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

  • 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.

  • 169: 169: Sahar Aziz

    July 28th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  1 hr 2 mins
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    John speaks with Sahar Aziz, distinguished Professor of Law, and Chancellor's Social Justice Scholar

  • 170: 170: Chris Campbell, "The Babka King"

    July 28th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  1 hr 9 mins
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode, John speaks with 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.

  • 168: 168 - Brad Knight

    July 13th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  38 mins 23 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 167: 167 - Sumbul Ali-Karamali: LGBTQ+ Issues and Islam

    July 7th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  48 mins 23 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Sumbul Ali-Karamali about transgender identity in a Muslim context.

  • 166: 166 - Michael Hirshorne

    June 23rd, 2025  |  Season 9  |  55 mins 17 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    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.

  • 165: Lost Civilizations, Including Ours

    June 9th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  56 mins 43 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A conversation between co-hosts John Pinna, a Muslim, and Elliot Toman, an Evangelical Christian. In this episode, John and Elliot discuss the allure of lost civilizations, and explore the possible fate of our own.

  • 164: Joseph Yoo

    May 26th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  1 hr 22 mins
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna talks with Joseph Yoo, an Episcopalian pastor, about his work planting a new, inclusive church in a former bakery in Texas.