Ep 65: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and guest Bernie Furshpan P1 on hmTv

 Episode 65: Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Guest Bernie Furshpan (Part 1)

In the inaugural episode of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, host Arnie Herz sits down with Holocaust educator and activist Bernie Furshpan for a profound and personal conversation about empathy, human connection, and the power of intentional habits to transform lives.

Together, they explore how Bernie’s upcoming documentary and his father’s Holocaust survival story inspired a life mission rooted in compassion and education. The discussion dives deep into the essence of what it means to live with a “whole heart”—cultivating habits of empathy, presence, perspective, and purpose.

Blending spiritual wisdom, neuroscience, and personal storytelling, Arnie and Bernie unpack ideas such as:
 – The two souls within us—the human and the godly—and how our daily choices shape which one we empower
 – How perspective and gratitude can shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance
 – Why listening deeply and being of service are foundational habits for a connected life
 – And how we can reprogram ourselves through repeated acts of kindness and awareness

This powerful conversation is both a call to action and a heartfelt reminder that the way we live—and the habits we choose—can shape not only our own lives, but the world around us.

Subscribe now and join the journey toward living with a whole heart.

Transcript

Episode 65 – Habits of a Whole Heart with Arnie Herz and Guest Bernie Furshpan (Part 1) on hmTv

Arnie Herz:
Hello and thank you for joining me today. I'm your host, Arnie Herz, and on today’s inaugural episode of Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv, my special guest is Bernie Furshpan. Bernie joins me for a conversation about the core principles behind cultivating habits that nurture empathy, purpose, and inner wholeness.

Let’s begin with this: what, where, and why? Bernie, you were the one who invited me to explore this topic and launch this series together. You’ve got a documentary coming out, you’ve done extensive podcast work, and this subject clearly struck a chord with you. Tell me—what inspired you about the idea of “habits of a whole heart”?

Bernie Furshpan:
First off, I want to say this is your show, Arnie. I’m honored to be a guest on the very first episode, but this is your journey, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.

As for the documentary—I didn’t actually produce it. A film crew followed me around for a week, filming me in schools, at the museum, in my home, even in the car. It was an intense experience. The whole thing was sparked when I spoke at International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A filmmaker was in the audience, and afterward, she came up to me and said, “I need to tell your story—yours and your father’s.” I was hesitant at first, but eventually I agreed. If it helps share our mission, it’s worth it.

Arnie:
What is the core message you’re hoping to deliver to young people through your story?

Bernie:
That “you are me and I am you.” We need to foster empathy—deep, human understanding. We’ve forgotten that we all came from the same source. Over thousands of years we’ve created artificial divisions—different cultures, different appearances—but in essence, we are one.

And when we forget that, we lose compassion. But when we remember it, something shifts. We’re able to connect from the inside, not the outside.

Arnie:
That’s powerful. Just this week, we saw a group of women go into space, and their view of Earth from above changed everything for them. They saw how small we all are, how connected. That’s the view we need.

Bernie:
Exactly. We share this tiny planet. We can do better. We must do better. The next generation doesn’t have to inherit hate. They can inherit hope.

Arnie:
That leads perfectly into the theme of this podcast and the book I’m writing, both titled Habits of a Whole Heart. This world feels fractured, but there are people—like you—doing the work to bring humanity back together.

At the center of the book are two core principles. The first is that there’s often a disconnect between who we think we are and who we truly are. We perceive a world of separation, but spiritual wisdom—and now quantum physics—tells us we are all connected through a unified energy field.

Bernie:
That really resonates. It’s like we’re all part of one body. You might see fingers above the surface, but they all connect below. When we hurt one person, we’re hurting everyone.

Arnie:
Right. And once we realize that, we gain access to our godly soul—that part of us that is eternal and connected to everything. The humanitarian who helps another person knows this, even if only intuitively.

Another key point from the book is understanding how our minds and emotions work. Thinkers like Daniel Kahneman and Jonathan Haidt have shown us that much of our behavior is automatic. If we want to become better—more whole—we have to train ourselves to build new habits. That’s why the first word in the podcast title is “habits.”

Bernie:
You’re spot on. We validate ourselves through habits—like sharing a movie we love or a restaurant we enjoy. We want to be valuable to others, because human connection is essential. But arguments often arise when we value our own ideas over others’. I’ve learned over the years that one of the best habits is simply to listen. Just listen. You might learn something.

Arnie:
That’s such an important practice. And it points to one of the most essential habits: knowing what really matters. Too often we get caught up in petty things. When we remember that life is sacred, it puts everything else in perspective.

Bernie:
Exactly. It’s all about perspective. I try to remind myself every day how lucky I am to be busy, to have people who need me. It’s a gift, not a burden. And when you recognize what’s essential, gratitude naturally follows.

Arnie:
Bernie, this has been an incredibly rich and meaningful conversation. I want to thank you for joining me for this first episode. I’d love to have you back for Part 2.

Bernie:
I’d be honored. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Arnie:
Thank you all for tuning into Habits of a Whole Heart on hmTv. Be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with those you love. Until next time, stay grounded, stay grateful—and remember, you have the power to shape your world from the inside out.