That's So Hindu

Hindu American Foundation
  • 4.7 (92)
  • HINDUISM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. What a Hinduism reporter wants you to know about journalism today | Richa Karmarkar

    2D AGO

    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 need for greater understanding of Hindu identity and immigration issues. The conversation also touches on key stories from the past year and looks ahead to future topics in Hinduism. Follow: Religion News Service | Richa Karmarkar Takeaways Richa Karmarkar's journey from a Midwestern upbringing to becoming a Hinduism reporter.The complexity of Hinduism makes it challenging to report accurately.Political bias in media often affects the portrayal of Hinduism.Hindu identity is often linked to Indian politics in media narratives.There is a perception of left-wing bias in journalism.Many journalists lack a deep understanding of Hinduism.Community engagement is crucial for accurate representation.Immigration issues are a significant concern for the Hindu community.Support for political figures can vary widely within the Hindu community.The future of Hinduism in America will involve addressing spirituality and community needs. Keywords Hinduism, media representation, political bias, immigration, Hindu identity, journalism, Richa Karmarkar, Religion News Service, community engagement, cultural understanding Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events 02:39 Richa's Background and Journey in Journalism 04:35 Perceptions of Hinduism in Media Reporting 07:55 Political Bias and Representation of Hindus 10:30 Navigating Hindu Identity and Media Criticism 12:31 Left-Wing Bias in Journalism 17:32 Understanding Hinduism in Religion Reporting 20:23 Balancing Nuance and Reader Understanding 23:05 Key Stories in Hindu Community Reporting 24:38 The Evolving Narrative of Immigration and Identity 29:53 Community Perspectives on Immigration and Solidarity 33:53 The Future of Hinduism in America 38:51 Engaging with Hinduism Beyond the Mainstream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  2. Hindu parenting tips, tricks & reflections from the Hindu American Foundation team

    JAN 8

    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 about different religions, and the impact of social media on parenting. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being good role models and fostering a strong cultural identity in children. Takeaways Celebrating both Hindu and American holidays can enrich children's cultural experiences.Incorporating Hindu traditions into mainstream celebrations helps children feel connected.It's essential to engage in open conversations about different religions with children.Parents should model good behavior and values to instill a strong cultural identity.Educational experiences can vary widely; parents must advocate for accurate representation of Hinduism.Social media presents challenges, but balance and monitoring can help mitigate risks.Food can be a powerful motivator in engaging children with cultural practices.Community involvement and shared experiences enhance children's understanding of their heritage.Interfaith discussions should be approached with sensitivity and openness.Parenting requires constant adaptation to new cultural and technological landscapes. Keywords Hindu parenting, cultural celebrations, interfaith, education, social media, Hindu representation, parenting tips, holiday traditions, family values, community engagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  3. How to get your kids to love Hindu culture

    12/31/2025

    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  4. Let's talk about Hindu parenting, with Dr Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria

    12/18/2025

    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 information.

    47 min
  5. Hindutva is not Hindu supremacy | Vikram Sampath

    12/04/2025

    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.

    41 min
  6. Everything you wanted to know about sadhus*

    11/20/2025

    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.

    41 min
  7. Here’s why Zoroastrianism is a dharma tradition

    11/06/2025

    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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  8. For Hindus the natural world is more than sacred, its embodied Divinity itself | Prof. David Haberman

    10/23/2025

    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.

    34 min
See All (150)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
92 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Hindu American Foundation
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hindu American Foundation
  • Show Website
    That's So Hindu

You Might Also Like