Better Together-A Vaisnava Family Podcast

Ten years, two kids, countless lessons. In this special episode, we look back on a decade of marriage—the highs, the hard parts, and the unexpected ways we've grown together. Tune in for a real, heartfelt conversation on love, faith, and our wishes for the decade ahead.

What started as a simple bedtime request turned into one of those parenting moments that made us laugh, think, and wonder if anyone really knows what they’re doing. Join us on this episode as we share the full story—cardboard, feelings, and all—and reflecting on how something so small sparked some unexpectedly large feelings and conversations between us.

On this episode, Gopika interviews Aksh on his highlights, challenges and special moments as a father. We walk down memory lane, recalling Aksh's feelings when we first found out we were expecting and when he held our first child for the first time. Don't miss this personal, heartfelt episode!

Join us on a short and casual episode as we reflect on and debrief our latest vacation as a family of 4 to Orlando!

Join us for a short, casual episode where we reflect on our recent vacation to Orlando and Sadhu Sanga, a large kirtan retreat!

On this personal, heartfelt and vulnerable episode, we dive into Gopika’s experience of motherhood, detailing the overwhelming challenges and the profound joys and impact it’s had in her life.

In this episode, we honestly explore feelings surrounding child protection issues in ISKCON. We reflect on how Bhakti wisdom supports child protection and brainstorm ways we can teach body safety and abuse prevention to our children.

Aksh gets personal as he shares his messy journey of uncovering a career that aligned with his nature. We chat about the importance of working according to your unique personality in the Bhakti tradition and brainstorm ways we can support our own children in uncovering their true selves.

As our son entered into another phase of picky eating, we found help from an unexpected source....a llama! Join us as we reflect on the story, explore the power of play and its connection to Bhakti, and share practical, easy strategies to utilize play to foster cooperation within the home. A fun and not to miss episode!

Join us as we share our own experience of Gaura Purrnima as second generation kids, and explore ideas of how we can connect our little ones and youth to Lord Chaitanya in an authentic way.

Join us as we walk down memory lane reflecting on the role Valentines Day played in our relationship . We honestly reflect on how our relationship has shifted after having children and how we hope to share the idea of love and Valentines Day with our children.

Join us as we share our journey raising a highly sensitive child, what we've learned along the way and how the Bhakti faith supports us through some of our hardest moments.

Aksh and Gopika have a candid discussion about whether or not parenting should be something that is intentionally learned. They reflect on parenting and family goals for 2025 and share what's recently inspiring them from Bhakti wisdom.

Join us as we reflect on our past experiences as Hare Krishna kids celebrating Gita Jayanti--the day that commemorates the original recitation of the Bhagavad Gita. We debate the importance of memorization of verses and brainstorm ways we can foster an authentic and positive relationship between our children and the Bhagavad Gita. Additionally, we demonstrate a practical method to support genuine understanding and connection to verses in scripture.

With the passing of Diwal-o-ween, we take the time to reflect on the complexity of trying to celebrate both holidays for our children in one day! We share stories of visiting our son's school to celebrate Diwali, trick or treating with our son as Lord Ram and more! How do we navigate celebrating holidays from both our worlds with meaning and intention?

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a public health advisory regarding parents, declaring that parenting is a public health hazard.Are we actually too stressed? What can we realistically do about high levels of stress with so many societal and cultural obstacles? How can we lean on Bhakti wisdom to navigate parental stress during this critical phase of life? We chat about all these questions and more!

In passing our dating anniversary, we wonder, did we get together TOO early? Join us as we reflect on our own relationship beginnings and how Bhakti philosophy can inform the way in which we guide our children through this future phase of life.

While many families prepare for pregnancy and birth, many families are woefully unprepared for the infamously challenging postpartum period. Research shows that many women experience adverse postpartum effects but feel they were inadequately prepared for what they might experience postpartum. Join us as we reflect vulnerably and honestly on our own experiences raising our little ones during that first year postpartum.

A tour of our neighbor's home with our three year old sparks a conversation about our experiences growing up as a Hare Krishna youth. Join us as we reflect on the first times we realized we were "different", our journey of having double lives, how we attempt to feel whole and how we hope to support our own children on their own faith journeys.

Why is splitting household labor such a point of tension for couples? Why are women always complaining about the mental load? On this episode, we get candid, personal and vulnerable as we discuss and renegotiate the mental load and household responsibilities at the start of a new school year. Listen in!

Janmastami is one of the most famous Hindu holidays. How can we celebrate it in a relevant way, especially for our younger children? Can young kids actually feel a real spiritual connection? Listen as Aksh and Gopika reflect on faith development theory and brainstorm practical ways to observe Janmastami in meaningful ways with our younger kids.

A heated encounter with our three year old over a bowl leads us to question our role as parents in our childrens lives. When do we assert our authority? When do we let our children lead? Do Bhakti scriptures have an opinion in this matter? Join us as we debate this tension and reflect on our own parenting journey.

How did we make it to our ninth anniversary? Join us on this special anniversary episode as we share reflections, brainstorm areas of growth and walk down memory lane.

The Hare Krishnas are often portrayed as a cult in media. Join Aksh and Gopika as they reflect on and process the recent NY Times Article entitled "Where did Justine Go-A Woman Disappears Into Devotion." In this episode we discuss our feelings around the media coverage and how we want to raise our children in the Bhakti tradition given the societal stigma the faith carries.

Join us as we share reflections on the Harrison Butker speech and brainstorm how we can raise our own children to understand the complex nuances of men and women within the home.

An honest encounter with our three year old sparks reflection around the decision for Gopika to be a SAHM. What does bhakti philosophy have to say about it? Listen to Episode 2 to find out!Some sastric insights credited to a Monk's Podcast interview with Urmila Devi Dasi

Listen as Aksh and Gopika wrestle with their decision to start the podcast, and their ultimate inspiration to go for it!To learn more about the Grihastha Vision Team, please visit their website: https://vaisnavafamilyresources.org/