Best Hindu American Foundation Podcasts (2025)

1
How many Hindu Dharma Traditions are there? 28:48

5d ago28:48

28:48

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. Host…

1
A dharmic investing take on Bitcoin | Easan Katir 31:54

20d ago31:54

31:54

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.

1
Hindu at Heart: California's Kali Mandir Purohit - Naren Schreiner 1:29:21

1M ago1:29:21

1:29:21

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 nuanc…

1
What’s going on in Bangladesh today? | Ahnaf Kalam 57:00

2M ago57:00

57:00

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 diaspor…

1
International Yoga Day Special: Swami Sarvapriyanda on the four paths of yoga 1:01:31

2M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

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…

1
All about the 1985 Air India bombing, one of the biggest intelligence failures of the 20th century | Sanjay Lazar 56:37

2M ago56:37

56:37

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 …

1
Hindu at Heart: Vindhya Adapa - Attorney & Musician 1:12:59

3M ago1:12:59

1:12:59

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 Mar…

1
All About the Hindu Calendar(s) 41:18

3M ago41:18

41:18

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…

1
A story about cultural appropriation and open-mindedness 13:49

3M ago13:49

13:49

If this collection of practices, teachings, philosophies, and methodologies for living, for spiritual exploration that we call Hinduism, that we call the Hindu Dharma Traditions, has real value in the world for people who may never fully embrace it or call themselves Hindu — and it certainly does, of that I am entirely convinced — then I think we m…

1
Hindu at Heart: Psychologist & HAF Board Member Dr. Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria 1:11:17

3M ago1:11:17

1:11:17

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 c…

1
Pakistan’s support for terrorism won’t stop until they are held accountable | Michael Rubin 32:10

4M ago32:10

32:10

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,…

1
All About the Third Nature, a Hindu approach to thinking about gender and sexuality 11:04

4M ago11:04

11:04

Complex and nuanced discussions about gender roles, stereotypes and expectations, the varieties of sexual attraction and social expectations — and the alphabet soup of identity categories that has emerged in recent years — is something that in the Hindu Dharma Traditions and in the societies out of which these traditions have emerged has occurred f…

1
Yoga… so much more than downward dogs and headstands 20:40

4M ago20:40

20:40

Global yoga is a multi-billion dollar a year fitness, health, and wellness industry, with all sorts of people from all walks of life and with a full range of spiritual inclinations, including plenty of people who discount anything spiritual taking part. Ultimately though, yoga is much more than all this. The physical practice is just one small part…

1
It’s not about caste, most Hindus aren’t vegetarian, and other misconceptions about the politics of dietary choices 24:14

4M ago24:14

24:14

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 info…

1
What’s the difference between a Hindu monk, priest, and guru? 10:29

4M ago10:29

10:29

In some religious traditions, the person who overseas services and rituals, advises members of the community on spiritual or social matters, knows the history of the tradition, studies scripture, or dedicates their life to full-time religious pursuit is the same person — or at least some of those functions all overlap. In Hinduism is generally does…

1
What are the major holidays and festivals of Hinduism 14:31

4M ago14:31

14:31

When you consider all the different parts of the Hindu Dharma Traditions, there is a holiday, festival, or commemoration of some sort for nearly every day of the year. Missed the first series of episodes of All About Hinduism? Start here on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
US harbors Khalistani terrorists and needs to do something about it | Michael Rubin 48:53

4M ago48:53

48:53

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 coul…

1
What are the main sects of Hinduism? 16:55

5M ago16:55

16:55

All of the world’s religions have internal divisions, sometimes deep ones. Hinduism too has internal sub-divisions, though the differences between them are less contentious than in some other traditions, and are more a matter of preference in what forms of the Divine are the focus of veneration and contemplation. Missed the first series of episodes…

1
Who do Hindus worship? 31:14

5M ago31:14

31:14

How do Hindus today actually think about and interact with the multitude of representations and aspects of Divinity? Are there really 2 million gods that are worshiped within the Hindu Dharma traditions? Is Hinduism polytheistic, monotheistic, pantheistic? Something else can you say that all the different parts of this collection of traditions are …

1
The Asian American community needs to destroy the myth of the model minority. We need to fight. | TX State Rep. Gene Wu 50:56

5M ago50:56

50:56

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 bigot…

1
How do Hindus worship, and is this even the best word to use? 16:55

5M ago16:55

16:55

Worship is an old word, but one that doesn’t fully represent the ways in which Hindus honor the divine, whether in their homes or in temples. Missed the first series of episodes of All About Hinduism? Start here on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
We’re Back: All About Hinduism Series 2 teaser, with a note on formatting 2:30

5M ago2:30

2:30

Want to learn all about Hinduism, the world's oldest and third-largest religion? Like actually understand what karma is? Or what dharma means? Do you want to know what the sacred texts of Hinduism are? Or, maybe, you just want to know why Hindu women wear a dot on their forehead? Or, perhaps, if all Hindus vegetarian? If so, then All About Hinduism…

1
Why the way we talk about Hinduism needs to change 19:07

5M ago19:07

19:07

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 better understand Hind…

1
Why the way we talk about Hinduism needs to change 19:27

5M ago19:27

19:27

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…

1
Think you know all about Ambedkar? Think again. | Pankaj Jain 42:21

6M ago42:21

42:21

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 …

1
How USAID gave millions to groups linked to terrorism in the Middle East and South Asia | Sam Westrop 55:51

6M ago55:51

55:51

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 …

1
How the US-India relationship will fare under Trump 2.0 | Akhil Ramesh 47:49

6M ago47:49

47:49

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/…

1
What the modern world can learn from the Dharmic capitalism of South India’s great kingdoms | Sriram Balasubramanian 37:55

6M ago37:55

37:55

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 …

1
When will Kashmiri Pandits be able to really return home? | Vijay Sazawal 1:32:14

10M ago1:32:14

1:32:14

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…

1
Hindu At Heart: Practicing restorative justice in New York City public schools | Hemanth Venkataraman 1:35:44

10M ago1:35:44

1:35:44

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 Bro…

1
Equating Hindutva with any kind of Hindu supremacy is just nonsense | Vikram Sampath 40:18

11M ago40:18

40:18

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.…

1
A conversation about Hindu parenting with psychologist Kavita Pallod Sekhsaria and Suhag Shukla 46:19

12M ago46:19

46:19

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 informati…

1
How Akṣarā is using the visual arts and design to pass on Indian culture | Jayanthi Moorthy 43:51

1y ago43:51

43:51

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 f…

1
Hindutva doesn’t start with Savarkar. It starts with the Bengali Renaissance. | Hindol Sengupta 35:41

1y ago35:41

35:41

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.…

1
How the history of Hindutva and the RSS has been so misunderstood in the West | Walter Andersen 38:10

1y ago38:10

38:10

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.…

1
All about the Third Nature: An expansive millennia-old Hindu framework for discussing gender and sexuality 49:48

1y ago49:48

49:48

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 …

1
Educating Hindus about our heritage and the science behind our temples, one video and workshop at a time | Prem KV 38:49

1y ago38:49

38:49

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 YouTube Tatvamasi USA workshops Tatvamasi homestay Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Raja Choudhury tells us all about Swami Vivekananda, America's First Guru 35:35

1y ago35:35

35:35

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 i…

1
Hindu at Heart: Sneha Rao, from aviation engineer to Hinduism scholar 1:32:24

1+ y ago1:32:24

1:32:24

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.

1
If you want to develop a deeper Hindu Lifestyle, Shawn Binda has something to say about that 35:00

1+ y ago35:00

35:00

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.…

1
What does the West get wrong about yoga? Far more than it gets right, say Shyam Ranganathan and Vijay Satnarine. 46:03

1+ y ago46:03

46:03

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/bio Shyam’s latest book: Yoga-Antic…

1
What's the connection between NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Pakistan's PTI party? MEF Action's Benjamin Baird explains. 46:08

1+ y ago46:08

46:08

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 th…

1
All about Anandi Joshee, the amazing 19th century Indian woman who become a doctor in the US 33:56

1+ y ago33:56

33:56

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…

1
Hindu At Heart: Aditi Banerjee 1:31:14

1+ y ago1:31:14

1:31:14

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.…

1
Why is there zero representation of Indo-Caribbean Hindus in New York's textbooks? 58:10

1+ y ago58:10

58:10

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: V…

1
Australian filmmaker Ravi Chand's latest film, Namaste Yoga, may leave you in tears 29:42

1+ y ago29:42

29:42

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.

1
All about the rising antisemitism on college campuses in the past three months | Carly Gammill, StandWithUs 1:01:22

1+ y ago1:01:22

1:01:22

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.…

1
HAF Shop Talk: All about Ram Janmabhoomi 45:58

1+ y ago45:58

45:58

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…

1
How can Hindu parents get their kids to love Indian culture? Prof. Pankaj Jain has some tips. 30:40

1+ y ago30:40

30:40

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 …

1
Why Hindus should be paying attention to Hamas' funding sources. Sam Westrop explains. 55:07

1+ y ago55:07

55:07

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.co…

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