Crossing Faiths

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Dr. Minhas Khan from Peshawar University about the complexities of intra-faith relations and the limitations of Samuel Huntington’s "Clash of Civilizations" theory. They explore how the perception of the Muslim world as a monolithic entity is often a reductive Western construct used to serve political agendas, rather than an accurate reflection of its diverse cultu...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John and Elliot discuss the intricate and often nuanced overlaps between different religions and belief systems, comparing and contrasting internal divisions within Islamic tradition with those in Christian tradition. They explore the historical and theological distinctions between Sunni and Shia Islam, examining how each sect interprets concepts like leadership, succession, and divine a...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John and Elliot discuss the multifaceted and often unsettling implications of technology and power in our society. The conversation shifts from science fiction, specifically the depiction of Starfleet in Star Trek, to historical events like Pearl Harbor and World War II, examining how societies grapple with traumatic events and the subsequent need for justification and moral clarity. A s...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John and Elliot discuss the multifaceted relationship between global events, economic trends, and political leadership, particularly focusing on the actions of Donald Trump. They explore themes of insider trading and market speculation tied to geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Iran, suggesting that a significant portion of international conflict is driven by financial incentives ...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna and Elliot Toman discuss the increasingly blurred lines between religion and governance in the United States, specifically examining the impact of the Trump administration on the separation of church and state. They explore the "unholy union" between Donald Trump and the broader Christian community, analyzing how his charisma and strategic alignment on issues like abortion hav...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John speaks with Rev. Marian Edmonds, who works at the intersection of faith, values, and technology. They discuss their shared involvement in the AI and spirituality initiative at Harvard University, as well as their mutual interests in AI, religion, and the concept of "covenantal pluralism." Rev. Marian explains how she has been working to apply AI within religious freedom and human ri...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John and Elliot discuss the multifaceted relationship between religion, politics, and power, specifically focusing on how symbolism and visual representations—like vestments and tattoos—serve as tools of authority and identity for both historical figures and modern political actors. They explore the intersection of American political theater, such as the use of military imagery and "war-...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John speaks with Eitan Diamond, a legal expert at the Humanitarian Law Center in Israel, about his journey and professional focus on human rights and international law. Their conversation spans Diamond’s personal background as a South African Jew who moved to Israel during the apartheid era, reflecting on the complexity of that transition and his later career. They explore the critical i...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John speaks with Ambassador Robert Rehak, the Czech Republic’s Special Envoy for the Holocaust, Interfaith Dialogue, and Freedom of Religion and Belief, about his extensive global efforts to protect marginalized communities and promote tolerance. The conversation creatively opens by comparing his human rights work to the Czech legend of Houska Castle—a fortress built to seal the gates of...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Dennis Petri, focusing on the evolution and current state of metrics used to gauge religious freedom and persecution. Petri explains how documenting religious incidents is crucial for making them visible to policymakers, countering older secularization theories that often overlooked religious influence in public life. The discussion highlights the transition from a...

Recently, Crossing Faiths host John Pinna appeared on Franck Zanu's podcast to explore the intricate relationship between religion, tribalism, and politics across the African continent. Zanu argues that faith in Africa is deeply intertwined with tribal identity, which often dictates access to economic resources and political power. The discussion delves into the nuances of religious conflict in regions like Northern Nigeri...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna resumes his conversation with Scott Horton to examine the historical and contemporary applications of the Monroe Doctrine, tracing its shift from a defensive stance against European colonization to a tool for American imperial dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The dialogue focuses heavily on the complexities of regime change in Venezuela, analyzing the motivations behind US...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Scott Horton about the underlying motivations and consequences of American foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond. The discussion explores the influence of neoconservative ideologies on the Iraq War, the political motivations of the Bush administration, and the subsequent "redirection" of support toward various factions in the Syrian civil war. Pinna shares h...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Mandana Hendessi about her career in human rights advocacy and international development across Iraq and Afghanistan, with a particular focus on her novel, The Almond Garden of Kabul. Drawing from her real-life experiences providing legal aid and counseling at the Badam Bagh women's prison, Hendessi explores the systemic oppression of women through the lens of "mor...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Shaka Mitchell, founder of the Come Together Music Project, about utilizing music as a tool to deepen relationships and foster vulnerability across cultural and political divides. They discuss the origins of Mitchell's podcast, which invites guests to share songs based on specific prompts, leading to unexpected and humanizing conversations—such as a dialogue betwee...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Lauren Van Ham, an interfaith minister and the Earth Restoration Coordinator for the United Religions Initiative (URI), about the vital intersection of spirituality and environmental stewardship. Van Ham details her journey to becoming an "Eco-Chaplain," a role dedicated to caring for the Earth as our collective home, and explains how her multi-faith background inf...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, the Abbot of the Zen Mountain Monastery, about the intersection of traditional Buddhist practice and modern American life. Shugen elucidates the role of an Abbot as both a spiritual teacher and administrator before diving into core Buddhist concepts, explaining how the suffering caused by clinging to a permanent sense of self can be alleviat...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Stephen Schneck, a Commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), about the vital role the independent, bipartisan commission plays in monitoring and advocating for freedom of belief worldwide. Schneck details the distinction between USCIRF’s advisory role and the State Department’s policy implementation, while highlighti...

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Brian Grim from the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation about his influential research on global religious freedom. Grim recounts how his personal experiences living in the Muslim world, particularly during 9/11, led him to develop the groundbreaking framework that measures religious restrictions through two distinct lenses: government actions and social host...