Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue

Fred Stella, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, WGVU-FM, Interfaith Dialogue Association, Grand Valley State University

Episodes 355
Avg. Duration 56m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 5.0 (3)
Since Feb 2020
Latest Episode Apr 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
25%
Hosting
feeds.simplecast.com

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About This Podcast

Rated as the #1 podcast on all matters interfaith by Feedspot (https://blog.feedspot.com/interfaith_podcasts/), this is a weekly program that airs on Michigan NPR affiliates WGVU and WGVK. These 2 stations cover the entire western portion of the state. The show is hosted by Fred Stella, President of Interfaith Dialogue Association, an affiliate of Kaufman Interfaith Institute, which operates out of Grand Valley State University, the license holder of both stations. Each week Fred invites clerics, authors, activists and the occasional mystic into conversation about the role of spirituality and religion in politics, world affairs, societies and individuals. The parameters are quite wide. Besides his passion for all things transcendent, Fred Stella has an extensive resume in the world of media. Since his graduation from college Fred has worked in multiple radio formats, including news/talk, where he developed his skills in the art of the interview. He also has extensive experience in TV, stage, web entertainment, audiobook narration and more. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Recent Episodes

Soul Medicine For a Fractured World Parts 1 & 2

Apr 03, 2026 54m

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…

Nurturing Happiness Parts 1 & 2

Apr 03, 2026 55m

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…

The Future of God Parts 1 & 2

Mar 20, 2026 51m

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…

Invading the Sacred: Academia's Bias Against Hinduism Parts 1 & 2

Mar 16, 2026 57m

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…

A Case For the Existence of God Parts 1 & 2

Mar 03, 2026 56m

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.…

The Plight of the Bhutanese Refugees Parts 1 & 2

Feb 13, 2026 56m

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.…

Contemplate: Toward an Expansive Heart Parts 1 & 2

Feb 06, 2026 56m

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…

If It Were Not For Buddha I Could Not be a Christian Parts 1 & 2

Feb 03, 2026 55m

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…

Religion & Modernity:The 2009 Kaufman Conference Parts 1 & 2

Jan 29, 2026 56m

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…

No Enemy Left to Conquer: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World Parts 1 & 2

Jan 23, 2026 54m

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…

In Living Color: Calvinism Explained Parts 1 & 2

Jan 23, 2026 56m

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…

Islam: The Basic Tenets Parts 1 & 2

Jan 22, 2026 56m

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…

The Halakhah of Jesus According to the Gospel of Matthew Parts 1 & 2

Jan 20, 2026 59m

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…

Crimes Against India Parts 1 & 2

Jan 18, 2026 57m

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…

The Fox Hunt: Trapped in Yemen Parts 1 & 2

Dec 27, 2025 1h 5m

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…

Hebrew Orientalism Parts 1, 2 & 3

Dec 09, 2025 1h 21m

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…

Karmic Relief Parts 1 & 2

Nov 19, 2025 56m

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…

The Comparative Gospels Parts 1 & 2

Nov 05, 2025 58m

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…

Mother Emanuel Church Parts 1 & 2

Oct 28, 2025 55m

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…

Interfaith PhotoVoice Parts 1 & 2

Oct 02, 2025 56m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue have?

Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue has published 355 episodes since February 2020, covering topics in News, News Commentary.

Is Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue still active?

Common Threads: An Interfaith Dialogue is currently sporadic with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 56m.

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