Polaroids of a Quran and a plant
How are Kansas Citians using spirituality in these days? Our podcast talks to three people whose spirituality is important to them. (Canva Collage)

The Filter Ep. 3: ‘Dear God’

April 29, 2020  |  Ieshia Downton, Vicky Diaz-Camacho  |  1 min read

Some people go on runs to cope with stress. Some tackle home projects. And others pray or meditate. 

That got us thinking. What does spirituality mean to people right now? Some research suggests that religion and spirituality have positive effects on mental health and sense of well-being.

But we wanted to hear from real people. In this episode, we talk to guests in three different spiritual practices: Orthodox Christianity, Astrology and Islam. 

They discuss the role of religion in social justice, the power of positive thinking and how learning a new language can forge a deeper connection with faith.

We have three guests in this episode. Joshua Loller is a lecturer in the religious studies department at the University of Kansas, as well as a priest of an Orthodox Christian church in Lawrence, Kansas. Cindy McKean is an astrologist and tarot card reader. And Mahnaz Shabbir is an entrepreneur and practicing Muslim.

Enjoy this episode of “The Filter.” Feedback is always welcome.

Tags:

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Nick’s Picks | Messi, Jail, Buses, and More …

June 1, 2026

World Cup Team(s) Arrive It’s starting to feel real. The first World Cup team has landed in Kansas City. Defending champions Argentina touched down at KCI airport on Sunday and will begin practicing today at Sporting KC’s training facility in Wyandotte County. Much of the attention, of course, is focused on Lionel Messi. The soccer…

Related Stories

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.