In Good Faith

Happy New Year! Steve and producers Heather Bigley, Austin Ball, Peter Ellison, and Lia King discuss what they've learned from 2022 guests. Join the team for some reflection over how they've changed their thinking or been inspired by Reverend William Barber II, Nava Kavelin, Raj Mankad, Brian McLaren, Matthew Wickman, and Rich Blundell.

In this bonus episode of In Good Faith, Steve chats with Louise and Squire about Godwinks, or when a coincidence isn’t a coincidence. Louise is a Broadway actor and host of ABC Family. SQuire is a former ABC executive who once led Good Morning America to #1 and helped create Schoolhouse Rock. SQuire & Louise are Executive Producers of the acclaimed Hallmark Godwink Movie Series, top rated for 4 seasons, and their first Dogwink Movie for Netflix, “Rescued by Ruby,” released in early 2022.

Jonathan Howard, Bass for the King's Singers, takes time to talk about Christmas, Faith, and Music. In Good Faith is the place to hear stories and accounts from believers, told in their own words. Our hope is to listen with an open heart, celebrating the power of faith and belief, and what those stories mean to the ones who tell them. Host Steven Kapp Perry talks with believers from all walks of faith—Catholic and Episcopalian, Buddhist and Baptist, Jewish and Hindu, Presbyterian and Seventh Day Adventist, Muslim and Latter-day Saint—in other words, human beings and believers, sharing their personal experience with the sacred and the divine. Sundays on BYUradio—and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

Steve speaks with local filmmaker TC Christensen, who specializes in movies about miracles and faith, in this special bonus episode of In Good Faith. TC Christensen is a member of the American Society of Cinematographers and has worked as the director of photography on Disney’s Imax film Roving Mars and the National Geographic film Lewis & Clark. He has also directed over 26 films including 17 Miracles, The Cokeville Miracle, and his latest film The Fighting Preacher.

Camille Fronk Olson speaks with Steve about her research on Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with a focus on a moment unique in scripture: Mary's relationship with her cousin Elizabeth and how these two greet each other with love and witness. Camille Fronk Olson is professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former department chair at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; her areas of research are New Testament, general church doctrine, the life of Christ, and culture and history of the Bible. She earned a PhD in Sociology of the Middle East, a master's degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and a bachelor's degree in education. She is married to Paul F. Olson. Her book Mary, The Mother of Jesus, is available for sale at Deseret Book.

Utah Make a Wish creates magical moments for children suffering from debilitating illness--and that magic can turn into mental and physical health miracles. Steve interviews Jared Perry, the CEO of Utah Make a Wish in this bonus episode of In Good Faith.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is a classic story of redemption and change that has become a central part of many family's holiday celebrations. Hana Sharif, Artistic Director for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, is contributing to this legacy with her second annual production of the classic story. Hana spoke with Steve about the spiritual power of theater and what it means to share this story with modern audiences almost 180 years after Dickens first published it. She also speaks about her interfaith background and how story can cross over religious and cultural lines. Hana Sharif has enjoyed a decorated career in the theater, including roles as an artistic leader, director, playwright and producer with a specialty in leadership. During her decade-long tenure at Hartford Stage, Hana served as the Associate Artistic Director, Director of New Play Development, and Artistic Producer. From 1997–2003, Hana served as the co-founder and Artistic Director of Nasir Productions, a theatre dedicated to underrepresented voices to challenge traditional structures. Additionally, Hana has directed many acclaimed productions, including Porgy & Bess, The Who & The What, Sense and Sensibility, The Christians, Pride and Prejudice (DCArts: Best Director/Best New Play), and The Whipping Man. Her plays include All the Women I Used to Be, The Rise and Fall of Day and The Sprott Cycle Trilogy. Hana holds a BA from Spelman College and an MFA from the University of Houston. She is the recipient of the 2009–10 Aetna New Voices Fellowship and a litany of other awards She serves on the board of directors for the Theatre Communications Group, the Black Theatre Commons, and the Sprott Foundation.

Four guests talk about our sacred responsibility to protect and appreciate the natural environment. J Phoenix Smith works as an ecotherapist and is called to the station of elder in the Lucumi tradition. In these roles, she promotes the health benefits of spending time outside, both individually and communally. Victoria Loorz talks about the true meaning of the wilderness coming from a background in Evangelical Christianity, while Rich Blundell discusses with wonder the growing convergence of science and religion. As a special feature, Austin takes to BYU campus to ask students about the ways they value nature -- their insights are sagacious! Lastly, Hamzah Iqbal introduces the deep interconnection of Islamic scripture and environmentalism.

Steve talks with Mark Miner, a close friend, about his struggle to overcome addiction and how God reached out to him to heal and nurture.

America's religious diversity is growing. Eboo Patel argues that emphasizing that diversity will make the United States stronger, especially if US citizens invest in civic institutions. Patel's use of the potluck metaphor is especially pertinent. Named “one of America’s best leaders” by US News and World Report, Eboo is Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, IA has worked with governments, universities, private companies, and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. He served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, has given hundreds of keynote addresses, and has written five books, including “We Need to Build: Fieldnotes for Diverse Democracy” published in May 2022. He is an Ashoka Fellow and holds a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University, where he studied on a Rhodes scholarship. Eboo lives in Chicago with his wife, Shehnaz, and two sons.