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Artwork for Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue
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Donald Trump
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Rated as the #1 podcast on all matters interfaith by Feedspot (blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/), this is a weekly program that airs on Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. These 2 stations cover the entire western portion of the state. The show is hosted by Fred Stella, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, which operates out o... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes361Founded6 years ago
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PhilosophySociety & CultureReligion & SpiritualityReligion

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Artwork for Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Latest Episodes

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 Jacks... more

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 heartb... more

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... more

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 a... more

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Recent Guests

Stephen Bauman
Reverend; United Methodist minister; author
Christ Church, New York City
Episode: The Bhagavad Gita with Guest (not host!) Fred Stella
Deanna Armbruster
Executive Director of the American Friends of Neve Shalom Wahat Al-Salam
American Friends of Neve Shalom Wahat Al-Salam (Oasis of Peace)
Episode: Oasis of Peace Parts 1 & 2
Dr. BK Parmar
Visiting scholar from India; specialization in yoga, astrology, palmistry, tantra sadhana, naturopathy
Swami Yogananda Foundation (founder)
Episode: Palmistry: Science? Pseudo-Science? You Decide Parts 1 & 2
Liz Bucar
Religious Ethicist and Professor of Religion at Northeastern University
Northeastern University
Episode: Beyond Wellness Parts 1 & 2
Candace Lukasik
Anthropologist of religion; author of Martyrs and Migrants
Mississippi State University
Episode: Coptic Christianity: The Challenges in Both Egypt and the USA Parts 1 & 2
Christopher Sansone
Author of Longing, A Pilgrimage to Your Quiet Power Within
Author, spiritual teacher and coach
Episode: Longing: Your Quiet Power Within Parts 1 & 2
Robert Wuthnow
Professor of Sociology Emeritus, Princeton University, author of Nurturing Happiness, How Religion Shapes Emotional Practice
Princeton University
Episode: Nurturing Happiness Parts 1 & 2
Steve Schwalbe
Author of The Future of God, An Academic Perspective; adjunct professor
Columbia College (American government and international relations)
Episode: The Future of God Parts 1 & 2
Ravi Joshi
Hindu educator, promoter of Invading the Sacred
Hindu Temple of Toledo; Medha Journal; Invading the Sacred (book)
Episode: Invading the Sacred: Academia's Bias Against Hinduism Parts 1 & 2

Host

Fred Stella
Host of Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue; engages guests and guides conversations on spirituality, religion in public life, and interfaith issues.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 3 ratings
  • Thoughtful and wonderful podcast

    A fantastic show with a phenomenal host! I’m so grateful for this podcast that makes space for these conversations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rachel Rueckert
    United States3 years ago
  • Fascinating topics / smart host

    I was raised Catholic and am a practicing Hindu these days. I have always been interested in religion and spirituality. The breadth and depth of topics in this podcast is amazing. The host is incredibly knowledgeable. You can tell. And the variety of guests makes each week interesting. You’ll probably laugh more than you expect to as well. Stella clearly has a sense of humor. The library here is vast and gives you plenty to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yogini55
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful and wonderful—great host and deep conversations.
Listeners appreciate the humor and library-like breadth of topics.
The breadth and depth are amazing; varied guests keep it fresh and insightful.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Bhagavad Gita with Guest (not host!) Fred Stella
Q: How has the reception been from listeners and the radio station, especially regarding concerns about evangelizing?
He notes that responses are often positive and surprising across faiths, and that the spots are crafted to avoid evangelism while promoting dialogue; stations eventually saw the value in providing constructive content.
The Bhagavad Gita with Guest (not host!) Fred Stella
Q: What inspired you to create one-minute radio spots focused on values, civility, and our common good?
Bauman explains that it started as a practical effort to buy airtime and create prompts for reflection rather than advertisements, aiming to engage a broad audience in a civil, thoughtful conversation.
Beyond Wellness Parts 1 & 2
Q: What do you mean when you say 'the higher power' in AA/Al‑Anon can be reframed for secular audiences?
Higher power can be understood as the idea that you are not the sole authority in your life; accepting a power greater than oneself—even if non‑theistic—offers a framework for humility, accountability, and interdependence without requiring traditional dogma.
Beyond Wellness Parts 1 & 2
Q: You talk about connecting with the religion that birthed these practices, but you are not identified with any particular one. How do you strike that balance in your life?
I sit in the discomfort of not having a single religious identity, viewing traditions as conversation partners and valuable sources of learning rather than fixed identities, which allows me to engage with practices critically and respectfully.
Palmistry: Science? Pseudo-Science? You Decide Parts 1 & 2
Q: Is palmistry more scientific or more mystical than astrology, and how do they relate?
Parmar explains that astrology relies on planetary movements and Kundali charts, while palmistry depends on birth lines and hand features; both are presented as complementary methods of prediction, with palmistry offering quicker, more private readings.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

What is Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, long-running discussion on religion, spirituality, and how faith interacts with politics, society, and daily life. Across episodes, listeners are treated to interfaith dialogue, scholarly takes on belief, and practical conversations with clerics, authors, and activists from diverse traditions. The show often centers on how faith informs public life, ethics, and community action, while showcasing a wide range of perspectives and a strong emphasis on dialogue over division. A notable strength is the host's ability to guide candid conversations with expert guests and practitioners, creating accessible entry points for both secular and faith-oriented audiences.

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1. The Joe Rogan Experience

How many episodes of Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue are there?

Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue launched 6 years ago and published 361 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue?

Recent guests on Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue include:

1. Stephen Bauman
2. Deanna Armbruster
3. Dr. BK Parmar
4. Liz Bucar
5. Candace Lukasik
6. Christopher Sansone
7. Robert Wuthnow
8. Steve Schwalbe

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