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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.

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
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Christian and Gay: The Making of

Christian and Gay: The Making of "7 Passages"

I'll provide a little epilogue here. Calvin College did not respond well to Stephanie's extracurricular activity here. From everything I've heard, she sort of drew a target on her back. They were not…

01:18:43  |   Wed 05 Aug 2020
The Great Jewish Philosophers Parts 1 & 2

The Great Jewish Philosophers Parts 1 & 2

This was uploaded from a rather ancient cassette tape, so the fidelity isn't perfect. My voice sounds a little sped up up.

Theme music "Nigal."

00:57:20  |   Mon 03 Aug 2020
The Spiritual Healing Effect of Music Parts 1 & 2

The Spiritual Healing Effect of Music Parts 1 & 2

I can't even guess when this was recorded. I'm guessing in the early 00s. I'm interviewing Gary Wackenhut, who along with his wife make up the Collecting Consort. They specialized in creating a heali…
00:56:54  |   Sat 01 Aug 2020
Fleeing Fundamentalism Parts 1 & 2

Fleeing Fundamentalism Parts 1 & 2

We explore the journey of our guest who walked away from a lifetime of practicing a fundamentalist version of Christianity.
00:56:25  |   Thu 30 Jul 2020
Freeing Celibacy

Freeing Celibacy

We discuss the book, "Freeing Celibacy" with a Catholic Priest
00:50:48  |   Tue 28 Jul 2020
In the Beginning: The 1st Episode of Common Threads 1996

In the Beginning: The 1st Episode of Common Threads 1996

Back in 1996 the board of IDA had an idea for a radio show. This is what happened.
00:56:25  |   Fri 24 Jul 2020
The Secret Message of Jesus Parts 1 & 2

The Secret Message of Jesus Parts 1 & 2

We discuss the book "The Secret Message of Jesus" with author Brian McClaren in this 2007 interview from the archives.
01:01:31  |   Fri 24 Jul 2020
The Value of Marriage

The Value of Marriage

We interview an author about the sociological value of marriage from back about 15 years ago. His views have changed. He was pretty hardcore about opposing marriage equality, which he discusses in th…
01:00:38  |   Fri 17 Jul 2020
A Jew Among the Evangelicals Parts 1 & 2

A Jew Among the Evangelicals Parts 1 & 2

These are 2 interviews we did back in 2006 with Mark Pinsky, who wrote the book.
00:55:45  |   Thu 16 Jul 2020
A Course In Miracles Parts 1 & 2

A Course In Miracles Parts 1 & 2

We discuss the New Thought best selling "A Course in Miracles." This is a look at a more universalist concept of Jesus.
00:51:09  |   Sat 11 Jul 2020
Sacred Choices: Religions & Abortion Parts 1 & 2

Sacred Choices: Religions & Abortion Parts 1 & 2

Theme music "Nigal."

00:54:15  |   Tue 07 Jul 2020
From Lincoln to Lindbergh Parts 1 & 2

From Lincoln to Lindbergh Parts 1 & 2

This is an interview from around 2010 that focuses on the theory that Abe Lincoln reincarnated as Charles Lindbergh. The author offers clues to the similarities of their lives while not dismissing th…
00:57:27  |   Sat 04 Jul 2020
Caste Bigotry: It's Complicated Parts 1 & 2

Caste Bigotry: It's Complicated Parts 1 & 2

This episode is from 2007. The subject of caste is a complicated one. There was wisdom behind its creation, but like so many other ancient traditions, it devolved into a hot mess of bigotry and excl…
00:51:54  |   Fri 03 Jul 2020
Medieval Church/State Relationships Parts 1 & 2

Medieval Church/State Relationships Parts 1 & 2

This is an episode from 2001 where we discuss the relationship between Church & State during the Middle Ages in England.
00:58:30  |   Thu 25 Jun 2020
Hindu Temple Worship Parts 1 & 2

Hindu Temple Worship Parts 1 & 2

This is an episode we recorded sometime around 1998. I recently found the cassette recording of it. You'll be able to pick up in parts that the tape was a bit unstable. But I wanted to post this beca…
00:40:20  |   Fri 19 Jun 2020
The Problem with USCIRF

The Problem with USCIRF

The challenge of having a government sponsored body that critiques the religious freedom of other nations is discussed.
00:56:12  |   Fri 05 Jun 2020
The Universalist Klansman Parts 1 & 2

The Universalist Klansman Parts 1 & 2

It's odd to imagine, but even the very progressive Unitarians & Universalists were slaveholders back in the day. This interview from 2019 with Colin Bossen is a fascinating account.
00:57:44  |   Thu 04 Jun 2020
Religious Rhetoric in Media Part 2

Religious Rhetoric in Media Part 2

Continued conversation about religion in pop culture & media.
00:27:55  |   Mon 18 May 2020
Collapse of the old Faiths Part 2

Collapse of the old Faiths Part 2

Continued discussion on traditional religion & its place in society.
00:25:03  |   Sat 16 May 2020
Collapse of the Old Faiths part 1

Collapse of the Old Faiths part 1

A discussion on how the religions of old are either morphing or dying in contemporary society. This was aired in 2017. Our guest is Joel Kotkin.
00:26:51  |   Thu 14 May 2020
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