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

  • 193: Scott Horton Reprise

    January 5th, 2026  |  Season 9  |  1 hr 50 mins
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 192: Scott Horton

    January 5th, 2026  |  Season 9  |  45 mins 34 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Scott Horton about the underlying motivations and consequences of American foreign policy in the Middle East and beyond.

  • 191: Mandana Hendessi

    December 29th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  50 mins 28 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 190 - Shaka Mitchell

    December 22nd, 2025  |  Season 9  |  46 mins 57 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 189 - Laura Van Ham, Eco-Chaplain

    December 15th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  39 mins 37 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 188: Shugen Arnold

    December 8th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  54 mins 3 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 187: Stephen Schneck, USCIRF Commissioner

    November 24th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  35 mins 21 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 186: Brian Grim

    November 17th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  34 mins 39 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    A Christian and a Muslim talk religion & politics.

  • 185: Rushan Abbas

    November 10th, 2025  |  Season 9  |  44 mins 42 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Rushan Abbas, an advocate for the Uyghur community and founder of the Campaign for Uyghurs, about the history and ongoing genocide of her people.

  • 184: Matthew Hawkins

    November 3rd, 2025  |  Season 9  |  36 mins 46 secs
    bible, christianity, islam, politics, quran, religion

    In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Matt Hawkins, a founder of the podcast, about his return to the international religious freedom (IRF) space and his new role as Executive Vice President of the IRF Secretariat.

  • 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.