In the course of my travels and personal journey, I’ve had the privilege to learn firsthand from some incredible individuals about people, purpose, passion, motivation and innovation.
For “On the Spiritual Road,” I’m looking to interview:
- People who have a powerful story of how they came to find their religion/faith.
- Additional elements could include why they believe what they believe and how they practice their religion/faith in today’s society - People who can educate me on a religion/faith.
- They could be religious experts, religious leaders or social leaders of a religion (Examples: Dalai Lama, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen)
- Or celebrity followers of a religion (Examples: Tim Tebow, Mitt Romney, Tom Cruise)
Below are the interviews that I have completed on the road thus far. The list will be updated as interviews for “On the Spiritual Road” take place.
- Interfaith Festival
Asbury First United Methodist Church
Rochester, NY
8/6/14 - Iftar dinner (during Ramadan)
Home of Bulent Ozdemir
7/22/14 - The Hill Cumorah Pageant (Mormon celebration)
Palmyra, NY
7/18/14 - Bahai Fireside
Brighton, NY
7/8/14 - 10th Annual Friendship Dinner
Keynote: Dr. Ori Soltes
Peace Islands Institute
Rochester, NY
4/25/14 - Introduction workshop to Zen Buddhism
Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede and others
Rochester, NY Zen Center
4/12/14 - Global Citizenship Conference
Workshop presenter and attendee
Nazareth College
Pittsford, NY
3/11/14 - Tour of Saint Louis Cathedral
New Orleans, LA
3/1/14 - Tour of Gilbert, AZ Mormon Temple
Gilbert, AZ
2/3/14 - Jena Luedtke (part 1)
Rumi Forum
Director, Center for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue
Washington, DC (phone)
11/13/13 - Bulent Ozdemir
Peace Islands Institute
Turkish Cultural Center
Rochester, NY
10/21/13 - A talk by Dr. V.V. Raman
Science and Religion in the 21st Century: Are human beings wired spiritually?
Nazareth College
Pittsford, NY
10/9/13 - Ralph Singh
Sikh
Elbridge, NY
9/9/13 - Arun Gandhi
Gandhi’s grandson
Pittsford, NY
8/31/13 - Kay Lindahl
Interfaith
Women of Spirit and Faith
Long Beach, CA (phone)
8/28/13 - NAIN (North American Interfaith Network)
Annual Meeting/25th Anniversary
Presenter and Attendee
Toronto, Ontario, CA
8/11/13 thru 8/14/13 - Growing Up Gandhi
A talk by Arun Gandhi
Rochester, NY Carlson YMCA
7/30/13 - Alasdair Ekpenyong
Mormon and Student at BYU
Provo, Utah (Skype)
7/10/13 - Ordination Q&A and Vote
American Baptist minister
Katie Jo Suddaby (they voted her a Yes)
Greece Baptist Church
Greece, NY
6/30/13 - Sacred Texts and Human Contexts interfaith conference
Nazareth College
Pittsford, NY
6/23 thru 6/25, 2013 - Meditation Creativity Peace: A Documentary of David Lynch’s 16-Country Tour
Transcendental Meditation
6/20/13 - Dignity of Difference: A Day of Interfaith Learning Conference
Rochester, NY
6/2/13 - Gordon Webster
Interfaith
President, American Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam
Rochester, NY
5/20/13 - Larry Pardo
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
Rochester, NY
5/15/13 - Panel discussion on Compassion in Buddhism and Christianity
Immanuel Baptist Church
Rochester, NY
5/14/13 - Kit Miller
Director, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Rochester, NY
5/13/13 - M. Gratia L’Esperance, RSM
Roman Catholic
Sister of Mercy (nun)
Rochester, NY
5/9/13 - Marie Gibson
Eclectic Christian
Executive Director, Faith In Action Network
Rochester, NY
5/8/13 - Janet Attwood
Author of, “The Passion Test”
Fairfield, Iowa (phone)
5/6/13 - Kirtan (Hindu call and response chanting/singing)
Led by Sonam Targee
Rochester, NY
5/3/13 - Dr. Allison Stokes
Interfaith
Founder, Women’s Interfaith Institute
Seneca Falls, NY
5/1/13 - Native American sweat lodge
Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm
Newark, NY
4/27/13 - Buddhist retreat
Led by Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel
Author, The Power of an Open Question
Nazareth College, NY
4/19/13 - Rev. Paul Chaffee
Interfaith
Founding executive director, Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Founder and editor of The Interfaith Observer (TIO)
San Francisco, CA (phone)
4/18/13 - Joshua Stanton
Interfaith
Founding Co-Editor, Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue
New York, NY (phone)
4/17/13 - Sue Kochan
Buddhism
CEO, BrandCool
Rochester, NY
4/16/13 - John J. Iamaio
Christian/Born Again
Webster, NY
4/12/13 - Tutorial of Hinduism and tour of Hindu Temple
by Chand Mehta
Rochester, NY
4/9/13 - David Lindsay
Christian/Born Again
Rochester, NY
4/7/13 - Interfaith Banquet
University of Rochester and M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Rochester, NY
4/6/13 - Brad VanAuken
Unbounded
Rochester, NY
3/7/13 - Umar Adeyola
Islam
Director, HEART Foundation
Buffalo, NY
3/5/13 - Frank Howard
Buddhism
White Lotus Buddhist Center
Rochester, NY
3/4/13 - Tina Saachi
My Spirit Is Not Religious: A Guide To Living Your Authentic Life
Phoenix, AZ (phone)
3/4/13 - Father Jim Callan
Catholic
Spiritus Christi
Rochester, NY
2/28/13 - Jeff Sweeney
Episcopalian
Rochester, NY
2/27/13 - Kevin Davis
Atheist
Chili, NY
2/25/13 - Carey Corea
Bahai
Rochester, NY
2/21/13 - Steve Zaudtke
Soul Speaking: Can your soul speak?
Houston, TX (phone)
2/20/13 - Katie Jo Suddaby
Senior Pastor, Baptist Temple
Rochester, NY
2/20/13 - Chris Johnson
Atheist (www.theatheistbook.com)
Los Angeles, CA (Skype)
2/19/13 - Cary Jensen
Stake President
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)
Rochester, NY
2/5/13 - Frank Lopez
Born Again
Rochester, NY
2/5/13 - Rabbi Debbi Till
Director, Community Relations
Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester
Rochester, NY
1/30/13 - Rabbi Asher Yaras
University of Rochester – Chabad House (Judaism)
Rochester, NY
1/24/13 - Matt Redd
Finding Christianity as an adult
Charlotte, NC
1/22/13 - Paul Hammer, PhD
Retired Professor of Biblical Interpretation
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
United Church of Christ
Rochester, NY
1/15/13 - Varadaraja “V.V.” Raman, PhD
Emeritus Professor of Physics and Humanities
Rochester Institute of Technology
Hindu and more
Ames, IA (Skype)
1/15/13 - Chand Mehta
Hindu, Hindu Temple of Rochester
Rochester, NY
1/14/13 - The Rev. Canon Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough
Director, Religious and Spiritual Life
University of Rochester, Interfaith Chapel
Rochester, NY
1/9/13 - Muhammad Shafiq, PhD
IIIT Chair in Interfaith Studies, Professor & Executive Director of The Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue at Nazareth College
Rochester, NY
1/7/13 - Interviews to the left and above this point are for the book, “On the Spiritual Road: Seeking Faith and Religion in the United States”
- Joseph Polito
Vice President, Restaurants, Bars & Events at Pan Pacific Hotels Group
Singapore
8/31/2010 - Judy Williamson
Director, Napoleon Hill Foundation
Hammond, IN
9/27/2009 - Vic Johnson
Motivational Speaker and Author
Melrose, FL
9/17/2009 - Vince Scoppa
Sales, electrical distribution equipment
New York, NY
9/13/2009 - Carlos Hernandez
Social Media Expert
San Francisco, CA
8/12/2009 - Brian Koval
Guide to people in career and life transition
Ann Arbor, MI
7/10/2008 - Ursula Burns – quotes
President, Xerox Corporation
Rochester, NY
2/14/2008 - Courtney Walsh
Author
Rhode Island
1/28/2008 - James Parker
Former CEO, Southwest Airlines and Author of, Do the Right Thing
Dallas, TX
12/18/2007 - Steve Miranda
Chief Human Resource and Human Planning Officer, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Alexandria, VA
12/12/2007 - Gavin Brownlie
CEO, Crosby Brownlie, Inc.
Rochester, NY
12/10/2007 - David Neeleman
Founder and Chairman, JetBlue Airways
Forest Hills, NY
12/4/2007 - Karen Shadders
VP of People, Wegmans
Rochester, NY
11/30/2007 - Mary Ellen King
National Staffing Manager, Bank of America
New York, NY
11/27/2007 - Maria Tette
LTD
Rochester, NY
11/20/2007 - Martin Beckenbach
Founder and President, Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.
Newark, NY
11/15/2007 - Bo Burlingham
Editor-at-Large, Inc. Magazine and Author, Small Giants
Berkeley, CA
11/9/2007 - Paul Silvis
Founder, Inventor, Coach – Restek
Bellefonte, PA
11/1/2007 - Don McCandless
Head Coach and President, Restek
Bellefonte, PA
11/1/2007 - Alex Seltzer
President and CEO, Manpower
Altoona, PA
10/31/2007 - Joe Mattivi
Manager Human Resources, Office of the President – Penn State University
State College, PA
10/31/2007 - Todd Hershbine
Human Resources and Administrative Services Executive, Minitab
State College, PA
10/31/2007 - Mary Kay Grim
Senior VP, Human Resources, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
Allentown, PA
10/29/2007 - Rich Milgram
CEO, Beyond.com, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA
10/29/2007 - Kenny ‘The Monk’ Moore
Corporate Ombudsman and VP of Human Resources, KeySpan Energy
Brooklyn, NY
10/26/2007 - Sherrill Curtis
Human Resources Consultant
Montclair, NJ
10/25/2007 - Robert Rosenfeld
Innovation Expert, Author, and Founder of Idea Connection Systems
Rochester, NY
10/24/2007 - Luis Martinez
Corporate Talent Acquisition, Xerox
Webster, NY
10/15/2007 - Dr. Carol Snelson
Director, Center for Developmental Skills, UALR
Little Rock, AR
6/21/2007 - Richard Hadden
Co-Author, Contented Cows series, Speaker, Consultant
Jacksonville, FL
6/12/2007 - Fred Beer
President, Potential Point
Rochester, NY
6/6/2007 - Bill Catlette
Co-Author, Contented Cows series, Speaker, Consultant
Collierville, TN
5/21/2007 - Bill Simpson
Human Resources Director, Nixon Peabody
Rochester, NY
4/26/2007 - Michael Olin Hitt, PhD
Channeler, Author, English Professor
Canton, OH
4/23/2007 - Dr. Edward Deci
Human Motivation Expert, Professor of Psychology and Gowen Professor in the Social Sciences, University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
4/5/2007 - David Mammano
Founder/Publisher, nextSTEP Magazine
Victor, NY
3/23/2007 - Glen Palmer
VP of HR & Leadership Development, Knight Transportation
Phoenix, AZ
3/5/2007 - Gary Glandon
Chief People Officer, Insight
Tempe, AZ
3/5/2007 - Manny Contomanolis
Associate Vice President and Director, Cooperative Education and Career Services – Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY
1/4/2007 - Betsy McDermott
Career Services Director, St. John Fisher College
Rochester, NY
1/3/2007 - Will Kuchta
VP of Organizational Development, Paychex
Rochester, NY
11/21/2006 - Bernie Sikon
President, Transfer Express, Inc.
Mentor, OH
10/5/2006 - Carol Dombrose
Director, Angel House: Center for Art and Creative Life Change
Strongsville, OH
9/7/2006 - Matt Cohen
Brew Master/Dude of Dichotomy and Devilry, Magic Hat Brewing Company
Burlington, VT
6/28/2006 - Inmates
Elmira Correction Facility
Elmira, NY
5/20/2006 - Ted Benna
Father of the 401k
Williamsport, PA
2/13/2006 - Leonard Kirschner
Colonel, USAF (Ret.), Director, AHCCCS (Ret.), VP, EDS (Ret.)
Goodyear, AZ
1/4/2006 - Kevin Lotti
Bread for the Journey.org
Atlanta, GA
12/8/2005 - Bernard Kearse
Lawyer, Children’s Writer and Educator
Atlanta, GA
10/4/2005 - Dr. Daniel Marion
Tree Pathologist
Canandaigua, NY
9/22/2005 - Retired President, CEO
Dental Instruments Manufacturer
Rochester, NY
9/19/2005 - Greg Colosi
Writer & Entrepreneur
Pittsford, NY
9/14/2005 - Mary Wadhams
Director of Career Services, St. John Fisher College
Rochester, NY
8/30/2005 - Yvonne Conte
Motivational Speaker, Humorist
Syracuse, NY
8/22/2005 - Roger Bachman
Managing Director, Summerwind Yacht Charters
Open Water and Rochester, NY
8/19/2005 - Andrew Stankevich
Executive Director, Friends Helping Friends
Rochester, NY
8/17/2005 - Chris Bower
Film MakerAsheville, NC
6/9/2005 - Brooke Priddy
Custom Dress Maker, Owner of Ship to Shore
Asheville, NC
6/8/2005 - John Henderson
President, COO – High Falls Brewing Company
Rochester, NY
5/23/2005 - Joe Cahn
Commissioner of Tailgating, www.tailgating.com
Seattle, WA
4/12/2005 - Jack Kashinsky
Quantum Thought
Rochester, NY
4/12/2005 - Stacey Miller
Mitrologist (Hat and Headdress Expert)
www.HatHorizons.com
Rochester, NY
3/1/2005 - Fernan Cepero
VP Human Resources, YMCA of Greater Rochester
Rochester, NY
2/21/2005 - Phyllis Bryce Ely
Artist, Owner of www.CurlingArt.com
Rochester, NY
2/21/2005 - Rosemary Haefner
Vice President of Human Resources and Senior Career Advisor, CareerBuilder
Chicago, IL
2/17/2005 - Brad VanAuken
Branding Expert. President, BrandForward. Former director of brand management and marketing, Hallmark
Rochester, NY
2/15/2005 - Sue Freeman
Co-owner, Footprint Press
Rochester, NY
12/1/2004 - Craig Filek CFO
Small Business Systems
Rochester, NY
10/20/2004 - Pete Campbell
Life and Shingler
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
8/29/2004 - Bill Harrison
Life and WorkMA
8/26/2004 - RonTraveler/Hostel Owner
Bar Harbor, ME
8/21/2004 - Jim Knittel
ASIC Electrical Engineer
Groton, MA
8/14/2004 - Brian Jud
Author/Publisher, Book Marketing Works
Avon, CT
8/13/2004 - Mary Cameron Vangraafeiland
Senior Publicist, Warner Brothers PicturesNYC
8/10/2004 - Steve Toy – To Be Continued
Managing Director, WL Ross & Co.NYC
8/10/2004 - MaleBusiness Director, MagazineBrooklyn, NY8/9/2004
- Jeanette Voight
Court ReporterSouth Brunswick, NJ
8/6/2004 - Janice Parrott
Nurse – LPN, OR ScrubSouth Brunswick, NJ
8/6/2004 - Dr. Hillary Beberman
Family Practice, Princeton Healthcare SystemDayton, NJ
8/5/2004 - Dr. Mary Cleave
Astronaut, Deputy Associate Administrator for Earth Sciences Advanced Planning, NASA
Washington, DC
7/30/2004 - Vicki Novak
Assistant Administrator for Human Resources, NASA
Washington, DC
7/30/2004 - Lieutenant Joe Merritt
Firefighter/Medic, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Alexandria, VA
7/29/2004 - Carl Fischer
Broker/Owner, All the Best Real Estate
Purcellville, VA
7/29/2004 - Natalie Bongiorno
Clinical Research Coordinator, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Bethesda, MD
7/28/2004 - John Jiloty
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Lacrosse
Baltimore, MD
7/27/2004 - Dale McNally
Retired Nuclear Engineer, Grandfather
Harrisburg, PA
7/23/2004 - Rick and Lisa Caynor
Missionaries, City on a Hill: Thailand, ABWE
Harrisburg, PA —> Bangkok, Thailand7/22/2004 - Two BrothersNail Salon
PA
7/20/2004 - Bud La Londe, PH.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Marketing and Logistics, Supply Chain Management Reseacrh Group, The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH7/19/2004 - Leonard Hess
President, Key Bank, Rochester District
Rochester, NY
7/15/2004 - Mary Ann GiglioOffice Manager, George Fisher’s Office/KodakRochester, NY7/14/2004
- Gavin Brownlie
CEO, Crosby Brownlie, Inc.
Rochester, NY
7/9/2004 - Bob Armocida
Former high school teacher of mine. Current Principal at Wayne County Middle School
Rochester, NY
7/8/2004 - Mark Hare
Metro Columnist, Democrat and Chronicle
Rochester, NY
7/7/2004 - Jennifer Sertl
Executive Coach, TECRochester, NY
7/2/2004 - Len and Judy Wiltberger
Owners, Keuka Spring Vineyards
Penn Yan, NY
7/2/2004 - Jamie Miller
Placemement Executive, Mindex
Rochetser, NY
7/1/2004 - Alec
Manager, Las Vegas Strip Club
Las Vegas, NV
6/18/2004 - Geoff Calkins
Columnist, Commercial Appeal
Memphis, TN
6/11/2004 - Jim Jacobs
VP Of Sales, Green Mountain Consulting
Memphis, TN
6/10/2004 - Dante Jacuzzi
Sales, Marketing, Business Owner
Little Rock, AR
6/9/2004 - Brian Vandiver
Attorney
Little Rock, AR
6/8/2004 - Tom Tull
Business Owner, Hoity Toity
Little Rock, AR
6/4/2004 - Chuck Anderson, PhD
Professor, Department of Rhetoric and Writing, UALR – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Little Rock, AR
6/4/2004 - Betty C. Dickey
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Arkansas
Little Rock, AR
5/27/2004 - Len Kline
CFO, Weiser Security Services
New Orleans, AL
5/25/2004 - Mickey Weiser
Owner, President, Weiser Security Services
New Orleans, LA
5/25/2004 - Jim Gueydan
First Vice President, Legg Mason and Retired U.S. Airforce
Houma, LA
5/24/2004 - Grace Monk Gueydan
Retired Dean, College of Life Sciences and Technology, Nicholls State University
Houma, LA
5/24/2004 - Billy Wardlow
Minor League Equipment Coordinator, Toronto Blue Jays
Tampa, FL
5/21/2004 - Dennis Wardlow
Prime Minister, Conch Republic
Marathon, FL
5/18/2004 - Capt. James B. McKinney
USN (Ret.)Retired Captain, U.S. Navy
Estero, FL
5/16/2004 - Larry McDermott
Sales
Palm Beach, FL
5/12/2004 - Teresita Wardlow
High School Director of Guidance/Counseling
Miami, FL
5/12/2004 - Scott Andron
Newspaper Editor
Fort Lauderdale, FL
5/12/2004 - John Chandler
Father, Husband, Retiree
Boynton Beach, FL
5/11/2004 - Annie Pellar
Security Officer
Miami, FL
5/10/2004 - Bob Ford, Ph.D.
Criminology
Daytona Beach, FL
5/3/2004 - Glenn and Virginia Riffle
53 Years of Marriage
Jacksonville, FL
5/1/2004 - Steve Schaffer
Part IISemi-Retired
Turks and Caicos Islands
4/29/2004 - Mark
GO/Staff, Club MedTurkoise Resort
Turks and Caicos Islands
4/28/2004 - Kevin Harrison
Painter/Photographer/Graphic Designer/Filmmaker
Charleston, SC
4/22/2004 - John Duckworth
Artist, Duckworth Creative
Charleston, SC
4/19/2004 - Neil Stevenson
Architect, Neil Stevenson Architects
Charleston, SC
4/19/2004 - Cathy O’Hara
Executive Producer, ABC News4
Charleston, SC
4/19/2004 - Becca Dupps-Edwards
Editor, Indigo Coast Magazine
Charleston, SC
4/16/2004 - Craig Weidegreen
Director of Recruiting
Myrtle Bech, SC
4/16/2004 - Sylvia Harmon
Director, Community Kitchen
Myrtle Beach, SC
4/16/2004 - Lee Hartman
Police Officer
Raleigh, NC
4/14/2004 - Charlie Hinton
Attorney, Father
Raleigh, NC
4/14/2004 - Bill Riddick
Owner, Computer Service Partners
Raleigh, NC4/13/2004 - Woody Durham
Radio Announcer, UNC Tar Heels
Chapel Hill, NC
4/7/2004 - John Francis
Director, Global Business Development
High Point, NC
4/6/2004 - Fred Story
Composer/Owner, Concentrix Music and Sound Design
Charlotte, NC
4/5/2004 - Jason Pound
Executive Chef, Aquavina and Latorre’s
Charlotte, NC
4/3/2004 - Brian Babcock
Owner, Automotive Anything
Charlotte, NC
4/1/2004 - Reg Taylor
Meteorologist, Fox Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
3/31/2004 - Mark Mathis
Meteorologist, Fox Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
3/31/2004 - Dr. Paula Newsome
Optometrist/Owner, Advantage Eye Care
Charlotte, NC
3/25/2004 - Kevin O’ Herron
Principal, St. Matthew Catholic School
Charlotte, NC
3/24/2004 - David Chadwick
Senior Pastor, Forest Hill Church
Charlotte, NC
3/23/2004 - Chuck Neely
President/Owner, Roads Traffic
Charlotte, NC
3/22/2004 - Ryan Faker
Physical Therapist/Manager of Rehab Services, Anson Community Hospital
Wadesboro, NC
3/22/2004 - Dave Danforth
Owner, The Corner Pub
Charlotte, NC
3/18/2004 - Bill Rogers
Executive Director, SC Press Association
Columbia, SC
3/17/2004 - Dr. Augie Grant
Professor, University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC
3/17/2004 - Jeff Williams
Property Manager/Musician, The Arbors
Charlotte, NC
3/16/2004 - Paul Mapes
Maintenance Manager, The Arbors
Charlotte, NC
3/16/2004 - Tom Allen
Logistics Manager
Charlotte, NC
3/15/2004 - Steve Schaffer
Logistics Professional
Charlotte, NC
3/13/2004 - Hank Feniger
Reitred Business Owner
Charlotte, NC
3/12/2004