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Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue - Podcast

Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

 Fred Stella

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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Understaning Coptic Christianity Parts 1 & 2

Understaning Coptic Christianity Parts 1 & 2

It occurred to me back in 2017 that of all the different expressions of Christianity there are, the Coptic Church gets very little ink. They have been a major presence in the Middle East for 2 mille…
00:55:26  |   Tue 08 Dec 2020
Antisemitism from the Right & Left Parts 1 & 2

Antisemitism from the Right & Left Parts 1 & 2

Shortly after the march in Charlottesville, where "fine people on both sides" (yeah, right) met to protest with tiki torches (2017) I decided to call up my old friend Shel Kopperl.  Naturally, with T…

00:57:25  |   Sun 06 Dec 2020
Stop Me if You've Heard this One: Converting for Jewish Humor Parts 1 & 2

Stop Me if You've Heard this One: Converting for Jewish Humor Parts 1 & 2

There's a great Seinfeld episode where a friend of Jerry's decided to convert to Judaism strictly for the humor.  I totally get that. I'm not Jewish, but I have had a fascination with the brilliance …

00:56:38  |   Sat 05 Dec 2020
So a Muslim and an Evangelical Christian Walk Into a Bar....

So a Muslim and an Evangelical Christian Walk Into a Bar....

Well, a bar is not a place you'd really find a Muslim or an Evangelical (well, depending on the stripe, I guess) , but from what we often see in the media, you wouldn't find Muslims and conservative …
00:27:36  |   Fri 04 Dec 2020
Evangelicals & Interfaith: Strange Bedfellows?

Evangelicals & Interfaith: Strange Bedfellows?

Back in 2017 I was made aware that Calvin College's seminary was hosting an event that focused on interfaith/multi-faith engagement that had no hidden agenda of conversion attempts. Needless to say, …
00:27:37  |   Wed 02 Dec 2020
'POTUS Shield: Trump’s Dominionist Prayer Warriors and the ‘Prophetic Order of the United States.'

'POTUS Shield: Trump’s Dominionist Prayer Warriors and the ‘Prophetic Order of the United States.'

We did it! As I write this in November of 2020 the country is glowing in anticipation of a new administration that will, we hope, undo much of the dismantling of our country's foundations that happen…
00:55:54  |   Tue 01 Dec 2020
Whispering Words of Wisdom: The Spirituality of The Beatles Parts 1 & 2

Whispering Words of Wisdom: The Spirituality of The Beatles Parts 1 & 2

Do you want to know a secret? Inside this rather centered post-middle-aged theologically minded radio host is a 14-year old girl who hasn't stopped screaming since she saw the Fab 4 on Ed Sullivan in…
00:56:00  |   Sat 28 Nov 2020
Thich Nhat Hahn and the Art of Living Parts 1 & 2

Thich Nhat Hahn and the Art of Living Parts 1 & 2

Even people who know little about Buddhism can often identify both the Dalai Lama & Thich Naht Hahn as major thought leaders today. Back in 2017 I was alerted that the latter had just published a boo…
00:58:22  |   Thu 26 Nov 2020
In Search of the Lost Chord: 50 Years After The Summer of Love Parts 1 &2

In Search of the Lost Chord: 50 Years After The Summer of Love Parts 1 &2

When we think of Hippies the 1st things that pop into many minds are drugs, music, hedonism, promiscuity, political activism & a disdain for hard work. These stereotypes are grounded in truth, but no…
00:56:59  |   Wed 25 Nov 2020
Irony Repeats Itself: Reconsidering Reinhold Niebuhr in the Trump Era Parts 1 & 2

Irony Repeats Itself: Reconsidering Reinhold Niebuhr in the Trump Era Parts 1 & 2

The year is 2017, and many of us are still reeling at the thought of having Trump in the office he's in. Over the past 4 years (I'm writing this just after the '20 election, Yay!) I've made no bones …
00:58:39  |   Tue 24 Nov 2020
Behaving Badly: The New Morality in Politics, Sex and Business Part 1 &2

Behaving Badly: The New Morality in Politics, Sex and Business Part 1 &2

Eden Collinsworth joins us for conversation about her book, Behaving Badly: The New Morality in Politics, Sex and Business. Eden Collinsworth is a former media executive and business consultant. S…
00:57:19  |   Sun 15 Nov 2020
Progressive Muslims: Yes! They're a Thing. Parts 1 & 2

Progressive Muslims: Yes! They're a Thing. Parts 1 & 2

Once again, one of the awesome people I met at the Council on Foreign Relations in NYC. These conversations with Ani Zonneveld took place in 2017. What I noticed at the CFR conference is that there …
00:58:09  |   Sat 14 Nov 2020
A Conversation Between an Evangelical Father & A Humanist Son Parts 1 & 2

A Conversation Between an Evangelical Father & A Humanist Son Parts 1 & 2

These 2 episodes, which aired in 2017, feature conversations with well known pastor Tony Campolo & his son Bart. Together they wrote the book "Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity …
00:58:04  |   Thu 12 Nov 2020
The One Life We Are Given Parts 1 & 2

The One Life We Are Given Parts 1 & 2

Poet, teacher, and storyteller Mark Nepo joins us on Common Threads to discuss his book The One Life We’re Given in these 2017 episodes. Mark Nepo has published 18 books and recorded 13 audio proj…
00:57:55  |   Sat 07 Nov 2020
May Cause Love: A Multi-Faith Approach to Healing From Abortion Without Judgement

May Cause Love: A Multi-Faith Approach to Healing From Abortion Without Judgement

There is no one way that women react after having an abortion. Some can move on with their lives almost immediately. Some may regret their decision. Yet others acknowledge a psychic and emotional pa…
00:52:34  |   Fri 06 Nov 2020
Buddhist Economics: The Most for Your Money Parts 1 & 2

Buddhist Economics: The Most for Your Money Parts 1 & 2

Dr. Clair Brown joins us for these 2 episodes from 2016. Dr. Brown is the author of Buddhist Economics: An Enlightened Approach to the Dismal Science. Dr. Brown is Professor of Economics and Directo…
00:55:03  |   Wed 04 Nov 2020
Our Pristine Mind: Buddhist Wisdom for the World of Now Parts 1 & 2

Our Pristine Mind: Buddhist Wisdom for the World of Now Parts 1 & 2

Once again, here is a 2-part conversation with the author of a book that I recorded as an audiobook. If you are new to this podcast, it's something that happens now & then. Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche …
00:58:00  |   Tue 03 Nov 2020
The Human Rights Declaration & Religious Freedom

The Human Rights Declaration & Religious Freedom

These episodes feature a conversation with Brian Lepard, one of the architects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World’s Religions. Brian Lepard is a law professor at the Univers…
00:57:24  |   Sun 01 Nov 2020
Rethinking The Catholic Tradition Parts 1 & 2

Rethinking The Catholic Tradition Parts 1 & 2

One of the great things about hosting CT is that I get to invite some of my more enlightened friends into the studio to have conversations like we would anyway. But I love sharing their wisdom. Well…
00:56:17  |   Sat 31 Oct 2020
Onieda: From Free Love Utopia to the Well Set Table

Onieda: From Free Love Utopia to the Well Set Table

Please don't tell me you just saw the term "Free Love Utopia" & were hoping they were taking applications. Sorry to disappoint if you did. But these are really excellent conversations. The Oneida co…
00:56:31  |   Thu 29 Oct 2020
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