That's So Hindu
Religion & Spirituality
About
The podcast that interviews entrepreneurs and activists, politicians and professors, journalists, entertainers, spiritual teachers, and more on how Hinduism shapes their work and lives. All American. So Hindu. Brought to you by the Hindu American Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- 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 med…
- 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…
- 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,…
- 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…
- 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 maint…
- 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 t…
- 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 f…
- 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…
- 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 diff…
- 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 i…
- 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 fi…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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 alleg…
- 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 implic…
- 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,…
- 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…
- 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 part…
- 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 diffe…
- 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 outsid…
- 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…
- 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 basi…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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 ab…
- 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 doe…
- 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…
- 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 the…
- 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 inform…
- 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 similaritie…
- 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 Isla…
- 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 t…
- 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 wid…
- 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.…
- 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 a…
- 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 psych…
- 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 fo…
- 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 misconception…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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-ca…
- 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 e…
- 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 i…
- 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 capitalis…
- 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 corruptio…
- 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…
- 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 outsid…
- 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 diff…
- 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 Akṣarā We talk about the importance of the arts in transmitting Indian culture, the role museums have in this and the limitations they have, i…