5.28.25 The “Big Beautiful Bill,” World Tour, and overcoming a difficult childhood

Summary

The World and Everything In It

Episode: May 28, 2025
Title: The “Big Beautiful Bill,” World Tour, and Overcoming a Difficult Childhood
Host: WORLD Radio
Release Date: May 28, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of "The World and Everything In It," hosts Nick Eicher and Lindsay Mast delve into a diverse array of topics ranging from U.S. legislative developments and international affairs to personal stories of resilience and the importance of mentorship. The episode seamlessly blends in-depth analysis with heartfelt narratives, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events and inspirational stories grounded in factual reporting and biblical cultural perspectives.

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Washington Wednesday: The “Big Beautiful Bill” and U.S. Political Dynamics

The segment begins with a focus on President Trump's significant budget proposal, colloquially dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Kent Covington provides an incisive analysis of the bill’s journey and its implications.

• Passage in the House:
  “With something of this magnitude, there are other parts that can be improved,” Covington remarks at [00:11], highlighting the bill’s contentious nature within legislative circles.

• Key Provisions and Republican Goals:
  The bill aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts beyond their expiration, with Florida Congressman Mario Diaz Ballart emphasizing the necessity: “There's no alternative except to pass this legislation. Otherwise, we're looking at a huge tax increase on the American people” [08:56].

  Additional components include funding for the border wall, reductions in federal support for Planned Parenthood, and financing for a new missile defense system. Congressman Greg Murphy underscores the intent to “strengthen Medicaid for the people who are eligible and stop the gimmicks” [11:21], though the bill faces skepticism regarding its effectiveness in reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.

• Debate and Future Outlook:
  Critics like Congressman Andy Harris express reservations, stating, “In its current form, I can't support the bill from the House in this forum. It has to change before it can pass the Senate” [12:43]. The bill's future in the Senate remains uncertain, with expectations of potential tweaks before it can be presidentially signed.

• Conclusion of Legislative Segment:
  Leo Braceno concludes the segment by noting the bill’s near-success in the House and the significant challenges ahead in the Senate [14:56].

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World Tour: Global Insights from Libya to India

The World Tour segment, reported by Onise Adua, offers a panoramic view of international events shaping various regions.

1. Libya – Political Unrest:
   Protests in Libya demand Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba's resignation following failed elections and deadly clashes between rival armed groups in Tripoli. Resident Abdel Rauf Zalul articulates the populace’s desire for genuine civil governance: “We no longer want any transitional periods, but want elections that will lead to a proper civil government” [15:37].

2. Chile – Indigenous Rights and Conflict Resolution:
   Chilean President Gabriel Borich unveils proposals to reconcile the longstanding conflict with the Mapuche indigenous group. Initiatives include land restitution, constitutional recognition, and the establishment of an indigenous affairs unit. However, some activists remain skeptical about the government’s commitment to these reforms [15:37].

3. Georgia – Celebrating Independence Amidst Protests:
   Georgia marks its independence with military parades and ceremonies, though opposition groups boycott the event, citing concerns over foreign interference and election legitimacy. Eline Gotsuridze, a resident, reflects on the dual nature of the celebration and underlying protests [17:00].

4. India – Early Monsoon Challenges:
   Unseasonal monsoon rains cause flooding in Mumbai and southern Kerala, disrupting daily life and highlighting the need for improved infrastructure. Abhishek Tiwari from New Delhi advocates for better maintenance of drainage systems to mitigate such disasters [18:20].

5. Norway – Environmental Incident:
   A container ship disastrously runs aground near a Norwegian fjord, narrowly avoiding extensive property damage. Johann Hellberg humorously notes, “It could have been worse. Five yards closer and it would have been in my bedroom” [19:47].

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Personal Story: Overcoming a Difficult Childhood with Mentorship

A poignant narrative unfolds as Caleb Bailey recounts the inspiring journey of Nick Thompson, a young man who transformed his tumultuous childhood into a life of purpose through the guidance of dedicated mentors.

• Challenging Upbringing:
  Nick grew up in a household marked by emotional neglect and abuse. His father was “emotionally and spiritually absent”, and his mother’s neglect left him feeling “fearful and ignored” [22:32]. These early hardships are compounded by socio-economic struggles, common among boys raised in single-parent households.

• Finding Refuge in the Church:
  The church became a sanctuary for Nick, where he met three pivotal figures who played fatherly roles. Marine veteran Carter McFarland and Tom Trice provided love, guidance, and practical skills:

  • Carter McFarland taught Nick essential life skills like hunting and vehicle maintenance [24:16].
  • Tom Trice imparted driving skills and included Nick in home-building projects, fostering a sense of responsibility and craftsmanship [24:25].

• The Impact of Mentorship:
  Warren Trice, Tom’s son, continued to mentor Nick, exemplifying a model of fatherhood and partnership. Through these relationships, Nick learned the value of being a present and supportive father and husband [25:00].

• Building a New Life:
  Today, Nick balances a regular job with farming, aspiring to create a stable and nurturing environment for his own family. He actively volunteers in inner-city ministries, aiming to provide the same support he received to others facing similar challenges [26:50].

• Janie B. Cheney’s Commentary:
  “Sometimes God can use that kind of stuff to, to our benefit, you know,” reflects Janie B. Cheney, highlighting the redemptive power of faith and community in overcoming personal adversity [23:38].

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Commentary: The Art of Small Talk in Building Relationships

Janie B. Cheney offers insightful commentary on the importance of small talk in fostering deeper relationships. She challenges the stereotype that small talk is superficial, presenting it instead as a foundational tool for meaningful connections.

• Scientific Perspective:
  Referencing a study by the University of Arizona, Cheney notes that women typically engage in significantly more words per day than men during early to middle adulthood, often centered around family and everyday experiences [28:12].

• Practical Applications:
  Cheney emphasizes that small talk—such as complimenting someone or commenting on shared experiences—can lead to substantial relationships and community building. “Intentional small talk starts with simply noticing people,” she advises, encouraging listeners to see conversations as opportunities for connection and glorifying God [30:00].

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Upcoming Topics Teased

Hosts Nick Eicher and Lindsay Mast briefly mention topics for future episodes, including the impact of a new executive order on American drug prices, President Trump’s stance on refugees from South Africa, and more detailed analyses of ongoing domestic and international issues.

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Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a reinforcing message of gratitude to listeners for supporting WORLD Radio, underpinned by biblical verses that inspire diligent and heartfelt work. Hosts encourage the audience to continue engaging with the program for informed and spiritually grounded journalism.

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Notable Quotes

• Kent Covington on Medicaid changes:
  “We want to strengthen Medicaid for the people who are eligible and stop the gimmicks.” [11:21]

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on political positions:
  “President Trump may be closer than ever to pulling the trigger on new sanctions against Russia.” [02:19]

• Janie B. Cheney on small talk:
  “Intentional small talk starts with simply noticing people… What are you going to say? Is that your granddaughter?” [30:00]

• Nick Thompson reflecting on mentorship:
  “I was like 20 years old… He died. So that was harder for me than when my dad died.” [25:00]

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This episode of "The World and Everything In It" masterfully intertwines critical political discourse with inspiring personal narratives, offering listeners both the information and the emotional resonance needed to navigate and understand the complexities of today's world.

Transcript

[Nick Eicher]

Good morning. I'm Nick Eicher.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Before we begin today, a reminder that we're in the middle of our springtime new donor drive that's going on today and the rest of this week.

[Nick Eicher]

That's right. And this week, if you have never given to World before, it's such a great time to do it because all new gifts qualify for a dollar for dollar match. And that will make your first time gift go twice as far. We've got generous longtime donors who want to demonstrate that when you give to world, you're part of we're all in this together. And that's why they are matching each new gift that comes in this week.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's a great way to invest in sound journalism grounded in facts and biblical truth and help us keep telling the kinds of stories that matter.

[Nick Eicher]

We would love to welcome you as a new donor. So please visit wng.org newdonor.

[Lindsay Mast]

Good morning. President Trump's big, beautiful budget bill is now in the hands of the Senate. But debate over spending cuts could derail the whole thing.

[Kent Covington]

The president called for waste, fraud and abuse to be eliminated. I don't think that's where the bill sits.

[Nick Eicher]

That's ahead today on Washington Wednesday. Also today, world tour and later, mentors who changed a young man's life for the better.

[Janie B. Cheney]

We talk about brothers and sisters in the church a lot. We forget it's mothers and fathers, too.

[Nick Eicher]

And sometimes the most important thing to say is actually the easiest thing to say. Commentary from World's Janie B. Cheney.

[Lindsay Mast]

It's Wednesday, May 28th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mass.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Iker. Good morning.

[Lindsay Mast]

Up next, Kent Covington with today's news.

[Kent Covington]

President Trump may be closer than ever to pulling the trigger on new sanctions against Russia. Is growing more frustrated with Vladimir Putin's lack of cooperation with efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. And US Special envoy for Ukraine and Russia retired General Keith Kellogg said Tuesday, one thing you don't do, I really believe this is you put President Trump.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

In a position that he feels is being used. And I think that is a terrible.

[Kent Covington]

Position for everybody to be in. And Trump is increasingly angered by Russia's continued attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine. In a social media post, Trump said, what Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it were not for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia. I mean, really bad. He's playing with fire. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov brushed off Trump's remarks. He accused the US President of reacting emotionally and said the Kremlin does not focus on Trump's rhetoric. But Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medyav said of Trump's really bad things remarkable I know of only one really bad thing. World War Three. I hope Trump understands this. President Trump has not threatened US Military action against Russia, but he has threatened new sanctions. The federal government is no longer recommending COVID 19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. We're now one step closer.

[Nick Eicher]

To realizing President Trump's promise to make America healthy again.

[Kent Covington]

He announced the changes in a video message. Joined by the FDA commissioner and the director of the National Institutes of Health, Kennedy went on to say Last year the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another Covid shot despite the lack of any clinical data to support.

[Nick Eicher]

The repeat booster strategy in children.

[Kent Covington]

But critics like Dr. Michael Osterholm, who served on then President elect Joe Biden's transition COVID 19 advisory board say it is the decision to lift the those vaccine recommendations that lacks scientific basis. Last week, the FDA announced routine COVID vaccine approvals will be limited to seniors and those with underlying health risks. The governing body for California high school sports has changed its rules for this weekend's state track and field championship after a so called transgender student athlete qualified for the meet. World's Benjamin Eicke reports California officials will.

[Leo Braceno]

Still allow boys who identify as girls to compete in female athletics. But in response to the criticism, the governing body says it's changing the rules to allow more girls to qualify for the meet. President Trump has threatened to pull federal funding in California if the state did not protect girls from having to compete against boys. California governor Gavin Newsom's office says the rule change ahead of the championship meet is reasonable. Newsom earlier this year said he believed that allowing biological males to compete in girls and women's sports is unfair. For World I'm Benjamin Eicher Britain's King.

[Kent Covington]

Charles III delivered a historic address in Canada Tuesday, a rare so called speech from the throne.

[Nick Eicher]

As the anthem reminds us, the true.

[Leo Braceno]

North is indeed strong and free.

[Kent Covington]

The king is the ceremonial head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of Former Colonies. His speech marked the opening of Canada's Parliament that made him the first monarch to do that in nearly five decades.

[Nick Eicher]

Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self determination and freedom are values which Canadians.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Hold dear and ones which the government.

[Nick Eicher]

Is determined to protect.

[Kent Covington]

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says the king's appearance underscores Canada's sovereignty That follows President Trump's repeated suggestions that Canada should become the 51st. U.S. state Police in Liverpool say they do not believe that an incident in which a man drove his vehicle into a crowd of soccer fans on Monday was an act of terrorism. Assistant Chief Constable of Merryside Police Jenny Sims says the investigation is ongoing and.

[Onise Adua]

We continue to ask people not to.

[Kent Covington]

Speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

[Onise Adua]

And refrain from sharing distressing content online.

[Kent Covington]

Authorities arrested a local 53 year old man on suspicion of attempted murder and possibly driving under the influence of drugs. Hundreds of thousands of people were gathered in the city to celebrate the Liverpool Football Club's championship. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Scenes of.

[Leo Braceno]

Joy turn to utter horror and devastation.

[Nick Eicher]

And my thoughts and the thoughts of the whole country are with all of those that are affected.

[Kent Covington]

At least four children were among the injured. Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer has died at the age of 77. The musician shot to fame at age 17 when his band the McCoys recorded this song, Hang On Sloopy was a number one hit in 1965. Derringer also enjoyed some solo success and worked behind the scenes producing or performing with Axiom like Steely Dan, Bonnie Tyler and Cyndi Lauper. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, GOP budget bill passed in the House, but the Senate version could get held up by fiscal conservatives. Plus, a young man's journey to find role models. This is the World and everything in.

[Lindsay Mast]

It'S Wednesday 28th May. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the World and Everything In It. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Iker. Time now for Washington Wednesday.

[Caleb Bailey]

On this vote, the AZER215. The nays are 214, with one answering present. The bill is passed.

[Nick Eicher]

It could not have been any closer last week when the House okayed a measure titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, House Speaker Mike Johnson announcing the vote and sending it to the Senate. To do that, he had to overcome conservative opposition not to the beautiful part, but to the big part, as in big spending world. Washington bureau reporter Leo Braceno now on what's in there.

[Leo Braceno]

A key focus of the Big Beautiful bill centers on a straightforward problem. The tax cuts made in 2017 under the first Trump administration are set to expire at the end of this year. That's what led lawmakers like Florida Congressman Mario Diaz Ballart to push the bill over the finish line last week.

[Nick Eicher]

There's no alternative except to pass this legislation. Otherwise, we're looking at a huge tax.

[Kent Covington]

Increase on the American people.

[Leo Braceno]

The bill does a myriad of other things, too. It includes funding for the border wall, aims to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood, finances, a new missile defense system, and more. But coming into the year, Republicans knew that the tax component was going to be the centerpiece of Trump's legislative agenda. And with new additions that the president promised, like ending taxes on tips and overtime pay, it's also by far the most expensive part of the bill. So how does the bill compensate for the tax cuts and for everything else? Well, it does so in two main ways. First, in order to get to the $3.5 trillion figure Republicans hope to cut by 2034, lawmakers will need to cut expense every year for 10 years in their annual spending legislation. And while they're in power for the next two, Republicans can start down that road. But Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz says he's counting on future sessions of Congress to finish the job.

[Kent Covington]

Obviously, you put it in place as best you can during these two years, and then you have to say, whoever comes along next realizes that the budget has been set up in a certain way. So as these things are put in place, others that come along later are going to have to look at it and go, oh, this is, this is not going to change easily. But you can't mind a future Congress. Except as to debt, apparently we got to pay the debt.

[Leo Braceno]

A few Republicans are skeptical that those cuts will actually happen. Here's Thomas Massie of Kentucky, one of the two Republicans that voted against the bill's passage. This bill dramatically increases deficits in the near term, but promises our government will be fiscally responsible five years from now. Where have we heard that before? How do you bind a future Congress to these promises? A second way Republicans aim to cut spending is by reworking ongoing government programs that will extend beyond the current session. And there's one particular program the big beautiful bill aims to retool. Medicaid is a joint federal state partnership that provides health care for low income Americans, seniors and individuals with disabilities. And in 2024, it accounted for 13% of the government spending overall. Republicans aim to trim that number down by making sure that only those eligible are actually participating in the program.

[Nick Eicher]

We want to strengthen Medicaid for the people who are eligible and stop the gimmicks.

[Leo Braceno]

Congressman Greg Murphy runs his own medical practice in North Carolina. He services mostly patients on Medicaid.

[Kent Covington]

I care about hospitals. I want to make sure that they're funded. But just like anything, we just have to have accountability in all of the systems to make sure that they provide the resources for the people who need.

[Leo Braceno]

Them most of among other changes, the package would require states to verify recipient addresses to prevent enrollment in two states at once. It would require a quarterly evaluation of deceased recipients, monthly checks on providers to eliminate fraud and proof of citizenship, nationality or immigration status from participants. The bill would also require able bodied recipients ages 19 to 64 to work at least 80 hours a month. Those changes would kick in at the end of 2026 and would not change standards for anyone with disabilities. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, those changes will account for 20% of all the savings Republicans hope to achieve by 2034. The budget office also estimates that those changes will leave almost 8 million people without health insurance. Many Republicans had wanted to go further. Here's Congressman Andy Harris of Maryland, chairman of the conservative leaning House Freedom Caucus.

[Kent Covington]

In its current form, I can't support the bill. It does not eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid. The president called for waste, fraud and abuse to be eliminated. I don't think that's where the bill.

[Leo Braceno]

Sits in the end. Harris didn't vote against the bill, but he didn't support it either. He voted present. Republicans like Harris had hoped to scale back federal dollars obligated to individual states through the Federal Medical assistance percentage, or FMAP. The federal government pays at least $1 for every dollar that states raise for Medicaid. Some Republicans had hoped to put more of the financial burden back onto the states. The bill doesn't change the amount that the federal government pays into Medicaid, but what it does do is freeze some of the tools that states use to draw in federal contributions. That's led some Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York to believe that states will ultimately be left with that the federal government would normally pick up if costs go up.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

What other sources there's no they have they tied their hands on the provider tax to drive up revenue. So the they're blowing a hole in state budgets. So what are the states going to do?

[Kent Covington]

Because they have tied all of the.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

Revenue raisers that are that states traditionally turn to in order to fund Medicaid.

[Leo Braceno]

It's unclear just how the Pay Beautiful Bill act and its many priorities might change over in the Senate over the weekend, Trump says he expects some tweaks to the package passed by the House and any changes made by the Senate would have to be re approved by the House before heading to the president's desk. At least one senator believes the bill goes too far. Here is Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri talking about some of the Medicaid changes.

[Kent Covington]

Yo, I'm not going to support this bill from the House in this forum. I think that's clear. It's got to change before it can pass the Senate.

[Leo Braceno]

With the bill's one vote success this time around, convincing the conference to support more changes would present a tall order for Speaker Johnson. Here's Florida Congressman Diaz Ballart again.

[Nick Eicher]

With something of this magnitude, there are.

[Kent Covington]

Other parts that can be improved. There are parts that one doesn't like.

[Nick Eicher]

But the question is, what's the alternative? You know, we have to understand that no bill is perfect, but this is frankly about as good as it's going to get under the Circumstances.

[Leo Braceno]

Reporting for World I'm Leo Bruceno in Washington, D.C.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from biblestock.org, helping Bible teachers bring the land of the Bible to life through photos and videos. Biblestock.org Coming up next on the WORLD.

[Lindsay Mast]

And Everything in IT World Tour with our reporter in Nigeria, Onise Adua.

[Onise Adua]

Today's world tour begins in the North African nation of Libya where protesters are demanding that the prime minister step down. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba assumed office after a United nations backed transition plan in 2021, but he has remained in office after planned elections failed over disagreements between rival political factions. Calls for his resignation increased after clashes between two rival armed groups in the capital city of Tripoli turned deadly earlier this month. Abdel Rauf Zalul is a Tripoli resident. He says that the protesters no longer want any transitional periods, but want elections that will lead to a proper civil government. Libya has faced political unrest since the NATO backed ouster of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Over in South America, Chilean President Gabriel Borich has announced his proposals to end a long running conflict between the government and an indigenous group called the Mapuche. The Chilean government has long clashed with the Mapuche over issues like land ownership and discrimination. Some Mapuche activists have attacked construction and logging projects to push for an autonomous state. A presidential commission set up two years ago consulted with more than 5,000 people across various regions hoping to resolve the conflict. Borich said the findings propose a new method for restituting indigenous lands, constitutional recognition of indigenous people and setting up an indigenous affairs unit within the state. He says that his government will also offer more support to victims of rural violence. But some indigenous activists have questioned whether the government will follow through with such widespread reforms. Over in Europe, the country of Georgia celebrated its independence on Monday with a military parade and an oath ceremony. Government officials and members of the ruling Georgian Dream Party attended the ceremony, but the opposition boycotted it. Georgia has faced widespread protests since a parliamentary vote in October that brought victory to the Georgian Dream Party, but opposition protesters called the result illegitimate over allegations of Russian involvement and vote rigging. Eline Gotsuridze is a Tbilisi resident who joined the Independence Day protests on Monday. But today we celebrate, and it's also.

[Kent Covington]

We have some kind of feeling of.

[Onise Adua]

Protest that we are losing our independence because of the foreign actors, neighbors, large, big neighbors who want to abandon our freedom. And we have a double feeling, she says. It's a celebration, but also a protest against foreign actors who want Georgians to abandon their freedom. We wrap up in India, where the annual summer monsoon rains have arrived earlier than usual in parts of the country. Heavy rainfall drenched the financial hub of Mumbai on Monday after a similar downpour over the weekend in southern Kerala state. The rainfall usually begins in June and runs until September, but it already brought flooding to some streets. In New Delhi, residents have blamed the poor drainage system. Abhishek Tiwari is a New Delhi resident. He called for regular cleaning of tunnels to avoid garbage from accumulating. The annual monsoons bring landslides and flooding, but also provide much of the downpour that farmers need for their crops. That's it for this week's World tour. Reporting for World I'm Onizia Dua in Abuja Mangeria.

[Nick Eicher]

So you wake up in your peaceful Norwegian fjord and staring back at you is a container ship at least five times taller than your house and longer than a football field. It's run aground, having just about run the house into the ground. That's the owner of the house, Johann Hellberg, saying something along the lines of it could have been worse. Five yards closer and it would have been in my bedroom. An investigation is underway, but for now, let's just say the vessel missed a turn and went sliding toward the village. No one got hurt, just 16 confused crew and one startled neighborhood. Hellberg hopes his very bulky new neighbor weighs anchor soon. And no kidding on that, because nothing says good Morning like a 40,000 ton pop in guest. It's the World and Everything in it. Today is Wednesday, May 28th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning. I'm Nick Iger.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. Coming next on THE World and Everything in it, the importance of role models. According to the U.S. census Bureau. More than 250,000 children live without a biological step or adoptive father in the home. For boys especially, that absence can leave a lasting void or one aggravated by a culture that's told them that their masculinity is toxic.

[Nick Eicher]

What does it mean to be a good man, a good husband, a good father? World's Caleb Bailey met a young man who found the answer with the steady presence of three ordinary men who stepped up. Here is his story.

[Janie B. Cheney]

You don't grab your end. I'll grab my end. I have to pull your end off first.

[Caleb Bailey]

The last freeze of early spring has been. Which means it's time for Nick Thompson to get to work on his farm. His first task, upgrade a newly purchased 10 ton truck with a 16 foot bed. Thompson lives on a 60 acre farm in upstate South Carolina with his wife and three kids.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Farming's hard work, but it's rewarding work. And I love being, I love working in God's creation. I am the happiest when I work outside.

[Caleb Bailey]

As he spray paints his new truck, his life appears idyllic. There's plenty of land to work and a goal to eventually live off of it. There isn't much more that he wants. But years ago his life looked much different. During his childhood, Thompson lacked basic needs, relational needs.

[Janie B. Cheney]

My dad was not very active in our lives at all. My father was just emotionally and spiritually absent from his kids.

[Caleb Bailey]

He wasn't physically abusive. His mom though, that was a different story.

[Janie B. Cheney]

For example, I remember a time when I was probably five or six years old, I got poison ivy and I'm very allergic to poison ivy. Instead of getting medical attention, I got straight jacketed in sheets and blankets and tied up like belts and cloths and laid on the basement floor.

[Caleb Bailey]

She eventually abandoned her family.

[Janie B. Cheney]

She's somewhere probably in Georgia, Alabama. I've not spoken with her since she left my dad.

[Caleb Bailey]

Instead of feeling safe and secure, Thompson felt fearful and ignored for most of his childhood. Without the stability of a two parent household, studies show boys tend to struggle in school and then later in their careers. Many also take years to get married and some don't get married at all. In the worst cases, the boys turn to substance abuse and criminal activity. But Nick Thompson found refuge in one of the few places left with structure and guidance. The church he grew up in.

[Janie B. Cheney]

So I guess saying all that is, you know, I didn't have the best dad at all. But you know, sometimes God can use that kind of stuff to, to our benefit, you know.

[Caleb Bailey]

While his parents attendance petered out Thompson kept going back, and it was there that he eventually found role models. Not just one, but three. When Thompson was 12 years old, he started going to the church property with a marine veteran, Carter McFarland. There, the two cared for the 10 acres. Mowing, weeding, planting flowers. And before long, McFarland began inviting Thompson to learn some of his favorite hobbies.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Man, he hunted. He taught me squirrel hunt and taught me how to work on tractors and vehicles. And he just kind of ignited that love in me, you know?

[Caleb Bailey]

Another older church member named Tom Trice taught him how to drive a car when Thompson's own parents refused to. When Trice decided to build a house, he included Thompson in each step of the process.

[Janie B. Cheney]

And we went and bought all the lumber and cut it all and framed studded walls and hung drywall and partially installed a bathroom.

[Caleb Bailey]

And then these skills came in handy years later, as Thompson became a handyman, using the very skills that Trice taught him. Trice was old enough to be Thompson's dad, or even his grandfather, but the two were more like best friends. But their earthly friendship was cut short.

[Janie B. Cheney]

We were supposed to see him. We figured when he got out of the hospital and he never came back, so he died. So that was harder for me than when my dad died.

[Caleb Bailey]

Thompson misses the projects, the driving. But most of all, he misses their.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Conversations, unconditional love and conversations that, you know, normal boys would have with their father.

[Caleb Bailey]

Towards the end of Tom's life, one of his sons, Warren, picked up where his dad left off. At 38 years old, he was much closer to Thompson in age, but ended up becoming a friend and mentor, too. Thompson lived with the Trices for a couple of years when he was in his early 20s. There, Thompson saw firsthand the value of being a father and a husband, a servant, leader. One night sticks out in his memory.

[Janie B. Cheney]

His wife had a rough day with the kids. It's just been a tough day.

[Caleb Bailey]

Trice noticed his wife's demeanor, walked upstairs, drew a bath, and encouraged her to spend an hour or two relaxing while he fed the kids dinner. Thompson knew the dad had a long day, too, but that didn't stop him.

[Janie B. Cheney]

I'd never seen somebody love their wife like that before. I cried myself to sleep that night, and I was like 20 years old.

[Caleb Bailey]

Warren specifically showed Thompson that marriage and raising children are not burdens, but joyful.

[Janie B. Cheney]

We talk about brothers and sisters in the church a lot, brothers and sisters in Christ. Whatever we forget, it's mothers and fathers too, you know.

[Caleb Bailey]

Thompson wanted to help others like him and follow the example of the men in his life. So he volunteered with an inner city ministry. But the spiritual fathers in his life also helped him reexamine how he views ministry and the home. He understands how much the young people in his own family need him as well.

[Janie B. Cheney]

So I'm not somewhere every Friday night. I'm not somewhere every Saturday working for an inner city ministry with somebody else's troubled kids. I'm working with my own kids and I'm trying to create a life for my kids that is different from the world, I guess.

[Caleb Bailey]

Thompson has a regular job Monday through Thursday, leaving the three day weekend to tend to the farm. He hopes one day to live off the farm and provide food there for his family. It'll also give him a chance to be something his own dad was not, a present father and husband.

[Janie B. Cheney]

Hey babe, we're probably gonna walk down to the river.

[Caleb Bailey]

Reporting for World I'm Kayla Bailey in Greenville, South Carolina.

[Onise Adua]

You can see outside.

[Lindsay Mast]

Today is Wednesday, May 28th. Good morning. This is the World and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio, I'm Lindsay Mast.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Iker. Next up, world commentator Janie B. Cheney says the key to deeper relationships might just begin with a little small talk.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

There's a saying that great minds talk about ideas, mediocre minds talk about things, and small minds talk about people. Which makes me wonder what kind of minds talk about their ideas about people and things. That's easy. Female minds. Loquacious women have long been a staple of stand up comedy, common stereotypes, and inattentive husbands grunting behind their newspapers. But now there's scientific proof. A research team at the University of Arizona analyzed the everyday conversations of nearly 2,200 participants in four countries over 14 years. The participants wore recording devices during a portion of their day, producing over 631,000 audio clips. To be sure, individuals vary and it's interesting that the most talkative and least talkative subjects of that study were both men. Age was a factor. In the teen years, girls and boys talked at roughly the same rate, while seniors of both sexes talked less as they aged. But in early to middle adulthood, the difference was striking as women averaged between 1500 and 3600 more words per day than men. Researchers speculate that mothers in their childbearing and child raising years converse a lot more with their kids. That's a reasonable assumption, but I found no indications in the study of what women talked about. From experience, I can guess they're kids, diets, recipes in restaurants, spouses, parents and extended family vacations and everyday excursions. Not gossip, just small talk. I've had deep conversations with good friends, and you probably have, too. But the way we got to be friends was through everyday chatter. Most of us don't start conversations with what's the meaning of life? With us gals, it's more likely to begin with, where did you get those shoes? Such basic dialogue openers could lead to, let's try that new coffee shop on the square to how did you meet your husband? I was reading in the Psalms this morning and I found something I'd never noticed before. There's an art to effective small talk. Not all of us have that knack. My husband, who defied many stereotypes, was naturally better at starting random conversations than me. But anyone with a vocabulary can improve their skills if they're intentional about it. God gives us this wonderful ability to communicate, not just to pass the time, but to assist each other, to form relationships, to share stories, and finally, to glorify Him. I want to regard small talk as a gift and enjoy it as I would any good gift from a loving father. Intentional small talk starts with simply noticing people, whether acquaintances or strangers. In church or at the park or in the office, noticing will almost always provide an opening like is that your granddaughter? Or even better, a compliment, such as I love her lively imagination. Or if I'm bold enough to break into someone's communion with their phone, how do you like your Samsung? Who knows when small talk could lead to something big? I'm Janie B. Cheney.

[Nick Eicher]

Tomorrow, an executive order mandated that American drug producers match the prices they offer in other countries. Now that might sound good, but what are the trade offs and President Trump welcomes refugees from South Africa. Just how bad are the threats facing white farmers in that country? That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Icker.

[Lindsay Mast]

And I'm Lindsay Mast. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Verses 23 and 24 of Colossians, chapter 3. Go now in grace and peace.