The World and Everything In It

Episode Summary: November 18, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into several urgent national and international stories: the challenges and controversies surrounding safe haven laws and the use of baby boxes for abandoned infants in the US; the plight of Afghan allies still trying to evacuate family members under restrictive refugee policies; the impact of the government shutdown on holiday air travel; and the relentless spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly threatening East Coast agriculture. Through field reporting, expert voices, and personal accounts, the show explores the interplay of policy, human experience, and ethical dilemmas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Safe Haven Laws and Baby Boxes: Extending Protection for Newborns

• Background: States have safe haven laws offering desperate parents a way to surrender newborns anonymously and safely, but tragic abandonments still occur.
• Baby Boxes: Increasing installations of temperature-controlled “baby boxes” at fire stations/hospitals provide fully anonymous, no-contact surrender options.
• Debate:
  • Proponents argue boxes save lives by meeting parents where they are, reducing illegal abandonments.
  • Opponents worry about lack of oversight, parental support, and possible safety/legal issues.
• Advocacy and Policy Calls:
  • Calls for unified federal standards and increased public education.
  • Emphasis that safe haven should be a “beautiful, lifesaving way, but… the last resort” (Heather Berner, National Safe Haven Alliance, 12:00).

Notable Quotes

• "There are women falling through the cracks and we've got to do a better job getting to them somehow with the message that they are not alone and we have resources to offer them.” — Linda Zenaco, He Knows Your Name (09:01)
• "Before the baby box was an option, we've had babies that were abandoned in, you know, trash receptacles or bathrooms and all kinds of stuff, so we don't want that to ever be an option." — Assistant Fire Chief Craig Carr Jr., Alabama (10:23)
• "Not having direct contact with a human being, you don't get... there's no opportunity to offer the mom any kind of supportive services." — Dawn Garris, Save Abandoned Babies Foundation (11:39)
• “One thing advocates can agree on is that a woman should have access to all possible support to keep her baby. Safe haven is a beautiful lifesaving way, but it should also be the last resort.” — Lauren Canterbury reporting (12:00)

Timestamps

• Safe haven coverage begins: 06:52
• Baby box discussion: 09:40
• Counterarguments & policy suggestions: 11:40 – 12:30

2. Afghan Allies and Stalled Family Evacuations

• Situation: Afghan nationals who aided the U.S. military often resettled here, but many family members remain stranded due to the reinstated refugee cap (7,500) and the USRAP program’s pause.
• Personal Accounts: Stories from Afghans (“Philip,” “Jack,” “Mark”; pseudonyms used) describe existential risks faced by their families still in Afghanistan or in middle-ground locations like Qatar.
• Advocacy: Veteran and military advocacy groups push the administration for humanitarian exemptions, with little response.
• Policy Critique: Critics label the current cap as bad politics and damaging to national security, emphasizing overwhelming public support for assisting allies.

Notable Quotes

• “Anytime, any moment, I may not hear from him that he could get prosecuted or killed by the Taliban.” — “Philip” (13:39)
• "It's bad politics. It's bad for our national security. And this program is popular, people. 90% of the American public want our wartime allies to be able to come here." — Sean Vandiver, Afghan Evac (15:22)
• “These are people's lives that are on the line and people in Washington, D.C. enjoying a cocktail while the families of our service members are being hunted down by the Taliban. That's just unacceptable.” — Sean Vandiver (15:54)
• “I thought my family will not make it at least the next three years. But still I'm hopeful that president—maybe I think President Trump doesn't know about Family members of U.S. military service members. And if he knows, probably he will take action and he will do something.” — “Mark” (18:23)

Timestamps

• Afghan families segment begins: 13:08
• "Philip" story & background: 13:35 – 14:46
• Advocates’ perspective: 15:22 – 17:12
• Mark’s hope & White House response: 18:00 – 19:09

3. Holiday Air Travel and the Lingering Fallout of Government Shutdown

• Situation: Nearly 6 million Americans are set to travel by air for Thanksgiving, but air traffic controller shortages caused by the recent government shutdown are looming over operations.
• Expert Analysis: Bob Poole (Reason Foundation) explains how controller retirements have spiked, leading to systemic stress and potential delays. He advocates for depoliticizing air traffic control funding—a model used by 95 other countries.
• Traveler Stories: Alabama’s DiStefano family weighs plans amid pet-sitting woes and uncertainty about cancellations.
• Policy Recommendations: Transition to a user-fee funding model for air traffic control to prevent future shutdown disruption.

Notable Quotes

• "We waited because of the government shutdown, so we weren't sure and we still don't know if we're going to." — Chuck DiStefano (21:08)
• “I'm now up to 15 to 20 [controllers] a day are retiring.” — Bob Poole (21:53)
• "Our Congress has deprived us of the ability to have an independent funding source for air traffic control." — Bob Poole (23:28)

Timestamps

• Air travel segment begins: 19:09
• DiStefano family travel concerns: 20:29
• Bob Poole’s analysis: 21:19 – 24:00

4. The Spotted Lanternfly: An Invasive Menace Spreads

• What’s Happening: The spotted lanternfly, an invasive Asian insect first found in PA in 2014, is now in 19 states, devastating vineyards, fruits, and hardwoods.
• Vineyard Impacts:
  • “We lost close to 50% of our fruit between the weather events and the spotted lanternfly damage, which was really unfortunate.” — Anna Want, Cassinel Vineyards, VA (28:40)
  • Vineyard owners battling not only agricultural loss but also public nuisance as flocks of bugs disrupt visits.
• Expert Science and Policy:
  • Chris Logue (NY Ag Dept) details containment strategies, public engagement using tech, quarantine systems, and drone scouting.
  • Beth Sestre (VA horticulturalist) pessimistic about eradication, advocates for “slowing the spread” through public education and vigilance.
• Grassroots Combat: Owners buy swatters, scrape eggs, and (sometimes) use blowtorches—a last-resort but “therapeutic” approach to pest control.

Notable Quotes

• “It's not just vines. They also feed on a variety of plants and hardwood trees. The problem is that they leave behind a sticky, sugary substance and that attracts funguses and other insects, both of which can damage the plant.” — Kristin Flavin (29:00–29:30)
• “Each female will lay down between two and three egg masses. Each egg mass has between 30 and 50 eggs. We are not going to exterminate it. We are not going to eradicate it. We can slow the spread.” — Beth Sestre, horticulturist (30:51)
• “I've been told, like, dollar tree spatulas are the best weapon, and you just make sure that they're smooshed.” — Jenny Ludtke, Fables and Feathers Winery (32:43)
• “I have seen other vineyards that use blowtorches, so I'm kind of excited to try. That feels very therapeutic to be out there with, you know, the flamethrower.” — Jenny Ludtke (32:54)

Timestamps

• Spotted lanternfly segment begins: 26:06
• Vineyard impacts & owner experience: 27:00 – 28:40
• New York’s response & technology: 29:06 – 30:34
• Pest-fighting strategies & final thoughts: 31:18 – 32:54

Memorable Moments

• Community Response to Baby Abandonment: The honoring and naming of baby “Haven Grace Hope” in Indianapolis, showing the human side of safe haven laws. (07:58, “This baby was lost... this baby is now found.” — Linda Zenaco)
• Firsthand Advocacy: Afghan evacuees and veterans personally lobbying Congress for family reunification, highlighting emotional stakes and bureaucratic frustration.
• Grassroots Defense Against Bugs: Vineyards enlisting visitors (even children) to “kill all the bugs,” illustrating the communal and somewhat absurd battle against the lanternfly. (“I was telling all the little children you need to kill all the bugs for me” — Anna Want, 31:57)
• Traveler Philosophy: Chuck DiStefano’s comic relief in travel chaos—“I view every airport as like a Disneyland... I just enjoy the airport, enjoy the people, enjoy what it has to offer.” (24:32)

Additional Segments (Brief Mentions)

U.N. Security Council adopts US plan for Gaza, major fentanyl bust in Colorado, massive child rescue in Florida, schoolgirls abducted in Nigeria—covered succinctly in the opening news roundup (01:02–06:14).

Conclusion

This episode offers in-depth reporting and rich personal narratives on the intersection of policy and everyday lives. Whether covering the quiet tragedy of abandoned infants, the ticking peril for Afghan allies, or the relentless threat of an invasive species, the episode weaves together empathy, fieldwork, and a call to thoughtful action.

For listeners seeking more detail on any segment, refer to the timestamps above.