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

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

Author: Hindu American Foundation January 15, 2026 Duration: 41:00

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.


There's a particular rhythm to life when ancient tradition meets contemporary reality, and That's So Hindu finds its pulse in those conversations. This isn't a lecture or a sermon; it's a series of genuine dialogues with people you might recognize from the news, from your community, or from your favorite books. Each episode sits down with a diverse array of American voices-entrepreneurs navigating boardrooms, activists organizing for change, artists creating new works, and scholars deepening public understanding-to explore a simple but profound question: how does Hinduism actively shape their daily work, their creative vision, and their personal journey? You'll hear how spiritual concepts translate into practical business ethics, how philosophical ideas inform political advocacy, and how cultural heritage fuels artistic expression. The Hindu American Foundation brings forward these stories not as monolithic statements, but as individual, lived experiences that collectively paint a vibrant picture of modern identity. The result is a podcast that feels both intimate and expansive, revealing the subtle and overt ways wisdom traditions weave through 21st-century American life. It’s about the grounding found in a morning mantra before a big meeting, the resilience drawn from an ancient story during a personal challenge, and the innovation sparked by a timeless principle. Tune in for thoughtful, often surprising discussions that celebrate the dynamic and deeply personal ways these paths are walked every day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

That's So Hindu
Podcast Episodes
How was Indian society historically organized? Hint: It wasn't caste. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:01
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…
How many Hindu Dharma Traditions are there? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 diffe…
A dharmic investing take on Bitcoin | Easan Katir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 fo…
Hindu at Heart: Naren K. Schreiner, Purohit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 Hindui…
What’s going on in Bangladesh today? | Ahnaf Kalam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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…
Hindu at Heart: Vindhya Adapa - Attorney & Musician [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 crea…
All About the Hindu Calendar(s) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 festi…