Americans’ 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.
There’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.
Sure, 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.
One 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.
Farming 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.