Manu Das at the podcast studio. Image courtesy of Newstalk.

Recently, ISKCON Dublin was invited onto a popular Newstalk podcast thanks to a growing interest in the Hare Krishna movement in Ireland. The Newstalk team, aiming to explore religious diversity, welcomed ISKCON Dublin’s President Manu Das for a wide-ranging discussion exploring topics ranging from Bhakti Yoga to vegetarianism.

ISKCON News reached out to Krsna Abhishek Das, Communications Manager for ISKCON Dublin, to learn more.

ISKCON News (IN): How did this opportunity materialize?

Krsna Abhishek Das (KAD): ISKCON Dublin’s invitation to the Newstalk podcast was sparked by an earlier interview with Q102’s “Dublin Talking” back in January. That discussion generated significant media attention around ISKCON and the Hare Krishna way of life, prompting journalists and editors at Newstalk to explore the movement further. As part of their broader effort to engage with various religious groups across Ireland, Newstalk reached out to our Temple President, Manu Das, inviting him to share insights for their show on the topic line: Religion in Ireland: Hare Krishna. This opportunity allowed for a deeper discussion on ISKCON’s presence in Ireland, its teachings, and the role it plays in fostering spiritual consciousness.

IN: What kinds of things were discussed in the interview?

KAD: Manu Das engaged in a meaningful conversation about ISKCON’s core principles, such as Bhakti Yoga, the significance of the Mahamantra, and the philosophy of simple living and higher thinking. He explained the distinctions between material and spiritual energy, highlighting how ISKCON promotes a disciplined lifestyle rooted in vegetarianism, non-violence, and self-purification. The discussion also touched on the community’s social impact, including temple activities, outreach programs, and the growing number of people joining the movement in Ireland. With around 2,000 to 3,000 members and a strong turnout of 200-300 people at Sunday gatherings, the podcast provided a platform to showcase ISKCON Dublin’s spiritual and cultural contributions.

Podcast host Andrea Gilligan. Image courtesy of Newstalk.

IN: That’s amazing. What a great platform to explore all those topics. What was Manu Das’s experience on the podcast?

KAD: In a post podcast conversation, Manu Das shared that his overall experience of interacting with the media persons at Newstalk was promising. The hosts displayed genuine curiosity about ISKCON philosophy and weekly programs. Considering that the discussion was not just about theology in general but rather specifically towards practical aspects of living a Hare Krishna lifestyle in modern society, made him more optimistic about ISKCON’s future in Dublin. Topics like the meaning of the tilak marking, the impact of chanting the holy names, and the importance of living a life of goodness were each addressed as some of the most common questions of the mass audience.

While talking one-on-one with Manu Das, the host, Andrea Gilligan, mentioned that she had heard about the buzz of “Harinam Sankirtan” in December 2024. This is a ripple effect of our comprehensive Prabhupada’s book distribution marathon, which we did and still do every Saturday afternoon in the city center near O’Connell Street. In response, the Dublin people want to know more about the Hare Krishnas. The podcast served as a bridge, bringing greater awareness to ISKCON’s mission in Ireland and fostering a dialogue between the Hare Krishna community and the wider public.

Readers can here the full podcast episode here or here. To discover more about ISKCON Dublin’s outreach initiatives please visit their website, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.