• NYMM 17: The Invincible Baby: Krishna Chronicles 2
    Oct 28 2024

    We welcome our good friend Kale Lepak to tell Krishna baby stories.

    Krishna baby deals with demon, after demon, after demon,- with each one being vastly different from the others.
    We tell the story of 2 of Vishu's different avatars/forms in Hindu Mythology-
    Kurma the turtle and Matsya the Fish- and we can't help but notice the parallels to Jesus Christ and expert ark maker, Noah.

    S.P. Jayaraj is the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. The Mahabharata and other global mythology inspires him in all his projects.
    spjayaraj.com

    Kale Lepak is a lifelong learner passionate about understanding people. His career in research, insights, and strategy helps organizations make human-centered decisions. He enjoys traveling, cooking and sour gummy worms.

    Kale Lepak supports Youth Farm.

    Youth Farm
    is a multi-faceted youth development organization, engaging hundreds of youth each year in leadership training, farm and food classes, and community events. Through growing, harvesting, and distributing fresh, local produce in their own neighborhoods, young people are making tangible impacts while also preparing for success on whichever path they choose.
    www.youthfarmmn.org

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/nymmpodcast
    You will also get access to Bonus content

    Let us know what you think the comment section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-17

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd #culture #education #society


    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • NYMM 16: The Dark One's Lineage: Krishna Chronicles 1
    Oct 14 2024

    Satish decides that before continuing forward, we should venture back to explore the origin of the enigmatic lord Krishna. Drew Kellum Johnson joins us to discover the origin of the Yadavas. Starting off with two besties who have a falling out after wearing each other's clothes, followed by a king cursed with old age unless he can convince one of his sons to take the curse from him, and finally the prophesy of a heroic birth sends a damaged king on a tailspin of murder and madness.

    Let us know what you think the comment section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-16

    Drew Kellum Johnson (often stylized Drew d'Lakes) is a multi-instrumental songwriter, producer, and performer who captures musical ideas through a whimsical lens. Although he plays bass in Kym and the Kick and cello in Balung Getih (pronounced: Bah-lung Geht-tee), his primary focus is on his indie glam pop band, d'Lakes. Having just celebrated the release of their second album, d'Lakes has been performing in festivals, touring the midwest, and preparing the release of their second Halloween EP featuring spookified remixes of their summery upbeat pop songs (Hell Is A Blaring Library is out Friday, October 25th)..

    https://www.instagram.com/drewdlakes/

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and Mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/nymmpodcast

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd #culture #education #society

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • NYMM 15: The Fire Born Woman Burning Every Man's Loins. Featuring Draupadi, Kunti, and the Pandavas.
    Aug 18 2024

    Today we were happy to have two guests with us! Mystery author Mindy Mejia and our other good friend, clay artist and yoga teacher Jenna Jo Bodling!
    Satish really wanted an extra lady at the podcast table to introduce everyone to Draupadi, the dark skinned beauty that every king, prince, warrior and teenage boy wants for themselves - How will the pandavas resolve their desire for one woman?
    Before we get to that, Satish tells the story of Arjuna's hot headed encounter with an elf and how that encounter probably helps the Pandavas keep their cool when facing the enemies who tried to kill them.
    It's a laugh filled culture challenging season finale to Not Your Mother's Mahabharata.

    Let us know in the comment section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-14/

    Mindy Mejia is a best selling Mystery Author. Her lates book, a World of Hurt is the latest in her Iowa Mystery Series.

    Jenna Jo Bodling is a clay artist, yoga instructor and happy mother to two girls, three cats and a do.

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and Mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/spjayaraj

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd #Bheem #Draupadi

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • NYMM 14: Demons, Demons, Demons. Featuring Bheem, Hidimba, Ghatotkacha and Baka.
    Aug 5 2024

    Today we welcome our dear friend Andy Blissenbach and tell him all about Bheem's killing, mating, and fathering of demons- It's a wild ride!

    Satish comes in making parallels between Andy and Bheema - He is particularly happy to introduce him to the powerhouse Pandava, Azure and Andy set each other off on the literal naming of characters in the epic, and we scratch the surface of some of the dietary wisdom within the Mahabharat.


    Which demon fascinated you the most?​
    Let us know in the comment section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-13/

    Andy Blissenbach is a father, a teacher, an elementary school soccer coach, a writer and mythologist, and an all around entertaining guy.

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and Mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/spjayaraj

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd #Bheem #Rhakshasa

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • NYMM 13: The Roof, the Walls, the Floor- It's all on fire! Featuring the House of Lac.
    Jul 22 2024

    Today we welcome our new friend Lindsay Shimizu and tell her the infamous story of the house of lac - the story that creates the first great divide between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. References to game of thrones, modern politics, and other geekdoms galore as we laugh through an otherwise pretty horrific murder plot. 😬 Azure and Lindsay wonder about the indoor plumbing situation of a tinder box mansion, and Satish struggles to stay on topic when Lindsay reveals she's seen one of his favorite Bollywood movies.

    What did you think of our heroes sacrificing the Nishada family?​
    Let us know in the comment section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-12/

    Lindsay Shimizu is a host of the Saint Paul chapter of Nerd Nite by night and a software engineer for a hospital on the west coast by day.

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/spjayaraj

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd #HouseofLac

    Have an imaginative day.

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • NYMM 12: A Couple Queer Origins. Featuring Chandra, Budh and Urvasi.
    Jul 8 2024

    Today we are excited to welcome our old friend Kari Kusek to the show. Kari and Azure are taken on a surprise trip back to some of the earliest Mahabharata stories that precede where we started on episode 1.
    We explore 3 (of the many) examples of queerness in Hindu Mythology. Also featuring the moon, some tree spirits, and suddenly having boobs.

    What was your favorite Gender twist in this episode?
    Let us know in the comment section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-0-5/

    Kari Kusek is our first out of state guest, coming all the way from Denver, Colorado where she is a middle school S.A.C. (School Assessment Coordinator) & Dean. She is also the mother of 2 teenagers and married to a delightful dude.

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/spjayaraj

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd #QUEERSTORIES

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    51 mins
  • NYMM 11: ‘Why are Teenagers Warring with my Kingdom?’ Featuring the Pandavas and Drupada.
    Jun 24 2024

    Aaron Bodling joins us to hear the story of Drupada as he is attacked by the Kuru clan.

    Drupada is a good king who has ruled by the wisdom he has gained from his guru, so he has no idea why a bunch of teenagers are leading an army against him. Aaron and Azure love the flashback and different version of Drupada's daughter/son Shikhandi. Satish is thrilled to rediscover Drupada's importance in the Mahabharata, and foreshadows galore with the new characters introduced at the end.

    Which of Drupada's three children are you most invested in? Shikhandi, Drishtadyumna, or Draupadi? Answer in the comments section of the episode page.
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-11/

    Aaron Bodling is a nurse and animal love in Saint Paul, MN. He and his family are proud supporters of Underdog Rescue

    Underdog Rescue

    Underdog Rescue, MN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, foster-based, rescue group dedicated to the rehabilitation and permanent placement of homeless dogs and cats of all ages and all breeds. We believe that all animals deserve caring, responsible homes and if there is one common bond between them and their foster volunteers, it is this:

    We are genuinely moved by each of the amazing animals who come into our care and we believe we are their advocates.

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/spjayaraj

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    53 mins
  • NYMM 10: My Arrows are Bigger than Your Arrows. Featuring Arjuna and Karna.
    Jun 10 2024

    We welcome Shanan Custer to tell her the story of the exhibition.
    Drona wants to show off all he has taught his students, to bring unity to the Kuru clan and dazzle everyone with Arjuna's unparalleled skill. It doesn't go well. ☹️ Shannan expects the grudge match between Bheem and Duryhodana to be what ruins everything. Azure has specific questions on who did all the arranging. No one was expecting this character to return and level up the boyish taunting.

    Who do you think would have won if the contest between Arjuna and Karna went forth? Let us know in the comments section of the episode page
    https://spjayaraj.com/nymm-10/

    Shannan Custer is an actor, improviser, writer, director, and educator based in the Twin Cities. She is a veteran of the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis.

    Shanan is performing in "Rock of Ages" with Unlabeled Theatre Company this July 11th to the 14th.

    Unlabeled Theatre Company employs and educates artists and actors with disabilities. Their model is to connect these artists with shadow partners, of which Shanan is one, in order to create a fully accessible creative environment.
    www.unlabeledtheatre.org

    S.P. Jayaraj is a mythology and mahabharata fanatic and the creator of the mythic world of Adijari that is the setting of his two novels, The Secret of the Zipacna Dragons and Legacy of the Crow. He is also a Creative Life Coach through his business Imagination Life Coaching. He draws inspiration from global mythology.

    spjayaraj.com

    Azure Anderson-Jayaraj is a musician, a maker, a cat mom, an arts administrator and now a podcast editor.

    Support the podcast and join the NYMM community on Patreon.com/spjayaraj

    #Mahabharata #ComedyMeetsCulture #Comedystorytelling #IndianMythology #MahabharataRetold #MythologyNerd

    Have an imaginative day.


    Artwork and music by Azure Anderson

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    1 hr and 27 mins