Join Charlie Vickers, who plays Sauron, and Daniel Weyman as The Stranger, alongside showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne. They delve into the creative journey of adapting Tolkien’s works, sharing personal connections and the emotional nuances involved. Expect thrilling discussions about the upcoming season, including Sauron's influence and the introduction of Numenor and the Harfoots. Vickers sheds light on embodying Sauron’s complex character, balancing dark themes with narrative allure, all while capturing the enchanting essence of Middle Earth.

Karen Swallow Prior, an author and contributor to Religion News Service, discusses the impact of J.R.R. Tolkien's works on today's conservative sentiments. She explores the emotional depth of reading against film adaptations. Krista Boan, founder of Screen Sanity, then delves into the implications of cell phone bans in schools, highlighting their effect on student learning and mental health. The conversation also touches on evolving abortion trends and the ethical complexities surrounding women’s choices post-Dobbs, emphasizing the need for understanding in a polarized landscape.

Tim Alberta, a journalist from The Atlantic, and David French, a New York Times columnist, dive into politics and geopolitics. They discuss the implications of Tim Walz's nomination as Kamala Harris' running mate and assess how this impacts the Democrats’ strategy for the 2024 election. The conversation turns to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, exploring Iran's potential actions against Israel while contemplating the emotional challenges voters face amidst political chaos. The duo also shares insights on the decline of the U.S. reputation in the Arab world and its implications.

In this discussion, journalist Evan Gershkovich shares his harrowing experience following his return from Russia. Alsu Kurmasheva, also a journalist, reveals her role in the prisoner swap, opening up about the ethical dilemmas involved in negotiating with authoritarian regimes. Noah Rothman provides context on the international implications of these exchanges, while Paul Whelan, a former Marine, reflects on the aftermath of his own imprisonment. Together, they highlight the complex interplay of personal stories and geopolitics in the world of prisoner swaps.

Haviv Gur, a journalist for the Times of Israel, shares fascinating insights on the recent assassination of Hamas leaders and its complex implications for Middle Eastern politics. He highlights the escalating tensions due to a deadly Hezbollah strike, sparking conversations about peace prospects. The discussion also touches on President Biden's proposed Supreme Court changes and the cultural clashes around artistic expression in today's heated climate. Throughout, the dialogue invites listeners to navigate the noise of modern politics and conflict with a critical eye.

Brody Malone is a three-time U.S. national all-around champion gymnast and a notable Olympian. Missy Franklin, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, shares her journey navigating life beyond competition and finding purpose. Jimmy Mellado, a decathlete turned president of Compassion International, discusses how sports shaped his commitment to service. The trio explores themes of resilience, identity struggles, and the transformative power of sports, emphasizing the importance of mental health and community support for athletes.

ERLC presidential kerfuffle, Secret Service Director Resignation, and Mr. Netanyahu goes to Washington.Find us on Youtube.This week, Clarissa, Mike, and Russell welcome Pete Wehner (The Atlantic, NYT, Trinity Forum) to talk about the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and the unlawful firing of their president, which leads to discussion of populism in the church. Then, the three engage in a review of the Secret Service director’s resignation and what this means for the American people. Finally, Chris Seiple (Comparative Religion Program Fellow at University of Washington) joins for a discussion of the events and implications surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to DC.GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Follow the show in your podcast app of choice Find us on Youtube. Rate and Review the show in your podcast app of choice Leave a comment in Spotify with your feedback on the discussion–we may even respond! TODAY’S GUESTS: Peter Wehner is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum. He was formerly a speechwriter for George W. Bush and a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Wehner is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, and his work also appears in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Affairs.Chris Seiple is the Senior Fellow for Comparative Religion at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. He is widely known and sought after for his decades of experience and expertise regarding issues at the intersection of geopolitics, US foreign policy, Asia, conflict resolution, human rights and religion. He has pioneered innovative solutions in the U.S. Marine Corps, at the U.S. State Department, the Templeton Religion Trust, and as the president of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), where he developed a “Track 1.5” theory of change rooted in relational diplomacy. ABOUT THE BULLETIN:The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s Editor-in-Chief) and Mike Cosper (Director, CT Media). Each week the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden withdraws from the 2024 Presidential Race.In this bonus episode of The Bulletin, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll react to Biden's announcement to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. They consider the implications and consider the announcement from a kingdom-focused perspective.“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RNC recap, Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons die, and Christian higher ed’s survivalThis week on The Bulletin, Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll welcome Madeleine Kearns to recap the first three days of the Republican National Convention ahead of Trump’s keynote address. Then, author and professor Alan Noble joins the show for a conversation about the loneliness, longing, and deaths of Richard Simmons and Dr. Ruth. Finally, Christian universities are closing at a notable rate. Alan, Russell and Clarissa discuss the reasons for this trend and the implications of it. Today’s Guests: Madeleine Kearns is a staff writer at National Review and a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She is from Glasgow, Scotland, and is a trained singer.Dr. O. Alan Noble is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University and author of numerous books and articles. Alan has written articles for Christian publications such as Modern Reformation, InTouch Magazine, and Christianity Today and for secular publications like VOX, Buzzfeed, and The Atlantic.“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

National security expert Elizabeth Neumann discusses the Trump assassination attempt, rising violence in US politics, importance of local voting, historical leadership examples, and the threat environment in America.