SNAP Benefits, Iran Update, and Practices to Calm Anxiety

The Bulletin

Christianity Today

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

4.4 • 586 Ratings

🗓️ 11 November 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

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Summary

The federal government inches towards reopening as five Democratic senators signal they will join Republicans in passing legislation to fund the government. SNAP benefits were in question during the shutdown– how can Christians think about the role of the federal government in providing food assistance? And we haven’t heard much in the news about Iran recently; what’s going on there? Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines, and Clarissa talks with Sara Billups about how to address anxiety through embodied, spiritual practices. REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE: -Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in Your Body, the Church, and Politics by Sara Billups. 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 GUESTS: Sara Billups is a Seattle-based writer and cultural commentator whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Christianity Today, Aspen Ideas, and others. Sara writes Bitter Scroll, a monthly Substack letter and co-hosts the podcast That’s the Spirit. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing at the Peterson Center for the Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary. 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 Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	it's easier to say I can't reconcile with you because you stand for something that I see as oppressive
0:06.9	or a structure that I see as completely antithetical to my own belief system.
0:15.9	From Christianity today, you're listening to The Bulletin, a podcast about the people, events, and issues that are shaping our world.
0:22.9	I'm Clarissa Mall, producer and moderator of the Bulletin.
0:26.4	This week, the Senate moves toward resolving the shutdown as key Democrats relent on health care demands.
0:32.8	Food stamps highlight the disruption for average Americans.
0:36.3	And with all of this talk of challenges at home,
0:38.8	some international stories have gotten quiet.
0:41.3	We check in on the latest goings-on in Iran.
0:44.3	Mike and I discuss these topics,
0:46.3	and I sit down with Sarah Billups
0:48.3	to talk about our collective public anxiety.
0:51.3	Welcome to the show.
1:03.6	This paid message is from Pew Research Center.
1:09.1	The U.S. Census doesn't track religion, but Pew Research Center's religious landscape study does. Since 2007, it's provided a comprehensive look at the
1:12.6	ever-changing role of faith in America. With responses from more than 35,000 Americans, the
1:18.3	Religious Landscape Study provides authoritative data on religious beliefs, practices, and identities
1:23.9	across all 50 states. To explore how faith shapes your community, visit pewresearch.org
1:29.8	slash RLS.
1:35.3	Hello, listeners. Welcome to our Tuesday show, where we let you know what's catching our eye
1:41.9	as the week begins. Joining me is senior contributor,
1:45.0	Mike Cosper. Hey, Mike. Hey, good morning. Late on Sunday night, eight Democratic senators voted with
	...

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