Detroit News assistant sports editor Mark Falkner interviews Motor City legends and their faith mentors on 'Detroit Faith City'
DETROIT — After nearly 48 years in sports journalism, Mark Falkner, assistant sports editor at The Detroit News, felt called to add a podcast about religion and faith in the Motor City to his byline.
Formerly the sports editor at The Windsor Star for 22 years, Falkner has spent almost 10 years at The Detroit News covering the likes of the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings and managing all of the podcasts currently produced by the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper.
In September, Falkner launched a new podcast, “Detroit Faith City,” during which he invites prominent Detroiters in sports, entertainment, news and politics, alongside their faith mentors, to discuss how their faith has guided their life journeys.
Falkner said the podcast was his own concept, which began six years ago in 2019 when he “took a leap of faith” and presented it to his editors. Falkner explained he felt called to utilize his talents in communication and his industry connections to produce this podcast.
“We all have certain time, talent and treasures … and I believe that the Lord gave me these talents to be a broadcast journalist for over 50 years for something useful,” Falkner told Detroit Catholic. “In Luke 12:48, Scripture says, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected,’ and if I look at my faith journey, it was all leading up to (this).”
Originally from Canada and now a resident of Plymouth, Falkner was raised in the United Church. He raised his own three sons in the Catholic faith alongside his ex-wife, who was Roman Catholic. Falkner said he has been “blessed” and felt compelled to use his gifts in broadcasting and journalism to share stories of faith.
On Sept. 13, Falkner released the first of six episodes of "Detroit Faith City," featuring former University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who now coaches the Los Angeles Chargers, alongside his faith mentor, Fr. John Riccardo, an Archdiocese of Detroit priest and founder of the ACTS XXIX ministry in southeast Michigan.
In the episode, Harbaugh and Fr. Riccardo discuss Harbaugh’s nine years at Michigan, baptisms that took place during that time, biblical mentorship and more.
Additional episodes include the testimonies of Detroit Tigers legend Willie Horton, who, alongside his pastor Benjamin Stanley Baker of the Church of Abundant Life in Southfield, talked about Horton’s peacekeeping role during the city's 1967 riots. Another episode includes conversations about faith with Motown legend Martha Reeves; and in another, Falkner sits down with Detroiter and former NHL player Adam Burt, who started a church in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
Falkner said it was important to him to represent the diversity of faith in Detroit and southeast Michigan, where the leading religions include Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Since before its launch, Falkner said many people believed in the project, including Fr. Riccardo.
“For a year, Fr. Riccardo has been praying for me and for the success of the podcast,” Falkner said. “He believed in the idea of using the secular world to get a podcast on a major venue with roughly 15 million visitors to our website.”
What makes the podcast different from other faith-based content is the interaction between each prominent guest and their spiritual mentor, Falkner said.
“We brought on a mentor, and that was key to the show,” Falkner said. “It wasn’t just bringing on Jim Harbaugh talking about his faith; it was about them honoring somebody. That way, you let them talk to each other about what’s important in their lives.”
Six episodes are currently available, but Falkner plans to produce more in 2026 and has reached out to dozens of other prominent Detroiters, eager to hear their stories of faith.
Throughout his years working in the city, Falkner has regularly volunteered to help feed the homeless or provide care for underserved communities. He said he has seen firsthand how faith remains an integral part of Detroiters’ lives, even as churches of all faiths see declines in attendance.
He believes the podcast could serve as a reminder of the role faith has played in the life and growth of the city.
“From my personal experience, faith is as strong as ever,” Falkner said. “I have seen firsthand that faith is still very important in people’s lives. I think people are inherently good, and there is a lot of faith out there, just maybe not (always) in the pews or in mosques. There are a lot of people who have always relied on the Lord for faith and hope, and a show like this might just remind people, ‘Oh, that's what my grandmother told me,’ or ‘I didn’t realize the University of Michigan baptized 70 players’ — those things might resonate.”
While the podcast might not resonate with all of The Detroit News’ readership, Falkner said he created it for the “one out of 99.”
“It is for one person: the one being chased out of the 99," Falkner said. "That one person might hear this from, say, one of their idols, or someone who they respect, or somebody famous or well-spoken, the priest, pastor, or imam, and it just might resonate.”
"Detroit Faith City" is available on The Detroit News' website as well as Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other podcast platforms.
