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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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Constitutional Bind Parts 1 & 2

Constitutional Bind Parts 1 & 2

Not long ago Convicted Felon D. Trump began shamelessly hawking "Greenwood" Bibles that include not only all 66 Protestant canonical books but The Constitution and Bill of Rights as well. A serious p…
00:56:30  |   Thu 20 Jun 2024
Mountain at a Center of the World Parts 1 & 2

Mountain at a Center of the World Parts 1 & 2

Places of pilgrimage tend to be held as sacred spaces by particular religions. But it's not universally true. Sometimes there are holy sites that are venerated by 2 or more faiths. Adam's Peak in Sri…
00:55:52  |   Thu 30 May 2024
Nature My Teacher Parts 1 & 2

Nature My Teacher Parts 1 & 2

Ever run into one of those people whose resumes are so bloody full of awesome accomplishments that you wonder why they even let you take up precious space on earth? Well this is one of those guys. Ja…
00:53:45  |   Fri 17 May 2024
Raging Fire of Love parts 1 & 2

Raging Fire of Love parts 1 & 2

For centuries theologians, clergy and laity within the Abrahamic traditions have made great attempts to define where the concepts of love and justice fall within their faiths. Many Christians are qu…
00:55:00  |   Wed 01 May 2024
Pluralism in Practice Parts 1 & 2

Pluralism in Practice Parts 1 & 2

One of the most important aspects of the interfaith movement is raising the bar from mere tolerance (Hey, I'll let you live!) to pluralism, which encourages actual engagement with those of different …
00:57:04  |   Sat 13 Apr 2024
Missionary Diplomacy: Sending Jesus & The American Way Around the World Parts 1 & 2

Missionary Diplomacy: Sending Jesus & The American Way Around the World Parts 1 & 2

Fred Stella welcomes MSU historian Emily Conroy-Krutz to Common Threads to discuss her book, Missionary Diplomacy The American Christian church has historically been at the forefront of the missiona…
00:57:12  |   Wed 13 Mar 2024
Uncharted Territory: The Catholic Church Declaration on Blessing Gay Couples Parts 1 & 2

Uncharted Territory: The Catholic Church Declaration on Blessing Gay Couples Parts 1 & 2

Over the years we've had many discussions on human sexuality and spirituality, including religion's response to homosexuality. As of late, Pope Francis has been making headlines and encouraging contr…
00:56:47  |   Tue 05 Mar 2024
Esoterica Parts 1 & 2

Esoterica Parts 1 & 2

For centuries, Judeo-Christian culture has held a place for the more esoteric elements of spirituality. These would include alchemy, magic, astrology, mysticism and more. Most western religions rejec…
00:58:17  |   Sun 18 Feb 2024
Reflections on the Psalms Parts 1 & 2

Reflections on the Psalms Parts 1 & 2

Rabbi David Krishef & I have been friends & colleagues for years. We've had him on before to discuss a fascinating event in his life several years ago. We're having him on again, this time to discuss…
00:55:35  |   Sat 13 Jan 2024
Meditation for Mediocre Mystics Parts 1 & 2

Meditation for Mediocre Mystics Parts 1 & 2

A cynic might chalk this up to a bit of nepotism, but I would protest. Tom Stella, my cousin, has made more appearances on Common Threads than any other guest. But aside from the sharing of DNA, Tom …
00:56:04  |   Sat 06 Jan 2024
Jonestown and the Michigan Connection Parts 1 & 2

Jonestown and the Michigan Connection Parts 1 & 2

Even though it's been over 40 years, the memory of Jonestown and the massacre that ended it still haunts the American psyche. Few realize that the number of Americans killed on that fateful day is th…
00:55:24  |   Fri 29 Dec 2023
Joseph Smith & The Golden Plates Parts 1 &2

Joseph Smith & The Golden Plates Parts 1 &2

One of the most contentious issues of 19th Century Christian America revolved around the veracity of the story of Joseph Smith and his discovery of golden plates that became the foundation of the Bo…
00:54:38  |   Wed 13 Dec 2023
Sitting In the Shade of Another Tree Parts 1 & 2

Sitting In the Shade of Another Tree Parts 1 & 2

In these episodes we converse with 4 writers of religion who contributed to the now best selling book Sitting In the Shade of Another Tree. And yeah, I'm in it as well, but please don't hold that aga…
00:56:56  |   Fri 08 Dec 2023
Blasphemy: Appropriate Responses Parts 1 & 2

Blasphemy: Appropriate Responses Parts 1 & 2

Armin Langer is a DAAD Visiting Assistant Professor at the Center for European Studies. Prior to joining CES, he was a Visiting Research Scholar at Brandeis University's Schusterman Center for Israel…
00:53:14  |   Tue 07 Nov 2023
Righting the American Dream: How the Media Mainstreamed Reagan's Evangelical Vision Parts 1 & 2

Righting the American Dream: How the Media Mainstreamed Reagan's Evangelical Vision Parts 1 & 2

Diane Winston

Theme music "Nigal."

00:52:04  |   Tue 31 Oct 2023
The Americanization of the Apocolypse Parts 1 & 2

The Americanization of the Apocolypse Parts 1 & 2

Eschatology (the study of end times predictions) has always fascinated me. I'm pleased that these 2023 episodes explain a great deal that I'm sure many of us did not know. Prof. Donald Akenson provid…

00:55:45  |   Sat 30 Sep 2023
Hinduism & America Parts 1 & 2

Hinduism & America Parts 1 & 2

Jai Bansal Hinduism in America

Theme music "Nigal."

00:57:23  |   Fri 08 Sep 2023
Follow Your Heartbreak Parts 1 & 2

Follow Your Heartbreak Parts 1 & 2

If you are a devotee of mythologist Joseph Campbell you know his mantra for years was "follow your bliss." In the proper context, this can be a wonderful aspiration. However, some may take it at fac…
00:55:49  |   Thu 24 Aug 2023
The Sacred Time of Sabbath Parts 1 & 2

The Sacred Time of Sabbath Parts 1 & 2

Common Threads is both honored and humbled to be named as the #1 podcast in the arena of interfaith. We are indebted to all of you who download, listen or otherwise support our efforts. 

You can see t…

00:55:10  |   Thu 13 Jul 2023
As I Lay Dying: Conversation with One Who Has Been There Parts 1 & 2

As I Lay Dying: Conversation with One Who Has Been There Parts 1 & 2

I am so pleased to have found yet another cassette tape in my basement from way back when that I'm thrilled to share. All signs point to these episodes being recorded in 2002. Fr.Richard Neuhaus, w…
01:00:02  |   Tue 04 Jul 2023
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