
That's So Hindu
That's So Hindu is a podcast by the Hindu American Foundation that explores how Hinduism shapes the lives and work of a wide range of individuals, including entrepreneurs, activists, politicians, professors, journalists, entertainers, and spiritual teachers. Each episode features interviews that reveal the intersection of faith with professional and personal journeys. The show celebrates the diverse experiences of Hindu Americans while embracing an 'All American, So Hindu' identity.
Episodes

Remembering Air India Flight 182: An Interview with Ranjna Sharma
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Ranjna Sharma, whose family members in Ireland assisted victims’ families in the aftermath of the bombing of Air India flight 182, in 1985. She shares her family's connection to the aftermath in Ireland, reflections on the impact of terrorism, and insights on the ongoing repercussions within diaspora communities. This conversation highl

Food and Digestion in Ayurveda | Dr Reetu Rudra
In this episode of That's So Hindu, Sheetal Shah talks with Dr. Reetu Rudra about the principles of Ayurveda, a holistic system of health that emphasizes the balance of body and mind through understanding one's dosha. The conversation explores the significance of food, digestion, and the importance of proper food combinations in maintaining health. Dr. Rudra explains the three doshas—Vata, Pi

Yes, Ayurveda & Western medicine can be combined | Dr Uma Purighalla
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Dr Uma Purighalla. They discuss her journey as an Ayurvedic doctor and her integration of Ayurvedic principles with Western medicine. She emphasizes the importance of understanding individual dietary needs, particularly in the context of South Asian heart disease, and the historical context that has shaped the perception of Ay

Hindu Identity and Education in America | Dr. Indu Viswanathan
Explore how Hindu Americans navigate identity, belonging, and perceptions in US schools, and discover actionable insights for educators, parents, and communities in this engaging discussion with Dr. Indu Viswanathan. This conversation highlights the importance of inclusive, accurate representation in education. Join the movement to reframe narratives and foster belonging across communities.The for

Hindus & Hinduism have influenced America for 250 years | Jeffrey D Long
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott talks with Professor Jeffrey D Long (Elizabethtown College) about the deep roots and growing presence of Hinduism in the United States. We explore the history from the colonial period to modern American spirituality, and how Western leaders and intellectuals have been influenced by Hindu thought for the past 250 years In this episode:The early

Yes, you can be Hindu and be white
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Sangeetha Shankar speakers with HAF’s Devala Gupta, Easan Katir, Mat McDermott, and Fred Stella about their journey’s into Hinduism. They discuss their personal spiritual practices, how the wider Hindu community has accepted them, and much more. This episode highlights the diversity within the Hindu community and challenges stereotypes about ethnicity and faithC

Meet the people confronting anti-Indian bigotry at Texas city council meetings | Neha Suratran & Saahas Kaul
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Neha Suratran and Saahas Kaul about their experiences addressing anti-Indian sentiment in their community of Frisco, Texas. They discuss the rise of misinformation on social media, the role of political rhetoric, and the importance of community advocacy. The conversation also touches on the complexities of assimilation and cultural iden

Parents here’s how you can model karma yoga for your kids | Brahmacharinini Shubaniji & Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Sheetal Shah speaks with psychologist Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria and Brahmacharini Shubaniji (Chinmaya Mission NYC). They explore the principles of Karma yoga and how they can be applied to children and family life, emphasizing selfless action, mindfulness, and Hindu identity — including practical ways for parents to model these values and integrate spiritu

Unmasking Digital Tribalism & How Hate Spreads Online | Joel Finkelstein, Network Contagion Research Institute
In this insightful interview, Suhag Shukla speaks with Joel Finkelstein from the Network Contagion Research Institute. They discuss the spread of anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hate online, the shift from policy debate to radicalized rhetoric, and strategies for community resilience. Discover how digital tribalism fuels misinformation and what communities can do to foster understanding and safety.Read

How our spiritual connection to nature is an intimate part of yoga | Lydia Picoli
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Lydia Picoli about the profound connection between yoga, nature, and spirituality. Discover how outdoor practices, eco-psychology, and personal spiritual journeys can transform your understanding of self and the environment.Learn more: https://resoul.earthChapters00:00 Introduction to Yoga and Nature Connection02:01 Personal Journey and

Reclaim traditional Indian nutrition for better health | Neha Shah, Diaspora Nutrition
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with nutritionist Neha Shah (Diaspora Nutrition). They discuss the impact of Western diets on Indian immigrants, traditional Indian dietary wisdom, and practical strategies for maintaining health through culturally rooted nutrition practices.Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/diasporanutrition/ https://diasporanutrition.com/&nbs

Asana can be a gateway into the wider yoga tradition | Patrick Franco
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott talks with yoga teacher Patrick Franco discusses the importance of asana within the broader context of yoga philosophy. He explores how movement, breath, and mindfulness can be integrated to achieve the true goals of yoga, addressing misconceptions and highlighting the significance of lineage and authentic practice.Read Patrick’s article in Yoga Jo

Think there are 4 paths in yoga? There are at least 16.
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Dr. Vijay Satnarine from Hindu American Foundation dives into the expansive world of yoga, revealing that there are actually 16 (possibly more) paths and practices that go far beyond the commonly known four. This discussion challenges simplified views of yoga and emphasizes its diverse and inclusive nature, grounded in spiritual traditions and practical applicat

Hindu at Heart: Spirituality, Service, and Medical Practice | Dr Anisha Pareddy
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Dr Indu Viswanathan joins us again for another edition of her Hindu at Heart series of interviews. In this one she explores the inspiring journey of Dr. Anisha Pareddy, a first-generation Hindu American physician, as she shares her childhood memories, spiritual awakening, and how her faith influences her medical career and personal life. Discover insights on Hin

If not all Hindus view the Vedas as authoritative, what do they? | Devala Rees
In this conversation, Mat McDermott and Devala Rees delve into the complexities of Hinduism, particularly focusing on the Vedas and their role within various Hindu traditions. They explore the misconceptions surrounding the Vedas, the differences between Vedic and non-Vedic traditions, and the significance of Agamas in Hindu practices. The discussion also touches on the legal definitions of Hindui

How a Texan biker finds Devi in the film ‘Chiquita’ | Trivikram Gajulapalli
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with filmmaker Trivikram Gajulapalli about his film 'Chiquita', which explores themes of spirituality and self-transformation through the story of a Texan biker. He shares insights into the cultural influences that shaped the film, the reception it has received from audiences, and the challenges of conveying spiritual themes in cinema. Trivi

How you can find hope amidst ecological grief | Dheepa Maturi
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with author Dheepa Maturi about her eco-thriller '108', exploring themes of ecology, climate change, and the intersection of culture and identity. They discuss the balance between fiction and reality in addressing environmental issues, the significance of Hindu themes in the narrative, and the concept of ecological grief. Dheepa emphasizes t

Kama Before Moksha: Embracing Desire in Hinduism | Vijay Satnarine & Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Dr Vijay Satnarine and Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria about the often downplayed and misunderstood concept of kama in Hinduism, emphasizing the importance of desire and pleasure in achieving a balanced life. The discussion critiques the puritanical mindset that has historically downplayed these aspects, particularly in the context of modern

The Ethics of Evangelism: A Hindu and Christian Perspective | Fred Stella & John Morehead
In this episode of Thats So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Fred Stella (HAF) and John Morehead (Foundation for Religious Diplomacy). The conversation explores the complex dynamics of Christian-Hindu relations, focusing on proselytization efforts in India and the reactions from the Hindu community. They discuss the ethical boundaries of evangelism, the importance of understanding different religi

Castegate: Inside the documentary about the Cisco caste discrimination case | Ravi Rajan & Sundar Iyer
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott interviews Ravi Rajan, producer of the documentary “Castegate” and Sundar Iyer, one of the engineers at the center of Cisco caste discrimination case. The conversation delves into the allegations of caste discrimination, the subsequent documentary that was produced to document the events, and the broader implications of caste discrimination in the

Will AI ever get Hinduism right?? | Pawan Deshpande & Devala Rees
In this episode of That’s So Hindu, Mat McDermott, Pawan Deshpande, and Devala Rees discuss the intersection of AI and Hinduism, exploring how AI can be integrated into devotional practices, the biases present in AI systems, and the implications of misinformation in educational contexts. They delve into the philosophical questions surrounding consciousness and AI, and the potential future of AI in

What a Hinduism reporter wants you to know about journalism today | Richa Karmarkar
In this episode, Mat McDermott interviews Richa Karmarkar, a Hinduism reporter at Religion News Service, discussing the complexities of reporting on Hinduism in America. They explore the perceptions of Hinduism in media, political biases, and the challenges faced by journalists in accurately representing the Hindu community. Richa shares her background, the importance of nuanced reporting, and the

Hindu parenting tips, tricks & reflections from the Hindu American Foundation team
In this conversation, moderated by Mat McDermott, HAF’s Samir Kalra, Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria, Sheetal Shah, and Suhag Shukla discuss the complexities of parenting within the Hindu American context. They share personal experiences on how to celebrate both Hindu and mainstream American holidays, strategies for navigating interfaith celebrations, addressing the challenges of educating children abo

How to get your kids to love Hindu culture
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Professor Pankaj Jain. Pankaj has been on the show before speaking about his area of professional expertise, Hinduism, Jainism and ecology. But today we’re speaking about something he’s become particularly passionate about: parenting. Specifically how Hindu parents can help their children develop a love of Hindu and Indian culture. Hosted on Acast. See aca

Let's talk about Hindu parenting, with Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria
In this episode HAF Board Member psychologist Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria and HAF Executive Director Suhag Shukla have a wide ranging discussion about parenting as Hindus, the book Bad Therapy, how we can raise resilient children, the differences in parenting across the generations, and more.This show was originally published on September 5, 2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info

Hindutva is not Hindu supremacy | Vikram Sampath
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with historian Vikram Sampath (author of the two volume definitive biography of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar) about the origins of Hindutva and misunderstandings about, its relevance for Hindus living outside of India, and more.This show originally was published on September 26, 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everything you wanted to know about sadhus*
In this episode Mat McDermott and Devala Rees discuss many frequently asked questions about sadhus. What are sadhus? How many female sadhus are there and what are they called? Why do many sadhus smoke marijuana as a spiritual practice? Why do some sadhus carry weapons? How do you become a sadhu? And more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s why Zoroastrianism is a dharma tradition
In this episode Devala Rees lays out the similarities and differences between the ancient religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism — which is still practiced by a couple hundred thousand people today — and the Hindu Dharma Traditions. Their basic beliefs and practices, as well as when the traditions split off from one another.Learn more: Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America Hosted on

For Hindus the natural world is more than sacred, its embodied Divinity itself | Prof. David Haberman
In this episode, originally published in 2023, we speak with Prof. David Haberman from Indiana University about his extensive work documenting how Hindus bring trees, stones, and mountains into their religious worship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Hindu Americans need to know about immigration today
In this episode HAF Legal Director Needhy Shah speaks with immigration attorney Akanksha Kalra. They have a wide ranging discussion on immigration issues particularly applicable to the Indian American and Hindu American community, what is changing under the Trump Administration, what laws that have existed for some time but are being more strictly enforced, issues regarding asylum claims, Indians

How does the HAF team celebrate Navratri?
For this episode we have something a bit different for you. It’s a special episode for Navratri, originally published in 2023. We've interviewed several members of our extended HAF team as well as members of the Hindu American community about how they celebrate Navratri today, what they remember about the holiday growing up, and how their understanding of it has changed over the years. What you’ll

Setting the record straight about the craziest things people say about HAF
For the Hindu American Foundation’s organizational birthday, coming up later this month, Mat McDermott, Suhag Shukla, Samir Kalra, and Raj Rao sat down to discuss and debunk some of the craziest things activists and adversaries say HAF does, believes, and sets out to do. Is HAF funding genocide in India? Are we trying to hide the Nazi origins of Hindutva? Fighting to preserve the right of Hindus t

How was Indian society historically organized? Hint: It wasn't caste.
Devala Rees is back with us this week for another informative, enlightening and hopefully entertaining discussion. This week we’re talking about how ancient Indian society organized itself, with the subtitle of “Hint: It wasn’t caste”. The different social groups that were traditionally used, and how these morphed into something else entirely once British administrators in the 19th century decided

How many Hindu Dharma Traditions are there?
This week we’ve got another special episode with HAF’s Devala Rees. This time we’re talking about why HAF has been using the term Hindu Dharma Traditions wherever it makes sense, rather than Hinduism. Plus how many different traditions there are under that banner, their similarities, differences, and how they relate to other dharma traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform

A dharmic investing take on Bitcoin | Easan Katir
In this episode we speak with HAF’s own Easan Katir about cryptocurrency and Bitcoin investing from a dharmic perspective, plus AI, the energy demands of both of those, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hindu at Heart: Naren K. Schreiner, Purohit
In this episode, part of the Hindu at Heart series, Indu Viswanathan speaks with Naren K Schreiner, one of the purohits at the Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach, California. They discuss his background and entering into Hinduism, the similarities between practices of Hindu Dharma and Native traditions in what’s now the United States and Mexico, the nuances of the idea of religious tolerance, the importa

What’s going on in Bangladesh today? | Ahnaf Kalam
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Ahnaf Kalam, from the Middle East Forum. They talk about so-called Red Green Alliance between Islamists and Progressives, how Woke Right figures have started to side with Pakistan over India and Islamists groups in Bangladesh, how Mohammed Yunus is handling extremism in Bangladesh, how the Bangladeshi diaspora in the US view the situation there, and more. Ho

International Yoga Day Special: Swami Sarvapriyanda on the four paths of yoga
In this episode, Sheetal Shah has a wide ranging conversation with Swami Sarvapriyananda, from the Vedanta Society of New York, about the four traditional limbs of yoga (Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga), how these work together in spiritual seeking, the benefits of Hatha Yoga and asana practice for physical health and how that is key factor in spiritual life, and much more. 

All about the 1985 Air India bombing, one of the biggest intelligence failures of the 20th century | Sanjay Lazar
On the 40th anniversary of the worst act of air terrorism until the 9/11 attacks, the bombing of Air India flight 182 on June 23rd, 1985, Samir Kalra speaks with Sanjay Lazar, who lost his entire family in the bombing. They have a wide ranging conversation about the intelligence failures that allowed the bombing to happen, the struggle to this for bringing the Khalistani terrorist to justice,

Hindu at Heart: Vindhya Adapa - Attorney & Musician
In this episode, part of Indu Viswanathan’s Hindu at Heart series, she talks with Vindhya Adapa, an attorney at the US Treasury Department who is also a professional singer and producer, who merges her identities to create impactful music. Vindhya earned her JD at the University of Pennsylvania, and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland. Listen to Vindhya’s music on SpotifyFo

All About the Hindu Calendar(s)
In this special episode HAF Education Research Assistant Devala Rees explains the various ways Hindus have traditional kept track of the years, the months that make up those years, how the timing of different Hindu festivals and holidays are determined, and how to actually make sense of all the different puja timings displayed by one of the leading online Hindu calendar sites, Drik Panchang.

Hindu at Heart: Psychologist & HAF Board Member Dr. Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria
In this episode, part of Indu Viswanathan’s Hindu at Heart series, she talks with psychologist and HAF Board Member Dr. Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria. They discuss Kavita’s life growing up Hindu in Texas in the 1980s and 90s, her path into psychotherapy, some of the issues related to this specific to the Hindu American community, as well as some of the challenges she’s seen as the oppressor versus oppre

Pakistan’s support for terrorism won’t stop until they are held accountable | Michael Rubin
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Michael Rubin about the parallels between Hamas’ attack on Israel on 10/7/23 and the most recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir; how Pakistan’s ISI and support for terror groups is an issue for Americans as well as Indians; what the US can do in support of India in their fight against terrorist groups, including why President Trump needs to make a vis

It’s not about caste, most Hindus aren’t vegetarian, and other misconceptions about the politics of dietary choices
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with Vijay Satnarine about how different parts of the Hindu Dharma Traditions approach vegetarian diets, how vegetarianism has gotten politicized in both India and the United States, debunk misconceptions and stereotypes about Hindu approaches to diet, and more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US harbors Khalistani terrorists and needs to do something about it | Michael Rubin
In this episode Samir Kalra has a wide-ranging conversation with India analyst Michael Rubin, a multi-time guest on the show. They discuss how the US is harboring Khalistani terrorists, the circles of influence of support for the movement in the US, the questionable asylum claims supporters of Khalistan have used to enter the US, how RICO laws could be used with these groups, US-India intelligence

The Asian American community needs to destroy the myth of the model minority. We need to fight. | TX State Rep. Gene Wu
In this episode HAF Managing Director Raj Rao speaks with Texas State Representative Gene Wu. They discuss the rise in anti-Asian and anti-Indian sentiment in recent months and years, the history of anti-Asian law and policy in the United States, the commonalities the Chinese and Indian communities share in the US, and how to organize against bigotry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f

Why the way we talk about Hinduism needs to change
A special crossover episode from our sibling show All About Hinduism: One of the underlying themes in the first series of episodes of All About Hinduism is that this spiritual tradition is often misunderstood by those people outside of it. Some of this misunderstanding is basic exposure to Hinduism and Hindus. But sometimes, we Hindus ourselves are unwittingly to blame. If we want non-Hindus to be

Think you know all about Ambedkar? Think again. | Pankaj Jain
BR Ambedkar is rightly remembered for his role in creating the Indian Constitution and for his outspoken anti-caste views. Less known is how many of his views on hot button political issues in India today align far more with those of so-called Hindu nationalists than his contemporary supporters would have you believe. In this episode we speak with Dr Pankaj Jain about the unknown Ambedkar. Hosted

How USAID gave millions to groups linked to terrorism in the Middle East and South Asia | Sam Westrop
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Sam Westrop from the Middle East Forum about their latest research detailing the millions of dollars that USAID has given to groups affiliated with Islamism, terrorism, and extremism; how Christian evangelical groups such as World Vision have been involved, in the name of providing aid in some of the poorest nations on the planet; how this filters into group

How the US-India relationship will fare under Trump 2.0 | Akhil Ramesh
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Akhil Ramesh of the Pacific Forum. They discuss a number of ways the US-India relationship may change under the new Trump administration, on immigration, trade, national security, how China figures into this, the essential unpredictability of the Trump administration, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the modern world can learn from the Dharmic capitalism of South India’s great kingdoms | Sriram Balasubramanian
In this episode we speak with economist Sriram Balasubramanian about his latest book Dharmanomics: An Indigenous and Sustainable Economic Model. We discuss what makes dharmic capitalism different from other regional varieties of capitalism, how this economic outlook extends back millennia to the kingdoms and empires of southern India and southeast asia, the role of temples in economic activity, th

When will Kashmiri Pandits be able to really return home? | Vijay Sazawal
In this episode Samir Kalra and Rajiv Pandit speak with author Vijay Sazawal about his new book The Kashmir Chronicles, discussing the history of the region, the ethnic cleansing of the Hindu community more than 30 years ago, the corruption in government in the state, the abrogation of the Article 370 and Delhi taking a direct role in governing the region, the largely positive aftermath of that an

Hindu At Heart: Practicing restorative justice in New York City public schools | Hemanth Venkataraman
In this episode, part of Indu Viswanathan’s Hindu at Heart series, she speaks with Hemanth Venkataraman, a New York City-based educator and restorative justice practitioner about his life growing up Hindu in New Jersey in the 1980s and 90s, his time teaching in the NYC public school system and co-founding the Unity Preparatory Charter School in Brooklyn, and how he moved on to consult with schools

Equating Hindutva with any kind of Hindu supremacy is just nonsense | Vikram Sampath
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with historian Vikram Sampath (author of the two volume definitive biography of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar) about the origins of Hindutva and misunderstandings about, its relevance for Hindus living outside of India, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A conversation about Hindu parenting with psychologist Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria and Suhag Shukla
In this episode HAF Board Member psychologist Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria and HAF Executive Director Suhag Shukla have a wide ranging discussion about parenting as Hindus, the book Bad Therapy, how we can raise resilient children, the differences in parenting across the generations, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Akṣarā is using the visual arts and design to pass on Indian culture | Jayanthi Moorthy
In this episode we're speaking with Jayanthi Moorthy, founder of the arts education organization AkṣarāWe talk about the importance of the arts in transmitting Indian culture, the role museums have in this and the limitations they have, issues of cultural appropriation in events such as Color Runs, and how drawing the traditional South Indian art form of kolam has both mental and physical benefits

Hindutva doesn’t start with Savarkar. It starts with the Bengali Renaissance. | Hindol Sengupta
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with author Hindol Sengupta about the origins of Hindutva as a philosophical concept, its relationship to Hindu nationalism, the inclusiveness of Hindu thought, the future of the BJP, and the US-India relationship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the history of Hindutva and the RSS has been so misunderstood in the West | Walter Andersen
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with author and analyst Walter K Andersen about misunderstandings about the history of Hindutva, the goals of the RSS, the role of Hindutva in the Indian diaspora, and what the recent Indian elections mean for the direction of the BJP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All about the Third Nature: An expansive millennia-old Hindu framework for discussing gender and sexuality
In this episode HAF’s Raj Rao, Suhag Shukla, Vijay Satnarine, and Mat McDermott delve into how Hindu dharma traditions, for millennia, have recognized a Third Nature in gender and sexuality, how this framework both overlaps with contemporary LGBTQ categories and how it is distinct, as well as some guidance on how Third Nature individuals and their families can act compassionately rooted in dharma

Educating Hindus about our heritage and the science behind our temples, one video and workshop at a time | Prem KV
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with filmmaker Prem Kumar about his documentary series on the sage Agastyamuni, his work educating Hindus about their heritage via his YouTube channel and in-person workshops.PremKV on YouTubeTatvamasi USA workshops Tatvamasi homestay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raja Choudhury tells us all about Swami Vivekananda, America's First Guru
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Raja Choudury, director of the film America’s First Guru, streaming now on PBS, which tells the story of Swami Vivekananda’s first trip to the United States and the effect it has continued to have more than a century later. WATCH: America's First Guru on PBS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hindu at Heart: Sneha Rao, from aviation engineer to Hinduism scholar
In this episode in the Hindu At Heart series, Indu Viswanathan speaks with Sneha Rao about her journey from the aviation industry to studying Hinduism, yoga, and Hinduphobia, and starting the Hindu Decoloniality group on Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you want to develop a deeper Hindu Lifestyle, Shawn Binda has something to say about that
In this episode we speak with Shawn Binda, creator of the Hindu Lifestyle YouTube channel. We discuss his inspiration for starting the channel, his take on contemporary Hindu issues from his Indo-Caribbean Canadian perspective, and much more. Watch: Hindu Lifestyle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the West get wrong about yoga? Far more than it gets right, say Shyam Ranganathan and Vijay Satnarine.
In this episode we have a moderated discussion about yoga, colonialism, attitudes about yoga that are coming out of the DEI space. Taking part in this discussion are HAF’s Vijay Satnarine and scholar Shyam Ranganathan, with Mat McDermott moderating.Read more about Shyam Ranganathan https://www.yogaphilosophy.com/bioShyam’s latest book: Yoga-Anticolonial Philosophy Hosted on Acast. See a

What's the connection between NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Pakistan's PTI party? MEF Action's Benjamin Baird explains.
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Benjamin Baird from MEF Action on his new reporting detailing the financial ties between NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the Islamist political party PTI, founded by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, including the funding Mayor Adams has received from PTI affiliated groups registered as foreign agents in the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

All about Anandi Joshee, the amazing 19th century Indian woman who become a doctor in the US
In this episode Suhag Shukla interviews author Nandini Patwardhan about her book Radical Spirits: India’s First Woman Doctor and her American Champions, a biography of Anandi-bai Joshee, who in 1883 as an 18-year old left Calcutta for the United States to study medicine, and who went on to become India’s first woman to earn a medical degree from an American college. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/

Hindu At Heart: Aditi Banerjee
In this episode, the first of our Hindu At Heart series of interviews, Indu Viswanathan speaks with author Aditi Banerjee on a wide range of issues: Hindu sacred geography in Ayodhya and Varanasi, growing up Hindu in America, and a variety of other topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is there zero representation of Indo-Caribbean Hindus in New York's textbooks?
For this episode Mat McDermott has a conversation with Sandy Rao, Dr Vishnu Bisram, and Dr Indrani Ramprasad about the Indo-Carribean Hindu community, the lack of representation of the Caribbean Hindu diaspora in New York City school textbooks, the current situation for Hindus in Guyana and Trinidad, and more. Resources mentioned in this episode:Viriah, Krishna GubliMaking Children Hinduphobi

Australian filmmaker Ravi Chand's latest film, Namaste Yoga, may leave you in tears
In this episode, Sheetal Shah speaks with Australian filmmaker Ravi Chand about his latest project, Namaste Yoga. Learn more about Ravi here: Warrior Tribe Films Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All about the rising antisemitism on college campuses in the past three months | Carly Gammill, StandWithUs
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Carly Gammill, Director of the StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism, about the marked increase in antisemitism expressed on US college campuses following the Hamas attack on Israeli of October 7th, and what can be done about this situation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HAF Shop Talk: All about Ram Janmabhoomi
In this HAF Shop Talk episode, Samir Kalra, Mat McDermott, and Dr Vijay Satnarine have a wide ranging informal discussion of the history and archeology of the Ram Janmabhoomi site, media's curious unwillingness to discuss the full history of the situation going back centuries, the capture of the discussion by Marxist historians, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio

How can Hindu parents get their kids to love Indian culture? Prof. Pankaj Jain has some tips.
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Professor Pankaj Jain. Pankaj has been on the show before speaking about his area of professional expertise, Hinduism, Jainism and ecology. But today we’re speaking about something he’s become particularly passionate about: parenting. Specifically how Hindu parents can help their children develop a love of Hindu and Indian culture. Hosted on Acast. See ac

Why Hindus should be paying attention to Hamas' funding sources. Sam Westrop explains.
In this episode of That's So Hindu, our 100th, Samir Kalra speaks with Middle East Forum's Sam Westrop about their new report detailing how Hamas raises money through charitable organizations in the West, and the connections with funding for Islamist groups in India and South Asia more broadly.Download the report here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wrongly accused of caste discrimination by California, Sundar Iyer tells us what really happened
In this must-listen episode, Samir Kalra speaks with Sundar Iyer, one of the Cisco employees wrongly accused of caste discrimination by California's Civil Rights Department. Sundar gives us the background of what really happened on his team that led to the lawsuit, what the CRD chose to overlook that didn't support its case, and how it all upended his life, before the case was dismissed against hi

Sanjay Lazar, orphaned by the 1985 Air India bombing, tells his story - Part 2
In the second part of this two-part episode, Suhag Shukla speaks with Sanjay Lazar who lost his entire family in the Air India Flight 182 bombing and was literally orphaned while still a child. This is the story of his life beyond the tragedy of the worst terrorist act in aviation history until 9/11.Pre-order the first part of Sanjay's book series on his experience "O

Sanjay Lazar, orphaned by the 1985 Air India bombing, tells his story - Part 1
In the first part of this two-part episode, Suhag Shukla speaks with Sanjay Lazar who lost his entire family in the Air India Flight 182 bombing and was literally orphaned while still a child. This is the story of his life beyond the tragedy of the worst terrorist act in aviation history until 9/11.Pre-order the first part of Sanjay's book series on his experience "On

Hindu by Heart: Coerced into Islam, Seeking Freedom - Part 2
For this special two-part episode we’ve got something a little bit different. This time, Dr indu Viswanathan, who’s been a guest on the show twice, is on the other side of the interviewing equation. She’s speaking with a young Hindu man, who has a unique and important story to tell. Keshav was raised Hindu and began questing his beliefs, to the point that he converted to Islam and began publicly m

Hindu by Heart: Coerced into Islam, Seeking Freedom - Part 1
For this special two-part episode we’ve got something a little bit different. This time, Dr indu Viswanathan, who’s been a guest on the show twice, is on the other side of the interviewing equation. She’s speaking with a young Hindu man, who has a unique and important story to tell. Keshav was raised Hindu and began questing his beliefs, to the point that he converted to Islam and began publicly m

How do Hindu Americans celebrate Navaratri?
For this episode we have something a bit different for you. It’s a special episode for Navaratri. We've interviewed several members of our extended HAF team as well as members of the Hindu American community about how they celebrate Navaratri today, what they remember about the holiday growing up, and how their understanding of it has changed over the years. What you’ll hear are excepts from longe

What is Critical Caste Theory and why it's a "dubious discourse" | Akshar from The Emissary
In this episode we speak with Akshar from The Emissary about an article he published earlier this year about Critical Caste Theory, as well as the activists who view Hinduism, Hindu culture, and India’s history and contemporary society through this very narrow lens. Read the article that we're talking about here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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