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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 Bible With & Without Jesus Parts 1 & 2

The Bible With & Without Jesus Parts 1 & 2

Not long ago I was speaking to a friend about how Jews interpret the Bible. He couldn't see how the writings of the prophets such as Isaiah or Ezekiel could be talking about anything other than predi…
00:57:14  |   Sun 13 Jun 2021
The Sociology of Religion Parts 1 & 2

The Sociology of Religion Parts 1 & 2

While I enjoy discussing the Big Questions of theology, eschatology, etc., there is also the appeal of just how religion shapes societies & individuals. That would be sociology. I came across our gue…
00:58:36  |   Fri 11 Jun 2021
Bride of the Buddha Parts 1 & 2

Bride of the Buddha Parts 1 & 2

You probably notice that we don't cover much fiction here on Common Threads. But every once in a while a book comes my way that knocks my socks off. This is one. The story has a foundational trut…
00:56:57  |   Thu 10 Jun 2021
‘The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again Parts 1 & 2

‘The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again Parts 1 & 2

If we look back to about 120-130 years ago we can certainly find similarities between yesterday & today. We share the concerns of an unbridled form of capitalism, misguided religious fervor, corrupt…
00:55:51  |   Tue 08 Jun 2021
In Sync With the Sacred, Out of Step With the World Parts 1 & 2

In Sync With the Sacred, Out of Step With the World Parts 1 & 2

If you've listened to a good chunk of our collection here of episodes that date back a couple of decades you may have come across a few that I've recorded with my cousin. Fr. Tom Stella was ordained …
00:56:28  |   Sun 06 Jun 2021
Heathens: The Politics of Identity in a Pagan Religious Movement Parts 1 & 2

Heathens: The Politics of Identity in a Pagan Religious Movement Parts 1 & 2

These episodes aired shortly after the insurrection at the Capitol (or as some Republicans called it, "Just a regular bunch of patriotic tourists visiting'). Remember the QAnon Shaman? Many thought h…
00:54:56  |   Fri 04 Jun 2021
A justification for unrest? Look no further than the Bible and the Founding Fathers Parts 1 & 2

A justification for unrest? Look no further than the Bible and the Founding Fathers Parts 1 & 2

A question that is often asked as a thought experiment concerns the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter. Is there one? Well, if you are looking to either the Bible or our Founders I'…
00:57:35  |   Wed 02 Jun 2021
The Crown, The Anglican Church & More Parts 1 & 2

The Crown, The Anglican Church & More Parts 1 & 2

It seems like I must be a mutant American, as I have such little interest in the British monarchy. I always seemed to know just as much as a tabloid cover in a check-out stand would tell me. So I cam…
00:57:13  |   Tue 01 Jun 2021
Ancient Hindu Sciences Part 1 & 2

Ancient Hindu Sciences Part 1 & 2

Alok is a pretty impressive guy. A previous book with a similar theme came out a few years ago. The title was close as well. The publisher told him to replace the word "Hindu" with "Indian." Alok sai…
00:56:00  |   Sun 30 May 2021
Flash News! Jews didn't murder Jesus: 50 years of Nostre Aetate Parts 1 & 2

Flash News! Jews didn't murder Jesus: 50 years of Nostre Aetate Parts 1 & 2

Rabbi James Rudin joins Common Threads joins us to discuss the history leading up to, and Judeo Christian relations since, Nostra aetate (Latin: In our time), the Declaration on the Relation of the C…
00:59:18  |   Sat 29 May 2021
‘Selling Fear: Conspiracy Theories and End-Times Paranoia’ Parts 1 & 2

‘Selling Fear: Conspiracy Theories and End-Times Paranoia’ Parts 1 & 2

Gregory Camp comes to Common Threads for a discussion on conspiracy theories in evangelicalism. Gregory is the author of, ‘Selling Fear: Conspiracy Theories and End-Times Paranoia’ (1997). Dr. Camp i…

00:55:38  |   Thu 27 May 2021
Religion & Public Education Part 1 & 2

Religion & Public Education Part 1 & 2

We discuss religion and education with Elise Helgesen Aguilar, Federal Policy Counsel at Americans United for Separation of Church and State in these 2020 episodes Elise earned a bachelor's degree …
00:56:40  |   Tue 25 May 2021
Spritual Practices for crazy times Parts 1 & 2

Spritual Practices for crazy times Parts 1 & 2

When we produced these episodes in 2020 we were in serious doo-doo. Trump was still n the White House and Covid was at its peak. As we post these today, we are pleased to report that we have an honor…

00:58:15  |   Sun 23 May 2021
Islamist Watch parts 1 & 2

Islamist Watch parts 1 & 2

Sam Westrop joins us in these 2 episodes from 2020 for conversation. Sam is the director of Islamist Watch. He's here to help us understand the threat of Islamism to non-Muslims and Muslims. Sam W…
00:58:08  |   Fri 21 May 2021
London Street: A Memoir Parts 1 & 2

London Street: A Memoir Parts 1 & 2

Growing up in Detroit, I had no exposure to the Dutch Reformed traditions. It wasn't until I moved to Grand Rapids that I learned what an influential subculture they represent. Speaking to friends wh…
00:55:48  |   Thu 20 May 2021
Taking America Back for God Parts 1 & 2

Taking America Back for God Parts 1 & 2

Clemson Sociology professor Andrew Whitehead discusses how Christian nationalism drives American politics in these 2020 episodes. Andrew has co-authored the book, ‘Taking America Back for God.’ An…
00:53:31  |   Wed 19 May 2021
Speaking With the Dead in Early America Parts 1 & 2

Speaking With the Dead in Early America Parts 1 & 2

This is a great conversation with author Erik Seeman about the passion Americans have had for communication with the dearly departed. These 2020 episodes offer excellent insight into how we became th…
00:55:49  |   Tue 18 May 2021
‘White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America Parts 1 &2

‘White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America Parts 1 &2

Khyati Y. Joshi joins us for conversation on her new book, ‘White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America.’ Khyati Y. Joshi is a Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson Universit…
00:55:57  |   Fri 30 Apr 2021
Purity Culture: Let's Wait Until We're Married! Or Not. Parts 1 & 2

Purity Culture: Let's Wait Until We're Married! Or Not. Parts 1 & 2

Evangelical culture has in recent decades taken up the cause of maintaining the virginity of teenagers come hell or high water. How many of you can guess that the results have been, well, mixed. Lik…
00:56:42  |   Thu 29 Apr 2021
Ethnic Cleansing in Kashmir Parts 1 & 2

Ethnic Cleansing in Kashmir Parts 1 & 2

For more than a half century the Indian state of Kashmir held a special status that allowed it to be semi-autonomous. This allowed, among other things, for it to be governed by sharia law. In 2019 th…
00:57:21  |   Thu 29 Apr 2021
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