Border reporter Aileen B. Flores hikes up Mount Cristo Rey, a mountain on the border between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico, with the Mexicans and Americans who view the site as a sacred homage to Jesus Christ and a symbol of the cities’ inextricable bond.

To read, watch and learn more on this topic, visit thewall.usatoday.com, or text the word “MOUNTAIN” to our chatbot at 408-872-9255.

This episode was recorded, edited and produced by Hannah Gaber, with field interviews and sound from David Wallace, Cheryl Evans, Thomas Hawthorne and Kathy Kieliszewski. Kaila White was our production manager. Our technical director was Nate Kelly. Special thanks to Ruben Ramirez for recording help. It was written by Aileen Flores, Zahira Torres and Nicole Carroll.

The Wall: Reporting on the Border

Joined in faith, divided by a border

For almost 2,000 miles, one line defines a country and divides the world. What is life like at the U.S.-Mexico border now, and how would a wall change that? In this podcast, journalists take you with them to the border to find out. 

Meet a human smuggler. Ride with armed vigilantes. Get bitten – lightly! – by a jaguar. Fly over the entire border line. 

Hear what journalists go through to get these stories – and the surprising things they learn along the way.

This podcast is hosted by Nicole Carroll, executive editor of The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.