1. EachPod

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
Share to:
More About Religion & Historical Murder Mysteries Parts 1 & 2

More About Religion & Historical Murder Mysteries Parts 1 & 2

These shows are follow-ups to Episode #192 of this podcast series. Our guests for these weeks in 2000 were authors Sharan Newman & Caroline Roe. As with our guest previously, these women were here in…
00:56:16  |   Sat 02 Oct 2021
To Hell With Hell Parts 1 & 2

To Hell With Hell Parts 1 & 2

While I do respect the power, history & impact of all religions. I have to admit that I have a very hard time with the concept of Hell as it is portrayed in Christian and Muslim theology. Others may …
00:57:14  |   Fri 01 Oct 2021
Living Islam Out Loud: Muslim Women Acting Outrageously Parts 1 &2

Living Islam Out Loud: Muslim Women Acting Outrageously Parts 1 &2

The book this was based on was impressive. As I say in the intro, I had no idea it would be so....well, sassy. Selema Addul Gafoor collects essays from various American Muslim women that explores beh…
00:55:54  |   Thu 30 Sep 2021
The Essence of Us parts 1 &2

The Essence of Us parts 1 &2

Over the years I've hosted my cousin Tom Stella several times. If you scroll down all the episodes here I think you'll find him 2 or 3 times. Well, as I continue to dig through all these old cassette…
00:59:20  |   Wed 29 Sep 2021
The Essence of Advaita Vedanta Parts 1 & 2

The Essence of Advaita Vedanta Parts 1 & 2

These episodes aired circa 2002. Our guest for these was a man I truly admired & loved. Swami Yogeshananda was a dear soul who lived a simple life, and attempted to open up the lines of communication…

00:56:47  |   Mon 27 Sep 2021
A Woman's Place: House Churches In Earliest Christianity Parts 1 & 2

A Woman's Place: House Churches In Earliest Christianity Parts 1 & 2

I remember really enjoying this 2006 conversation in 2 parts with Carolyn Osiek, a coauthor of this book. It really makes a great case for increasing the amount of authority that should be invested i…

00:54:47  |   Sat 25 Sep 2021
Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea Parts 1 & 2

Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea Parts 1 & 2

These episodes from 2007 include an extended conversation with Mark Kurlansky about his book on nonviolence. I won't take up your eyeball time with much here other than to say that the author really …
00:57:43  |   Fri 24 Sep 2021
In Good Faith: Questioning Religion & Atheism Parts 1 & 2

In Good Faith: Questioning Religion & Atheism Parts 1 & 2

As I state in my introduction, this is a remarkable book in that while it does strongly argue from a theist's viewpoint, it gives the other side a great deal of respect. Author Scott Shay has no prob…
00:55:16  |   Thu 23 Sep 2021
Roadside Religion Parts 1 & 2

Roadside Religion Parts 1 & 2

One of the great things about the USA is our tradition of the road trip. Not just because we can get from one place to another with relative ease, but as we zoom through many parts of rural America w…
00:57:44  |   Wed 22 Sep 2021
Eastern Rite Catholicism Parts 1 & 2

Eastern Rite Catholicism Parts 1 & 2

I would venture to say that most Catholics have no idea that there is an Eastern Rite wing of their own church. That is, there are churches in North American & Europe that if a Catholic should enter…
00:57:32  |   Tue 21 Sep 2021
The Biology of Belief Parts 1 & 2

The Biology of Belief Parts 1 & 2

Do know that I get all sorts of people who reach out to appear on Common Threads. When it comes to subjects concerning spirituality & health I'm very circumspect. There is a lot of nonsense floating …
00:58:17  |   Sat 18 Sep 2021
Hindu Dharma in the 21st Century parts 1 & 2

Hindu Dharma in the 21st Century parts 1 & 2

If you've to enough episodes in our vault you've come across a few that feature Swami Bodhanada. The fact that he has an ashram about an hour from Grand Rapids always made him accessible. But what re…
00:56:17  |   Thu 16 Sep 2021
Mary Magdalene Unveiled Parts 1 & 2

Mary Magdalene Unveiled Parts 1 & 2

Just a few episodes back we posted a couple of episodes entitled "Gnostic Yoga." I really wasn't thrilled with the scholarship behind the research our guest accomplished. So, I think we are redeeming…
00:56:52  |   Wed 15 Sep 2021
Why Do We Believe in God(s) Parts 1 & 2

Why Do We Believe in God(s) Parts 1 & 2

If you have perused our vast collection of shows you may recall coming upon a few episodes promoting Grand Dialogue. That is a an (almost) annual event here in Grand Rapids. It's a conference that fo…
00:55:22  |   Wed 15 Sep 2021
Christian Science Parts 1 & 2

Christian Science Parts 1 & 2

Full disclosure: Sometimes I do interviews as favors. One of the challenges of hosting this program is that over the years I've gotten so many requests to profile certain people, events, etc. that in…
00:56:42  |   Mon 13 Sep 2021
What Jesus Meant: Comments on the Beatitudes Parts 1 & 2.

What Jesus Meant: Comments on the Beatitudes Parts 1 & 2.

Listening to these 2007 episodes was enjoyable Clearly, some of these stand up to time better than others. In these conversations I speak with Erik Kolbell from Riverside Church in NYC. If you're no…
00:53:33  |   Sun 12 Sep 2021
Gnostic Yoga and More Parts 1 & 2

Gnostic Yoga and More Parts 1 & 2

I'm guessing that these episodes aired around 2003 or so. Not certain. Anyway, they were interesting conversations. But if you listen to me talk about our guest's various initiations and positions it…
00:54:07  |   Sun 12 Sep 2021
From Believer to Zilch Parts 1 & 2

From Believer to Zilch Parts 1 & 2

Boy, do I remember these. Ruth Tucker (our guest) is an interesting kinda lady. Case in point: Way back in 2002 when we aired these, someone on our team made contact with her via phone to set up a re…
01:00:08  |   Fri 10 Sep 2021
Religion in the Workplace Parts 1 & 2

Religion in the Workplace Parts 1 & 2

I remember these conversations from 2007 quite well. Our guest David Miller is just a likeable kinda guy. And I found much to work with in this subject matter. Just how do we navigate a multi-faith (…
00:50:22  |   Thu 09 Sep 2021
Tibetan Buddhism on Tour Parts 1 & 2

Tibetan Buddhism on Tour Parts 1 & 2

I remember the 1st time Tibetan monks came to Grand Rapids, MI in the 1990s.for a series of lectures, meditations & rituals. The whole community was intrigued, and it made our local TV news. They s…
00:59:10  |   Wed 08 Sep 2021
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of Fred Stella. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.