Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It

Episode: "11.27.25 Opening a door for Christian foster parents, praying for persecuted believers, and running the Turkey Trot"
Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This Thanksgiving episode brings together three key segments:

• The implications of a new executive order on Christian foster parents,
• A focus on the global persecuted church and a call to prayer,
• A celebration of the Turkey Trot, America’s oldest Thanksgiving Day race.

Throughout, the hosts and guests reflect on themes of gratitude, faithful service, and compassion for the vulnerable.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. News Update and Headline Coverage

Timestamps: 01:07–06:28

• National Security Incident: Two National Guardsmen shot near the White House; suspect apprehended ([01:10–02:03]).
• Ukraine Crisis Update: Diplomatic efforts remain stalemated as Russia ramps up military actions ([02:03–02:49]).
• Israel & Counterterrorism Efforts: Israeli forces conduct anti-terror raids in Samaria/West Bank region ([03:21–03:58]).
• Hong Kong Fire Disaster: Ongoing high-rise fire leaves at least 44 dead, 280 missing ([04:16–04:35]).
• Georgia Election Case Dropped: Case against Trump and others not pursued at state level ([05:01–05:34]).
• Economy: Jobless claims down, indicating slow but steady labor market ([05:34–06:28]).

2. Opening a Door for Christian Foster Parents

Timestamps: 06:37–13:36
Guests:

• Herbie Newell, President of Lifeline Children’s Services

Key Points:

• Scope of Foster Care Need: Over 400,000 children on average in the U.S. foster care system, most under age 10 ([07:39–07:51]).
  • Herbie Newell: “Over the last several years, we've seen on average 400,000 kids in our foster care system.” ([07:51])
• Shortage of Qualified Families: Many prospective foster parents want infants, but there’s a greater need for care for older children ([08:04]).
  • Herbie Newell: “It really takes a special family…to say, ‘I’m going to take an 8 or 10 year old into my home…in a temporary standpoint where I don’t know how long this child will be in my home.’” ([08:04])
• New Executive Order: Directs support for religious liberty in foster care, curbing discrimination against Christian foster families—especially in states with hostile policies ([08:51]).
  • Herbie Newell: “The federal system is going to protect religious liberty…the federal system is going to allow families to be able to practice their own faith and beliefs in their home.” ([08:51])
• Trend of Platonic Co-Parenthood: Rising alternative family arrangements challenge biblical family design ([09:39–10:46]).
  • Herbie Newell: “Fatherhood nor motherhood are disposable roles in the life of a child.” ([10:46])
• Call for Christian Engagement: Christians are encouraged to act, independent of political circumstances.
  • Herbie Newell: “We really don’t need this permission slip to get engaged and get involved…God’s call is greater than politics, God’s call is greater than executive orders.” ([12:09])
• Partnership with Faith-Based Orgs: The executive order invites more active collaboration with Christian agencies ([10:46–11:47]).
  • Herbie Newell: “Most of our foster families in the United States are people of faith…who believe in the word of God and hold the word of God as…their calling to get into this work.” ([11:47])

Notable Quote:

• Herbie Newell ([12:09]):

  “We really don’t need this permission slip to get engaged and get involved…God’s call is greater than politics, God’s call is greater than executive orders.”

3. Praying for the Persecuted Church

Timestamps: 14:30–22:28
Reporters/Guests:

• Jenny Lynn Schmidt (reporter), Andrew Richards (Open Doors US), Todd Nettleton (Voice of the Martyrs)

Key Points:

• November—Month of Prayer: All Saints Day marks a global focus on praying for persecuted Christians ([14:59–15:27]).
• Global Scope: 380 million Christians experience persecution worldwide ([15:27]).
  • Andrew Richards: “The number one thing that our sisters and brothers ask for is that we would be praying with them.” ([15:27])
• World Watch List: Open Doors compiles the top 50 countries where it’s most dangerous to follow Jesus ([16:20]).
• Persecution Types: Differentiated between “restricted”, “hostile”, and “monitored” nations ([16:50]).
  • Todd Nettleton: “Restricted nation is the government is the persecutor. Hostile area…is some group within that country…” ([16:50])
• India as a Restricted Nation: Shift from community to government-driven persecution ([17:11]).
  • Todd Nettleton: “The government…is driving persecution in India. And so…we classify it as a restricted nation.” ([17:11])
• Violence in the Sahel: Sub-Saharan Africa is now the world’s most violent region for Christians ([17:57]).
  • Andrew Richards: “Sub-Saharan Africa is actually the most violent place to be a Christian right now.” ([17:57])
• Eritrea’s Imprisoned Christians: 550 Christians imprisoned without trial, some for over 21 years ([18:42–19:09]).
  • Todd Nettleton: “They don’t have a sentence that they're counting down…maybe it's 21 years later and they're still there.” ([19:09])
• The Power of Prayer:
  • Todd Nettleton: “One of the lies of Satan to persecuted Christians is, you're all by yourself…let them know they're not forgotten, they are remembered.” ([19:32])
• Concluding Prayers:
  • Andrew Richards: “So God, right now across the Sahel, would you fill your people with what they need? Would you bring them the needed resources? Would you bring them the reminders that they are not alone?” ([20:06])
  • Todd Nettleton: “We pray supernaturally, even right now, that you’ll let them know that they're being prayed for. And…that you told us to pray for the persecutors as well...” ([20:58])

Notable Moment:

• The segment concludes with two heartfelt prayers for persecuted believers and their persecutors (20:06–22:28).

4. Thanksgiving Traditions: Running the Turkey Trot

Timestamps: 23:37–27:47
Reporter/Guests:

• Jenny Ruff (reporter), Paul Stockman (YMCA Buffalo), Madison Granger Taggart (personal trainer), Dana Ruff (Rotary Club Tysons)

Key Points:

• 134-Year Tradition: The Buffalo Turkey Trot is America’s oldest consecutively run footrace, dating to 1896 ([24:00–24:27]).
  • Paul Stockman: “People want to come and run this particular race because it is the oldest consecutively run foot race in the US.” ([24:08])
• Accessible to All: Open to runners, walkers, and all ages ([25:50]).
  • Paul Stockman: “They walk the race, they run the race…Folks just power walk their way to the finish line and they don’t care if they come in last. It’s not about that.” ([25:50])
• Community and Charity: Many Turkey Trots double as fundraisers for local organizations ([26:47–27:11]).
  • Dana Ruff: “Basically, this is all about community and trying to help build the community and support the community.” ([26:57])
• Memorable Race Stories: From winning pies and turkeys ([26:16]), to five-year-olds and octogenarians participating—“We figured, hey, we might be in our 80s, but we can still do it.” ([27:47])

Notable Quote:

• Paul Stockman ([24:27]):

  “It’s officially just become this thing where if you don’t do it, then you know you’re missing out.”

5. Commentary: A Thanksgiving Tradition Worth Keeping

Timestamps: 28:11–30:55
Commentator: Cal Thomas

Key Points:

• Thankfulness vs. Commercialism: Thanksgiving’s intent is at risk due to earlier Christmas focus and consumerism ([28:22]).
• Historical Context: Abraham Lincoln officially established Thanksgiving amidst Civil War ([28:22–29:10]).
  • Lincoln Quoted: “To these bounties which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come…”
• Call for Penitence and Reflection: The spirit of repentance, as emphasized by Lincoln’s proclamation, is rarely heard among contemporary leaders ([29:20]).
  • Cal Thomas: “Now when was the last time you heard a national leader recommend penitence? The Scriptures are pretty clear. Nothing gets God’s attention quite like repentance. It is then his mercy flows.” ([29:20])
• Renewed Thanksgiving Spirit: Suggests adding “humble pie” to today’s menu as a symbol of national repentance and gratitude ([30:40–30:55]).

Notable Quote:

• Cal Thomas ([29:20]):

  “Now when was the last time you heard a national leader recommend penitence? The Scriptures are pretty clear. Nothing gets God’s attention quite like repentance. It is then his mercy flows.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Herbie Newell ([12:09]):

  “God’s call is greater than politics, God’s call is greater than executive orders.”

• Andrew Richards (Open Doors) ([15:27]):

  “The number one thing that our sisters and brothers ask for is that we would be praying with them.”

• Paul Stockman ([24:27]):

  “It’s officially just become this thing where if you don’t do it, then you know you’re missing out.”

• Cal Thomas ([29:20]):

  “Nothing gets God’s attention quite like repentance. It is then his mercy flows.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:07–06:28 — News Roundup
• 06:37–13:36 — Foster Care, Faith, and Executive Order (Herbie Newell interview)
• 14:30–22:28 — Praying for the Persecuted Church (Jenny Lynn Schmidt report)
• 23:37–27:47 — Turkey Trot Tradition (Jenny Ruff report)
• 28:11–30:55 — Thanksgiving Commentary (Cal Thomas)

Conclusion

This Thanksgiving edition of The World and Everything In It highlights how gratitude, advocacy, faith, and community service are intertwined. From policies affecting the most vulnerable, to the power of prayer in global crises, to quirky traditions like the Turkey Trot, the episode is a call to faithful engagement—reminding listeners to serve, reflect, pray, and give thanks.