“We live in a society where religious talk, whether it’s political or cultural, is all over the public arena. This makes a difference for good or ill. It is important to go beyond the common stereotypical knowledge. We must learn to listen to different voices regardless of a commitment to our own beliefs.” This is how Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Jane Redmont feels. She is the host of the new WQFS radio show Speaking of Spirit and Spirituality, intentionally titled for the theme of this academic year. As of now, it airs every other Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.

The show helps the campus to be responsive to a “religious literacy,” as Redmont expresses it. Growing up in a family with diverse religious backgrounds and culture from American Unitarian Universalism to French Protestantism, she understands the importance of learning about different kinds of spirituality and being open towards them.

Redmont has always been a seeker of religion, but it became very important in her life during her undergraduate studies at Oberlin College. There, she took a religion course and got hooked.

Redmont converted to Catholicism and was a dedicated Catholic for 26 years. But four years ago, she decided that she was more in tune with the Episcopalian beliefs, and now is content practicing that faith.

“Jane is a great person to do the first talk show actually at Guilford for WQFS. Her time slot offers a unique program for listeners because it educates rather than preaches about spirituality,” said sophomore Beth Bass, the show’s production manager.

The radio show follows an interview format: Redmont concentrates on a different belief system each week by featuring a religious guest. She delves into a guest’s experiences relating to the spirituality topic of the week.

Her first show,”What’s so awesome about the days of awe,” focused on Rash Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Gail LeBauer spoke on the days of awe about her knowledge of Jewish traditions and the importance of those traditions in purpose of the New Year, which is to resolve one’s sins and be cleansed on Yom Kippur.

“I think Katrina has called us to it, I think 9/11 has called us to it, to wake us up to say ‘what are we doing on this planet and what will we need to do to rectify all the wrongs that have been done,” said LeBauer during her interview with Redmont.

Of her three shows recorded so far, Redmont has spoken with guests who practice monotheistic religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. In the future she plans to interview various people including a Cherokee elder and a practicing Wiccan to broaden the spectrum.

Redmont said that students and faculty involved in Guilford’s spiritual community would also make great interviewees. She hopes to get them on the show soon too.