In Good Faith

Maggie Siddiqi shares her experiences working in various governmental and faith-based community roles, emphasizing the strategic and moral necessity of cross-faith partnerships. Maggie Siddiqi is senior fellow at Interfaith Alliance. She recently concluded her appointment to the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Education, where she served as Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris administration, Maggie Siddiqi served as senior director of the Religion and Faith team at the Center for American Progress, where she led the organization’s work on religious liberty.

John Kasich talks about on unifying Americans rather than dividing them and championing the great potential of our citizens to make positive impacts in their own communities. John Kasich served as the 69th governor of Ohio and ran for President during the 2016 GOP primary. Today, he runs the Kasich Company and serves as a political analyst for NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC. He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers; his most recent book is Heaven Help Us.

Jeff Renner discusses covering the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and its profound impact on his faith and life. Jeff Renner is a nine-time Emmy award winner, having served as science journalist, documentary producer and Chief Meteorologist at Seattle’s KING Television for 39 years. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and the Society of Environmental Journalists. He is executive producer and host of the television program, Challenge 2.0, available as a podcast.

Rev. Dr. David Latimore shares his transition from a successful career in investment management to a calling in theology and ministry. Rev. Dr. Latimore is the Director of the Betsey Stockton Center for Black Church Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. His teaching and research interests focus on the intersection of religion, race, and economic justice. Before Princeton, Latimore served as senior pastor at Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Nashville and was associate director for the Academy of Preachers. He has pastored three other congregations, in Joliet, Illinois; Gainesville, Florida; and St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his PhD from the University of Chicago, his DMin from McCormick Theological Seminary, his MDiv from Duke Divinity School, and his AB from Harvard University. Before attending seminary, Latimore had a successful career in investment management and economic development.

Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi is a psychologist who is rediscovering Islamic thought from centuries ago to help solve mental health challenges about loneliness and despair today. Hooman Keshavarzi is a licensed clinical psychologist with a Doctorate and Masters in Clinical Psychology and a minor in Islamic Studies. He currently serves as the program director for the Masters in Counseling Islamic Psychology Program in Doha, Qatar. He is the founding director of Khalil Center--the first Islamically-oriented professional community mental wellness center and largest provider of Muslim mental healthcare in North America.

Deanna Ebbert shares how faith & good psychological practice support each other as we learn to hear God's voice over our lifetime. Deanna Ebbert is a Life Coach who studied Psychology at Brigham Young University. She has a life-long passion for the brain and has spent many hours coaching people through life’s challenges.

Chris Stevenson joins Steve in-studio to discuss the National Museum of American religion, and what religion has done to American and America has done to religion. Check out the museum here: https://www.nmar.org/ Chris Stevenson is the co-founder and president of digital-first National Museum of American Religion (NMAR) and the host of the museum's podcast "Religion in the American Experience." He is also the founder of America’s Quilt of Faith, which champion the indispensability of virtue and religion to the American experiment in self-government.

Brian Grim shares his calling to be a missionary when he was only 4-years-old and how that eventually led him to Catholicism, but also a life as an educator in the former Soviet Union, China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe from 1982-2002. Eventually his research in economics reveals that religious freedom is good for business. Brian J. Grim, Ph. D. (Penn State), is the founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and works with Fortune 500 companies to include religion and belief as part of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Ayesha Daya tells Steve about her experience in learning more about her Ismaili heritage and starting the Muslim Footprints podcast. Learn about prayer, communal worship, and more from this amazing guest! Ayesha Daya is the founder of Kalima, a Dubai-based communications and content creation agency. In 2023 Ayesha launched the Muslim Footprints podcast, in association with the Ismaili community. Previously, Ayesha worked as the Middle East Energy correspondent for Bloomberg News and Dow Jones Newswires.

Janette Ok tells us about the recently released The New Testament In Color, a massive project involving numerous academics and perspectives. She teaches us that, when we view the scriptures through the lens of culture, we can make these sacred texts more colorful and find more application in our lives. Janette H. Ok serves as Associate Professor of New Testament at Fuller Seminary, where she has guest-hosted "Centering: The Asian American Christian Podcast." Her most recent book is the co-edited volume The New Testament in Color: A Multiethnic Biblical Commentary (IVP Academic, 2024). Janette is an ordained pastor and preacher with over 25 years of ministry experience.

We have a new show in the In Good Faith family that we're excited to share with you. Voiceover: Movies that Move Us is hosted by Heather Bigley; she talks with guests about the movie that made a mark. In this episode she and Steve sit down for a discussion of Dune Part 2, a movie that made Steve think about choices, consequences, and opportunities. Subscribe to Voiceover: Movies that Move Us now, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or the BYUradio app.

Dr. Christina and Ekemini, hosts of the award winning podcast Truth's Table, discuss matters of love, justice, and truth-telling. How can we communicate truth with love? How can we prepare for the responses of those around us? Learn the answers, and wisdom!, from these vibrant women. Ekemini Uwan and Dr. Christina Edmondson are co-hosts of the award-winning Truth’s Table podcast, and have co-authored Truth’s Table: Black Women's Musings on Life, Love and Liberation (2022, Convergent Books). Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian, international human rights activist, and a 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival Fellow and a 2023 Special Advisor for The Aspen Institute’s Racial Justice and Religion Collective. Dr. Christina Edmondson co-authored InterVarsity Press’s 2023 Justice Award book of the year, Faithful Anti-racism. She holds degrees from Hampton University, the University of Rochester, and Tennessee State University.

John Philip Newell teaches about celtic spirituality, the relationship between humanity and Earth, and his book The Great Search. Join Steve as he learns more about our guest and his pursuit of spirituality. John Philip Newell is a Celtic teacher and author. Born in Canada, he and his wife now live in Scotland. He has written over fifteen books, including his most recent: The Great Search (2024). He has been described as having “the heart of a Celtic bard and the mind of a Celtic scholar.”

Josh Good discusses the significance of faith in modern society, the value of interfaith collaboration, and how religious diversity can help society create solutions to current issues. Josh Good directs the Aspen Institute's Religion and Society Program and has led Faith Angle Forum, a program that strengthens reporting and commentary on how religious believers, religious convictions, and moral arguments affect American politics and public life. His writing has been published by Rutledge Press in The Hill, national Review, DESE News, and the American.

Dave Gibbons discusses the concept of third culture, and how Jesus may be the ultimate third culture person. He explains how it is important to love and serve in any community, regardless of pain or discomfort, and talks about how he has faced his PTSD and trauma with faith and purpose. Dave Gibbons is the founder and lead pastor of New Song Church in Santa Ana, California. He's recently published "The Shape of My Eyes, a memoir on Race, faith, and Finding Myself" From Worthy Books. Gibbons has served on the Board of World Vision and Fuller Seminary.

Father Laurence Freeman shares his journey to becoming a Benedictine monk and the pivotal role meditation plays in spiritual growth. He delves into the core principles of the Benedictine order and reveals the profound impact of cultivating inner stillness. Tune in for practical tips on beginning your own contemplative practice and enriching your spiritual life. Before entering monastic life, Laurence Freeman worked with the United Nations in New York, in Banking and Journalism. He is Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM), an inclusive contemplative community. A prolific author, his most recent book is Tasting Wisdom: Meditations for Every Day of the Year (Canterbury Press Norwich, March 2025). He was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his work for interfaith dialogue and the promotion of world peace.

Pastor Kevin Brown delves into his transformative journey from leading an executive search firm to co-founding the Perfecting Church. He shares powerful personal stories about why and how he felt called to do God's work. Additionally, Pastor Brown stresses the importance of fostering unity and understanding amidst societal polarization, offering insightful perspectives on building stronger, faith-driven communities. Pastor Kevin Brown founded Perfecting Ministries with his wife, Angela Brown. He's the pastor of Perfecting Church, a growing multi-ethnic church in the greater Philadelphia region. He's also the founder of Diverse But Not Divided, a network of churches of different hues and views that work to unify the church in a day of increasing polarity.

Steve sits down with Julie Boerio-Goates and Dr. Brandon Peterson to chat about the legacy of Pope Frances, including his journey from Jorge of Argentina to the Bishop of Rome. Dr. Julianna Boerio-Goates was our very first guest on Episode 1 and returned to help lead a discussion on Henri Nouwen’t book “Spiritual Direction” in our book club Episode 229. Julie is a retired professor of thermo dynamics. Julie discusses the intersection of science and faith, navigating a mixed-faith marriage, and what keeps her connected to God in her everyday life and in her service to her Catholic parish. Dr. Brandon Peterson is also a returning guest—he was most recently on our Holy Week series talking about the meaning and observance of Good Friday. Brandon is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Utah in the Department of of World Languages & Cultures and an adjunct in the Department of Philosopy. Brandon is also a parishioner at The Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City.

Major Nesan Kistan discusses the role the Salvation Army has played in his life, outlines some of its charitable programs, and explains how it inspires him to turn his love into kindness. Despite hardship and loss, his faith pushes him to serve. Major Nesan Kistan is the Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, currently serving in the Intermountain Division. Previously, he served in Orange County, and was on the Commission to End Homelessness. Born in South Africa, his family relocated to Australia when he was 8 to escape apartheid. He is married to Cheryl Kistan, who is also a Captain in the Salvation Army.

Dr. Pamela Epstein King delves into the intersection of thriving and spiritual development, discussing her personal and professional journey. From pondering the fullness of life to engaging in cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue, Dr. King shares insights on how individuals and communities can thrive. She also addresses the psychological and theological aspects of thriving, emphasizing the significance of relationships, purpose, and unique contributions to community Pamela Ebstyne King is the Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at the Fuller School of Psychology and the executive director of the Thrive Center for Human Development. Her primary research interests lie at the intersection of thriving and spiritual development. She has conducted research funded by Biologos Foundation, John Templeton Foundation, and Tyndale House. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she has led high school and college ministries for various community organizations and churches.