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.

Philosophy Religion News Progressive Religion & Spirituality Society & Culture Interviews News Commentary

Update frequency: every 11 days
Average duration: 54 minutes
Episodes: 335
Years Active: 2020 - 2025

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Marriage, Spirit, Reconciliation Parts 1 & 2

We speak with Julie and Tony Gessner about the marriage help program Retrouvaille. Retrouvaille’s primary goal is to provide help for couples who live in the disappointment and pain of marriage prob…

00:55:36 | Sat 24 Apr 2021

The Difficulty with Diversity: Can American pluralism make room for an Islam that is truly different?” Parts 1 & 2

From 2019 Our guest is Dr. Shadi Hamid, who joins us to talk about his essay, “The Difficulty with Diversity: Can American pluralism make room for an Islam that is truly different?” Dr. Shadi Hamid…

00:59:02 | Sat 17 Apr 2021

A Conversation with Nicholas Wolterstorff Parts 1 & 2

The Kaufman Interfaith Institute hosted a conversation between Nicholas Wolterstorff and Kelly James Clark on June 3, 2019. These 2 episodes contain the entirety of that event. Nicholas Wolterstorff…

00:56:28 | Fri 16 Apr 2021

Archeology In the Hands of the Crazies Parts 1 & 2

It never occurred to me that Archeology could be a lot like radio. That is, a lot of people think that all they need is a microphone in front of them & they'd be brilliant. More often than not....n…

00:56:20 | Wed 14 Apr 2021

The Missteps of the Religious Right on Reproductive Autonomy Parts 1 & 2

If you are a person who is conflicted on the issue of abortion because of your Christian beliefs (even if you're not, this is quite thought provoking within any tradition) you need to hear these epis…

00:56:01 | Fri 09 Apr 2021

The Paranormal and Popular Culture: A Postmodern Religious Landscape Parts 1 & 2

John Morehead joins us for a couple of episodes to talk on the book he co-edited called, ‘The Paranormal and Popular Culture: A Postmodern Religious Landscape.’ John Morehead is a researcher, writer…

00:56:58 | Tue 30 Mar 2021

Is "Soulmate" Really A Thing? Parts 1 & 2

OK, so we all know we need to have a little patience with those in our midst who are newly in love. They may get dewy eyed, drone on a bit long about their newfound happiness, and refer to this Gift …

00:56:46 | Fri 26 Mar 2021

One Man's Painful Experience with Reparative Therapy Parts 1 & 2

Reparative Therapy, which has been dismissed as fraudulent by many in the field of Psychology, attempts to "cure" gay men & women from their homosexuality. I've wanted for years to interview someone…

00:56:39 | Wed 24 Mar 2021

Religious Freedom & The Constitution Parts 1 &2

We've broached this subject before. But I really think these episodes are so spot on; especially as the right-wing of the spectrum is using this subject to weaponize religion. Lawrence G. Sager joi…

00:26:52 | Wed 17 Mar 2021

Spirituality in Space Parts 1 & 2

Grand Valley State University Professor Deana Weibel joins us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 2019 with our discussion of spirituality and space travel. D…

Thu 11 Mar 2021

The Histericity of the Hebrew Bible Parts 1 & 2

The challenge with taking a critical look at the Bible is that people tend to treat it as just one book, as opposed to thinking of it as a library, which is certainly closer to the mark. Yes, there a…

00:56:18 | Mon 08 Mar 2021

Tales of the Celtic Goddesses Parts 1 & 2

I find it fascinating how so many of the old, diminished traditions around the world are being revisited by people in the 21st century. We see this with those exploring the ancient mythologies of Eg…

00:56:07 | Fri 26 Feb 2021

Reincarnation: Multiple Views Parts 1 & 2

Of all the theories of afterlife that permeate the various world religions, the concept of rebirth is the only one that has actually been studied by science. Many are amazed by the fact that the Univ…

00:56:49 | Sun 21 Feb 2021

The Essentials of Eastern Orthodox Christianity Parts 1 & 2

Of all the diverse expressions of Christianity here in the USA, Eastern Orthodoxy gets much less attention than it gets. After centuries of being identified with specific cultures and languages, Chri…

00:56:52 | Thu 18 Feb 2021

‘Strangers, Neighbors, Friends: Muslim-Christian-Jewish Reflections on Compassion and Peace" Parts 1 & 2

Kelly Clark is a good friend & colleague. He's done brilliant work in the field of interfaith. These conversations took place in 2019 about a book that he both contributed to & edited. It deals with …

00:56:11 | Sat 13 Feb 2021

Wholly Unraveled: Trapped in a Catholic Cult

Guilty. Yes, I'm totally, 100% guilty as charged. If you look at the collection of Common Threads programs we have here in the vault, you'll notice more than a few focus on cults. I am just so fascin…

00:56:11 | Fri 12 Feb 2021

The Happiest Person in the Bible Parts 1 & 2

So how would you answer the question? It should be noted that we are, in this instance, talking about the Hebrew Bible, not including the New Testament. Our guest Mordecai Finley offers great eviden…

00:57:57 | Thu 11 Feb 2021

The Sacred Enneagram Parts 1 & 2

My Guest is Christopher is the author of ‘The Sacred Enneagram: Finding your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth" for these 2 episodes.

Christopher Heuertz studied at Asbury University in Kentucky before …

00:56:59 | Tue 09 Feb 2021

The Law of Small Things Parts 1 & 2

Stuart H. Brody joins us in these 2019 episodes to talk about his book ‘The Law of Small Things.’ Stuart Brody is the Founder of Integrity Intensive. Integrity Intensive offers keynotes, speeches, …

00:56:39 | Fri 05 Feb 2021

Persecuted Muslims in a Muslim Land: The Ahmadhiyya

The problem with theocracies is that it's much easier to be branded a heretic or a blasphemer, which can be illegal. The Ahmadhiyya sect of Islam is branded just that in Pakistan; which is, for all i…

00:57:21 | Wed 03 Feb 2021

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