India with Jessica | Navigating Indian Culture With Love

India with Jessica | Navigating Indian Culture With Love

By Jessica KumarSociety & Culture
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India with Jessica | Navigating Indian Culture With Love episodes

  • 68 | Learning Malayalam vs Learning Hindi with Eliza Keyton

    Eliza Keyton (Eli Kutty) is an American Malayalam learner and dedicated to sharing her learnings with other learners. Jessica and Eliza dive into the complexities of learning Hindi vs Malayalam and the challenges of learning an Indian language.


    Jessica and Eliza both share their clear intentions of uplifting Desi voices and pointing the attention back to native speakers of their target languages. They both speak about their unique experiences as white Americans and how one needs to be aware of white privilege while learning a language. 


    Both women are married to Indian men, yet have very different paths that have led them to diving deep into learning Indian languages.


    Find Eliza on Instagram @Eli.Kutty and YouTube!


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    SIGN UP for the Invisible India Newsletter to hear about Jessica's upcoming Hindi Course! It is in the works now! There will be a discount for subscribers of the newsletter. Sign up for updates here!

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    Know a company that would like to sponsor the show? Have an idea for a guest who is breaking stereotypes in South Asian spaces? Write to me [email protected] 

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    This episode was edited by Sahastranshu Mishra.


    38 min
  • 67 | Best of 2021 | Highlights and Reflections on this Year

    2021 was the year where I (Jessica) hosted only South Asian guests! Hear 2-4 min blurbs from 8 of our best episodes with powerful, empathetic and informational interviews! 


    In this episode we highlight: 

    • Episode 48 - The Carolina Desis - Rashmili Vemula and Gurtej Singh - language and how that fits into their identity as Indian Americans
    • Episode 50  - Kunal Dutt- historian and activist, We dive into Bihar's rich history and why its in danger. @SaveHistoricPatnaCollectorate
    • Episode 53 - Positivity- Rashmi Chadha- female entrepreneur, business coach owner of WoVoyage women’s travel company. An inspiring story from a woman who has overcome sexism, tragedy and disability.
    • Episode 55 - Vaishali Patel - Gujarati and Hindi teacher Sanskar Teaching (see discount for Sanskar Teaching on www.invisibleindiapodcast.com/offers)
    • Episode 56 - Anita Sachariah- Founder of Bhasha Kids- talk about heritage language and teaching kids Indian languages. We were on a panel as part of the Lingua Cultura Experience Listen in! (see discount for Bhasha Kids on www.invisibleindiapodcast.com/offers)
    • Episode 57 and 58 - Tripti Lahiri, author of Maid in India - Get ready to geek out on economics of the informal labor market.
    • Episode 62 - Kevin Wilson, CEO of Chai and tiktok storyteller. Third culture kid.
    • Episode 64 and 65 - Yoga is Dead with Jesal Parikh - We dive into elements of cultural appropriation and we answer Who Killed Yoga? Interesting and provocative episodes.

      • In 2022, I will be focusing more on Hindi resources and language innovators. Expect to see more from me about linguistics and I plan to bring more reviews and more language innovators to the show. 


      Know a company that would like to sponsor the show? Have an idea for a guest who is breaking stereotypes in South Asian spaces? Write to me [email protected]


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      Links Mentioned in this Show:

      Incredible products made ethically in India. Shipping in the US.

      If you order now, you can still get them before the end of the year:

      www.Ziyada.org use the code invisibleindia10 for 10% off your purchase! 

      India Art create wooden handicrafts including the featured Sloth Ornament - get it here on Amazon! 

      38 min
    • 66 | Reflections on Indian Culture | Ask Me Anything

      Jessica takes a moment to reflect on some of the learnings about Indian culture she has observed in the last 15 years. 

      The most common questions she gets asked as a foreigner married to an Indian living in India:


      How do you celebrate festivals as a cross cultural couple?

      Is it safe to eat street food in India?

      How many languages have you learned? AND MORE...



      Two Ethical Businesses Supporting Local Artisans:

      Ziyada Handicrafts - beautiful hand made fabrics for the Holidays. Enjoy a 10% discount with code "Invisibleindia10"

      India Arts Sloth Ornament- adorable hand made sloth ornaments. Sloth Christmas Ornament - Wood" target="_blank">Purchase it here on Amazon! 

      Explore all discounts with this link www.invisibleindiapodcast.com/offers

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      Join our community on Patreon!

      Consider supporting us on Patreon. Join our Patreon community for special content! www.patreon.com/invisibleindia

      19 min
    • 65 | Yoga is Dead Part 2 | Jesal Parikh & Jessica Kumar

      This is Part 2 of Jessica's conversation with Jesal Parikh, the co-host of the provocative podcast “Yoga is Dead.” She and her co-host Tejal Patel, highlight injustices of the digestion of yoga by modern Western culture. In this episode, Jessica and Jesal explore the process of historical Indian yoga and how that has morphed into a different animal in Western society. Jesal names names trends of the colonization of yoga and how South Asians are taking it back.

      Enjoy this highly nuanced conversation about how power, privilege, race and economic shifts have created a yoga industry out of an ancient practice.

      Links mentioned in this episode:

      Consider supporting us on Giving Tuesday! Join our Patreon community for special content! www.patreon.com/invisibleindia

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      See my Offers page for all discounts on language learning products and services.

      Mentioned in this episode:

      Launch India – mention Invisible India to receive 10% off of your first 100 hours of language sessions

      26 min
    • 64 | Yoga is Dead Part 1 | Jesal Parikh & Jessica Kumar

      Get ready to have your mind blown. Jesal Parikh is the co-host of the provocative podcast "Yoga is Dead." She and her co-host Tejal Patel, highlight injustices of the digestion of yoga by modern Western culture. In this episode, Jessica and Jesal explore the process of historical Indian yoga and how that has morphed into a different animal in Western society. Jesal names names trends of the colonization of yoga and how South Asians are taking it back.

      Enjoy this highly nuanced conversation about how power, privilege, race and economic shifts have created a yoga industry out of an ancient practice.

      See Jesal and Jessica on YouTube for a short tidbit of this conversation here. 


      Links mentioned in this episode:

      The Mix Membership- a safe place for women in interracial relationships

      Use code "MIXJESSICA" for your first month free!

      Join our Patreon community for special content! www.patreon.com/invisibleindia

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      See my Offers page for all discounts on language learning products and services.

      Mentioned in this episode:

      Launch India - mention Invisible India to receive 10% off of your first 100 hours of language sessions

      35 min
    • 63 | Behind the Scenes of an Indian-American Marriage

      Should I share pictures of my life on social media even if I fear being judged by conservative relatives? What are the no-nos of social media in more conservative Indian families? If you are in a desi/non-desi relationship, maybe you have some of the same questions we do.


      How do you protect your relationship but also interact on social media with the ever watchful Indian aunties?

      Jessica shares her top 5 tips for protecting family relationships online. 

      Plus, bonus - Is our life really all it looks like on social media? What are we hiding as an Indian-American couple?


      LINKS mentioned in this episode:

      www.launchin.in

      Mention the Invisible India Podcast and get 10% your first 100 hours of language learning.

      Join our Patreon Community and get special perks and hand picked content! www.patreon.com/invisibleindia



      Follow Invisible India on social media:

      Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia 

      Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheInvisibleIndia

      TikTok- http://tiktok.com/@invisibleindia 

      Twitter- https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible 

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      www.invisbleindiapodcast.com/episodes

      16 min
    • 62 | The Way of Chai | Kevin Wilson

      Kevin Wilson has formed his identity as fitting in the spaces between black and white binary spaces throughout his life. Best known as "The CEO of Chai" on social media, he goes by @crossculturechristian as an expression of someone who wants to invite people into a safe place on the harsh landscape of critical social media sites. People talk about the "vibe" of his tiktoks and reels, but he sees his social media presence as a way to encourage and nourish people.


      And if you learn how to make a fresh cup of chai along the way, you win too. Find Kevin on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@crossculturechristian or Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/crossculturechristian/

      His Website - https://crossculturechristian.com/


      YouTube cut coming soon of Jessica's conversation with Kevin!


      LINKS mentioned in this episode:

      www.launchin.in

      Mention the Invisible India Podcast and get 10% your first 100 hours of language learning.


      Join our Patreon Community and get special perks and hand picked content! www.patreon.com/invisibleindia



      Follow Invisible India on social media:

      Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia 

      Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheInvisibleIndia

      TikTok- http://tiktok.com/@invisibleindia 

      Twitter- https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible 

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      www.invisbleindiapodcast.com/episodes

      43 min
    • 61 | How to Learn a New Language and Culture Without Losing Yourself | Burning Man | Camp Languages

      The dissonance caused by learning a new culture and language can be one of the most disorienting things that humans can go through.   


      How can one respectfully and responsibly learn a new language without doing harm to those around them or losing themself in the process?   

      Join Jessica Kumar, Invisible India Podcast host and lifelong Hindi learner as she guides us through being aware of our own motivations, practicing cultural humility and decolonizing the language learning process.   


      #burningman #burningman2021 #sparkleverse #burner #virtualburn #virtualburn2021 #CampLanguages.    

      LINKS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:  

      www.patreon.com/invisibleindia

      33 min
    • 60 | Strategies for Learning Fluent Hindi & Any Indian Language

      What does it take to successfully learn Hindi?


      Jessica breaks down tips and tricks and answers the most common questions about how to learn Hindi fluently.

      -What is unique about learning Hindi?
      -Why is it so hard to learn Indian languages from a book?
      -Is language school worth it?
      -Is it more important to focus on Hindi pronunciation or vocabulary?
      -Does age matter in learning a language?
      -How important is it to learn Devnagri script?

      Also check out previous episode and YouTube video "Why I Learned Hindi" where Jessica breaks down the motivations and environment you can set yourself up to become fluent.

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      In this episode we talk about Jessica's top 3 favorite Hindi learning programs:

      Launch India - mention Invisible India to get 10% off

      Sanskar Teaching - use "invisibleindia" for 15% off any online course

      Language Curry- use "invsibleindia" for 10% off any class.


      All these deals are also mentioned on www.invisibleindiapodcast.com/offers


      Be sure to listen to the whole episode to get a special discount code on HindiUnlocked.com's courses! Special discount just for listeners of our podcast.
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      Find the video episode on YouTube here.  


      Follow Invisible India on social media - 

      Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia 

      Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheInvisibleIndia 

      TikTok- http://tiktok.com/@invisibleindia 

      Twitter- https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible 

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      www.invisbleindiapodcast.com/episodes

      20 min
    • 59 | Help! I'm in Love With an Indian! | Cross-Cultural Relationship Advice
      Are you in a relationship with an Indian? Overwhelmed by the differences between your culture and Indian culture?
      In Episode 59 of the Invisible India Podcast | Navigating Indian Culture with Love.... we dive in!
      As a veteran in India (15 years) and being married to Abhishek from Bihar for 11 years, Jessica shares 3 main tips for engaging with Indian culture and understanding the deep undercurrents of how language, family and cultural contexts influence the way people behave in relationships.
      She covers how to understand joint families, language learning and how to share frustrations about the culture without hurting your partner.
      Find the video episode on YouTube here. 
      See all the offers including Karadi Tales books here.
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      Follow Invisible India on social media -
      Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia
      Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheInvisibleIndia
      TikTok- http://tiktok.com/@invisibleindia
      Twitter- https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible
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      www.invisbleindiapodcast.com/episodes
      20 min

    About India with Jessica | Navigating Indian Culture With Love

    From the publisher's feed

    Hear authentic experiences of an American living deep within Indian culture. Jessica Kumar engages in powerful & empathetic interviews to shed light on lesser known aspects of Indian culture, founded in cultural anthropology, sprinkled with hints of modern relationships.