ChaiTimeRadio

About ChaiTimeRadio

ChaiTime Radio is a weekly Stanford-based radio show celebrating global arts, literature, music, film, and culture. With more than 2.13 million streams across 100+ countries, the program reaches a worldwide audience through KZSU, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and SoundCloud. Over the years, ChaiTime has featured an extraordinary range of artists, thought leaders, musicians, authors, social reformers, and academics, including Begum Parveen Sultana, Javed Akhtar, Padma Shri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya, Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Anna Hazare, Suresh Wadkar, Kailash Kher, Mahesh Kale, Shaan, Rajdeep Sardesai, and numerous distinguished scholars from Stanford University and the University of California system. Pranjali Sirasao is a researcher, educator, linguist, and media producer whose work bridges language, culture, technology, and community engagement. She has held faculty appointments at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis, and has contributed to language and AI technologies at Google and Apple. Pranjali is the Founder and President of ChaiTime Media, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to cultural storytelling and community connection. She also serves as Co-Organizer of Kavya Connection in San Francisco and as a Board Member of the Ethnic Arts Foundation, USA, while volunteering with the Sankara Eye Foundation and Omkar Trust. Since 2012, she has been the producer, host, and creative force behind ChaiTime Radio, documenting and amplifying diverse voices, traditions, and artistic journeys from around the world.

Publisher

Chai Time Radio

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 May 2013

Latest episode

18 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

139 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Aug 2026

   ChaiTime with Shri Ashok Deshmane: The Snehwan Story

   A special conversation on Chai Time with Ashok Deshmane, founder of Snehwan, whose remarkable journey began in a farming family in rural Maharashtra. After overcoming challenges in his own education and building a successful career as a software engineer, Ashok chose a very different path. In 2015, he founded Snehwan with just 18 children, creating a home for children from distressed farming and underprivileged families. Today, Snehwan is home to 180 children, providing them with food, shelter and quality education, along with the care, opportunities and support they need to build their futures. In this conversation, we talk about Ashok’s personal journey, the experiences that led him to leave a secure career, the early days of Snehwan, the people who stood beside him, and the children and stories that continue to shape this extraordinary journey. A simple idea that began with 18 children has grown into what its name beautifully describes—Snehwan, “a forest of love.” To learn more about Snehwan, its work, volunteering or supporting its initiatives: Website: www.snehwan.in

2. 

   8 May 2026

   ChaiTime with Priyal Maheshwari: Music, Poetry and Inner Seeking

   In this special episode of ChaiTime on KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM, Pranjali speaks with poet, musician, and yoga teacher Priyal Maheshwari about his remarkable journey from IIT Kharagpur and the world of technology to music, spirituality, and self discovery. Rooted in the traditions of Kabir, Ghalib, and Mir, the conversation moves through bhakti, shayari, love, longing, philosophy, and inner transformation. Guided by the teachings of Padma Shri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya Ji, Priyal reflects on music as both a personal and collective experience. With live tanpura and guitar in the studio, the episode unfolds like an intimate mehfil of reflection and song.

3. 

   20 Apr 2026

   ChaiTime with Ben Kramarz: Sacred Music, Community, and Earth Day Celebration

   This week on ChaiTime at KZSU Stanford 90.1 FM, I had the pleasure of hosting Ben Kramarz, a Berkeley-based songleader, music educator, author, and founder of the Sacred Music Fellowship. Ben is devoted to creating immersive musical experiences and building communities through the shared power of song. We spoke about his upcoming Earth Day gathering, the beauty of participatory music in nature, and how voices raised together can create connection, healing, and a sense of belonging. Our conversation also explored sacred sound traditions from around the world and the role music can play in uncertain times. A thoughtful and uplifting episode filled with insight, warmth, and soul. Hope you will like it. For more information on Ben and the Earth Day celebration (Sacred music fellowship), please visit: https://www.benkramarz.com https://sacredmusicfellowship.org

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

65

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact ChaiTimeRadio

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.