Episode 90.   

Are you a museum goer? Are you interested in the history of religion in America? Is religious freedom in America important to you?  If you answered yes to any of those questions, today’s episode will speak to you. Chris Stevenson has been developing the National Museum of American Religion for 15 years. Currently a digital-first project, Chris and his team began the Religion in the American Experience podcast as a stepping-stone to exhibits. They are also talking about a traveling exhibit. The key questions underlying all of these endeavors are: What has America done to religion and what has religion done to America? 

Highlights: 

·       Religious freedom in America

·       Inspiration for the National Museum of American Religion project

·       The Museum’s Digital First Approach

·       Religion in the American Experience podcast

·       Smithsonian vs. private structure 

·       Mobile museum: religion's pandemic journey

·       Exploring positive lived religion

Bio:  

Chris Stevenson has worked as a teacher, systems engineer, and consultant. He has a B.S. in applied physics and Masters degrees in education and agricultural engineering. His overriding interest is buttressing civil society, and in 2000 he founded the non-profit Community Levee Association. Shortly thereafter Mr. Stevenson founded America’s Quilt of Faith. Out of the initial America’s Quilt of Faith project, Faith2SelfGovern, grew the start-up National Museum of American Religion project. Mr. Stevenson is the author of Letters from an American Husband and Father: Championing Virtue as the Most Durable Empire, a compilation of his letters to the editor and essays written between 1998 and 2012.

References:

Harvard University Pluralism Project, founded by Prof. Diana Eck

Article 6 of the US Constitution 

1st Amendment of the US Constitution

Social Media links for guest: 

Facebook

Instagram

X (Formerly Twitter)

LinkedIn

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More Episodes with Mormons:

Social Media links for Méli:

Website – the Talking with God Project

Meli’s email

LinkedIn – Meli Solomon

Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 89.  

Every culture has its food, and in America, each immigrant group has contributed to the bounty of culinary options––from Italian pizza to Jewish delis and much more. Muslims are no different. What this group has brought, however, is a wide array of foods, since Muslims hail from many countries. My guest today, Shahed Amanullah, a renowned entrepreneur, created a short list of restaurants that offered halal food in 1998. What began as a simple list for himself and his Muslim friends, has grown into a juggernaut. Now an app called Zabihah, it is the world’s first global halal restaurant discovery and delivery platform, including 14,000 locations in the U.S. and 50,000 worldwide. In this conversation, Shahed and I cover many aspects of the halal food scene, and the parallels with Jewish kosher laws among other things.

Highlights: 

·       Halal food as a symbol of Muslim presence in America.

·       Defining Halal and Zabiha.

·       Variations in halal observance among Muslims.

·       Halal as both a spiritual and communal expression.

·       Evolving Halal standards debate.

·       Shared principles and practice between halal and kosher traditions.

·       Eco-Kosher and organic principles in halal practices.

·       Spirituality of Food in Islam.

Bio:
Shahed Amanullah is an accomplished entrepreneur, product developer, and investor/mentor for early-stage startups. He is the founder of Zabihah, the world’s first global halal restaurant discovery and delivery platform, and serves as Managing Director of Elian Capital, a private equity fund manager and investment advisor based in San Antonio. Shahed holds a BS in Engineering from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Social Media links for Shahed:  

Website 

Twitter  

Facebook 

Instagram

LinkedIn 

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More Episodes with Muslims:
Bonus. Understanding the American Muslim Experience (Dr. Amir Hussain)

Religious Pluralism vs. White Supremacy in America Today – Wajahat Ali

How to be Visibly Muslim in the US Government – Fatima Pashaei

Social Media links for Méli:

Website – the Talking with God Project

Meli’s email

LinkedIn – Meli Solomon

Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 88.   

This episode is in memory of the passengers and crew of the DC and Philadelphia plane crashes and my friend Karen Hirschfeld. May their memories be for a blessing.

This is the first of a new Reflection series. They will be short monthly episodes, opportunities to share my thoughts about recent episodes, things I’ve written or read and whatever else seems relevant. 

Highlights:

·      Explanation of the new reflection series format.

·      Criticism of Project 2025 and current administration’s dismantling of the federal government. 

·      Comments on White Christian Nationalism and White Supremacy concerns.

·      Focus on spheres of influence and readiness to act.

·      Four practical suggestions for increasing understanding of others.

Bio

I am a public scholar and interreligious leader with a keen interest in understanding the nature of similarities and differences––especially religious and cultural.  The Talking with God Project is currently my main focus, and I am actively expanding its reach through workshops, articles, panels, talks and a podcast.  

​

Raised in the Boston area, I have lived in Seattle, WA and Berlin, Germany, before returning to Boston in 2017.  Carving out a varied educational and professional path, I hold a B.A. in Fine Art from Oberlin College (1984), an M.B.A. from Northeastern University (1997), a Certificate in Coaching from the International Coach Academy (2015), and a Master of Jewish Liberal Studies (MJLS) from Hebrew College with a focus on Global Interreligious Studies (2019).  Professionally, I have worked as a business manager, an art dealer and founder of Solomon Fine Art gallery, language trainer, text editor, business coach and now public scholar and podcaster. 

​

Though raised in an interfaith non-observant home. my Conservative Jewish practice and wide range of personal and professional experiences inform my research and life.

Transcript on Buzzsprout

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project

NEW Substack posts

Méli's Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn – Meli Solomon

Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 87. 
The timing of this Bonus episode is auspicious given the recent debate regarding learning about the history of race in America, the book bans, and the current administration’s aim to eliminate the federal department of education. While each of these issues are complex and engage different issues, they share the matter of understanding our history – all of it. And our history leads into what we do today. As part of my ongoing encouragement to know each other’s faith and religion, Rick Bennett, host of the Gospel Tangents, a Mormon History podcast, has joined me to talk about the many splinter groups within the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints, otherwise known as the LDS church or the Mormons. Whatever you might think or know about this church, I encourage you to listen with an open mind and heart. Rick is a passionate researcher and brings humor and curiosity to his work.

Highlights:
·       Mormon splinter groups.

·       Joseph Smith: synchronizing the Old Testament and New Testament 

·       Religions are seen as cults at their beginning. 

·       Common miracles today.

·       Studies on faith healings and the placebo effect.

·       Succession, polygamy and theological disagreements.

·       The LDS church as the “One True Church”.

Bio:
Rick Bennett is the host of the Gospel Tangents, a Mormon History podcast. He is an expert on various Mormon schismatic groups, presenting at the Mormon History Association, and other Mormon history groups. He is an academic authenticity advisor at Western Governors University and teaches math and statistics at Utah Valley University. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah. He has worked as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries and works in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician.

Social Media links for Rick:
Website – https://gospeltangents.com
YouTube – https://youtube.com/gospeltangents
Patreon – https://patreon.com/gospeltangents

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More Episodes with Mormons:
Shane Adamson
Margaret Agard
Zachary Davis

Social Media links for Méli:

Website – the Talking with God Project

Meli’s email

LinkedIn – Meli Solomon

Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 86. 
Several big international changes have occurred since the last episode was released on the 9th of January. America witnessed another peaceful transfer of power, though it was immediately followed by some executive orders that are anything but peaceful, and Israeli hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire. These small steps are part of much longer national journeys that will affect many people for years to come. 

Today’s guest, Dan Miller––professor, co-host of the Straight White American Jesus podcast, and former evangelical pastor––has stepped out of his usual discussion of White Christian Nationalism in America to talk with me about his own personal faith journey. Over the years of observance and theological training, Dan has shifted from believer to critic, though he is back in a church community. You’ll hear many reminders of why thinking deeply and critically is so valuable.


Highlights:
·       Complex Identity and Faith Transformation 

·       Evangelicalism: Biblical Authority and Social Conservatism

·       Leaving Evangelicalism for Social Justice

·       Biblical contradictions and complexity 

·       Justice and Jesus of Nazareth

·       “All we can do is the next right thing.”

Social Media link for Dan:
Website – Straight White American Jesus
Email – [email protected]

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes with Evangelicals:
Cathy Sirvatka
Kelly Baader

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 85. 
As the new secular year begins, along with the incoming presidential administration, it’s a good time to hear a shortened version of my conversation with the esteemed journalist and speaker Wajahat Ali. Given the dominance of White Christian Nationalism and the debate about immigration, Wajahat’s Sunni Muslim American identity and his family’s Pakistani immigrant history, make him an ideal partner to talk about religious pluralism in America today. In this conversation we explore the challenges minorities face as well as the fears, hate and discomfort that drive the antagonism and protectionism of White Supremacy. But our conversation is not completely dark. Wajahat raises reasons for hope and steps we can each take towards a brighter future of dignity and freedom.

Highlights:
·       White Christian Nationalism.
·       Balancing group identity and assimilation; history and modernity; religion and secularism.
·       Suburban communities' fear despite material abundance.
·       Progressives ceded spirituality to the right.
·       Stand for dignity, freedom; reject hate-driven leadership.
·       Steps of awareness, intention, and action for individual contributions.

Bio:
Wajahat is a New York Times contributing op-ed writer and Daily Beast columnist, public speaker, and recovering attorney. He also regularly appears on cable news and radio to discuss politics, religion, foreign policy and culture. Wajahat often speaks on the multifaceted American experience, covering our growing need for cultural unity, racial diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, he has published his first book Go Back To Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American. 

Wajahat grew up in the Bay Area, California to Pakistani immigrant parents. He graduated from UC Berkeley with an English major and became a licensed attorney. He knows what it feels like to be the token minority in the classroom and the darkest person in a boardroom. He is married and the father of three kids. 

Social Media links for Wajahat:
Website – https://www.wajali.com

NY Times opinion piece, 23 June 2023 

NY Times opinion piece, 16 Aug. 2023  

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes with Muslims:
Saiyyidah Zaidi
Prianka Alam
Dr. Amir Hussain

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 84. 
This week is the Jewish holiday of Chanukah which celebrates light in the dark days of winter. It is a time of contrasts and turning. Our candles add light in the darkness as we appreciate the slow turning towards longer days. In that spirit, this conversation explores another kind of opposites and turning – immersing in the mikveh as a way for a Jew to mark a transition. 

Haviva Ner-David, an American Jew who has lived in Israel more than half her life. She is the founding rabbi of Shmaya: A Mikveh for Mind, Body, and Soul. Located in northern Israel, it is the only mikveh in Israel that allows people to immerse as they choose. Haviva talks about the biblical sources of the mikveh, her long standing passion for this ritual, and the many uses of the mikveh, reaching far beyond the monthly practice for Orthodox women after their menstrual periods. Each reason for immersing in the living waters of the mikveh marks a transition or celebrates a milestone in life.

Bio: 
Rabbi Dr. Haviva Ner-David is a rabbi, author, spiritual companion, and activist. She is the founding rabbi of Shmaya: A Mikveh for Mind, Body, and Soul, the only mikveh in Israel open to all humans to immerse as they choose. Her books include three memoirs, two novels, and a children’s book. As a spiritual companion, she works with people of all faiths. Haviva was ordained privately by an Orthodox rabbi and institutionally by the One Spirit Interfaith-Interspiritual Seminary. Haviva lives with FSHD, a form of muscular dystrophy, which has been her greatest life challenge and teacher. She and her life partner, Jacob, have seven children. Her activism takes various forms, including building Arab-Jewish partnership in the Galilee, where she lives.

Highlights:
·       Biblical sources for Mikvah
·       Shmaya, a unique Mikvah in Israel 
·       Immersion as spiritual practice and ritual process
·       Practical elements of the process
·       Intentionality and Kavannah

References:
Rising Tide Open Waters Mikveh Network – https://www.mayyimhayyim.org/risingtide/

Social Media links for Haviva: 
Website – https://rabbihaviva.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/haviva.nerdavid.1
Blog on the Times of Israel – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/haviva-ner-david/

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes with Jews outside the U.S.:
Jonathan Schorsch, Germany
Dr. Lindsay Simmonds, UK
David Levin-Kruss, Israel

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon

Follow the podcast!

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 83.
Is someone in your family an immigrant? Or are you yourself an immigrant? Are you visibly a member of a race or religion? And how do these markers of identity affect your work life and general sense of belonging? 

In this conversation we explore the complexities of her life experience – being part of an extended family of mixed cultures and religions, being visibly Muslim at work, the 9/11 terrorist attack, and a bit about Christmas, perfect in the run up to that holiday.

Bio:
Fatima Pashaei, an American-born Muslim woman, has worked for the Federal government for the last 25 years. She is currently President of Mosaic - Muslim Federal Employee Association, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which supports Muslims serving in the executive branch of government. Fatima is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces for people of all faith backgrounds. Fatima grew up in Washington, DC. with her six siblings, the daughter of an Iranian immigrant father and American mother, who instilled in her the value of service to others. Fatima lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two sons, hairless cat, and rescue dog.

 Highlights:
·       Shia, a minority Islamic sect globally, but the majority in Iran.

·       Mother's conversion to Islam and integration of mixed cultural practices.

·       Focus on broad Muslim identity rather than sectarian differences.

·       Witnessed 9/11 attacks; felt impact on the Pentagon.

·       Uncomfortable incidents with derogatory comments about Middle Eastern and Iraqi backgrounds.

·       The challenge of being a woman in a male-dominated workforce and a Muslim in a non-Muslim area.

·       Positive work experiences and cultural understanding moments.

·       Christmas celebration – family time and cookies

·       Jesus (Isa in Arabic) as prophet in Islam who performs miracles. 

Social Media links for Fatima: 
LinkedIn –  www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-pashaei   
Instagram – @fatipash
Mosaic (Muslim Federal Employee Association) – www.mosaicfeds.org 

More episodes with Muslim:

Abdur-Rahman Syed

Nayma Tasnim Islam

Katrina Kincade

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript on Buzzsprout

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. 

 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 82. 
'Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name'. These opening words of the Lord’s Prayer from the Christian tradition, provide a salve for Will Berry when times are hard, and he doesn’t have words. As a paramedic for 14 years, these moments are not infrequent.   

Today’s episode is the second half of our conversation, where we talk about God, prayer, and the power of using ancient words. 

Highlights:
00:00 God's vastness complements intimate personal presence.

04:56 The profound impact of the Church community and teachings.

08:53 Pragmatic preaching that blends scripture and life.

10:02 Ancient traditions need modern practical relevance.

15:34 Kneeling in prayer brings powerful surrender.

18:02 Reflecting on humanity prevents emotional detachment.

21:01 Bring heavenly beauty and power to earth.


Bio:
Will Berry has been in EMS for 14 years.  He currently works as a flight paramedic in North Carolina, but has spent the majority of his career as a paramedic on an ambulance responding to 911 calls in a busy city. He has been a Christian since a young age and is heavily influenced by his faith and spiritual journey. He is married and is the father to two young girls. In addition to working in EMS he has been a whitewater rafting guide, ski patroller, and wilderness guide in the rocky mountains.

Social Media links for Will:
Instagram – @emscast
EMSCast podcast (co-hosted with Ross Orpet)


Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript on Buzzsprout


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 81. 
When you are swamped by tragedy and darkness, when all you are seeing is broken and the worst that society has to offer, what does your faith offer you? For Will Berry, a paramedic for 14 years, his Christian faith provides a loving God, and the presence of light in the situation, perhaps his own God-given skills and ability are the light in the darkness.

This is the first half of my conversation with Will. The second half will be released in two weeks. 

Highlights:
·       Will Berry's religious background – core beliefs and changing denominations

·       The tension between the theoretical understanding of faith and real-world challenges.

·       God is all-powerful; faith bridges the mysterious gaps.

·       Being compassionate and attentive in emergencies. 

·       Handling chaotic situations involving crime, addiction, and mental health.

·       The role of faith in providing light in dark situations – being an instrument of light and hope

Bio:
Will Berry has been in EMS for 14 years.  He currently works as a flight paramedic in North Carolina, but has spent the majority of his career as a paramedic on an ambulance responding to 911 calls in a busy city. He has been a Christian since a young age and is heavily influenced by his faith and spiritual journey. He is married and is the father to two young girls. In addition to working in EMS he has been a whitewater rafting guide, ski patroller, and wilderness guide in the rocky mountains.

Social Media links for Will:
Instagram – @emscast
EMSCast podcast (co-hosted with Ross Orpet)


Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript in Buzzsprout


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/