Waiting on a Diagnosis, Finding Faith: Najeeba Syeed on Peace, Prayer & Common Humanity

Waiting on a Diagnosis, Finding Faith: Najeeba Syeed on Peace, Prayer & Common Humanity

Najeeba Syeed—peacebuilder, professor, author, and Executive Director of Interfaith at Augsburg University—has spent her life as a bridge-builder across religious, cultural, and political divides. Born in Kashmir and raised in Southern Indiana after immigrating to America at age three, Najeeba grew up learning that faith wasn't just about what you believe—it was about how you care for others. From her parents' intentional friendships across faith traditions to her mother's nightly questions about how she used her hands, heart, and feet to serve others, Najeeba developed a vision of faith rooted in action. Throughout the conversation, she challenges the idea that religious differences must divide us. Instead, she argues that authentic faith should expand our capacity to love our neighbors, engage conflict with courage, and build meaningful relationships with people who see the world differently. The conversation takes an unexpected and deeply personal turn when Najeeba reveals she is awaiting results from a biopsy and facing the possibility of a cancer diagnosis. In that vulnerable moment, she reflects on prayer, uncertainty, and the surprising people who have shown up for her—including friends and colleagues from different faith traditions. Her story becomes a powerful reminder that our deepest connections often emerge not from shared beliefs, but from shared humanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Addiction to Transformation: Tom Truszinski's Journey of Faith and Recovery

A successful career in finance, a marriage, and a growing family. On the outside, Tom Truszinksi had it all together. On the inside, he was quietly falling apart. After years of addiction, arrests, and despair, he reached a breaking point. Convinced his family would be better off without him, Tom prepared to walk away from everything. Instead, a devastating motorcycle crash became the turning point that changed the course of his life. On this week’s episode of Bigger Than Belief, Tom shares the deeply personal story of growing up in a home marked by alcoholism, wrestling with questions about faith, surviving addiction, and ultimately finding hope through a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Today, Tom serves as CEO of Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, one of the nation's largest faith-based recovery organizations. He also offers a firsthand perspective on the fentanyl crisis, addiction recovery, and why he believes true transformation requires more than sobriety alone. Learn more about Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge at mntc.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sheletta Brundidge on Faith, Autism, Purpose, and Finding Home in Minnesota

When Sheletta Brundidge arrived in Minnesota from Houston, Texas, she didn't know a single person. She wasn't planning to stay, and she certainly wasn't planning to build one of the Twin Cities' most recognizable media brands. On this episode of Bigger than Belief,  she shares the remarkable story of how a weekend visit turned into a career, a family, and a calling. From walking into a television station unannounced and leaving with a job, to raising three children diagnosed with autism, to becoming an Emmy Award-winning entrepreneur, author, speaker, and community leader, she reflects on the faith that has guided every step of her journey. Filled with laughter, powerful stories, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode explores what it means to trust God, serve your community, and remain obedient when life takes unexpected turns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

From Chapel to Brewery - a Minneapolis Church's Plan to Reach the Lonely

For more than a century, Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church has worked to serve its community – South Minneapolis and beyond. ‘It’s kind of an ecosystem’, says Senior Pastor David Lose. The church has a number of affiliated ministries – but its latest venture could break boundaries. Lose and his team want to turn a shuttered church property, which once served as the original chapel, into a coffee shop and brewery combo – aimed to serve what Lose says is an increasingly lonely, isolated population. On this episode of Bigger Than Belief, he shares his heart for the project, and what could be next after gaining the support of Minneapolis City Council. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How Lino Rulli Turned his Catholic Faith into a 20 Year XM Radio Career

Lino Rulli’s Wikipedia page reads as almost if he’s trying to pull a prank on you. It’s fitting, given Rulli’s love and natural inclination towards comedy. A childhood spent in the circus? A chance encounter coaching a Caribbean soccer team? It’s all true – and then some. Rulli credit’s his life, and success, to his faith and belief in God’s plan. It’s what brought him to WCCO in the early 2000s, where he paved a way for faith reporting – and what led him eventually to Sirius XM in 2006 – where he was named the host of the Catholic Channel’s “Catholic Guy” show. In the 20 years since, he’s traveled the world, brushed shoulders with A-listers, and even started a family. He spares no detail in his open-ended conversation with Adam, and answers the burning question… is the Pope soft on crime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]