On this episode of Direct Impact Rick Sanchez looks at a recent address by House Speaker Mike Johnson at Columbia University. In his speech, Johnson lambasted student protestors gathering against what they call a genocide in Gaza, calling the students lazy, and arguing that they support the slaughter of Israelis. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in China in a push to sever Sino-Russian ties, as Ukraine and the West struggle to come to terms with Russia’s overwhelming military superiority in the conflict. Rick is joined by academic and author George Szamuely.

On this episode of Direct Impact, Rick Sanchez takes a look at recent statements by US House Speaker Mike Johnson that the Bible told him to give full, unadulterated support to the state of Israel in its conflict in Gaza. Is that really true, and what kind of theology has led to this opinion being held by the majority of US evangelicals? And later on, the rising conflict between Elon Musk and the sovereign state of Australia. Who will win out? Big government or free speech? Rick is joined for all of this by professor and author Jeff Halper.

Join host Manila Chan as she discusses the Christmas Massacre in Nigeria and the plight of Christians in central Nigeria with author and human rights activist Jason Jones, providing valuable insight into the challenges faced by Christians in areas affected by terrorist groups like Boko Haram.

In this episode of The Cost of Everything, host Christy Ai teams up with author Marion Nestle to uncover the hidden costs lurking on our plates, particularly in the realm of fast food – an area often overlooked in terms of its health ramifications. Together, they delve into how what may seem like a convenient and satisfying meal option can actually harbor a multitude of hidden costs for our wellbeing. By unraveling the complexities of fast-food ingredients – from preservatives and additives designed to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life to chemicals that may pose risks to human health – Christy and Marion shed light on the true impact of fast-food consumption. They also examine the stark differences in food regulations between the US and Europe, highlighting banned substances in other countries that continue to find their way into American fast-food products.

In this episode of The Cost of Everything, host Christy Ai and author Robert Mack delve into the profound impact of depression and anxiety on individuals and society. They analyze staggering statistics, such as the 280 million people globally affected by depression, including 21 million in the US alone, along with the economic consequences, like lost productivity and rising healthcare costs. The discussion navigates through the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges, touching on cultural attitudes that stigmatize mental health issues in some societies. Despite these hurdles, there’s an encouraging trend of decreasing stigma, paving the way for more open discussions and enhanced support, including tailored mental health programs in workplaces and communities.