Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue
Rated as the #1 podcast on all matters interfaith by Feedspot (https://blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/), this is a weekly program that airs on Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. These 2 stations cover the entire western portion of the state. The show is hosted by Fred Stella, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, which operates out of Grand Valley State University, the license holder of both stations.
Each week Fred invites clerics, authors, activists and the occasional mystic into conversation about the role of spirituality and religion in politics, world affairs, societies and individuals. The parameters are quite wide.
Besides his passion for all things transcendent, Fred Stella has an extensive resume in the world of media. Since his graduation from college Fred has worked in multiple radio formats, including news/talk, where he developed his skills in the art of the interview. He also has extensive experience in TV, stage, web entertainment, audiobook narration and more. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Religion & Spirituality
Interviews
News
Progressive
News Commentary
Religion
Philosophy
Society & Culture
- Update frequency
- every 11 days
- Average duration
- 54 minutes
- Episodes
- 334
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Introduction to Jainism Parts 1 & 2
As Christianity began as a sect of Judaism, Jainism was once considered a branch of Hinduism. These religions continue to share a great deal of theology, history and ritual. Yet, Jains do most often …
00:54:13 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
The Worldwide Pew Research Survey on Religions Parts 1 & 2
n 2024
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Common Threads
Pew Research Center Religious survey
By Fred Stella
Published June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM EDT
Faceboo…
00:54:29 |
Thu 14 Aug 2025
Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies Parts 1, 2 & 3
American democracy is in danger. How do we protect it from authoritarian reactionary Christianity?
On January 6, 2021, hundreds of Americans stormed the Capitol to prevent the certification of the…
01:22:23 |
Fri 01 Aug 2025
Yogalands Parts 1 & 2
Millions of people practice yoga, attracted to the mat by its promise of physical and mental benefits, social connection, and spiritual nourishment. Promoted as a way of healing the body and mind fro…
00:57:06 |
Fri 06 Jun 2025
Creating Jesus: The Earliest Record of Yeshua of Nazareth Parts 1 & 2
Creating Jesus is a book for general readers on the Gospel of Mark as the earliest surviving witness of the life of Yeshua ("Jesus" in Aramaic) of Nazareth. Dennis Kennedy applies his expertise in li…
00:56:51 |
Thu 15 May 2025
Life With Ghosts Parts 1 & 2
Science is studying ghosts? Really?
In Life with Ghosts, a documentary film festival winner, a widow suffering prolonged grief agrees to participate in a research study that aims to reconnect bereav…
00:56:01 |
Wed 30 Apr 2025
Terran Judaism: A 21st Century Version of Ancient Wisdom Parts 1 & 2
Alex Duensing, founder of Terran Judaism, joins us
Most non-Jews who have any familiarity with Judaism will tell you there are 3 specific movements within the religion: Orthodox, Conservative & Refo…
00:56:13 |
Wed 23 Apr 2025
Weird Catholic Handbook Parts 1 & 2
If they only taught this in Religion classes! I promise students would be way more engaged. In these episodes we dive into the fascinating and overlooked aspects of the Catholic faith with Michael Li…
00:55:48 |
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Ghosted: A Story of Excommunication Parts 1 & 2
No matter how some people try to deny it, we humans are very tribal. And for the most part, that can be a good thing if we will forego any sense of tribal superiority. So if one is excommunicated fro…
00:55:37 |
Sat 15 Mar 2025
Who Are the Alawites? Parts 1 & 2
With the exile of Syria's Bashar Al-Assad recently, much interest has been focused on the sect of Islam of which he was a member. However, there are some who claim that the denomination known as Alaw…
00:55:16 |
Fri 28 Feb 2025
Job in Wonderland Parts 1 & 2
Our guest is Ryan Armstrong, author of The Book of Job in Wonderland
Of all of the great works of literature that might be compared, the idea of setting the text of the Book of Job next to the 19th …
00:56:00 |
Tue 11 Feb 2025
The Midrash Tradition Parts 1 & 2
One of the most imaginative traditions in Judaism is called "Midrash." While the word is used in a few different ways, in this episode we are referring to that practice of taking biblical stories and…
00:55:21 |
Wed 05 Feb 2025
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Parts 1 & 2
In this episode we discuss a new film biography of Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin with its producer/director Frank Frost.
This remarkable man was a paleontologist and visionary French Jesuit priest.…
00:56:04 |
Fri 24 Jan 2025
Hindu Catholic Scholar Priest: A Love Story Parts 1 & 2
Today we discuss the autobiography that traces Francis X. Clooney's intellectual and spiritual journey from middle-class American Catholicism to a lifelong study of Hinduism. It explains how he came …
00:56:50 |
Wed 01 Jan 2025
Honest to God Parts 1 & 2
In his new book Honest to God, Rev. John Hamilton provides us with an intimate look at the spiritual journey of an individual who has experienced life from many corners. From the carefree life of a r…
00:56:50 |
Thu 19 Dec 2024
Trad Catholics and Christian Nationalism
Dr. Lauren Horn Griffin discusses White Christian Nationalism and so-called "Trad Catholic Men"
With the current election in the rear-view mirror now, the pundits are now piecing together what worke…
00:55:07 |
Wed 11 Dec 2024
Boond: The Story of the Ultimate Journey Parts 1 & 2
I liken this new book entitled "Boond" to the classic "Little Prince." That is, while it may have a certain childlike charm, it is not really a children's book. This is a tale of the Divine Quest. Bo…
00:56:41 |
Sun 27 Oct 2024
Italian Folk Magic Parts 1 & 2
Growing up in an Italian-American family, I was introduced to Malocchio (the Evil Eye) at a young age. I loved having this eccentric idea as part of my heritage. For centuries, some cultures have bee…
00:56:41 |
Sat 27 Jul 2024
The Rise & Fall of the 2nd American Republic Parts 1 & 2
A groundbreaking, expansive new account of Reconstruction that fundamentally alters our view of this formative period in American history. We are told that the present moment bears a strong resemblan…
00:57:02 |
Wed 10 Jul 2024
Devout: A Memoir of Doubt Parts 1 & 2
It is hard to imagine anyone living in the USA today who does not either have someone close to them dealing with severe mental health challenges or suffering themselves from the same. An educated gue…
00:55:12 |
Thu 27 Jun 2024
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