Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue: Recent Episodes
Fred Stella, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU-FM, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Grand Valley State University
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 owner of WGVU.
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. Beginning professionally as a DJ in Detroit radio, Fred has worked in newstalk radio, TV, stage, web entertainment and more. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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 bliss. So she took monastic vows, shaved her head, changed her name, and agreed to forgo worldly pleasures.She recounts her effort to become a stellar nun, at least as she imagined one should be. Her 5-year immersion in the paradigm-altering world of a traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery and retreat center revealed the depth of her commitment. But the path was not what she’d expected. Both the transcendent experiences and the shattering disillusion continue to lead her to a deeper understanding that she was never lost, already home. Theme music "Nigal."
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! Theme music "Nigal."
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 just what can happen when peacemakers work together. Theme music "Nigal."
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 you who can handle real lo-fi, you might enjoy these 2 examples of really, really early Common Threads. I can't even hazard a guess as to when we had Dr. BK Parmar in the studio to talk about palmistry, astrology and such. I'm guessing that it could have been in the late 1990s. Early 00s at best. Anyway, I'm putting up this version today and hoping I might find a way to clean it up a bit and repost. Theme music "Nigal."
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 and ayahuasca as fitness routines and life hacks, we miss out on the sacred wisdom they have to offer us. But by digging into the real and often ancient religious traditions behind these practices, from Buddhism to Christianity and beyond, we can make them more meaningful, ethical, and effective—without the often unpleasant baggage of joining an organized religion.In this engaging and deeply personal book, award-winning scholar and writer Liz Bucar embarks on a quest to get to the heart of “spiritual but not religious” activities from detox diets to sound baths. As she tries out each practice for herself, she asks how we can get more out of it by tuning out the hype and taking the religious meaning behind it seriously—with emotionally profound and often surprising results. Whether it’s as simple as setting an intention for a yoga asana or as complex as reevaluating what a “higher power” is, it’s time to understand, experience, and simply get more out of our spiritual practices. It’s time to dig deeper with Beyond Wellness. Theme music "Nigal."
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 constitutional protections, bureaucratic hurdles, such as difficulties obtaining permits to build or repair churches, continue to affect daily religious life. Yet the Coptic community remains resilient, playing a significant role in Egypt’s history, culture, and professional life while working to preserve its traditions and secure equal participation in public life. And at the same time, those Coptics who are able to migrate to the U.S. have faced a significant amount of discrimination, as many Arab Christians (along with Indian Hindus, Sikhs, etc.) are taken for Muslims. In these episodes Fred Stella speaks to Dr. Candace Lukasik from Mississippi State University to continue to talk about her documentation of this issue in the book Martyrs and Migrants. Theme music "Nigal."
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, Christopher Sansone, PhD, weaves personal insight, psychology, and spiritual wisdom to reveal how our innate longing - often mistaken for emptiness or suffering - is actually our inner voice of wisdom calling to us. By blending modern psychology, ancient wisdom, and self-guided transformational practices, Sansone guides readers through personal transformation to living a fulfilled life by: Healing from inherited wounds of shame, fear, and separation; Reconnecting with true life purpose, intuition and inner wisdom; Moving beyond societal conditioning to reclaim personal freedom; Embracing longing as a catalyst for transformation; Practical exercises to deepen self-awareness and release limiting beliefs. By making ancient wisdom relevant and reflective practices easy, and by sharing stories of courageous journeys of transformation, this book serves as a guide for transcending old patterns, embracing the authentic self, and stepping into a life of fulfilling purpose, presence, and love. Theme music "Nigal."
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 the globe.In this episode Fred Stella speaks to her about what influenced Liza to take the path that she has and how the contemplative spiritual life and social activism can make for an exhilarating existence. Soul Medicine has been praised by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, who described it as: “Wise and beautiful, an offering of great depth.” Dr. Rankow believes the medicine the world needs is in each of us.Drawing upon spiritual wisdom that has been passed down through millennia, her guidance is rooted in our kinship with one another, the Earth, and all of life. She points to “something more powerful than the chaos: our belonging to a wholeness that is ancient, infinite and eternal.” Theme music "Nigal."
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 authority to define what constitutes "proper" happiness, distinguishing it from worldly pursuits, and create social spaces (like revival meetings or church socials) where these emotions are cultivated, managed, and expressed according to specific rules.Wuthnow examines this through historical examples, from colonial-era ideas of heavenly joy to modern concepts of spiritual play, revealing an ongoing tension between strict religious rules and the encouragement of joy. Bio from Oxford University Press:Robert Wuthnow is Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Princeton University. He is also an elected fellow of the American Philosophical Society, an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, former president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and the recipient of numerous awards for his scholarly work. Theme music "Nigal."
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.This book reviews the future of God reflected in 4 primary academic fields, including theology (dealing directly with God and religion), sociology (addressing how societies evolved with God and religion), biology (dealing with the scientific evidence of the existence of God), and physics (addressing God’s intelligent design of the universe).Then the book analyzes each field’s future projections for God in order to determine the most likely future. Theme music "Nigal."
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's a riveting discussion that unveils a prejudice that few outside of the Hindu community are aware of. Theme music "Nigal."
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 book is that it is rather universal in its approach. That is, for the most part it does not try to sell any particular faith (though the author is Christian). I recall this being a great conversation. Theme music "Nigal."
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 despotic Buddhist king of Bhutan expelled over 100,000 Hindu citizens of Nepali heritage. For 2 decades these hardworking people lived in cramped huts in refugee camps in Nepal before being dispersed to welcoming countries.In these episodes we talk with Narad Adhikari from the Global Bhutanese Hindu Organization about this travesty that he, his family and many dear friends survived and ultimately thrived. This one is a heartbreaker, kids. But very inspirational. Theme music "Nigal."
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 practices for centuries. Yet, very little has filtered down to those in the pews. One reason so many Christians turned to the wisdom of the East is the the deep-seated desire to learn the art of sitting in silence. In our conversation with Jacob here we see that there is an attempt to encourage Christians (in this case, Catholics) to embrace this path of sacred stillness. Theme music "Nigal."
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 how esteemed theologian, Paul F. Knitter, overcame a crisis of faith by looking to Buddhism for inspiration. From prayer to how Christianity views life after death, Knitter argues that a Buddhist standpoint can encourage a more person-centered conception of Christianity where individual religious experience comes 1st, and liturgy and tradition 2nd. Theme music "Nigal."
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 influencer (in '09 we did not even know that was a word, but that's what he was). As with most, if not all, of these archived episodes, the relevance of the conversation holds up against time. Theme music "Nigal."
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 gathered inspiring and edifying stories of individuals and organizations around the world who have sought to advance reconciliation among enemies and to bring about peace rather than sustain enmity. In the foreword, His Holiness the Dalai Lama writes:"When something terrible happens, instead of finding some individual or group to blame, fostering hatred and a desire for revenge, we should try to take a broader view and consider the long term. Much more constructive than stoking feelings of resentment and revenge is to forgive and transform the negative event and its consequences into a source of inner strength." Theme music "Nigal."
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, Michigan. And this part of the state is an epicenter of Calvinism (also known as Reformed Theology). I think these episodes are the most in-depth dive we've taken on this show. Sorry it's taken so long to get online. Theme music "Nigal."
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 out to go all 60 Minutes on a guest, right? But every once in a while someone does say something that I just can't ignore. Well, in this case I did. At some point (either in Part 1 or 2, I can't recall) I ask our guests if there was any country on earth that they would put up as an example of a model Muslim nation. There wasn't much discussion. Immediately one of them said it would be Saudi Arabia. Wait...what...? Saudi Arabia? You mean that repressive state that controls personal behavior in almost every aspect? Where women were not allowed to drive until 2018? Seriously? I can't believe I let that go unchallenged. But I did. My bad. But other than that it was a reasonably good discussion. You will notice that the terrorist attack of 9/11/01 took up a fair amount of time. Obviously, only 8 years from that date the incident was still quite present in our minds as we continued to deal with the trauma. Theme music "Nigal."
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 that it is the most Jewish of all the Gospels. It was written by Rabbi Phillip Sigal, who held the distinction of being a rabbi with an advanced degree in New Testament studies. Since he died prior to the release of this 2007 version of the book we discuss its contents with 3 people who know this material well: Lillian Sigal (Phillip's widow and scholar in her own right), Rabbi Simcha Prombaum and interfaith academic Leonard Swidler. Yes, a cassette from almost 20 years ago might not sound as crisp as we'd like, but we think it's still quite a good listen. By the way, Lillian Sigal is a co-founder of Interfaith Dialogue Association and still a dear friend. Theme music "Nigal."
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 as far back as the late 90s. I really thought we were done with all that, but in cleaning out a desk drawer I found a few more. This one dates back to 2009. Here we interview Stephen Knapp, a brilliant writer on Vedic culture. We discuss his new (at the time) book called "The War Against India." Here's how he explains it:India has one of the oldest and most dynamic cultures in the world. Yet, many people do not know of the countless attacks, wars, atrocities, and sacrifices that Indian people have undergone to protect and preserve their country and spiritual tradition over the centuries. Neither do many people know of the numerous ways in which this profound heritage is being attacked and threatened today, and what we can do about it. Therefore, we should carefully understand: How there is presently a war against Hinduism and its yoga culture. The weaknesses of India that allowed invaders to conquer her. Lessons from India's real history that should not be forgotten. The atrocities committed by the Muslim invaders, and how they tried to destroy Vedic culture and its many temples, and slaughtered thousands of Indian Hindus. How the British viciously exploited India and its people for its resources. How the cruelest of all Christian Inquisitions in Goa tortured and killed thousands of Hindus. Action plans for preserving and strengthening Vedic India today. How all Hindus and concerned people must stand up and be strong for protecting the universal spiritual traditions of Vedic culture. Theme music "Nigal."
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 his work, Mohammed found himself fighting for his life amidst the sectarian strife in Yemen. The story of his escape, which is recorded in his new book The Fox Hunt, is at once thrilling and disturbing. Fred Stella speaks with Mohammed Al Samawi, discussing the backstory of this compelling account as well as Mohmmed's interfaith work here in the U.S. that was inspired by the TV show Friends. Theme music "Nigal."
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 late Ottoman and British Mandate Palestine utilized Arabo-Islamic culture. In the decades before the establishment of a Jewish state in 1948, native and immigrant Jews in Palestine mediated between Jewish and Arab cultures while navigating their evolving identities as settler colonists. Hebrew Orientalism challenges the conventional view that Hebrew thinkers were dismissive of Arabo-Islamic culture, revealing how they both adopted and adapted elements of it that enhanced their aims. Theme music "Nigal."
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 theologians and those without advanced Religious Studies degrees alike. This week Fred Stella engages with Phil on the basic beliefs of both karma and rebirth. Theme music "Nigal."
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 design of this book quite unique. For example each 2- page spread is viewed and read as a whole. This is visually explained on the Introduction Page. And just like a movie script, the story is crafted into scenes. This way it provides the fullest possible content, while creating the complete picture for each and every scene. This alone, makes it more accessible to everybody.Next is the stripped-down approach, which uses only the original text. From there the story is simply laid out in a way that follows the timeline progressively. This layout allows all four versions to live side-by-side; duplicating in each account where they will and standing alone where they will.This years-long effort by editor Michael Degnan was inspired by his professional experience of helping corporations and people tell their stories. In Michael's eyes, the Gospels are nothing if not the weaving together of a great story. On this episode of Common Threads, Fred and Michael discuss the benefits of reading Scripture in this manner. Theme music "Nigal."
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 Sack explores in great detail the history of not only Mother Emanuel, but of the development of Black Christianity in the early years of our country. In these episodes Fred Stella speaks with Kevin Sack to discuss his motivation behind writing this book, and how things have both changed and remained the same for the Black Church in the South. Theme music "Nigal."
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 intimacy of that experience with a diverse cohort of other photographer "pilgrims." In today's episode Fred Stella speaks with the founder of Interfaith Photovoice Roman Williams. Together they will discuss Roman's new book "Sacred Snaps." Theme music "Nigal."
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 to the halls of Rome and Constantinople. It is a story with a sprawling cast of characters: not only theologians, bishops, and emperors, but also gods and demons, angels and magicians, astrologers and ascetics, saints and heretics, aristocratic patrons and millenarian enthusiasts. All played their part in the development of what became and remains an energetically diverse biblical religion.Paula Fredriksen continues with host Fred Stella on the various religious, political, and social reasons that what most call Christianity in the 21st century is the worldview that won out in the marketplace of ideas 2,000 years ago.Paula Fredriksen has been distinguished visiting professor in the Department of Comparative Religion at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, since 2009 (now emerita).Fredriksen served as an historical consultant and featured speaker in many media, including for the BBC production The Lives of Jesus (1996) and for U.S. News & World Report's "The Life and Times of Jesus". Fredriksen's book From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the Early Images of Jesus served as a template for the Frontline documentary From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians. Theme music "Nigal."
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 ancient faith whose pious adherents practice "radical" forms of nonviolence. Theme music "Nigal."
n 2024ProgramsPodcastTopics Schedule Community Calendar ContactCommon ThreadsPew Research Center Religious surveyBy Fred StellaPublished June 30, 2025 at 8:54 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email PrintJonathan EvansDavid Hills/Courtesy Pew Research CenterJonathan EvansFred Stella speaks with Pew senior researcher Jonathan EvansWhat is the state of religion in the world? For decades now that question has been addressed by one of the world's foremost authorities in polling and analysis, Pew Research. In this episode we speak to Jonathan Evans, the director of a recent project of some size.Over the past few years Pew has conducted thousands of interviews in countries across the globe on the growth, diminishment and status quo of the various religious and secular movements that inspire, correct and sometimes challenge us.Jonathan Evans is a senior researcher at Pew Research Center, where he contributes to international polling projects focused on religion and national identity. Jonathan received his master’s degree from Georgetown University and holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. Theme music "Nigal."
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? David P. Gushee tackles the question in this timely work of Christian political ethics. Gushee calls us to preserve democratic norms, including constitutional government, the rule of law, and equal rights for all, even as many Christians take a reactionary and antidemocratic stance. Surveying global politics and modern history, he analyzes how Christians have discarded their commitment to democracy and bought into authoritarianism. He urges us to fight back by reviving our hard-won traditions of congregational democracy, dissident Black Christian politics, and covenantal theology. Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies makes a robust case for a renewed commitment to democracy on the part of Christians—not by succumbing to secular liberalism, but by drawing on our own best traditions. Any concerned Christian will leave its pages with eyes wide open to the dangers of our current form of political engagement. Readers will gain insight into what democracy is truly meant to be and why Christians once supported it wholeheartedly—and should do so again.This conversation and book talk with David P. Gushee and Kristin Kobes Du Mez took place on March 15, 2024 and was sponsored by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Schuler Books, and the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. Theme music "Nigal."
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 contradictions of reality. In these episodes we speak with the author of ‘Yogalands: In Search of Practice on the Mat and in the World,’ wherein Paul Bramadat wrestles with his position as a skeptical scholar who is also a devoted yoga practitioner.Drawing from his own experience, and from conversations with hundreds of yoga teachers and students in the United States and Canada, he seeks to understand what yoga means for people in the modern West. In doing so, he addresses issues that often sit beneath the surface in yogaland: why yoga’s religious dimensions are rarely mentioned in classes; how the relationship between yoga and trauma might be reconsidered; and how yoga seems to have survived debates around nationalism, cultural appropriation, and sexual misconduct.Yogalands encourages practitioners and critics to be more curious about yoga. For insiders, this can deepen their practice, and for observers, this approach is an inspiring and unsettling model for engaging with other passionate commitments. Theme music "Nigal."
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 it has been used in history. He investigates the oral Jesus tradition before Mark, the radical act of writing about a crucified preacher from the hinterland, the expansion of the Messiah cult in the Roman Empire, and the character of the faith that the earliest Gospel proposes. Interspersed with incidents from Kennedy’s own education, Creating Jesus seeks to reveal why Mark was written, the great influence it has had, and how it might question the nature of Christianity in the present. Theme music "Nigal."
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 professionals.Life with Ghosts records the first-ever publicly funded attempt to facilitate contact with deceased individuals to determine if such contact can be used to reduce severe grief symptoms. In an area where traditional talk therapy has been largely ineffective, at a time when 70,000 Americans die from prescription drug misuse in a single year, this film heralds a welcome alternative for the chronically bereaved.In this edition of Common Threads, Host Fred Stella interviews Stephen Berkeley, the director of the film. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this conversation will give one pause to consider. Theme music "Nigal."
Alex Duensing, founder of Terran Judaism, joins usMost 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 beyond the borders of Israel and any perceived dominant ethnicity. Today we will converse with the founder of this new sect.Alex Duensing lives in suburban Detroit. He currently is focusing on maintaining an online community, but is hopeful it will grow from there. Theme music "Nigal."
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, and profound insights. These include many bizarre and extraordinary stories that have shaped Catholicism. From saints who faced mythical monsters to the eerie beauty of bone chapels, this book uncovers the spiritual and historical significance behind these oddities. With a blend of scholarly research and engaging storytelling, Lichens brings to life the unique relics, ghostly encounters, and unusual miracles that have been part of the Church’s rich tapestry. Theme music "Nigal."
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 Republican politics. For years she made her living as a ghost writer for several prominent right-wing politicians. But when she and her husband declared themselves to be Never Trumpers, doors closed, calls were ignored and friends abandoned them. In this episode we speak with Nancy about the trauma, betrayal and heartbreak of maintaining high principles in the face of such challenges. Theme music "Nigal."
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.Stefan Winter is a Canadian historian specializing in the study of Ottoman Syria. He teaches at the Université du Québec à Montréal and has been visiting professor at Koç University in Istanbul. His research concentrates on Shi‘i, Bedouin and Kurdish principalities in northern Syria and southern Anatolia and has been published by Cambridge University Press, Princeton University Press and in a number of academic journals. His work won the Syrian Studies Association's prize for best dissertation in 2002 and the Ottoman and Turkish Studies Association's Fuat Köprülü Award in 2017. Theme music "Nigal."
Our guest is Ryan Armstrong, author of The Book of Job in WonderlandOf 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 of Job in Wonderland: Making (Non)Sense of Job's Mediators.Yes, serious theological study and whimsy can certainly be paired on occasion, and this is one of those. What do Job and Alice have in common? What characters in Wonderland might resonate with God, Satan and the friends of Job? And what can we take from this connection, if indeed there is one? Join us for this fascinating (and yes, whimsical) conversation.Ryan M. Armstrong is Visiting Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma State University. His research focuses on ancient Hebrew literature within its linguistic and historical context and its impact on interpreters throughout history. Theme music "Nigal."
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 close to being sacrificed?Rabbis and some brilliant thought leaders down through the centuries have used this device to both educate and entertain. Our guest is Rabbi Jefferey Salkin, who will explore not only the Midrash of sacred scripture, but the use of it in secular literature and film. A perfect example is the play/movie "Wicked," which fills in the blanks of "Wizard of Oz." Theme music "Nigal."
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, globalization, technological innovation, and the embrace of human responsibility for continuing evolution.His legacy includes hope-filled spirituality and a robust environmental movement. He is now the subject of a two-hour biography on public television that captures his triumphs and trials, his love for the divine and the human, and his trust in the future. Theme music "Nigal."
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 Hinduism, as professor and Catholic priest, and over the tumultuous decades from the 1960s until now, in his role as a Professor of Divinity, Harvard University.Clooney sheds fresh and realistic light on the idea and ideal of scholar-practitioner, since his wide learning, Christian and Hindu, is grounded in his Catholic and Jesuit commitments, as well as in a commensurate learning with respect to several Hindu traditions that are most accessible to scholars willing to learn empathetically and in a participatory manner.What Clooney has learned and written must be understood in terms of a love of Christ deeply informed by a Hindu instinct for loving God without reserve. A fundamental spiritual disposition - intuitions of God present everywhere - has energized his work over his long career, love giving direction and body to his professional academic work. Theme music "Nigal."
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 Christianity and institutional religion in general. It's a prophecy of both hope and a bit of trepidation, as religious leaders face a demand for significant change by many who have left the pews.Bio from publisher’s website:John Hamilton was born into a spirited Irish-American family of singers and storytellers. Breaking with his strict Catholic upbringing, he embarked on a career in music that immersed him in the colorful but dangerous world of drugs, alcohol, and rock clubs.A debilitating onset of panic disorder abruptly halted his musical pursuits, propelling him into the business world where he thrived as a creative director in advertising.Despite professional success, Hamilton’s persistent quest for the transcendent led him to seminary and, eventually, to two decades of parish work as a pastor. In “Honest To God,” he eloquently chronicles the collapse of the mainstream Christianity, his loss of connection to the transcendent and his walk into the wilderness to search for it again. Theme music "Nigal."
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 University, who has been studying movements such as these for most of her academic career.Our conversation today focuses on both the role of so-called "Trad Catholic Men" play in our social/political landscape as well as how competing narratives can shape a nation. Dr. Griffin is the author of ‘Fabricating Founders in Early Modern England.’Lauren earned her Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2016). At LSU, she researches and teaches about religion, technology, media, and politics. Theme music "Nigal."
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 an exception here due to the intelligence, wit and whimsy contained in this tale. It really could be called a modern day myth. Enjoy. Theme music "Nigal."
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 about the most perfect person to discuss these issues with. She was raised in Naples and has advanced degrees in Religious Studies. In her research she was able to gain the confidence of many folk magic practitioners who are no longer living in seclusion in tiny rural Italian villages.
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 about violent backlash to the mere idea of black equality and the weaponization of religion. In The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic , acclaimed historian Manisha Sinha expands our view beyond the usual temporal and spatial bounds of Reconstruction (1865–1877) to explain how the Civil War, the overthrow of Reconstruction, the conquest of the west, labor conflict in the north, Chinese exclusion, women’s suffrage, and the establishment of an overseas American empire were part of the same struggle between the forces of democracy and those of reaction. Highlighting the critical role of black people in redefining American citizenship and governance, Sinha’s book shows that Reconstruction laid the foundation of our democracy.
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 past. And one thing that comes to us from mental health professionals loud and clear is that religion/spirituality can either help or hurt, depending on how it is expressed in one's development. On these episodes we speak to Anna Gazmarian, the author of Devout:A Memoir of Doubt. She grew up in an Evangelical community that encouraged "happy thoughts" and prayer to chase away the clouds of gloom. This approach is as beneficial as "pray the gay away" is to those in the LGBT community. It's not hard to hear the pain in Anna's voice in our conversation. Life has been rough, and the scars are still there. What you will hear is deeply personal and somewhat frustrating when we think of all the others like Anna who may be in similar situations and keep thinking that they just aren't good enough or don't love Jesus enough to be made whole.
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 composing such. Now, it's hard to deny that these writings offer some literally world changing ideas that have allowed us as a country to evolve in ways that other nations were not able to do. But they are far from infallible. And of course, any documents are only as good as the people who interpret them. In these episodes our guest Aziz Rana shares his concerns as to how The Constitution has failed us in many ways, and how this Supreme Court is poised to do serious damage to the American people.Not for the faint of heart, but a great conversation. Listen. Learn. Repeat.
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 own myth and history surrounding the mountain. And surprise, surprise...Adam's Peak is not without religious conflict and controversy. But that's what makes for a good story, yes? Thankfully, Alexander McKinley has written one. In these episodes we discuss the blessings and challenges of the multi-faith engagement that is a part of this tradition. His book is Mountain at the Top of the World. Listen. Then read.
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 Times Lifetime Achievement Award for Innovation in Law. James is the founder and president of Client Earth, the leading global not-for-profit law group who represent the natural world, advocate for policy changes that protect it, and hold governments and corporations accountable where policies have been violated. James is also the author of Client Earth which won the Judge’s Choice Business Book of the Year Award. In 2021, he was a judge of the Laurel Prize for the world’s best collection of eco-poetry, pointing to his deep understanding of the genre.Nature, My Teacher is his latest work. It is divided into 12 books, each a sequence of intimate essays, James investigates the nature of human consciousness. James discusses his own anxiety, why anxiety is a rational response to climate change, and he explains why environmental problems are mental problems. Both from his work as an environmental lawyer and his role as a Zen Buddhist priest, James shows us ways to find hope in a world under threat. This book is a meditation on those principles that will serve to both ease our fears and invigorate us to take action.Of course, I kid about those of us lesser mortals "taking up space" here. We all are worth something. Still. People like James do make one take stock.
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 more concerned with the performance of ritual and appeasement. A similar view is held by many about Islam.But in Kelly Clark's new book 'Raging Fire of Love' he takes a deep dive into the sacred scriptures of these religions to offer evidence that all of them hold as their high priority the understanding that the God of Judaism, Christianity and Islam is a loving God; and that adherents to those religions are expected to replicate that love to our "neighbors" (read: everyone) in daily life.
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 better understanding of where we are and the conversations that still need to happen.In her new book "Pluralism in Practice" Elinor Pierce examines several recent case studies where members of religious groups have had to work out challenging issues with other groups or local governments. Each one is a compelling story in its own right.
Fred Stella welcomes MSU historian Emily Conroy-Krutz to Common Threads to discuss her book, Missionary DiplomacyThe 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 burgeoning diplomatic corps. So, along with evangelizing the peoples of many nations, these churchmen and women were influencing foreign policy and international relations.As with most human endeavors, there are bright spots and dark ones. In her new book, Missionary Diplomacy, Prof. Conroy Krutz illuminates the crucial place of religion in nineteenth-century American diplomacy. From the 1810s through the 1920s, Protestant missionaries positioned themselves as key experts in the development of American relations in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, and the Middle East.Missionaries served as consuls, translators, and occasional trouble-makers who forced the State Department to take actions it otherwise would have avoided. Yet as decades passed, more Americans began to question the propriety of missionaries’ power. Were missionaries serving the interests of American diplomacy? Or were they creating unnecessary problems?As Emily Conroy-Krutz demonstrates, they were doing both. Across the century, missionaries forced the government to articulate new conceptions of the rights of U.S. citizens abroad and of the role of the US as an engine of humanitarianism and religious freedom. By the time the US entered the first world war, missionary diplomacy had for nearly a century created the conditions for some Americans to embrace a vision of their country as an internationally engaged world power. Emiy’s book, Missionary Diplomacyexposes the longstanding influence of evangelical missions on the shape of American foreign relations.Emily Conroy-Krutz is a historian of the global history of nineteenth-century America. She has particular interests in American empire and the international dimensions of American religion and reform. She is also the author of Christian Imperialism: Converting the World in the Early American Republic (Cornell, 2015). Along with Michael Blaakman and Noelani Arista, she edited The Early Imperial Republic: From the American Revolution to the U.S.-Mexcian War (Penn, 2023).At Michigan State, she teaches courses on American foreign relations, women’s history, revolutionary America, religion, and legal history. She serves as undergraduate honors advisor and mentors the History Scholars.
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 are insisting that this is not the case. The issue here is quite technical and nuanced.To unravel it all we called upon Ryan Di Corpo, a protege of Fr. James Martin (an advocate encouraging dialogue on this issue who has appeared on Common Threads several times). Ryan has a great understanding of the history of how the Church has dealt with this hot-button topic and where they may go from here.Ryan Di Corpo is the managing editor of Outreach. A former Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J., fellow at America, his work has appeared in The Washington Post, Boston College Magazine, The Emancipator and elsewhere. He holds a B.A. in film from Fordham University and an M.A. in journalism from Northeastern University, in Boston.He has been interviewed by several outlets, including Newsweek, the National Catholic Reporter and The Washington Times. He is originally from Massachusetts.
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 mosques.In this episode, Fred discusses the subject "Esoterica" with a man who has a Ph. D in the subject: Justin Sledge.
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.
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 priest at Notre Dame in 1972; an event I'm pleased to say I witnessed. He currently serves as a chaplain, retreat leader, spiritual advisor and author. Oh, and he continues to marry and bury a good number of members in his large extended Italian-American family. I suspect you'll enjoy this.
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 learned of a small group of citizens from various parts of the state who did meet their end in Guyana. He decided to focus on the life and death of one person in particular--Shirlee Fields. In this episode we discuss how Jonestown fascinated Cole, who was not yet born when this all happened. And we get a glimpse of a hometown girl who grew up with a passion to fight social injustice, but was ultimately led into a toxic cult that belied the ideals she held so strongly. Here are the 2 episodes where we featured Cole.
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. Bushman is a practicing Mormon, his academic credentials are impeccable. And he retired from Columbia University. This is interesting because so many academicians in the field of Religious Studies are actually quite secular. Above & beyond the main focus of our conversation, I question him on what it's like to be a believer in a conservative religion in the midst of the liberal landscape of college campus. Listen to what he says.
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 personal journeys of people who in most cases did not find much value in faiths outside of their fold. Great conversations. Listen!
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 Ethics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote, PA.His research interests are migration, identity politics and populism in Europe and the US. He is author of a monograph onGerman-Jewish integration, co-edited an anthology on Jewish-Muslim entanglements and published several articles in edited volumes and peer-reviewed journals, including the German Studies Review (SSCI, AHCI), Studi Irlandesi. A Journal of Irish Studies (ESCI) and Journal of Jewish Ethics (ESCI). He has received various prizes and grants, such as the Western Jewish Studies Association's Baron Award or the University of Notre Dame's Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism Grant.Armin holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the Humboldt University of Berlin. He also studied philosophy and Jewish studies in Budapest, Jerusalem, Potsdam, and Washington, D.C., and graduated with two M.A.'s and two B.A.'s. He was ordained as a rabbi by the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and has had teaching and pulpit positions in Jewish communities in the US, Mexico, Sweden, Germany, Austria and Hungary.
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 prognostications that have left many Christians heartbroken and disillusioned. Yet, the beliefs continue...and continue..and, well, you know.
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 fulfillment by looking to serve those on the margins of society. Believe me, this is a man that has been walking his talk for ages. Listen to this and be inspire to be the change you want to see.
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/
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 really didn't get into that sort of conversation. The focus here was on his book "As I Lay Dying."
In recent times there have been more than a few books from Christians about personal experiences with their own death and some sort of afterlife journey. We've even talked about one such story that was embarrassingly debunked by the author years later (Episodes 12 & 13: I Did Not Die & Go to Heaven). But Fr. Neuhaus speaks with a sense of gravitas that compels you to listen, even though belief is another matter. I encourage you to give this a try.
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 historicity of the their scriptures tend to become ex-Muslims.
In these episodes we explore how the Qur'an was created. As with all ancient religions, there is always a bit of a chasm between what academia discovers through the historical process and what the faithful are taught to believe.
Sometimes it gets tense.
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) who are nearing the end of life. It is a very powerful and significant work. I am honored to have narrated this film.
If the discussions here interest you enough, please go to https://youtu.be/7PCUviLdyw0 to watch the film in its entirety.
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 religious traditions as he walks the well trodden paths of our ancestors.
Fred is a longtime friend of mine. At one point in his ministry he had a radio show of his own: Faith & Reason. I was a frequent guest. When I was we called the episode "Common Freds."
Much of our conversation here revolves around a recent pilgrimage he took in Japan. His reminiscences of that experience is recorded in the book "Basho and I Take a Long Walk."
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 serious negative consequences for Americans of South Asian descent for years to come.
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 "The Church's Mission in a Polarized World." While the focus of the book is directed toward Christians, people of any faith can profit by the strategies laid out in this work.
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 high school student from Iraq. This book is an excellent account of that episode in the lives of Josh and Ali. They collaborated on an effort that is part fiction, part true. For the most part, it's up to us to parse the real from the not-so-real. We do get a few clues here in these conversations. Regardless, it's a great read.
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 Mennonites’ perilous journey into Uzbekistan is riveting, for Sofia Samatar, the real story begins after the end of the world failed to arrive. In these 2023 episodes we discuss this fascinating personal journey with Sofia.
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 religious stories. These 2023 episodes contain a conversation with Ritu, as well as excerpts from the night itself.
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 experiencing a significant sea change in American juris prudence. What does this mean to how religion is expressed in this country? A great deal. The term "religious liberty" has been, in some instances, turned on its head. In these 2 episodes from 2023 we speak with Alan Brownstein, a constitutional lawyer and professor. His insights are valuable. Listen. Vote. Repeat.
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 indigenous traditions we can see how Islam and Christianity are also under attack.Dr. Kelly Clark has done extensive research in China over the the years. He's finally published "A Spiritual Geography of Early Chinese Thought: Gods, Ancestors and Afterlife." These episodes contain our conversations. The story is both uplifting and sad. Listen, gentlefolk. Listen.
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 this visionary/cult leader/misbegotten messiah/iconoclast.Seriously. Listen to these conversations with brilliant theologian Jay Michaelson. You'll thank me later.
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 of that world. But in certain cultures this still stands. In these episodes with author Rachel Rueckert, we discuss the challenges of growing up in the LDS with an almost absolute expectation that marriage & motherhood are pretty much the only options in front of you. Rachel offers a very thoughtful personal history of her life, and how she has met and continues to challenge the status quo--all while navigating a successful marriage. Hear how the old Mormon tradition of polygamy still influences the religion today.
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 Muslim movement in the USA in particular.
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 commonplace than in the days of yore. So how do we navigate such unions? One way is to have honest conversations about the challenges that might erupt between spouses. And things that weren't even considered when planning a wedding all of a sudden require attention when children enter the picture.In these 2022 episodes we discuss these matters with the author of "Interfaith Shaadi." Dilip Amin has been counseling couples of different religions for decades now. His approach is sympathetic, but he does not shy away from the realities of family life when religious concerns appear.
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 the Covid lockdown they wrote to one another regularly. Their insights into religion, politics, life, death and everything in between are compelling and thought provoking. These letters appear in the book A Friendship in Twilight: Lockdown Conversations on Death and Life. In these 2022 episodes we chat with Dr. Miles about this armchair adventure. Listen & Learn.I did.
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 guest is local, and discusses meditation sanghas here in West Michigan. Any phone numbers or websites shared are not current. But the insights Robert Walker shares here are worthy of being shared all these years later.
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 few more. These are a couple of those. I'm thrilled to have found them, as this conversation with Dr. Dwight Hopkins, who does such a great job of explaining what has come to be known as "Black Theology." I can't recommend these conversations enough.
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 significant challenges. In the past we've exposed the hard work that many who have left Jewish Hasidim communities have had to do as they attempt to reenter mainstream society. In these 2 episodes we speak with Yasmine Mohammed, the educator and author who currently lives in Canada. She challenges both conservative Muslims and those non-Muslims who are afraid to condemn the anti-liberal values of Wahabism in fear of being labeled Islamophobic.
One of the most powerful stories told on Common Threads.
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: American Film and the Spectator’s Experience; and Rhetoric and Representation in Nonfiction Film.’ He also co-edited ‘The Routledge Companion to Philosophy and Film’ and ‘Passionate Views: Film, Cognition, and Emotion.’ Plantinga is the past president of the Society for Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image and is also an editorial board member of Projections: The Journal for Movies and Mind.
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 is a scholar at Kalamazoo College who has lived in Yazidi communities both in the USA and the Middle East. He provides an excellent history, including the theology and culture, of this remarkably resilient people.
There are several forces at work to break up India into separate ethno-religious states. The odd thing here is that the vast majority of Sikhs in the Punjab really enjoy being Indian. Yet, there is a small minority that want to create Khalistan, a Sikh theocracy. However, the real problem is that a large number of Sikhs in North America are strong backers of the idea; including those who would honor terrorists who would further their cause.
Terry Milewski is an award winning journalist who has covered this story for over a decade. In these episodes we discuss his book Blood for Blood.
As I say in the beginning of Part 1, I met Lisa at the Council on Foreign Relations conference on Religion & Foreign Policy in 2016. We reconnected at the same event in 2022. Our conversations are expansive, covering everything from her forebears' experience with slavery and indentured servitude, the race issues of today and both the positive and negative effects religion on racial issues and democracy itself.
Lisa's latest book is "Fortune." Great read.
You don't have to 'be religious' to believe there may be a life after death.
The Medium and the Minister explores psychical and religious approaches to the possibility of an afterlife. The tensions and conflicts between these two approaches and the heated controversies they have generated are illustrated by a number of case studies. These focus on the challenges posed by psychical research and spiritualism to orthodox religion as the ultimate authority for information and teaching about the afterlife. Prominence is given initially to the campaigns of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sir Oliver Lodge which aimed to publicize the psychical evidence and to the Church’s reaction to them. Later developments and initiatives to try to reconcile the opposing positions are then examined in the light of further psychical research. The issues raised are shown to be still highly relevant to current beliefs and attitudes and to the question of what might constitute evidence for life after death.
Roger Straughan is a delight to speak with. Enjoy
Close to the top of Culture War issues is the concept of Wokeism. It's such a loaded word. And the thing is, it not only riles those on the right, but can be a pain for more progressive people as well. I admit to cringing when I hear people refer to "menstruating people" when referring to those liable to get pregnant. I find "women" is much more pleasant to the ear. James Patterson is on the right side of the political/social spectrum. But his ideas are not off the cliff. He does ask a serious questions about identity politics and the larger culture. Listen, learn, comment.
At 1st glance, it would seem that Jews and Hindus have very little in common. Judaism is known as one of "the great monotheistic religions of the world." How can there be much to talk about with a religion that purportedly has 330,000,000 gods & goddesses? Well, it seems that besides the fact that some of the most devout Hindus have been Jews, there really is much philosophically that binds these seemingly opposite traditions.
In her new book "From Jerusalem to Delhi Through Persia" author Susan Adelman provides a very detailed analysis of the attraction of Jews to Eastern Thought, as well as the solid relationship between Israel and India. You will enjoy this one. So listen. I won't take no for an answer!
When we think about the religious communities that offered assistance to the civil rights struggles of the past and present, we don't usually think of Hindus. There is a good reason for that. Nonetheless, there is a connection.
In these March 2022 episodes we examine the bridges between the 2 cultures with educator Murali Balaji. Most important is the influence Gandhi had on King and his nonviolent movement.
Good shows. Listen & learn! And Dr. Balaji's online article "Why Hindus Should Celebrate Black History Month" is a great read to accompany this.
As I mention in the introduction to Part 1, it is rare that you find someone from the theist crowd acknowledging that the other camp has something important to say. I was impressed with this book's author in that he does exactly that. Admittedly, many famous atheists pepper their arguments with a good deal of venom. Scott handles this tactic well.
Scott Shay is the co-founder and Chairman of Signature Bank, well known as one of the best banks in New York for private business owners. He earned a BA in Economics and a Masters in Management from Northwestern University
Scott is a distinguished leader in the Jewish community and an avid student of religion and its application to the world outside of the synagogue, church, or mosque. In addition to ‘In Good Faith’ Scott Shay is the author of Conspiracy U and Getting Our Groove Back: How to Energize American Jewry. Scott lives in New York City.
Today our use of the word "stoic" is so far removed from how it is used classically. I'm so glad our old friend & colleague David Fideler decided to get in touch with us about his new book "Breakfast With Seneca." It's a great introduction to a noble philosophical tradition.
Do treat yourself to some high minded discourse in these 2 episodes from 2022.
I recall really enjoying these 2006 conversations with Rev. Stephen Bauman, who is a pastor for a church in NYC. We discuss the rewards & challenges of being a spiritual leader in the city that never sleeps. By the way, this is the last old cassette that I've been able to find in my basement. Unless anything else shows up, from this point on I'll be uploading only recently broadcast shows.
Since Trump never went away like a good ex-president should, we must continue to be vigilant, as his hapless followers are determined to wreak havoc on our democracy. There are many strains of this toxicity. One of the most pernicious is the Christian Nationalism movement. It just ain't going away. In these 2 episodes from March 2022 we speak with Rev. Nathaniel Manderson. He's a Baptist minister who is working hard to make a case that Evangelicals should not support this oppressive, bigoted movement.
I am just about done with digitizing these old cassette copies of episodes from the ancient past. I have no honest idea as to the air dates of these. I suspect we're talking about the very early years of the new century. Sometime between 2000-05? Probably. The 1st part is a conversation with Srivas Das, one of the early pioneers of the Hare Krishna movement in Ghana & other African countries. Here we discuss the very basics of Vaishnavism, the branch of Hinduism that Krishna devotees represents.
By the way, the Hare Krishna movement is explored in more detail in Episode 35 & 90.
The 2nd part features Naraharidev Das. This one has a distinct local flavor, as our guest had recently moved to Grand Rapids and hoped to establish a center here. That never materialized, but the ashrams in the Detroit area occasionally send people here to conduct programs. Please ignore any phone numbers given.
Boy, do we cover a lot of ground in these 2 episodes! As I state in my introduction to Part 1, over beer & pizza my cousin Andres tells me about this awesome author he's read who he thinks would be a good fit for CT. Man, he was right. Our guest is Dr. Diana Walsh Pasulka author of 'American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology' and 'Heaven Can Wait: Purgatory in Catholic Devotional and Popular Culture.'
Dr. Pasulka has a B.A. from University of California, Davis, an M.A. from Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. She is currently a professor in the department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is the chair of the American Academy group Death and Dying.
We are now hearing and reading about a subject that has been thrown in the back of the closet for decades. The question before us is: Should the descendants of slaves be compensated for the invaluable contributions that their ancestors made to the growth of the USA in our formative years? The various positions taken on this issue come from the arenas of politics, social justice and economics. Here we address it from the standpoint of religion. Our guest for these episodes from 2021 is Gregory Thompson, the author of the book "Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance & Prayer"
These episodes from 2006 were real finds for me. My guests here are Yashwant Pathak & Shekhar Patel from the International Center for Cultural Studies. They make a solid case for protecting the many indigenous cultures around the world that are threatened by ecological intrusion, social upheaval and over-zealous missionaries who are bent on eliminating sacred traditions that have upheld these societies for centuries. Please note that the website given on air is no longer valid. It has been replaced by www.iccsglobal.org
Back in the 70s, a religious punchline often included "The Moonies." That's what members of the Unification Cult were called, in reference to their messy messiah Sun Myung Moon. We haven't heard much of them as of late, but they hardly disappeared. Well, Moon died (What? No resurrection?), and now a battle is taking place between Moon's widow and 2 of her sons who are allied against her. And here's the scary part: These whack-jobs have started their own right-wing death cult where the AR-15 is considered a sacramental, used in worship services like Catholics might use a rosary.
Sorry to say, this is scary stuff. But it needs to be said. Our guest Jordan Green has done a great job on providing what we need to know about this latest iteration of a Trump inspired dystopia. Let's do what we can to reverse course.
In November of 2021 Calvin University presented an online conference that focused on how Evangelical Christianity has, over time, defined just what made a woman "godly." Needless to say, in this 21st century there has been a movement among women to deconstruct these notions and replace them with what many would call a more enlightened understanding.
In these episodes we speak with the author of the book The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Beth Allen Barr just prior to the Calvin event. She's not afraid to do a little boat rockin', that's for sure.
Enjoy
These are wonderful conversations that I had in 2021 with author Susan Garthwaite. We discuss the wisdom of St. Hildegard, a 12th century mystic who was a woman of great regard by the Catholic Church. These days her influence spreads far beyond denominations.
What's interesting when speaking to people like Susan, who struggle between cultivating the great spiritual tradition that birthed and raised them, yet are often at odds with the institution. Listen & enjoy.
The movie The Kashmir Files was slated for a massive release in India in January of 2022. Due to Covid it is being held back. Here in the US there were some private screenings in major metro areas. While I did not see the film myself, several friends did, and were very encouraging when I told them I'd be speaking with director Vivek Agnihotri. This was a powerful conversation about one of the world's most painful experiences in the late 20th century, and the reverberations we are still feeling. So until The Kashmir Files is released, we must be satisfied with offerings such as this.
I do take great pains to correctly ID the year of original broadcast of these oldies; but remember, they all came out of 2 big boxes sequestered in my basement. Very few had any markings on the cassette tape itself or the cover. Much of the time I can tell the timeline when I interview an author. We normally bring them on very close to the release date of their book, which is easily found. But sometimes that isn't the case. That is probably true with these excellent episodes on globalism.
The book came out in 2002. I was just about to call it good, but then I hear our guest make reference to the US military raid of Saddam's palace. We didn't invade Iraq until '03, we must have aired these after that. Let's call it 2003, with the chance it might be '04.
Close enough.
We're taking a break from uploading shows from The Vault of the Ancients to bring you 2 episodes that aired in early 2022. Here we converse with Prof. Humberto Casanova, a Chilean theologian. Mr. Casanova has impeccable credentials in the school of Reformed theology. But his thinking as taken a turn toward the more progressive end of Christianity. In his book Imagining God he examines the poetry, mythology and metaphor that permeate The Bible. While to some this kind of thinking somehow "diminishes" the status of Holy Writ, for others, a book like this can be a lifeline to a refreshed faith.
Enjoy.
I chortled more than a bit listening to these 2002 episodes. Our guest Quentin Shultze discusses how to engage with new technology from a moral & ethical foundation. But think about where we were then & where we are now. It would be like hearing a discourse on the automobile from 1915 20 years later.
So, here we discuss computers, cell (but not smart!) phones, e-dating in its infancy, and this whole new thing we now call social media before it even had a term. It seems like such a revelation when Dr. Schultze tells me that neo-Nazis are posting hate speech online. I've mentioned before how I enjoy reading old magazines & newspapers to see where we were and where we are now. Well, this is that. So put down your palm pilot, crank up your computing machine & enjoy.
These episodes from 2005 feature conversations with author Kristin Swenson, who wrote the book "Living Through Pain: Psalms & the Search for Wholeness." Regardless of ones' religion, there is some deep wisdom here. And for such a heavy subject, we do chuckle from time to time.
Enjoy.
These are 2 episodes from 2008, where I speak with contributors to the book A Global Guide to Interfaith, which came out the previous year. I've mentioned before that for a program with the word "Interfaith" in its title, we don't really examine actual interfaith movements all that often. We did near the beginning, back in the 1990s. But feedback has been almost unanimously favorable on our decision to widen the parameters.
Episode #1 here has us talking to Dena Merriam, a well known interfaith activist who is now on the board of directors of Hindu American Foundation. Episode #2 is with Allison VanDyke, with the Temple of Understanding in NYC. Each of these remarkable women wrote essays for the book.
Listen & Learn.
While many gentiles know about the 3 main movements within Judaism (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox) the more contemporary movements of Reconstruction & Jewish Renewal do not get as much ink or members. But they are important none the less. In these 2 episodes I'll discuss them with Rabbi Arthur Waskow. He's a remarkable man, so this is not to be missed. We aired these in 2006.
If you're familiar with our vault of classic episodes, you're aware of the fact that in the past we've interviewed several wonderful authors within the genre of historical fiction to discuss religion, culture and literature of the middle ages. Here is an especially interesting couple of shows that aired in the early 00s. This time, our guest is not an author herself, but an academic who reviews books that share these themes. Susan Weintrob brings great insight into the relationships between Jews & Christians in medieval Europe. She dispels some myths along the way as well.
Listen & learn.
This one is a real oldie. Back in 2002 we held our annual interfaith conference, with the theme of environmentalism. We shared the duties with the West Michigan Environmental Action Committee. So remember, all this happened a long time ago. Don't go trying to register for it. But like all of these ancient episodes, the conversation is still valid. Our guest is Dr. John Grim. You'll hear how good he is at what he does.
I'm very pleased to find the cassette that had these 2005 episodes on it. I didn't think I would. Here I enjoy a conversation with Swami Chidananda, one of the main editors that worked intensely on the Gospel commentaries written over the span of many years by Paramhansa Yogananda. The noted Hindu mystic saw the Judeo-Christian scriptures through a Vedantic lens that is quite close to that of some sects of the ancient Gnostics. I'm speculating, of course; but I get the idea that if Emerson or Thoreau had access to the pages of this book ("The 2nd Coming of Christ") they might say, "Yes! That's what Jesus was trying to say!"
It was an honor to speak to Chidananda. Aside from being a wonderful person in his own right, in 2017 he assumed the presidency of Self Realization Fellowship, becoming the spiritual successor to Yogananda.
These episodes are SO 2003! I mean, who in their right mind would say today that we can discuss politics & religion without enmity? I'm not even sure it was true back then. I mean, GW Bush was president then. Some people still thought we were justified in invading Iraq.
Regardless, this is an outstanding 2-oart conversation with Daniel Maguire, the author of "Sacred Choices." Whenever we've discussed reproductive autonomy on this show the focus has always been on the issue as it stands here in Christian majority USA. Here we get a glimpse into the moral, ethical and medical stands of the great thinkers in 9 other faiths.
Really, this is something you need to hear. All these years later, & I reflect back on it.
These episodes are from 2003. They feature the women who wrote the stories in the book "Daughters of the Desert." This is a wonderful book that examines the very underappreciated role of women in the development of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity & Islam. I don't have much to say other than do listen to these. Excellent conversations.
OK, if you skip this one you're forgiven. I'm still going through a big box of ancient shows, and the other day i came across this cassette. It is not an episode of Common Threads, but a recording of a conference we held on 11/6/1999. The problem is that this is a very, very BAD recording. I think someone just set up a tape recorder in the back of the room and hoped for the best.
Some portions are easier to hear than others, but the big disappointment is that the keynote address by Brother Wayne Teasdale is perhaps the worst sounding of all the speakers. You might want to try to listen, but I suspect many will give up, and I don't blame them. Believe me, I almost just tossed this one. But it is a piece of IDA history. And the good news is that for some reason, Wayne's fidelity improves during Q&A.
For those who are not familiar with Br. Wayne Teasdale, he became quite an iconic figure in the interfaith arena during the 80s, 90s and early 00s. He died much too young in 2004. During this time he was a great friend of IDA. So if no one listens that's OK. This will stand as "silent" tribute.
I'd really thought we'd exhausted the episodes featuring my cousin, Fr. Tom Stella. But lo & behold, I reached into my box of old cassettes & pulled out these episodes from 2004 that promoted his book A Faith Worth Believing. If you've listened to any of the others already posted then you know you're in for a very intimate conversation on deep spirituality.
This is a fascinating couple of episodes that deal with a rather radical Christian ecology. Mark Wallace proposes a worldview that claims all sentient beings are coequal in value. Not many people can say with all sincerity that a human life is no more valuable than a housefly. Regardless of your opinion on this, Dr. Wallace is really worth listening to. We aired these episodes in 2005.
These 2 episodes were used to promote our interfaith conference in 2003. So please remember to ignore all references to the information I share. Even thought the event is long past the story of our guests bears repeating. In the 1980s Rabbi David Blumenfeld was shot by a terrorist. He survived, and lived to forgive his attacker, who then renounced violence.
Episode 1 is a conversation with David's daughter Lauren, who wrote a book about the experience titled "Revenge: A Story of Hope."
Episode 2 is with Rabbi Blumenfeld himself.
Both are worth listening to.
I'm pretty sure this episode is from 2004. Our guest is John Rao from the Theosophical Society. I really enjoyed listening to this right now. John, as I recall, was really a good guy. He gave much of himself to his path. As I do a great deal of the time, when I come across an old cassette to digitize and upload I check to see what might have come of our dear guest. To save you the work I can say that by my searches there are no traces of a West Michigan chapter of the Theosophists. The website is no longer valid. I did not try the phone number. Regardless, I think you'll enjoy this conversation as well.
While I try to tackle a wide variety of subjects with equal interest, it's easy to tell which subjects really excite me. Just look through the archives to see how many times I revisit a subject. I just came across these 2007 episodes and realized that I'd done a total of 6 episodes (3 guests doing 2 episodes each) on Jewish humor. I don't believe there are any more, but I still have a few more old cassette tapes to digitize and upload. So enjoy, why not? Joyce Antler is our guest. She authored the book "You Never Call You Never Write." And keep in mind that this isn't just a collection of jokes. Joyce takes a serious look at how Jewish women impacted American culture. But there are a few laughs along the way.
Recently we posted the episodes that focused on The Gospel According to The Simpsons. This week I came across a show we did a year later (2004) with Jana Riess, the author of "What Would Buffy Do?" This book follows along the same lines, seeking the deep spirituality that is embedded in the series.
I was never really a fan of the show, though I always thought Sarah Michelle Gellar was quite fetching. Regardless, I think we had a great conversation over these episodes. So all you children of the 90s, enjoy.
Oh, I checked for myself. www.whatwouldbuffydo.net no longer exists. "
Somewhere in the archives you'll find episodes with Dr. Jefferey Long, who offered us some great conversations on the subject of rebirth. These here were done a long time before. I believe these aired in 2003--or close to it. By the way, you can now see the video that we speak about here by going to:
https://vimeo.com/6962342
Enjoy.
OK, these episodes from 2004 might not be the most popular with folks, but I could be wrong. Way back then we never figured that anyone outside of West Michigan would ever hear these, so much of the subject matter was local in nature.This is when podcasting meant using beans for bait, I guess. Anyway, I don't mean to disparage our guest. Sacha Bier has been a great advocate for interfaith activism in our area. I'm just not sure how much people in the far flung corners of the world will care about our subject matter. As always with these golden oldies, please ignore all phone numbers & other contact information. Sacha's Sacred Space no longer exists.
These episodes are really among my favorites. Aired in 2008, we hosted Rabbi David Rosen, a gent with an impressive resume. David Shlomo Rosen is the former Chief Rabbi of Ireland and currently serves as the American Jewish Committee's International Director of Interreligious Affairs. He has participated in some of the world's more seachanging conferences in the arena of multi-faith engagement. In these conversations David and I discuss, among other things, the major interfaith event that was convened in Spain under the direction of King Abdullah, then the monarch of Saudi Arabia. I'm pleased to say that in the 20+ years we've produced Common Threads we've hosted many brilliant minds. This is an example of that. Listen or lose out.
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, as before publication Mark reached out to me. I am quoted in the book. And here's something of a bonus track. As you might suspect, when I say goodbye to a guest on air, we normally chat for another minute or so off air. Sometimes that is caught on tape. This happened here, & the short conversation is really great. He discusses his next book about religion & Disney. What kills me is that though you'll hear me say that we'll interview him when that is published, it never happened. Stupid me. We did, however, get him back a few years later to discuss his book "A Jew Among the Evangelicals." That is his account of being a religion editor for a paper in Florida. I hope I still have that one. Stay tuned. But to catch this short interchange LISTEN PAST THE CLOSING THEME OF PART 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 are included in our conversations. Also featured here is Dr. Ruth Harring, a remarkable scholar in her own right. Very few are able to explain the non-dual philosophy of Vedanta with such clarity as Swamiji. Enjoy.
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 from a very conservative all-male leadership. In these 2005 episodes we speak with Asra Nomani, a thorn in the side of the Muslim establishment in the USA. Hers is a harrowing tale that could easily have sent someone else to convert to another faith. But Nomani does believe in the tenets of the religion of her birth, and is passionate about seeing it expressed as she believes was intended.
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. Aired in 2008.
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 speak from wisdom are able to make claims that really should be heard, contemplated and given respect. The work of Rabbi David Nelson would fall into this category. Listen and learn.
David Nelson spent much of his early life portraying himself in a popular family sitcom in the 1950s. He later converted to Judaism and....oh, wait. What. OK. Never mind. Originally aired in 2005.
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 we think about punishment. In these 2006 episodes my guests & I discuss how we can move away from a system that seems to work only sometimes, to a place of restorative justice that from all accounts, produces better outcomes--that is, less recidivism.
Good stuff, Maynard.
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?
Even during the GW Bush years pundits were claiming that the movement would be short-lived. And during the Obama years the very naive thought that the Tea Party replaced the Evangelicals with a message of economics over "morality." In no time at all the 2 forces allied to give Obama the shellacking of his life in the midterms.
This is why I post all these old episodes. They tell us where we were, and we are able to see how we got to now. Little did we know in 2006 when we aired these conversations with Rev. Peter Laarman about his book "Getting On Message" that the frustrations we were experiencing then by the likes of Focus on the Family, Jerry Falwell and that ilk would pale in comparison to what we had waiting in the wings a decade later with Trump & his misguided minions.
Listen. Ponder. Hope.
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 lot to my wife & me. His wife Bluma is still a part of our lives. In 1997 Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids staged a play Don wrote called "That Reminds Me of a Story." It was collection of brilliant examples of classic Jewish Humor.
Back in 2020 I revisited the world of Jewish humor again. Check out Podcast #113 for that. But this is the original.
One other note: On these cassettes that I'm digitizing & uploading there are sorts of sounds such as mic checks, countdowns from my engineer, a word or so from my guest, etc. As you would expect, I edit those out for these podcasts. Well, there are a couple sweets remarks by Don immediately before & after the episodes that I couldn't bring myself to cut. So here we go, all the way. Enjoy.
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 on the well known Myers Briggs formula that they claim allows one to find a tradition, religion, practice, etc. that seems to resonate. I was impressed with their research. It made for a good discussion. 1st aired in 2006.
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 able to must make at least once in a lifetime. Here we are 20 years later, and Ali & I still collaborate on interfaith projects. As I'm writing this we're working on the annual interfaith Thanksgiving worship service that will take place a few nights before the holiday. Good man.
Remember, this audio comes from a 20-year old cassette tape. Forgive the not great fidelity.
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 very hopeful with the incoming Obama administration. But fundamentalism, racism & a distorted sense of nationalism fomented. It laid the groundwork for an even more chilling 4 years of Trumpism. Our author guest Robert Jewett provides solid history and research to back his view of the overarching zealotry that has motivated so much of America over the centuries.
By just changing a few words here & there I suspect we could do this whole thing over again today and still be relevant.
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 that author (with his wife Barbara) of "Marriage Beyond Black & White." I recall telling the story of my father's discovery while jogging recently. I'd forgotten that I told it here. It had a real impact on me, as you'll hear. But you gotta listen, of course.
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 fair shake, but didn't know anyone who could refute the common narrative. Then I came across Dr. Walter Andersen, a scholar specializing in South Asian Studies. His credentials are impressive, as you'll hear. If you do have any preconceived notions of what the RSS is, do give this a listen. These episodes aired on WGVU in the autumn of 2021
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 this. As you can probably see by later episodes, we are much more interested in how religion and spirituality intersect with society.
All that said, I do remember enjoying these 2004 conversations with Meredith Jordan, the author of "Embracing the Mystery." No real surprises here, but it is interesting to remember the landscape of the day.
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, an impressive resume. I'm really quite surprised that I can't seem to find her online today. I always like knowing what happened to my guests from years past. Regardless of her status today, I think you will find this an extraordinary conversation. She makes a great case opposing GW Bush's policy of Faith Based Initiatives. Listen. And hey, if you do run into Kate, let her know I'm looking for her.
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 really evolved in the past 2 decades, and I wanted to document the prevailing attitudes over time. These conversations were with Rev. Steve Bohlert, who is in the archives telling about his fascinating spiritual journey from beatnik, hippie, Hindu monk to Church of Christ minister. Steve always makes for great conversation. So even if you have heard more that you need about the subject, I think you'll enjoy this.
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. My wife has asked me more than once why I go out of my way to have people believe I'm an idiot. Sorry, but sometimes getting a laugh trumps my dignity.
Anyway, this is a good 2-part discussion with Dr. Kenneth Rose. We discuss the ins and outs of mixing n' matching in the realm of religion. What can fit into one's spiritual life without diluting the tradition of choice? Listen, rinse, repeat.
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 festival was soon to be held, so we used this to promote the event. As always, please note that websites, phone numbers, etc., have no bearing today. But I hope you enjoy this.
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 point during the process of her studying Sufism, she converts to Judaism. But the book was written (as I recall) while she was still a Christian. So all during my line of questioning I have to treat her like a Christian, even though she confided to me about her conversion. I hope I'm clear. Regardless of all that, I did enjoy our discussions. I expect you will too. Oh, Mary Blye Howe is now Mary Blye Keller. She switched more than religions, I guess.
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 touch with this very sweet man, Fridoon Rahimi. A dedicated Baha'i, he took on a personal mission of transmitting a sense of morality and character. Timely now as then.
Enjoy.
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 Grand Rapids for the annual Historical Fiction Conference in Kalamazoo, which has been in existence for almost 50 years. Thanks to a dear friend (Jo Ellyn Clarey) who suggested these 2 very interesting people to join us.
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 have similar dark afterlife regions, but often there is the option of redemption in the future. Well, one of my favorite guests over the years, Brian McLaren, wrote a book that came out in 2005 called "The Last Word & the Word After That." He's certainly not the 1st Christian leader to question perdition, but the fact that he identifies as Evangelical Christian makes him rare. I loved these conversations.
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 behavior that would result in severe physical punishment if discovered in some Islamist societies. There is a lot of stereotype-busting ammo here.
These 2005 episodes were really enlightening. Enjoy.
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 cassettes that I'm digitizing, lo & behold, I find the very 1st shows we recorded. At this time, in 2000, Tom had his 1st book in mind. The working title was The Essence of Us. When it finally hit print it became The God Instinct. Keep in mind that all contact information is probably not valid today. This was a lot of fun to do. I'm very pleased that these episodes were saved.
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 that would facilitate deep dialogue. He was greatly instrumental in the seminal days of Interfaith Dialogue Association, a few years before my time.
As you'll hear, we kinda sorta stole the name of our show from him.
Swami spent many years at a Hindu Ashram in Ganges, Michigan. Yes, Virginia. There is a town called Ganges in Michigan, and there is a Hindu ashram there (Vivekananda Monastery). Later on Swami moved to Atlanta. In the last few years we did lose touch. I just found that he passed away in 2019. He always was moving toward The Light.
In these conversations we discuss the basics of Advaita Vedanta, the Hindu philosophy of Absolute Oneness. It's a hefty subject that Yogeshananda is able to explain better than most in terms most can understand.
Do listen to this blessed soul.
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 in women.
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 did his homework. I hope you listen.
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 problem giving credit where it's due when secularists express concern about the behavior of those who claim to be monotheists.
The book is written in a style that will appeal to hard core academics & theologians, as well as the less wonky. Scott comes from a Jewish perspective, but I'm sure Christians & Muslims will appreciate this as well. I will say that his superficial understanding of Dharmic faiths doesn't do them justice, but if he did the book might be twice the size.
Really, give a listen to these episodes that aired in 2021.
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 we are able to observe many expressions of our quirky side. Case in point: Route 66. I've loved my time on what is left of the Mother Road. And what makes this special are the oddities and brilliant examples of human ingenuity.
In his book Roadside Religion, Tim Beal shares with us his journey across the country as he records his experiences with organic displays of religious piety. Most of the time I have no problem that this is pure radio with no video. Here, I do wish otherwise. 1st aired in 2005. Enjoy.
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, he would assume is Orthodox. So much of the ritual would be the same. Actually, an Orthodox Christian might feel more at home in such a church. But in this case, said church is 100% Catholic, fully in communion with Rome.
These congregations observe many of the traditions of Orthodoxy. Priests can marry, iconography is important, and Sunday services are not called Masses, but Divine Liturgies.
I don't recall what year these episodes aired, but certainly within the 1st few years of this century. The guests are Fr.Michael Bliszcz from St. Michael's Church in Grand Rapids, MI and Prof. Robert Marko, who at the time taught Religion at Aquinas College. I recall enjoying my conversations with these gentlemen. And I learned a lot.
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 out there. But this particular guest (Dr. Bruce Lipton) really has a lot of data to back him up. These episodes aired in 2006. I hope this makes an impact.
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 really makes him special is the width & breadth of his knowledge of Hinduism. He is able to define the nooks & crannies of it better than many, especially to people for whom this is new territory. These episodes originally aired in 2008.
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 ourselves this time. In 2003 we aired these interviews with Dr. Karen King, a very respected academic with a keen interest in the so called Gnostic Gospels. In these conversations Dr. King & I discuss the Gospel of Mary of Magdala. I highly recommend this one.
Enjoy.
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 focuses on Science & Religion. I just found these episodes, & recall that this particular conference was one of my favorites. The year was 2009. The keynote speaker was Brian Malley. And his topic was a fascinating one: Just why do we believe in gods, goddesses, higher powers, transcendence...
You can't not listen. I won't let you.
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 my heart of hearts I know will have little interest to our listeners. Well, folks, this is an example of that. At the time we had a few Christian Scientists who were active in local interfaith programs. They were nice people, so when they came to me really excited that this speaker was coming to town, & asked me to interview her to promote her lecture, I said yes. Dang.
If you don't listen to this I won't feel hurt. And you can FF the 1st 5 minutes when I spend it giving all the details of Ms. Fife's appearance locally. This is from 2001. I was just getting my mojo. Oh, another thing...for some reason the sound quality is really poor. Another excuse for you to skip right over.
I am better at saying no to requests, by the way. But I have to admit that there have been a few times when I said yes to a suggestion & expected a stinker, but was greatly surprised with an excellent conversation.
Ya never know.
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 not aware, Riverside has been sort of the flagship for American liberal congregations. And it's not too hard to spot a liberal Christian. They are the ones focusing on the beatitudes (the social gospel) as opposed to salvation, the main issue with conservatives.
Do check this out. I think you'll like where we take things.
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 sounds a bit overwhelming. I admit that I'm a bit skeptical about people who dip their toes in SO many spiritual traditions. But know that this is a personal bias. Judge for yourself.
The thing that I find interesting is that he had multiple goals in establishing ministries to cater to those seeking more esoteric paths. It seems that nothing he offers here every panned out. In posting these old shows I often check the web to see where they are these days. My searches for John show almost nothing. And what I do see is all from the early 2000s. Do keep this in mind when listening. None of the websites he offers is active.
To be clear, I am very interested in Gnostic teachings. You'll find other programs in our collection of shows that I think are more informative.
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 recording date. In conversation he happened to mention that he was born Christian, but now adheres to another religion. She just went ballistic on him. Now, I don't mean that she yelled or screamed, but according to him she was just relentless about rejoining the fold. And this is a guy who took his faith very seriously. From what I recall, the call ended civilly and we proceeded. But what you'll hear in these episodes is Ruth discussing her book "Walking Away From Faith." It details the spiritual journeys of those who left Christianity for Atheism. She does not investigate Christians who moved to other religions. But she really exposes herself honestly as one who regularly struggles with faith herself.
Upon listening to this 20 year hence I find it interesting that both of us use "homosexual" to describe people rather than orientation. back then it was not much of an issue. Also, I'd love to know if she would refer to homosexuality as a sin if we were to speak to her today. She seems sympathetic to gays, but it is clear that for her heterosexuality was a moral imperative.
By the way, as much as Dr. Tucker & I disagree on most things theological, the school where she taught (Calvin Seminary here in Grand Rapids) treated her just horribly. You can find out more at www.ruthtucker.com if you're so inclined. There you will also find out about her horrific journey from spousal abuse to healing.
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 (& non-faith) environment in the office, factory, field, etc.?
I can't think of much else to tell you, other than listen, goldarnit!
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 started happening more frequently, so they got less attention. But every time they did visit us they brought great blessings.
These episodes are from sometime in the early 2000s. Not only do we speak with Lama Kelsang here, but a young woman who married an ex-monk. Great exchange of ideas. Enjoy.
Just a few episodes ago we introduced you to the Interfaith Alliance from a couple of conversations we had back in the early 2000s. Well, I just found an old cassette with 2 more episodes that aired a year or so later. Not sure if you're going to learn anything new, but here it is. Again, please ignore any contact information given. There is no longer a West Michigan chapter of IA, but they still have a presence. You can follow up at www.interfaithalliance.org if you wish.
I have to admit that when I 1st heard about this book I was concerned that it was a treatise on successful conversion practices. Turns out that it was nothing of the kind. Author Mary Blye Howe (now Keller) shares her journey as she discovered the wisdom of Judaism, allowing it to compliment her devout Christian practice. Along the way she gathered some great friends. These episodes from 2003 might inspire other Christians like Mary to explore the religion that became the foundation of their own faith.
However, sometime after this book came out I had another conversation with Mary. Turns out she could not resist the call of the shofar, and did convert to Judaism. Not only that, today she is an ordained rabbi.
You will enjoy these these. I promise
If you scroll through the hundreds of episodes already up you'll find a couple dedicated to exploring Orthodox Christianity that were aired within the last couple of years. In discovering this recent treasure trove of old cassettes I found 2 episodes from the early 2000s that covered some of the same territory. But I think they are still worthwhile. My guests were 2 priests from Grand Rapids churches. Enjoy.
I love well researched historical fiction. Most folks I know do as well. It occurred to a historian friend of mine that Common Threads might enjoy an interview with an author in such a genre. Obviously, any story that takes place in medieval Europe is going to be heavily influenced by the Christian church. This turned out to be a perfect fit. Author Margaret Frazer wrote a series of stories revolving around a detective-cum-nun that was quite popular, and very true to the time, Sr. Frevisse.
These shows aired in 2003. Margaret died in 2013. I'm grateful we had these conversations.
Here are 2 episodes
For over 2,000 years if one professed to be a Christian it was a nonnegotiable that an unwavering belief in the literal resurrection of Jesus was part of the deal. Any movement from that position (at least publicly) could be very hazardous to your health. But in recent decades there has been a decided shift in solid obedience to that dogma by more liberal strains of Christianity. In 2005 the book The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N. T. Wright in Dialogue was published. Former Catholic priest and liberal theologian converses with conservative Anglican NT Wright offer their contrasting views on this subject. In these 2 episodes we speak with Dr. Crossan in depth on new ways the Gospels can still speak to adherents.
OK, OK! Maybe not THAT ISIS. This is pretty funny, not to mention ironic. As I'm going through all these ancient programs from the early years (these are probably 2002 or 03) I find a cassette that I don't recall. It turns out to be a couple of episodes featuring Syed Misra from The Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Society. You know...ISIS. Is that not a stitch! It's really a great conversation. Here is someone who was raised in the religion explaining his longstanding issues with the religion.
He does say a few things that I would challenge him on if I interviewed him today. I mean, he talks about Muslim nations, claiming that there is no such thing as a Christian or Jewish nation. Really? Ever hear of Israel? But the point is still valid that even in Israel the law of the land is not right out of the Bible. As with many of these old shows, the contact information isn't accurate. While I can find information on ISIS online, I cannot find a functioning website.
OK Kids, this is one I found deep in the vault. I have no idea of the year, but I'm sure that these episodes aired around the turn of the century. Our guest was Harry Kooyman, who lived here in West Michigan. Just moments ago I pulled him up on Facebook. From the pictures it looks like he has moved to more tropical climes. You can tell it's an oldie but goodie due to the fact that when Harry gives his phone# he doesn't include the area code, & that his e-dress is with AOL.
The organization Interfaith Alliance, which is a response to Right-Wing Christian orgs, is still in existence, but the website has changed to www.interfaithalliance.org, & there is no longer a West Michigan chapter. The closest is Chicago.
But I'm putting it up here, as I really enjoyed the discussions, & support their mission.
I don't recall just when these episodes were broadcast, but I'm quite sure it would have been sometime between 2005-10. If you happen to be a Bible nerd I think you'll enjoy this. Our guest Andy Gaus is not a scholar in biblical languages. But he seems to make a serious case for his translation of the New Testament.
Give a listen. Enjoy.
In 2008 Calvin College hosted a weekend long event that celebrated plant based diets. They drew their inspiration from biblical teachings. Now, Calvin is a very conservative school, but there is a progressive undercurrent that runs through its faculty & student body.
Our guest in these episodes was a keynote speaker. Christine Gutleben is the Director of Faith Outreach at the Humane Society. She makes a great argument for her movement.
As much as I enjoy sex (ahem...I mean discussing it academically, of course), I wouldn't have produced these episodes unless the subject matter was somehow related to religion/spirituality. And it turns out that this is a perfect fit. Our guest is Fr. Robert Francouer. Yes, that Fr. means Father. Robert is a Catholic priest. What does a Catholic priest really know about sex? Well, at least we know that he does have some 1st hand experience. You see, Fr. Francouer is a married Catholic priest.
This is a really great couple of conversations. I hope you enjoy. Oh, I'm not 100% sure when we aired these, but 2001 is a good guess.
These episodes, from 2008, are conversations with Morgan Atkinson. He wrote the book & TV special "Soul Searching," an in-depth discovery of Thomas Merton and his pioneering spiritual work.
Sometimes for the heck of it, I tune into EWTN, the hardcore conservative Catholic radio network. Recently on a call-in show someone asked a priest about Fr. Merton. One might guess that his take on Merton was less than favorable. While he is often regarded as a "patron saint" of the Catholic contemplative movement, there are many in the Church who would wish him to be excommunicated posthumously. But as you'll hear here, this was a flawed, but deeply spiritual giant.
Ray Suarez is one of my most favorite guests. I've been a major fan since he hosted "Talk of the Nation" on NPR back in the 90s. Is this interview dated? In a way, yes, because it was recorded in 2006. But how prescient it is. When it was broadcast GW Bush was in the White House. We did have to deal with the absurd religiosity that prompted him to make the decisions he did. But now we are still in the throes of some of the most dangerous theocratic movements we'll ever see in the post-Trump era.
I often enjoy reading or listening to accounts of the past just to see how right or wrong the authors were in their assessments of situations. This is an excellent example.
These episodes are from 2008. Here I interview Dr. Rodney Stark from Baylor University. Interesting chap. One gets the impression that he doesn't suffer fools gladly...or easily. How much you wanna bet that his students call him Dr. Snark? Anyway, I did think he was quite engaging. A bit biased toward Christianity, but still, I enjoyed my time with him. We discuss his book "Discovering God."
Holy Moses! I had thought that I'd digitized all the cassette tapes of old Common Threads programs a few months ago. Now, I discover a whole shoe box filled to the brim with more. Now we start the process all over again.
This little gem comes from 2007. IDA had partnered with a new org here in Grand Rapids called Grand Dialogue. Their mission is focused on the intersection of faith & science. Now both GD & IDA are affiliate orgs under the umbrella of Kaufman Interfaith Institute. These episodes are conversations with that year's keynote speaker. Philip Clayton, a professor with ties to Harvard, Cambridge and Claremont. His talk is on "Emergence."
I hope I don't have to tell you to ignore any mentions of the conference itself, which happened over a decade ago. But the discussion is still worthwhile.
There is no question that one of the major game changer of the 20th century was Desmond Tutu. While I'd love to tell you that these episodes feature The Man himself, I am pleased to offer you a wonderful conversation with someone he mentored for decades. Rev. Michael Battles has patterned his life after this living saint. He is the author of a deeply moving spiritual biography of Bishop Tutu. Enjoy.
The Pew Survey on Religion in the USA is out now. I thought that I'd reach out to someone who could provide context & perspective on this. I happened upon an article online by Rev. Wes Granberg-Michaelson, who has roots here in West Michigan, that focuses on today's Christian population. He graciously agreed to join us in June of 2020. Soon up: Judaism in America.
In all of the years of Common Threads it seems like we have never really given The Devil his due. I mean, where would religion be without him? Our interview here in these 2021 episodes try to accomplish 2 things: We want to get a better understanding of the various versions of Satan/Lucifer that are exposed in the Bible. And then there is the rise of "devil worship" in modern American. Keep in mind that those who supposedly worship Satan don't really believe in him, but enjoy the furrowed brows of those religionists who do.
This is really an excellent conversation. Join us.
I've known Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria for several years now. As long as I've known her she was working toward her PhD in Psychology, with the goal of focusing her efforts on offering treatment to those in her own spiritual community.
One thing we can be proud of here in the west is that we have come such a long way over the years in allowing those who suffer from depression and other mental challenges to live with much less of a stigma than before. We're not perfect, but better. Well, the same cannot be said for Asian communities. One of Kavita's goals is to reverse that.
Aired in 2021.
Impressive ambition. Listen.
One of the things I love to do from time to time is take advantage of the opportunity to promote some of the great programming that we air on our sister station WGVU-TV, our areas PBS affiliate. In May of 2021 PBS stations across the country aired a remarkable documentary on the life of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the most influential clergymen and academics of the 20th century. If you'd not heard of him, or know little of his story, do give this a listen. And look for showings of the documentary in your area.
Our guest is Martin Doblmeier, the founder of Journey Films Inc, a film and television production company focused creating content on religion, faith and spirituality. Martin holds degrees in Religious Studies, Broadcast Journalism and honorary degrees in Fine Arts and Humane Letters. Since 1984 he has produced and directed more than 30 films focused on religion, faith and spirituality. His films include Bonhoffer (2003) The Power of Forgiveness (2007), An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story (2017), and Backs Against The Wall: The Howard Thurman Story (2019).
Hey, I love West Michigan, really. We have to admit, however, that it's not a hotbed of progressive thought. It may take a while to catch up with other areas. This has surely been the case with with gender based issues. It is almost embarrassing to know that the subject of our discussion in these 2021 episodes made news around the country. It reflected poorly on us. Thankfully, so much has changed over the last couple of decades.The travesty that happened then would not be repeated today in a local public school. With that, listen & learn.
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 predicting the coming of Jesus as Messiah. This is remarkably provincial thinking--especially coming from a graduate of Yale who majored in philosophy! But he was never exposed to any other theological option.
Yes, Virginia, there are other ways to understand that the Hebrew Bible can stand on its own as scripture. This is not to diminish the fact that over a billion people do see it as a collection of accounts that do indeed foretell the advent of Jesus.
That is why I so enjoyed the book we are discussing in these 2021 episodes with Amy-Jill Levine. I've respected her work for long time. I've seen her speak & heard multiple recorded lectures by her. She is a Jew who is quite capable of understanding the wisdom of both traditions.
Amy-Jill Levine is Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, at Vanderbilt Divinity School,
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 guest for these 2021 episodes in a manner similar to other bookings--by accident. I was surfing the web for something else and landed on the site for the Society of the Scientific Study of Religion.
OK, I'll speak out of school a bit here. Laura was not my 1st choice for whom to interview from that org. Before connecting with her I tried in vain to wrangle one of her colleagues to do this. The reason being is that aside from his role in SSSR he taught at a local college. It's always great to have people join us in-studio. But he didn't think our audience would really appreciate hearing about their work, as it is "scientific" not "spiritual."
I say we prove him wrong. Enjoy.
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 truth. Siddhartha, who became the Buddha, did have a wife. We just don't know what happened to her after he left her. This story postulates that she followed him as a disciple.
Really, really enjoy.
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 elected officials and work force that is under the yoke of all the above. They were dark days. According to our guest Shalyn Romney Garrett and her co-author there can be light at the end of the tunnel. Some have criticized her book as being a bit naive. We'll leave that for you to decide. Regardless, hope always has a home. These episodes were recorded in 2021.
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 at Notre Dame in the early 70s. He currently is a chaplain at a healthcare organization that is co-operated by both the Catholic Church and the 7th Day Adventists in Colorado.
We aired this episode in early 2021 about his 5th book. What I really enjoy about this work is that he goes into lengths to expose his shadow side. His commitment to honesty is quite impressive.
Hey, 2 Stellas for the price of one? Enjoy.
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 he might be a part of a white supremacy movement that refers to itself as Heathenism. Actually, he has no part in that, but to the uninitiated he seemed to look the part. Join us for Jennifer Snook's take on this movement here in the US.
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'm not sure you'd walk away with an easy answer. So in these 2 episodes from early 2021 we discuss with Sam Boyd his article that explores this issue.
Samuel L. Boyd is an Assistant Professor in Religious Studies and the Program in Jewish Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. His research focuses on the origins of biblical texts in their historical context, as well as how people have interpreted the Bible over the millennia. He combines history, archaeology, linguistics, and multiple other theoretical lenses to explore why the Bible was written and why people have cared about it so much.
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 came to The Crown with a bit of an attitude. But my wife knows good TV, and she did persuade me. And yes, I got hooked. Love it. Cant' wait for the next season.
I did notice how religion has a rather significant role to play in the show. As you might know, the reining monarch is the titular head of the Anglican Church. Well, Fr. Christian Brocato is a local friend here in Grand Rapids who pastors an Episcopal (a denomination within the Anglican Communion) church. When I found out he was a fan as well I thought he'd be a great fit for a couple of episodes to discuss this. From 2020.
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 said no, & then self published. He is quite firm in his belief that it was just Indian culture that encouraged significant discoveries, but the religion of that culture. Curious? Listen.
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 Church with Non-Christian Religions of the 2ndVatican Council. This is from 2020
Rabbi A. James Rudin has served on the American Jewish Committee’s professional staff for thirty-two years and served as the AJC’s Interreligious Affairs Director. He is currently the AJC’s Senior Interreligious Adviser and a member of the organization’s Board of Governors.
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 is a historian living in Macon, Georgia. A retired history professor, in recent years his interests have been drawn to American Pentecostal history.
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 in government from the College of William and Mary in 2008. She graduated from the University of Florida Law School in 2011. There, she was Executive Articles Editor for the Journal of Law and Public Policy as well as the founder and president of the University of Florida ACLU. Elise worked on voting rights and electoral reform as a Legal Fellow with FairVote. She also worked on successful congressional campaigns in both Florida and Virginia.
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 honorable and empathic President and a vaccine that is working. So yes, we are in a bit better shape that before. But while the majority of registered Republicans believe that the election was stolen, it's still crazy. And we still need the tools that are offered by our guest.
Philip Goldberg returns to Common Threads to discuss his book, 'Spiritual Practice for Crazy Times: Powerful Tools to Cultivate Calm, Clarity, and Courage.'
Philip Goldberg is the author or co-author of numerous books; a public speaker and workshop leader; a spiritual counselor, meditation teacher and ordained Interfaith Minister. A Los Angeles resident, he cohosts the Spirit Matters podcast, leads American Veda Tours and blogs regularly on Elephant Journal and Spirituality & Health.
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 Westrop has headed Islamist Watch since March 2017. Prior to this he was research director at Americans for Peace and Tolerance, and ran Stand for Peace, a London-based counter-extremism organization monitoring Islamists throughout the UK. Mr. Westrop is a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute. His writings have appeared at such publications as National Review, National Post, and The Hill, and he has appeared on dozens of television and radio stations, including BBC & Al Jazeera.
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 who grew up in the various Reformed denominations I heard both horror stories of strict upbringings that included no secular movies or having to refrain from swimming on 90 degree Sundays, as well as accounts of profound spiritual commitment by those who embraced the theology as well as its austere guidelines of behavior.
In the book "London Street" the author Jane Griffioen shares her experiences from childhood through adulthood in this atmosphere. It is a warm, yet not uncritical remembrance. Honestly, I when approached to have this conversation I was concerned that the book might be an angst driven screed against the faith of her fathers (and mothers). It is not, but it is honest.
Listen. Love it. From 2020.
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.’
Andrew Whitehead is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Clemson University. He is interested in how religion both shapes and is shaped by the surrounding culture and how this influences various social institutions, such as the family. Andrew is the author of over 30 peer-reviewed publications. Recently, his research on Christian nationalism and childhood disability and religion has been featured across a number of national outlets including the Washington Post, CNN Today, and The Huffington Post, among others. Andrew’s first book on Christian nationalism, with Sam Perry, is called ‘Taking America Back for God.’ It provides the first comprehensive empirical analysis of Christian nationalism in the United States.
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 the culture we have. Listen. Learn. Repeat.
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 University and author of ‘New Roots in America’s Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity in Indian America,’ and co-editor of ‘Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice.’
In ‘White Christian Privilege,’ Joshi traces Christianity’s influence on the American experiment from before the founding of the Republic to the social movements of today. Mapping the way through centuries of slavery, westward expansion, immigration, and citizenship laws, she also reveals the ways Christian privilege in the United States has always been entangled with notions of White supremacy. (from the book’s description at NYU Press, 2020)
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. Like everything else, it's complicated. Oy, is it complicated. I invited my friend Ty Silzer to join us for a discussion on this fascinating (and sometimes tragic) subject.
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 the government ceased that, allowing Jammu & Kashmir to become wholly administered by Delhi.
Most news reports were about serious allegations of human rights abuses that took place in order to bring this change about. But missing from many conversations was the subject of the jihadist rebellion of the early 90s that chased Hindus from the area. Many died, and many more became displaced in their own country. These episodes include conversations with one who lived through it all. Chilling. But join us.
Sidarth Ambardar joins us to discuss the Partition of India and Pakistan, its history from the tribal invasion of Kashmir to the present as recounted in ‘Days of Destiny: A Memoir of Kashmir’ a book written by his father, Shanti Swarup Ambardar.
We speak with Julie and Tony Gessner about the marriage help program Retrouvaille.
Retrouvaille’s primary goal is to provide help for couples who live in the disappointment and pain of marriage problems. The Retrouvaille weekend provides a safe setting encouraging couples to learn communication in marriage in a respectful manner.
From 2019
Our guest is Dr. Shadi Hamid, who joins us to talk about his essay, “The Difficulty with Diversity: Can American pluralism make room for an Islam that is truly different?”
Dr. Shadi Hamid is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing editor at The Atlantic. He is the author of ‘Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam is Reshaping the World,’and co-editor of ‘Rethinking Political Islam.’ His first book ‘Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East’ was named a Foreign Affairs Best Book of 2014. An expert on Islam and politics, Hamid served as director of research at the Brookings Doha Center until January 2014. He received his B.S. and M.A. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and his Ph.D. in political science from Oxford University.
The Kaufman Interfaith Institute hosted a conversation between Nicholas Wolterstorff and Kelly James Clark on June 3, 2019. These 2 episodes contain the entirety of that event. Nicholas Wolterstorff is an American philosopher and a liturgical theologian. A prolific writer with wide-ranging philosophical and theological interests, he has written books on aesthetics, epistemology, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and philosophy of education. In Faith and Rationality, Wolterstorff, Alvin Plantinga, and William Alston developed and expanded upon a view of religious epistemology that has come to be known as Reformed epistemology. He also helped to establish the journal Faith and Philosophy and the Society of Christian Philosophers.
It never occurred to me that Archeology could be a lot like radio. That is, a lot of people think that all they need is a microphone in front of them & they'd be brilliant.
More often than not....not.
Over the decades it seems that a lot of people have thought that to be an archeologist all they needed was a shovel. In these episodes from '19 we talk with Prof. Mark Schwartz about people who thought the were making big discoveries (often in fields related to religion) that in reality were pretty fraudulent. Trust me, this is entertainment of a high order.
Mark received his PhD in Anthropology from Northwestern University. His research focused on trade between the early city-states of Mesopotamia and the emerging complex societies of Anatolia in the fourth millennium B.C. He has worked on various excavations in the Middle East. He is currently involved in inter-departmental collaborative work using ROVs to study shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. He teaches courses on the archaeology of the Near East as well as general courses concerning anthropology and archaeology.
If you are a person who is conflicted on the issue of abortion because of your Christian beliefs (even if you're not, this is quite thought provoking within any tradition) you need to hear these episodes from 2019.
Jonathan Dudley is the author of "Broken Words: The Abuse of Science and Faith in American Politics." He is a graduate of Calvin College, Yale Divinity School, and holds an M.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His writing has been featured in The Huffington Post, on CNN, Salon.com, Religion Dispatches, AlterNet, and in the Yale Daily News.
John Morehead joins us for a couple of episodes to talk on the book he co-edited called, ‘The Paranormal and Popular Culture: A Postmodern Religious Landscape.’
John Morehead is a researcher, writer, and speaker in intercultural studies, new religious movements, the biocultural study of religion, intergroup emotions and social psychology in religious intergroup conflict, and multi-faith engagement, as well as theology and popular culture. He is also the Director of the Evangelical Chapter of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy. John blogs on religion through the fantastic in popular culture at www.theofantastique.com.
OK, so we all know we need to have a little patience with those in our midst who are newly in love. They may get dewy eyed, drone on a bit long about their newfound happiness, and refer to this Gift from Heaven as their soulmate. So we must ask, is there such a thing? If so, why do so many "soulmates" part in anger years (or months...or weeks) later? Well, here are 2 episodes that explore the notion.
Our guest is Bradley Onishi, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Skidmore College. Dr. Onishi joins us to discuss his article ‘What’s Behind the Belief in a Soulmate’ on the website The Conversation.
Reparative Therapy, which has been dismissed as fraudulent by many in the field of Psychology, attempts to "cure" gay men & women from their homosexuality. I've wanted for years to interview someone who went through the mill with it. Well, I found just the guy. Mike Hintz has a very powerful story to tell. I hope you listen. Originally aired in 2019.
We've broached this subject before. But I really think these episodes are so spot on; especially as the right-wing of the spectrum is using this subject to weaponize religion.
Lawrence G. Sager joins us to talk about the book he co-authored with Christopher L. Eisgruber in 2007 titled, ‘Religious Freedom and the Constitution.’ This aired in 2019.
Lawrence Sager is one of the nation's preeminent constitutional theorists and scholars. Professor Sager currently teaches as the University of Texas. He previously taught at New York University School of Law, where he was Co-Founder of the Program in Law, Philosophy & Social Theory. He has also taught at Harvard, Princeton, Boston University, UCLA, and the University of Michigan. Sager is also the author of ‘Justice in Plainclothes: a Theory of American Constitutional Practice.’
Grand Valley State University Professor Deana Weibel joins us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 2019 with our discussion of spirituality and space travel.
Deana Weibel, PhD is a cultural anthropologist whose work focuses primarily on religion, especially the topics of pilgrimage, sacred space, the mutual influence of scientific and religious ideas on each other, and religion and space exploration. More recent work focuses on religion as a motivation for and influence on space travel and outer space-based sciences.
The challenge with taking a critical look at the Bible is that people tend to treat it as just one book, as opposed to thinking of it as a library, which is certainly closer to the mark. Yes, there are those who give the accounts of both Adam and David the same credibility. But those people are usually not archeologists, and credentialed historians.
Then, of course, you have your knee-jerk skeptics who say that everything in the scriptures is pure mythology. Thankfully, there is a middle path that encourages each account to be taken at its own value. In these 2019 episodes we bring back a dear friend to the show. Sheldon Kopprel is one of those amazing people who is able to percolate from both sides of the brain. Dr. Kopprel is a now a retired professor of Science (he was still working when this aired), as well as a very well studied scholar of Jewish theology. His days often began by rising at 4am to delve into the depths of the Bible and Talmud.
I find it fascinating how so many of the old, diminished traditions around the world are being revisited by people in the 21st century. We see this with those exploring the ancient mythologies of Egypt, Rome, Greece, Scandinavia, Central America, and of course, Celtic culture. These are delightful episodes that feature conversations with Anne Cates Sullivan, who authored 2 award winning books on the goddess tradition of Ireland.
Enjoy
Of all the theories of afterlife that permeate the various world religions, the concept of rebirth is the only one that has actually been studied by science. Many are amazed by the fact that the University of Virginia has an entire department dedicated to such research. And this effort isn't found in the halls of Philosophy, Religious Studies or some course on alternative spiritual practices. This all happens within the labs of UV's medical school.
Dr. Jeffery Long is the editor of an impressive journal that expresses a variety of opinions on this subject. This is a fascinating discussion. Seriously.
Of all the diverse expressions of Christianity here in the USA, Eastern Orthodoxy gets much less attention than it gets. After centuries of being identified with specific cultures and languages, Christians from multitudinous backgrounds are signing up, seeing what they claim to be an authenticity that they don't see in the denominations of their birth. It has been years since we've given air time to these folks. Our guest, Fr. Michael Nasser from here in Grand Rapids, MI explains it all (OK, maybe not ALL..but enough) for you.
Kelly Clark is a good friend & colleague. He's done brilliant work in the field of interfaith. These conversations took place in 2019 about a book that he both contributed to & edited. It deals with the conflicts & challenges that face adherents of the 3 main Abrahamic religions, & how deep relationships can be formed and nurtured in the midst of the issues confronting them.
Seriously. Listen.
Guilty. Yes, I'm totally, 100% guilty as charged. If you look at the collection of Common Threads programs we have here in the vault, you'll notice more than a few focus on cults. I am just so fascinated with the sociological phenomenon of people giving up everything valuable in their lives to follow a charismatic leader off the edge of the earth. Well, this story is kind of that. Keele Burgin provides us with a heart rending account of her childhood spent in a family mesmerized by the promises of rewards for living a "fully Catholic" life in these 2019 episodes.
So how would you answer the question? It should be noted that we are, in this instance, talking about the Hebrew Bible, not including the New Testament. Our guest Mordecai Finley offers great evidence that points to Job. Job? Well, you'll have to listen. Originally aired in 2018
My Guest is Christopher is the author of ‘The Sacred Enneagram: Finding your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth" for these 2 episodes.
Christopher Heuertz studied at Asbury University in Kentucky before moving to India where he was mentored by Mother Teresa for three years. While living in India, he helped launch South Asia’s first pediatric AIDS care home–creating a safe haven for children impacted by the global pandemic. A forerunner in the New Friar movement, Chris and his wife Phileena served with the Word Made Flesh community for nearly 20 years, working for women and children victimized by human traffickers in the commercial sex industry. In 2012 Phileena and Chris launched Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism.
Stuart H. Brody joins us in these 2019 episodes to talk about his book ‘The Law of Small Things.’
Stuart Brody is the Founder of Integrity Intensive. Integrity Intensive offers keynotes, speeches, workshops, books, and consulting to teach the modern practice of integrity.
Stuart Brody has served prominently in law, politics and academia. He has appeared before the Supreme Court, written numerous articles on dispute settlement and employee relations, advised Presidential candidates, served as counsel to state government on ethics and lectures nationally on matters of ethics and integrity.
The problem with theocracies is that it's much easier to be branded a heretic or a blasphemer, which can be illegal. The Ahmadhiyya sect of Islam is branded just that in Pakistan; which is, for all intents and purposes, a Muslim theocracy. It's one of 2 countries that have large numbers of members. The other one is neighboring India. One might assume that it's easier for a Muslim to be a Muslim in a Muslim nation, more so than in a majority Hindu nation. Not so. India has an ethos of pluralism that accepts theological diversity much easier than Pakistan.
In these episodes from 2019, I speak with Fazeel Khan, an Ahmadhiyya Muslim from Pakistan, who offers us a history of his particular movement, and the trials that a lack of religious freedom bring.
A footnote to this: Fazeel & I became fast friends. In the summer of that year he invited me to address a world convocation of Ahmaddhiyya Muslims in Columbus, Ohio. It was a rare privilege, for which I am quite grateful.
At the 2019 Parliament of World Religions I met a group of women at a booth that claimed they were fully ordained Roman Catholic priests. Needless to say, I was taken aback, and quickly questioned them, as I'm sure so many people do on a regular basis. How in the world can women be Catholic priests? The Church has made it abundantly clear that female clerics would be as impossible as men giving birth.
So, how can this happen officially? Well, I ask you to listen to their story, offered by Mary Eileen Collingwood; and find out how Church law can deem an act "valid but illicit."
Here in West Michigan the name Fetzer is well known. The Kalamazoo area businessman owned a broadcast complex of WKZO-AM/FM/TV. Little did the community know that this nominal Presbyterian was engaged in a spiritual search that was much more inclusive and, well, cosmic, than his peers. Very few were allowed to observe this side of him. But he left a profound legacy in both the Fetzer Institute & Foundation. One organization focuses on interfaith engagement, the other on deep spirituality that often crosses the boundaries of most organized religions.
In these 2018 episodes we speak with Brian Wilson (no, not that Brian Wilson, but if you know the other, tell him he's welcome on our show too!) who authored the book "John E Fetzer & the Quest for the New Age."
Enjoy
These were wonderful conversations with Mirabai Starr. Those of us of a certain age will most likely have a fond place in our hearts for Ram Dass of "Be Here Now" fame. For the past several years he has lived joyfully with the aftereffects of a stroke. Before he died, he allowed his journey to be chronicled, and used as an example to aspiring yogis. His good friend, Mirabai helped him walk that journey. In these episodes from 2018 she shares her very powerful experiences with her friend and teacher.
Yes, it may be dated, but it's often interesting to go back in time to find out where & what we were at any given moment. When this aired we were waiting with bated breath to find out if there was going to be the predicted Blue Wave. And if that was to be, what, if any, role would America's religious values of both the Left & Right have to do with it?
We were blessed with that wonderful wave. It did a soul good to see it. In these episodes we talk with Mark Silk, a great observer of religion in the public square. So let's hearken back to those days of anticipation, as we begin to see the slow demise of The Donald.
Shuji Mintzmeyer is one of the leading voices in contemporary Buddhism in Michigan. One of the things I do is coordinate speakers from different religions for schools, colleges, churches, etc. Whenever I book Shuji for anything, I am confident that the audience is not only going to learn about the Dharma, but they are going to receive their information from someone who has achieved a high level of realization herself. From 2018.
Former AG Jeff Sessions did a great deal of damage to this nation before he was unceremoniously booted by Trump out of his office. Interestingly, his demise was an example of a rare showing of nobility, as he recused himself from the Russia investigation.
One of the things he did that encouraged the kind of divisiveness his boss loved was establishing the Religious Liberty Task Force. Of course he would promote the false narrative that Christians are an oppressed group in the USA. I'm sure that had he been given more time in office, he would have established a task force to help protect us from atheist robots. In these 2018 episodes we chat with Rachel Laser from Americans United for the Separation of Church & State. She is brilliant. Listen. No. Really. Listen!
As with many other terms, the political/religious right has co-opted "religious liberty." For many in the center & left it referred to the tolerance & acceptance of those who practice a minority faith to be able to do so without fear of harassment.While it can still mean that, more often than not the people who use the phrase are speaking of something different. Our guest in these 2018 episodes provides excellent food for thought on this subject.
Listen. Rinse. Repeat.
Fr. Patrick Collins has been a guest on CT multiple times. We enjoy his point of view because he approaches the various issues confronting the Catholic Church with a progressive, yet not radical, mindset. In these episodes we discuss the current pope, the diminishing flocks across North America & other things.
Ever wonder how we as a secular nation support chaplains in various aspects of our government? Whether one believes this is correct or not, we certainly have precedent--over 200 years of tax supported religious guidance in the form of chaplains, who serve in our military
There are 2 icons of the 60s who spoke to, for the most part, different audiences. Fr. Thomas Merton was a legendary Catholic monk who inspired thousands of Christians to adapt a more contemplative life, & acknowledged that much can be gained & shared by dialoging with Eastern traditions.
And Bob Dylan was....well, Bob friggin' Dylan. I don't need to say much more. What is interesting to note is how much the music of the former Zimmerman inspired the Trappist monk. While Dylan has been for most of his adult life rather secular (with just a brief spell as an Evangelical Christian), to those who see Spirit in the most unlikely places, it's not hard to understand the attraction.
These episodes feature a chat with Robert Hudson, who authored the book "The Monk's Record Player." These are great conversations. Listen. Enjoy. Repeat.
In the 20th century a good number of Hindu teachers emigrated to the US. One of the most influential was the man known as Paramhansa Yogananda (1893-1952). He began a small school in India that grew into a worldwide mission that focused on instructing people of all or no religions on the deeper practices, philosophy & theology of Raja Yoga. His 1946 book "Autobiography of a Yogi" is still a spiritual bestseller today.
Phil Goldberg is a leading author on Hinduism in the West. He's also someone I love hanging with every time I'm in LA. His book on Yogananda is well researched, & a compelling story. It is neither hagiographic nor a sensational hit piece. If you enjoy Eastern thought, you'll appreciate these 2018 episodes
We would not be living up to our mission at Common Threads if we did not occasionally explore the dark side of religion. This is one of those times. Tina Alexis Allen, in 2018, brought to us a very compelling memoir that focuses on how religiously dysfunctional homes can create so much pain, and set vulnerable individuals on paths of self-destruction.
Really. This is a powerful piece. Listen. Please.
Dr. Sam Harrington joins us for conversation on his book, ‘At Peace: Choosing a Good Death After a Long Life.’
Sam Harrington is an honors graduate of Harvard College and the University of Wisconsin Medical School, he practiced internal medicine and gastroenterology for more than 30 years in Washington, D.C. There he served on the board of trustees of Sibley Memorial Hospital, a member of the Johns Hopkins Health System, and the former Hospice Care of DC.
Fr. James Martin has a reputation of being a very inclusive thinker in Catholic circles. So much so that he occasionally get in trouble Case in point: In this 2018 interview he details the slings & arrows he endured for writing a book that encouraged a conversation within the Church about LGBT issues. Notice I said "conversation." The book does not call for rewriting dogma, blind acceptance of what is the current social norm, or violent revolution in the streets. Just a conversation.
Believe me, he could write a new book just relating his experiences in writing this one.
Good conversation is just click a way.
When we think of the truly unique American Religious experiences, we must include the African-American church. And of course, the hallmark of that would be the preaching. Not only did it provide spiritual succor for the assembled, it became a powerful tool in the civil rights movement. In these 2 episodes we discuss this great tradition with a scholar who has made this his life's work.
It's always a treat to have my cousin Fr. Tom Stella on as a guest. He's been on multiple times, but it seems some of the older episodes are lost in the ether. I'm happy to have these 2 from 2018, where we discuss his book "CPR For the Soul."
Tom represents the most progressive wing of the Catholic Church. He goes beyond dogma & ritual to explore the deepest form of spirituality.
Ah, yes. Another couple of shows on the corrupt &incompetent Trump administration, as it once again intersects with the world of religion. Here we interview Katherine Stewart, who wrote an insightful article on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and her attempt to undermine public education in favor of private religious schools. Thank God those days are over.
I know that one could dismiss these episodes as being rather dated. The originally aired in January of 2018, shortly after the special election in Alabama that made Roy Moore somewhat redundant. But the problems surrounding him were and are systemic in Evangelical circles. Remember, it was his lusty appetite for teenage girls that cost him the election.
Joining me here is Kathryn Brightbill, a writer who examined Moore's behavior in context with his religious culture.
Family Values, anyone?
This is an amazing story, seriously. My good friend Rabbi David Krishef gets a letter that is just one long anti-Jewish screed from a Christian man that so many others would have just thrown away without finishing. But David took this opportunity to reach out to this guy, & invited him to have a conversation. Keep listening & you'll hear about how the 2 of them ended up in Israel together (on this crazy guy's dime!) It's one of my favorites from 2017.
One of the major beefs (OK, not the best word in this context here) that so many Hindu friends have with academia is that when they study Hinduism in high school & college they don't really recognize the religion they've been practicing all their lives. This is often due to the colonial mindset that many researchers hold. In these 2 episodes I speak to a couple of brilliant academicians who have attempted to present Hinduism in book that features multiple points of view, but focus not on the lore of old, but as it is lived in modern times. This is from 2017.
Enjoy
It occurred to me back in 2017 that of all the different expressions of Christianity there are, the Coptic Church gets very little ink. They have been a major presence in the Middle East for 2 millennia. So, I connected with Monique El-Faizy for some conversation. You'll like this.
Shortly after the march in Charlottesville, where "fine people on both sides" (yeah, right) met to protest with tiki torches (2017) I decided to call up my old friend Shel Kopperl. Naturally, with Trump in the White House this was going to be a challenging 4 years for American Jews, excepting those who will forgive anything in turn for an uber-hawkish stand on Israel.
But those on the hard Left are not blameless. In these 2 episodes we do our best to sort things out in this quagmire.
There's a great Seinfeld episode where a friend of Jerry's decided to convert to Judaism strictly for the humor. I totally get that. I'm not Jewish, but I have had a fascination with the brilliance of their wit since I was a kid watching stand-up comedians on Ed Sullivan. You'll hear me say in Episode #1 how Jewish humor appreciation was a must have if a relationship with a woman was to go anywhere. That's not hyberbole.
So when I found out that Ruth Wisse had written a book called "NO Joke: Making Jewish Humor," I had to track her down and get her on Common Threads. I did. Now enjoy.
Well, a bar is not a place you'd really find a Muslim or an Evangelical (well, depending on the stripe, I guess) , but from what we often see in the media, you wouldn't find Muslims and conservative Christians walk into just about ANY place together. OK, maybe a courtroom to fight about the construction of a mosque in a rural community. But our guest today talks about the most ambitious interactions between those 2 faiths that I've ever heard. Bob Roberts of the Emir-Stien Center discusses his most impressive work with people all over the world--including Muslims. This show also came about due to the same Evangelical conference at Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI that gave us the previous episode, featuring John Morehead, in 2017.
Back in 2017 I was made aware that Calvin College's seminary was hosting an event that focused on interfaith/multi-faith engagement that had no hidden agenda of conversion attempts. Needless to say, this intrigued me. It happened that I had to attend a funeral on this particular day; otherwise, I'm sure I would have been there. Fortunately, I was able to make a connection with 2 of the presenters. One of them was John Morehouse. This was a great conversation.
John Morehead is our guest. John is the Director of the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy and the Western Institute for Intercultural Studies. John is co-editor and contributing author for ‘Encountering New Religious Movements’ and editor of ‘Beyond the Burning Times a Pagan and Christian in Dialogue.’
We did it! As I write this in November of 2020 the country is glowing in anticipation of a new administration that will, we hope, undo much of the dismantling of our country's foundations that happened under Trump. During these last 4 years I will admit to doing whatever I could to shed light on the underbelly (did it even have an overbelly?) of his swamp-filling efforts. Here is one example that aired within his 1st year in the White House.
OK, perhaps we can't take ALL the credit for his defeat, but let us live with the illusion that we helped.
With that, do give one a listen. I realize that with Trump out of office we need not dwell on him as much as we have. But make no mistake. He will still try to wreak the divisive havoc on our nation as he has since the Obama years. It's good to remind ourselves what could have happened should he have won another 4 years.
Scary to even think about. Enjoy.
Do you want to know a secret? Inside this rather centered post-middle-aged theologically minded radio host is a 14-year old girl who hasn't stopped screaming since she saw the Fab 4 on Ed Sullivan in 1964. To say I was & am a Beatles Fan borders on severe understatement. So to have chance to converse with someone who is not only like minded, but has the academic cred to (hobnail) boot was not something to pass on. So in 2017 I enjoyed to the hilt these discussions with Kenneth Womack.
His Beatles-related books include Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles (2007) and The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles (2009), which was named as The Independent’s “Music Book of the Year.” In 2014, Ken published The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four. Ken’s books about the Beatles are included in the permanent collection of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Library and Archives.
Ken is Dean of the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University, where he also serves as Professor of English.
Even people who know little about Buddhism can often identify both the Dalai Lama & Thich Naht Hahn as major thought leaders today. Back in 2017 I was alerted that the latter had just published a book entitled The Art of Living. Excited at the chance to have such an august personage on the program, I contacted the people who make this sort of thing happen. Well, it turns out that Thich Naht Hahn was not doing interviews at the time. However, I was directed to 2 of his most highly advanced disciples who were willing to join me. So in the 1st week I was able to discuss the the book with Brother Phap. Then the following week I spoke to Sister Dedication. I enjoyed our conversations immensely.
Enjoy.
When we think of Hippies the 1st things that pop into many minds are drugs, music, hedonism, promiscuity, political activism & a disdain for hard work. These stereotypes are grounded in truth, but not the whole truth. There was also a deep spiritual search going on, sometimes in concert with the aforementioned proclivities. This 2017 conversation in 2 parts with author Dan Goldberg examines these various elements that made 1967 a year for the books.
The year is 2017, and many of us are still reeling at the thought of having Trump in the office he's in. Over the past 4 years (I'm writing this just after the '20 election, Yay!) I've made no bones about the fact that I believe this presidency has done great harm to this country. So here, Rev. Gary Dorrien joins us for a conversation on his Religion Dispatches article, “Irony Repeats Itself: Reconsidering Reinhold Niebuhr in the Trump Era.”
Rev. Dorrien is an American social ethicist and theologian. He is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and Professor of Religion at Columbia University. He is the author of 18 books on ethics, social theory, philosophy, theology, politics, and intellectual history.
Prior to joining the faculty at Union and Columbia in 2005, Dorrien taught at Kalamazoo College, where he served as Parfet Distinguished Professor and as Dean of Stetson Chapel.
Eden Collinsworth joins us for conversation about her book, Behaving Badly: The New Morality in Politics, Sex and Business.
Eden Collinsworth is a former media executive and business consultant. She was president of Arbor House Publishing Co. and founder of the Los Angeles-based monthly lifestyle magazine, BUZZ, before becoming a vice president at Hearst Corporation. She served as the chief operating officer and chief-of-staff at the EastWest Institute, a global think tank. After writing a bestselling book in China for Chinese businessmen on Western deportment, she launched Collinsworth & Associates, a Beijing-based consulting company, which specialized in intercultural communication. She has also written a novel, It Might Have Been What He Said, and a memoir, I Stand Corrected: How Teaching Manners in China Became Its Own Unforgettable Lesson.
Once again, one of the awesome people I met at the Council on Foreign Relations in NYC. These conversations with Ani Zonneveld took place in 2017.
What I noticed at the CFR conference is that there was a significant tension between Ani, the Director of Muslims for Progressive Values and those more traditional, orthodox Muslims. Ani is very impatient with what are often termed "moderate Muslims." It's not that she thinks they are extremists in disguise. Rather, she is concerned that while they do speak out against Islamist terrorist attacks, they remain silent on issues of gender, sexual orientation, religious tolerance, etc.
She is frustrated that her non-Muslim counterparts left of center do things like wear hijabs in support of the women of Islam, when she as a Muslim finds such traditions medieval and useless. Really, these 2 episodes offer a great deal to think about. Enjoy.
These 2 episodes, which aired in 2017, feature conversations with well known pastor Tony Campolo & his son Bart. Together they wrote the book "Why I Left, Why I Stayed: Conversations on Christianity Between an Evangelical Father and His Humanist Son" Part 1 we discuss how the son of such a rock star minister could walk away from the faith that birthed him, & venture into the foreign territory of secular humanism. Part 1 is with Bart, Part 2 with Tony. These are really powerful & frank conversations. You will enjoy.
Poet, teacher, and storyteller Mark Nepo joins us on Common Threads to discuss his book The One Life We’re Given in these 2017 episodes.
Mark Nepo has published 18 books and recorded 13 audio projects. In 2016, he was named by Watkins: Mind Body Spirit as one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People, and was also chosen as one of OWN's SuperSoul 100, a group of inspired leaders using their gifts and voices to elevate humanity.
Mark was part of Oprah Winfrey's The Life You Want Tour in 2014 and has appeared several times with Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday program on OWN TV. He has also been interviewed by Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.
There is no one way that women react after having an abortion. Some can move on with their lives almost immediately. Some may regret their decision. Yet others acknowledge a psychic and emotional pain that requires a healing, though they do not regret their choice. Kassi Underwood falls into that 3rd category. She uses that pain to investigate the healing rituals and practices of various religions. It is through this work and the book (May Cause Love) that she is brought to wholeness. These episodes that aired in 2017 contain some of the most intimate conversations that have taken place on CT. I really think you'll like this. Enjoy.
Dr. Clair Brown joins us for these 2 episodes from 2016. Dr. Brown is the author of Buddhist Economics: An Enlightened Approach to the Dismal Science.
Dr. Brown is Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Work, Technology, and Society at the University of California, Berkeley. Clair has published research on many aspects of how economies function, including high-tech industries, development engineering, the standard of living, wage determination, poverty, and unemployment.
Once again, here is a 2-part conversation with the author of a book that I recorded as an audiobook. If you are new to this podcast, it's something that happens now & then.
Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche is a meditation master in the Nyingma lineage of the Buddhist tradition. He received his education and training for ten years starting at the age of fourteen at Larung Gar in Serta.
In 2011, Rinpoche founded Pristine Mind Foundation. Rinpoche teaches across a broad range of audiences to students from many backgrounds including psychology students, business professionals, long-time Dharma practitioners, and yoga practitioners.
These episodes feature a conversation with Brian Lepard, one of the architects of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World’s Religions.
Brian Lepard is a law professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a leading expert in the fields of international law, human rights law, comparative law, and tax law. Professor Lepard has multidisciplinary scholarly and teaching interests in the fields of international human rights law; humanitarian intervention; international legal theory; comparative law, including comparative religious law; ethics; and tax and business law, including international tax law. He is the author of seven books and numerous articles relating to these diverse subject areas. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Yale Law School.
One of the great things about hosting CT is that I get to invite some of my more enlightened friends into the studio to have conversations like we would anyway. But I love sharing their wisdom. Well, here is a perfect example.
A good way to describe Fr. Joachim Lally would be to mention that when my father-in-law died, my wife & her 3 siblings (all ex-Catholics) looked to me to find a priest to say the funeral Mass for this very devout Catholic parent of theirs. But they didn't want what they experienced when they buried their equally devout mother with a rather traditional priest presiding.
Fr. Lally immediately agreed, and I was king for a day when it was all over. We aired these episodes in 2016, shortly before he was scheduled to lead a meditation course at a Hindu ashram in the Bahamas. At the time Fr. Lally knew next to nothing about Hinduism or what to expect. He didn't seek this job out. I should have had him back to describe his experience afterward. Oh well.
Enjoy.
Please don't tell me you just saw the term "Free Love Utopia" & were hoping they were taking applications. Sorry to disappoint if you did. But these are really excellent conversations. The Oneida community is a true slice of religious Americana. What a fascinating history of folks who just thought they were doing all the right things. All this & some very stylish & sturdy dinner flatware.
I grew up in a family company that focused on restaurant design & supplies. How many times did I fill orders for Oneida forks, spoons & knives with not the slightest idea of the great stale behind it all.
Enjoy.
I know, that's a weird title for a program. But believe me, many of the guests I've hosted on Common Threads have me saying that to myself. Some of these folks have contributed SO much to the world community.
And then there's me... Yeah, not so much.
Larry Brilliant is one such person who seems to have lived about 14 lives in one incarnation. Larry Brilliant is a pioneering physician, visionary technologist, and a global philanthropist. From 1973 to 1976, he participated in the successful World Health Organization smallpox eradication program. Larry currently serves as the chairman of Skoll Global Threats Fund.
It sounds cliche, but he's a former member of the flower power generation who went to India. He found a guru. But this guru didn't advise him to meditate in a cave the rest of his life. He charged him to help eradicate one of the most pernicious diseases of the 20th century.
And that he did. And that's just one chapter. Listen on....
And enjoy.
Many years ago I interviewed a local minister for the Metropolitan Church here in Grand Rapids. The denomination was formed specifically to focus on the needs of gay Christians. In its early days, the church the same very fundamentalist theology that most of the congregations who expelled their gay members did. Over the years they have embraced a more progressive spiritual world view. I don't have a copy of that original program from way back when. But one day while we were staying in our Florida condo for a few days, my wife tells me that she met our neighbors in the complex; 2 women, one of whom was the denominational head of Metropolitan. Well, we got to know them both quite well over the years, and when we do go down we always try to arrange a dinner out to catch up. Nancy Wilson is a remarkable spiritual leader. I hope you give this a listen. Enjoy.
If you've listened to Common Threads enough you know that we like to dive into "deep dialogue." What that means is that we aren't afraid to tackle issues that might ruffle feathers from time to time. Not all positions labeled "religious" are honorable or uplift the human spirit.
Well, here are 2 episodes that make that deep dive. It's really one of my favorites from 2016. Richard Benkin, our guest, is a compelling speaker who balances a variety approaches with serious pragmatism. Enjoy.
Back in 2016, Grand Valley State University (where Common Threads originates) presented its 20th annual lecture on diversity. The guest speaker was Dr. Dafina Lazarus-Stewart. The topic was bringing religion into the public square, and how to navigate the appropriate protocol and respect for pluralism. These episodes preceded the event, serving as a bit of a sneak preview.
Not long ago we uploaded a couple of episodes that featured my dear friend Len Robinson from 2015. I am now going through the archives of '16, & found these conversations, which I'm thrilled to share. Len passed away in 2020, leaving many friends & supporters behind. It's a pleasure to share these interviews as well. Enjoy.
If you grew up in any major metropolitan area in North America or Europe in the late 60s/early 70s it's quite likely that you encountered a group of younger folk in the garb of Gaudiya Vaishnavs chants & dancing in public areas. They became known as the Hare Krishnas, due to the mantra they chanted. They went from being suspected as a cult to now being a fairly respected branch of Hindu thought and practice in both religious and academic circles. In 2015-16 celebrations around the USA abounded, as devotees observed the 50th anniversary of their guru establishing his work in this country. Here are my conversations with Anuttama Data, one of the original teachers of the tradition. Hare Krishna, Y'all!
If you are not from West Michigan these episodes might not mean as much, but I think they tell a good story. Rev. Richard Rhem was ordained in the Reformed Protestant tradition, & was quite conservative. Spring Lake is a lovely community quite close to Lake Michigan. This is where he served when he led the congregation at Christ Community Church.
Over the years his faith expanded in a direction completely unpredicted. As his theology became more & more progressive his denomination became more & more concerned. Finally, his congregation separated from the Reformed Church of America & became an independent liberal church.
I'm so glad we had the opportunity to have these conversations in 2016. After suffering health issues for quite a while Dick passed away in early 2020.
His story is just a click away. Enjoy.
Not long ago I made my way through the limited series "Unorthodox" & the 2 full seasons of "Shtisel." Both offer more than a glimpse into the most orthodox of the Jewish communities. I wanted to get a practitioner's view on these. So I did.
Enjoy.
One of the great things about having a talk show is being able to invite interesting friends on. You can just have a conversation similar to what you might have in "real life" with people listening in.
I mentioned in the summary of a recent episode that a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations ended up inspiring several shows. This is one. My guest didn't attend that, but I appreciated his insights on the subjects that were covered over the 2 days of the gathering in NYC.
Charley Honey was an editor/columnist for the Grand Rapids Press Religion section for many years. He is a man of keen intellect & deep spirituality. When I invited him on back in 2016 the nation was very tense. We were looking down the barrel of 4 years of a Trump presidency. We were still confident that it wouldn't happen, but the moral fissures of the country were made very apparent. We spoke of other things as well.
We don't do many programs on our organization (Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute) because, well, that would be boring. But every now & then we do have something to share with the greater global community that I think may be of interest.
One thing I'm quite proud of is our internship program. We have students from various local colleges (some religious, some secular) who have become passionate about encouraging spiritual diversity on campuses. So with a little bit of training from us, they are encouraged to create their own programming.
If you want to know more, give these episodes from 2016 a listen. You'll catch Allison's enthusiasm for sure.
Back in 2016 I was honored to be a guest at the Center for Foreign Relations in NYC for a 2-day conference on politics and religion. Let me tell you, I was in the midst of some of the greatest minds in the country. I tried to pretended to as smart as I could. I mean, how to you keep up with conversations with folks who insert "I'm working on my 2nd dissertation now" in the 1st minute of chatting?
Please know that I'm not complaining. I loved it. I did meet some interesting people who did end up as guests on this show. And these 2 episodes are examples.
About 16-17 years before I'd interviewed a local imam about the Islam and the urban Black experience. I recently discovered that episode in a box of cassette tapes, and did upload it to this podcast platform. Admittedly, this discussion is very similar. But the sound quality is better.
You will find Imam Ronald Shaheed a very colorful and brilliant voice.
Enjoy.
Dr. Brian Bowdle is a Psyche prof at Grand Valley State University, where Common Threads originates. He's also a good friend. One evening we're together, & start talking about finding meaning in life. Then he brings up a book, "The Birth and Death of Meaning: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on the Problem of Man " by Ernest Becker. I'd never read the book, but it sounded intriguing. He lent it to me, & after I finished it I told him that this was a good fit for the show. So that's how it ended up here. Enjoy.
Recorded in 2016.
One area where you can get consensus from the Right & Left is the importance of religious liberty. Both cherish this ideal. The problem is that each wing defines it differently. I'm sure we wouldn't have to travel far to find people who believe that they can choose not to serve gay customers, yet also feel that they have a right to ban the construction of mosques in their town.
. Claire is Outreach and Campaign Manager for the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at American Progress.
Prior to joining American Progress, she worked as the field associate and minimum-wage lobbyist for NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby. Previously, she worked in Catholic education as a high school teacher and college campus minister. Much of her professional and academic work has focused on theological foundations for more inclusive faith communities and building communities of faith where political activism is a natural extension of a rich spiritual life. These aired in 2016.
I really enjoyed these conversations back in 2016 with our guest, Dr. Neela Bhattacharya Saxena. Over the past few decades we have seen a movement to reclaim the concept of feminine divinity in religions that have suppressed it over the centuries. Neela shares with us her spiritual journey, discovering the power of shakti that permeates Hindu thought.
Have you ever seen an image of Kali? She looks rather fierce, as you'll hear. It's hard to imagine that so many people resonate with that persona. But indeed they do.
Join us. You'll enjoy this one.
One of my favorite people in interfaith circles in West Michigan has been Len Robinson. This dear friend passed away earlier this year, 2020. I had him on the program several times. These episodes from 2016 revolve around a recent trip to Israel he'd taken.
Len was such a great soul. And funny. Whenever there was a panel discussion you did not want to follow him. He left the crowd in stitches, yet still edified. You really will enjoy this.
This is from 2016. And a fun fact is that before this interview I was cast to record the audiobook version of this work. So if you really enjoy these episodes, you can either read or listen to the book.
Andrew Newberg, M.D. joins us on Common Threads to continue the conversation on his book, How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain.
Dr. Andrew Newberg studies the relationship between brain function and various mental states. He is a pioneer in the neurological study of religious and spiritual experiences, a field known as “neurotheology.” His research includes taking brain scans of people in prayer, meditation, rituals, and trance states, in an attempt to better understand the nature of religious and spiritual practices and attitudes.
Mirabai Starr joins us to discuss her memoir, Caravan of No Despair.
This is from 2016.
Mirabai Starr writes, speaks and leads retreats on the inter-spiritual teachings of the mystics.Known for her revolutionary translations of John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, and Julian of Norwich, Mirabai renders mystical masterpieces accessible, beautiful, and relevant to a contemporary circle of seekers. Her commentaries on the interconnected wisdom of all traditions are lyrical and evocative.
Boy, what do I say about this 2016 conversation? My guest is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. After a successful career as a lawyer, college teacher & commercial actor, Mr. Pitts ended a marriage & disappeared from Grand Rapids, where he'd lived for many years. Then one day, perhaps a decade later, I get a call from him. He had taken a fascinating turn. He became a Buddhist monk & teacher. He contacted me because of a desire to work with Interfaith Dialogue Association. When I shared this information with community members & former friends, they rolled eyes in disbelief. In Mr. Pitts' "former incarnation" he was anything but monk-like. Yet, he began to attract students, & built a very solid Buddhist community here in West Michigan that never was before. There were temples in the area that catered to Thai & Vietnamese devotees, but nothing of substance that was attractive to the greater population. The work this man did was amazing. Within a year or 2 the new congregation outgrew one space & procured another.
And then...
One day, I learned that Mr. Pitts left everything behind, and he, along with a female student, moved to rural New York to open a B&B. Yet another reinvention.
Regardless of all of this, there is no question that a vital work was created that was bigger than the man who started it. He pulled in very serious students who maintain and grow this effort. Today, the Grand Rapids Meditation & Zen Center continues to thrive. People have various theories about my guest; not all positive. Regardless, you will hear great wisdom shared in these episodes, I promise.
I am blown away. Seriously. Here I am uploading these episodes from 2016 that I recorded with Rev. Kent Dobson, when I decide that it would be good to see what the man is up to today. I haven't been in much contact with him since then. Well, to my surprise, he is now the pastor of a church that is pretty much Unitarian-Universalist in everything thing but name. The congregation is called C3, and is located in Grand Haven, Michigan. You might wonder how a church gets a name that sounds like a brand. Well, originally it was Christ Community Church. But they no longer identify as Christian, so this suits them well.
But the wild thing about this is that Kent is from what I term, "The 1st Family of the Evangelical Church" in West Michigan. His father was a lieutenant of Jerry Falwell in the Moral Majority. He was raised to follow in those footsteps.
Kent then went on to pastor at Mars Hill Church, a very successful effort in the mode of the Emergent Church within Evangelical circles.
I could go on, but you'll hear everything you need here. But as we conclude our 2nd episode you'll note that he is unsure of what his next step in life will be.
Glad I found out.
Our guest is Mark Nepo who joins us to talk about his book, Inside the Miracle: Enduring Suffering, Approaching Wholeness. These episodes are from 2015.
Mark Nepo is a poet, teacher, and storyteller, and has been called "one of the finest spiritual guides of our time," "a consummate storyteller," and "an eloquent spiritual teacher." His work is widely accessible and used by many and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. A bestselling author, he has published sixteen books and recorded eleven audio projects. Mark lives in Kalamazoo, MI.
If you've never studied the teachings of Zoroastrianism I highly suggest these episodes. It occurred to me during my conversation with Sharooz Ash that this religion seems to be a fascinating middle ground between the religions of the Dharma (Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) & the Abrahamic (Judaism, Christianity, etc.).
Parsis, (as they are also called) were forced out of Persia (Iran), & settled in India, where they thrive, in terms of literacy, employment, social standing, etc.
Seriously, give these a good listening to!
Gulwali Passarlay is an Afghan political refugee. He joins us to talk about the plight of refugees around the world and the book he's co-written about his experiences called, The Lightless Sky. This is from 2015. A really great conversation.
These episodes might not be of interest to many outside of Michigan, but we are proud & pleased that the venerable Aspen Institute took notice of our very progressive interfaith engagement scene here in Grand Rapids. Very few cities have gone where we have to the extent that we have. No brag, just fact. So I sat down with Aspen's Joe DeMott to find out just what he found out after spending time here.
If you are interested in Joe's report you can find a copy of his report here:
https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/843249C9-B1E5-BD47-A25EDBC68363B726/interfaith_in_w_mich-online_version.pdf
We welcomed Mary Pflum Peterson to the program. Mary is the author of White Dresses: A Memoir of Love and Secrets, Mothers and Daughters. In the book, Mary describes her discovery that her mother had a life as a nun prior to her family life. These episodes aired in 2015.
Mary Pflum Peterson is a veteran producer at Good Morning America. Prior to joining GMA, Pflum Peterson was a producer and reporter for CNN, where, from her post in Istanbul, she traveled in and out of numerous warzones, including Afghanistan.
It is frustrating for many Hindus to see that the common narrative is that they must rely on the beneficence of missionaries for any charitable efforts in basic sustenance, healthcare, disaster relief, etc. In these episodes, Diva Selvakumar, the founder of World Hindu Service attempts to offer an alternative to that thought. I've know Divya for years, & have always been impressed with her sense of compassion & ambition for creating a sustainable org that is focused on the Hindu mandate of service without thought of results or reward. This is from 2015.
From 2015, these are great episodes for the theologically minded. Rev. Tony Jones offers a variety of views on just exactly what the death of Jesus meant. Tony is of brilliant mind. I think I need to see what he's been up to lately, 5 year later.
What we try to do here is offer thoughts on just exactly what "Jesus died for me" means for Christians.
Back in 2015 a friend alerted me to an article published by a local (Grand Rapids, MI) writer about her experiences going to Charleston shortly after the horrendous massacre at Mother Emmanuel Church. I thought it very powerful, & worthy of a discussion on Common Threads.
From 2015, this is a conversation with Garth Aamodt, a Mormon who is a member of the IDA Speakers Bureau. We've sent him out to speak on the LDS all over West Michigan.
In the early 1970s the more religiously tolerant East Pakistan broke away from West Pakistan to form the new nation of Bangladesh. Sadly, though it was founded as a secular state it later fell into Islamist extremism. In these episodes we learn the details of that history from someone who lived it. These aired in 2015.
I'm not sure when we aired this episode, but it had to be in the late '90s or very early 00s. I just did a search, & the only presence IA has these days in our state seems to be as a student org at University of Michigan. The last time their website was updated was 2004. IA still has a national presence, & you can find them here: www.interfaithalliance.org The one our guest offers is no longer valid. Their mission certainly is a noble one. Enjoy.
I suspect that this episode goes back to the beginning--perhaps 1997 or '98. Our guest is Noah Seifullah, who was the imam of the predominantly Black mosque here in Grand Rapids, MI then. It has been years since he has acted in that capacity. Back in the day Noah was quite a fixture in the interfaith community. He really seemed to drop off the face of the earth. I miss him.
Noah, like many Black Americans who converted to Islam, was 1st drawn to The Nation of Islam. But like Malcolm X before him, saw through the antisemitism & bigotry, & ended up as a devotee of orthodox Sunni Islam.
As always with these ancient nuggets, please disregard any events, dates, websites, etc.
Enjoy.
I've got no real date on this one, but I'm suspecting it is from 1998 or 9. I'll warn you up front that the sound quality is not at all up to snuff. It's been interesting uploading these ancient cassettes. Some sound like they were recorded digitally yesterday. Others, not so much. This would be that.
But the conversation is a good one. Marchiene Reinstra is one of the co-founders of Interfaith Dialogue Association, & a great friend. She & her husband live on Lake Michigan, & allow me to use their private beach & deck anytime I'm in the 'hood.
So, this is her story. She was raised in the Reformed/Calvinist tradition. You'll hear more about that, along with her historic ordination in the episodes. But as she grew spiritually she took a definite turn in a direction few would have predicted.
These episodes require more of a postscript than most. 1st of all, yes, there is a town in West Michigan called Ganges, & it is home to 2 Hindu ashrams. The town was there before the ashrams. They are both part of the Ramakrishna tradition.
Mother's Place, which was dedicated in 1998, still exists, but they offer no programming whatsoever. A few monastics live there & perform social service for the community. But there is no longer a Westshore Interfaith Institute, no Sunday services, etc. Please ignore all phone numbers, e-mail addresses (Especially Marchiene's Compuserve e-dress!) & virtually everything else about Mother's Place. What's important here is the story of Marchiene's journey from Calvinism to a more expansive multi-faith approach. After Marchiene left Mother's Place she became a minister for Unity Church. I think that is the perfect place for her. She no longer works full time, but does share her wisdom with congregations from time to time.
If this piques your interest, perhaps this article about Rev. Reinstra will answer some questions:
https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/priscilla-papers-academic-journal/ministry-and-meditation
These episodes aired in 2006. Meredith Jordan has appeared on Common Threads a few times. She's really an insightful woman. Her books are still available, but doing a quick web search, I am not able to locate her. Her organization Rogers McKay doesn't seem to have a presence as well.
These episodes are among my favorites. Over the years I have referred people to the book we discuss here many times. These aired in 2007. Here's the thing, while generalizations go only so far, it's safe to say that much of Evangelical Christianity is based on fear. What I mean is that the parameters for expression of belief & practices are quite narrow. You color outside the lines a bit & you have people questioning your bona fides. Heresy is an easily attainable goal here. To prove this point, our guest Mary Darling spends much of the time proving that she is not a Hindu or Buddhist. The rest of the time she defends herself from any perceptions that she is Catholic! And I get why. Decades ago Catholics saw that some of their flock were a little too interested in Eastern spirituality. So a movement back to the tradition of meditation began. More recently, Protestants have discovered value in such practice as well. But the more conservative wings of Jesus followers have looked at all this as something akin to voodoo. Mary makes a compelling case for the universal good of contemplative practice. Give her a listen.
What a find! I really thought that the only show I had featuring Marc Evan Jackson was the very 1st one that is in our collection here. Lo & behold, I find another ancient cassette. And the fidelity is excellent.
For those who haven't heard the 1st episode yet, Common Threads started airing on WGVU back in 1996. It was hosted then by Marc. I took over in '97. Marc has gone onto amazing things. He's now a very busy actor living in LA. You can see him on Parks & Rec, Good Place, Brooklyn 99, & other TV comedies. Last I heard he'll be portraying Steve Jobs in a project still in production. So you get to hear his humble beginnings in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
About the guests: These 3 women were responsible for the interfaith work in GR that is so vibrant now. Both Dorothy & Madhuri have transitioned, but Ghazala Munir continues to be a very active member of our work here.
Go ahead. Give it a listen.
These episodes, which aired in 2007, feature an interview with co-founder of IDA Dr. Lillian Sigal. We discuss her journey to Germany where she, along with other interfaith enthusiasts, observed the various ways in which young Germans are attempting to redeem their reputation as a liberal democracy by acknowledging the grave sins of their forebears who were responsible for the heinous genocide we know as Shoah.
Dr. Sigal refers to this experience as a "pilgrimage." Listen to this very powerful account to find out why.
This is from 2001. I interview 2 promoters of Avatar, a for-profit org that "sells enlightenment." OK, that's a bit overblown. But if you search the internet you'll find many ex-members who tell the same sad tale of being taken for a ride by these guys.
That said, I'm sure there are elements of what they teach that are of value. But I assure you that these bits of wisdom are found in multiple places that don't charge thousands of dollars to learn.
I recorded a special intro to these episodes to offer context.
I know, I know, If you are wondering why I publish so many episodes that promote events that happened years ago, I get that some might consider this pretty useless. But the messages from the speakers are often timeless. I think these programs really hold up well. They were aired in 2004 as part of our Phillip Sigal Lecture series. Elias Amidon is an amazing person. He does deserve a listen. He is still active with the Boulder Institute. You can learn more about their work at
www.pathofthefriend.org
These episodes come from 2007. They contain very insightful conversations with Prof. Joe Mackall, the author of the book Plain Secrets. The audio quality is OK, which is better than some of the classics I've uploaded of recent.
I think you'll enjoy this.
These episodes are from 2000. They feature conversations with one of the most important people in the interfaith movement in West Michigan at that time. Joel Beversluis was an international presence. His passion for multi-religious cooperation drove his life. One of the most important things we discuss is the Millennium Summit that took place earlier that year.
Sadly, Joel died in 2003. And it just occurs to me at this moment that those who are carrying on his work here in Grand Rapids (where we have such a robust interfaith effort) know nothing about him. We've done nothing to memorialize him. I'm hoping that putting this old show out there might change that.
Joel, if you could only see what we've accomplished, I think you would be proud. Just know that we are standing on your shoulders.
What a find this was! I had no memory that we ever even did these shows. But so glad I found this tape. We recorded these episodes sometime in 2001. They feature conversations that I had with my dear, dear friend Madhuri Acharya. You will hear me mention that she had the herculean task of pulling off 2 weddings within a year's time. It would be daunting enough if these were Presbyterian or Baptist weddings. But, boys & girls, these were HINDU weddings. This is a different universe entirely. And she accomplished these while undergoing treatment for cancer. Sadly, we lost our wonderful friend to that cancer in 2003. It makes finding these shows even more precious. So buckle up & let's take a ride to Mumbai.
This is from 2000. It's a conversation with Rev. Julie Cowey. Please ignore all contact information, event dates, etc. When I post these oldies I like to do a little investigating to see what is current with them. I looked all over the internet, but couldn't find Julie. Also, their Michigan website is no longer. But www.nccj.org does work. Those of a certain age might remember The National Conference of Christians & Jews. Well, this is that renamed.
This was a good conversation. Obviously, this work is still needed today.
This one is probably from 1998 or 99. Can't swear. But I love hearing my old friend & colleague Mehdi Lalani discuss both the Sufi & Ismaili traditions of Islam. His knowledge & devotion are palpable.
Mehdi & his family moved from Grand Rapids ages ago. I forget where. I've tried to locate him on social media, but to no avail. I do miss the guy.
This chestnut was just found in the vault (or box, really). It's a cassette of 2 episodes from 1999. Please ignore all the promotion I do for the upcoming event that featured our guest Bishop William Swing. Feel free to FF through as much as you need. Perhaps I should have edited all that out. Perhaps, but who ever said I was that ambitious?
Anyway, Bishop Swing is a very impressive person. If you have any interest in the interfaith movement you might find this of interest.
These 2 episodes go back to 2007, when I interviewed Nica Lalli, who wrote the book "Nothing: Something to Believe In." It's the story of a woman who makes her way from the traditions of her birth to an entirely secular life. I did enjoy this conversation. At the time we were having to deal with several of the "angry atheists" who were grabbing all the headlines. Nica doesn't crank, just shares what makes life meaningful for her.
This might be considered somewhat dated, as DaVinci Code has come & gone, but the historical elements that underlie the fiction are compelling. Our guest does a great job of putting in all together. This episode is from 2005.
Go ahead, listen. What else you got going? The Republican convention? Please.
So why would you want to listen to a couple of episodes that we used to promote a conference we held in 2006? Well, our 2 outstanding guests are very well schooled in the subject of sacred art. I'm sure I could have had them on to engage in a robust discussion, conference or not.
By the way, the conference was kind of a flop in terms of numbers. We way overcharged people to attend. But the presentations were excellent. Once again, so sorry about the poor quality of the audio. This is not how it sounded when it aired over radio. But the engineers didn't always pay too close attention to the back up cassette that was running. Levels are too hot.
Undoubtedly, one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had. Diet (pronounced like the insect repellent) Eman was a part of the the Dutch Resistance. She made tremendous sacrifices to help rescue Jews during their reign of terror. She has been honored by the state of Israel, & led a very public life here in Grand Rapids, MI up until her final years. She died at age 99 in 2019. We became friends after recording these shows in 2000. If you listen to one podcast of ours this year, this is the one.
This episode aired in 1999. It featured my conversation with Elaine Wahab. She grew up Catholic, but fell in love with & married a devout Muslim man. It's an interesting listen. Some theologians in both camps might find her estimations that the 2 religions are so close in thought a bit simplistic. Others, of course, will say that it doesn't matter. It certainly has worked for them. Today they both stand as a very good example of what a marriage should be.
What a bonus! I found this cassette that was simply marked "June 8, 1999." I popped it in, & found that it was an interview that I did with my dear brother. What makes this ever so special is that we had just recently seen one another for the 1st time in 7 years. He had been in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Burma & Australia during that period.
As you'll hear, he describes his life as a monk in a very austere order. Those years also had him studying for his Ph.D at the University of Western Australia in Renaissance Italian Studies.
It was such a joy to hear this conversation that happened over 2 decades ago. In 2014 my little brother passed away much too early. He was only 55. So I'm glad we have this with which to remember him.
You'll note that next to his rich baritone voice I kinda sound like Minnie Mouse. Not even Mickey--Minnie!
Boy, was I ever excited with I pulled this baby out of the box. We recorded & aired this in 2007. Note the fun story I relate about my trip to India in the beginning of Part 1.
Bishop Spong has been a lightning rod for the liberal wing of Christianity. He has many theological enemies, but continues to be a force.
This chestnut goes back to around 2000--not sure of the exact year, but sure I'm close. At that time our guest procured some lovely property on the rural outskirts of Grand Rapids in hopes of creating an intellectual/spiritual community & gathering place for the like minded to think deep thoughts together. It was called Concord Grove. A noble effort indeed. But it just wasn't the right time for the area. At the time of broadcast I had yet to visit, but did very soon afterwards. I wished him the very best, but was a bit skeptical that it would flourish. Grand Rapids is a wonderful place on many levels. I just didn't think the concept would resonate with the greater area. Sadly, I was right.
But that did not dampen the ambitions of Dr. Fideler. He has continued to explore & publish. You can access his brilliance at www.davidfideler.com anytime.
OK Kids, from my intro when I mention doing the show for 11 years I am guessing that this is from about 2008. I interview Janet Haag. Their mission is as follows:
FELLOWSHIP IN PRAYERencourages and supports
a spiritual orientation to life,
promotes the practice
of prayer, meditation,
and service to others,
and helps bring about
a deeper spirit of unity
among humankind.
Their site is www.fellowshipinprayer.org
Enjoy
I can't quite recall when this interview was broadcast, but our guest Jerry O'Bee died in 2011. I'd suspect we chatted sometime between 2000-07.
Jerry was very active in 2 organizations: Call to Action & Voice of the Faithful. Both are focused on facilitating change in the Catholic Church. The former was created specifically to address sexual abuse within parishes.
Jerry was a sweet guy. You can tell by listening to him how much his faith meant to him.
Y'know, after going through all of the tapes I've pulled out of the dungeon, I'm impressed with the audio quality. So many have been, well, not great.
It was a nice conversation as well. As I've been rediscovering these episodes I've Googled several of the guests to see what they are up to today. Who is alive? Who isn't? Well, James here has retired from his judgeship, but is now a practicing attorney in Traverse City, MI.
Enjoy
Believe me, I will not be insulted if you don't listen to this one. It's from 2000, & the audio fidelity is really poor. Sometimes I'm not sure why I upload these oldies. But hey, if it speaks to just a handful of people I'd be pleased.
So remember: All of these dates are from 20 years ago. Don't try to buy tickets!
I really doubt I need to warn you.
I'm about halfway through uploading all the oldies from the vault (box). I will then resume uploading more recent shows, which you may find at
www.wgvunews.org/term/common-threads
In these episodes we speak with Bodhananda on a series of classes that he has developed for people who are active in business & other worldly pursuits. Remember these discussions are almost 20 years old. Please ignore all promotions for events.
As with many of the cassette tapes that we've been transferring to MP3, the fidelity isn't perfect, but better than others.
As always, when we publish these oldies but goodies you'll notice a lack of fidelity, as they are transferred from ancient cassettes. But they are good enough for our purposes.
Enjoy.
OK Kids, this is quite the tale. These episodes were recorded & aired in January of 2001. I had just met Steve, as you'll hear. His soul journey is one of the most interesting I've come across. He went from beatnik to hippie to Krishna devotee to minister in the United Church of Christ. But he never lost his devotion to Krishna. If what you hear is of interest I recommend you read in much more detail his recollections at www.stevebohlert.com
And how about this added bonus? I just pulled this cassette out of the vault (more of a box, really) & found that at the end of the 2nd show the mics were still hot. Just for the fun of it I decided to keep our private conversation intact. I'm allowing you to eavesdrop.
But wait! There's more! In my "real" life I'm a commercial actor. Among other things, I narrate audiobooks. You can find most of what I've done by searching my name on Audible. Anyway, it was at this time I was nudging my way into the biz. Well, As I'm transferring these shows to MP3 I notice that just after that little post taping conversation I mentioned there was a short segment of me reading from "To Kill a Mockingbird" as an audition. Of course, the real audiobook should be performed by a woman. But the part I read is a great scene to display the ability to do different voices. So what the hey? It's easier to keep it here than to edit it out. So enjoy. And remember, these older shows I'm posting are taken from 10-20 year old cassette tapes. Please forgive the lack of fidelity.
I'll provide a little epilogue here. Calvin College did not respond well to Stephanie's extracurricular activity here. From everything I've heard, she sort of drew a target on her back. They were not as progressive as she indicated on air.
I'm happy to report that Stephanie is now a prof at Washington & Lee University in Virginia, & appears by all signs to be thriving in a more secular culture.
Be sure to ignore all dates, phone numbers, etc. Remember, this took place in 2008.
This was uploaded from a rather ancient cassette tape, so the fidelity isn't perfect. My voice sounds a little sped up up.
I can't even guess when this was recorded. I'm guessing in the early 00s. I'm interviewing Gary Wackenhut, who along with his wife make up the Collecting Consort. They specialized in creating a healing environment with their music to those in hospice or other circumstances where their talents were needed.
We explore the journey of our guest who walked away from a lifetime of practicing a fundamentalist version of Christianity.
We discuss the book "The Secret Message of Jesus" with author Brian McClaren in this 2007 interview from the archives.
We interview an author about the sociological value of marriage from back about 15 years ago. His views have changed. He was pretty hardcore about opposing marriage equality, which he discusses in these episodes. A quick web search indicates that he's done a 180. Huzzah.
We discuss the New Thought best selling "A Course in Miracles." This is a look at a more universalist concept of Jesus.
This is an interview from around 2010 that focuses on the theory that Abe Lincoln reincarnated as Charles Lindbergh. The author offers clues to the similarities of their lives while not dismissing the significant differences.
This episode is from 2007. The subject of caste is a complicated one. There was wisdom behind its creation, but like so many other ancient traditions, it devolved into a hot mess of bigotry and exclusion. We discuss this.
Our guest has moved onto other efforts since this was aired. But we still admire her passion for human rights.
This is an episode from 2001 where we discuss the relationship between Church & State during the Middle Ages in England.
This is an episode we recorded sometime around 1998. I recently found the cassette recording of it. You'll be able to pick up in parts that the tape was a bit unstable. But I wanted to post this because it features a dear, dear friend who since passed away. It was because of her that I made my maiden trip to India. Please bear with the imperfections.
The challenge of having a government sponsored body that critiques the religious freedom of other nations is discussed.
It's odd to imagine, but even the very progressive Unitarians & Universalists were slaveholders back in the day. This interview from 2019 with Colin Bossen is a fascinating account.
A discussion on how the religions of old are either morphing or dying in contemporary society.
This is about research into the history of the feminine divine within the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Continuing conversation on Reincarnation & the research that indicates it just might be a thing.
A continuation of the conversation about the historical evidence about the flight from Egypt of the Jews.
A conversation about scientific research into the phenomenon of rebirth by the University of Virginia.
Story of how Nazis attempted to take over LA during WWII, but were thwarted by a group of Jews & Gentile allies.
Our conversation continues with the author of the book that exposed antisemitism in LA during WWII.
Did the Exodus happen as described in the Bible? Jewish scholar Sheldon Kopprel investigate the latest evidence & speculation.
Sarah Feinbloom talks about her film, ‘What Do You Believe Now: The Spiritual Journeys of American Millennials'
Sarah Feinbloom talks about her film, ‘What Do You Believe Now: The Spiritual Journeys of American Millennials'
Dr. Kelly James Clark joins us to talk about his book, ‘God and the Brain: The Rationality of Belief.’
Dr. Clark is Senior Research Fellow at the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and Professor at Grand Valley State University. Additional books by Clark include ‘Written to be Heard,’ ‘Strangers, Neighbors, Friends,’ ‘Return to Reason,’ and ‘When Faith Is Not Enough.’
Dr. Kelly James Clark joins us to talk about his book, ‘God and the Brain: The Rationality of Belief.’
Dr. Clark is Senior Research Fellow at the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and Professor at Grand Valley State University. Additional books by Clark include ‘Written to be Heard,’ ‘Strangers, Neighbors, Friends,’ ‘Return to Reason,’ and ‘When Faith Is Not Enough.’