That's So Hindu

Hindu American Foundation

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.

Listen in PodNod RSS feed Show website

171 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes171

Newest first

Jul 8, 2021 · 51 min
To really focus, we have to train our minds and then practice what we’ve learned | Dandapani
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Dandapani, a former Hindu monk turned international speaker. They discuss the retreat center and botanical garden he’s founded, how we can learn to better focus our minds, Hindu practices for dealing with crisis,
Jul 1, 2021 · 35 min
Pakistani terrorism doesn’t just kill Indians, it kills Americans too | Dr Michael Rubin
In this episode, a rebroadcast of a recent HAF webinar, Samir Kalra speaks with Dr Michael Rubin, from the American Enterprise Institute, on contemporary politics in Pakistan and the region, the nation’s support for terrorism, and how this affects the Uni
Jun 24, 2021 · 1 hr 8 min
The study of caste has given a false foundation to Indian culture | Dr Prakash Shah
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks Dr Prakash Shah (Queen Mary, University of London). They discuss the Western conceptions of caste in India, the complexity of adding caste discrimination to law in both the UK and the US, and much more.
Jun 16, 2021 · 58 min
Homophobia in India is a homophobia of ignorance | Ankit Bhuptani
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with Ankit Bhuptani, the chairman and founder of the Queer Hindu Alliance in Mumbai, India. They speak about being gay in India, the state of homophobia there, how the LGBT+ community is treated by both major political
Jun 10, 2021 · 30 min
If you don’t have Hindu representation on your college campus, create it for yourself | Shreya Mahasenan
In this episode Sheetal Shah speaks with Shreya Mahasenan, a junior at McGill University, in Montreal, Canada. Shreya founded the McGill Dharma Society, when she realized there was no Hindu representation for students.
Jun 3, 2021 · 46 min
No country is perfect: We’re working towards a more perfect union in the US and so is India | State Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-MI)
In this episode Taniel Koushakjian speaks with Michigan state representative (and former HAF board member) Padma Kuppa. They discuss Rep. Kuppa’s journey from being an engineer to the first Indian American elected to the Michigan legislature, her passion
May 27, 2021 · 41 min
Hinduphobia is real and here’s how to recognize it | Parth Parihar
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Parth Parihar. Parth is a member of the Board of Trustees of Hindu Students Council and a PhD candidate in economics at Princeton University. Earlier this spring he organized, along with Dr Indu Vishwanathan, a co
May 20, 2021 · 45 min
Hindus have a responsibility to modernize chanting for their own families | Shivali Bhammer
In this episode Sheetal Shah chats with Shivali Bhammer, the youngest recording artist to be signed by Sony BMG for bhajans and one of the Top 25 Under 25 South Asian music artists.
May 13, 2021 · 1 hr 7 min
Yoga is about far more than being an advanced gymnast | Riki Warren
Riki Warren is one of the top global movement coaches, with a practice that goes back 30 years. He currently holds a Guinness world record for the most consecutive L-sit ring muscle ups. More recently Riki has been teaching yoga philosophy as part of a gr
Apr 8, 2021 · 1 hr 12 min
Ashok Karmakar recounts the Bengali Hindu Genocide
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with Ashok Karmakar, attorney and chairman of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, USA. They speak about the events of the 1971 Bengali Hindu genocide and how it affected his family personally.
Apr 1, 2021 · 54 min
Prof. Chris Fici successfully balances being a scholar and bhakti yogi
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Prof Chris Fici. What sets Chris apart is that he manages to stand balanced authentically in a couple of worlds that don’t always, shall we say, play well together: The academy and the world of devoted Hindus. He
Mar 25, 2021 · 43 min
Aditi Banerjee talks about her book The Curse of Gandhari
In this episode Suhag Shukla speaks with Aditi Banerjee. Aditi is a book author, essayist, and attorney, whose first novel, The Curse of Gandhari — which gives a perspective on the Mahabharata from the unique viewpoint of one of the matriarchs of the Hind
Mar 18, 2021 · 1 hr 3 min
Bhuwan Pyakurel: The former refugee from Bhutan who's now a city councilor in Ohio
In this episode HAF Director of Human Rights Deepali Kulkarni speaks with Bhuwan Pyakurel, a refugee from Bhutan who emigrated to the United States, settled in Ohio, and is now a city council member. He talks about what led to the Hindu community of Bhuta
Mar 11, 2021 · 41 min
Mandar Apte: film director, meditation teacher and peace activist
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Mandar Apte. Mandar’s a former petroleum engineer turned filmmaker meditation teacher, and ambassador for peace. We discuss his documentary From India With Love, his work teaching police officers how to meditate,
Mar 4, 2021 · 37 min
Dr Pankaj Jain on the history of the Hindu-Jain diaspora in America
In this episode we speak with Dr Pankaj Jain. We discuss his latest book Dharma in America: a short history of Hindu-Jain diaspora, his path from the tech industry into academia, and much more.
Feb 25, 2021 · 44 min
Ravinol Chambers, the Hindu monk who became a filmmaker
Ravinol Chambers is the founder of the multi-award-winning Be Inspired Films. His work focuses on stories that cross boundaries, challenge our thinking and inspire change. After growing up in Ireland wanting to become a stockbroker, he instead became a mo
Feb 11, 2021 · 50 min
Rukhsana Hasib tells us what she witnessed in 1971 during the Bangladesh genocide
In this episode Samir Kalra speaks with author Rukhsana Hasib, who recounts her first hand experience during the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, as well as providing perspective on how Bangladesh is faring today 50 years after gaining independence from Pakis
Jan 28, 2021 · 49 min
Artist Manjari Sharma explores how to wear a sari
In this episode Sheetal Shah speaks with artist Manjari Sharma about her groundbreaking work Darshan, her ongoing work How to Wear a Sari, plus much more.
Jan 21, 2021 · 52 min
What Hindu Americans can expect from the Biden-Harris administration
In this special episode, recorded shortly after the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, HAF Managing Director Samir Kalra and HAF Director of Public Policy Taniel Koushakjian discuss how important issues for Hindu America
Jan 14, 2021 · 39 min
Film producer and animal welfare advocate Nirva Patel makes a compelling dharmic case for eating a vegan diet
In this episode Mat McDermott speaks with Nirva Patel. Nirva is one of the executive producers of the hit documentary The Game Changers (yes, there are hit documentaries), a board member of Farm Sanctuary, and one of the leading dharmic voices for improvi

That's So Hindu

To really focus, we have to train our minds and then practice what we’ve learned | Dandapani

Pakistani terrorism doesn’t just kill Indians, it kills Americans too | Dr Michael Rubin

The study of caste has given a false foundation to Indian culture | Dr Prakash Shah

Homophobia in India is a homophobia of ignorance | Ankit Bhuptani

If you don’t have Hindu representation on your college campus, create it for yourself | Shreya Mahasenan

No country is perfect: We’re working towards a more perfect union in the US and so is India | State Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-MI)

Hinduphobia is real and here’s how to recognize it | Parth Parihar

Hindus have a responsibility to modernize chanting for their own families | Shivali Bhammer

Yoga is about far more than being an advanced gymnast | Riki Warren

Ashok Karmakar recounts the Bengali Hindu Genocide

Prof. Chris Fici successfully balances being a scholar and bhakti yogi

Aditi Banerjee talks about her book The Curse of Gandhari

Bhuwan Pyakurel: The former refugee from Bhutan who's now a city councilor in Ohio

Mandar Apte: film director, meditation teacher and peace activist

Dr Pankaj Jain on the history of the Hindu-Jain diaspora in America

Ravinol Chambers, the Hindu monk who became a filmmaker

Rukhsana Hasib tells us what she witnessed in 1971 during the Bangladesh genocide

Artist Manjari Sharma explores how to wear a sari

What Hindu Americans can expect from the Biden-Harris administration

Film producer and animal welfare advocate Nirva Patel makes a compelling dharmic case for eating a vegan diet