This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, and Bob Smietana discuss the worries of the world in a quest for peace. The last few months have been filled with strikes and near-strikes as unions and other workers try to determine what human labor is worth. Special guest musician and producer Charlie Peacock lends unique insights on the struggles of creatives in a technological age. Next, Clarissa and Bob talk with Jana Holiday, dean of students at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, about the resumption of student loan repayments after their COVID-era furlough and the value of education. Finally, special guest Ruth Haley Barton joins The Bulletin for a conversation about the viral TikTok trend “silent walking” and what is reveals about our human cravings for peace.
Joining us this week:
- Clarissa Moll is an award-winning writer and podcaster who helps bereaved people find flourishing after loss. She cohosted Christianity Today’s Surprised by Grief podcast and is a frequent guest on podcasts and radio shows. Clarissa’s debut book, Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief and Thriving After Loss, was a best-selling new release in 2022. Her three new grief books for children, teens, and adults respectively release in 2024 and 2025. She is the producer of The Bulletin and widow of former CT editor Rob Moll.
- Bob Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles, and features for magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and websites. Most notably, he has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for Religion News Service, and contributor to OnFaith, USA Today, and The Washington Post. He is best known for his coverage of evangelical Christianity, end-time cat worshipers, and the human side of religion.
- Charlie Peacock, born Charles William Ashworth in Yuba City, California, is a Nashville-based, four-time Grammy Award–winning, multiformat jazz and pop recording artist, composer and record producer. Peacock’s production credits range from Chris Cornell and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to AAA and Americana successes such as The Lone Bellow, Holly Williams, The Civil Wars, Ben Rector and Brett Dennen.
- Jana Holiday is dean of students at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and former associate dean of students at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where she served for a decade. She holds a PhD in educational leadership from Trinity. Jana teaches at Gordon-Conwell and ministers to students, many of whom carry student loans.
- Ruth Haley Barton is the founder and CEO of the Transforming Center. Ruth has been a student, practitioner, and thought leader in the area of Christian spirituality and formation for over 20 years. A seasoned spiritual director, teacher, and retreat leader, Ruth was trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and the Loyola University Chicago Institute for Pastoral Studies and holds a doctor of divinity from Northern Seminary. She has served on the pastoral staff of several churches and is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life.
Resources referenced: “Why Songwriters Can’t Have Their Own Writers Strike—Yet” | Pitchfork “What the Hollywood Actors and Writers Strike Means for Music” | Pitchfork Association of Theological Schools Invitation to Solitude and Silence Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest
Read more from Christianity Today about today’s topics: “Do Not Conform to the Work Habits of AI” “Is Student Loan Forgiveness Biblical?” “Forgive Us Our Debts: How Christian College Grads Pay the Price” “Walking By Faith” “The Speed of Our Souls—and Our Soles”
“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Producer: Clarissa Moll and Matt Stevens Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Music: Dan Phelps Show Design: Bryan Todd Graphic Design: Amy Jones Social Media: Kate Lucky
