The Bulletin

The Bulletin welcomes award-winning investigative reporter Caitlin Dickerson for a conversation with Marvin Olasky about her experience in Columbia’s Darién Gap.Find us on YouTube.In this special episode of The Bulletin, Executive Editor Marvin Olasky leads a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Caitlin Dickerson. Dickerson spent weeks on the ground in the Darién Gap, a dangerous jungle passageway from Columbia to Panama that immigrants from all across the world take by foot as they make their way to the United States. GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Read her article in The Atlantic, “70 Miles in Hell” Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUEST: Caitlin Dickerson is an award-winning investigative reporter and feature writer for The Atlantic. She won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting.Over the course of more than a decade in journalism, Dickerson has also been awarded a Peabody, Edward R Murrow, Livingston, and Silvers-Dudley Prize for her writing and reporting. Before joining The Atlantic, she spent nearly five years as a reporter at The New York Times and five years as a producer and investigative reporter for NPR. Dickerson has reported on immigration, history, politics, and race in four continents and dozens of American cities. She is currently writing a book for Random House about the systemic impact of deportation on American society. 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, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: Kevin MorrisMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bulletin discusses Trump disruptions, university investigations, and the recent Syrian massacre.Find us on YouTube.Clarissa and Mike cover this week’s headlines as they ask, “Is this the MAGA Americans wanted?” Political commentator Charlie Sykes joins the show to talk about the disruptiveness of Trump’s first 50 days in office. Then, The Atlantic’s Peter Wehner stops by for a thoughtful conversation about the state of US universities, tribalism, and the uniquely Christian posture of hopeful inquiry. Finally, we consider Syria’s recent Alawite massacre and the future of peace in this war-torn region with research analyst Ahmad Sharawi.GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join us and go deeper on our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE 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.Charles J. Sykes is one of the most influential conservatives in Wisconsin. Until he stepped down in December after 23 years, Sykes was one of the state’s top-rated talk show hosts. He is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, USA Today, National Review, The Weekly Standard, and other national publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC and has been profiled on NPR. He has also spoken extensively on university campuses.Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, focusing on Middle East affairs, specifically the Levant, Iraq, and Iranian intervention in Arab affairs, as well as US foreign policy toward the region. Previously, Sharawi worked at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he focused mainly on Hezbollah. He created a map visualizing the border clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese frontier and authored articles on Jordan and Morocco. Sharawi previously worked at the International Finance Corporation and S&P Global. He holds a BA in international relations from King’s College London and an MA from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.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, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: Kevin MorrisMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bulletin welcomes acclaimed travel writer Rick Steves for a conversation about how travel connects us to our global brothers and sisters.Find us on YouTube.For Rick Steves, travel offers an antidote to the false allure of nationalism, an opportunity to engage with world politics with humility, and for people of faith, a vital connection to our global brothers and sisters. Rick Steves has been the go-to guide for hundreds of thousands of travelers who pack their bags every year for Europe and beyond. In this episode, Clarissa Moll sits down with Rick to talk about his years on the road, how faith informs his travels, and how a posture of pilgrimage forms better global citizens.GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Find Rick’s new book, On the Hippie Trail. Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUEST: Rick Steves is a popular public television host and a best-selling guidebook author who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel. He is the founder and owner of Rick Steves’ Europe and the author of the new book On the Hippie Trail.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, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more.“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

Tom Nichols, a national security expert and Atlantic staff writer, dives into the complexities of U.S. support for Ukraine amid geopolitical tensions. Zachary Wagner discusses the toxic masculinity exemplified by the Tate brothers, contrasting it with healthier, biblical ideals. Daniel Silliman explores a Pew study highlighting the decline of traditional religion and the rise of personal spirituality in America. Together, they navigate pressing cultural issues, challenging stereotypes and redefining masculinity in today's society.

The Bulletin welcomes Mariam Wahba for a conversation with Mike Cosper about Coptic Christian martyrdom in the modern world.Find us on YouTube.Mike Cosper sits down with Mariam Wahba, research analyst and Coptic Christian, at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies for a sobering, sacred conversation about the 21 Christians martyred on a beach in Libya in 2015 and how their memory can shape both global politics and our everyday lives.GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Join the conversation at our Substack. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUEST: Mariam Wahba is a research analyst at Foundation for Defence of Democracies (FDD) focused on Egypt and minorities in the Middle East. Previously, she served with FDD’s communications team, where she booked experts and helped establish FDD’s Arabic X and Instagram accounts. Born and raised in Egypt, she is a Coptic Christian and an advocate for the persecuted church. Mariam is also the cofounder of American-ish, a digital platform aimed at highlighting ethnoreligious minorities of the Middle East and promoting American values. 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, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mona Charen, a syndicated columnist and policy editor, discusses the implications of Germany's elections and the rise of extremism in the U.S. Mark Meynell, a pastor and author, shares how C.S. Lewis inspired his work in Ukraine, exploring themes of hope in crisis. Meanwhile, Wendy Alsup, a theology author and community college math teacher, highlights the importance of trusting Bible translations and the evolving nature of scripture. This lively conversation touches on democracy, faith, resilience, and the significance of engaging with religious texts.

Frances (Toni) Murphy Draper, chair and publisher of the historic Afro-American newspaper, discusses her family's legacy in journalism. She shares insights on the pivotal role of the Afro in promoting civil rights and preserving Black culture since 1892. The conversation touches on the importance of niche journalism in providing authentic narratives and serving community interests. Draper also delves into the intersections of faith and family, highlighting how these elements shape the storytelling traditions that inspire future generations.

Nicole Martin, CT's COO, brings her insights on the controversial Tradwife and Theobro movements, exploring their effects on society's gender norms and the dangers of online personas. The discussion digs into the downfall of social media personality Patriarchy Hannah and unpacks the psychological impact of parasocial relationships. They also tackle Trump’s provocative statements on Ukraine and the resignations of federal prosecutors in response to ethical dilemmas, emphasizing integrity and the importance of courageous truth-telling in today’s world.

Trey Yingst, FOX News chief foreign correspondent and author of "Black Sunday," shares insights from his extensive reporting in conflict zones, particularly the recent Israel-Hamas war. He discusses the chaos of the October 7 attack, revealing the emotional toll on both civilians and soldiers. Yingst emphasizes the importance of unbiased journalism amidst ethical challenges, urging empathy for the shared suffering of those affected. He reflects on his transformative experiences and the necessity of understanding complex narratives in war reporting.

Dalibor Rohac, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses the intricate geopolitical dynamics of the Ukraine war and international negotiations, emphasizing the humanitarian crises involved. Reginald Smith, a research analyst at Eventide Asset Management, dives into the implications of U.S. tariff strategies, analyzing their effects on consumers and domestic industries. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding economic policies while also addressing post-pandemic educational disparities and their impact on vulnerable communities.