"Sometimes What Puts You at Peace Puts Others at Risk" | Prof. Sondra Hausner, University of Oxford
Episode notes
Beyond Borders Podcast X Sondra Hausner, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford
Anthropologist Prof. Sondra Hausner joins us on Beyond Borders Podcast to explore religion, identity, and division in South Asia — from wandering ascetics and the secularism vs Hindu nationalism debate, to caste, gender, and the women renouncers who challenge the social order. A thoughtful conversation about faith, belonging, and shared humanity.
0:00 – Introduction 1:27 – From Nepal to Oxford: why study South Asia
2:22 – "Wandering with Sadhus" & the study of ascetics
5:54 – Religion as belief and practice
8:05 – When religion becomes identity 11:59 – Is India becoming religiously divided? 13:07 – Secularism vs Hindu nationalism 15:23 – How Hinduism has changed in 20 years 18:24 – Religion: perception or fixed rules? 20:08 – Women's renunciation in South Asia 21:54 – Walking the tightrope of gender 26:51 – Women in sacred spaces: "second-class citizens" 30:27 – Humanising religion 32:12 – Religion with a small 'r' vs capital 'R' 35:57 – Does religion just mean "peace"? 38:19 – The lesson: perspectives always change 40:15 – A question for the host, and closing 🌍 Beyond Borders is a podcast about South Asia, told from a global lens — honest conversations that go beyond the headlines. What this channel stands for: press freedom, gender equality, and the idea that the people closest to a story deserve to tell it. If you want thoughtful, independent dialogue over noise and hot takes, you're in the right place. 🎙️ Hosted by Aakriti Dhawan Award-winning journalist · Founder & Host of Beyond Borders · Hostwriter Prize 2025 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EdImNjwzf4NsLeVWDDAMy 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_borderspod/ 💼 Business & media enquiries: beyondbordersbbpodcast@gmail.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the channel. This podcast exists to encourage informed discussion and respectful dialogue. #BeyondBordersPodcast #SouthAsia #Politics #HumanRights #Journalism #PressFreedom #WomenInMedia #GenderEquality #GlobalAffairs #India #Democracy #CurrentAffairs #Interviews #Podcast