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Who 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.... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes181Founded5 years ago
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News

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Artwork for Why We Wrote This

Latest Episodes

In 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 politic... more

With 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 Nor... more

For 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 a... more

In 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 coverag... more

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Recent Guests

Sophie Hills
The Monitor's faith and religion writer, focused on the intersection of religion and politics, culture, and ideas
The Christian Science Monitor
Episode: What Faith Looks Like Now
Linda Smith
Mother of Drayshon Johnson, who was shot and killed in 2022.
Episode: A Mother’s Strength
Alexandra Hudson
Author of The Soul of Civility
Episode: Encore: Respect, Dignity, and Getting Along
Ryan Lenora Brown
Africa editor based in Johannesburg
The Christian Science Monitor
Episode: Why We Went Deep on Sudan
Linda Feldmann
Washington Bureau Chief at The Christian Science Monitor
The Christian Science Monitor
Episode: When Trump Speaks, What’s Heard?

Hosts

Clay Collins
Host of Why We Wrote This, focusing on the intersection of news reporting and humanity.
Gail Chaddock
Host and guest host on the podcast, providing insights on various social and political aspects of current events.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 95 ratings
  • A perfect companion to Monitor journalism

    Why We Wrote This is a smart and informative peek behind the scenes of The Christian Science Monitor’s award winning journalism. I’m a fan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    moanders
    United States3 years ago
  • Stronger

    This “Stronger” series is great if you want to cry in your car on the way to work every morning. Happy tears, mostly!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    arcticboy94
    United States5 years ago
  • It’s About Time

    I love this podcast series! Both Rebecca and her co-host have voices that are so easy to listen to and follow - they pull you through the episodes. Their guests are varied and very intelligent, but most importantly, the co-hosts do great research before each episode so their questions are deep and specific - I feel like they ask just what I would be wondering in the back of my mind. I’m smarter after listening to “It’s About Time” Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Barbara Staley
    United States5 years ago
  • It’s About Time is So Good!

    Loving this new podcast — It’s About Time is exactly what I needed to reflect on this time in my life. During the pandemic, time has felt unreal and strange. This podcast has helped me make sense of it and every episode is more fascinating than the last! Highly recommend anyone take a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A.Harmonizer
    United States5 years ago
  • So Interesting!

    The episodes on time are amazing because they each deal with some aspect through interviews that inform, enlighten, and entertain, all at the same “time”. So glad to have found Rethinking the News!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Constance 145
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many express that episodes are insightful, emotional, and engaging, helping to convey complex issues clearly.
The podcast is praised for its depth and the emotional connection it creates with listeners, making difficult topics more accessible.
Listeners find the discussions enriching, often highlighting the good research and intelligent discourse presented by the hosts.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful insights into journalism and the human stories behind news events.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Chasing the Rings in Milan
Q: What has surprised you the most about covering the Olympics?
I've been surprised with how emotional I've been, finding empathy for the human achievement of athletes, seeing both their glory and their moments of vulnerability.
Chasing the Rings in Milan
Q: So Story, what made you want to raise your hand to cover the Olympics for the Monitor?
I've always loved reporting from the road on a location, and I wanted to challenge myself by reporting and writing on sports, especially since I've always loved watching the Olympics.
Notebooks and Hand Warmers
Q: Reflecting back on your more than 20 years of Olympics reporting, do you have a favorite moment that stands out?
Mark's favorite moments are those when host cities embrace the Olympics with genuine camaraderie, highlighting Vancouver as a standout experience.
Notebooks and Hand Warmers
Q: How do you handle the big stories that everyone else will be covering at the Olympics?
Mark discusses providing a unique perspective that emphasizes the humanity behind the athletes and the emotions involved, even if he doesn't have direct access to them.
Notebooks and Hand Warmers
Q: How do you survive the assault of the physical elements of winter while reporting?
Mark mentions that growing up in cold and snow makes it easier for him, and he accepts the cold as simply needing to wear more clothes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Why We Wrote This

What is Why We Wrote This about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging conversations with reporters and editors illuminate the human stories behind the news, emphasizing respect, resilience, dignity, agency, and hope. The discussions offer insights into the journalistic processes and decisions that shape coverage of current events, encouraging listeners to consider diverse perspectives and the deeper narratives rarely highlighted in mainstream media. Topics span a range of social issues, international affairs, and unique human experiences, making it a valuable resource for those interested in understanding the complexities that underlie today's headlines. This podcast uniquely blends compelling storytelling with analysis, setting it apart from typical news commentary.

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Which podcasts are similar to Why We Wrote This?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Why We Wrote This:

1. On Being with Krista Tippett
2. This Jungian Life Podcast
3. Hidden Brain
4. What Now? with Trevor Noah
5. The Opinions

How many episodes of Why We Wrote This are there?

Why We Wrote This launched 5 years ago and published 181 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Why We Wrote This?

Recent guests on Why We Wrote This include:

1. Sophie Hills
2. Linda Smith
3. Alexandra Hudson
4. Ryan Lenora Brown
5. Linda Feldmann

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