Newly married Aksh and Gopika attend a Grihastha Vision Team Retreat in 2015.

Inspired by Krishnanandni Devi Dasi,* foundress of the Grihastha Vision Team (GVT), a young devotee couple, Aksh and Gopika Sharma, have launched Better Together – A Vaisnava Family Podcast. The new offering provides a much-needed platform for discussing marriage and family life within Krishna consciousness and aims to create a space for devotees to explore the realities of the grihastha ashram, weaving together insights based on personal experiences, modern research, and Bhakti wisdom.

A Journey Rooted in Growth and Faith

Aksh and Gopika’s story is one of learning and transformation. Although both were born into Krishna-conscious families, their faith was not always steady. In their youth, they faced a period of questioning, where they grappled with doubts about their spiritual path and their place within the devotee community. At times, they felt disconnected from Krishna consciousness, unsure of how it would fit into their evolving identities.

It was during this time that they turned to outreach programs on university campuses, sharing Krishna consciousness with others. Ironically, when speaking about bhakti to others, they found themselves rediscovering it. “When you’re explaining something to someone else, you have to think about it deeply yourself,” Aksh shares. “It forced us to confront our own beliefs, and in doing so, we found our faith again.”

Through these interactions, they realized that Krishna consciousness was not just a philosophy they had inherited—it was a vibrant, living experience that needed to be practiced and shared.

As they grew spiritually, they realized the importance of the grihastha ashram as a service to Krishna, yet they entered marriage with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Like many devotees entering married life, they had expectations about what the grihastha ashram would be like. However, attending a Grihastha Vision Team retreat offered them a profound shift in perspective. Surrounded by experienced couples who had dedicated their lives to strengthening devotee marriages, they witnessed the depth of commitment required to make a Krishna-conscious partnership work.”Watching senior devotees who have been married 25, 30, or 40 years openly work through real-time issues was so striking. It showed me that challenges never stop, but how you navigate them can improve,” Gopika reflected. They deeply appreciate the efforts of the GVT in fostering an environment where devotee couples can learn, grow, and fortify their relationships in Krishna consciousness.

Their personal experiences—both the joyful and the difficult—became the foundation for the conversations they now share through their podcast. Rather than presenting themselves as an ideal couple, they have been refreshingly transparent about the ups and downs of married life, offering an honest perspective that resonates deeply with listeners. “People sometimes think we’re this perfect couple doing so many things, but we have disagreements daily. Our life is incredibly messy,” Gopika admits.

One particularly difficult moment came early in their marriage when balancing spiritual life, careers, and family responsibilities felt overwhelming. “We had to learn how to communicate differently. Instead of trying to win arguments, we had to start listening with the intention of understanding each other,” Aksh shared. Moments like these have shaped the wisdom they now share on Better Together.

The Birth of Better Together

The idea for Better Together emerged organically from late-night conversations between Aksh and Gopika, held after their kids had gone to bed. In those quiet hours, they would share reflections, discuss research they were encountering, and connect their family experiences to bhakti. Initially, these intimate conversations were simply kept as family keepsakes. Still, encouragement from fellow devotees and a heartfelt request from the late Krishnanandini to be more involved in this subject matter inspired them to take the risk. Recognizing a significant gap in structured, devotee-centered content about marriage and family dynamics, they decided to record and share their insights with the broader community. Their commitment, validated by both the GVT and the devotee community, encouraged them to take the plunge and bring this project to life.

The podcast offers a mix of structured topics and real-time reflections on their ongoing experiences. “The podcast is a lot of us reflecting on what is currently happening in our lives. We might plan some topics, but the most engaging episodes are those that are actively on our minds,” Aksh explained.

Creating a Space for Vulnerability and Strength

One of the core themes of Better Together is the power of vulnerability in marriage. Aksh and Gopika emphasize that being open about struggles does not make a relationship weak; rather, it strengthens the bond between partners.

“Sometimes, people hold themselves back from being vulnerable because it’s like a fear of feeling weak… but I feel like there’s actually so much strength in vulnerability,” Gopika shares. Their willingness to discuss difficult topics—communication struggles, differences in expectations, and the demands of family life—has resonated with listeners who are often navigating similar challenges.

Through personal anecdotes, they also highlight the importance of having a support system. “Marriage and raising a family require real community. Having that one person you can be truly honest with about what’s going on is life-saving,” Gopika emphasizes. By fostering open dialogue, they are helping devotees move beyond idealized notions of grihastha life and embrace its realities with faith and resilience.

Listener feedback has played a crucial role in shaping their direction. For instance, they received an email from a second-generation devotee in her late 20s from India who, while not married herself, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative and later found the podcast episodes resonating with her journey in rediscovering bhakti. Others have also expressed gratitude for the honest and relatable conversations, reinforcing the need for this platform to address the nuanced challenges of integrating Krishna consciousness into everyday life.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Better Together

As their family grows, so does their vision for the podcast. They recognize that the evolving nature of their own experiences will continue to shape their discussions. “It’s hard to predict what’s coming because our children are growing, and their different phases introduce new discussions for us,” Aksh shared.

In upcoming episodes, they plan to continue discussing topics that naturally arise from their evolving experience as a family. As their children grow and new challenges emerge, they remain focused on exploring issues that are deeply relevant to their daily lives and spiritual journey. They aim to keep the conversation fresh and grounded in the reality of being a Krishna-conscious family while also considering listener feedback on topics that resonate with the devotee community.

Rather than trying to control the direction of the project, they have chosen to surrender to Krishna’s will. “We’re open to Krishna’s plan as to where this project goes. Maybe it grows, maybe it turns into something else. We’re okay with just seeing how it evolves,” Gopika said. This organic approach has allowed Better Together to remain authentic and deeply relevant to its audience.

A Lasting Impact on the Devotee Community

After listening to their authentic, surrendered enthusiasm and witnessing their deep commitment to Krishna consciousness, one can clearly see why Mother Krishnanandini had placed such unwavering faith in them and encouraged their active involvement in the community.

Through their honesty, wisdom, and faith, Aksh and Gopika are not only strengthening their own marriage but also offering a thread of support for countless others navigating the same path. In a world where relationships frequently face unrealistic expectations, Better Together emphasizes the significance of openhearted devotion, perseverance, and trust in a higher plan, offered by Krishna.

Devotees and readers can find Better Together – A Vaisnava Family Podcast on major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. You can also watch on YouTube and follow related discussions on their Instagram. Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts, suggest topics, and become part of the growing conversation around the grihastha life experience.  To discover more about the Grihastha Vision Team, please visit their website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channel. 

*Krishnanandini had a dream that she was in a class given by Srila Prabhupada, in which he firmly stated that the householders needed assistance and said, ‘I want you to help.’ She turned around to see who Prabhupada was speaking to, and as she turned back to face him, she realized that he was directly looking at her. Not being married at that time, she was shocked but never forgot the dream. Time passed, she got married, had a beautiful family, and by will of providence, the Grihastha Vision Team was formed. Many acknowledge the website as the go-to resource for everything Grihastha – shared by Partha Dasa and Uttama Dasi, co-founders of the GVT.