About the show

Crossing Faiths is a podcast where people from diverse religious backgrounds openly discuss everything you're NOT supposed to discuss at the dinner table. Join hosts Jt Pinna, a career national security, international affairs, and D.C. insider, and Elliot Toman, a former media director in the Evangelical church, as they engage in lively conversations about the impact of faith on current events. Crossing Faiths also welcomes guests from various religious and experiential backgrounds to share their insights.

The podcast was initially developed in collaboration with Matt Hawkins, a former policy director for the Southern Baptist Convention. Their conversations are built on a decade of collaboration, advocating in Washington, D.C., for religious freedom domestically and globally. The two developed the podcast to share conversations that model friendship and cooperation despite profound differences in religion and background. The podcast has reached almost 3 million multi-faith listeners, 83% millennials.

Crossing Faiths on social media

Episodes

  • 182 - Despina Namwembe

    October 13th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  42 mins 25 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 181: Michael Kinnamon

    October 6th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  56 mins 18 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Michael Kinnamon, a novelist, professor of theology, and expert in interfaith relations, about his novel "A Rooftop in Jerusalem" and the broader themes of his life's work.

  • 180 - Joseph F. Dumond: Predicting the End of Days

    September 29th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  1 hr 24 mins
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Joseph Dumond, an author and subject matter expert on biblical prophecy and the Jubilee calendar. Using historical and archaeological evidence, he outlines a prophetic calendar that he believes pinpoints key events and offers specific future dates for major prophetic fulfillments.

  • 179 - Eric Roux

    September 22nd, 2025  |  Season 3  |  58 mins 28 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Eric Roux from the United Religions Initiative (URI) about his personal and professional journey in interfaith collaboration and religious freedom advocacy.

  • 178 - The Amish Butter Popcorn and America Prays

    September 17th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  49 mins 42 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics. In this episode, cohosts John and Elliot have a typically wide-ranging discussion involving comparative religion, ancient cultures and the White House's recent "America Prays" initiative, loosely held together by the thread of Elliot's problematic popcorn habit.

  • 177 - Chad Brignac

    September 15th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  1 hr 13 mins
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Chad Brignac, an author, consultant, and self-described "transformationist," about applying principles of personal growth and faith to the divisive landscape of American politics.

  • 176 - Dr. Sahar Khamis

    September 8th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  40 mins 14 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Dr. Sahar Khamis about the complex and evolving role of digital and social media, particularly within the Arab and Muslim world. Dr. Khamis is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park, recognized as an expert on Arab and Muslim media, an ethnographer, Islamic feminist, peace and interfaith activist, and an accomplished media commentator and analyst.

  • 175: 175 - Ghazala Salam

    August 25th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  30 mins 57 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    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.

  • 174 - Dr. Minhas Kahn: Divine Diplomacy

    August 18th, 2025  |  Season 3  |  50 mins 6 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    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.

  • 173: 173 - Guy Elhanan: The tragedy of forced military service

    August 11th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  40 mins 22 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    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.

  • 172: 172: Talking About Hulk Hogan with Joseph Yoo

    August 4th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  56 mins 56 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Episcopal priest Joseph Yoo for a "wellness check" following the death of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, a shared childhood hero.

  • 171: Laila Alsheikh - Parent's Circle

    August 4th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  40 mins 35 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    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.