The Bulletin
by Christianity Today
The Bulletin is a podcast for Christians seeking insights into the events, questions, and people that are shaping their world. Each episode will help Christians consider the intersection of faith, culture and spiritual formation. Subscribe today!
Episodes
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Blue Tsunami Midterms, Israel’s Election, Latest Religious Liberty Case, and You Can See Everything
Voters showed their true colors in Tuesday’s elections, triggering what most are referring to as a “Blue Tsunami” in the massive overhaul of House and Senate seats as Democrats take the majority. With Peter Wehner as our first guest, we’re diving into the potential implications of these changes.…
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Midterms on Tuesday, Election Security, and Living Distinctly as Christians
This Tuesday marks the last day for voters to cast their ballots in the midterm elections. In anticipation of the results, Courtney Blair speaks with Chris Stirewalt about which races to be looking out for. David Becker from the Center for Election Innovation & Research joins to discuss...
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Trailer
Welcome to The Bulletin, a news podcast from Christianity Today, hosted by Courtney Blair. Each week we will have a conversation from a variety of perspectives on the events, issues and people who are shaping our world. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Instagram, and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Midterms Anticipation, Riots in France, and Euthanasia Escalation
As anticipation and speculation increase for the midterm elections, Michael Wear joins Courtney Blair to discuss “faith forward” Democrats running for office and whether Christians should reconsider the idea of being “politically homeless.” Then, Mark Edington shares his perspective on pastoring…
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Civility in the Midterms and Christianity Today Turns 70
This week, President of the Trinity Forum Cherie Harder shares about what healthy political discourse looks like and what we can keep in mind as we approach the midterm elections. Then, Courtney Blair sits down at The Museum of the Bible with Christianity Today President and CEO Nicole Martin for…
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A Social Media Reckoning
This week, Frances Haugen drops by The Bulletin to discuss the events in her life that inspired Aaron Sorkin’s new movie The Social Reckoning. Frances shares what she learned as a data scientist at Facebook that led her to become a corporate whistleblower, as well as how we can think about...
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Jim Crow Theobros, Pastors Running as Democrats, and 2028 Polling Data
Theobros are a new genre of Internet influencer who discuss theology on podcasts. They have been gaining an online following by saying the Bible supports their segregationist and antisemitic views. Bob Smietana from Religion News Service reported on these Theobros, and spoke to The Bulletin about...
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Trump Hosts Xi Jinping, Military Might in Greenland, and AI Alarmism
This week, President Trump welcomed China’s president Xi Jinping to Washington, D.C. for a two-day summit. Knox Thames joins to discuss Chinese religious liberty violations and why the two world leaders will most likely avoid the issue. Then, President Trump signed an agreement with Denmark and...
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The Allure of Zyn, Women and Erotica, and the Neuroscience of Revenge
In June, the FDA authorized the nicotine pouch brand Zyn to advertise themselves as a lower-risk option than cigarettes. With Zyn has been growing in popularity with younger folks, it threatens to become a gateway into nicotine addiction. Luke Simon joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to…
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Midterm Elections, Political Power, and How Christians Approach Voting
This week, the Republican party held its first-ever midterm convention, attempting to energize voters ahead of the November midterm elections. While President Trump’s approval ratings have been declining, he maintains influence over the Republican Party and candidates. As voters approach the...
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Loneliness Crisis, The Practice of Blessing, and Intentional Living
This week, we’re re-airing favorite segments from The Bulletin archive about loneliness. First up, Alan Noble joins Russell and Clarissa to talk about loneliness in the university, and why it often feels shameful to share that you’re lonely. Then, Jon Tyson and Mike Cosper discuss the importance…
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The Pastor of Plymouth Jail
July marked the highest number of individuals arrested by ICE during President Trump’s second term. A majority of those arrested had no criminal record in the US. As churches figure out how to help congregants and neighbors who may be at risk, we’re sharing Andy Olsen’s reporting on a Honduran...
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Gun Lobby Tactics, Free Speech, and Brain Disease in the NFL
A study published this year found that pro-gun PACs consistently increased campaign donations to politicians in the aftermath of fatal school shootings in their districts. Reporter Jack Panyard and school shooting survivor Taylor Schumann join Russell and Clarissa to discuss the aftermath of…
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Infidelity, Comedy, and How to Stay Married
This week we’re re-airing a conversation between Mike Cosper and Harrison Scott Key about marriage, community, and the gift of laughter in life’s darkest moments. Key’s latest book, How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Every Told, details his wife’s infidelity and the couple’s fight to...
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Funding to World Vision, Reflecting Pool Fiasco, and Tradwife Mania
This week, the Trump administration announced that $2 billion will be given to faith-based organizations providing humanitarian aid, including World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, and Compassion International. We’re re-airing a segment in which Mindy Belz discusses the shuttering of USAID during the...
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Cell Phones at School, The Power of Dopamine, and Attending to Beauty
As we enter the last few weeks of summer and students anticipate going back to school, we’re revisiting some favorite Bulletin segments about screens and technology. First, Krista Boan joins Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll to discuss the rush to get technology into the classroom…
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Netanyahu Visits Trump, Measles Outbreaks, and Family Estrangement
This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited President Donald Trump in the White House. His visit highlights the drawn out war in Iran, as well as growing antisemitism in the US. We re-air a conversation between Russell Moore and Rabbi Michael Holzman about the difference between...
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Spiritual Not Religious, Sunday School Revival, and Why Go To Church?
We’re continuing our summer series with an episode about the state of the church, highlighting favorite conversations from The Bulletin archive. Daniel Silliman, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper discuss trends in Americans’ religiosity and spirituality from a 2025 Pew survey. Then, Beth Moore joins...
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ICE Traffic Stop Deaths, Election Fraud Claims, and World Cup Bets
We’re continuing our summer series with a recap of the week’s top headlines and relevant conversation from The Bulletin archive. This week, two individuals were killed by ICE agents during traffic stops. We re-air a conversation with Emily Belz about her reporting on January immigration…
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Platner's Allegations, Strait of Hormuz Conflict, and America's Royal Wedding
We’re continuing our summer series with a recap of the week’s top headlines and relevant conversation from The Bulletin archive. This week, Maine’s Democratic Nominee for US Senate Graham Platner suspended his bid for Senate after Politico reported a woman’s accusations of rape. We re-air a...
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Patriotism vs Nationalism, Revisionist History, and Veterans' Mental Health
This 4th of July weekend, we are revisiting patriotic conversations from The Bulletin archive. Mike Cosper and The Bulwark’s Mona Charen discuss the difference between patriotism and nationalism. Then, Mike speaks with Hudson Institute’s Rebeccah Heinrichs about far-right podcasters who are...
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Birthright Citizenship, Bipartisan Housing Bill, and Christian Summer Camp
We’re continuing our summer series with a recap of the week’s top headlines and relevant conversation from The Bulletin archive. The Supreme Court is releasing a number of decisions prior to their summer break. One decision that is forthcoming is President Trump’s executive order restricting...
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Deal with Iran, Trump’s UFC Birthday, SBC Votes on Women, and Juneteenth
We’re continuing our summer series with a recap of the week’s top headlines and relevant conversation from The Bulletin archive. This week, President Trump signed a short-term deal with Iran, with many saying the US got the losing end of the deal. We re-air a conversation from May in which…
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Tribalism, Cancel Culture, and Loving the Enemy
This week, Maine’s Graham Platner won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate despite having a Nazi tattoo on his chest and recent relationship scandals surface from his past. As well, Texas’s Ken Paxton won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, while having allegations of infidelity and...
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Truth in Media
As we continue our summer programming around a specific theme in the headlines, this week we’re focusing on the subject of truth in media with previous Bulletin guests Chris Stirewalt, Francis Haugen, Renee DiResta, and Francis Collins. This episode of The Bulletin weaves together three distinct...
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Navigating Anxiety with Resilience
Here at The Bulletin, our summer programming is underway and we’re re-airing our best segments around a theme. This week: Clarissa sits down with author Sara Billups to unpack our collective societal anxiety and how to navigate it in our daily lives. Sheila Wise Rowe chats with Mike and Russell...
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Higher Ed Survival, Political Tension with Family, and Screen Free Church
Here at The Bulletin, we’re beginning our summer programming. We’ll be re-airing the best segments from the past four years of the show. This week: Christian universities are closing at a notable rate. Alan Nobel joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to discuss the reasons for this trend and the...
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Oil Is a Gift From God. Are We Squandering It?
The national average gas price has increased to $4.50 / gallon, reflecting skyrocketing crude oil prices due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. While sticker shock at the gas pump is our most salient contact point, oil surrounds us from the moment we’re born. In today’s Long Read from the…
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Polling Data, Modern Vices, and the Drying of the Tigris and the Euphrates
This week, Russell Moore, Charlie Sykes, and Clarissa Moll break down new polling about Americans’ responses to changes in the economy, US involvement in foreign affairs, and their opinions on presidential hopefuls for 2028. Then, CT’s Sho Baraka joins to discuss how modern vices of marijuana…
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Rubio's Presidential Bid, College Cybercrime, and Psychiatric Med Skeptics
Secretary of State Marco Rubio posts a video that seems like a campaign ad. The cybercrime group ShinyHunters attacks an edtech platform for ransom. Russia’s annual celebration of its WWII victory against the Nazis is pared down. The Dispatch’s Michael Reneau joins Clarissa Moll to discuss these...
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Midwest Primaries, Taiwan’s Ukraine Lessons, and Abortion Pill Case
On Tuesday, Indiana and Ohio held primary elections. Chris Butler joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to discuss how Republican candidates endorsed by the Trump administration fared. President Trump heads to China next week to discuss trade with President Xi Jinping. Mark Tooley from the...
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Voting Maps, DHS Funding, Troops in Europe, and Reclaiming ‘Evangelical’
The Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map was unconstitutional because it improperly considered race to create a majority-Black district. Congress voted to end the longest Department of Homeland Security shutdown in US history. And President Trump says he is considering a…
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No Iran Deal, Russell Brand Reads the Bible, and Ben Sasse’s Public Dying
This week, President Trump rejected Iran’s proposal to end the war, saying he isn’t willing to accept Iran’s terms unless they agree to gut their nuclear capabilities. CT’s Bonnie Kristian joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to discuss the status of the war. Eyes are on English celebrity…
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Trust in Higher Ed, Marijuana Status, NFL Draft, and West Bank Violence
Yale University releases its report on restoring trust in American colleges and universities. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signs an order to lower the official risk level of medical marijuana products. And, descendant of Cuban immigrants Fernando Mendoza is the number one NFL draft pick....
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Attitudes Toward Israel, Kash Patel’s Lawsuit, and John Mark Comer’s Fame
This week, a photo circulated on social media that showed an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon smashing the face of a fallen statue of Jesus. Rabbi Michael Holzman joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to discuss this incident and Americans’ shifting attitudes towards Israel. Then, FBI Director…
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Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire; Trump's Big, Beautiful Ballroom; and the Strait of Hormuz
Last Thursday, a 10-day ceasefire began between Israel and Lebanon. Meanwhile, both the House and Senate reject measures to curb the war in Iran. President Trump proposes building a triumphant arch in Washington D.C., and a federal court of appeals greenlights his $400 million White House…
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Hungary’s Hopeful Election, Congressional Resignations, and Trump's AI Blasphemy
This week, Hungarian politician Peter Magyar gathered a politically diverse coalition to win an election against prime minister Viktor Orban, ending a 16-year autocratic rule. Dalibor Rohac joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to talk about Orban’s connection with President Trump and what this...
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Failed Iran Talks, Draft Registration, Orbán's Loss, and Revenge Addiction
President Trump announced that the US will engage in a blockade of Iranian ports after Vice President JD Vance’s negotiations fell flat and Iran refused to curb its nuclear program. Then, The New York Times reports that the US government will begin automatically registering men ages 18-25 with…
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Trump Threatens Iran, Artemis II Returns, and Anthropic’s AI Triggers Fear
On Tuesday, President Trump posted inflammatory threats towards Iran on Truth Social. The Atlantic’s Pete Wehner joins Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll to discuss these words and how the Republican party has abandoned conservatism. Next, as Artemis II splashes down, Jim Bridenstine shares about…
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Military Rescue in Iran, Pam Bondi, Artemis II, and Social Media Addiction Trial
Over the weekend, the US military rescues a weapons systems officer who was shot down in enemy territory over Iran. President Trump dismisses US attorney general Pam Bondi. And the Artemis II crew gets closer to the moon than any American astronaut since 1972. Michael Reneau from The Dispatch…
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Therapists' Free Speech, Grads' Careers, and Hegseth’s Imprecatory Prayer
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected a Colorado law that restricted counselors from assisting clients who wished to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Luke Goodrich from The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty joins to discuss with Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll why the Supreme...
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Classroom Tech, Anti-Trump Protests, Troops in Iran, and Crisis in Cuba
A jury rules that Meta and YouTube were responsible for damages to children’s mental health, and attention shifts to states and school districts that have lawsuits against social media companies. Will they be effective in regulating technology use in the classroom? Over the weekend, Millions of...
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ICE at Airports, School Shooting Convictions, and Ruling Against Meta
This week, President Trump posted on Truth Social that more ICE agents will be present at airports to address the long waits caused by the Department of Homeland Security partial shutdown. Elizabeth Neumann and Harvest Prude join us to discuss this and the ramifications of the shutdown. Then, a...
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War Projections, 2028 Hopefuls, AI Novels, and Men’s College Attendance
This week, President Trump announced that the end of the Iran war may be in sight, while news outlets report the US is deploying thousands of troops to the Middle East. Then, Democratic governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear hints at a 2028 presidential campaign while making jabs at Vice President JD...
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Joe Kent Resigns, Iranian Threats, and a Victory for Parents’ Rights
This week, top US counterterrorism official Joe Kent resigned, saying he could not support the ongoing war in Iran. Charlie Sykes joins Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll to discuss Kent’s claims that Iran posed no imminent threat to the US. Then, Rebeccah Heinrichs from the Hudson...
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IDF and Lebanon, Ukraine’s Fears, AI Data Centers, and a Korean Messiah
The Israeli Defense Force pushes Hezbollah further north into Lebanon to protect those living in the north of Israel. Meanwhile, Ukraine worries that American focus has drifted away from their war with Russia. And, how should we feel about AI data centers being built in towns and cities around…
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Cost of Iran War, Quiet Southern Border, and Anglican Church Split
The first six days of the war with Iran have cost more than $11.3 billion, and 140 US troops have been injured, according to Pentagon officials. Tom Nichols, professor emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College and staff writer at The Atlantic, joins Russell, Mike and Clarissa to discuss military...
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Kristi Noem Fired, Iran Chooses Leader, and Pakistan Fights Taliban
President Trump fires Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and chooses Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to take her place. Then, a parent from Georgia is convicted of second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after giving his son a gun with which he shot four individuals...
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Birthright Citizenship, War’s Moral Hazards, and Can Literature Save Men?
Next month, the Supreme Court will be reviewing a case on birthright citizenship. Two Catholic organizations submitted an amicus brief explaining why those who are born in the US should be allowed to become citizens both from a constitutional framework and based on Catholic social teaching. Anna...
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US and Israel Attack Iran
On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials. In the following days, Iran retaliated with attacks against US bases in neighboring countries, and three US planes were shot down in Kuwait.…
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About this show
The Bulletin is a podcast for Christians seeking insights into the events, questions, and people that are shaping their world. Each episode will help Christians consider the intersection of faith, culture and spiritual formation. Subscribe today!
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