International Surrogacy, Midterm Forecasts, and Temple Mount Prayer

The Bulletin

Christianity Today

News, News Commentary, Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.4 • 586 Ratings

🗓️ 6 February 2026

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The practice of surrogacy is loosely regulated in the US, creating scenarios in which individuals can engage in “reproductive tourism.” Charles Hilu of The Dispatch shares his reporting on foreign nationals hiring surrogate mothers in the US. Then, Justin Giboney stops by to discuss US political developments that will influence the midterm elections coming in November. Finally, Seth Mandel of Commentary talks about the changes to rules around prayer on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: Can Congress Stop Chinese Billionaires From Fathering 100 Kids? - Charles Hilu CT Pro-Life reporting ABOUT THE GUESTS: Charles Hilu is a reporter for The Dispatch. Previously he was the Collegiate Network Fellow at the Washington Free Beacon and interned at both National Review and the Washington Examiner. Justin Giboney is an attorney, political strategist, and ordained minister in Atlanta. He is also the cofounder and president of the And Campaign, a coalition of urban Christians who address the sociopolitical arena with the compassion and conviction of the gospel. Giboney is the coauthor of Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign’s Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement. Seth Mandel is the senior editor for Commentary magazine. He previously worked as executive editor of the Washington Examiner print edition and as the op-ed editor of the New York Post. 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 BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). 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 Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This paid message is from Pew Research Center.
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0:09.3	Since 2007, it's provided a comprehensive look at the ever-changing role of faith in America.
0:15.0	With responses from more than 35,000 Americans, the religious landscape study provides authoritative data on religious beliefs,
0:22.5	practices, and identities across all 50 states. To explore how faith shapes your community,
0:28.1	visit pewresearch.org slash RLS.
0:35.4	From Christianity today, you're listening to The Bulletin, a podcast about the people, events, and issues that are shaping our world.
0:44.8	I'm Clarissa Mall.
0:46.4	Today, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and I join with guests to talk about reproductive tourism, U.S. political developments as the midterms approach, and new rules
0:55.6	about prayer at the Temple Mount. Welcome to the show.
1:02.4	In December, the Wall Street Journal broke a story about a Chinese video game billionaire
1:08.8	who had fathered more than 100 U.S. children via gestational
1:13.4	surrogacy. Global commercial surrogacy is a fast-growing, assisted reproductive technology industry.
1:20.8	Denmark exports sperm to over 100 countries. Spain is the hotspot for egg donors, and the U.S. serves as the global hub,
1:29.8	offering gestational surrogacy with no federal legislative regulations.
1:34.3	The Lancet reports that, quote, the global fertility market is projected to grow to $62.8 billion
1:41.1	in the next decade.
1:43.1	Joining Russell, Mike, and me for conversation today is Charles Hilloo, who has reported on
1:48.4	international surrogacy for the dispatch.
1:51.0	Charles, thanks for being with us today.
1:53.1	Thank you for having me.
1:53.9	It's great to be here.
	...

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