Good God Project

The First Amendment Test: Imam Azhar Subedar, 25 Years After 9/11

As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, George Mason sits down with Imam Azhar Subedar, author of "I Am the Other: Debating the Role of Islam in a Divided America," to talk about what that anniversary means for Muslim Americans today. They discuss the rise of anti-Muslim rhetoric in Texas politics, what Sharia actually means and how it functions for practicing Muslims, and why Azhar believes the Muslim community must stop explaining who they are not and start showing who they are.

Imam Subedar was born and raised in Canada and completed ten years of Islamic studies in the U.K., graduating in 2000. He holds a Master's in Islamic Sciences and Arabic Literature and has served as an imam and educator at mosques and Islamic centers across the United States since 2002. Known for his commitment to interfaith dialogue, he has worked with state legislatures, governors, and presidents as an ambassador of Islam to the non-Muslim world.

America, equality, Faith, interfaith, islam, Peace & ResolutionGood God ProjectSeptember 10, 2026Belonging, Islam, Interfaith

From Private Equity to Public Good: Peter Brodsky on Housing and Hope

Peter Brodsky wasn’t always a real estate developer—but when he saw an opportunity to use his business experience to help transform southern Dallas, he stepped in. In this season finale of Good God, George Mason speaks with Peter about his work at the Shops at Redbird, his leadership at Housing Forward, and why homelessness, food access, and affordable housing demand both moral clarity and practical solutions.

Together, they explore the structural causes of poverty, the challenge of changing public narratives, and how Peter’s Jewish faith and commitment to tikkun olam—repairing the world—have shaped his decision to invest his time, money, and energy in building a more equitable city.

Peter Brodsky is a Dallas-based philanthropist, real estate investor, and chair of the board of Housing Forward, the lead agency coordinating homelessness response in Dallas and Collin counties.

advocacy, equality, homelessnessGood God ProjectMay 15, 2025Dallas, Poverty, Housing, Justice

10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division | Aligning Our Values with Economic Policies

In this episode, the Faith Commons team discusses how faith shapes our understanding of economic systems. From fair treatment of workers to addressing inequality, the conversation highlights how public policy can uphold dignity and fairness, encouraging voters to reflect on the ethical impact of economic choices as they head to the polls. The team emphasizes the importance of creating an economy that serves everyone, not just the privileged few.

What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.

politics, voting, Faith, Judaism, equalityGood God ProjectOctober 21, 2024elections, voting, Good Politics, Economy

Carl Sherman on owning our mistakes and changing laws

Carl Sherman, the State Representative responsible for the Botham Jean Act, explains how he transformed street protests into public policy.

Social justice, Christianity, America, equality, RaceGood God ProjectJune 9, 2022

Mitri Raheb can say his ancestors may have babysat Jesus

Mitri Raheb is a Palestinian Christian, born in Bethlehem across the street from where Jesus was born. He speaks on the conflict between Israel and Palestine and his creation of interfaith communities that respond to Palestinian suffering through art.

Social justice, Christianity, America, equality, RaceGood God ProjectApril 7, 2022

Kristin Du Mez on her sensational book, Jesus and John Wayne

Kristin Du Mez reminds us that she is a historian first, even though her sensational book, Jesus and John Wayne, has invoked fierce theological backlash from evangelicals. Hear her response to the pushback, plus a breakdown of the patriarchy that is so persistent in evangelical churches.

Social justice, Christianity, America, equality, RaceGood God ProjectMarch 31, 2022

Rachel Mikva on the dangers of religion

Rabbi Rachel Mikva wrote the book, Dangerous Religious Ideas, and she is here to discuss the ways that religion is harmful.

Social justice, Christianity, America, equality, RaceGood God ProjectFebruary 24, 2022

Carl Sherman, creator of the Botham Jean Act

Carl Sherman, the State Representative responsible for the Botham Jean Act, explains how he transformed street protests into public policy.

Social justice, Christianity, America, equality, RaceGood God ProjectJanuary 20, 2022

Freddy Haynes on what we get wrong about MLK day

Just days before Martin Luther King Day, Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes III talks with George about the misconceptions surrounding Dr. King’s legacy, and the important difference between equity and equality.

Social justice, Christianity, America, equality, RaceGood God ProjectJanuary 13, 2022

Jen Hatmaker talks risking it all for the sake of your neighbor

Prolific author, co-pastor and equality activist, Jen Hatmaker bonds with George Mason over their paralleled experience becoming LGBTQ affirming at their churches.

Faith, Race, COVID-19, Media, Social justice, equality, women's rightsGood God ProjectSeptember 17, 2020Bonus Episodes

Byron Sanders on the racial inequities in Dallas

President and CEO of Big Thought, Byron Sanders, speaks on the racial inequity in Dallas and the ways in which we can help create a better Dallas for the next generation.

Conversations like this are so important in fostering an awareness among white people of what life is like in Dallas for people of color. Byron shares a recent personal experience of having the police called on him for legally canvassing with his young daughter.

Faith, Race, Social justice, equality, EducationGood God ProjectJune 11, 2020Race

Episode 107: Jen Hatmaker on why pushing for change is inherently Christian

Prolific author, co-pastor and equality activist, Jen Hatmaker, bonds with George Mason over moments in their ministry when they risked their security for the sake of their integrity.

Faith, Race, COVID-19, Media, Social justice, equality, women's rightsGood God ProjectJune 4, 2020Bonus Episodes