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
My God, I've Wasted My Life: A Conversation With Larry Brilliant Parts 1 & 2
I know, that's a weird title for a program. But believe me, many of the guests I've hosted on Common Threads have me saying that to myself. Some of these folks have contributed SO much to the world c…
00:56:48 |
Wed 28 Oct 2020
The Metropolitan Church: The Story of Transformation
Many years ago I interviewed a local minister for the Metropolitan Church here in Grand Rapids. The denomination was formed specifically to focus on the needs of gay Christians. In its early days, th…
00:56:05 |
Tue 27 Oct 2020
Interfaith Challenges: Beyond Kumbaya
If you've listened to Common Threads enough you know that we like to dive into "deep dialogue." What that means is that we aren't afraid to tackle issues that might ruffle feathers from time to time.…
00:52:54 |
Sat 24 Oct 2020
Religion, Faith & Spirituality in the Public Square Parts 1 & 2
Back in 2016, Grand Valley State University (where Common Threads originates) presented its 20th annual lecture on diversity. The guest speaker was Dr. Dafina Lazarus-Stewart. The topic was bringing …
00:53:28 |
Fri 23 Oct 2020
Judaism in West Michigan Parts 1 & 2
Not long ago we uploaded a couple of episodes that featured my dear friend Len Robinson from 2015. I am now going through the archives of '16, & found these conversations, which I'm thrilled to share…
00:55:48 |
Thu 22 Oct 2020
Hare Krishna at 50 Parts 1 & 2
If you grew up in any major metropolitan area in North America or Europe in the late 60s/early 70s it's quite likely that you encountered a group of younger folk in the garb of Gaudiya Vaishnavs chan…
00:56:35 |
Wed 21 Oct 2020
The Spiritual Adventures of a Religious Rebel--Richard Rhem Up Close Parts 1 & 2
If you are not from West Michigan these episodes might not mean as much, but I think they tell a good story. Rev. Richard Rhem was ordained in the Reformed Protestant tradition, & was quite conservat…
00:57:36 |
Tue 20 Oct 2020
Ultra-Orthodoxy on the TV Machine--A Look at Unorthodox & Shtisel Parts 1 & 2
Not long ago I made my way through the limited series "Unorthodox" & the 2 full seasons of "Shtisel." Both offer more than a glimpse into the most orthodox of the Jewish communities. I wanted to get …
00:56:43 |
Sat 17 Oct 2020
A Look Back at Where We Were Parts 1 & 2
One of the great things about having a talk show is being able to invite interesting friends on. You can just have a conversation similar to what you might have in "real life" with people listening i…
00:57:09 |
Thu 15 Oct 2020
Interfaith Internships & Why We Do Them Parts 1 & 2
We don't do many programs on our organization (Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute) because, well, that would be boring. But every now & then we do have some…
00:54:52 |
Thu 15 Oct 2020
Islam in the Black Community Parts 1 & 2
Back in 2016 I was honored to be a guest at the Center for Foreign Relations in NYC for a 2-day conference on politics and religion. Let me tell you, I was in the midst of some of the greatest minds…
00:54:55 |
Tue 13 Oct 2020
The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man Parts 1 & 2
Dr. Brian Bowdle is a Psyche prof at Grand Valley State University, where Common Threads originates. He's also a good friend. One evening we're together, & start talking about finding meaning in lif…
00:55:06 |
Sun 11 Oct 2020
Religious Liberty in the Time of Culture Wars Parts 1 & 2
One area where you can get consensus from the Right & Left is the importance of religious liberty. Both cherish this ideal. The problem is that each wing defines it differently. I'm sure we wouldn't …
00:55:39 |
Sat 10 Oct 2020
Absent Mother God In The West Parts 1 & 2
I really enjoyed these conversations back in 2016 with our guest, Dr. Neela Bhattacharya Saxena. Over the past few decades we have seen a movement to reclaim the concept of feminine divinity in reli…
00:57:22 |
Fri 09 Oct 2020
A Conversation With a Delightful Man Parts 1 & 2
One of my favorite people in interfaith circles in West Michigan has been Len Robinson. This dear friend passed away earlier this year, 2020. I had him on the program several times. These episodes f…
00:56:07 |
Wed 07 Oct 2020
How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain Parts 1 & 2
This is from 2016. And a fun fact is that before this interview I was cast to record the audiobook version of this work. So if you really enjoy these episodes, you can either read or listen to the …
00:56:37 |
Tue 06 Oct 2020
Caravan of No Despair...A Conversation with Mirabai Starr Parts 1 & 2
Mirabai Starr joins us to discuss her memoir, Caravan of No Despair.
This is from 2016.
Mirabai Starr writes, speaks and leads retreats on the inter-spiritual teachings of the mystics.Known for …
00:56:46 |
Sun 04 Oct 2020
A Lived Life...The Art of Constant Reinvention Parts 1 & 2
Boy, what do I say about this 2016 conversation? My guest is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. After a successful career as a lawyer, college teacher & commercial actor, Mr. Pitts ended a marriage & dis…
00:55:54 |
Sun 04 Oct 2020
The Spiritually Adventurous Journey of Kent Dobson Parts 1 & 2
I am blown away. Seriously. Here I am uploading these episodes from 2016 that I recorded with Rev. Kent Dobson, when I decide that it would be good to see what the man is up to today. I haven't been …
00:56:11 |
Fri 02 Oct 2020
Inside the Miracle...Enduring Suffering, Approaching Wholeness. A Conversation with Mark Nepo Parts 1 & 2
Our guest is Mark Nepo who joins us to talk about his book, Inside the Miracle: Enduring Suffering, Approaching Wholeness. These episodes are from 2015.
Mark Nepo is a poet, teacher, and storytelle…
00:57:19 |
Thu 01 Oct 2020
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