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To The Best Of Our Knowledge

The Hindus: An Alternative History

American Wendy Doniger holds two doctorates in Sanskrit and Indian studies from Harvard and Oxford. She’s the author of numerous books on Hinduism and has translated several Sanskrit texts. She’s widely considered one of the most important scholars on Indian religion in the world. So it might surprise you that there is one country in the world she can’t visit: India.

Doniger’s books have been targeted by Hindu Nationalists and by India’s ruling right-wing BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). Her latest, “The Hindus: An Alternative History,” was the subject of a major lawsuit in India, and its publisher, Penguin Books India, not only pulled the book from circulation but destroyed all remaining copies. Since then, Doniger has received many death threats inside of India and no longer feels safe visiting there. But as she told Steve Paulson, her writing about Hinduism hasn’t changed in over 40 years. What has changed is India.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Senior Nomads - Lynne & Tim Martin

If you're looking for a grand adventure in retirement, Lynne and Tim Martin have an idea: sell your house and then live in rental houses around the world.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Stephen Thompson on Onion Interviews

Stephen Thompson is an editor at The Onion newspaper, and editor of “The Onion A.V. Club: The Tenacity of the Cockroach.”

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The Religion of No Religion

Famous for its hot tubs and its yoga and massage workshops, Esalen Institute actually began as a place to explore the underlying philosophy of spiritual experience, and then popularized America's particular brand of "spirituality without religion." Sitting on the deck of Murphy House at Esalen, Steve Paulson talks with co-founder Michael Murphy and comparative religion scholar Jeffrey Kripal, author of the definitive history of Esalen.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Slow Reading in a Hurried Age - David Mikics

David Mikics talks about his book, "Slow Reading in a Hurried Age."

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Wendy Doniger on the Kamasutra

Wendy Doniger says sexual positions are just a small part of the Kamasutra, and that the British taught the Indians to be ashamed of this book, and their bodies.

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Thomas Dumm on "Loneliness As a Way of Life"

Thomas Dumm tells Anne Strainchamps why he thinks a lonely society can be a dangerous one and he's worried about America. His book is "Loneliness As a Way of Life."

To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Will Friedwald on "As Time Goes By"

Music historian Will Friedwald talks with Steve Paulson about “As Time Goes By” and why we love it. 

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