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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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The Gospel According to The Simpsons Parts 1 & 2

The Gospel According to The Simpsons Parts 1 & 2

One of my favorites! In these 2 episodes I speak to Mark Pinsky, the author of The Gospel According to The Simpsons, which aired in 2001. Not only insightful, but a lot of fun. OK, I'm a bit biased, …
00:58:14  |   Sun 28 Nov 2021
Removing the Obstacles of Life Parts 1 & 2

Removing the Obstacles of Life Parts 1 & 2

I haven't counted how many episodes we've posted so far with the esteemed teacher Swami Bodhanada. Well, here are 2 more. These aired in 2004. As always, please ignore any promotions for events that …
00:55:19  |   Sat 27 Nov 2021
An American Woman Fights for the Soul of Islam Parts 1 & 2

An American Woman Fights for the Soul of Islam Parts 1 & 2

If you've been listening long enough to Common Threads you know that we champion the cause of liberal religion of all stripes. Here we discuss Islam and the challenges its adherents are faced with fr…
00:57:51  |   Thu 25 Nov 2021
My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith Parts 1 & 2

My Jesus Year: A Rabbi's Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith Parts 1 & 2

Benyamin Cohen, an Orthodox Jew embedded himself in Christian culture for a year just to, y'know, see what it's like. Not much to say to lure you to listen other than this very compelling title. Aire…
00:58:03  |   Thu 18 Nov 2021
Physics & Judaism Parts 1 & 2

Physics & Judaism Parts 1 & 2

Many, if not most, religionists will claim that their faith is supported by science. The problem is, most scientists look upon these claims with a very skeptical eye, as they should. But some who spe…
00:57:27  |   Sat 13 Nov 2021
Beyond Prisons to Restorative Justice Parts 1 &2

Beyond Prisons to Restorative Justice Parts 1 &2

A few things can be taken for granted about our penal system. For one, much of how we punish and/or rehabilitate prisoners is based on rather ancient codes. Also, religion has strongly impacted how w…
00:59:01  |   Fri 12 Nov 2021
Getting On Message: Attempting to Defeat the Religious Right During Bush Parts 1 & 2

Getting On Message: Attempting to Defeat the Religious Right During Bush Parts 1 & 2

Do you know how many times I've heard people ringing the death knell for the religious right? The 1st time was during a sermon given by a Unitarian minister in the 1980s. Yeah, How'd that work out?…
00:58:39  |   Thu 11 Nov 2021
That Reminds Me of a Story: Jewish Humor on Stage Parts 1 & 2

That Reminds Me of a Story: Jewish Humor on Stage Parts 1 & 2

I was thrilled to find this cassette in the box of old shows. These episodes aired toward the end of 1999. My guest was also a very dear friend named Don Herman. Don passed away in 2019. He meant a l…
00:56:04  |   Thu 04 Nov 2021
Matching You to Your Path Parts 1 & 2

Matching You to Your Path Parts 1 & 2

I really enjoyed conversing with these co-authors Sandra Hirsh & Jane Kise about their book "Soul Types: Matching Your Personality to Your Spiritual Path." They have devised a testing practice based …
00:56:19  |   Wed 03 Nov 2021
The Making of Hajj: A Personal Pilgrimage Parts 1 & 2

The Making of Hajj: A Personal Pilgrimage Parts 1 & 2

This is a 2-part conversation with my friend Ali Metwalli from 2001. It is an in-depth explanation of the meaning and logistics of Hajj, the Quran mandated pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim who a…

00:56:17  |   Sat 30 Oct 2021
Mission & Menace; 4 Centuries of American Zealotry Parts 1 & 2

Mission & Menace; 4 Centuries of American Zealotry Parts 1 & 2

Sadly, we have lost significant ground here in the US since these episodes were 1st broadcast in 2009. We were just coming out of what most would call a disastrous presidency of GW Bush. We were so …
00:55:49  |   Fri 29 Oct 2021
Marriage Beyond Black, White & Baha'i Parts 1 & 2

Marriage Beyond Black, White & Baha'i Parts 1 & 2

In these 2002 conversations I discuss how the Baha'i faith deals with issues of race. Unlike most other religions, the Bahai's really go out of their way to promote interracial couplings.David is tha…
00:53:33  |   Wed 27 Oct 2021
The RSS and Hindu Nationalism: Truth from Fiction Part 1 & 2

The RSS and Hindu Nationalism: Truth from Fiction Part 1 & 2

If you consume mainstream media here in the US you might get the impression that the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the Hindu equivalent of ISIS. I've known for a while that they weren't getting a fai…
00:52:18  |   Mon 25 Oct 2021
Emracing the Mystery: Spirit Beyond the Walls Parts 1 & 2

Emracing the Mystery: Spirit Beyond the Walls Parts 1 & 2

Earlier on in our history we hosted a lot more shows on inner spirituality; the kind of thing you hear listening to "On Being." Nowadays I turn down about 90% of the requests I get for themes like th…
00:56:54  |   Sat 23 Oct 2021
Faith Based Initiatives: Why & Why Not Parts 1 & 2

Faith Based Initiatives: Why & Why Not Parts 1 & 2

I believe this all started in 2004, when I was asked to write an article. You'll hear all about it in the introduction. I can't remember just how I found our guest. Kate Lynns has, as you will hear, …
00:58:21  |   Thu 21 Oct 2021
Once Again, Christianity & LGBT Issues Parts 1 & 2

Once Again, Christianity & LGBT Issues Parts 1 & 2

If you have been through much of the catalogue that we've got posted from the vault you'll notice at least 3 or 4 episodes that deal with LGBT & Christianity. It seems like a lot, I know. But things …
00:56:18  |   Tue 19 Oct 2021
Interspirituality: What Works, What Doesn't Parts 1 & 2

Interspirituality: What Works, What Doesn't Parts 1 & 2

The most important thing to know about these episodes is that in the beginning of Part 1 I seem to confuse the word "apophatics" with Appomattox. Please know it was a joke. I do that now and then. M…
00:56:19  |   Sun 17 Oct 2021
Paganism, Pride & Prejudice Parts 1 & 2

Paganism, Pride & Prejudice Parts 1 & 2

I think these conversations were 1st broadcast in September of 2002. My guess is that this was the initial investigation into Pagan movements that we ever did on Common Threads. A Pagan Pride festiv…
01:01:15  |   Fri 15 Oct 2021
A Christian becomes Jewish, Exploring Sufism

A Christian becomes Jewish, Exploring Sufism

OK, this was funny. I interviewed Mary a year or 2 before these episodes from 2005 on her experience as a Baptist studying Judaism. When we reconnect for these broadcasts she tells me that at some p…
00:54:17  |   Thu 07 Oct 2021
The Moral Guidance of Children: A Baha'i Perspective Parts I &2

The Moral Guidance of Children: A Baha'i Perspective Parts I &2

These episodes are a bit of a mystery in terms of chronology. I can't recall when these aired, but am pretty sure that would have happened between 2000-2005. I do remember that someone put me in touc…

00:55:54  |   Tue 05 Oct 2021
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