflict fueled by the resurgence of the M23, in the Congo, children there have found a lifeline in dance. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

The Persian Gulf region is a vital source of oil and gas for the global economy. But the war in Iran is putting scarce water resources for the parched populations there in jeopardy, too. Also: today's stories, including how Asian countries are forced to make do with oil supplies; our critic's take on which films should be nominated for an Oscar; and a Monitor contributor's tale of her family car and the milestones it has seen. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

War Hits the Homefront. Strait of Hormuz Blocked. Short(?) Term Pain. Low Support for War. Girls School Bomb Blame Game. TSA Struggles in Shutdown. Save Act Stalled. Filibuster Still Here. Old Pols Not Retiring. Replacing MTG. With Linda Feldmann, Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Jeff Dufour, Editor-in-chief at The National Journal and Maeve Sheehy, Congressional Reporter at Bloomberg Government.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. More information at UFCW.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If the United States expected Iran to capitulate by now, it refuses to do so. Instead, it is pursuing a survival strategy of fighting on and selecting targets to raise the war's costs so high that the U.S. and Israel would think twice before attacking again. Also: today's stories, including how the disruption of oil-tanker traffic is becoming increasingly urgent for the global economy; how a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing housing affordability that passed through the U.S. Senate could hit a snag in the House of Representatives; and whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can declare victory without a regime change in Iran, despite it being his goal in the war. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

American farmers are seeing fertilizer prices spike as supply is choked off by Iran's threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, in response to attacks by the U.S. and Israel. It's a sign of how the war is affecting the global economy – including spring planting. Also: today's stories, including how African students in Iran are finding themselves increasingly affected as the conflict widens; how higher education institutions are tightening their fundraising practices in the wake of the Epstein files; and how “Sinners” has added to the cultural dialogue around what makes a great movie and who gets to make it. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's tone in his public statements about the war in Iran is drawing criticism that it glorifies violence and is posturing that runs counter to professional soldiering. Also: today's stories, including a look at Japan's return to nuclear energy, 11 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident; how as the UK's Labour Party tacks right, the Green Party is scooping up its spurned voters; and how locals in Jordan are inviting stranded foreigners to “break-the-fast” evening Ramadan meals amid the stress of war. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Choosing continuity amid war, Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, despite President Donald Trump's criticism and Israel's threats. He has a hard-liner's pedigree, but will his tenure be confrontational, or aimed at broadening internal support for the regime? Also: today's stories, including why oil prices spiked to near $120 per barrel Monday before retreating below $100; why 17 candidates are competing in Tuesday's special election for Georgia's 14th Congressional District; and why Balendra Shah is on track to become Nepal's next prime minister. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

Once again, a crisis in the Middle East has the U.S. appealing for military help from the stateless Kurds, this time as boots-on-the-ground proxies in Iran. Affecting any desire to contribute is the memory of letdowns after vital roles played in Iraq and Syria. Also in today's stories: why Kristi Noem lost President Trump's trust; how war in Iran adds to existing strains on U.S. employment; and contributor Murr Brewster shares her enduring love of libraries. Join the Monitor's Stephanie Hanes for today's news.

The U.S. and Israeli leaders have made it clear they want regime change in Iran. But the Islamic Republic had prepared for this day, with a political succession plan and a battlefield strategy. The result so far is Iranian confidence, despite the existential threat of the war. Also: today's stories, including how the Iran conflict is generating criticism from many prominent MAGA commentators; why the U.S. is blocking oil shipments to Cuba; and how some Democrats seek to reclaim a moderate version of Christianity to attract voters they've lost to Republicans. Join the Monitor's Matthew Bell for today's news.

Gulf Arab states lobbied hard for the United States to engage in talks with Iran. Yet in the war, 1,800 Iranian missiles and drones have been intercepted in Gulf airspace, with hundreds breaking through. The Gulf is being transformed by conflict. Will that last? Also: today's stories, including how America's recent strikes on Iran have underscored the task of ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens abroad during the escalating conflict; a look at the results of Texas' primary elections, and what lies ahead for the candidates; and how, in Nepal, the country's first elections since protests overthrew the government are a reason for some youth to stay. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

For many Iranian opponents of the regime, news of the supreme leader's death at the start of the new war brought elation. But, says a Tehran student who risked his life in protests before the war, there are concerns that the job of regime change is incomplete. Also: today's stories, including how the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran are sending political ripples through Congress; a look at how a partial U.S. government shutdown is affecting TSA; and how China is engaged in a huge nuclear weapons expansion, growing the size and capabilities of its arsenal. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

Airstrikes against Iran were effective in the early days of the mission. But there's more to do – both offensively and defensively – if the U.S. hopes to crack Iran's regime. Also: today's stories, including what's at stake for global oil prices as the Iran conflict escalates; a look at a hardball battle for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Texas; and how Mexico's diplomatic support to Cuba has long boosted the communist island. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

For former President Bill Clinton, who left office 25 years ago, the impact of the Epstein scandal may only further damage his image, particularly among younger Democrats, amid changing mores around sexual misconduct by powerful men. Also: today's stories, including, how in Boston, a Monitor reporter set off to find out what cities do with an abundance of snow; how India has increasingly used cricket as an extension of its foreign policy with Pakistan; and how a contributing writer finds respite in his postcard pastime despite living in a digital world. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

President Donald Trump has issued executive orders on voting, and his administration is suing states that have refused to turn over voter rolls. Congress has taken up legislation that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Last month, the FBI raided an election center in Georgia as part of a criminal investigation into the 2020 election. Also: today's stories, including how students in Iran have courageously protested for days despite leadership claims; how in a politically red Texas, Democrats have hope in the upcoming primaries; and how the misconduct investigation into the former Prince Andrew is putting the British monarchy under a harsh glare. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

President Donald Trump's brief mention of Iran in his State of the Union address was still short of a complete argument for how and why striking Iran, which would risk a wider Middle East conflict, would further U.S. interests. Also: today's stories, including how U.S. President Donald Trump's new retirement plan builds on a bipartisan model; what Trump's view of U.S. military power could mean for Iran-US talks; and how some prominent U.S. universities are paring back campus spending in response to endowment tax hikes. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

David Sterritt is a film critic, author, teacher and scholar. He is most notable for his work on Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, and his many years as the Film Critic for The Christian Science Monitor, where, from 1968 until... Read More ›

The United States has amassed the largest force since the war in Iraq. Iran threatens an all-out response to any attack, even if limited. As they prepare for nuclear diplomacy in Geneva to avoid conflict, each side appears to be misreading the other. Also: today's stories, including how as the world fights over Greenland, its people double down on their own values; a look at space-based data centers; and how mobile libraries are upending the belief among many Pakistanis that reading is a pastime reserved for the elite. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

President Donald Trump tried to respond boldly with new tariffs to counter a Supreme Court ruling that went against him. But the White House's economic calculus is in flux as global leaders reconsider trade deals. Also: today's stories, including how violence that often follows the takedown of a drug cartel leader is a public reminder that peace might not be imminent; how some economists see income taxes as a drag on productivity; and how one Monitor reporter fell in love with the roses in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

President Donald Trump tried to respond boldly with new tariffs to counter a Supreme Court ruling that went against him. But the White House's economic calculus is in flux as global leaders reconsider trade deals. Also: today's stories, including how violence that often follows the takedown of a drug cartel leader is a public reminder that peace might not be imminent; how some economists see income taxes as a drag on productivity; and how one Monitor reporter fell in love with the roses in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

Today, I am joined by John Sanbonmatsu,  Professor of Philosophy at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, where he teaches courses in ethics, political theory, existentialism, philosophy of technology, and other topics.  He is the author of The Omnivore's Deception: What We Get Wrong about Meat, Animals, and Ourselves, and of The Postmodern Prince: Critical Theory, Left Strategy, and the Making of a New Political Subject,  as well as editor of the book Critical Theory and Animal Liberation.  He is also the creator of the CleanMeat-Hoax website, which takes a skeptical view of cellular or cultivated meat products.  Professor Sanbonmatsu's writing has appeared in Christian Science Monitor, CounterPunch, Huffington Post, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, among other places. A thread in this episode is "to be." What do I mean by that? Guess you'll have to hit play to find out. To connect with John:Access his articles, essays, and interviews at www.JohnSanbonmatsu.com.  Visit clean meat-hoax.com https://www.cleanmeat-hoax.com/Follow John on Twitter (@SanbonmatsuJ) and Blue Sky (@jsanbonmatsu.bsky.social)Buy his book - The Omnivore's Deception - https://www.johnsanbonmatsu.com/the-omnivores-deception.htmlMentioned in this episode:Peter Singer - Animal LiberationArticle on Ants and their internal navigation systems: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982224017020Better off Ted - Season 1, Episode 2 - Heroes. I can't find a specific clip about the "meat blob" but you can find the episode with this info. United Poultry Concerns - https://www.upc-online.org/To connect with me:Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @didyoubringthehummusDYBTH merch now available! Check out the shop here: https://did-you-bring-the-hummus.myspreadshop.comFor more info on my Public Speaking 101 program: ⁠https://www.didyoubringthehummus.com/publicspeakingforactivists⁠Contact me here or send me an email at info@didyoubringthehummus.comSign up for meditation sessions hereSign up for The Vegan Voyage, to sponsor the podcast, book meditations packages, or sign up for my Public Speaking program hereJoin my Podcast Fan Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/didyoubringthehummus/To be a guest on the podcast: https://www.didyoubringthehummus.com/beaguest©2026 Kimberly Winters - Did You Bring the Hummus LLCTheme Song ©2020 JP Winters ⁠@musicbyjpw⁠

The hostages, living and dead, are home, yet the war in Gaza is unfinished business for Israelis. As the country pivots toward election-year politics, how is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to authorize an independent state inquiry into Oct. 7 playing? Also: today's stories, including why the Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's use of an emergency economic law to set broad tariffs; how schools that support undergraduates' basic needs are reporting better retention and achievement rates; and our reviewers' favorite books of February. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Artificial intelligence is developing so rapidly that some industry insiders fear safety concerns aren't getting enough attention. That's sparking conversation about how to balance innovation, competition, and safeguards. Also: today's stories, including how recent internet blackouts in Iran, Uganda, and beyond highlight a new front emerging in conflicts around the world; how missing the Winter Olympics podium can be the motivation athletes need to do better next time; and how a great “de-risking” is underway among some of the oldest allies of the United States, writes our columnist. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

President Donald Trump's Board of Peace is convening amid doubts about this approach to diplomacy. Muslim and Arab countries, hoping to influence Gaza's path forward, have signed on. Western democracies, wary of further weakening international institutions, are staying away. Also: today's stories, including how refugees in Minnesota are challenging the Trump administration; a look at some Democratic U.S. governors emerging as top contenders for their party's 2028 presidential nomination; and how India wants to shape the AI era – not just service it. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Luca Vitali"Annalena Tonelli. Più forte della morte"Rachel Pieh JonesEdizioni Messaggero Padovawww.edizionimessaggero.itPer trent'anni, Annalena Tonelli (1943 - 2003) ha vissuto e lavorato nel Corno d'Africa tra le comunità più vulnerabili, curando migliaia di malati di tubercolosi, lottando contro l'HIV, difendendo i diritti di donne e bambini. Rifiutava la gloria e le etichette: né missionaria, né altro... Solo una presenza silenziosa e ostinata, disposta a tutto pur di servire. Questo libro ripercorre gli ultimi anni della sua vita, tra incomprensioni, sospetti, violenza e una fede incrollabile, fino all'ultima notte a Borama, quando venne uccisa all'interno del suo ospedale. Il ritratto intimo e potente di una donna che ha fatto della compassione la sua unica missione, e del silenzio la sua testimonianza più profonda.Rachel Pieh Jones è autrice di Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus e Stronger than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa. Ha scritto per il «New York Times», il «Christian Science Monitor», l'«Huffington Post» e «Runners World e Christianity Today». Nel 2003 si è trasferita in Somalia e dal 2004 al 2023 ha vissuto nel vicino Gibuti, dove assieme al marito gestivano una scuola.Luca Vitali, scrittore e teologo ha vissuto il suo ministero presso la periferia di San Paolo in Brasile. Da oltre vent'anni accompagna pastoralmente gruppi di giovani, parrocchie e percorsi di comunione missionaria in alcune diocesi. Per Edizioni Messaggero Padova ha pubblicato, con Andra Dani, Preghiera e senso della vita. Parole, spazi, figure di un legame (2023).Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarehttps://ilpostodelleparole.it/

Ukraine and Russia may be at the negotiating table, but for the Ukrainian public, the idea of giving up territory for peace is still anathema. What would make Ukrainians consider such concessions? Guarantees of security against future Russian aggression. Also: today's stories, including how yellow cement blocks demarcating Israeli-held territory in Gaza are making Palestinians feel trapped; how women Olympians are making their mark in the Winter Games at ages well past what is considered the prime for elite athletes; and how support for tribal members has surged among residents of the Twin Cities. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

Recent votes on tariffs and blunt public criticisms signal a GOP that's more willing to defy President Donald Trump – and worried about this fall's midterm elections. Also: today's stories, including a look at community ski hills in New Hampshire; how British politicians are finding no place to hide in the wake of the Epstein files; and why Democrats are pressing for immigration enforcement reform as a Department of Homeland Security shutdown nears. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

ICE Retreats. Trump's Very Bad Week. Bondi's Hissy Fit. Democrats Fight Back. DHS Shutdown. EPA Neutered. All The President's Prizes. 3 Polls: Biden Better than Trump. Gallup Leaves a Vacuum. With Jason Dick, Editor-in-chief at CQ Roll Call, Hunter Walker, Investigative Reporter for Talking Points Memo and Linda Feldmann, DC Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor.Today's Bill Press Pod is supported by The Ironworkers Union. More information at Ironworkers.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As U.S. and European security officials gather for key meetings this week, leaders are taking steps to navigate shifts in the traditional transatlantic alliance. Also: today's stories, including: why the Trump administration is rescinding a rule that enables the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases; how a Portuguese election hints at the potential limits of U.S. President Donald Trump's brand of far-right populism in Europe; and a look at the International Olympic Committee's decision to ban a Ukrainian Olympian trying to honor those who had lost their lives at home during the Winter Games. Join the Monitor's Linda Feldmann for today's news.

The release of documents surrounding sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has stirred massive media attention, but it remains unclear if prosecutions will result. Instead of the files providing clarity, one result so far is a frenzy of speculation and conspiracy theories. Also: today's stories, including why a positive January jobs report leaves economists uncertain; why women are notably absent from this week's ballots in Bangladesh; and the importance of this year's location for the Winter Olympics. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

As Iran urges attendance at rallies Wednesday marking the anniversary of the revolution, many citizens could not be further estranged. On one side are grieving families and others infuriated by the regime's brutality, and on the other, officials who voice no expressions of regret. Also: today's stories, including how upcoming elections offer a chance for a democratic reset in Bangladesh; how AI-generated music, writing, and images are generating questions about the nature and source of creativity itself; and how joy was the point for skiers flying through the air at the Livigno Snow Park on Tuesday afternoon. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

The SAVE Act would require Americans to prove citizenship before voting in federal elections, and Republicans are eyeing a new strategy to advance it. Opponents say it would disenfranchise millions. Also: today's stories, including how some Olympic athletes want to preserve artistry in the quest for “faster, higher, stronger” maneuvers; whether Brazil's leftist leader can stay on Donald Trump's good side; and how thousands of dogs and people convened in Colorado for the “world's largest unofficial gathering” of golden retrievers. Join the Monitor's Story Hinckley for today's news.

The SAVE Act would require Americans to prove citizenship before voting in federal elections, and Republicans are eyeing a new strategy to advance it. Opponents say it would disenfranchise millions. Also: today's stories, including how some Olympic athletes want to preserve artistry in the quest for “faster, higher, stronger” maneuvers; whether Brazil's leftist leader can stay on Donald Trump's good side; and how thousands of dogs and people convened in Colorado for the “world's largest unofficial gathering” of golden retrievers. Join the Monitor's Story Hinckley for today's news.

Is the United States a nation state? Does it have a national identity? On this episode of the Transatlantic, scholar Colin Woodard discusses his early career experiences as a journalist in Eastern Europe and the Balkans at the end of the Cold War and how that work informs his work on national identity in the United States. He then talks about his current research uncovering what he describes as eleven distinct nations that make up the United States and how their clashing cultures and traditions have defined the country's struggle to form a national story and identity.    Colin Woodard – a New York Times bestselling historian and Polk Award-winning journalist – is one of the most respected authorities on North American regionalism, the sociology of United States nationhood, and how our colonial past shapes and explains the present. Compelling, dynamic and thought provoking, he offers a fascinating look at where America has come from, how we ended up as we are, and how we might shape our future. Author of the award winning Wall Street Journal bestseller American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, Woodard has written six books including The Republic of Pirates — a New York Times bestselling history of Blackbeard's pirate gang that was made into a primetime NBC series with John Malkovich and Claire Foye – and Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood, which tells the harrowing story of the creation of the American myth in the 19th century, a story that reverberates in the news cycle today. His latest book is Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America, released by Viking/Penguin in November 2025. He is the founder and director of Nationhood Lab at the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University, an interdisciplinary research, writing, testing and dissemination project focused on counteracting the authoritarian threat to American democracy and the centrifugal forces threatening the federation's stability. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a visiting scholar at the Minneapolis-based HealthPartners Institute and a POLITICO contributing writer. As State and National Affairs Writer at the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram he received a 2012 George Polk Award, was named Maine Journalist of the Year in 2014, and was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. A longtime foreign correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, he has reported from more than fifty foreign countries and seven continents from postings in Budapest, Zagreb, Washington, D.C. and the US-Mexico border and covered the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and its bloody aftermath. His work has appeared in dozens of publications including The Economist, The New York Times, Smithsonian, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Newsweek and Washington Monthly and has been featured on CNN, the Rachel Maddow Show, Chuck Todd's The Daily Rundown, The PBS News Hour, and NPR's Weekend Edition. A graduate of Tufts University and the University of Chicago, he's received the 2004 Jane Bagley Lehman Award for Public Advocacy, a Pew Fellowship in International Journalism at the Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Study and was named one of the Best State Capitol Reporters in America by the Washington Post. He lives in Maine.   This podcast is hosted by Bakhti Nishanov and produced by Alanna Novetsky, in conjunction with the Senate Recording Studio.

Prediction markets, where people can bet on outcomes of real-world events, often forecast better than traditional polls. But the evolving markets also raise concerns about cheating and corrosion of trust. Also: today's stories, including why Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and her party are expected to sweep in Japan's upcoming election, what one Monitor correspondent recalls from past Winter Olympics coverage, and why USPS chose poet Phillis Wheatley for the latest stamp in its Black Heritage series. Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

U.S.-Iran talks set for Friday were briefly canceled, then revived, at the urging of Arab governments. But the two adversaries' preferred agendas are very different. Amid reciprocal threats, does each side have a realistic grasp of what is at stake? Also: today's stories, including how pricey offerings aimed at the wealthy have changed football fans' stadium experiences; how the International Olympic Committee is testing an affordable approach for host cities; and our film critic's take on the Cannes favorite, “The President's Cake.” Join the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news.

U.S.-Iran talks set for Friday were briefly canceled, then revived, at the urging of Arab governments. But the two adversaries' preferred agendas are very different. Amid reciprocal threats, does each side have a realistic grasp of what is at stake? Also: today's stories, including how pricey offerings aimed at the wealthy have changed football fans' stadium experiences; how the International Olympic Committee is testing an affordable approach for host cities; and our film critic's take on the Cannes favorite, “The President's Cake.” Join the Monitor's Kendra Nordin Beato for today's news.

Reforms following Watergate strengthened the Justice Department's independence and restored public confidence. Now, amid the Trump administration's pressure on DOJ norms, polls show that half of Americans doubt that federal law enforcement is fair and impartial. Also: today's stories, including why a Reagan-appointed judge resigned over actions by the Trump Administration, why the United States needs to replenish its weapons stockpile, and what role India could play in the emerging global order. Join the Monitor's Christa Case Bryant for today's news.

After more than a decade of economic crisis and authoritarian rule in Venezuela, President Donald Trump and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez are banking on oil for the success of their political futures. But that may not be enough for Venezuelans who want more than just economic relief. Also: today's stories, including how Republicans are pushing back as Democrats target Department of Homeland Security funding; how Russian forces have been advancing in Ukraine; and how bipartisan opposition to massive data centers is playing out in Wisconsin. Join the Monitor's Scott Baldauf for today's news.

After more than a decade of economic crisis and authoritarian rule in Venezuela, President Donald Trump and Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodríguez are banking on oil for the success of their political futures. But that may not be enough for Venezuelans who want more than just economic relief. Also: today's stories, including how Republicans are pushing back as Democrats target Department of Homeland Security funding; how Russian forces have been advancing in Ukraine; and how bipartisan opposition to massive data centers is playing out in Wisconsin. Join the Monitor's Scott Baldauf for today's news.

In cases that haven't gotten a national spotlight, U.S. citizens and legal residents say they've been injured by federal immigration enforcement personnel. Their lawyers say these cases are part of a rise in the use of excessive force, tied to the administration's efforts to detain and deport unauthorized immigrants. Also: today's stories, including how one bridge challenges President Donald Trump's view that Canada is freeloading; and how schoolchildren may see food and fitness change through the “Make America Healthy Again” movement; how in at least one part of the city, Cape Town's gangs face a formidable foe: the neighborhood “aunties.” Join the Monitor's Kurt Shillinger for today's news.

President Donald Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve calmed markets, but the former member of the board of governors could also set the Fed on a new course. Also: today's stories, including how an electoral victory in Myanmar offers hope to some for the restoration of democratic norms; a theme of resistance from 1960s Mississippi to 2020s Minnesota civil rights protest history, as examined by our cultural commentator; and one essayist's take that winter has much more to offer than snow and slush. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

President Donald Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve calmed markets, but the former member of the board of governors could also set the Fed on a new course. Also: today's stories, including how an electoral victory in Myanmar offers hope to some for the restoration of democratic norms; a theme of resistance from 1960s Mississippi to 2020s Minnesota civil rights protest history, as examined by our cultural commentator; and one essayist's take that winter has much more to offer than snow and slush. Join the Monitor's Clay Collins for today's news.

Amassing military forces and bolstered by Iran's perceived vulnerability, President Donald Trump says “time is running out.” Replying with threats of its own, the Islamic Republic is trying to restore its deterrence and survive what it realizes is an existential challenge. Also: today's stories, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's appearance at the Monitor Breakfast; how members of the public and lawmakers are investigating use of force by local and federal law enforcement in the U.S.; and whether President Donald Trump's energy policy cedes the future of energy production to China Join the Monitor's Audrey Thibert for today's news.

The seizure of Nicolás Maduro has encouraged Venezuelans, especially in terms of economic growth, but they are unsure what it means for the state of democracy in the South American nation. Also: today's stories, including how the U.S.' National Defense Strategy is pledging “more limited” U.S. support to friendly nations and deterring China “through strength, not confrontation”; how, for a group of young musicians in the Republic of Congo, their orchestra is a cherished opportunity of a lifetime; and our immigration reporter offers more information about the roles various federal agencies play in immigration enforcement. Join the Monitor's Victoria Hoffmann for today's news.

Alex Pretti was a lawful gun owner, and not brandishing his weapon, when he was disarmed and then fatally shot by federal agents. The resulting controversy focuses on an incident that appears to contradict decades of conservatives' efforts to legitimize public gun carry. Also: today's stories, including how despite billions in foreign aid to Haiti, life for most Haitians hasn't improved; how many in Pakistan worry the government has made a Faustian pact by joining Trump's “Board of Peace"; and how Democrats now say securing Department of Homeland Security reforms is worth the price of a government shutdown. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.