Crossing Faiths artwork

Crossing Faiths

163 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratings

Crossing Faiths is a podcast in which people from diverse religious backgrounds engage in open dialogue about all the things you're NOT supposed to discuss at the dinner table. Join hosts John Pinna, a military intelligence veteran 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 a wide variety of religious and experiential backgrounds to share their own insights.
The podcast was initially developed in collaboration with, Matt Hawkins, is a former policy director for the Southern Baptist Convention. Their conversations built on a decade of their collaboration, advocating in Washington, D.C. for religious freedom domestically and around the globe. The two developed the podcast with a desire to share conversations that model friendship and collaboration despite deep differences in religion and background. The podcast has a reach of almost 3 million multi-faith listeners, 83% of which are millennials.

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Episodes

50: Post-election commentary: John Pinna and Manal Omar

November 10, 2020 20:00 - 33 minutes - 15.4 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John Pinna and Manal Omar discuss their initial reflecitons on the results of the 2020 election. Special Guest: Manal Omar.

Special guest: Manal Omar on events in France

November 03, 2020 19:00 - 51 minutes - 23.5 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John Pinna and Manal Omar discuss the headlines coming out of France. Special Guest: Manal Omar.

49: Special guest: Manal Omar on events in France

November 03, 2020 19:00 - 51 minutes - 23.5 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John Pinna and Manal Omar discuss the headlines coming out of France. Special Guest: Manal Omar.

Special guest: George Sorial, former EVP to The Trump Organization

October 13, 2020 11:00 - 50 minutes - 23.3 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome George A. Sorial, formerly Executive Vice President & Counsel to The Trump Organization, to discuss his background as a Coptic Christian, his career with The Trump Organization, and divisions in America. Special Guest: George A. Sorial.

Introducing Hashaw Elkins

October 06, 2020 11:15 - 22 minutes - 10.2 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John turn the interview tables on Crossing Faiths teammate, Hashaw Elkins, who shares about her life in her Mexican Jewish family and faith. Special Guest: Hashaw Elkins.

Abortion in 2020 politics

October 05, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 34.8 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John discuss the ramifications of abortion politics in the 2020 election and beyond. (Recorded prior to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.)

Special Guest: Suzanne Selvester

October 03, 2020 11:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome speaker, author and TV host, Ireland native, Suzanne Selvester. Growing up Irish Catholic in Ireland Seeking healing, surrender, and contentment on a spiritual journey

Special Guest: Manal Omar on women in Islam, leadership, and human rights

October 02, 2020 11:00 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome Manal Omar, founder and CEO of Across Red Lines, an organization that dedicated to creating safe spaces for Muslim women to understand their leadership power and life force energy through the wisdom provided to us from the Quran and Sunnah, as well as the many Muslim women pioneers that have shaped the history of Islam. Special Guest: Manal Omar.

SHORT: Debate Debrief

October 01, 2020 16:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John give their quick reflections on the Sept 29 debate between President Trump and former VP Joe Biden.

Special Guest: Nathan Wineinger on policy advocacy inspired by love of neighbor & human dignity

October 01, 2020 14:00 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome long time friend and fellow policy advocate Nathan Wineinger of 21 Wilberforce. The three discuss Nathan's backstory that inspired his career in advocacy and best practices for religions organizations entering the advocacy space. Special Guest: Nathan Wineinger.

Special Guest: Senge Sering

August 19, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 29.2 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John and Matt welcome Senge Sering to discuss India, Kashmir, China, Pakistan. Special Guest: Senge Sering.

Special Guest: Fr. Dn. Andrew Bennett, Canada's first ever Ambassador for Religious Freedom

August 12, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John catch up with their friend Father Deacon Andrew Bennett, Canada's former--and first ever-- Ambassador for Religious Freedom. Bennett now serves in multiple capacities including with Cardus (Canada's only faith-based think tank) and the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington, D.C. Special Guest: Fr. Dn. Andrew Bennett.

Are evangelical pastors preaching "political" sermons?

August 04, 2020 15:00 - 53 minutes - 48.5 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John debate to what extent evangelical pastors are using the pulpit to advance partisan political goals, what it looks like to non-evangelicals, and what nuance there might be amidst the noise.

Special Guest: Dr. JoAnne Myers, author of The Good Citizen: The Markers of Privilege in America

July 22, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 39.9 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome John's long time friend Dr. JoAnne Myers, Associate Professor of Political Science at Marist College and author of The Good Citizen: The Markers of Privilege in America. Special Guest: Dr. JoAnne Myers.

Part 2: Two white guys talk about American racism

July 15, 2020 17:15 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John continue their discussion about American racism, policing, and seeking better terminology when we talk about solutions.

Part 1: Two white guys talk about American racism

July 03, 2020 09:00 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John discuss racism and policing in the context of the civil unrest triggered by the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey, and other black Americans.

Special guest Ruth Malhotra: Tribute to Ravi Zacharias

June 11, 2020 02:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome Ruth Malhotra, Public Relations Manager for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, to discuss the life of the late Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, in the wake of his memorial. Special Guest: Ruth Malhotra.

Headlines Part 2: Ezekiel's wheel, Science and religion, 90 Day Fiance

May 29, 2020 17:00 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John continue their conversation about some recent religion-related headlines.

Headlines Part 1: Evangelicals debate Trump, Religious responses to Coronavirus

May 20, 2020 17:00 - 45 minutes - 21.1 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Apologies for the technical diffiiculties heard during this episode. Matt thinks the interference you hear on his voice is because his phone was too close to his microphone cable. Rookie mistake! Matt and John discuss the in-fighting among American evangelicals over Trump and a survery about how religious people are thinking about Coronavirus and God. Bonus, we throw in some needless movie references, including shout ...

Is irresponsible polling dividing us?

May 13, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 30.7 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John discuss troubling religion surveys and conclude bad religion polling does more harm than good.

Religious Relational Capital: De Blasio and the Hasidic Jewish Community

May 06, 2020 11:00 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths).

Explainer: The what, why & how of Ramadan

April 29, 2020 11:00 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). On behalf of non-Muslims, Matt peppers John with questions about Ramadan, including: Why Ramadan is the best time to hang out with Muslims even if they're "hunger and angry" by moonrise. Is it appropriate to say, "Happy Ramadan?" Why does Ramadan seem to move around the calendar? What is iftar? What's the big deal bout dates and why is the fruit is an iftar tradition? What might a Muslim feel by the end of Ramadan...

Part 2 of 2: Are we living in a "post-Protestant" America?

April 22, 2020 11:00 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John and Matt debate the notion that America is in a post-Protesant era. The idea is the water Matt (evangelical) swims in, while John (Muslim) had never heard of such a thing.

Religious exceptionalism, exclusivism, or "exempt-ualism"?

April 15, 2020 11:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John and Matt kinda breach their promise to not talk #Quarantine, and discuss (for lack of a better word) a religious "exceptionalism" that prompts some faithful to believe they are immune from Coronavirus. The two parse a difference between that kind of exceptionalism (or, perhaps, exempt-ualism) and religious exclusivism. Also, what is jihad of the tongue?

Part 1 of 2: Religious exceptionalism, exclusivism, or "exempt-ualism"?

April 15, 2020 11:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). John and Matt kinda breach their promise to not talk #Quarantine, and discuss (for lack of a better word) a religious "exceptionalism" that prompts some faithful to believe they are immune from Coronavirus. The two parse a difference between that kind of exceptionalism (or, perhaps, exempt-ualism) and religious exclusivism. Also, what is jihad of the tongue?

Antiquities scandals: The Museum of the Bible

April 08, 2020 10:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John discuss the risks and tradeoffs of antiquities collecting, including the recent scandal involving the Museum of the Bible.

Season 3 Debut: Quarantine Edition

April 01, 2020 11:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John catch up after a March spring break. John returns to the states after time abroad. As the Coronavirus Pandemic spikes around the globe, he has to navigate international travel to make it back to New York. The two cohosts compare how Christians and Muslims are, respectively, adapting to social distancing and government mandated "safe at home" policies.

Remember when Bernie breached Article 6?

February 27, 2020 22:00 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John talk Bernie Sanders. John retells a hot debate he got into with a millennial stranger in upstate New York.

Special guest: Mustafa Akhwand, Shia Rights Watch

February 20, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 32.5 MB

Support this podcast via Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/crossingfaiths). Matt and John welcome Mustafa Akhwand is the founder and Executive Director of Shia Rights Watch. The trio discuss differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims, differences between Shia and Ismaili Muslims ("12ers" vs "6ers"), and the unique persecution face by Shia Muslims when a minority population. Matt and Mustafa share a common alma mater, each holding masters degrees from George Mason University (https://www2.gmu....

Faith and politics: Prayer Breakfast, Trump, Romney, Falwell, Muslims, Democrat Primaries

February 13, 2020 18:00 - 59 minutes - 27.5 MB

Matt and John rattle off on some headlines involving religion and politics, and the 2020 election.

Does the Quran allow a Muslim to be a friend with a Christian?

February 06, 2020 09:00 - 46 minutes - 21.4 MB

Matt and John scramble to remember what to talk about. Topics end up including: Does the Quran allow a Muslim to be a friend with a Christian or a Jew? What is the "Q" document? Who wrote the first Gospel? (chronologically) What is the proper etiquette for buying lobsters en masse? And would a Muslim eat it anyway? Book review: What does Matt think about Atheist Muslim by Ali Rizvi?

Prayer in schools: Japan vs. U.S.A. | Special Guest: Shino Yokotsuka

January 31, 2020 04:00 - 43 minutes - 19.7 MB

Shino Yokotsuka, a Tokyo native and a PhD student in Boston, joins Matt and John to compare school prayer practices in United States and Japan. Did you know Japanese school children must dye their hair black if their hair isn't naturally black? Can western-style religious freedom be exported verbatim into collective cultures? Whose deity is referred to by "under God" in the U.S.A.'s Pledge of Allegiance? Also, is it really religious freedom if you must bow to an emperor? Special Guest: Shin...

"Unequally yoked" marriage?; Pocket Burgers

January 23, 2020 13:00 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MB

So what about this the Bible verse about being "unequally yoked"? Does it have to do with egg cholesterol? Matt and John debate the meaning and application of 2 Corinthians 6:14 within and beyond Christian circles. Also, what foods can you get past DC security checkpoints? Bonus: Matt and John riff on their favorite Chinese restaurants inside the beltway.

The Crossing Faiths backstory: An interview with Vantage Points

January 15, 2020 16:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MB

For a feature article in PASS USA's Vantage Points (http://www.pass-usa.net/vantagepoints), Hashaw Elkins (http://www.pass-usa.net/hashaw-elkins) interviews Matt and John about the origins of Crossing Faiths. Hashaw Elkins is a certified business analyst and project management consultant. Hashaw has led projects in operations, marketing, and human interest across multiple industries and sectors- ranging from the Fortune Global 500 to international nongovernmental organizations. She is passion...

Season 2 Preview: Does halal BBQ exist in Nashville?

January 08, 2020 12:00 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MB

Matt and John preview their topics of focus for Season 2 in 2020, along with: Can we find "halal BBQ" in Nashville? John has a Sunday morning Penecostal experience Attacks on places of worship 4 reasons religious freedom is declining gloabally Release of prisoners of conscience Evangelicals, Trump, and 2020

Special guest: John Prabhudoss | India in Crisis

December 18, 2019 16:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MB

Matt & John welcome John Prabhudoss (pro. 'prah-boo-dahs'), President of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations (https://www.fiacona.org), to discuss the latest protests in India over new citizenship laws passed by Parliament. Official USG channels have remained stunningly silent. Follow #CAAProtests on Twitter. Special Guest: John Prabhudoss.

Special Guest: Robert Nicholson | Islam is different, and that's ok

December 11, 2019 23:00 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MB

Robert Nicholson, president of The Philos Project, joins the show to talk about his article, "Islam is Different—and That’s Okay." Excerpts: Islam is not Christianity; the Middle East is not the West. We share some things, yes, but there is no obvious reason why we should want to be the same. There is, in fact, a strong argument that pretended similarities will only frustrate real coexistence. The argument is simple: Islam is not Hebraic because it makes no place for the Hebrew Bible. The thr...

Reliable Jesus?

December 04, 2019 12:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MB

John asks Matt about reliable Jesus/Isa info. John opens up about a lousy experience in a Catholic college. https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/4cf18e12-89ff-4d40-a6a4-fd9f0e63c8eb/ak12TCgl.jpg

16: Reliable Jesus?

December 04, 2019 12:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MB

John asks Matt about reliable Jesus/Isa info. John opens up about a lousy experience in a Catholic college. https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/4cf18e12-89ff-4d40-a6a4-fd9f0e63c8eb/ak12TCgl.jpg

Special guest: Kristina Arriaga explains her resignation from USCIRF

November 27, 2019 15:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MB

Matt and John welcome Kristina Arriaga, a former USCIRF Commissioner. Arriaga recently resigned from the Commission in protest over an attempt by the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to dramatically alter the structure and work of the Commission. Who is Kristina Arriaga? What is USCIRF? (pro. "you-surf") What’s been Kristina's overall experience as a commissioner? What are the problems with legislation recently proposed by the Senate Foreign Affairs Commission? Why did this drama compel ...

15: Special guest: Kristina Arriaga explains her resignation from USCIRF

November 27, 2019 15:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MB

Matt and John welcome Kristina Arriaga, a former USCIRF Commissioner. Arriaga recently resigned from the Commission in protest over an attempt by the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee to dramatically alter the structure and work of the Commission. Who is Kristina Arriaga? What is USCIRF? (pro. "you-surf") What’s been Kristina's overall experience as a commissioner? What are the problems with legislation recently proposed by the Senate Foreign Affairs Commission? Why did this drama compel ...

14: On Location: London. John is shocked by Kurdistan's Multifaith Capacity

November 21, 2019 20:00 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MB

John reports from London on the multifaith collaboration he witnessed on the ground in Kurdistan following the withdraw of U.S. troops. Anglophiles and fans of Downton Abbey will have to pardon our short rant against the United Kingdom's divine right and the House of Lords. But it's a little ridiculous.

0108: On Location: London. John is shocked by Kurdistan's Multifaith Capacity

November 21, 2019 20:00 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MB

John reports from London on the multifaith collaboration he witnessed on the ground in Kurdistan following the withdraw of U.S. troops. Anglophiles and fans of Downton Abbey will have to pardon our short rant against the United Kingdom's divine right and the House of Lords. But it's a little ridiculous.

On location: Erbil, Kurdistan; A multi-faith community responds in crisis

November 04, 2019 19:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MB

After the United States withdraws troops from Kurdistan, precipitating a brutal invasion of the region by Turkey, John Pinna travels with Father John Anderson (Greek Orthodox) to the region. While in Erbil, "Halal John" and Father John share their on the ground perspective with Matt. Themes: 1. A previously flourishing multi-faith community 2. Successful multifaith action hasn't been recognized, now it's being destroyed. 3. Catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Also, * John Pinna wonders why he...

12: On location: Erbil, Kurdistan; A multi-faith community responds in crisis

November 04, 2019 19:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MB

After the United States withdraws troops from Kurdistan, precipitating a brutal invasion of the region by Turkey, John Pinna travels with Father John Anderson (Greek Orthodox) to the region. While in Erbil, "Halal John" and Father John share their on the ground perspective with Matt. Themes: 1. A previously flourishing multi-faith community 2. Successful multifaith action hasn't been recognized, now it's being destroyed. 3. Catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Also, * John Pinna wonders why he...

10: Bonus: What to expect from Afghanistan election

October 25, 2019 14:00 - 12 minutes - 11 MB

John Pinna relays his expectations and hopes for Afghanistan following the September 28th election.

Bonus: What to expect from Afghanistan election

October 25, 2019 14:00 - 12 minutes - 11 MB

John Pinna relays his expectations and hopes for Afghanistan following the September 28th election.

Headline edition: Impeachment, Security in houses of worship

October 03, 2019 18:00 - 55 minutes - 25.2 MB

Matt and John talk impeachment and one evangelical pastor predicting civil war. John admits his D&D roots and they discuss their results on the Political Compass.

9: Headline edition: Impeachment, Security in houses of worship

October 03, 2019 18:00 - 55 minutes - 25.2 MB

Matt and John talk impeachment and one evangelical pastor predicting civil war. John admits his D&D roots and they discuss their results on the Political Compass.

8: Fake Muslim?

September 26, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 33.9 MB

Sunni, Wahhabi, Shia, Sufi, Ismaili, Ahmadiyya, Twelvers. Will the true Muslim please stand up? What makes a Muslim? What are the implications of non-Muslims declaring what is "true" Islam? Also, a review of President Trump's religious freedom declaration at the United Nations.

Twitter Mentions

@danielrbenn 2 Episodes
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