Listeners wrote in to ask us anything! We answer real and off the cuff to your questions about cross cultural marriage, overcoming cultural barriers and managing family expectations as an Indian-American couple. -Did either of your families object to you getting married? -What was the biggest cultural adjustment you had to make as an American to Indian culture and as an Indian to American culture? -Did you have to give up any hobbies or habits for each other that didn't fit into each other's cultures? Listen in to hear our answers from our experience of being married for 10 years and having lived on both sides of the world. #indianculture #interracialcouple #interracialmarriage #interracialdating #lovemarriage #arrangedmarriage #indianwedding ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

Invisible India

31: Ask Us Anything- Part 1

This episode is a special salute to love. On Valentine's Day, Jessica went on air with RJ Visha with RED FM 93.5 in Patna to share her love story.  But it wasn't only a story about falling for Abhishek, but falling for India as well. What were the challenges Jessica and Abhishek faced in the beginning with overcoming cultural barriers and family decisions.  This is a Hindi and English interview which was originally aired on Feb 14, 2020 on 93.5 RED FM.  In the intro of this episode, Jessica also answers a question from a listener about cultural appropriation and when it is a good time to decline participating in another culture vs when it is ok to enjoy and learn something new through respectful participation.  #indianculture #interracialcouple #interracialmarriage #interracialdating #lovemarriage #arrangedmarriage #indianwedding ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

30: In Love with India. In Love with an Indian. - RED FM Interview

Meet the 2 Idiots, Abhishek and Natasha, who traveled 31 countries, comprising of 39 flights, 3 cruises, and almost a 100 destinations in 8.5 months. They left their corporate jobs and did it together, with a 2 year old.  Jessica asks them about stereotypes that they found out to be untrue as they traveled. What were the most stressful parts of world travel? Was there any place that was more kid-friendly than another? This is Part 2 of our conversation.  And to top it off, they have written a book, "How to Travel With Kids Without Losing Your Mind." We have personally benefitted from this book and wanted to be sure to share it with Invisible India listeners!  From Feb 4, 2020 to March 4, 2020, comment on any of Invisible India’s social media or leave a review on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts for a chance to win a copy of their ebook! If you leave a review, we'll give *extra* consideration to your entry. ;) Check out their site and practical resources at https://www.2idiotstravel.com/.  ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

29: Meet the 2 Idiots- Traveling the World with a Toddler- Part 2

Meet the 2 Idiots, Abhishek and Natasha, who traveled 31 countries, comprising of 39 flights, 3 cruises, and almost a 100 destinations in 8.5 months. They left their corporate jobs and did it together, with a 2 year old.  Jessica asks them about their cultural experiences, stressful moments, and what they learned about themselves and each other as they traveled the world together. This is Part 1 of a 2 part conversation.  And to top it off, they have written a book, "How to Travel With Kids Without Losing Your Mind." We have personally benefitted from this book and wanted to be sure to share it with Invisible India listeners!  From Feb 4, 2020 to March 4, 2020, comment on any of Invisible India’s social media or leave a review on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts for a chance to win a copy of their ebook!  Check out their site and practical resources at https://www.2idiotstravel.com/.  ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

28: Meet the 2 Idiots- Traveling the World with a Toddler- Part 1

In October, we traveled from India to visit Central and Eastern Europe as a family. Vienna, Prague, Bratislava and Warsaw and Budapest, where Abhishek had a meeting and the kids and Jessica tagged along.  In 18 days, we covered 6 countries, 5 currencies, 8 hotels and we don’t know how many languages with our 2 young children. All on a relatively slim budget. We had many interesting learnings and cross-cultural experiences which broadened our world view and expanded our portfolio of societal observations. Join us for this episode about cultural differences from East to West, food, transit, racism and cultural faux pas that we committed.  Write to us on social media: https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheInvisibleIndia https://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia/And of course, if you like our podcast, it helps immensely if you leave a review. That’s one way that more people can find out about our podcast. Cheers!

27: From India to Central Europe

Dr. Ajay Verghese, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California Riverside joins us to dive into two urgent topics affecting the social landscape of India today- 1) the legacy of ethnic colonialism and 2) modernization’s affect on Hindu's religious practices.  Were all problems in India legacies of the British? Or has inter-religious conflict always been a problem even before colonialism? Ajay and Jessica also dive into his latest research project answering the question - “does the modernization of India mean that Hindus are becoming less religious?” Ajay defines Hinduism in a way you may have never heard and shares his personal experiences of how returning to India as an Indian American has changed him.  His scholarly research on the roots of ethnic violence in India has been published in his first book “The Colonial Roots of Ethnic Violence in India.” (https://sites.google.com/site/ajayaverghese/home/book?authuser=0) Get yourself into intellectual mode and listen in on this fascinating conversation.  Links Mentioned in this Episode Ajay Verghese on Twitter- https://twitter.com/AjayVerghese Ajay Verghese- Research Site (https://sites.google.com/site/ajayaverghese/home/research?authuser=0) Social Science Research Network (SSRN) Site (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3249626) (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3249626) Be sure to leave a review on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts, if you enjoyed this conversation!

26: Hinduism and Indian Ethnicity with Ajay Verghese

Author Leslie Verner approaches how Western cultures can learn from other cultures posture of open hospitality. Author of “Invited- the Power of Hospitality in an Age of Loneliness”, Leslie sensitively approaches being a white American engaging in cross cultural friendships and what her research and learnings have led her to in her personal life. In this episode, Jessica and Leslie discuss how being a stranger in a new culture produces a sense of empathy for others. You can find out more about her writings about cross cultural interactions, social equality, racial justice, faith, parenting and more on http://www.scrapingraisins.com. Invited is available on Amazon here- https://www.amazon.com/Invited-Power-Hospitality-Age-Loneliness/dp/1513804332

25: Invited- The Power of Hospitality in an Age of Loneliness with Leslie Verner

What are some the unique challenges that India faces in managing toilet waste, water and everything in between?  Sanitation expert Chris Hyun, PhD Candidate, joins us to share about India’s unique sanitation challenges and what he has found through his research. With over a decade of experience in India, Chris is more than a researcher, but a student of the culture and someone who is committed to uplifting local innovations and supporting governments to make the best possible decisions for India’s sanitation challenges. If you’re ready to learn about what is under the surface of waste management, the social and cultural nuances of treating sewage in India and water management complexities, don’t miss this episode. Learn more about Chris's work here- https://erg.berkeley.edu/people/christopher-hyun/ (https://erg.berkeley.edu/people/christopher-hyun/?fbclid=IwAR1GqZY9DLMyF97n_ysQl_4hY6MGNhiu1V_j1AzUXX0GgQPF9tmd9SaY11w) At the beginning of the episode, Abhishek and Jessica share about their experience living in the midst of the worst monsoon to hit North India in 25 years. They share our own stories of dealing with mayhem and chaos among the deadly floods which killed 40 people in their city in September.

24: India's Unique Sanitation Challenges with Chris Hyun

Even with the best of motives, short term volunteer trips can create chaos and unintended long term problems, especially in developing countries.  What are the pitfalls and dangers of engaging in voluntourism?  But we don't just throw everyone voluntourist under the bus in this episode. What are the positive aspects of short term projects overseas? If you are going on a short term volunteer trip, what are the things that you need to know so that you can help and not cause harm?  Dive in with us and engage in what we hope is a balanced conversation about doing good in an increasingly complicated world.  Listen and let us know your thoughts!  Resources mentioned in this episode:  When Helping Hurts- How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself  (https://www.amazon.com/When-Helping-Hurts-Alleviate-Yourself/dp/0802409989/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=when+helping+hurts&qid=1567680185&s=gateway&sr=8-2) National Geographic- The Five Myths of Voluntourism (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/intelligent-travel/2015/02/04/unpacking-voluntourism-five-myths/)

23: The Good and Bad of Voluntourism

This episode is for the people who are long term NGO employees, aid workers or those volunteering in an under-privileged environment. Maybe you are burnt out from seeing hard stuff on a day in and day out basis and from being confronted daily with human pain and suffering.  Even if you're not in an extreme situation, maybe you are a person whose soul is simply exhausted from serving others.  In the episode, Jessica dives into tips of how to dig in and stay physically, emotionally and mentally healthy in everything from a mildly challenging environment to hostile living situation. This is a conversation beyond how wash your fruits and vegetables or what bug spray to use in a developing country. This is about surviving and adjusting to the hard stuff that wears on you over time. Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheInvisibleIndia https://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia/(We apologize for background noise in parts of the episode. Our office was having an AC installed, so it had to be recorded at home.)

22: How to NOT Lose Your Mind as an NGO/Aid Worker

Do Westerners have a lot of money? Life in places like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe must be easy. Why do Westerners "abandon" their parents in nursing homes? Is romance in the West really like what we see in the movies? In this episode Abhishek and Jessica cover the top misconceptions about the West that they have heard expressed in India. They take a deep dive into economics, religious practices, immigration policies, family values, romance and relationships to bring to light what the West is really like. Listen in for an enlightening episode!

21: Misconceptions About the West in India

Misogyny, sexism and restrictive gender roles are all challenges that this generation of children are standing up against. In India, we have unique challenges for both girls and boys as the cultural narrative is rapidly shifting of what manhood and womanhood looks like. How do we compassionately parent and empower our children to navigate mixed messages? Is it best to adopt Western values or is there some that Indians can uniquely guide this next generation into a new understanding of gender roles while retaining Indian culture? Jessica gives her two cents on how raising a boy and a girl in India and asks questions about what we can do as the next generation of parents to raise confident children who embody gender equality.

20: Teaching Kids Gender Equality

This week, we take on the top misconceptions about India and debunk them one by one. Do all Indians have arranged marriages? What is all the fuss about caste? Do Indians ride elephants to school? (Yes, that one really came in.) We invited listeners to comment on our social media platforms with the top misconceptions they have heard. Join us to learn about the diversity and complexity of the sub-continent and largest democracy in the world. Mentioned in the Episode: Gender Based Violence and Inequality Podcast- https://audioboom.com/posts/7290595-gender-based-inequality-and-violence-against-women-in-india-with-shefa-sikder The Seen and Unseen Podcast with Amit Verma - https://ivmpodcasts.com/the-seen-and-the-unseen

19: Debunking Misconceptions About India

Maybe you’ve heard that India is a rough place to live. If you live like locals, there is a lot you can do to prepare yourself and prevent some of the most common inconveniences of life in India. From navigating traffic to avoiding dysentery, there are tried and true ways that local people survive unscathed by India’s sometimes harsh conditions. Even as a visitor there are preparations and life hacks you can adapt to protect yourself from the elements. We give practical tips learned from years of learning the hard way about how to survive and thrive life in India.

18: Surviving the Most Common Inconveniences of Life in India

Once you’re past the surface level touristy phase, you get into what makes India the real deal. How well traveled are you in India? More than checking off a list of places you’ve been, what have you experienced? Show us the real life you’ve experienced in India! Have you ever vomited on a train? Had something stolen from you by a monkey? You’ve passed the test.  You’re a true hardcore India traveler. Share your results and tag your friends! Subscribe to the podcast for more fun quizzes, stories, India specific tips and tricks.  The INFOGRAPHIC is pinned at the top of our Facebook and Twitter page and on our story on Instagram. Be sure to tag us on social media so we can see who has the most items ticked off!

17: The REAL India Experiential Bucket List

Cross cultural couple doing life in India. Exploring the less known aspects of Indian culture, off the beaten path. Instagram- Ihttps://www.instagram.com/invisibleindia/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/IndiaInvisible Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheInvisibleIndia

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Invisible India

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