Best John Pinna And Elliot Toman Podcasts (2025)

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163 - Karen Volker: Preventing Violence 29:34

3d ago29:34

29:34

John Pinna sits down with Karen Volker, the newly appointed Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative (URI). Karen shares URI's inspiring 25-year evolution into a powerful global grassroots interfaith network, detailing how its local "Cooperation Circles" tackle diverse challenges by applying a "health approach" to violence prevention, …

1
161 - Maurice Bloem 40:33

18d ago40:33

40:33

This podcast interview between John Pinna and Maurice Bloem of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI) on Faith and Local Communities explores the JLI's unique approach to leveraging data and evidence for just and sustainable development. Bloem emphasizes the importance of going beyond traditional top-down models and incorporating local wisdom and dive…

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162: John Kiriakou 41:02

19d ago41:02

41:02

This conversation between John Pinna and former CIA officer John Kiriakou delves into the significance of the private meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican. Kiriakou, drawing on his intelligence and foreign policy background, analyzes the meeting in the context of past interactions between the two leaders, particularly …

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160: Ani Zonneveld - Muslims for Progressive Values 44:41

24d ago44:41

44:41

In this episode, John Pinna has a conversation with Ani Zonneveld, founder and president of Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV). Zonneveld discusses the organization's founding in response to the narrow representation of American Muslims post-9/11 and the dominance of conservative Muslim organizations. She highlights MPV's commitment to "10 princi…

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159: 159: Jeff Mitchell - Was Jesus Real? 1:16:47

1M ago1:16:47

1:16:47

This episode features a conversation between John Pinna and Jeff Mitchell, an atheist and author of the book "Jesus Demigod", which argues that Jesus did not exist. Mitchell shares his faith journey, having grown up as a Christian in the Bible Belt and later becoming an atheist after critically examining the Bible and Christian theology. The conver…

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158: Francesca Albanese - Palestinian Human Rights 28:29

2M ago28:29

28:29

This episode features a conversation with Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, who details the legal and political realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She argues that Israel’s 57-year occupation is unlawful and functions as a vehicle for annexation and repression, charact…

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157: 157: The Problem with Human Presidents 1:02:45

2M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

In their podcast conversation, John Pinna and Elliot Toman discuss the evolution of religious freedom within the context of the Trump administrations. They examine how Trump 1.0 championed international religious freedom, while Trump 2.0 has shifted towards a focus on "religious liberty," specifically targeting anti-Christian bias, which prompts co…

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156: Hasia Diner - Food and Culture of Jewish Immigrants 34:40

2M ago34:40

34:40

This podcast episode explores the multifaceted relationship between food, identity, and community, particularly within immigrant and Jewish communities in America. It features a discussion with a professor emerita specializing in American Jewish and immigration history, who shares personal anecdotes and insights related to how food serves as both a…

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155: 155: Momin Sheikh 58:26

2M ago58:26

58:26

This episode features a conversation with Momin Sheikh, exploring the intersection of faith, culture, and identity within the Muslim community, particularly focusing on the experiences of first-generation American Muslims. The hosts discuss the nuances of being "Pakistani Muslim" versus strictly religious, addressing how cultural practices often bl…

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154: 154: Roya Mahboob - Rule Breakers 23:38

2M ago23:38

23:38

In this conversation between John Pinna and Roya Mahboob, they discuss the stark contrast between Afghanistan's "golden age" of women's advancement from 2001-2021 and the current Taliban regime's gender apartheid policies. Mahboob details how her organization, Digital Citizen Fund, has shifted from establishing technology centers and teaching digit…

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153: 153: Flipping the Script(ures) 58:43

2M ago58:43

58:43

In this candid conversation between John Pinna and Elliot Toman, the hosts explore compelling aspects of religious narratives, focusing on Christianity and Islam's different interpretations of Jesus. John, a Muslim, argues that the Islamic view of Jesus presents him as a prophet who didn't die on the cross but ascended to heaven, removing the "cult…

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152: 152: Michael Barton - American Revert 57:10

2M ago57:10

57:10

In this podcast interview, John Pinna speaks with Michael Barton, a Muslim revert from Wichita, Kansas who converted to Islam in 2006. Barton discusses his journey from Methodism to Islam, describing how he felt disconnected from his Christian upbringing despite a strong belief in God. He shares how his college anthropology studies and encounters w…

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151: Mustafa Akhwand 1:01:02

3M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

The interview between John Pinna and Mustafa Akhwand explores various themes related to U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, and Muslim-American experiences. The conversation centers on the need for direct engagement and better understanding between the U.S. government and Middle Eastern countries, particularly in places like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanista…

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150: Creationism and the Multiverse with Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Eli Feder 55:11

3M ago55:11

55:11

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Eli Feder discuss their endeavor to explore the relationship between science and religion, specifically focusing on using physics to argue for the existence of God. Motivated by a desire to reconcile modern scientific understanding with religious belief, they challenge the notion that…

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149: 149: Adi Sharabi 49:37

4M ago49:37

49:37

In this thoughtful conversation between John Pinna and Adi Sharabi, they explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and religious traditions across multiple communities. Adi, who identifies as an Arab Jew with Yemeni roots currently living in Thailand, discusses her journey from being a tour guide in Israel to becoming an online educator and co…

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148: 148: Archetypes, agendas and interference 51:57

5M ago51:57

51:57

A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, John and Elliot engage in a conversation about the archetypal influences behind Star Wars that eventually leads to an examination of how ideological agendas can reduce the effectiveness of humanitarian intervention. Support Crossing Faiths…

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147: 147: Good News for Me, but Not for Thee? 35:56

5M ago35:56

35:56

A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, John pushes back against Elliot's suggestion that the Gospel is the cornerstone of Western Civilization by asking: Who's Gospel? Support Crossing FaithsBy John Pinna and Elliot Toman

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146: Dinosaurs in Ordinary Time 1:04:07

5M ago1:04:07

1:04:07

A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, John and Elliot discuss the function of religion in superimposing meaning over apparent meaninglessness. Support Crossing FaithsBy John Pinna and Elliot Toman

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145: 145: Sharia Law in the Wild West 1:02:54

5M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

The conversation between John Pinna and Elliot Toman delves into various sociopolitical and cultural topics, including the legal and cultural implications of religious freedom in the U.S., with a focus on misconceptions about Sharia law and legislation in Texas. They discuss broader cultural dynamics, such as the intersection of religious literacy …

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144: 144: Laurence Stephenson 1:18:45

6M ago1:18:45

1:18:45

Lawrence Stephenson was born and raised on the East Side of London to atheist parents. After years of spiritual exploration, he became a Christian as an adult and went on to help plant a thriving church in Scotland. Now, Lawrence has overcome his dyslexia to write a fascinating piece of Christian fiction in which he explores heaven, hell, and the m…

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143: 143: Lucien Greaves 42:39

6M ago42:39

42:39

Lucien Greaves is a prominent social activist and the co-founder and spokesperson for The Satanic Temple. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Greaves studied neuroscience at Harvard University, specializing in false-memory syndrome. In this wide-ranging interview, John Pinna Lucien about religious freedom, misconceptions about Satanism, and the organization…

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

7M 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…

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141: 141: Reem Alsalem 53:31

7M 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 …

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140: 140: Rabbi Josh Franklin 45:58

7M 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…

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

7M 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…

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

7M 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…

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137: 137: Abbey Hafez 46:14

8M 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…

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136: Rabbi Noyo 54:50

8M 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…

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135: 135: Troy Gramling 43:42

8M 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…

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

8M 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 …

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133: 133: Dr. James Beacham 59:19

9M 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.…

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

9M 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 …

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

9M 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…

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131: Jack Jewell - Part 2 50:35

9M 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…

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

9M 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…

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

9M 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…

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129: 129: Nicole Jansezian 1:07:20

9M 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 …

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128: George Sorial 55:02

10M 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…

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127: Josh Heath - The Modern Heathen 52:21

10M 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…

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

10M 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…

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

11M 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…

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124: Nury Turkel 53:49

11M 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…

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

11M 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…

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122: What About Barabbas? 34:40

11M 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 …

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121: Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi 20:30

12M 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 …

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120: 120: Jonathan Randall 46:30

12M 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…

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119: Rabbi David Rosen 40:00

12M 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, …

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

1y 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…

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

1y 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

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116: Practical Interfaith Engagement with Peter Henne 36:23

1y 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 …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

John Pinna And Elliot Toman Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen