Best John Pinna Podcasts (2024)

1
142: 142: A Conversation about the 2024 US Presidential Election 1:02:17

2h ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Note: Elliot would like to apologize for butchering Zoltan Istvan's name in relation to the 2020 election. The 2024 presidential candidate for the Transhumanist Party is Tom Ross. Disclaimer: The personal opinions stated in this episode are just that: Personal opinions. They in no way reflect the official position of any group, organization or affi…

1
141: 141: Reem Alsalem 53:31

4h ago53:31

53:31

In the podcast, Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Violence Against Women and Girls, discusses her role and mission to address and combat violence against women and girls globally. She highlights the complexity and scope of her work, including engagement with both governments and non-state actors, and emphasizes her commitment …

1
140: 140: Rabbi Josh Franklin 45:58

2d ago45:58

45:58

In this engaging conversation between host John Pinna and Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons, they explore the intersection of faith, humor, and community leadership. The discussion begins with Rabbi Franklin's personal journey to becoming a rabbi despite initially resisting following in his father's footsteps, then moves into…

1
139: 139: Zina, Temporary Marriage and Sexual Law in Islam 1:09:07

9d ago1:09:07

1:09:07

In the conversation, John Pinna, a Muslim, and Father John Anderson, an Orthodox Christian priest, discuss various aspects of Islamic law, particularly focusing on "Zina" (adultery or illicit sexual relations). They explore how threats of sexual violence, such as rape, violate Islamic principles, including the prohibition against violence unless in…

1
138: 138: Joseph Atwill - "Caesar's Messiah" 1:26:19

16d ago1:26:19

1:26:19

This interview between John Pinna and Joseph Atwill revolves around Atwill's controversial thesis from his book Caesar's Messiah, which posits that the Gospels were a Roman invention designed to quell Jewish messianic rebellions during the first century. Atwill argues that the Flavian emperors, particularly Vespasian and his son Titus, fabricated t…

1
137: 137: Abbey Hafez 46:14

23d ago46:14

46:14

In this interview, John Pinna speaks with Abbie Hafez about her journey from Christianity to Islam. Abbie discusses growing up in a small Christian community in Michigan, her unexpected move to Dubai, and her gradual exposure to Islam through her Muslim husband. She describes the profound emotional and spiritual impact of reading the Quran and pray…

1
136: Rabbi Noyo 54:50

1M ago54:50

54:50

In this podcast interview, Rabbi Sarah Noyovitz ("Rabbi Noyo") and John Pinna engage in a thoughtful conversation centered on the power of language in multi-faith dialogues, particularly regarding sensitive issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict. They explore how certain charged words, like "genocide," can halt meaningful conversations and discu…

1
135: 135: Troy Gramling 43:42

1M ago43:42

43:42

Troy Gramling is pastor of Potential Church, a fast-growing church based in the Fort Lauderdale area with over 20,000 members. He recently released his new book, the title of which is "Potential: The Uncontainable Power of God Within You." In this interview, Elliot Toman engages Troy in a discussion about his definition of success in the context of…

1
134: 134: Presidential Debate Discussion with Fr. John Anderson 1:04:22

2M ago1:04:22

1:04:22

The conversation between John Pinna and Father John Anderson on the podcast centers around the role of political debates in U.S. elections, particularly reflecting on a recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. They criticize the current state of media-driven debates, viewing them as spectacle rather than informative discourse, arguing …

1
133: 133: Dr. James Beacham 59:19

2M ago59:19

59:19

Dr. James Beacham is a physicist at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. He researches phenomena such as dark matter and quantum black holes, and is known for his advocacy for next-generation collider experiments at higher energies. In addition to his research, he regularly speaks around the globe about the future of science, technology, and society.…

1
132: Dr. Robert Hayes: God and the Atom 1:07:44

2M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

Dr. Hayes shares his journey from atheism to Christianity, detailing his experiences with the occult and a profound spiritual encounter that led him to faith. The conversation also touches on the intersection of science and religion, particularly how Dr. Hayes reconciles his work as a nuclear physicist with his Christian beliefs. He emphasizes the …

1
131: Jack Jewell - Part 3 1:18:18

2M ago1:18:18

1:18:18

In this podcast interview, John Pinna and Jack Jewell discuss several controversial topics related to gender, sexuality, and religion. They begin by analyzing the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which they view as promoting a "woke agenda" and queer aesthetics. The conversation then shifts to the issue of transgender athletes competing in women's…

1
131: Jack Jewell - Part 2 50:35

2M ago50:35

50:35

In this conversation, Jack Jewell and John Pinna discuss Islam, its place in Western societies, and the challenges of Muslim integration. They explore topics such as the diversity within Islam, the impact of post-colonial systems on Muslim-majority countries, and the struggle for Muslim identity in secular Western nations. Pinna, drawing from his e…

1
131: Jack Jewell - Part 1 1:10:41

2M ago1:10:41

1:10:41

In this interview, John Pinna and Jack Jewell discuss the complex and often contentious issues surrounding queer theory, LGBTQ+ identity, and the politicization of sexuality. Jewell, a gay man, critiques what he sees as the ideological capture of LGBTQ+ activism by queer theory and gender identity politics. He argues that these movements have stray…

1
130: 130: Jeff Mitchell: Putting the LORD on Trial 1:38:06

3M ago1:38:06

1:38:06

Jeff Mitchell was raised in a Christian home but did not fully commit to Christianity until he decided to devote his life to Christ at the age of 16. For the next three decades, he studied the Bible intensively, believing it to be the Holy Inspired Word of God and a direct message from the one true deity. However, over time, Mitchell began to encou…

1
129: 129: Nicole Jansezian 1:07:20

3M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

In this interview, John Pinna speaks with Nicole Jansezian, a Christian journalist living in Jerusalem. They discuss Jansezian's journey from being an Italian-American New Yorker to marrying into the Armenian community in Jerusalem and her experiences as a religious minority in Israel. The conversation covers various topics including the diversity …

1
128: George Sorial 55:02

3M ago55:02

55:02

In this podcast interview, John Pinna and George Sorial discuss current societal issues, focusing on divisiveness, extremism, and the erosion of traditional values. They express concern over recent protests involving flag burning and anti-American sentiment, questioning the motives and understanding of those involved. The conversation touches on th…

1
127: Josh Heath - The Modern Heathen 52:21

3M ago52:21

52:21

John Pinna speaks with Josh Heath about Heathenry, a modern revival of Norse pagan religion. Heath discusses his personal journey to Heathenry, the beliefs and practices of the faith, including ancestor worship and the concept of fate, and how it differs from pop culture depictions of Norse mythology. He explains the community structure of Heathenr…

1
126: Britt Hartley: No Nonsense Spirituality 1:06:46

4M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Brittney Hartley is an Atheist Spiritual Director through the Center of Nonreligious Spirituality. Her book is entitled No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools, No Faith Required. She has a Masters Degree in Theology with a focus in the Future of American Religion. In this podcast interview, John Pinna and Britt Hartley discuss Hartley's journey fr…

1
125: Dignity with Fr. John Anderson 2:19:04

4M ago2:19:04

2:19:04

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, host John Pinna interviews Fr. John Anderson about his recent article "Identifying Threats to the Republic." They discuss the concept of human dignity in relation to concerns about the American republic. Anderson argues that the U.S. has lost sight of individual human value, instead treating humanity as a commodi…

1
124: Nury Turkel 53:49

4M ago53:49

53:49

In this interview, John Pinna speaks with Nury Turkel, a former commissioner of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), about his life experiences and work in promoting religious freedom globally. Turkel discusses his background as a Uyghur born in a re-education camp in China, his journey to the United States, and his advo…

1
123: Soraya Ahmadyar: Faith, Family, and American Identity 42:43

4M ago42:43

42:43

In this episode, John Pinna interviews Soraya Ahmadyar, a Muslim woman of Afghan descent living in California. They discuss Soraya's journey of faith, from growing up in a culturally Muslim family to embracing her Islamic identity as a young adult. Soraya shares her experiences balancing her Afghan heritage, American upbringing, and Muslim faith, p…

1
122: What About Barabbas? 34:40

5M ago34:40

34:40

In this episode, John and Elliot discuss the Biblical figure, Barabbas. During his brief appearance in all four canonical Gospels, Barabbas is presented as the anti-messiah that the people choose instead of Jesus. But John poses an interesting question: Was Barabbas the first recipient of Jesus' salvation? Join us as two thick-skinned friends from …

1
121: Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi 20:30

5M ago20:30

20:30

Pinna and Elsanousi discuss how faith leaders and religious institutions can be assets in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts around the world. They highlight examples where religious figures like the Pope and local faith actors have facilitated dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation in conflict-ridden areas. The conversation emphasizes …

1
120: 120: Jonathan Randall 46:30

5M ago46:30

46:30

The conversation covers a range of themes and topics revolving around Jonathan Randall's identity as a Jewish comedian and activist advocating for Palestinian rights. Randall discusses the distinction he sees between Judaism and Zionism, criticizing the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians as a violation of Jewish values. He expresses sup…

1
119: Rabbi David Rosen 40:00

5M ago40:00

40:00

JT Pinna interviews Rabbi David Rosen. The conversation revolves around the Abrahamic Family House, a remarkable multi-faith complex in Abu Dhabi that houses a mosque, church, and synagogue side by side. Rabbi David Rosen, who serves as an advisor to the initiative, provides an in-depth overview of the complex, discussing its architectural design, …

1
118: Breaking Cycles of Genocide: Rachel Miner, Bellwether International 42:53

6M ago42:53

42:53

In the conversation, Rachel Miner discusses her organization Bellwether International, which focuses on disrupting the cycle of genocide and creating genocide-resistant societies. She explains their approach of combining top-down systems change with bottom-up grassroots resistance movements, empowering local "bellwethers" to lead peacebuilding effo…

1
117: 117: Luke Higuchi - The Unification Church 1:01:10

6M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

More Information: Unification Church in Atlanta https://www.facebook.com/Atlantafamily English YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@lukehiguchi6044/videos YouTube Channel in Japanese https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlyDjFRpM49u2L0JeY1icQ Special Guest: Luke Higuchi. Support Crossing FaithsBy John Pinna and Elliot Toman

1
116: Practical Interfaith Engagement with Peter Henne 36:23

6M ago36:23

36:23

In this interview, Peter Henne discusses his academic work on religion and conflict. He talks about his early involvement with the Pew Research Center's groundbreaking work on quantifying religious persecution globally. Henne reflects on the challenges of engaging with religion from a policy perspective, emphasizing the need for religious literacy …

1
115: Congressman Frank Wolf 41:18

7M ago41:18

41:18

In this conversation, Congressman Frank Wolf discusses the current state of international religious freedom advocacy with John Pinna. Wolf expresses concern that religious leaders and faith communities are not speaking out and advocating for religious freedom as they did in the past, citing examples like Chuck Colson and Rabbi Saperstein. He calls …

1
114: 114: Dr. Daisy Khan: The Rise of Islamophobia 50:34

7M ago50:34

50:34

This conversation between John Pinna and Dr. Daisy Khan explores the rise of Islamophobia in the United States, particularly in the wake of the October 9th attack. Khan explains how Islamophobia has manifested at both the individual and institutional levels, with Muslims facing discrimination, harassment, and even job loss for expressing their fait…

1
113: 113: There's No Islam in Easter! 1:26:56

7M ago1:26:56

1:26:56

A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, Elliot and John engage in a lively Easter-themed discussion when Elliot starts by posing the question: What to Muslims believe about the Resurrection? The conversation becomes tense at times as John wrestles with the validity of a God who would be willing to die, and Elliot struggl…

1
112: 112: Lou Ann Sabatier 53:40

7M ago53:40

53:40

In this interview, John Pinna and Lou Ann Sabatier discuss the importance of effective storytelling, particularly in the context of advocating for international religious freedom and persecuted communities. They explore the challenges facing journalists and content creators in an evolving media landscape, emphasizing the need for strategic, intenti…

1
Minhdao Le: Vietnam and the Cao Dai Religion 1:28:55

8M ago1:28:55

1:28:55

Minhdao Le is a third-generation practitioner of Cao Dai, a religious belief system from Vietnam. In this interview, Minhdao provides some insight into the beliefs of Cao Dai, and brings attention to what he describes as a communist government-led usurping of the religion that took place when the government officially "recognized" Cao Dai in 1997. …

1
111: 111: Dr. John Morrow 55:33

8M ago55:33

55:33

In this episode, John Pinna interviews Dr. John Andrew Morrow, a Muslim academic and author. Dr. Morrow shares his spiritual journey starting from a young age, studying various religious scriptures and ultimately embracing Islam after being deeply moved by the Quran. He highlights the pivotal role of the Covenant of the Prophet Muhammad with the mo…

1
110: Sal Litvak 38:24

8M ago38:24

38:24

Salvador Litvak is a Hollywood film director who became the Accidental Talmudist after a little miracle launched him into seven years of daily Talmud study. Sal’s Accidental Talmudist platform reaches over a million followers in 70 countries and includes Talmud classes, Torah teachings, live shows, podcast, holiday programming, Israel education, an…

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109: Dr. James Tabor 55:51

8M ago55:51

55:51

Dr. James Tabor taught Christian origins and ancient Judaism at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for 33 years until retiring in 2022, serving as department chair for a decade and holding a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1981). Tabor has published 9 academic books and over 50 articles combining his textual research with archaeolo…

1
Leray Heynes: Jesus Christ's CEOs 29:15

8M ago29:15

29:15

Leray Heyne is the Founder and lead overseer of Windows of Heaven Jesus’ Storehouse and its three ministries: Jesus Christ’s CEOs, Jesus Christ’s CEOs Bible Institute, and Jesus Christ’s CEOs TV. (Source) Website: https://jcceos.com/ Support Crossing FaithsBy John Pinna and Elliot Toman

1
108: Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett 59:23

8M ago59:23

59:23

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett is the Director of Cardus Faith Communities at Cardus, Canada’s faith-based think-tank. He also serves as Senior Fellow at the Washington, DC-based Religious Freedom Institute. He is an ordained deacon in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in the Eparchy (Diocese) of Toronto and Eastern Canada. Fr. Deacon Andrew served …

1
107: Knox Thames 39:00

9M ago39:00

39:00

Knox Thames is an international human rights lawyer, advocate, and author who has dedicated his career to promoting human rights, defending religious minorities, and combatting persecution. Known for his nonpartisan approach to advocacy, both the Obama and Trump administrations appointed Knox as the Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the N…

1
Sam Nagasaka: The Unification Church in Japan 42:10

9M ago42:10

42:10

An interview from the IRF Summit with Sam Nagasaka, Secretary General of the Public Relations Committee for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Sam shares his poignent personal story of the efforts his family in Japan made to deprogram him from association with the Unification Church and how this ultimately reinforced his connect…

1
106: 106: David Curry - Violence against religious minorities 50:00

9M ago50:00

50:00

John Pinna interviews David Curry, head of Global Christian Relief and commissioner for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, about the state of international religious freedom. Curry asserts that conditions for religious liberty globally have never been worse, with more authoritarian regimes restricting access to religious texts …

1
IRF 2024 #3: Ex-Muslims of North America 21:34

9M ago21:34

21:34

Aysha discusses her journey leaving Islam and becoming an atheist. She introducts the Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA) organization, where she began as a volunteer and now serves as Director of Operations. Aysha explains the restrictions she faced as a Muslim woman growing up in a traditional Pakistani household, including limited rights in marr…

1
105: Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett 1:03:34

9M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

IRF Month begins with an interview with Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice. Afterward, John and Elliot discuss youth involvement in the IRF movement. Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett serves as President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, established in 2008 to continue the legacy of…

1
104: Adjudicating Islamic Law for Muslim Americans 55:21

9M ago55:21

55:21

John Pinna interviews Sayyid M.B. Kashmiri, who represents the Grand Ayatollah Sistani in America. They discuss Sayyid's family lineage tracing back to Prophet Muhammad; his experience migrating from Iraq to Iran, Lebanon, and finally the U.S.; and his role leading the Imam Mahdi Association, which serves as Sistani's representative entity in North…

1
IRF 2024 #2: The IRF Industrial Complex? 48:31

9M ago48:31

48:31

In this discussion, Pinna continues sharing his perspective on issues with the international religious freedom (IRF) movement. He argues that IRF advocacy has become an "industry" dominated by a small group of organizations and leaders who control narratives and funding. Pinna questions the impact of high-profile IRF events like the annual Minister…

1
IRF 2024 #1: The Story So Far 25:33

10M ago25:33

25:33

In conversation with Fr. John Anderson, John Pinna discusses his extensive experience in the field of international religious freedom (IRF), beginning with the origins and impact of the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. He details his past advocacy work with the American Islamic Congress, including engaging in interfaith dialogue, advocatin…

1
103: 103: Ambassador Akiva Tor 1:06:28

9M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

Akiva Tor is the Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of Korea. In their wide-ranging discussion, Pinna and Tor touch on Israel's ongoing engagement efforts with Jewish communities worldwide, grappling with issues of pluralism and anti-Semitism, while also navigating complex relationships with the Vatican and varying Christian denominations. They d…

1
102: The Political Perils of Biblical Archeology 51:50

10M ago51:50

51:50

In this podcast conversation, host John Pinna interviews journalist and documentarian Simcha Jacobovici about his investigations into biblical archaeology and how he uses an investigative journalism approach to explore issues related to faith and history. They discuss several of Jacobovici's projects researching archaeological evidence related to J…

1
101: Public Martyrdom 1:05:20

10M ago1:05:20

1:05:20

John and Elliot discuss American televangelist Jimmy Swaggart's public confession of sin in the late 1980s, exploring ideas around repentance, forgiveness, and redemption in the evangelical Christian tradition. This leads to a broader discussion of theological perspectives on Christ's crucifixion and sacrifice, different interpretations of its mean…

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