Meet the Monitor: Check-in with writers based near and far

A year of resilience: Monitor photographers reflect on 2021

When Monitor photographers returned to the field in 2021, they found a society eager to come back together – and a newfound joy of their own.

Finding their voice, and a gracious way of giving (animation)

The carolers’ first stops left much to be desired. And so they adapted, they improvised. And they sang their way into an arena of good cheer.

‘For the good of us all’: Maisie Sparks on how honoring diversity brings true growth

Monitor contributor Maisie Sparks wanted to explore the idea that an extreme view of independence was threatening to unravel the need for fostering a true sense of common good. She found a promising pushback in Fellowship church. 

‘This music was a gift’: Howard LaFranchi on how welcomed refugees gave thanks

This Monitor reporter went to Argentina for an economic story. What he found on the streets of Buenos Aires: an expression of gratitude from some of its newest residents for having found home. 

‘Everyone is astounded’: Francine Kiefer on the calming power of brotherly love

In one corner of the Los Angeles County Jail, a path to more humane conditions started with respect and love, given without conditions by incarcerated men willing to help. For our reporter, the discovery was her year’s most poignant. 

‘Values became a bedrock’: Ann Scott Tyson on the Afghan Scouts who stayed to serve

As Afghanistan fell back into Taliban control earlier this year, our writer stayed in touch with sources she’d developed there over the years. She learned that not everything had fallen into chaos. Young Afghan Scouts were delivering help, and hope.

‘The moments to seize hold of’: Essayists Brewster and Klose raise an ode to joy

“There are seeds of joy everywhere,” says contributor Murr Brewster. “But you have to prepare the soil.” Says fellow writer Robert Klose: “Generally, joy kind of goes hand in hand with moving through life.”

‘The truth of history is unbiased’: Ken Makin on race, justice, and hope (audio)

What makes a Monitor journalist? It takes curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to look for light in even the darkest places. This writer brings all three qualities to his commentary.

‘What binds us together’: Sara Miller Llana on the generosity of sources (audio)

Learning what motivates the people she meets helps this reporter deliver the fullest possible versions of their stories. 

‘A point of comparison’: Francine Kiefer on how one beat informs another (audio)

Experience matters in journalism. But so does adaptability. This reporter relies on both as she covers new beats and changing times. 

‘A true outsider’s perspective’: Lenora Chu on the power of cultural influences (audio)

Over time, familiarity can work against a reporter’s essential tool: the drive to discover. New connections bring this writer fresh viewpoints.

Soft focus on 2020: Finding humanity in a year of isolation (video)

In a year marked by isolation, our photojournalists found people working to better understand and find new ways to connect with each other.

A holiday lift to play out a long year: Bring on the tubas (animation)

While the pandemic has affected many traditions, thoughts of holidays past can be a source of great warmth and comfort. Even if those memories involve pouring rain and a cacophony of tubas. 

The Monitor’s best photos and top 10 stories of 2019 (video)

‘Big changes on a human scale’: Ryan Lenora Brown on reporting a continent (audio)

‘From Midwest to Middle East’: Taylor Luck on keeping an open heart (audio)

Merry Christmas: A reading of holiday classics by Monitor staff (audio)

‘The moment when life changes’: Harry Bruinius on finding the story (audio)

‘Translating for myself’: Ann Scott Tyson on seeing China from the inside (audio)