Open Heart Conversations

Join Rev. Renee Rossi in conversation with artist and author Day Schildkret of Morning Altars as they explore the healing powers of nature, art and ritual as they pertain to grief. In this Open Heart Conversation, they discuss how to not only face but ritualize the constant changes we experience in our everyday lives.

Join Rev. Renee Rossi and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they explore the spirituality of angels. Together they dialogue with Rev. Dr. Ingrid Scott, a world-renowned philanthropist and angel expert based in Hampton Court, U.K. In this episode of Open Heart Conversations, the ministers of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts consider the angelic realm and what angels can teach us about our relationship to the Divine.

Join Bishop Heather Shea, Rev. Renee Rossi, and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they explore the practice and spirituality of interspecies communication. Together they dialogue with Nancy Windheart, an internationally recognized animal communicator and interspecies communication teacher based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In this episode of Open Heart Conversations, the ministers of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts consider the world of animal communication and what it tells us about the Divine and humanity's place in the world.

Join Bishop Heather Shea, Rev. Renee Rossi, and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they explore the Akashic records with Mary Madeiras. Said to be a spiritual repository of all events, actions, ideas, thoughts, intents, and emotions ever to have occurred in the cosmos throughout time—past, present, and future—the Akashic records have been metaphorically defined as a veritable library of the mind of God. In this program, we will explore ways to tap into this repository of wisdom to enhance our ability to heal, learn, grow, and personally evolve.

Come join Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Rev. Renee Rossi as they explore one of the great ancient spiritual traditions: Druidry. A tradition with deep roots in Western spirituality, the Druid faith was reconstituted in the last century, and today it's celebrated by many people throughout the world. Belinda Twiggs, a Druid practitioner with more than 30 years of experience, will help guide us in this magnificent exploration.

Join the whole team at Open Heart Conversations for a joyful review of our best programs this past year. We look forward to continuing our exploration of the world's enduring spiritual and religious traditions this coming year.

Join Rev. Renee Rossi and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they explore modern monastic life in the latest episode of Open Heart Conversations. They will be joined by Brother Paul Quenon, who has been a Trappist monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani for more than 60 years, and his friend Judith Valente, a renowned journalist and student of religion and spirituality.

Join Bishop Heather Shea, renowned scholar and researcher Dr. Jean Houston, and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they welcome beloved teacher and writer Caroline Myss and together explore the shadow. First proposed by the psychological theorist Carl Jung, the shadow is said to represent a part of the human individual and collective psyche that is discarded, powerful, and mysterious. The shadow's ability to influence and even mold human lives is said to be overwhelming, especially when it remains unknown, obscure, or simply denied.

Join Bishop Heather Shea and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they welcome Muhammad Ichlas to explore the teachings and practices of the Sufi tradition. Considered the mystical path of Islam, Sufism has been called the path of the heart, a path leading to mystical union with the Divine.

Please join Bishop Heather Shea, Rev. Renee Rossi, and Rev. Dr. José M. Román as they explore A Course in Miracles (ACIM) with one of its most acclaimed teachers, Marianne Williamson. Believed by many to be a modern revelation of ancient wisdom, ACIM has proven to be for many a powerful tool for self-learning, healing, and deep personal growth. In her numerous years as a spiritual educator, writer, and humanitarian, Marianne Williamson has grounded much of her work on the teachings of ACIM.

Dreams play a central role in many of the stories found in the enduring spiritual and religious traditions of the world. In nearly all the wisdom traditions, dreams are gateways to the deepest realms of connection and communication between humanity and the Divine. Join cohosts Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Rev. Renee Rossi as they explore the relationship of dreams to the spiritual quest with guest Tayria Ward, Ph.D., dream analyst and depth psychologist. In this episode of Open Heart Conversations, Dr. Ward will help to explore the rich world of dreams and their connection to an all-too-often unexplored treasury of wisdom and transformative power.

Please join Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Rev. Rob Way of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts for this month’s Open Heart Conversations as they explore the power of rituals with spiritual teacher, transformational vision coach, and author Barbara Biziou. Ritual is an ancient spiritual tool that has the power to shift our consciousness.  

Often referred to as the “religion of the soul,” Jainism is one of the world’s oldest enduring spiritual traditions and the focus of this month’s Open Heart Conversations. Join Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Rev. Rob Way of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts for their exploration of Jainism with the former president of the Jain Center of America and current chair of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Nitin Ajmera.

Meditation and mindfulness traditions have been present for most of our society’s history, with evidence of these practices dating back to nearly 5000 B.C.E. Join Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Rev. Rob Way of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts for their exploration of meditation with world-renowned teacher and New York Times best-selling author Sharon Salzberg.

Explore the branch of Christianity that launched the Protestant Reformation on this month’s episode of Open Heart Conversations. Join Rev. Dr. José M. Román of the United Palace of Spiritual Arts and Pastor John Flack of Our Saviour’s Atonement Lutheran Church in Washington Heights, New York, for their exploration of Lutheranism.

This month’s Open Heart Conversations explores our unique, collective journey into a new year and age as a civilization through the lens of astrology. Join Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Bishop Heather Shea as they unpack the celestial patterns of our past and future with archetypal astrologer and executive coach Laurence Hillman, Ph.D.

This month’s Open Heart Conversations explores the emerging wisdom path of Spiritual Artistry with world-renowned scholar, author, and researcher of human capacities Jean Houston, Ph.D. Join us as Houston leads a conversation into the limitless power of the human creative imagination and its transformative potential.

Judaism remains one of the most ancient wisdom traditions still vibrantly active in the modern world. On this month’s installment of Open Heart Conversations, we invite you to join us in exploring one of that tradition’s unique expressions, Conservative Judaism, with Rabbi Guy Austrian of the Fort Tryon Jewish Center, located in Washington Heights, New York.

Established in 1863 by Baháʼuʼlláh, a mystic and religious leader, this tradition originated in Persia (now Iran) and soon grew throughout many parts of the Middle East. The Baháʼí Faith teaches the essential value and truth of all religions and wisdom traditions, and the unity and equality of all people. Join Rev. Dr. José M. Román and Rev. Rob Way to explore the Baháʼí Faith with author Jay Tyson.

A tradition that is rich with insights and wisdom into ways the mind helps us create the life we live, Unity has established a path that includes affirmative prayer and meditation and is focused on personal growth, healing, and transformation. Join Bishop Heather Shea and Rev. Dr. José M. Román from the United Palace of Spiritual Arts to explore Unity with Senior Minister of Unity Church of Overland Park, Kansas, Rev. Jacquie Fernández.

For nearly 2,500 years, the world has heard about a man called the Buddha, a prince who gave up his kingdom to become a monk and is said to have awakened to a new and transformed human consciousness. Today it is believed that more than 535 million people practice Buddhism worldwide. We will explore the meaning of these extraordinary teachings with Robert Thurman, Ph.D., one of America’s foremost scholars of Buddhism. Thurman is the founder of Tibet House US, professor emeritus at Columbia University, and writer of numerous books on Buddhism and Tibetan culture.

Spiritualism is the science, philosophy, and religion of continuous life, based on the demonstrated communication with those who live in the spirit world, by means of mediumship. Join Bishop Heather Shea, Rev. Dr. José M. Román, and Rev. Renee Rossi from the United Palace of Spiritual Arts to explore spiritualism with Rev. Stephen Robinson, a certified psychic-medium, intuitive consultant, and ordained spiritualist minister.

Originating in Pakistan in 1936, the Brahma Kumaris, or Daughters of Brahma, is a movement that emphasizes transcending labels of race, religion, gender, and body in an effort to establish an inclusive global culture. Please join Bishop Heather Shea and Rev. Dr. José M. Román from the United Palace of Spiritual Arts and their special guest Sister Dr. Jenna. Sister Jenna is an acclaimed, trusted spiritual mentor who has impacted lives around the globe.

United in their belief that the light of God lives in everyone, Quakers are members of the Religious Society of Friends, a community whose origins date back to mid-17th century England. Join Rev. Rob Way and Rev. Dr. José M. Román from the United Palace of Spiritual Arts in their exploration of Quakers with author Rene Lape.

Having played a prominent role in the development of Western civilization, Catholicism remains one of the world’s oldest and largest continuously functioning international institutions. Explore Catholicism with Zen teacher and former Carthusian monk Father Michael K. Holleran, Rev. Rob Way, and Rev. Dr. José Román from the United Palace of Spiritual Arts.

Explore the wisdom of the Hindu faith as expressed by the Ramakrishna Order with special guest Swami Shantatmananda, senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order. Experience these powerful teachings with host Rev. Dr. José M. Román in this Open Heart Conversation on Hinduism.

Sometimes referred to as “love for love’s sake,” bhakti is one of the four yogic paths to enlightenment and the essence of spiritual perfection. Join hosts Rev. Dr. José Román and Bishop Heather Shea to discover the beauty behind one of the oldest, most well-known, and often misunderstood spiritual traditions from his holiness and New York Times best-selling author Radhanath Swami.

If we are in alignment with not merely nature but the very source of nature, we experience healing, good health, and profound peace and joy. Please join our host Rev. Dr. Jose as he explores Taoism, one of the world’s most ancient spiritual traditions, with our special guest, Taoist healer Rev. Diane Rooney.

This Open Heart Conversation, hosted by Rev. Dr. Jose Roman, welcomes Bishop Kent Larsen of the New York Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (LDS). Bishop Larsen will focus on understanding the revelations given to the prophet and church founder Joseph Smith. These revelations were translated by Smith to produce The Book of Mormon, one of the LDS church’s most sacred texts.

Awaken to the beauty of the ancient Yoruba-Ifa wisdom tradition with initiated priestess and interfaith minister Iyanifa Rev. DeShannon Barnes-Bowens. Explore the history, philosophy, and cosmology of African spirituality and learn why many people are rediscovering it in this Open Heart Conversation hosted by Rev. Arda Itez.

Today we welcome Rev. Wendy Van Allen from the Soul Blossom Center in Kingston, New York, to learn about Wicca, a contemporary religion that pulls from ancient Earth-focused traditions to shape a peaceful, harmonious, and balanced way of life. Wicca promotes oneness with the divine and all of Creation. Hosted by Rev. Heather Shea and Rev. Dr. José M. Román.

What if everything you knew about reality was about to be transformed? Join Dr. Jude Currivan, cosmologist, planetary healer, and author for this Open Heart Conversation that explores a scientific revolution to show we are all interconnected and interdependent. This transformational shift empowers us to live, love, and evolve together in our universal oneness. Hosted by Rev. Heather Shea and Rev. Dr. José M. Román.

In this Open Heart Conversation, we will explore Zoroastrianism, the ancient Persian religion that may have originated as early as 4,000 years ago and arguably the oldest and first monotheistic faith. Today's hosts are Rev. Dr. Jose Roman and Rev. Arda Itez with Ferzin Patel, a Zoroastrian community leader and trustee of the Dar-E-Mehr Zoroastrian Temple.

Toltec masters and authors don Miguel Ruiz Jr. and don Jose Ruiz explain how to apply the wisdom from ancient Toltec stories to everyday modern life. This Open Heart Conversation is facilitated by Rev. Heather Shea, Rev. Dr. Jose Roman, and Rev. Arda Itez. 

This Open Heart Conversation focuses on discovering how the intersection of sexuality and spirituality has given rise to shared spiritual experiences. Host Rev. Dr. José Roman will be joined by Rev. Todd Humphrey in a conversation with other openly queer spiritual leaders including Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, Rev. Alex Reegan, and Bishop Allyson Nelson Abrams. They will examine their faith traditions and share opinions about how being queer affects religious identity and how religion affects queer identity.

Rev. Dr. Dale T. Irvin, president and professor of World Christianity at New Thought Theological Seminary, examines who Jesus Christ was, how his teachings related to the Jewish faith of his time, and how Christianity fits into today’s society. Plus music by Ron Drotos. This show was excerpted from a program at the United Palace, a transformational organization and venue that fuses art, culture, and entertainment in Manhattan, New York.