Crossing Faiths
Religion & Spirituality
About
Crossing Faiths is a podcast where people from diverse religious backgrounds openly discuss everything you're NOT supposed to discuss at the dinner table. Join hosts Jt Pinna, a career national security, international affairs, and D.C. insider, and Elliot Toman, a former media director in the Evangelical church, as they engage in lively conversations about the impact of faith on current events. Crossing Faiths also welcomes guests from various religious and experiential backgrounds to share their insights. The podcast was initially developed in collaboration with Matt Hawkins, a former policy director for the Southern Baptist Convention. Their conversations are built on a decade of collaboration, advocating in Washington, D.C., for religious freedom domestically and globally. The two developed the podcast to share conversations that model friendship and cooperation despite profound differences in religion and background. The podcast has reached almost 3 million multi-faith listeners,
Episodes
- 204 - Dr. Minhas Khan
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Dr. Minhas Khan about intra-faith relations, the limitations of Samuel Huntington’s "Clash of Civilizations" theory, and the geopolitical role of resource control. They discuss how…
- 203 - The Hammer of Fundamentalism
John and Elliot discuss internal divisions within Islamic tradition, specifically Sunni and Shia Islam, and compare them to divisions within Christianity. They examine historical and theological distinctions, interpretations of leadership…
- 202 - Choosing Violence
John and Elliot on Crossing Faiths explore technology's impact on society, referencing Star Trek, historical conflicts like Pearl Harbor and WWII, and the ethics of government and military operations.
- 201 - Insider Warmongering
In episode 201, "Insider Warmongering," John and Elliot of Crossing Faiths examine the connections between global events, economic trends, and political leadership, particularly concerning Donald Trump. The discussion delves into insider t…
- 200 - The Unholy Union
John Pinna and Elliot Toman discuss the blurred lines between religion and governance in the US, particularly concerning the Trump administration's influence on the separation of church and state. The episode analyzes the "unholy union" be…
- 199 - Rev. Marian Edmonds
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, host John interviews Rev. Marian Edmonds about her work applying AI within religious freedom and human rights spaces. They discuss the ethical challenges of AI, the importance of interfaith engagement, a…
- 198 - Deadly Theater
In episode 198, "Deadly Theater," John and Elliot discuss the complex relationship between religion, politics, and power. They examine how symbolism, visual representations, and rhetoric are employed as tools of authority and identity, par…
- 197: Eitan Diamond
In this episode, John interviews Eitan Diamond, a legal expert from the Humanitarian Law Center in Israel, about his personal journey and professional work in human rights and international law. They discuss the complexities of the Israeli…
- 196 - Ambassador Robert Rehak
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John interviews Ambassador Robert Rehak, the Czech Republic’s Special Envoy for the Holocaust, Interfaith Dialogue, and Freedom of Religion and Belief. They discuss his work protecting marginalized commu…
- 195: 195: Dennis Petri
John Pinna interviews Dennis Petri on the evolving metrics for religious freedom and persecution. They discuss the importance of data collection, the potential of AI and big data for real-time reporting and sub-national analysis, and the n…
- 194: Franck Zanu
Host John Pinna appeared on Franck Zanu's podcast to discuss the connection between religion, tribalism, and politics in Africa. They examined how faith intertwines with tribal identity, influencing resource access and power, and analyzed…
- 193: Scott Horton Reprise
In this episode, John Pinna and Scott Horton analyze the Monroe Doctrine's historical application and its role in American foreign policy, discussing US involvement in Venezuela, NATO's expansion, and the alleged use of NGOs as covers for…
- 192: Scott Horton
In episode 192 of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Scott Horton about the motivations and consequences of American foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East, Iraq War, and Syrian civil war. The discussion delves into neo…
- 191: Mandana Hendessi
John Pinna interviews Mandana Hendessi about her career in human rights advocacy and international development, focusing on her novel The Almond Garden of Kabul. The discussion covers her experiences in women's prisons, systemic oppression…
- 190 - Shaka Mitchell
John Pinna interviews Shaka Mitchell, founder of the Come Together Music Project, on the podcast Crossing Faiths. They discuss how music can bridge cultural and political divides, leading to vulnerable conversations, and explore the inters…
- 189 - Laura Van Ham, Eco-Chaplain
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Lauren Van Ham, an Eco-Chaplain and Earth Restoration Coordinator for the United Religions Initiative. They discuss the integration of spirituality and environmental stewardship, Va…
- 188: Shugen Arnold
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery. They discuss traditional Buddhist practice in modern American life, the concept of the Middle Way, Arnold's personal journey…
- 187: Stephen Schneck, USCIRF Commissioner
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna talks with USCIRF Commissioner Stephen Schneck about the commission's role in monitoring and advocating for religious freedom worldwide. Schneck discusses the commission's advisory capacity, i…
- 186: Brian Grim
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Brian Grim, president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation. Grim discusses his research on global religious freedom, focusing on government restrictions and social hostili…
- 185: Rushan Abbas
John Pinna interviews Rushan Abbas, an advocate for the Uyghur community, about the persecution of her people. Abbas details historical context, current atrocities including concentration camp conditions and forced labor, and China's trans…
- 184: Matthew Hawkins
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Matt Hawkins, discussing his return to the international religious freedom (IRF) space and his new role as Executive Vice President of the IRF Secretariat. They cover the Secretaria…
- 183 - Joseph F. Dumond
Joseph Dumond explains his theory that humanity has 120 Jubilee cycles of 49 years, using Genesis 6:3 and Leviticus 23 to predict prophetic events and the end times, with a final judgment period culminating in 2033.
- 182 - Despina Namwembe
Despina Namwembe discusses her role coordinating interfaith organizations in Africa's Great Lakes region, addressing conflict, environmental issues, and empowering communities, particularly women and girls.
- 181: Michael Kinnamon
John Pinna interviews Michael Kinnamon, a novelist and professor of theology, discussing Kinnamon's novel "A Rooftop in Jerusalem." The conversation explores how fiction can foster empathy and understanding in complex political and religio…
- 180 - Joseph F. Dumond: Predicting the End of Days
John Pinna talks with author Joseph Dumond about his research on biblical prophecy and the Jubilee calendar. Dumond presents a timeline for the end of days based on historical events and biblical prophecies, offering specific dates for fut…
- 179 - Eric Roux
Eric Roux discusses his personal and professional path in interfaith collaboration and religious freedom advocacy. He highlights the United Religions Initiative's grassroots structure and the importance of tangible cooperation and relation…
- 178 - The Amish Butter Popcorn and America Prays
In episode 178, "The Amish Butter Popcorn and America Prays," cohosts John and Elliot engage in a broad discussion covering comparative religion, ancient cultures, and the White House's "America Prays" initiative. Elliot's popcorn habit se…
- 177 - Chad Brignac
John Pinna interviews author Chad Brignac about integrating personal growth and Christian faith into navigating divisive American politics. Brignac shares his journey toward compassionate leadership, critiques political polarization and le…
- 176 - Dr. Sahar Khamis
John Pinna speaks with Dr. Sahar Khamis about the evolving role of digital and social media in the Arab and Muslim world. They discuss its use as a tool for liberation and repression, the shift in online activism, and the importance of med…
- 175: 175 - Ghazala Salam
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Ghazala Salam, a nonprofit leader, chef, and cultural storyteller. They discuss her mission of food diplomacy, her 'Spice Canvas' project, and her vision for a Muslim cultural cente…
- 174 - Dr. Minhas Kahn: Divine Diplomacy
In this episode, John Pinna interviews Dr. Minhas Kahn about her book "Divine Diplomacy." Kahn discusses how American evangelicals engaged in positive diplomacy in Pakistan through humanitarian efforts and interfaith initiatives, influenci…
- 173: 173 - Guy Elhanan: The tragedy of forced military service
Guy Elhanan shares his experience with mandatory military service in Israel and its dehumanizing effects, contrasting it with his journey toward peace activism. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and recognizing shared humanity to ove…
- 172: 172: Talking About Hulk Hogan with Joseph Yoo
John Pinna and Joseph Yoo discuss the complex emotions of mourning Hulk Hogan, exploring the contrast between his wrestling persona and real-life controversies, the impact of nostalgia, and the nature of parasocial relationships.
- 171: Laila Alsheikh - Parent's Circle
Laila Alsheikh, a Palestinian member of The Parents Circle-Families Forum, shares the story of her son's death after being denied passage through an Israeli checkpoint. She details her transition from grief to advocating for reconciliation…
- 170: 170: Chris Campbell, "The Babka King"
Chris Campbell, "The Babka King," is a food creator who uses humor and storytelling to promote unity and understanding across cultures, as seen in his viral videos and media features. His approach to food bridges cultural divides, aiming t…
- 169: 169: Sahar Aziz
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Sahar Aziz about the effects of 9/11 on Muslim identity and civil liberties in America. They discuss the racialization of Muslims, the evolution of religious freedom, and strategie…
- 168: 168 - Brad Knight
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna interviews Brad Knight, son of Paula White Cain and stepson of Jonathan Cain. Knight discusses his parents' story, his own path from atheism to pastoring Story Life church, and his work with t…
- 167: 167 - Sumbul Ali-Karamali: LGBTQ+ Issues and Islam
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, host John Pinna speaks with Sumbul Ali-Karamali about transgender identity and its intersection with Islam. Ali-Karamali explains gender dysphoria and argues that Islamic tradition does not prohibit bein…
- 166: 166 - Michael Hirshorne
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John speaks with Michael Hirshorne about his philosophy for achieving peace through personal and collective transformation. They discuss self-actualization, changing perspectives, and proactive change th…
- 165: Lost Civilizations, Including Ours
In episode 165, John and Elliot discuss The Shadow, mysticism, and the psychological need for mystery, examining ancient lost civilizations and modern conspiracy theories. They analyze global financial and political systems, arguing they p…
- 164: Joseph Yoo
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, host John Pinna speaks with Episcopalian pastor Joseph Yoo. They discuss Yoo's journey from a Methodist background to planting an inclusive church in Texas, exploring themes of faith deconstruction, scri…
- 163 - Karen Volker: Preventing Violence
John Pinna interviews Karen Volker, Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative, discussing URI's growth into a global interfaith network. The episode details how local initiatives address violence prevention with a focus on buil…
- 161 - Maurice Bloem
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, host John Pinna interviews Maurice Bloem, President and CEO of the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI). They explore JLI's data-driven approach to development, highlighting the…
- 162: John Kiriakou
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou joins John Pinna to analyze the significance of the Donald Trump-Volodymyr Zelensky Vatican meeting. They discuss the return to direct diplomatic engagement, Trump's unpredictable approach, and the historic…
- 160: Ani Zonneveld - Muslims for Progressive Values
Host John Pinna speaks with Ani Zonneveld, founder of Muslims for Progressive Values. They discuss the organization's mission to promote inclusive Islamic values, its roots in social justice, and challenges from conservative religious and…
- 159: 159: Jeff Mitchell - Was Jesus Real?
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, host John Pinna speaks with atheist author Jeff Mitchell, who argues in his book "Jesus Demigod" that Jesus was not a historical figure. They explore the evidence for Jesus, the reliability of the New Te…
- 158: Francesca Albanese - Palestinian Human Rights
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She argues the occupation is unlawful, functions as apartheid, and that Israel has committed ac…
- 157: 157: The Problem with Human Presidents
John Pinna and Elliot Toman analyze the evolution of religious freedom discourse during the Trump administrations, noting a shift from championing international religious freedom to focusing on "religious liberty" framed as anti-Christian…
- 156: Hasia Diner - Food and Culture of Jewish Immigrants
In this episode of Crossing Faiths, historian Hasia Diner discusses the role of food in Jewish immigrant communities in America, examining how it shapes identity, preserves tradition, and fosters connection.
- 155: 155: Momin Sheikh
Momin Sheikh joins Crossing Faiths to discuss the intersection of faith, culture, and identity within the Muslim community, particularly for first-generation American Muslims. The conversation covers personal faith journeys, maintaining re…