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Jake Feinberg Show: The Nina Rao Interview

Devotional mantra singer, Nina Rao, talks about her early exposure to this timeless tradition from her grandfather in India, coming to the states and ultimately connecting with Krishna Das in 1996. She has been a fixture in his Kirtan Band since then.

On The Jake Feinberg Show (radio) and in Facebook Lives, Jake Feinberg has now conducted over 2,000 interviews with “The Cats”—popular musicians across the spectrum from rock to jazz, R&B to folk, pop to country, bluegrass to fusion. Jake’s unique interviewing style puts musicians at their ease and inspires them to reflect candidly on topics familiar or unexpected. The Cats tell little stories, muse about life, uncover aspects of the music business, dig deep into overcoming adversity, revel in camaraderie, and open their souls.

Mindrolling with Raghu Markus – Ep. 641 – Bhumi Devi: Honoring the Sacred Mother with Nina Rao

Discussing the inspiration behind her upcoming album, Bhumi Devi, Nina Rao and Raghu Markus explore preserving the planet and devotion to the sacred mother.

Support the pre-sale of Bhumi Devi with exclusive reward levels on Kickstarter until June 2. Click here for more information.

This week on Mindrolling, Raghu and Nina chat about:

  • Moderating our consumption and doing our best to heal the earth

  • Nina’s work in preserving wilderness areas

  • Wisely receiving gifts from Mother Earth while preserving uncorrupted lands

  • The unconditional love and presence that resonates through Maharaj-ji

  • The reciprocal relationship we have with the divine

  • When Nina met Siddhi Ma, and seeing her as merged with Maharaj-ji

  • The first time Nina chanted for Siddhi Ma

  • Satsang: connecting with Maharaj-ji through community

  • Prayers to the Goddess in Nina’s new album, Bhumi Devi

“The way in which this happens is Satsang. I was with Siddhi Ma one time, and someone said, ‘How can we get closer to Maharaj-ji?’ She said, “Get together, have food, and sing the Chalisa.’” –Raghu Markus

Connect with Nina Rao this Summer at the Ram Dass Legacy Summer Mountain Retreat! Learn more HERE.

Spicy Soul Mama Podcast Episode 18 with Guest Nina Rao

Nina was recently featured on the Spicy Soul Mama podcast, where host Shelley Karpaty explores parenting and creativity as a spiritual path. The podcast is a little oasis, a place to come home to your heart, your creativity, and your spirit, not just as a mom, dad, partner, or professional, but as a whole human being. It acts as a reminder that joy, curiosity, and creativity are the antidotes to chaos and fear. Shelley and Nina discuss what Bhakti and loving awareness is, along with what it means to embrace parenting as a spiritual path, including wisdom from Sri Siddhi Ma on what the role of a parent entails.

You can read more about Shelley’s experiences and listen to the full podcast on the Spicy Soul Mama Substack.

Sita's Gems: Reclaiming Sita's Voice from the Shadows

Sita, the heroine of the Hindu epic Ramayana and a divine feminine avatar of Lakshmi, is often misunderstood. She is praised for her patience, remembered for her suffering, but rarely honored for her sovereign choices, her hidden fire, her radical return to Self.

In this extraordinary episode, Acharya Shunya brings together the creators of Sitayana—a groundbreaking audio retelling of the Ramayana through Sita's eyes. Together with producer Michael Sternfeld, devotional artist Nina Rao, mystic Mirabai Starr, and author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, she explores exile, dharma, silence, devotion, and the moment when Sita says no… and returns to the Earth. Includes a stirring passage from "Sita Returns to Mother Earth" and a devotional song offered by Nina Rao to invoke her presence through sacred sound.

Listen on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Listen Notes

Nourishing the Divine Feminine Within | Awakening in Prison Podcast

Listen Here

Together with Susan Shannon, M. Div., BCC, Nina Rao discusses the power of devotional music and spirituality in nurturing the Divine Feminine. She reveals how her practices cultivate connection, presence, and inner peace.

The Awakening in Prison Podcast series currently lives on Edovo, making this content accessible to any incarcerated individual with access to this digital platform free of charge. This is a part of a series that specifically supports women in prison.

The Buddhist Prison Ministry provides the prison population with transformative tools and wisdom from the Buddhist tradition. Buddhist Prison Ministry operates almost exclusively on the incredible generosity of it’s growing team of volunteers.

Hari Ka Das Podcast | Episode 2 | Nina Rao: The Woman Who Anchored Krishna Das

Everyone knows Krishna Das, the voice of devotion, the sound of Bhakti that has carried millions back to their hearts. But very few know the woman who held that journey together with grace, love, and silent strength.This is the story of Nina Rao. In this conversation with Hari Ka Das, Nina ji opens up about:

• Her first visit to Kaichi Dham

• The moment she felt Maharajji’s presence

• How her life transformed alongside Krishna Das

• Why Bhakti is felt, not performed

• And what it means to serve without needing to be seen

• How Bhakti can heal depression

Some journeys are not loud. Some devotion does not sing. Some love holds everything in place quietly. This episode is that reminder. 🎧 If your heart is seeking something… watch this.

Connect & Follow:

Instagram → @harikadasofficial

YouTube → @harikadasofficial

Winning with a compelling voice, compassion, and clarity: Nina Rao chants KatzJustice.com

Winning with a compelling voice, compassion, and clarity. [En]chanter -- and more -- Nina Rao joins Fairfax Criminal Lawyer / Virginia DUI Attorney Jonathan L. Katz in addressing giving voice to ourselves, finding calm in the eye of the storm, and tackling adversity.

Jon Katz pursues your best defense against felony, misdemeanor, DUI, drug & sex prosecutions. Defending in Fairfax County, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William & Beyond. This episode is also available in audio podcast format at https://podcast.beattheprosecution.co... , including Apple podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Call 703-383-1100 for a free in-person consultation with Jon Katz about your court-pending criminal case. KatzJustice.com

Integral Yoga Podcast | The Power of Spiritual Practice: Nina Rao on Chanting, Gurus, and Everyday Enlightenment

Join Nina Rao, acclaimed kirtan artist and devotee in the lineage of Neem Karoli Baba, in this heartfelt conversation with host Avi Gordon at Yogaville. Nina shares her journey from cultural rituals in India to discovering the depth of sadhana (spiritual practice) in New York through yoga, Krishna Das, and her guru Sri Siddhi Ma. Explore how consistent practice—through chanting, prayer, and mindfulness—fosters unconditional love, equanimity, and compassion in daily life. Topics include integrating practice into parenting, overcoming negativity, and remembering our interconnectedness.

Nina Rao first learned sacred chants as a young girl from her grandfather in south India, and the chants stayed quietly with her until she rediscovered this powerful practice with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. Since then she has been KD’s business manager and accompanies him musically. In 1998 she met her guru, Sri Siddhi Ma, in the foothills of the Himalayas and spent time with her regularly for 19 years, while Ma was in the body. Nina has been chanting regularly as her main practice, has recorded albums that are widely streamed and played around the world, leads chant events, studies and shares Veda chanting and, spiritual texts, is a hospice volunteer, is a podcast host for Be Here Now Network, goes on yatra/pilgrimage, and is a wildlife conservationist as chairperson for Saving Wild Tigers, and hopes that everyone will make a Homegrown National Park in their home by planting native species. Along with the 21 Taras Collective she has released a new album of 7 mantras in 2025. Nina co-hosted and released along with 10 women wisdom leaders, the audio course and program “Sita’s Gems”, lifting Sita Devi from victim to heroine of the Ramayana.

My Legacy Podcast: Krishna Das and Nina Rao | From Rock & Roll to Sacred Sound

From rock ’n’ roll dreams to sacred sound, Krishna Das’s story is one of redemption and renewal. Known as the “chant master of American yoga,” KD has touched millions through kirtan—a practice of music, devotion, and letting go. 

Joined by his longtime collaborator Nina Rao, he sits down with hosts Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Marc Kielburger, and Craig Kielburger to share how music, devotion, and service became the foundation of his life. 

Together, they reveal how: 

  • Letting go is a daily practice that builds real strength 

  • Music can transform pain into connection 

  • Service and love are inseparable 

Bonus Drop: A Krishna Das Sacred Sound Performance

Whether this is your first time hearing kirtan or you’ve been chanting for years, let this offering be a moment of stillness, healing, and renewal.

Subscribe to the My Legacy Podcast now to catch new episodes every Tuesday and bonus content every Thursday. And watch full episodes on YouTube every Wednesday.