Bobby Paragon

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FAQs about Bobby Paragon:

How many episodes does Bobby Paragon have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

Bobby Paragon episodes:

January 30, 2016 NPR Laughter Therapy
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6min
October 31, 2015 State of Belief - Oct 24th - 2015
Utah Hosts Two Different Global Gatherings
On this episode of State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly
radio show and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy takes a closer look at two
global gatherings taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah over a span of
just two weeks. Last weekend, 10,000 representatives of 50 different
faith traditions travelled to the Parliament of the World’s Religions in
Salt Lake City for a global discussion on interfaith initiatives. This
weekend, the World Congress of Families will also hold a global
gathering in Salt Lake City, but instead will be meeting to promote an
exclusive, discriminatory vision of religion. Eric Ethington of
Political Research Associates join us to address how PRA works to expose
the ways in which the religious right, including the World Congress of
Families, regularly undermines civil society and human rights. Later,
Rev. Mark Luens, Board Chair of Interfaith Alliance of Long Island, New
York, will speak about his experience at the Parliament of the World’s
Religions. Also on the show, we will talk with the newly appointed
editor-in-chief of Religion News Service, Jerome Socolovsky, focusing on
his experience with religion journalism and how it has prepared him for
this new role.
World Congress of Families to Preach Hate and Intolerance at World Gathering
A so called pro-family entity, the World Congress of Families, will meet
this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. Labeled a “hate group” by the
Southern Poverty Law Center, the WCF has promoted hate in a number of
foreign countries, especially towards the LGBT community. Non-profit
organization Political Research Associates has long kept its eye on the WCF. Eric Ethington
joins us to discuss the work of the WCF in its undermining of human
rights around the globe. He’ll discuss the WCF’s global gathering this
weekend, which is being held in the U.S. for the first time, and some of
the resources that PRA and the Southern Poverty Law Center have
assembled to help educate Americans about this dangerous group and their
destructive agenda.
Religion News Service Appoints Veteran Journalist and Broadcaster as Editor-In-Chief
RNS has been a vital resource for us since the start of the show. In an
age when a religion is present in so many events around the world, it is
more important than ever to have a religion news source that is
resolutely secular, objective, and non-sectarian. The appointment of Jerome Socolovsky as editor-in-chief of RNS
is exciting news for our community. Jerome is an award-winning veteran
religion correspondent for Voice of America Radio, who has also worked
for NPR and the Associated Press. Jerome joins Welton to discuss this
recent announcement, his career so far, and his priorities for fostering
excellence in religion journalism.
Parliament of the World’s Religions Embraces Different Countries and Faiths
The Parliament of the World’s Religions offers a different perspective
on faith than does the World Congress of Families who are preparing for
their own gathering this weekend. The individuals at this gathering
represented 80 different countries, and an equally diverse group of
faiths. The Rev. Mark Lukens, a pastor in the United Church of Christ and Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Interfaith Alliance of Long Island,
joins us on State of Belief this week to discuss his experience at the
gathering in Salt Lake City. Mark will discuss the goals of the
Parliament of the World’s Religions, and the activities that he was
involved in at the gathering.
...more
49min
October 19, 2015 State of Belief - Oct 17th - 2015
Debates, Division & Documentary
his week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show
and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy returns to explore religion in three very
different settings: the presidential debates, as a fault line in the
Vatican, and in a documentary from Oprah Winfrey. Investigative
journalist Sarah Posner, will discuss the role of religion, or lack
thereof, in the first Democratic debate. The Most Rev. Francis Quinn,
the retired Catholic Bishop of Sacramento, also joins the program to
share his views on progressive issues as they currently stand in the
Vatican. And finally, David Shadrack Smith comes on to preview the major
new documentary miniseries titled, “Belief” airing all this week on the
OWN Television Network.
Political Polarization of Religion?
Following the Democrat debate this past week, who better to sit down and
talk to us about religion and politics, than investigative journalist Sarah Posner?
Was the focus on substantive issues, but the exclusion of religious
liberty as a topic, a disappointment? We’ll also explore the role of
religious liberty in future debates, the GOP candidates’ emphasis on
religion, as well as notable debate moments. Sarah is the author of
God’s Profits – P-R-O-F-I-T-S – Faith, Fraud and the Republican Crusade
for Values Voters.
Internal Vatican Tensions: Conservative v. Progressive
Currently, Catholic Bishops are back at the Vatican for Part Two of the
Synod on the Family. To discuss the internal tensions between
conservative and progressive members of the Church hierarchy from the
perspective of his 68 years in the priesthood, we’ll be joined by his
Excellency Bishop Francis Quinn. Bishop Quinn was
installed as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Sacramento, California in
1979. Since retiring in 1993 he remains active in progressive causes.
Bishop Quinn recently published a New York Times op-ed calling for a far
more progressive agenda than anything likely to be discussed during the
Synod.
Oprah + Religion = Belief
OWN Television Network will be premiering a seven-night documentary mini series called “Belief” beginning on Sunday, October 18th.
This documentary combines prime television, leading documentary
filmmakers, world religious history, and Oprah Winfrey to search for
commonalities among what we believe across the globe. Executive Producer David Shadrack Smith
joins us to discuss the conception of the series, what viewers should
expect from the experience, as well as how working on the project
affected him personally.
...more
53min
October 18, 2015 State of Belief - Oct 17th - 2015
Debates, Division & Documentary

his week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show
and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy returns to explore religion in three very
different settings: the presidential debates, as a fault line in the
Vatican, and in a documentary from Oprah Winfrey. Investigative
journalist Sarah Posner, will discuss the role of religion, or lack
thereof, in the first Democratic debate. The Most Rev. Francis Quinn,
the retired Catholic Bishop of Sacramento, also joins the program to
share his views on progressive issues as they currently stand in the
Vatican. And finally, David Shadrack Smith comes on to preview the major
new documentary miniseries titled, “Belief” airing all this week on the
OWN Television Network.
Political Polarization of Religion?

Following the Democrat debate this past week, who better to sit down and
talk to us about religion and politics, than investigative journalist Sarah Posner?
Was the focus on substantive issues, but the exclusion of religious
liberty as a topic, a disappointment? We’ll also explore the role of
religious liberty in future debates, the GOP candidates’ emphasis on
religion, as well as notable debate moments. Sarah is the author of
God’s Profits – P-R-O-F-I-T-S – Faith, Fraud and the Republican Crusade
for Values Voters.

Internal Vatican Tensions: Conservative v. Progressive

Currently, Catholic Bishops are back at the Vatican for Part Two of the
Synod on the Family. To discuss the internal tensions between
conservative and progressive members of the Church hierarchy from the
perspective of his 68 years in the priesthood, we’ll be joined by his
Excellency Bishop Francis Quinn. Bishop Quinn was
installed as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Sacramento, California in
1979. Since retiring in 1993 he remains active in progressive causes.
Bishop Quinn recently published a New York Times op-ed calling for a far
more progressive agenda than anything likely to be discussed during the
Synod.

Oprah + Religion = Belief

OWN Television Network will be premiering a seven-night documentary mini series called “Belief” beginning on Sunday, October 18th.
This documentary combines prime television, leading documentary
filmmakers, world religious history, and Oprah Winfrey to search for
commonalities among what we believe across the globe. Executive Producer David Shadrack Smith
joins us to discuss the conception of the series, what viewers should
expect from the experience, as well as how working on the project
affected him personally.
...more
53min
October 03, 2015 State of Belief - Oct 3rd - 2015
Electoral Politics in IOWA! On this episode of State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly
radio show and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy takes a closer look at
electoral politics through the lens of the upcoming caucuses in Iowa,
focusing on how local organizations are attempting to prepare for them.
Donna Red Wing, executive director of OneIowa, the state’s leading LGBT
organization, joins us to address her advocacy work in Iowa in the
context of the caucuses, as well as her recent meeting with President
Obama. Later, Rabbi and author Jay Michaelson will speak about his brand
new book The Gate of Tears: Sadness and the Spiritual Path, and will
offer some advice regarding living a better life. And, finally, we’ll
take a look back in our archives and listen to part of Welton’s 2007
interview with the late Senator Edward Kennedy, followed by a
conversation with Judy Shephard, mother of Matthew Shephard, who
appeared on the show just weeks before the passage of the Matthew
Shephard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a historic piece
of legislation that Senator Kennedy advocated for before his death.
Iowa Caucuses Enter the National Spotlight
The Iowa Caucuses are just months away, and are the first real- life
test for presidential candidates as they prepare for the general
election later in 2016. Traditionally, Iowa gets a significant amount of
national media attention around the time of the caucus, accompanied by
visits from the candidates themselves. OneIowa, the state’s leading LGBT
organization, takes advantage of this spotlight every year to promote
its advocacy work. Executive director Donna Red Wing has been closely
following these electoral politics as the Iowa caucuses near, and
recently met with President Obama. Donna joins our show to discuss the
importance of her work in Iowa, and the nature of Iowa voters.
Rabbi Jay Michaelson’s new book offers a fresh perspective on spirituality and happiness
The work of Rabbi Jay Michaelson has been discussed a number of times on
State of Belief. Fortunately for us, Jay has been willing to unveil a
number of books from his diverse body of work on our show, and has an
exciting new perspective to share in his latest work The Gate of Tears:
Sadness and the Spiritual Path, which has been called, “A Stunning
antidote to the plethora of ‘get happy’ guides.” Today on the show Jay
will discuss his new book, and will offer his thoughts on the
relationship between happiness and spirituality in our everyday lives.
Tune in to hear Jay’s enlightening perspective on these topics!
A Look Back: An Interview with Senator Ted Kennedy
As we get closer to the 10th anniversary of State of Belief, we are
revisiting some of our favorite interviews. This week, we rewind to a
powerful interview with the late Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.
In the beginning of October 2007, the Senator appeared on this program
as part of his long-term advocacy for a federal hate crimes law. It was
less than a year later that Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with an incurable
brain tumor.
Senator Kennedy was a tireless fighter for a federal Hate Crimes Act.
The final time that he was able to sponsor this legislation in 2009, he
lived to see its passage in the Senate – but passed away before
President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate
Crimes Prevention Act into law on October 25, 2009. Just weeks before
that historic moment, Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard was on
State of Belief, and you’ll hear part of that October 3, 2009
conversation.
...more
49min
September 27, 2015 State of Belief - September 26th 2015
Pope Francis Goes To Washington
From Pope Francis’ first visit to the U.S. to Ben Carson’s comments
about American Muslims, the celebration of Eid al Adha to the observance
of Yom Kippur – this was the type of week that us interfaith junkies
live for. On this episode of State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s
weekly radio show and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy takes a look at
everything that’s been going on. Bishop Gene Robinson will share what he
saw at the Pope’s reception at the White House on Wednesday and respond
to the outrage of the Religious Right that LGBT leaders were invited to
receive the Holy Father. Rabbi Jack Moline, Interfaith Alliance’s
executive director, will talk about the week in religious freedom – from
Pope Francis’s speech to Congress to Ben Caron’s offensive comments.
And, finally, we’ll take a look back in our archives and listen to
Welton’s 2010 interview with acclaimed country singer/songwriter, and
LGBT equality advocate, Chely Wright.
Pope Francis Goes To Washington
The streets of our nation’s capital were packed this week as Pope
Francis began his first ever trip to the United States. As part of this
historic visit President Obama welcomed the Holy Father to the White
House at a reception that – to the chagrin of Religious Right activists –
included prominent LGBT faith leaders, including our good friend Bishop Gene Robinson. Bishop Gene joins our show to describe what he witnessed at this once in a lifetime experience.
An Unusual Address to Congress and All Too Usual Rhetoric From Politicians
This week saw a Pontiff address a joint session of Congress for the
first time in our nation’s history. This week also saw politicians
doubling down on unnerving rhetoric about the role of American Muslims
in our nation and political system. Welton invites on Rabbi Jack Moline, Executive Director of Interfaith Alliance,
to walk us through the week in religious freedom. What church-state
separation issues did the Pope’s speech evoke? Why has religious freedom
skyrocketed to the forefront of the 2016 campaign? What can listeners
do to make sure candidates for public office respect the rights of all
Americans? Tune in to hear Rabbi Moline’s take on these questions and
more!
A Look Back: An Interview with Chely Wright
As we get closer to the 10th anniversary of State of Belief, we’re
revisiting some of our favorite interviews. This week, we rewind to a
powerful 2010 interview with out Lesbian Country singer/songwriter Chely Wright.
Earlier that year, she had made public that she was gay. Since then,
Chely has married and given birth to twins; has devoted herself to
protecting LGBT youth; and this month, is back in the studio working on
her 8th album.
...more
47min
September 26, 2015 State of Belief - September 26th 2015
Pope Francis Goes To Washington

From Pope Francis’ first visit to the U.S. to Ben Carson’s comments
about American Muslims, the celebration of Eid al Adha to the observance
of Yom Kippur – this was the type of week that us interfaith junkies
live for. On this episode of State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s
weekly radio show and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy takes a look at
everything that’s been going on. Bishop Gene Robinson will share what he
saw at the Pope’s reception at the White House on Wednesday and respond
to the outrage of the Religious Right that LGBT leaders were invited to
receive the Holy Father. Rabbi Jack Moline, Interfaith Alliance’s
executive director, will talk about the week in religious freedom – from
Pope Francis’s speech to Congress to Ben Caron’s offensive comments.
And, finally, we’ll take a look back in our archives and listen to
Welton’s 2010 interview with acclaimed country singer/songwriter, and
LGBT equality advocate, Chely Wright.

Pope Francis Goes To Washington

The streets of our nation’s capital were packed this week as Pope
Francis began his first ever trip to the United States. As part of this
historic visit President Obama welcomed the Holy Father to the White
House at a reception that – to the chagrin of Religious Right activists –
included prominent LGBT faith leaders, including our good friend Bishop Gene Robinson. Bishop Gene joins our show to describe what he witnessed at this once in a lifetime experience.

An Unusual Address to Congress and All Too Usual Rhetoric From Politicians

This week saw a Pontiff address a joint session of Congress for the
first time in our nation’s history. This week also saw politicians
doubling down on unnerving rhetoric about the role of American Muslims
in our nation and political system. Welton invites on Rabbi Jack Moline, Executive Director of Interfaith Alliance,
to walk us through the week in religious freedom. What church-state
separation issues did the Pope’s speech evoke? Why has religious freedom
skyrocketed to the forefront of the 2016 campaign? What can listeners
do to make sure candidates for public office respect the rights of all
Americans? Tune in to hear Rabbi Moline’s take on these questions and
more!

A Look Back: An Interview with Chely Wright

As we get closer to the 10th anniversary of State of Belief, we’re
revisiting some of our favorite interviews. This week, we rewind to a
powerful 2010 interview with out Lesbian Country singer/songwriter Chely Wright.
Earlier that year, she had made public that she was gay. Since then,
Chely has married and given birth to twins; has devoted herself to
protecting LGBT youth; and this month, is back in the studio working on
her 8th album.

...more
47min
September 12, 2015 State of Belief - September 125, 2015
Facets of Faith, from the Courtroom to the Bus
This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show
and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy will looks at faith on the bus and in
the courtroom. We will hear from NETWORK’s executive director, Sister
Simone Campbell, as the nuns get back on the bus. Then, Welton turns to
journalist Sarah Posner to discuss the politics of religious faith and
presidential candidates rushing to stand with Kim Davis in Kentucky.
Finally, with an uplifting closing segment, we will turn to Rabbi Brad
Hirschfield to discuss Rosh Hashanah, and the hopes for the Jewish New
Year.
Social Justice, Religion, and a Bus
This week, Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK,
a national Catholic social justice lobby, returns to our program to
discuss the newest tour of Nuns on the Bus. Under the banner of, “Bridge
the Divides: Transform Politics,” the sisters are undertaking a 13-day
tour leading up to Pope Francis’s visit to the United States. The bus
tour left St. Louis on Thursday and will travel to 7 states before
concluding in Washington, DC on September 22 – just in time or the
Pope’s arrival. Sister Simone spoke to us just as she was boarding the
bus for this latest trip for faith-inspired social justice.
The Only Religion Question Reporters And Debate Moderators Should Ask Presidential Candidates
Kim Davis, the Rowan County, Kentucky clerk who was jailed for refusing
to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and interfering with
other clerks doing so, continues to make headlines. Welton had hoped he
could avoid the conversation on Kim Davis, but then he read a column
titled The Only Religion Question Reporters And Debate Moderators Should Ask Presidential Candidates (Kim Davis Edition). After that he couldn’t resist inviting Sarah Posner of Religion Dispatches
back on the show to talk about how candidates taking sides on this
controversy tells us a lot about where they truly stand on the US
Constitution.
A Sweet New Year (and some timeless lessons)
Sundown on Sunday night marks the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. With so much turmoil in the world, holida
...more
46min
September 05, 2015 State of Belief - September 5, 2015
Labor Day and Looking Back
This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show
and podcast, Rev. Welton Gaddy sits down with several special guests to
talk about the role of faith in political and public life. We’ll hear
from Interfaith Alliance Executive Director Rabbi Jack Moline about the
potential dangers of mixing government and religion for political
benefit. On a warmer note, a Rabbi and former President Carter staffer
shares how 39’s faith helped – and continues to help – him through
troubles and tough times. Finally, in the spirit of the holiday (and
time off work!) we’ll hear two excerpts from Labor Day broadcasts of
years past, and spend some time reflecting on how the world has changed –
or not– in the years since those segments first aired.
The Religiosity of Politics and the Politicization of Religion
At the end of September, Pope Francis will travel to the United States, a
trip that features a stop in Washington, D.C. where he will address a
joint meeting of Congress. And the conference put on by ACT for America,
the notoriously anti-Muslim organization, will feature the
participation of at least 14 members of the House of Representatives.
This week, Rabbi Jack Moline, Executive Director of the Interfaith Alliance,
joins us on the program to talk about the bad things that can happen
when religion and politics are used in the service of one another.
The (Podcast) Ghosts of Labor Days Past
As this weekend marks both Labor Day and another week counting down to State of Belief’s
tenth anniversary, we’ll look back at what we were talking about on
Labor Days past. First, we’ll revisit September 2007, when Welton spoke
to Mary Kay Henry of the Service Employees
International Union about the urgency of expanding workers’ access to
health care. There was a presidential candidate running on a promise of
universal health care that year: Barack Obama. Then, we’ll listen to a
piece of a September 2009 conversation between Welton and Prof. Bethany Moreton,
author of the book To Serve God and Wal-Mart: The Making of Christian
Free Enterprise, on the confluence of Evangelical Christianity and free
market capitalism.
The Passion and Faith of President Carter
The world was shocked last month when President Jimmy Carter stepped up
to the microphone and calmly explained his cancer diagnosis. In the
years since he left office, President Carter has worked tirelessly for
change in the world, and his dedication to justice and peace has made
him seem ageless. Welton is joined this week by Rabbi Gordon Tucker,
who served as a White House Fellow during the Carter Administration,
where he was able to see firsthand the forces the president called upon
during times of trouble. Rabbi Tucker offers listeners a powerful,
intimate look into President Carter, and on what we can learn about life
and its challenges from the way he brings faith into play in his own
life.
Intersection Awards: September 2015
This week, we’re excited to announce another edition of the Intersection
Awards, where the Interfaith Alliance risks life and limb at the
intersection of religion, government and politics to flash a green,
yellow or red light at some of the latest near-misses and collisions at
this always-busy, always-dangerous crossroads. This week? The new “hero”
of the anti-gay movement, Kim Davis, the lack of international action
to help the thousands of refugees worldwide, and the notorious “Alliance
Defending Freedom,” a giant nonprofit legal outfit that looks to inject
itself to seemingly every mean-spirited culture war on offer.
...more
53min
August 31, 2015 State of Belief - August 29th - 2015
The Struggle for Religious Freedom Goes South
From the Deep South to Southern Europe, struggles for religious
freedom are sending ripples across our communities. This week on State
of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, Rev.
Welton Gaddy takes a look at three different conflicts facing religious
communities. We’ll hear about Texas Freedom Network’s fight to keep
Christian education out of public schools. We’ll check in with our
friend Suhag Shukla at the Hindu American Foundation on the latest
debate about adding a Hindu monument to the Ten Commandments monument at
the Arkansas State House. And Catherine Orsborne, director of the
Shoulder to Shoulder campaign, will tell us about how anti-Muslim
bigotry stops us from helping those refugees most in need.
What Did you Learn In School Today?
Across the country the Religious Right and their allies in Congress,
state legislatures and local school boards, have waged a quiet campaign
to bring religious teachings into public schools and to funnel public
money to private schools. As they say, everything’s bigger in Texas,
including the Religious Right’s agenda. Dan Quinn, communications director at the Texas Freedom Network,
will join Welton this week to fill us in on the most recent struggles
around religion in school and what the implications are for the rest of
the country.
The Very Dire Consequences of Islamophobia
We all know that anti-Muslim bigotry takes a serious toll on our
country. We see it in our political debates, in protests against mosques
and community centers, and in policing and national security. But have
you ever thought about how it changes our debate about refugees and
immigration? This week Catherine Orsborn of Shoulder to Shoulder
will discuss how anti-Muslim bigotry has stopped the U.S. and countries
across Europe from adequately addressing the refugee crisis in Syria,
Sudan and across the Middle East.
The Statues and Statutes of Religion Freedom
When we debate religious freedom in America, we usually debate the
statues and laws that govern religious practice in our nation. But,
increasingly often these days, we’re talking a lot about statues. The
Arkansas State Legislature has just mandated a memorial to the Ten
Commandments on the capitol grounds. So a group of Hindus petitioned the
state to add a Hindu statue to the display, a request that has garnered
surprisingly broad interfaith support. Tune in to hear from Suhag Shukla, co-founder and executive director of the Hindu-America Foundation, talk about why the work to make these public displays of religion more inclusive is so important.
...more
47min

FAQs about Bobby Paragon:

How many episodes does Bobby Paragon have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.