3.18.25 Canada’s unelected prime minister, coming back from transitioning, and ministering at the rodeo

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It Episode: 3.18.25 Canada’s Unelected Prime Minister, Coming Back from Transitioning, and Ministering at the Rodeo
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Host: WORLD Radio

---

Introduction

In this episode of The World and Everything In It, WORLD Radio delves into a spectrum of pressing global and domestic issues. From the inauguration of Canada’s new prime minister amidst escalating trade tensions with the United States to the controversial shifts in US policies on gender-affirming procedures for minors, the episode offers a comprehensive analysis of current events. Additionally, listeners are treated to unique human interest stories, including the innovative Vienna Vegetable Orchestra and the inspiring ministry of a rodeo chaplain. The episode concludes with insightful commentary on the changing demographics in the UK and the cultural impact of Ramadan.

---

Canada’s New Prime Minister Amidst Trade Tensions

Mark Carney's Inauguration and Trade War Context
Canada welcomes its new prime minister, Mark Carney, a distinguished former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, stepping in after Justin Trudeau's nearly decade-long leadership. Carney assumes office at a tumultuous time as Canada navigates a burgeoning trade war with the United States.

Expert Analysis by Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day, a former opposition leader and political commentator, provides an in-depth analysis of Carney’s leadership and the ongoing trade conflict. At [07:32], Day remarks:

"Mark Carney was the governor of the Bank of Canada. He was acquired by the Bank of England and later served as chief advisor at a large investment firm in the US. His background includes advising the now-retired Prime Minister Trudeau."

Discussing the effectiveness of Canada’s response to US tariffs, Day expresses skepticism about the sustainability of the trade war:

"The history of successful trade wars on any side is thin. Canada does not want to become the 51st state and bristles at that prospect. The current approach does not seem effective" ([08:42]).

Day anticipates political maneuvers, suggesting Carney might call for an early election to solidify his position, leveraging the trade tensions as a shield ([11:24]). He also proposes potential strategies Canada could adopt to mitigate the impact of US tariffs, including targeted reductions in protective tariffs within the Canadian agriculture sector and increased resources for border security and drug enforcement ([12:22]).

US Policies on Gender Affirming Procedures for Minors

Executive Orders and Legislative Pushback
The episode shifts focus to the United States, highlighting recent executive actions aimed at restricting federal funding for gender-affirming procedures for minors. President Trump’s order, signed in January, mandates federal agencies to recognize only biological sexes, male and female, effectively barring public funds from supporting gender transition procedures for minors.

Personal Testimony: Forrest Smith’s Detransition Journey
Juliana Chan Erickson narrates the story of Forrest Smith ([14:21]), a 24-year-old who transitioned and subsequently detransitioned, facing medical and emotional challenges. Smith recounts:

"I was deliberating something that was actually impossible. Can I become a member of the opposite sex?" ([14:29]).

His journey underscores the complexities and potential regrets associated with gender-affirming surgeries, which are often touted as safe by medical organizations despite increasing reports of detransitioners experiencing adverse effects.

Government and Judicial Responses
The Trump administration's efforts to curb these procedures are met with resistance from federal judges in Maryland, Washington State, and the District of Columbia, who have temporarily blocked the implementation of these executive orders ([17:00]). Concurrently, legislative efforts led by Congressman Dan Crenshaw aim to permanently prohibit federal funding for such procedures, although significant bipartisan support remains elusive ([18:04]).

Activist and Medical Community Reactions
While some legislators and detransitioners advocate for stringent restrictions, 89 Democratic lawmakers have petitioned President Trump to rescind his orders, arguing that medical decisions should remain between patients, families, and their healthcare providers ([18:31]). The debate highlights a growing divide over medical ethics, federal oversight, and individual rights.

Severe Weather Events Across the United States

Devastating Storms and Community Impact
The podcast covers the aftermath of powerful weekend storms that have wreaked havoc across multiple states, including Texas, Illinois, and Tennessee. With a death toll rising to 42, the storms have caused widespread destruction, toppling trees and uprooting lives ([04:55]).

Personal Accounts of Tragedy and Resilience
Residents share harrowing experiences, such as one Georgia resident whose home was destroyed by a branch during the storm, narrowly escaping severe injury ([05:37]). The segment emphasizes the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and community support systems in the face of increasingly frequent and intense weather events.

Unique Human Interest Stories

Vienna Vegetable Orchestra: Farm to Stage Innovation

The episode spotlights the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra, an avant-garde musical group renowned for crafting instruments from fresh produce. This innovative ensemble, recognized by Guinness World Records, uses vegetables like carrots, pumpkins, and bell peppers to create unique sounds ([21:34]). Co-founder Matthias Meinharder shares insights into their eco-friendly, temporary instruments:

"We take cabbage and smash it like in a 70s rock concert. No preservatives on those instruments, so they carve new ones before every show" ([22:07]).

The orchestra's commitment to sustainability and creativity underscores a growing trend of environmental consciousness in the arts.

Ministry at the Rodeo: John Olivera’s Faith in Action

John Olivera, a chaplain at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, exemplifies faith-driven service in high-risk environments. His role involves praying with cowboys before and after their dangerous performances, providing spiritual support amidst the adrenaline-fueled rodeo atmosphere ([23:06]).

Olivera recounts his personal journey back to faith after a traumatic fall from his horse:

"I fell off my horse five years ago and was going through a really bad time... I think the Lord led me back home because I just lost my father three years ago" ([24:40]).

His ministry highlights the intersection of faith, community, and resilience in traditionally rugged settings.

UK Demographic Shifts and Cultural Implications

Ramadan’s Growing Presence in the UK
Janie B. Cheney, the world commentator, explores the increasing visibility of Ramadan in the United Kingdom, reflecting significant demographic changes. With Muslims now constituting 15% of London’s population, cultural practices such as Ramadan have become more prominent in public life.

Cultural Integration and Secularism
Cheney references a Spectator article by Melanie McDonough, which critiques the UK’s deepening integration of Islamic practices into mainstream culture:

"It's still oddly unsettling that Islam is now the default 'us'" ([27:45]).

She draws parallels to literary works like G.K. Chesterton’s The Flying Inn, emphasizing concerns over secularism’s resilience against unified religious influences. Cheney argues for the preservation of traditional cultural practices amidst shifting religious demographics, advocating for a balanced coexistence that respects both heritage and diversity.

Pew Poll Insights
Referencing a Pew poll, Cheney notes that the decline of traditional religion in the US has plateaued, possibly due to the enduring influence of foundational faith-based institutions. This stasis serves as a call to action for maintaining active and meaningful religious communities in a rapidly changing societal landscape.

---

Conclusion

The World and Everything In It episode from March 18, 2025, offers a multifaceted exploration of contemporary issues spanning international politics, social policies, environmental disasters, and cultural transformations. Through expert analysis, personal narratives, and thought-provoking commentary, WORLD Radio provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complex forces shaping our world today.

---

Notable Quotes:

• John Olivera on his ministry:
  "I want to penetrate their minds and their hearts because I want them to be able to be like, you know, what he prayed for me." ([24:31])

• Stockwell Day on the trade war effectiveness:
  "The history of successful trade wars on any side is thin." ([08:42])

• Forrest Smith on detransition challenges:
  "I just, I would like to have as much restorative surgery as I can get within reason. And that was not covered because I no longer identify as transgender." ([15:55])

---

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, providing clear sections and attributing key quotes with timestamps to enhance understanding for listeners who have not tuned in.

Transcript

[Lindsay Mast]

Good morning. Canada's new prime minister takes office just as a trade war with the US Looms.

[Mary Reichard]

Also, the Trump administration moves to stop operations that try to change the sexual characteristics of young people.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

This should not be covered on public dollars.

[Mary Reichard]

And a Chaplin works the bucking chute at a rodeo.

[John Olivera]

I want it to penetrate their minds and their hearts because I want them to be able to be like, you know what he prayed for me.

[Mary Reichard]

And world commentator Jan Cheney on Britain's shifting demographics.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Tuesday, March 18th. This is the world and everything in it. From listener supported world Radio, I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Good morning.

[Lindsay Mast]

Time now for news. Here's Kent Covington.

[Kent Covington]

President Trump is expected to speak with Vladimir Putin today as the White House pushes for a ceasefire in Ukraine and an end to the war.

[Stockwell Day]

We're getting down to a very critical stage and we want to get the whole Russia, Ukraine thing done. And I think Ukraine wants it. I know they want it. Everybody wants it. It's tremendous death. The bloodshed is unbelievable.

[Kent Covington]

Trump has said the call will likely include a difficult conversation about how territory might be divided. White House Press secretary Caroline Levitt stressed that this is not a conversation that is happening without Ukraine's involvement.

[Caroline Levitt]

The president and his entire national security.

[Forrest Smith]

Team have been engaged directly with President.

[Caroline Levitt]

Zelensky and the Ukrainian team and that has been part of the discussion between the president's team and the Ukrainians. As for where those lines will be drawn or any specifics, I am not going to get into that from this podium. It would be unwise for me to get ahead of the president's call with President Putin tomorrow.

[Kent Covington]

Putin recently rejected the outline of a U. S backed Ukraine peace plan, but President Trump and his team remain guardedly optimistic. Caroline Levitt also spoke to reporters Monday about news out of the Middle east where explosions once again rang out in Gaza after Israeli forces resumed attacks on Hamas terrorist targets. The latest Israeli strikes come more than two weeks after a ceasefire agreement expired. Hamas has since rejected proposals to renew the ceasefire.

[Caroline Levitt]

The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight.

[Kent Covington]

The Hamas controlled Gaza Health Ministry claims that at least 44 people were killed in the new wave of airstrikes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israeli forces will press ahead until all hostages are released and Israel achieves all of its war goals. Meantime, President Trump is warning Iran that it will suffer the consequences if there are any further attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Tehran has long funded and armed the group. The warning follows a U.S. airstrike against the Houthis on Friday. And at the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Alex Grinkowicz said more strikes will follow.

[John Olivera]

There is a design to the operation.

[Kent Covington]

There are specific effects that we're trying.

[Caroline Levitt]

To achieve, and there are specific targets.

[John Olivera]

That have been selected and approaches that we're taking in order to achieve the president's end state. So it isn't.

[Caroline Levitt]

We're just striking capabilities.

[Kent Covington]

And the president's end state is to crush the ability of the Houthis to terrorize critical shipping lanes in the Middle east, as they have for nearly a year and a half. But Iran's Revolutionary Guards commander, Hossein Salami denied that Iran controls the rebels and he brushed off Trump's warning, saying that Iran would deliver a decisive and devastating response to any aggression. President Trump on Monday also said that he has ordered the release of tens of thousands of records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy sometime.

[Stockwell Day]

Today giving all of the Kennedy files. So people have been waiting for decades for this.

[Kent Covington]

Last month, the FBI announced that it had inventoried and digitized about 2,400 newly discovered records related to that assassination.

[Stockwell Day]

I don't believe we're going to redact anything I said just don't redact. You can't redact.

[Kent Covington]

The release follows an executive order that Trump signed in January ordering the declassification of records related to the killings of JFK, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. The White House is blasting an order from a federal judge temporarily halting further deportation flights of what the administration says are dangerous and violent illegal immigrants. On Saturday, U.S. district Judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee, imposed a two week restraining order against President Trump's use of the rarely invoked Alien Enemies act to deport high risk illegal migrants. Border czar Tom Homan President Trump invoked.

[Stockwell Day]

The authorities of the Alien Enemies act, which he has the right to do, and we removed over 200 violent criminals from the United States. The actions of President Trump made this country safer.

[Kent Covington]

The Trump administration says activist judges are overstepping their authority. At least one Republican lawmaker is now pushing to impeach Judge Boasberg. Crews and Georgia working to remove trees knocked to the ground by powerful weekend storms nationwide. The confirmed death toll now stands at 42 from the severe weather after storms pounded roughly a dozen states from Texas to Illinois to Tennessee. One Georgia resident said the storm destroyed his grandmother's home and nearly cost her her life.

[Mary Reichard]

There's a probably like an 8 inch.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Diameter branch that came through her side beside her.

[Stockwell Day]

If she had been sleeping two or.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Three inches further away from the edge of the bed, it would have went through her.

[Kent Covington]

Severe weather spawned dozens of tornadoes across more than a half dozen states. A storm also triggered blinding dust storms from Texas to Kansas, blamed for deadly car crashes. And in Oklahoma, powerful winds fueled wildfires that destroyed more than 400 homes. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, Canada has a new prime minister. Plus, a seminary student heads to the rodeo and finds fields ripe for harvest. This is the WORLD and EVERYTHING in it.

[Mary Reichard]

It's Tuesday, the 18th of March. So glad to have you along for today's edition of the WORLD and Everything in It. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Up first, Canada gets a new prime minister.

[Caroline Levitt]

I, Mark Carney, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear.

[Lindsay Mast]

That's Mark Carney taking the oath of office on Friday, stepping in after Justin Trudeau's nearly decade long tenure. Carney is a longtime central bank governor for Canada and the UK now he takes the helm as Canada counters a growing trade war with the US Joining.

[Mary Reichard]

Us now to talk about it is Stockwell Day. He is a former opposition leader in Canada's Parliament and later served as cabinet minister. He's now a political consultant and commentator. Stockwell, good morning.

[Stockwell Day]

Good morning, Mary. Good to be with you.

[Mary Reichard]

Well, we're glad you're here. Quite a shift in the polls of late in Canada. And we'll get to that in just a moment. But first, talk to us about who Mark Carney is.

[Stockwell Day]

Mark Carney was the governor of the bank of Canada. That's when I knew him. And then he was acquired by the bank of England, felt he always had aspirations politically, came back to Canada or more correctly, to the US With a very large investment firm and was its chief advisor. He had different titles there. He was also an advisor to now retired Prime Minister Trudeau. So that's been his background.

[Mary Reichard]

We know that he is new to politics. And so it makes it an interesting moment because earlier this month, American tariffs on Canadian goods and materials went into force and Canada responded with its own tariffs. Now, where do things stand right now in this trade war?

[Stockwell Day]

To be really frank, it looks a little bleak. The history of successful trade wars on any side, that's a thin history book. And so I very much, of course, side with my Canadian colleagues. Canada does not want to become the 51st state and we bristle a little about that. But a trade war and the way we are prosecuting it right now, I just am not convinced it's going to work.

[Mary Reichard]

Now how do you think Carney will lead that is different from his predecessor, Justin Trudeau?

[Stockwell Day]

Honestly, I don't think there will be much different. They are both globalist in their worldview. They are both elitist. Matter of fact, Mr. Carney was one thing I'll give him as a point for honesty. He was accused of being globalist and elitist and he said, yes, I'm guilty. I'm both. And Mr. Carney, like Mr. Trudeau, is going to try and align things globally, which usually tend to be against and in opposition to the US on many counts. That's not going to do well. So it's going to be economic business as usual. But people were so anxious to see Justin Trudeau gone that it seems like anything would be better. And that's what the polls are indicating right now.

[Mary Reichard]

When we spoke last in January, you and I polling data showed support for the Conservative Party increasing as the Liberals polling went down. Now that's totally flipped around. Now, what do you think is behind that? Is it nationalism alone or is it something else?

[Stockwell Day]

Well, the nationalism has been a key factor. If it hadn't been for President Trump and his tariff attacks, then there would have been some movement upward in the polls because everybody, including Liberals, wanted to see Justin Trudeau gone. He was the most unpopular prime minister probably since his father, before his father stepped down. Now, with President Trump launching what Canadians see as a direct attack, that has increased in terms of sort of anti American sentiment, which usually the Liberals, in conjunction with mainstream media, which in Canada tracks very significantly to the left and for Liberals at any time because of that media backing, Mr. Carney is not facing any questions that would be difficult. He's not facing any questions about all of the mergers that he ordered and organized over the last few years with major coal and energy producing companies outside of Canada. And he has mainstream media siding with him. They're all kind of holding their breath, thinking they'll just quickly call an election and get through some tough questions unscathed and therefore be able to keep up some momentum in the polls because broadly speaking, the electorate will not hear anything negative concerning his worldviews.

[Mary Reichard]

Well, not only is Prime Minister Carney new to politics, but he's an unelected politician. For now. Canadian law calls for elections no later than October, although they could be scheduled for sooner than that. What will you be watching for in the meantime?

[Stockwell Day]

I'll watch for an early election. It is possible in Canada to be actually to be prime minister and not yet be elected. That's just some of the quirks of how our system works. It's happened only on very rare occasions. And I think Mr. Carney is smart enough to realize that the impatience that people will start to have if he's not answering any questions about the direction in which he's going to take the country, that impatience will grow. So my guess is that he will call an election sooner or later and hope to sail through, as I said, relatively unscathed and using the US Tariff attack as kind of a shield. He'll try and position himself as Mr. Canada when he's actually Mr. United Nations.

[Mary Reichard]

All right, Wrapping up here before you mentioned that Canada was taking the wrong approach to responding to American tariffs. What do you think would be a more effective approach?

[Stockwell Day]

We say there's chaos, but in some types of war, chaos creates opportunity. And that's what President Trump is using. He's narrowly zeroing in on, for instance, the agriculture sector in Canada, which is highly protected. So what we should be doing as politicians is going to that sector, our own agriculture sector, and say, look, we're not going to remove all the protective tariffs, but some of the ag sectors in Canada enjoy protection as high as 250%. And we say that those ag sectors, we're going to start taking a few points off of that. And the Trump administration also concerned about the border. We need to see significant resources going into the border and we need to deal more effectively with the fentanyl situation. We also need to be far more aggressive on the investigative side, give our very good police agencies more resources and also use the courts to show that serious drug crime is going to be seriously prosecuted. So hit some of those areas, give the president some wins. And I'm not saying fake wins. Those are true wins that won't hurt Canada. And I think we can soften the tariff blow that he's presently hitting us with.

[Mary Reichard]

Stockwell Day is Canada's former opposition leader and a political commentator. Stockwell, appreciate your time. Thanks so much.

[Stockwell Day]

Thanks, Mary. Bye. Now.

[Lindsay Mast]

Coming up next, taxpayer funding and procedures to change sex characteristics. Now a quick word of warning. This story contains sensitive subject matter. If you have young listeners with you, you may want to fast forward about six minutes and come back to the story later. Back in January, President Trump signed an order to protect children from harmful medical interventions.

[Mary Reichard]

And now federal agencies are taking action. They're closing the door to funding irreversible procedures on minors confused about their sexual. Here's world reporter Juliana Chan Erickson.

[Forrest Smith]

Forrest Smith was 24 years old when he realized he had made a terrible.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Mistake I was deliberating something that was actually impossible.

[Caroline Levitt]

Right?

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

You're deliberating. Can I become a member of the opposite sex?

[Forrest Smith]

Smith dropped out of College in 2014 and went to Portland, Oregon to live like a female. He had been exposed to transgenderism through pornography, but thought it was ugly and not worth pursuing. That changed when he saw social media posts of men appearing to become attractive women with hormones and cosmetic surgeries. At an event hosted by the group Genspect on Capitol Hill last week, Smith explained what happened next.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

I was given a transgender roadmap by a social worker there who was queer, identified themselves, and it has every, every operation you can think of related to transgender operations covered by public health insurance.

[Forrest Smith]

By September 2019, he had breast implants. The following June, he underwent surgery to remove his testicles. But within a month, he regretted it. When he started down the path of detransition, he learned something that wasn't in the health insurance fine print, he explains in an interview with World.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Will they cover anything that's transgender and they don't cover anything that is opposed to transgender? I don't even know what the wording is because I'm like, I don't want to cause any problems. I just, I would like to have as much restorative surgery as I can get within reason. And that was not covered because I no longer identify as transgender.

[Forrest Smith]

Medical organizations in the US Continue to say so called gender affirming procedures are safe and do not acknowledge the regret and medical consequences detransitioners face. But political pressure challenging that narrative is growing.

[Caroline Levitt]

If you receive any federal funding as an institution, you are not eligible for that funding if you provide so called gender care services to minors.

[Forrest Smith]

Dr. Jared Ross is an emergency medicine physician in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and a senior fellow with the research group do no Harm. On day one in office, President Trump signed an executive order stating that the US Government only recognizes two sexes, male and female. The order required all federal agencies to delete any references to gender identity on forums. Eight days later, Trump signed another order ending all government support for gender change procedures on children.

[Caroline Levitt]

So we saw when that executive order came out that hospitals and institutions were backing away from this. They said, we just can't afford to. We can't afford to lose our NIH funding.

[Forrest Smith]

But then district judges in Maryland, Washington State and the District of Columbia temporarily blocked the orders from going into effect. That gave medical providers political cover.

[Caroline Levitt]

They then said, no, we'll continue doing this.

[Forrest Smith]

While the challenges continued, two federal agencies have specifically mentioned plans to curb pediatric gender procedures. The Department of Health and Human Services said it would take steps to protect children seeking these treatments, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it had already alerted hospital providers about the dangers of what it called chemical and surgical mutilation. Dr. Ross says since only about a third of cases are covered by public insurance, the executive branch policies do not go far enough.

[Caroline Levitt]

That doesn't protect these children who are on private insurance from getting these medications and procedures. And at a clinic or hospital that isn't affiliated with the university that isn't receiving federal funding for that.

[Forrest Smith]

Lawmakers are also trying to put the medical field on notice.

[Caroline Levitt]

Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for being here today on Detransitioner Awareness Day.

[Forrest Smith]

That's Congressman Dan Crenshaw in a press conference on Wednesday. In January, the Texas Republican introduced a bill that would block federal funding for pediatric residency programs that offer procedures aimed at changing sex characteristics. He first put the bill forward in 2023, but didn't get enough support to pass it and faces similar challenges this time.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

We would need Democrats in the Senate.

[Caroline Levitt]

To cross the aisle to get 60 votes.

[Forrest Smith]

Last month, 89 Democratic legislators signed a letter asking President Trump to rescind his executive order and allow children to receive these procedures. They say these medical decisions should be left to children, families and their doctors. Detransitioners like Forrest Smith disagree.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

I'm not against science. One of the things that I've come to a conclusion about is a lot of these surgeries exist for really rare cases of intersex conditions or just other deformities that happen naturally. It's amazing science, but it's being abused on healthy bodies. And one thing that I feel very certain about is that this should not be covered on public dollars.

[Forrest Smith]

When Smith realized he had made a mistake, he turned to the only people who would accept him as a detransitioner, his parents.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Seeing how simple my family's care and love for me was, my mother's whole extended family, the way that I was welcomed with open arms, it was not the story that I had been painting in my head about transphobes and homophobes and hateful people was not at all true.

[Forrest Smith]

True, he paid for reversal procedures out of pocket and must maintain his testosterone levels medically. But Smith has also found a different kind of healing. In the Roman Catholic Church, I learned.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

A prayer of Christ, join my suffering to yours. That brought me a lot of meaning when I was in the depths of physical pain and humiliation and trauma, when I was struggling with hatred towards people who'd injured me and to pray to Christ, then that's when you really understand Christ. For me, it was like, I don't want to live with this anger.

[Forrest Smith]

Reporting for world I'm Juliana Chan Erickson in Washington.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from Dort University where skills, wisdom and hands on learning shape engineers for kingdom work.

[Stockwell Day]

Dort.

[Kent Covington]

Edu from Pensacola Christian College Academic Excellence Biblical Worldview Affordable cost go pcci. Edu World World. And from Barnabas, aid, hope and support for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world. Aid from Christians through Christians to Christians barnabasaid.org.

[Lindsay Mast]

Here's a story that'll be music to your ears. Freshly picked and ready to play, the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra is the world's first music group to carve instruments straight out of the produce aisle. Have a listen. With hundreds of performances over nearly three decades, Guinness World Records now officially recognizes the group. They go through about 70 pounds of fresh veggies for each concert. Here's co founder Matthias Meinharder on the Sean Moncrief podcast.

[Stockwell Day]

There are some ready made. For example, the league violin.

[Kent Covington]

You can use it fresh from the market.

[Stockwell Day]

Actually, we take cabbage and we smash the cabbage like in a 70s rock concert. Of course, the stage is messed up now.

[Lindsay Mast]

No preservatives on those instruments, so the performers carve new ones before every show. Carrot recorders, pumpkin drums, bell pepper horns, radish whistles. Truly, it's a farm to stage experience. It's the world and everything in it.

[Mary Reichard]

Today is Tuesday, March 18th. Thank you for thank you for turning to world radio to help start your day. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Coming next on the World and everything in it, praying for cowboys, we recently took you inside the world of freestyle bullfighting. Those fearless daredevils don't just dodge bulls. They shield fallen cowboys from a pounding.

[Mary Reichard]

World's. Todd Vishen talked to one city slicker who saddles up to those cowboys with a bigger prize in mind. 8 seconds of fame here and eternity beyond.

[Caroline Levitt]

When the rodeo's in town, John Oliver's is there, but he's not in the stands. Instead, he's making his way to the pens where cowboys strap themselves on top of a bull or a bronco for a short, violent ride.

[John Olivera]

My first instant back here, I was like this and I could feel somebody breathing on me. And so I look and it was actually a bull. You actually do see steam come out of their nose. So that's just like, yeah. Where? On the cartoons. And it's coming out steam actually does come out of their nose.

[Caroline Levitt]

Olivera is a shoot minister at the San Antonio stock show in rodeo. He joins a posse of cowboy church volunteers that spend about three hours each night surrounded by six foot high fencing holding back powerful animals. Olivera's is just a few seconds to pray with the men behind. They're thrust into the spotlight and these.

[John Olivera]

Cowboys come far from home. These cowboys are missing their family and of course they're ailing from injuries that they've sustained. They're just humble guys, you know, they want to receive that blessing. No one ever turns down a blessing or a prayer. It's a dangerous sport, you know.

[Caroline Levitt]

Olivera sports a clean shaven head hidden by a crisp black cowboy hat. He was raised on 40 acres surrounded by animals, barns and lots of dirt. It's what he and many others at the stock show called a cowboy lifestyle. He watched his father minister at the Rodeo for over 10 years and wanted to follow in his dad's bootsteps. But like the prodigal son, Oliver's didn't take the easy trail.

[John Olivera]

I fell off my horse five years ago where I was just going through a really bad time in my life where, you know, I was trying to get my marriage together because I was working out of town and things like that. So I ended up coming back home and I ended up reuniting with my parents, my father. My father and I have always had a great relationship. But I think the Lord led me back home because I just lost my father three years ago.

[Caroline Levitt]

He began this Sunday by ushering at the cowboy church where blue jeans, boots and big belt buckles are in fashion and the music western. As the preacher sauntered up to the podium in the auction barn, Oliver has helped two latecomers find empty seats among the 300 worshippers in folding chairs and bleachers. After the service, Olivera's entered his arena.

[John Olivera]

Down here you'll have your Bronx. And yeah, once they see these guys coming out, man, they get rage. They know what it's time for.

[Caroline Levitt]

At about 5 and a half feet tall and slender, the 46 year old easily walks between the pens restraining dangerous animals. Like the preacher turned auctioneer, he's not tongue tied.

[John Olivera]

I just get straight to the point, you know, give them what they need to hear and that's what we need to do. Just get straight to the point, you know, straight to Jesus, you know, Jesus.

[Caroline Levitt]

Olivera stops one of the cowboys tightening a rope for his horse before the Chereta, a Mexican rodeo. He asks if he can pray for him and word spreads quickly.

[John Olivera]

My name is John.

[Caroline Levitt]

Soon more than 20 chap wearing cowboys.

[John Olivera]

Are standing around him and I just want to pray. A blessing upon yalls lives Father God we come before you right now in your mighty name.

[Caroline Levitt]

Olivares prays with cowboys most nights in the nearly three week rough and tumble rodeo. Many participants thank him especially when he prays over them while the medics tend to their injuries.

[John Olivera]

I wanted to penetrate their minds and their hearts because I want them to be able to be like you know what he prayed for me. I don't know his name but that little guy Cowboy church in San Antonio. I hope he's there next year because he prayed for me and that's all. That's. That's what? That's all I want.

[Caroline Levitt]

Reporting for world, I'm Todd Vision in San Antonio, Texas.

[Forrest Smith]

I don't worry my words.

[Stockwell Day]

He won't.

[Mary Reichard]

Give me what I can't handle.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Cause.

[Mary Reichard]

He told me that one day he's coming back.

[Lindsay Mast]

Today is Tuesday, March 18th. Good morning, this is the World and everything in it from listener supported World. Welcome to World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichardt. Up next, World commentator Janie B. Cheney on the changing Demographics of the UK.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Ramadan 2025 began at the end of February and continues to the end of March. The month long observance for Muslims to fast and pray occurs on a lunar calendar cycle, meaning it falls at a different time each year. Most Americans have no idea when, but the British can hardly escape knowing. As columnist Melanie McDonough observed in a Spectator article titled Are you Ramadan ready? She writes, that was the poster in Sainsbury's advertising its delicious range of fast breaking foods. And the striking thing about it was the U that U means the normal customer, the default Sainsbury's shopper. Sainsbury's is the UK's second largest grocery chain. Their website offers all the essentials needed for celebrating Eid, which occurs at the end of Ramadan. Nothing wrong with catering to the clientele, but McDonough noticed the same intrusive you in an email she received from a hair salon she once patronized, we know how important it is to take a moment for yourself amid the busy days of fasting and prayers. Rest assured, the salon would be open after sundown for fast breakers to indulge in a little luxurious self care. Ramadan lights have added a festive touch to Coventry street and Leicester Square and schools are advised to schedule Ramadan assemblies. The Muslim population is now 15% of London. No one denies the right to practice their religion. But, writes Ms. McDonald, it's still oddly unsettling that Islam is now the default us. In an Easter Sunday interview last year, atheist Richard Dawkins confessed to feeling oddly unsettled about the encroachment of Islam on English traditions. Though he had no use for the substance of Christianity, he retained a sentimental attachment to the trappings. It would be truly dreadful, he said, if another religion replaced cathedrals, hymns, and Christmas carols. A hundred years ago, GK Chesterton imagined just such a future in a comic novel titled the Flying In. The plot turns on Prohibition, not Ramadan. As a result of a treaty with the Ottoman Empire and a prominent MP's attachment to a Turkish Muslim cleric, Parliament has banned alcohol. Not only alcohol, but that cornerstone of British society, the local pub. The two heroes load a cart with the last remaining barrel of rum and travel from town to town, serving up a kind of cultural communion. Chesterton's point was that secular concerns like health and politics must never trump faith. Secularism is temporal and individual by nature. It doesn't have the fortitude to withstand a united challenge from true believers, whether Islamic or Communist. Creedal faith can only be confronted by creedal faith. There's been a lot of interest in a Pew poll showing that the decline of traditional religion in the US has stalled out. That could be because the American church, for all its divisions and scandals and brawls, still holds to the faith that shaped its history and character. This should stir us up to loving good works, not complacency. God willing, Ramadan lights will never replace Christmas lights. But we must keep the faith. I'm Janie B. Cheney.

[Lindsay Mast]

Tomorrow on Washington Wednesday, what's fueling the outrage over Doge? And how will the GOP handle division and its ranks? And soaring egg prices have improved, flocking to backyard chickens passing fad or start up a homegrown food revolution? That and more tomorrow. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Mary Reichard]

And I'm Mary Reichard. World's Washington producer. Harrison Waters wrote today's story on Medicaid funding. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires. Jesus said a new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. Verses 34 and 35 of John, chapter 13 go now in Grace and Peace.

[John Olivera]

SA.