Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It

Episode: Legislators leaving office, U.S. strike in Nigeria, and curbing Nigerian infant malnutrition and maternal mortality
Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Mary Reichert, Myrna Brown (WORLD Radio)
Main Theme:
This episode explores the latest wave of retirements and resignations among U.S. lawmakers as the 2026 midterms approach, examines recent U.S. military involvement in Nigeria and the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, and highlights a ministry working to improve maternal and infant health amid persistent violence.

Congressional Retirements and Resignations (07:12–14:05)

Overview

A record number of lawmakers are leaving Congress ahead of the 2026 elections, with a variety of motivations spanning burnout, pursuit of other offices, and major redistricting shifts.

Key Discussion Points

• Notable Resignations and Announcements

  • Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is one of the highest-profile resignations, stepping down mid-term:

    "After a tremendous amount of prayer and reflection, I will not be seeking reelection in 2026." (07:28)

    • Greene cites ideological differences with former President Trump and harassment as key factors:

      "I will be no one's battered wife and I meant it and I won't allow the system to abuse me anymore." (09:55)

  • Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also deliver personal announcements, with Norman planning to run for governor and Pelosi focusing on generational change.

• Underlying Causes

  • Reporter Carolina Lumeta explains:
    • "46 House lawmakers ... along with 11 senators. All told, that's roughly 10% of the current Congress." (08:41)
    • Reasons include:
      • Running for other offices
      • Burnout and legislative stagnation
      • Redistricting: aggressive re-mapping, especially in Texas and California, is pushing some out (13:52)

• Legislative Gridlock

  • Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) calls out the hyper-partisan climate:

    "Much of the work of Congress has become a mouthpiece for the party line ... there is an inverse relationship between all the incendiary divisive rhetoric and their results." (11:58)

• Redistricting’s Ripple Effect

  • Kyle Kondik (UVA/Sabato's Crystal Ball) details "musical chairs" happening due to shifting district lines, with more changes likely ahead.

Notable Quotes

• Ralph Norman:

  "I think that my term limit bill was three terms in the House, six years and two terms in the Senate or 12 years, and I just believe in that. This is a young man's game, too." (10:39)

• Kyle Kondik:

  "You might see others decide to retire. There are a few Republicans in California who haven't maybe officially announced their plans yet..." (13:23)

U.S. Airstrike and the Situation in Nigeria (14:05–21:33)

Overview

The U.S. carried out a Christmas Day airstrike targeting a terrorist splinter group in northern Nigeria, coordinated with the local government. This segment delves into Nigerian reactions, complexities of the conflict, and the humanitarian fallout.

Key Discussion Points

• Nigerian Reactions (14:47–16:16)

  • Journalist Victor Ayara describes a mix of relief and concern among Nigerians:

    "They heave a sigh of relief ... but excitement is also with a note of caution ... Nigeria is a sovereign nation. Why should it take the United States to take out this group?" (15:00)

• Impact of Military Action

  • Positive: Disruption of militant recruitment/operations and deterrence for future attacks.

    "When they are on the run ... they are not able to recruit more people ... a deterrence for them that any large scale attack ... will be met with very serious consequences." (16:23)

  • Negative: Risk of feeding terrorist propaganda, increasing fear, and displacement.

    "Hitting them like this can also play into the propaganda that they have..." (17:19)

• Roots of the Crisis

  • Deep poverty, low literacy in the north, historic marginalization, radicalization, lack of government presence, land/grazing disputes, and unemployment are fueling ongoing instability.

    "They have the highest rate of poverty and they have the lowest rate of literacy." (18:19) "So it's a hydra headed problem. But it is not as intractable as we're meant to feel it is." (19:59)

• Role of International Community

  • Ayara urges international partners to look beyond military solutions:

    "The role ... should not just be bombing ... It should be creating a playing field for that farmer ... to get fair pricing ... helping Nigeria strengthen institutions..." (20:19)

• Path to Peace

  • Sustainable peace tied to justice and functional institutions:

    "For so long Africa has played the big man politics. Now we should play the big beautiful institutions politics." (20:59)

Notable Quotes

• Victor Ayara:

  "All I can say is a sustainable peace can only come when there is justice." (20:59)

Fighting Infant Malnutrition & Maternal Mortality in Nigeria (23:33–29:19)

Overview

Lauren Canterbury profiles Mandalyn Kratz, an American living in Jos, Nigeria, running "Carry Them," a ministry supporting malnourished infants and struggling mothers, with a focus on education and hands-on care amid poverty and conflict.

Key Discussion Points

• Origins and Mission

  • After firsthand struggles with breastfeeding:

    "I had a lot of help ... and I recognized that all my Nigerian friends ... they didn't have that access to care." (24:33)

  • Now offers free lactation consulting, infant health services; over 900 babies and families served since 2020.

• Staggering Mortality Rates

  • "1 in 22 moms don't survive childbirth here, and then 1 in 12 infants don't make it past the first year of life." (25:04)

• Cycle of Formula Dependency and Malnutrition

  • Past formula marketing led many to abandon breastfeeding, only to become unable to afford formula, causing malnutrition.

    "Really quickly they couldn't afford the formula because of how expensive it is and they no longer had a breast milk supply." (25:43)

• Conflict’s Impact

  • Displacement, frequent raids, and resource scarcity deepen the crisis for mothers and infants.

    "And then you add this insecurity crisis. Boko Haram, other ... Islamic extremists." (27:10)

• Serving All Communities

  • Though violence often targets Christians, the ministry serves mostly Muslim families in the central mixed region.

    "Building relationships with Islamic communities, saving the lives of their babies, showing them the humanity on all sides, is huge." (28:37)

• Hope and Realism

  • The work is both heartbreaking and hopeful:

    "At the end of the day, I truly believe that what is meant to happen will happen. And it's such a better plan than I could have." (29:03)

Notable Quotes

• Mandalyn Kratz:

  "I feel it really comes at them from all angles." (27:10)
  "My hope is that that education spreads and, and picks up." (26:36)

• Sean Nelson (ADF International):

  "Most of them, they are left to their own devices. Only a small portion of the IDP camps are officially recognized, which means that they can get access to international institution humanitarian aid." (27:38)

Commentary: The Perils of Predictions (29:30–32:20)

Overview

Cal Thomas provides a light-hearted look back at famous failed predictions in technology and geopolitics, using the lesson to reflect on humility and faith regarding the future.

Memorable Moments

• A series of humorous, wildly inaccurate quotes from prominent figures, e.g:

  "A New York times story from 1936 said a rocket will never be able to leave the Earth's atmosphere." (30:11) "The great movie producer Darrell Zanuck said in 1946, television won't last because people will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night. Apparently not." (31:18)

• On modern climate predictions and the ultimate unknowability of the future:

  "One prediction that can be made with certainty as we enter 2026, we are one year closer to his return." (32:11)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | News headlines (briefly featured, not summarized) | 00:57–07:12 | | Congressional retirements and resignations | 07:12–14:05 | | U.S. strike/Humanitarian crisis in Nigeria (Victor Ayara) | 14:05–21:33 | | Infant/maternal health ministry in Nigeria (Mandalyn Kratz) | 23:33–29:19 | | Cal Thomas Commentary – The Perils of Predictions | 29:30–32:20 |

Summary of Tone and Style

The episode features calm, measured reporting, frequent attributions, compassion for those suffering in Nigeria, and some light, hopeful moments amidst difficult news. The commentary by Cal Thomas injects humor and reflection on humility in the face of uncertainty.

For a nuanced, in-depth understanding of the intersection between Washington politics and African humanitarian crises—as well as the ordinary heroes working to meet needs on the ground—this episode delivers both detailed reporting and moments of inspiration.