Hindu parenting tips, tricks & reflections from the Hindu American Foundation team

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1. 

   E155 · 12 Feb 2026 · 46 min

   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 relationships and provides insights into the psychological implications of desire, the historical context of sexuality in Hinduism, and practical steps for embracing a holistic view of intimacy and…

2. 

   E154 · 5 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

   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 religious perspectives, and the need for interfaith dialogue that respects both beliefs. They emphasize the significance of educating young Hindus about their own faith to better engage in discussions…

3. 

   E153 · 29 Jan 2026 · 49 min

   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 US. The speakers discuss the egregious claims made by the California Civil Rights Department, the political mobilization against Hindu Americans, and the legislative context surrounding SB 403. They…

4. 

   E152 · 22 Jan 2026 · 54 min

   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 relation to Hindu traditions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurate representation and the opportunities AI presents for spreading knowledge about Hinduism. Takeaways AI images can…

5. 

   E151 · 15 Jan 2026 · 41 min

   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:…

6. 

   E149 · 31 Dec 2025 · 32 min

   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.

7. 

   E148 · 18 Dec 2025 · 47 min

   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.

8. 

   E147 · 4 Dec 2025 · 41 min

   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.

9. 

   E146 · 20 Nov 2025 · 41 min

   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.

10. 

    E145 · 6 Nov 2025 · 25 min

    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.