Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue
Fred Stella, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU-FM, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Grand Valley State University 368 episodes Oct 23, 2026
Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue is a weekly program hosted by Fred Stella that explores the role of spirituality and religion in politics, world affairs, society, and individual lives. Each episode features conversations with clerics, authors, activists, and occasionally mystics, covering a wide range of interfaith topics. The show airs on western Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. It is produced in association with the Interfaith Dialogue Association, the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, and Grand Valley State University.
Episodes
No Compulsion in Religion, No Exceptions! Parts 1 & 2
The Qur’an famously declares, “There is no compulsion in religion.” But there is much compulsion today in the name of Islam — from apostasy laws to enforced veils — from Iran to Afghanistan. In his groundbreaking book, "No Compulsion in Religion, No Exceptions"" Mustafa Akyol elucidates the Islamic arguments against these deadly “exceptions” to freedom. It advocates for a faith grounded in free
y Everyone Wants To Think They're Open-Minded. Here's Why Most People Aren't Parts 1 & 2
Most people think they are open-minded and would like others to perceive them as such. But for the things that matter most – religious beliefs, for example, or the meaning of life – few of us are genuinely willing to consider that we might be wrong, let alone do the hard work of revising beliefs. At a fundamental level, we humans are somewhat closed-minded.
As a social psychologist, Prof. Daryl Va
Oracle's Daughter Parts 1 & 2
On a cool fall night in 1999, twenty-six-year-old Sarah Green crept out of her house, retrieved a backpack from its hiding place, and ran for her life. She was escaping not just the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, a paramilitary religious cult based in the New Mexico desert, but also the cruelty of the cult’s leader—her mother, Deborah. In his book ‘The Oracle's Daughter’ Harrison
Christian Zionism Parts 1 & 2
Christian Zionism is a movement dedicated to reconstituting the Israel of antiquity. To be clear, the purpose of this effort has little to do with love or sympathy for Jews, but to hasten the return of Jesus. The social and political challenges this presents to world stability are manifold.
And while radical Evangelicals have owned the narrative of this plan for over a century, there is now a coun
God Bless the Pill Parts 1 & 2
Most people today understand contraception as central to women’s liberation, and when the birth control pill arrived in 1960, the media thought it would usher in a sexual revolution. But a surprising number of religious Americans in the mid-twentieth century also saw contraception as part of God’s plan, a tool to create happy, prosperous American families in the post–World War II era.
In this epi
Mediating God Parts 1 & 2
On this episode of Common Threads, Fred Stella interviews author Arthur Zarate about his biography of the Egyptian Muslim theologian, scholar, and activist, Muhammad al-Ghazali (1917–1996), which provides the most comprehensive study to date of one of the most influential Sunni Muslim writers of the 20th century. Al-Ghazali shaped the views of multiple generations of Muslim activists and was a one
Girl in a Box parts 1 & 2
In these episodes, Fred Stella speaks with Paldrom Catherine Collins, the author of ‘Girl in a Box: Seeking Enlightenment as a Tibetan Buddhist Nun.’ It’s a memoir of spiritual longing and the search for an end to suffering.
As a wide-eyed spiritual seeker from Oklahoma, Paldrom believed enlightenment would free her from the messiness of being human, that she could somehow rest in a cloud of bl
The Bhagavad Gita with Guest (not host!) Fred Stella
This is very fun. We have here an episode from 1996, when I was not host, but guest. I didn't take over the hosting duties until the following year, but I was still active in other ways supporting Common Threads.
Featured here is host Marc Evan Jackson, who has made quite a name for himself in Hollywood.
I don't need to say much here, as I've provided a detailed introduction in the episode. Enjoy!
Oasis of Peace Parts 1 & 2
I can hardly believe that I am STILL finding cassette tapes with old episodes on them These 2 were recorded, I believe, in 2001. Oasis of Peace is a community in Israel where Jews & Palestinians live and thrive together. I can only imagine the heartbreak they must be feeling now after a horrendous war is and has been raging for the past few years. But please take a listen. It is a great example of
Palmistry: Science? Pseudo-Science? You Decide Parts 1 & 2
OK Kids, I'm really hesitant to share this with you, but I do want to upload as many episodes as I can. If you've been around for a while you know that every once in a while I find an old cassette tape or CD of shows we did decades ago. And the sound quality is not always great. Well, this is an example of that. I just found this in the basement after cleaning it out due to a flood. For those of y
Beyond Wellness Parts 1 & 2
In the chaos of today’s world, we’re all searching for meaning. The wellness industry has sold us a promise that we can find it if we just buy the right products, attend the right retreats, and follow the right celebrity gurus. But is this true? Or are we picking and choosing from a self-care salad bar in ways that satisfy our hunger but don’t truly nourish us?When we approach practices like yoga
Coptic Christianity: The Challenges in Both Egypt and the USA Parts 1 & 2
Coptic Christians, the largest Christian minority in Egypt, have maintained a distinct religious and cultural identity for centuries, but they often face challenges living as a minority in a predominantly Muslim society. They frequently encounter social discrimination, periodic outbreaks of sectarian violence, and economic or political marginalization, especially in rural areas. Despite constituti
Longing: Your Quiet Power Within Parts 1 & 2
What if your deepest longing wasn’t a problem to solve, but an invitation? Many of us move through life carrying an unnameable ache - an irrepressible void we try to fill with achievement, admiration, or distraction. Yet beneath this yearning lies something far greater: an invitation to awaken, heal, and reclaim our quiet power within. In Longing: A Pilgrimage to Your Quiet Power Within, Christoph
Soul Medicine For a Fractured World Parts 1 & 2
In a time of ecological, political, and social upheaval, Dr. Liza J. Rankow locates a path to healing at the intersection of mystic spirituality and social action. In her new book Soul Medicine for a Fractured World: Healing, Justice, and the Path of Wholeness, the longtime grassroots activist shows readers how to live with purpose and meaning as a response to the rising tide of calamities around
Nurturing Happiness Parts 1 & 2
In these episodes Fred speaks with Professor Robert Wuthnow about his book, ‘Nurturing Happiness: How Religion Shapes Emotional Practice.’
His research explores how religious institutions in America have historically managed and shaped their followers' experiences of happiness, viewing it not just as a feeling but as a social and emotional practice.
He argues that religious leaders use their aut
The Future of God Parts 1 & 2
Host Fred Stella discusses the new book ‘The Future of God’ with its author Steve Schwalbe.
Together they explore the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) to determine how adherents will accommodate God in the future.
While there are many publications about the future of God or the future of religion, they tend to reflect a specific academic field, such as theology or sociology.
Invading the Sacred: Academia's Bias Against Hinduism Parts 1 & 2
Another classic from our radio archives that we recently discovered, these 2009 episodes involve a conversation with Ravi Joshi of Medha Journal. While most often our interviews are with the actual authors, this time we analyze a book that was written by someone else. Invading the Sacred is the seminal work of Rajiv Malhotra, a longtime critic of how Hindu Dharma is taught at the college level. It
A Case For the Existence of God Parts 1 & 2
Well, we are getting close to the bottom of the pile. By that I mean the pile of CDs that I discovered in my basement of old CT episodes I'd forgotten about. This one, if I am correct, is from 2008. It's an interview with Dean Overman, who wrote the book A Case for the Existence of God. There is at least one other book from a different author with the same title, but what I appreciate about Dean's
The Plight of the Bhutanese Refugees Parts 1 & 2
There are so many vulnerable populations around the world, and it's hard to keep up with them all. One group that sustained very serious abuse is the Hindu community in the Asian nation of Bhutan. Oddly, for centuries there existed a comity between Hindus and Buddhists that was inspiring to see. In Nepal, many people practice both. So it's quite disheartening to learn that over 20 years ago, the d
Contemplate: Toward an Expansive Heart Parts 1 & 2
In recent weeks we've been uploading some episodes from about 15 years ago that were recently discovered. This, however, is not one of those. It aired in early 2026. Stay tuned though. More oldies are on their way!
When comparing the world's religions on the subject of contemplation/meditation, Christianity can point to a tradition of monasteries where monks and nuns have engaged in such practic
If It Were Not For Buddha I Could Not be a Christian Parts 1 & 2
Without Buddha I Could not be a Christian narrates how esteemed theologian, Paul F. Knitter, overcame a crisis of faith by looking to
One more from the newly found archive! So let's set the Wayback Machine for 2009 again. This time we spoke to Dr. Paul Knitter, the author of "If It Were Not for Buddha I Would Not Be a Christian." I recall really enjoying this conversation.
This book narrates ho
Religion & Modernity:The 2009 Kaufman Conference Parts 1 & 2
OK Kids, here's another classic Common Threads that was misplaced ages ago and is now available. The Kaufman Interfaith Institute (of which Interfaith Dialogue Association is an affiliate) holds conferences each year. In 2009 we hosted 3 thought leaders from the Abrahamic traditions to discuss the challenge of modernity and religion. We decided to interview James Carroll, a noted Catholic influen
No Enemy Left to Conquer: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World Parts 1 & 2
Dipping into our newly discovered tranche of old episodes once more, we have another 2009 pair that explores a very power book about the power of forgiveness.
Michael Henderson is a British freelance journalist and author of numerous books including Forgiveness: Breaking the Chain of Hate and All Her Paths Are Peace. He is convinced that forgiveness is like a muscle that must be exercised. He has
In Living Color: Calvinism Explained Parts 1 & 2
Another one from the newly discovered batch of old recordings. I'm assuming this is from 2009 as most of them are. This 2-parter is a conversation with Daniel Hyde, a pastor in the United Reformed Church. We invited him to discuss his book on Christian images "In Living Color," but also delved into the Calvinist movement within Protestantism. You see, Common Threads is produced in Grand Rapids, Mi
Islam: The Basic Tenets Parts 1 & 2
Once again we delve into the vault of recently discovered recordings that never made it to the podcast universe. These come from 2009. So please disregard any information about the conference on Islam that is being promoted.
I've thought about these conversations over the years. I'll tell you why. As you might know, while I may ask probing questions, and on occasion uncomfortable ones, I'm not ou
The Halakhah of Jesus According to the Gospel of Matthew Parts 1 & 2
Here we go again! As mentioned recently, I discovered a trove of old recordings on CD and cassette tape that I was not aware of. So now I'm posting these here. These episodes of Common Threads originally aired in 2007. They have to do with the very "Jewishness" of Jesus. The book in question is "The Halakhah of Jesus of Nazareth According to the Gospel According to St. Matthew." Scholars agree tha
Crimes Against India Parts 1 & 2
Hey All, we've got ourselves a blast from the past! For those of you who have been following us for a few years you might recall that not long after we started podcasting we decided to go into The Vault and grab as many old analog recordings that survived over the decades, digitize them and add to our podcast library. So if you're not aware already, keep scrolling down and you'll see episodes from
The Fox Hunt: Trapped in Yemen Parts 1 & 2
Born in the Old City of Sana’a, Yemen, to a pair of middle-class doctors, Mohammed Al Samawi was a devout Muslim raised to think of Christians and Jews as his enemy. But then he started connecting with Jews and Christians on social media, and at various international interfaith conferences, Mohammed became an activist, making it his mission to promote dialogue and cooperation in Yemen. Due to hi
Hebrew Orientalism Parts 1, 2 & 3
This is a conversation between Dr. Hussein and GVSU Professor Eric Covey, facilitated by Frankel Center's Interim Director for 2025-26, Deborah Dash Moore. Their discussion will be followed by a dessert reception. Drawing from his upcoming book, Hebrew Orientalism: Jewish Engagement with Arabo-Islamic Culture in Late Ottoman and British Palestine, Dr. Hussein will explore how Jewish writers in l
Karmic Relief Parts 1 & 2
Just about everyone knows the word "karma." It's so popular that products and companies are using it. But to simply say "what goes around comes around" is a bit too simplistic to describe a doctrine that has influenced civilizations for millennia.
In his new book ‘Karmic Relief’ author Phil Goldberg provides the deep detail underlying this concept in a way that is understandable by both theolog
The Comparative Gospels Parts 1 & 2
The Gospel COMPARATIVE is an innovative new book that enables anyone to read all 4 gospels simultaneously as one story. This is done in a clear, easy-to-read design that presents all four of the canonical gospels at the same time. Additionally, it provides a side-by-side, line-by-line comparative that seamlessly integrates with the storytelling process.
Several things combine to make the desig
Mother Emanuel Church Parts 1 & 2
10 years ago the nation experienced a powerful tragedy when a radicalized racist opened fire in the sanctuary of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, Mother Emanuel is often considered the jewel in the crown of historical Black churches. In his book Mother Emanuel: 2 Centuries of Race, Resistance and Forgiveness in one Charleston Church, Kevin
Interfaith PhotoVoice Parts 1 & 2
The Kaufman Interfaith Institute has several affiliates. The Interfaith Dialogue Association, which produces Common Threads, is certainly one. Another newer addition to our family of multi-faith engagement is Interfaith Photovoice, an organized effort that encourages people of different faith backgrounds to use their phones and cameras to document their personal spiritual journey and share the int
Ancient Christianities Parts 1 & 2
The ancient Mediterranean teemed with gods. For centuries, a practical religious pluralism prevailed. How, then, did one Deity come to dominate the politics and piety of the late Roman Empire?
In ‘Ancient Christianities,’ Paula Fredriksen traces the evolution of early Christianity, or rather, of early Christianities through five centuries of Empire, mapping its pathways from the hills of Judea
Introduction to Jainism Parts 1 & 2
As Christianity began as a sect of Judaism, Jainism was once considered a branch of Hinduism. These religions continue to share a great deal of theology, history and ritual. Yet, Jains do most often claim an identity separate from Hindus.
In this episode Fred speaks with Monica Shah, Director of Education for the Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington. They discuss the intricacies of this anci
The Worldwide Pew Research Survey on Religions Parts 1 & 2
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Pew Research Center Religious survey
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What is the state
Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies Parts 1, 2 & 3
American democracy is in danger. How do we protect it from authoritarian reactionary Christianity?
On January 6, 2021, hundreds of Americans stormed the Capitol to prevent the certification of their political opponent’s election. At the forefront were Christians claiming to act in the name of Jesus Christ and his supposed representative on earth, Donald Trump. How can this have happened?
Dav
Yogalands Parts 1 & 2
Millions of people practice yoga, attracted to the mat by its promise of physical and mental benefits, social connection, and spiritual nourishment. Promoted as a way of healing the body and mind from wounds inflicted by the world, modern yoga may be a critique of the social order – an “anti-world” to which practitioners escape.
Yet yoga can never free itself entirely from the compromises and c
Creating Jesus: The Earliest Record of Yeshua of Nazareth Parts 1 & 2
Creating Jesus is a book for general readers on the Gospel of Mark as the earliest surviving witness of the life of Yeshua ("Jesus" in Aramaic) of Nazareth. Dennis Kennedy applies his expertise in literary and performance studies to examining Mark as a literary and historical document and describes in straightforward style how it differs from the other Gospels, what it meant in its time, and how i
Life With Ghosts Parts 1 & 2
Science is studying ghosts? Really?
In Life with Ghosts, a documentary film festival winner, a widow suffering prolonged grief agrees to participate in a research study that aims to reconnect bereaved survivors with their departed loved ones. The process is known as Induced After-Death Communication (IADC), and it is rapidly gaining recognition among psychologists, academics and bereavement profe
Terran Judaism: A 21st Century Version of Ancient Wisdom Parts 1 & 2
Alex Duensing, founder of Terran Judaism, joins us
Most non-Jews who have any familiarity with Judaism will tell you there are 3 specific movements within the religion: Orthodox, Conservative & Reform. But there are several more. And now a new one has entered the arena: Terran Judaism.
The word "Terran" indicates that is it is "from the earth." That is, they seek to expand the faith well beyo
Weird Catholic Handbook Parts 1 & 2
If they only taught this in Religion classes! I promise students would be way more engaged. In these episodes we dive into the fascinating and overlooked aspects of the Catholic faith with Michael Lichens, the author of The Weird Catholic Handbook. We’ll examine peculiar and intriguing elements of Catholic history, offering a refreshing perspective on the faith that combines humor, curiosity, an
Ghosted: A Story of Excommunication Parts 1 & 2
No matter how some people try to deny it, we humans are very tribal. And for the most part, that can be a good thing if we will forego any sense of tribal superiority. So if one is excommunicated from a tribe the mental and spiritual toll can be significant.
In her book ‘Ghosted’ Nancy French describes her upbringing in a Fundamentalist Christian church and early alliance with conservative Republ
Who Are the Alawites? Parts 1 & 2
With the exile of Syria's Bashar Al-Assad recently, much interest has been focused on the sect of Islam of which he was a member. However, there are some who claim that the denomination known as Alawite is not Islam at all, but a heretical break-off sect. To understand this somewhat intricate situation we speak with Dr. Stefan Winter who has studied religion in Syria and Turkey for decades.
Stefa
Job in Wonderland Parts 1 & 2
Our guest is Ryan Armstrong, author of The Book of Job in Wonderland
Of all of the great works of literature that might be compared, the idea of setting the text of the Book of Job next to the 19th century classic Alice in Wonderland probably doesn't come to mind. But Religious Studies professor Ryan Armstrong did notice more than a few links between them and presents them in his book The Book o
The Midrash Tradition Parts 1 & 2
One of the most imaginative traditions in Judaism is called "Midrash." While the word is used in a few different ways, in this episode we are referring to that practice of taking biblical stories and "filling in the blanks" with imagined conversations, prequels and sequels. For instance, what might Adam and Eve discussed after leaving Eden? How might Sarah have reacted upon learning that Isaac was
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Parts 1 & 2
In this episode we discuss a new film biography of Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin with its producer/director Frank Frost.
This remarkable man was a paleontologist and visionary French Jesuit priest. His lifelong effort to reframe his beliefs in the light of evolution led to a paradigm shift in the relationship of science and religion. Teilhard foresaw the emergence of the internet, globalizatio
Hindu Catholic Scholar Priest: A Love Story Parts 1 & 2
Today we discuss the autobiography that traces Francis X. Clooney's intellectual and spiritual journey from middle-class American Catholicism to a lifelong study of Hinduism. It explains how he came to fashion comparative theology as a way of learning interreligiously that is boldly intellectual and deeply personal and practical, lived out in intersections of his roles as theologian and scholar of
Honest to God Parts 1 & 2
In his new book Honest to God, Rev. John Hamilton provides us with an intimate look at the spiritual journey of an individual who has experienced life from many corners. From the carefree life of a rock n' roll musician, to a "Madmen" style of life on Madison Avenue to being ordained in the United Church of Christ.
In this episode he discusses not only his sacred search, but also the state of C
Trad Catholics and Christian Nationalism
Dr. Lauren Horn Griffin discusses White Christian Nationalism and so-called "Trad Catholic Men"
With the current election in the rear-view mirror now, the pundits are now piecing together what worked for one candidate and didn't for the other. One element that played large in the campaign is the role of White Christian Nationalism.
Here we interview Dr. Lauren Horn Griffin from Louisiana State U
Boond: The Story of the Ultimate Journey Parts 1 & 2
I liken this new book entitled "Boond" to the classic "Little Prince." That is, while it may have a certain childlike charm, it is not really a children's book. This is a tale of the Divine Quest. Boond is Sanskrit for "drop," as in a drop of water. And that is exactly what the star of our story is: an anthropomorphic drop of water. We rarely feature books of fiction on Common Threads, but we made
Italian Folk Magic Parts 1 & 2
Growing up in an Italian-American family, I was introduced to Malocchio (the Evil Eye) at a young age. I loved having this eccentric idea as part of my heritage. For centuries, some cultures have been able to accommodate both their Christian traditions along with various elements of folk magic, esoteric healing and what has come to be known as "witchcraft." Italy is no exception. Angela Puca is ab
The Rise & Fall of the 2nd American Republic Parts 1 & 2
A groundbreaking, expansive new account of Reconstruction that fundamentally alters our view of this formative period in American history. We are told that the present moment bears a strong resemblance to Reconstruction, when freedpeople and the federal government attempted to create an interracial democracy in the south after the Civil War. That effort was overthrown and serves as a warning today
Devout: A Memoir of Doubt Parts 1 & 2
It is hard to imagine anyone living in the USA today who does not either have someone close to them dealing with severe mental health challenges or suffering themselves from the same. An educated guess is that not only are we experiencing a rise in such maladies, but thankfully, the stigma of admitting to having them is much less than in the past. This encourages an openness we not seen in the pas
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 problem we have in the USA is that a number of American citizens believe that our founding documents are quasi-scriptural. In their minds, the Founding Fathers were tapping into The Mind of God when com
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 Lanka is one of them. It is climbed constantly by Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and secularists. I suspect it would be climbed by Jews if there were any in the country. Each religion has its
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. James Thornton is a world-renowned environmental lawyer, author, poet, and Zen Buddhist priest. The New Statesman named him as one of 10 people who could change the world, and he has won the Financial T
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 quick to acknowledge that Christianity is indeed a religion founded on the principle of love, but look upon the Hebrew scriptures as being little more than a set of moral codes provided by a deity who is
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 theologies while still maintaining one's own personal beliefs. For years now, Harvard has measured this movement in the US and occasionally helps those interested in our religious landscape get a bette
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 missionary movement abroad. This is not news. But what many people are not aware of is that for much of the 19th century, Church and State engaged in a serious effort to marry the work of missionaries with a
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 controversy with his recent declaration that gives permission to priests to bless gay couples.
While many have accused the pontiff of opening the door to a future that endorses same-sex marriage, allies ar
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 reject them now as superstitious, or even dangerous.
But several millennia ago, the practitioners of these arts (as they were classified then) were members in good standing of their churches, synagogues and
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 a remarkable new book of his. If you are a fan of the poetry of the Psalms, I think you'll find this compelling. Theme music "Nigal."
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 continues to explore the deeper parts of spirituality in which so many find resonance. In these 2 episodes we discuss his latest book "Meditation for Mediocre Mystics."
Tom was ordained a Catholic pr
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 the highest right under the Twin Tower attacks of 9/11. Since the initial reporting of the event, little attention has been paid to any Michigan connections. Recently, MLive reporter Cole Waterman learne
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 Book of Mormon. In these episodes we speak with Prof. Richard Bushman, whose book on this subject is perhaps the most detailed on the subject you'd want to see.. What piqued my interest is that while Dr
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 against the book and these fine minds. We were all tasked with writing an essay on a religion not our own that we hold in high estimation for one reason or another. This is a very intimate look into the
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 Studies in Waltham, MA, a Transatlantic Partnership on Memory & Democracy Fellow at the Center for German Studies at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and worked for the Center for Jewish
Righting the American Dream: How the Media Mainstreamed Reagan's Evangelical Vision Parts 1 & 2
Diane Winston
Theme music "Nigal."
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 provides great details on how fundamentalist theology made its way from Britain and Ireland to these shores. This scriptural interpretation has been the cause of a great cacophony of imprecise prognosticatio
Hinduism & America Parts 1 & 2
Jai Bansal Hinduism in America
Theme music "Nigal."
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 face value and end up living a rather selfish, vapid existence. Fr. Adam Bucko turned this saying on its head by titling his book "Follow Your Heartbreak." By this he means that we can find great fulfill
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 the list that includes other fine programs as well here:https://blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/
Theme music "Nigal."
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, who died in 2009, was a force to be reckoned with in the conservative Catholic movement. He was the editor of 1st Things Magazine, a journal of social and religious right-of-center commentary. But we re
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. Admittedly, it's perhaps more challenging to find Muslims who are open to this understanding about their tradition than Jews or Christians. My understanding is that those Muslims who do question the histor
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 produced and directed a documentary that is intended to advise caregivers and medical personnel on providing comfort to those adherents in the Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism)
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 guest on these 2023 episodes is not Hindu, but Unitarian Universalist. Rev. W. Fred Wooden, and he is expressing this epoch in his life by pilgrimage. He has traversed the globe, honoring multiple religi
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 or resolutions that claim to protect those born in "low caste" families our initial response might be a positive one. But as our guests on these 2023 episodes indicate, this kind of thinking may have s
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 crazy makers on the left side of the spectrum, it is clearly those who subscribe to a Trumpian philosophy that are doing the most damage.
In these episodes we speak with Fr. Aaron Wessman, the author of "
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 post-Saddam society with returning these men and women in time for a turn toward an American friendly democratic republic.
Josh Sobey's family, who are all members of the LDS, agreed to house Ali, a
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