In Good Faith

How can we become more complete? Jamal Rahman talks about doing the inner inconvenient work of being a Sufi to become a more developed human. He also comments on his time with the Three Amigos promoting interfaith work!

Imam Jamal Rahman is a popular speaker and author of numerous books on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and Interfaith relations. Along with the Interfaith Amigos, he has been featured in the New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs. Jamal is co-founder and Muslim Sufi Imam at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, and adjunct faculty at Seattle University.

What are key beliefs in the most ancient world religion? Listen as Steve talks with Arman Ariane about how he came to Zoroastrianism, what it is, and how it guides him to be more God-like.

Arman Ariane is a businessman from Claremont, California who was previously the President of the California Zoroastrian Center. He is currently a council member on the Zoroastrian Studies Council at Claremont Graduate University and speaks on Zoroastrianism all over the United States. He appeared in Morgan Freeman's National Geographic documentary series "The Story of God."

Can we see the divine in everyone? Kathleen Messina talks about ministering as a chaplain in the Harris County prison system; she asks us to recognize Christ in our daily interactions with everyone, including those we can't imagine ourselves having anything in common with. For her, it was those in prison.

Kathleen Messina is the Director of the Spiritual Direction Institute at the Emmaus Spirituality Center. She also works as a chaplain in the Harris County Jail. She is an active minister in her parish—St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Missouri City, TX.

How can we renew our spiritual practices? Mark Glanville talks "Improvising Church", his most recent book, with ideas ranging from the need for a 'leader-full' community to how we can best find our individual gifts from God. Mark shares insights about the flexibility and creativity encouraged by both faith and jazz traditions and highlights the significance of embracing one's unique gifts to contribute meaningfully to their 'incarnational community.'

Mark R. Glanville (PhD, Bristol University) is associate professor of pastoral theology at Regent College, Vancouver, and an Old Testament scholar. He is also a jazz musician, and you'll hear some of his music in this episode!

Does jazz music have a place in church? Join Steve and William G. Carter as they talk about community, improvisation, and - that's right - jazz! Carter's journey highlights how God opens unexpected doors, integrating his musical talents with his ministry. He shares insights from his book 'Thriving on a Riff', exploring the communal aspects of jazz and church communities.

William G. Carter maintains a dual career as a jazz pianist and a Presbyterian minister. He is the pastor and head of staff at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, and the leader of the Presbybop Quartet.

Is it ever too late to learn more about your faith? Join Mary Lahaj as she tells Steve about her experience turning to God during a low point in her life. After growing up having not learned much about Islam, her family's religion, she tells about her journey to learning more.

Mary Lahaj currently lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, and works as a professional freelance writer for a prominent law firm in Boston. Over the years, she has reimagined religion, not as an organized institution, but as an open question. In Bird on a Wire, her recent memoir, she makes a compelling case to her readers to do the same.

How can we approach faith with the head and heart? In this episode, Justin Brierley talks with Steven about how he faces opposing views to Christianity intellectually and emotionally. After hearing so many arguments for aetheism, he shares how his faith has been shaped and strengthened.

Justin is a freelance writer, speaker and broadcaster who creates dialogue between Christians and non-Christians around faith, science, theology and culture. He aims to showcase an intellectually compelling case for Christianity, while taking seriously the questions and objections of sceptics.

Mina Thomas Brett, Ashley Hess, and Isaiah Bailey from 'the King will come' chat with Steve about how their faith has evolved along side the development of their worship ensemble 'the King will come.' This episode includes 5 songs from the group, recorded live in the In Good Faith studios, and performed by Jake Hansen, Isaiah Bailey, Tamy Stevens, Ashley Hess, Mina Thomas Brett, Sean Stevens, Brie Ray Aupiu, Garon Brett, Joseph Moore, with Miles Mann on piano. You can watch the performances on our YouTube channel.

In this episode we learn about finding spiritual direction through the mind, the word, and our communities. How do those three areas of our lives help us encounter God? Join Julie Goates, Steve, Josh, James, Alia, and Heather as we learn together.

Juliana Boerio-Goates is a retired professor of chemistry at BYU, where she was named a Karl G. Maeser Professor of General Education for her contributions in the classroom. Dr. Boerio-Goates belongs to the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orem, where she has been active in leadership positions, including coordinator of the first Christmas Eve Midnight Mass celebrated at the Provo LDS Tabernacle. She and her husband, Steven R. Goates, are the parents of two children.

What does the monastic life require? Join Steve as he asks four monks at the Holy Cross Abbey about how they got there, what it's like, and why they stay.

Father James, Brother Paul, Brother John, and Brother Efrain speak about the faith experiences that support them day to day and how they see themselves as active in the lives of other through prayer, chant, work, and service.