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.
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
Creating the Qur'an Parts 1 & 2
There are many people of faith who, upon maturing in their spiritual growth, become willing to view the stories that surround the origins of their religions as more allegorical than historical. Admit…
00:57:24 |
Thu 29 Jun 2023
Good Death Auspicious Rebirth: End of Life Transitions in the Dharmic Traditions Parts 1 & 2
Every once in a while there will be episodes about projects that I've been personally involved in. This is that. These 2023 conversations are with Dr. Frank Tedesco of True Dharma International. He p…
00:55:15 |
Wed 21 Jun 2023
The Life of a Pilgrim Parts 1 & 2
In the Hindu tradition there is the stage of life called Vanaprastha. It is when one retires from many family and professional responsibilities to dedicate more time to spiritual advancement. Our gue…
00:56:24 |
Thu 08 Jun 2023
Attempting to Fight Bigotry with Bigotry: New American Caste Laws Parts 1 & 2
I suspect that no one who listens to Common Threads would support the oppressing of someone due to their social status or caste. So when we hear of colleges, towns, states, etc., passing legislation …
00:56:11 |
Thu 01 Jun 2023
Polarization in Society and the Church Parts 1 & 2
We hear and read about how this country is so deeply polarized. The problem is that there is clearly one side that has made a cottage industry out of demonizing the "other side." While there are craz…
00:56:47 |
Wed 24 May 2023
Ali The Iraqi: A Muslim in the House of Mormon Parts 1 & 2
Years ago the US Government was anxious to resettle Iraqi citizens temporarily in the USA whom they thought had significant leadership qualities. Their purpose was to begin their nation building in a…
00:56:36 |
Thu 18 May 2023
The White Mosque Parts 1 & 2
In the late 1800s, a group of German-speaking Mennonites left southern Russia and journeyed into Central Asia following the end-time prophecies of a charismatic preacher. But while the story of these…
00:56:44 |
Sat 13 May 2023
Sharing Spiritual Stories Parts 1 & 2
On an evening not too long ago, Bay Area high school student Ritu Balani hosted an event that allowed fellow students and community members to share with an audience their most intimate spiritual and…
00:58:19 |
Thu 27 Apr 2023
America's Courts and the Faith Factor Parts 1 & 2
For the past couple of decades conservatives have been planning and executing a takeover of our court systems. For some odd reason, Democrats have not paid as much attention to this. Thus we are expe…
00:57:24 |
Thu 06 Apr 2023
The Great Spiritual Traditions of China and the challenge of current restrictions under a dictatorship Parts 1 & 2
It is so painful to know of the brilliant legacy of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and other paths in China that flourished, and see how religion is so under siege today. And along with these indigen…
00:56:40 |
Tue 14 Mar 2023
The Heresy of Jacob Frank Parts 1 & 2
As I mention in my introduction, I've got a soft spot in my heart for heretics. They tend to be colorful characters with a story to tell. Well, Jacob Frank was no exception. These episodes explore th…
00:55:48 |
Thu 09 Feb 2023
East Winds: A Global Quest to Reconcile Marriage Parts 1 & 2
Remember back in the day when almost from birth a girl was groomed to become a wife? If so, I'm impressed that you're still alive, because I'm pretty old myself, and I have only the vaguest memories …
00:55:40 |
Wed 01 Feb 2023
American Caliphate parts 1 & 2
Shahan Mufti, who was our guest a few years back, has written a thrilling account of a terrorist takeover of 3 buildings in Washington DC. His book is an impressive of Islam in general, and the Black…
00:57:07 |
Wed 18 Jan 2023
Interfaith Marriage: Jumping the Hurdles Parts 1 & 2
Sociologists tell us that marriages tend to be more successful when certain commonalities are present. Religion is one of them. But we all know that marrying outside of one's faith is much more commo…
00:57:26 |
Tue 06 Dec 2022
Deep Contemplation in the Time of Covid Parts 1 & 2
There is something special about having access to the private correspondence between thoughtful, literate and spiritually evolved individuals. Mark Taylor and Jack Miles are 2 such people. During t…
00:56:52 |
Wed 30 Nov 2022
Shambala Buddhism Parts 1 & 2
Once again, I find an ancient cassette tape of 2 episodes we broadcasted back in the early days. I have no idea of when we did these, but surely sometime between 2000-2006. And keep in mind that our…
00:56:56 |
Thu 24 Nov 2022
Black Theology Through the Ages Parts 1 & 2
Longtime listeners will recall how I have been posting hundreds of episodes from the past 20+ years that were on cassette tapes stored in my basement. I thought I was done, but have stumbled across a…
00:59:58 |
Wed 16 Nov 2022
Leaving Islam Parts ! & 2
Some people just walk away from their faiths of birth with no hard feelings. They just...stop. No issues, no problems. But some religions or denominations do make it a challenge. And leaving can have…
00:53:46 |
Fri 04 Nov 2022
exploring the moral impact of movies parts 1 & 2
Carl Plantinga is a professor of film and media at Calvin University, where he has taught since 2000.
Carl's books include ‘Screen Stories: Emotion and the Ethics of Engagement;’ ‘Moving Viewers: A…
00:56:49 |
Wed 26 Oct 2022
The Story of the Yazidis Parts 1 & 2
Most of us have never heard of the ancient people known as the Yazidis. It has been only in recent times since the invasion of ISIS that resulted an unmerciful slaughter of so many.
Houman Oliaei …
00:54:56 |
Fri 30 Sep 2022
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