Bigger Than Belief

Elk River native Nate Prosser spent more than a decade in the NHL playing for the Flyers, Blues and his hometown team, the Minnesota Wild. As his career progressed, one thing remained constant – his faith. On this week’s episode of Bigger Than Belief, Nate sits down with Adam to share how his faith came to be, his work to share with teammates, and the room hockey has to grow when it comes to putting faith first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the war in Iran continues, members of the Baha’i faith say they’re living on high alert. Founded in 1844 in modern-day Iran, there are now more than 7 million Bahai’s globally – making it one of the newest and fastest growing religions. As the war intensifies, so does the situation for the 300,000+ Bahai’s still living in Iran. Faith leaders say they face persecution, imprisonment and unfair trials. On this week’s episode, Adam Duxter speaks with a Senior Representative of the Baha'i faith who joins the show from Washington D.C. to talk about Baha’i background, resilience and the future of the faith in Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Artemis II mission continues to inspire millions, fueling a sense of awe and wonder of outer space, few understand the significance like Dr. AJ Poelarands.  For years, Poelarands spent years researching space in the Netherlands – after pursuing and completing a doctorate degree in Astrophysics. After work brought him to the United States, he began to ask “why” when it came to the universe – eventually returning to school for a degree in Theology. After more than a decade as a Astronomy/Physics professor, he came to the Twin Cities – where he currently serves as the Director of Faith and Learning at the Anselm House in Minneapolis. On this week’s episode of Bigger Than Belief, Dr. Poelarands joins Adam to talk about his career journey, and how faith and science battle on some issues – but coincide on others, including creation and our society’s purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While it was football that brought Tanner Morgan to Minnesota, it’s faith that’s keeping him here. The former Gopher QB holds the school record for wins – but says his real dream for what’s next is strengthening his faith. On this week’s episode, Tanner shares how that’s shaping his life now, how he found faith to begin with, and how his belief has carried him through some of his life’s most difficult challenges – including losing his father to cancer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of Jews are celebrating the weeklong observance of Passover. This week Adam Duxter sits down with WCCO Radio Host Jordana Green, or as she calls herself, "Minnesota's Jewish Friend". Green is open about her faith, how it's helped her through loss and multiple cancer diagnosis. As well as what it's been like to experience the rise in antisemitism. Green shares what she wants people to know about the Jewish faith, while being honest that it's always a learning process.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacob Thompson’s life centered around sports. At Mounds View High School, he was a stellar, multisport athlete. But as he got older, something felt off. At age 24, his fears were cemented – he had Friedrich’s Ataxia – a rare, neuromuscular disease. It’s fatal and has no cure. Now, at age 32, his mobility is hampered – but his faith has only grown stronger. On this episode, Thompson shares how his diagnosis shaped his purpose, and how he’s using his time to inspire others – all while chasing dreams of a paralympic gold medal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Harris is a Super Bowl Champion, retired NFL Offensive Lineman, bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster – he’s also a first-generation Muslim. Born and raised in St. Paul, Harris played as a Muslim for a Catholic High School (Cretin-Derham Hall) and Catholic University (Notre Dame) before embarking on the NFL. On this week’s episode of Bigger Than Belief, Ryan shares how he converted to Islam at age 14 – and the importance he sees on people knowing one another for who they are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to the current situation happening in Iran – few Minnesotans have a perspective like Armin Assadi. Born in Iran in 1981, Assadi’s family was on the run by the time he was a toddler, due to their Baha’I faith and ties to the previous regime. On part two of this week’s two part episode, Armin joins Adam to discuss his personal faith fallout after coming to America – and how after trying everything, he found faith once again. Note: This episode contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling do not hesitate to call or text, the national 988 hotline to be connected to trained crisis counselors 24/7. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to the current situation happening in Iran – few Minnesotans have a perspective like Armin Assadi. Born in Iran in 1981, Assadi’s family was on the run by the time he was a toddler, due to their Baha’I faith and ties to the previous regime. On part one of this week’s two-part episode, Armin joins Adam to discuss the violence he saw in the early days of the Islamic regime, his family’s brave escape from Iran - and how they made it to Minnesota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new report shows nearly 55 percent of Jews in America have changed their behavior out of fear of Antisemitism this past year. In Minnesota, one woman has responded by launching a Jewish gun club called ‘Lox and Loaded’. On this week’s episode, Leslie Chudnoff tells Adam how she got the idea, how their first meetings have attracted dozens of first time gun owners, and why see says it doesn’t conflict with her religious beliefs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tennessee-based youth pastor Dylan Novak has built an online following in tens of thousands, simply doing one thing – telling celebrities about Jesus. This year, he’s met with Paul Rudd, Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden and dozens of others. His ministry has grown exponentially in the past year – and online followers now sponsor his celebrity encounters. On this week’s episode of Bigger Than Belief, Dylan joins Adam over zoom to discuss how he got his start, a once in a lifetime encounter with Ozzy Ozborne, and what’s next for his work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of Bigger Than Belief, Imam Mowlid Ali of Abubakar As-Sadique Islamic Center joins the podcast to talk about the start of Ramadan – and what Ramadan means to American Muslims. He also shares the impacts of operation Metro Surge on Minneapolis Muslims, his thoughts on Jake Lang’s Anti-Muslim protests, his letter to the President, and his reaction to staggering community support during the federal immigration crackdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday, Jan 23rd, 99 clergy members were arrested, charged and released during an anti-ICE protest at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Reverend Katherine Lewis of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Minnetonka, Reverend Daniel Ruth, Executive Director of Lutheran Partners and Reverend Amanda Lunemann of Grace United Methodist Church in Burnsville were among the 99. On part two of this two-part episode, they join Adam to discuss the role of compassion in the church and their message moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday, Jan 23rd, 99 clergy members were arrested, charged and released during an anti-ICE protest at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Reverend Katherine Lewis of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Minnetonka, Reverend Daniel Ruth, Executive Director of Lutheran Partners and Reverend Amanda Lunemann of Grace United Methodist Church in Burnsville were among the 99. They join Adam to discuss the moment and the message moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, federal agents staged in Minneapolis as part of Operation Metro Surge shot and killed another person. 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot and killed Saturday morning in South Minneapolis. His death sparked immediate protest, and reamplified calls for a change in strategy for Operation Metro Surge. One day prior to Pretti’s death, more than 60 faith leaders in Minnesota signed off on an open letter to local, state and federal officials, demanding peace, out of “concern by the toll the crisis is inflicting”. On this week’s episode, Adam sits down with the letter’s three main authors – Jason Adkins of the MN Catholic Conference, Carl Nelson of Transform MN, and Steve Hunegs of the Jewish Community Relations Council – to unpack the open letter and examine the call from faith leaders moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Businesses, unions, schools and elected officials are joining together Friday, January 23 – calling for a one day “economic blackout” that’s being described as a day of “truth and freedom”. They’re urging people not to shop, work, or go to school. It’s the latest coordinated protest against Operation Metro Surge, the federal immigration crackdown that’s brought thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities. On this week’s Episode of Bigger Than Belief, Adam Duxter sits down with Minister Janae Bates Imari, Co-Executive Director of ISAIAH, a progressive multi-faith non-profit, to discuss the organization’s role in the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal Agents continue to pour into Minnesota. Department of Homeland Security says thousands have been arrested in the seven weeks of “Operation Metro Surge”. As the federal crackdown continues – immigrant churches are on high alert. Sergio Amezcua is pastor of Dios Habla Hoy (DDH Church) in South Minneapolis, an evangelical, Spanish speaking church of 500 members. Last month – his church put out a call to the community – offering grocery deliveries. As of this week, more than 20,000 families have requested help across Minnesota – and 4,000 people have signed up to volunteer. Pastor Amezcua joins Bigger Than Belief to talk about these efforts, but also to comment on how faith has taken center stage in Minnesota in recent days – as protestors disrupted a church service in St. Paul Sunday, and a man’s promise to burn the Quran Saturday resulted in a massive counterprotest that featured clashes and violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before he was even 18, Matt Moeller found himself behind bars. Facing nearly 20 years in prison, he was grappling with what felt like a life ruined. Then, just one week after arriving in prison he was invited to a church service. That service would send him on a completely new journey. After doing his time he found work as a restorative justice pastor for Westwood Community Church. Matt Moeller joins Adam this week to explain how his faith gave him freedom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Osamoh’s journey reads almost like a novel. Born in the UK, he spent years working as a detective for the British police as he launched a career in public safety. While serving as a detective, he came face to face with organized criminals and terrorism plots. Eventually, his journey took him to Minnesota, where he served as head of counterterrorism at the Mall of America. In 2013, an unexpected call came through – asking him to help build a safety plan at a place of worship. In the decade since, he’s built a security consulting firm that’s expanded across multiple states – all with the goal of securing places of worship. In this episode, he shares stories of forgiving a criminal who’d threatened him and his family, making peace with the lifelong absence of his father, and how church security has taken on a new dynamic in the last ten years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today is Christmas Day, when Millions of Americans will celebrate the birth of Jesus in churches across the country. In Minnesota, perhaps no service will be busier than Eagle Brook Church. Across 14 campuses in the Twin Cities, Eagle Brook expects to have more than 100,000 people experience their Christmas message this year. So how do you craft the message? And how relevant is the Christmas story in the year 2025? Executive Director of Creative Arts John Alexander joins Bigger Than Belief to explain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founded in 1949 by Northwestern College President Billy Graham, KTIS has been a Twin Cities radio staple for the past 76 years. With an FM and AM station, it has also grown into something no other faith-based radio station in the country has – a mega-station that competes with and beats out secular stations for market share. By 2019, KTIS had grown its operation to 23 stations in 10 states – with 400,000 weekly listeners. On this episode, Station Manager Matt Deane sits down with Adam Duxter to talk about KTIS – their sustained success, and their goals for the next 76 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Rabbis Rachel and Marcus Rubenstein join Bigger Than Belief. In 2021,the couple became a rarity nationally – when they joined Temple of Aaron in St.Paul as married co-rabbis. On this weeks episode, Rabbis Rachel and Marcusdiscuss everything from their love story, their move to Minnesota, difference intheological beliefs in the Midwest/the coast, and how they leaned on their ownpodcast to connect with their community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Bigger Than Belief, we meet Bill Butters. A White Bear Lake Native, Bill played collegiate hockey for Coach Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota - before embarking on a professional career that took him across the country, eventually finishing with a stint as a Minnesota North Star. An enforcer through and through, Bill's life on the ice was rough - and his off the ice life mirrored it. In 1980, just as the US Men's National Team experienced the Miracle on Ice, Bill experienced his own miracle. 45 years later, his faith continues to shine. Today, he mentors players from the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bigger Than Belief is a weekly podcast exploring faith, belief, and religion – all through the stories of believers. With an emphasis on understanding belief through personal experience, we aim to create a conversation about faith that is fair, honest, and easy to understand - regardless of what you do (or don't) believe. We'll also take a journalistic approach to concepts and questions that are difficult to understand, while helping to make sense of current events impacting believers in our communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices