The World and Everything In It – August 20, 2025 Episode Overview: This episode features in-depth political analysis with Hunter Baker on "Washington Wednesday," an international roundup in "World Tour," and a compelling story about how one youth baseball league integrates worship with the sport. The topics range from U.S. chip manufacturing policy, election law, and redistricting debates to global peace negotiations and the balancing act between youth sports and faith.

Main Theme

Exploring the crossroads of politics, policy, and faith:
The episode takes listeners through U.S. domestic political maneuvers ahead of the 2026 midterms, major international developments in Ukraine and Gaza, and how everyday American life—like youth sports—can intersect with worship and community values.

Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker

[06:45] – [20:08]

Guest: Hunter Baker – Political Scientist and World Opinions Contributor
Hosts: Lindsay Mast, Nick Eicher

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. U.S. Takes Equity in Intel via CHIPS Act

• Background: The Biden-era CHIPS Act remains foundational. The Trump administration now proposes converting $8B in federal grants into a 10% equity stake in Intel.
• National Security Angle: There's bipartisan consensus that chip manufacturing is now a matter of vital security.
  • Hunter Baker [08:18]:
    "Typically, even the most ardent free market people would accept a national defense argument that there are certain industries we have to have viable within our own borders... Well, microchips are now in that conversation."
• Taxpayer Benefit: The U.S. stake is argued as benefiting the taxpayer, rather than giving out 'free money'.
  • Sec. Howard Lutnick clip [09:43]:
    "We want equity for the money. If we're gonna give you the money, we want a piece of the action for the American taxpayer."
  • Baker [10:17]:
    "It secures the taxpayer's interest much better than a grant because... it's very likely the government will be able to exit the stake... probably with a reasonable return."
• Political Debate: Critics see it as "Democrat-style industrial policy," but Baker finds the security case compelling.

2. Voting Machines, Mail-in Ballots & Federal vs. State Authority

• Trump Administration Position: President Trump proposes executive action to end mail-in voting, claiming widespread fraud.
  • Trump clip [11:27]:
    "We as a Republican Party are going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots..."
• Hunter Baker’s Analysis [12:10]:
  • "I don't totally agree with his characterization... states are actually the dominant entities when it comes to running elections."
  • Baker notes that Republican efforts in 2024 with mail-in and early voting were successful and calls attempts to undermine their legitimacy "not a winning tactic."
  • He advocates for reliable systems—like strong voter ID—and opposes undermining voter confidence.

3. The National Redistricting Arms Race

• Texas & California in Focus: Texas passes GOP-friendly maps; California moves to counter with mid-decade redistricting proposals.
  • Obama’s critique [13:55]:
    "Other states looking at what they can do to offset this mid decade gerrymandering. That is highly irregular..."
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response [14:27]:
    "We're asking the voters for their consent to do midterm redistricting in 2026, 2028 and 2030..."
• Nationwide Impact & Baker’s Reform Ideas [16:44]:
  • Baker calls mid-cycle redistricting "highly irregular" and warns it's an endless escalation.
  • Advocates for reforms: nonpartisan, independent commissions, compact districts, community integrity, and transparent use of demographic tech.
  • Baker [15:08]:
    "Nationwide we should seek reform… we all need to feel like we have a principled, neutral process—a level playing field upon which our elections take place."
  • Baker [16:49]:
    "There are just a number of common sense ways to avoid these bizarre shapes designed to maximize party advantage."

4. The Democratic Party's Leftward Tension in New York

• NY Mayoral Race: Socialist candidate Zoran Mamdani is a frontrunner, with suggestive support from Obama.
• Ideological Tensions:
  • Baker [18:42]:
    "You have the real ideological die hards... [who] tend to believe that if we pushed harder... we would develop a better following. Then you have the ones in the center who... believe American politics is like a bell curve."
  • Discusses whether Obama is moderating or encouraging the left, suggesting both are possible interpretations.

World Tour: Headlines from Around the Globe

[21:11] – [26:20]

Host: Mary Muncie

Key Segments:

• Ukraine Peace Talks ([21:11]):
  • Trump attempts to broker face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelensky.
  • Trump quote [21:54]:
    "We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks... It's possible that he doesn't want to make a deal."
• Gaza Ceasefire ([22:18]):
  • Qatar: Hamas agrees to a truce proposal mirroring prior U.S. offers (60-day pause, some hostages released).
  • Israel demands release of all living hostages.
• Pro-Democracy Trial in Hong Kong ([23:37]):
  • Jimmy Lai's trial on foreign collusion; activist groups argue it's meant to chill dissent.
  • Benedict Rogers [23:55]:
    "All of the regime's actions, sadly, are having a chilling effect, and that's why they're doing it."
• South Asia Flooding ([24:35]):
  • Deadly mudslides and floods in India & Pakistan displace hundreds.
• Hungary’s Space Milestone ([24:49]):
  • Astronaut Tabor Kapu returns—first Hungarian human spaceflight since 1980.

Feature: Worship During Baseball Playoffs

[27:22] – [32:19]

Correspondent: Elizabeth Schenck (from Dunn, North Carolina)

Key Storyline:

• Diamond Youth Baseball World Series: Over 800 players (8 years and under) from states as far as Louisiana and Texas gather in NC for the tournament.
• Faith Integration:
  • The league’s motto: "Train up a child in the way he should go..." (Proverbs 22:6)
  • Terry Lanning (State Director, [28:25]):
    "Making it better means making time for prayer in church. Even at the Series, the league's motto is Proverbs 22:6..."
  • Players and coaches encouraged to pray before each game, sometimes prioritizing prayer over the national anthem.
  • Every state hosts a Sunday worship service during the series, though attendance can be low (about 60 out of 4,000 participants).
    • Beth Elmore (Principal, [29:55]):
      "We could have had this place filled up with 11 states in here. But I understand not everybody plays early. But you chose to come and for that, good job."
  • Coaches and parents emphasize the importance of faith and making time for worship, even on tournament weekends.
    • Parent Andrew Pope [31:32]:
      "If we were able to go other places, we definitely for sure would try to lock in somewhere for a service to make sure that that's present for the boys and for our coaches..."
    • Terry Lanning [32:16]:
      "I think these kids will remember this, really, I do."
  • Worship Leader Solomon Machado [30:58]:
    "It's important for the little ones here and the players to show them by example what is most important… Baseball teams, it's the name of Jesus Christ."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On microchips and national security:

  “Even the most ardent free market people would accept a national defense argument… Microchips are now in that conversation.” – Hunter Baker [08:18]

• On election law authority:

  “States are actually the dominant entities when it comes to running elections… The right thing to do is to nail down that process and make it as free of manipulation as possible.” – Hunter Baker [12:10]

• On redistricting escalation:

  “Redistricting halfway through a 10-year cycle is indeed highly irregular. And now California is going to respond with even greater irregularity.” – Hunter Baker [15:08]

• On the role of faith in sports:

  “We do a worship service at every state we have. Sometimes we might have 80. We had one, we had 250 people at.” – Terry Lanning [30:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Domestic Politics & Washington Wednesday

  • Intro to Hunter Baker & CHIPS policy: [06:45]
  • Election Laws & Redistricting: [11:13]
  • NY Mayoral Race & Party Direction: [17:28]

• World Tour (International News): [21:11]

• Baseball and Worship Feature: [27:22]

Episode Tone & Language

• Informed, measured, and conversational: Hosts and guests regularly cite sources, provide context, and strive for clarity without sensationalism.
• Faith-forward but balanced: Awareness of complex issues—political, social, and spiritual—is woven throughout.
• Empathetic Human Stories: Particularly in the sports-and-worship and world tour segments.

Conclusion

This episode offers a nuanced exploration of urgent American political debates, the interconnectedness of global affairs, and grass-roots faith in public life. Through its breadth of stories and voices, it highlights the ongoing push for principled reforms, community resilience, and a steadfast sense of purpose—both in the headlines and everyday moments.