In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Ghazala Salam, a nonprofit leader, chef, and cultural storyteller, about the powerful intersection of food, culture, and identity. They discuss her participation in a recent chef competition, which she uses as a springboard to explain her core mission of food diplomacy and cultural storytelling. Salam introduces her project, "Spice Canvas," which aims to connect people through food experiences like pop-ups and tasting menus, where each dish tells a story. The central topic of their conversation is her ambitious plan to establish a groundbreaking Muslim cultural center in Orlando, envisioned as a human-centered space to share the diverse stories, histories, and humanity of global Muslims through interactive galleries, a performing arts center, and an active kitchen, thereby challenging stereotypes and fostering deeper cross-cultural understanding.

Ghazala Salam on Linkedin:

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Minhas Kahn about her book, Divine Diplomacy, which explores the impact of post-9/11 American evangelicals on Pakistan-United States relations. Kahn details how her research challenged initial perceptions of evangelicals, revealing that many engaged in positive diplomacy through humanitarian aid, fostering interfaith harmony, and advocating for religious freedom. She argues that this engagement not only influenced US foreign policy but also helped create a better understanding at a local level in Pakistan, leading to new dialogues and initiatives. The conversation also delves into the complexities of US-Pakistan relations, the misuse of religion for political purposes, the differing interpretations of concepts like blasphemy laws, and Pakistan's strategic need to balance its alliances with major world powers.

Dr. Minhas Kahn is an Associate Professor of International Relations with nearly two decades of experience in teaching, research, and policy engagement. She earned her Master’s from the University of Peshawar in 2005 and began her academic career soon after, joining the Department of International Relations as a lecturer in 2006.

Her Ph.D. research, “Evangelicals’ Influence on U.S. Foreign Policy: Impact on Pakistan–U.S. Relations (2001–2007),” earned her a fully funded fellowship at the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim–Christian Understanding (ACMCU) at Georgetown University in 2010, followed by her selection as a SUSI Scholar at the University of Florida in 2012. She completed her Ph.D. in 2013 and progressed to Assistant Professor in 2014 before assuming her current role as Associate Professor.

Dr. Kahn has also held a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, researching religious freedom and democracy in Pakistan under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). This work, along with her fellowship at the Center for Women, Faith, and Leadership (CWFL) in Washington DC, reflects her commitment to understanding the complex ties between religion, politics, and security.

Her published work explores religious extremism and terrorism, interfaith dynamics, peacebuilding, countering violent extremism, Islamophobia and Westophobia, South Asian regional politics, and the role of gender in peace and security. She regularly presents her research at national and international conferences and remains dedicated to producing scholarship that bridges divides and informs policy.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Guy Elhanan, an Israeli actor and member of the Parents Circle–Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of bereaved families. Elhanan shares his personal journey from a typical Israeli upbringing to a peace activist, detailing how his artistic awakening in an arts high school was abruptly curtailed by the dehumanizing experience of mandatory military service. He discusses how the military and societal narratives of conflict create a "numbness" and a narrow, aggressive definition of identity, which he later began to heal from through travel, art, and pantomime. The conversation explores the profound impact of his family's loss and his father's eventual embrace of the Parents Circle, centered on the realization that "the pain is one." Key themes include the destructive nature of militarized culture, the challenge of overcoming societal propaganda and racism, and the powerful, essential role of empathy and recognizing shared humanity as the only path toward reconciliation and a future beyond the conflict.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Joseph Yoo for a "wellness check" following the death of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, a shared childhood hero. They explore the complex emotions of mourning a figure they once idolized, grappling with the stark contrast between Hogan's heroic on-screen persona and the flawed, often controversial, reality of the man, Terry Bollea. The discussion delves into the power of nostalgia, the nature of parasocial relationships with celebrities, and the difficulty of reconciling a beloved character with a problematic individual. They reflect on how wrestling's simplified good-versus-evil narratives shaped their youth and compare the fervor of "Hulkamania" to a form of religious belief, ultimately concluding that their grief was for the loss of the character and the significant part of their childhood he represented.

Joseph Yoo is the priest of Mosaic Episcopal church in Houston. You can visit https://linktr.ee/JosephYoo to connect with him.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Laila Alsheikh, a Palestinian from Bethlehem and a member of The Parents Circle-Families Forum, a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 700 bereaved families. Laila shares the deeply personal and tragic story of losing her six-month-old son, who died after being denied timely passage through an Israeli checkpoint for urgent medical care. She recounts her journey from profound grief and anger to joining the organization, detailing a pivotal moment where she came face-to-face with the soldier responsible, only to find shared humanity and a path toward reconciliation. The conversation explores the organization's mission to use shared pain as a bridge for dialogue, advocating for an end to the cycle of violence. Laila emphasizes that the solution to the conflict lies not in political sides but in ensuring equal rights, freedom, and dignity for all, and calls for an end to the conflict so that no other families have to endure such loss.

Laila Alsheikh lives in Bethlehem in the West Bank. In 2002, her 6 months old son, Qussay, became ill and Israeli soldiers prevented Layla from taking him to the hospital for more than five hours. Qussay soon died from the lack of timely treatment. Laila joined the Parents Circle in 2016. Following her son’s death, she never thought of revenge, but rather has devoted her time and energy to ensuring a better, more peaceful future for her children.

The Parents Circle - Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of over 800 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation. Through their educational activities, these bereaved members have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on journeys of reconciliation. It is often raw and always emotional. But out of these interactions, comes change. Not the kind of change that makes headlines, but a more personal and profound shift in perspective.

As a joint Israeli-Palestinian peace organization, the PCFF models constructive dialogue around shared values. Even since October 7th, 2023, its staff, members, and thousands of participants are still committed to peace and a way forward that centers around empathy and humanization. The PCFF focuses on the shared value of the sanctity of human life. This conversation brings our attention to the values that Palestinians and Israelis can agree upon even in the darkest of times.

Links:

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Sahar Aziz, a distinguished professor of law and director of the Center for Security and Race and Rights, about the profound impact of 9/11 on Muslim identity and civil liberties in America. Aziz introduces the concept of the "racial Muslim," explaining how the collective trauma and government overreach post-9/11 led to the racialization of Muslims, treating their religious identity as if it were a racial characteristic, resulting in systemic discrimination rather than just individual bigotry. The conversation explores how American-raised Muslims, accustomed to fighting for rights, grappled with this new reality, contrasting it with older generations' responses. They discuss the historical evolution of religious freedom in the U.S., critiquing contemporary shifts towards 'religious liberty' that prioritize certain faiths and contribute to ethno-nationalist tendencies, mirroring similar 'cultural wars' globally. Finally, Aziz offers actionable strategies for vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of cross-racial coalitions, structural reforms, and active civic engagement to counter these increasingly authoritarian and discriminatory trends, stressing that those with privilege have a responsibility to contribute to a more equitable and just society.

Sahar Aziz's scholarship examines the intersection of national security, race, religion, and civil rights with a focus on the adverse impact of national security laws and policies on racial, religious, and ethnic minorities. She is the author of "The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes Religious Freedom" and co-editor of "Global Islamophobia and the Rise of Populism." She also serves as the founding director of the Center for Security, Race and Rights. Professor Aziz is a recipient of the Derrick A. Bell Award from the Association of American Law Schools and was named a Middle Eastern and North African American National Security and Foreign Policy Next Generation Leader by New America in 2020 and a Soros Equality Fellow in 2021.

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Chris Campbell—better known online as Chris CARESNONE, “The Babka King”—is a Chicago‑born speaker, podcaster, and viral food creator who uses humor and high‑energy storytelling to turn everyday dishes into unexpected lessons on unity. His cross‑cultural food videos have attracted nearly half‑a‑million TikTok fans, hundreds of thousands on Instagram, plus growing Facebook and YouTube communities, while mainstream outlets from NBC New York Live to the Times of Israel label him a bridge‑builder for our polarized era.

Raised in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Campbell studied Mass Communication at Harper College, laying the groundwork for the relatable voice he wields today. A 2020 diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia reframed his outlook; he now calls life “house money,” a perspective he credits for the fearless tone of his brand.

A single babka review triggered a wave of Jewish‑food content, earning Campbell the affectionate “Babka King” tag. NBC New York Live dedicated a full segment titled “Breaking the Babka Code,” highlighting his knack for translating pastry into empathy. The Times of Israel later profiled how his sweet‑tooth adventures “bridge cultural gaps on Instagram, one blintz at a time.”

Whether sampling Hasidic cholent in Brooklyn, mole tacos in Chicago, or German schnitzel in Detroit, Campbell frames every bite as proof that flavors beat borders. Aish.com praised his “funny and heartwarming” approach to classic Jewish fare, while the Jewish Telegraphic Agency spotlighted how his trademark greeting—“Y’all been gatekeeping all the good food?!”—turns potential tension into shared laughter.

Campbell’s north‑star goal is clear: feed connection, not conflict. From a forthcoming book on audience‑building to plans for a traveling Babka Festival, he proves that a camera, a good bite, and a fierce belief in human potential can taste‑test us toward a kinder world—one cultural mash‑up at a time.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Brad Knight, son of Paula White Cain and stepson of Jonathan Cain. Knight details his parents' unique meeting on a Southwest flight and how their diverse backgrounds (his mother as a faith advisor and his stepfather as Journey's keyboardist) have influenced their lives. The conversation then shifts to Knight's personal journey, sharing his experience as a pastor of Story Life church, which he took over from his mother, emphasizing a storytelling and prophetic approach to faith rooted in love and grace rather than judgment. He reveals his own past as an atheist and his powerful, personal spiritual encounter, contrasting this experiential faith with rigid theological apologetics. Knight also discusses his involvement with the National Faith Advisory Board, highlighting its role in fostering interfaith engagement, particularly since the Trump administration, to preserve shared values and encourage people of faith to actively participate in the political sphere, asserting that faith and public life should not be separated.

Brad Knight is the Lead Pastor of StoryLife Church in Apopka, FL. In addition to pastoring, he works with the National Faith Advisory Board to engage the faith community on issues that matter most to them.

That's all wonderful, but he knows most people just know him as the son of Paula White-Cain, a prominent preacher and political figurehead. He's cool with that.

He's 14 years into a marriage to a beautiful firebrand named Rachel Knight and has the two cutest kids in the world—his 8-year-old daughter, Asher, and his 6-year-old son, Nick.

He really believes Bret Hart is "The Best There Is, The Best There Was, And The Best There Ever Will Be." Will preach for baseball tickets.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Sumbul Ali-Karamali about transgender identity, emphasizing its nature as a medical condition rather than a choice. She explains gender dysphoria as a debilitating psychological state with potential biological roots, highlighting the high suicide rates among transgender youth. Ali-Karamali asserts that, from an Islamic perspective, being transgender is not forbidden; she points to the absence of prohibitions in the Quran and Hadith, and the historical acceptance and approval of gender reassignment surgery by many Sunni and Shia scholars. She argues that Islamic legal principles, such as Maqasid al-Sharia (objectives of Islamic law) and ethical concepts like Tajassus (not seeking out transgressions), advocate for human dignity and non-persecution, directly supporting transgender rights. Ali-Karamali contrasts this inherent inclusivity with the restrictive anti-trans laws prevalent in some modern nations, suggesting these are often inherited from colonial impositions rather than Islamic tradition itself. She urges listeners to reject prejudice and embrace Islam's historically compassionate and adaptable approach to human diversity.

Sumbul Ali-Karamali is a Muslim American who grew up in California, answering questions on Islam ever since she can remember. After becoming a corporate lawyer, she earned an additional degree in Islamic law. She specializes in synthesizing academic material for general audiences and is the author of The Muslim Next Door and Growing Up Muslim. A popular speaker on topics related to Islam and Muslims, she hopes to promote intercultural understanding with her work, at least when she’s not watching Star Trek reruns, listening to opera, or (reluctantly) white-water rafting with her husband.

Connect with Sumbul on her website: www.sumbulalikaramali.com.

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In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John speaks with Michael Hirshorne, a motivational speaker and author, about the concept of "Dawn of Peace" and the path to achieving it through personal and collective transformation. Hirshorne outlines his philosophy of self-actualization, arguing that the current turbulent global climate is a prime opportunity for "radical change" which requires "radical thinking." The discussion revolves around the metaphor of viewing the world through different "lenses," the difficulty of changing one's perspective, and the importance of seeing "the other" as an extension of the self. They cover topics such as the self being under siege in the digital age, the danger of jumping on ideological bandwagons without personal research, and the illusion of our physical reality. Hirshorne advocates for proactive change through meditation, deep self-reflection, and focusing on desired outcomes, ultimately encouraging listeners to create a life they can look back on with a smile rather than regret.

Michael Hirshorne links:

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