Chai with Rai

If this isn’t the most Musical episode then I don’t know what is! I would like to set a challenge of counting how many impromptu singing moments there are in the episode and the correct answer gets a £10 Nando’s Gift Card ;).  Such a joy discussing acting, music and entrepreneurship with Actor & Musician Kush Khanna.  Topics Breakdown:  Discussing Projects such as  - Lime Green/ Boogieman/ Temple/ Patiala House Prep work for each of those films and to get into that space. Short films vs the big budget project that were Patiala and Boogieman.  What was a challenge and a joy of working on those projects? How did Dirty Kit come about and Fashion as an extension.  Barry’s - Director of fun? Explain that role and how it progressed and how its been a constant in your life now whilst you balance music and acting.  Culture around Boutique fitness studios has changed so much how do you in marketing manage to make it still a household name? Sustainable ever since Covid.  Rapid Response Questions:  A tip on being financial savvy? Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input  A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it?  Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it? A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time? Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on? A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ? Words to your mirror self today? 3 things the creative culture could do with and or without? 3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase ”What the Chai?” Joyfulness- What’s one thing that makes Jordi joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful.  Notes: Artists/ organisations mentioned in the episode are: Chappel Roan, Sigrid and The Last Dinner Party.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest : https://www.instagram.com/kushting/?hl=en , https://twitter.com/kushting & https://www.youtube.com/user/Ankushion  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786050/ & https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VP9UNwEr1CtudkjirEU9s?si=uXxaE49RQ6KoBS-vSQMRSQ  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

I love a giddy chat and this was that!  Firstly, this episode is also available as Video so check that out now on Spotify and Youtube. Secondly, this is going to be a 2-parted episode because we had too much to talk about.  Soooooo- Enjoy part 1 with the beaut Actor and Musician Kush Khanna. Discussing all things music, family, friendships, spirituality and more.  Topics Breakdown:  Can you Improv Tho?-  x4 Quick Questions set to specific timers. Referencing Kush’s ”Imposter syndrome” mentioned in previous episodes and where that stems from? The duality of Kush’s exuberance with his music.  First moment you were exposed to that made you go ”Music is me”. And a song or moment around music, that you have shared with your your Mum and Dad.  Being an Indie artist and the journey of that? Sustainability and marketing? Distribution?  Song’s you have done for all your projects. Relationship with music today and what the medium has taught you vs what you have learnt from it? The connection to self and spirituality.  Process to songwriting and Kush’s style of music.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest : https://www.instagram.com/kushting/?hl=en , https://twitter.com/kushting & https://www.youtube.com/user/Ankushion  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3786050/ & https://open.spotify.com/artist/3VP9UNwEr1CtudkjirEU9s?si=uXxaE49RQ6KoBS-vSQMRSQ  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Firstly, I am on a hunt for a new Chai recipe so erm please can you slide into the DM’s and let me know of any new recipe’s and flavours to try.  Secondly! What a joy to get to talk with the cast & crew from the play ”Permission” at The Space in London. We discussed all things representation, ACE Funding, reflections on the play and its content but also the approach to writing and acting - as well team work.  A lot of nuggets in this one and a massive thank you to Hunia Chawla, Anisa Butt and Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar.  Topics Breakdown:  Can you Improv tho (Warm up games set to short timers).  How was the process? How you feel that its over? What is th next life for the project? Discussing what changed from its first moment at Camdens People Theatre to the last iteration at The Space?  Handling the conversation in the room and balance of roles/ voice.  Discussing the feminine voice of the piece.  Thoughts or advice on collating a team for projects that are close to the creatives experience.  ACE Funding and market strategies.  Getting into the world of the play. A tip on being financial savvy? Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input.  A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it?  Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it? A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time? Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on? A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ? Words to your mirror self today? A thing the creative culture could do with and or without? An artist you really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work ? What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase ”What the Chai?” Joyfulness- What’s one thing that makes Jordi joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful.  3 words ( one word for each of the questions asked) A word an artist should be, A word to describe what an artist should never compromise on and  a feeling an artist should impart on someone always.  Note: Artists mentioned in this episode are: Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, Michaela Coel and Frankie Thompson.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest : https://www.instagram.com/honeyjamn/ , https://www.instagram.com/anisaaniiam/ & https://www.instagram.com/rea_mm/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/honeyjam , https://linktr.ee/rea_mm & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3442808/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Such a bold and beautiful chat with Director, Producer and Artist Jordi. M Carter on how culture and the industry shapes us. How we are working to find our identity and placement, how we can be in service to art and the artists.  Topics Breakdown:  When was the most euphoric or happiest you were in your job? Walk away Lessons learnt from the following: Young Vic Associates , Theatre Peckham Young and Boundless and how did opportunities in those spaces come to be?  What about theatre and the arts excited you to be working in this industry ?  Black Performance lab- Spirituality, culture, heritage work and facilitating that to non-black creatives/ Transparent conversations around programming, better script work or craft work from directors, writer to actors and do you voice that?  What your DYCP is about and finding on it ? And what is DYCP why it’s so competitive now and also a great opportunity for UK creatives ?  Challenges and joys of decolonising work in theatre and creating your own space.  Rapid Response Questions:  A tip on being financial savvy? Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input  A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it?  Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it? A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time? Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on? A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ? Words to your mirror self today? 3 things the creative culture could do with and or without? 3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work? What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase ”What the Chai?” Joyfulness- What’s one thing that makes Jordi joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful.  Notes: Artists/ organisations mentioned in the episode are: Ntozake Shange, Lanre Malaolu, Benedict Lombe .  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest : https://www.instagram.com/jordimcarter/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://salamander-sprout-59c2.squarespace.com/bio & https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/11771  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

The Final part with Gurkiran Kaur as we discuss Kundalini Yoga, South Asian work in UK theatre, voice and dialect coaching andddd of course GAMES! Topics Breakdown: Approach and pathway into Gurkiran’s Voice/ Dialect Coaching. How does your practice challenge or Better you work as an actor? And do you feel like you have a balance of it sometimes? Even from a sustainable perspective?  Transparent conversations around programming, better script work or craft work from directors, writer to actors and do you voice that?  Rapid Response Questions:  A tip on being financial savvy? Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input  A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it?  Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it? A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time? Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on? A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told ? Words to your mirror self today? 3 things the creative culture could do with and or without? 3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work ? Your thoughts on the entertainment culture or theatre culture in general and a thing you would challenge the industry on? Sippa Chai or Play with Rai- Segmented Games Round. What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase ”What the Chai?” Joyfulness- What’s one thing that makes Zachary joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful.  Notes:  Artists/Organisations mentioned: Bush Theatre, Milli Bhatia and Lung Theatre.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest : https://www.instagram.com/gurkirank/ & https://x.com/gurkirank?lang=en-GB  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.gurkirankaur.com/ & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5019164/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This is going to be a two-parted episode as we had so much to talk on from voice coaching to the culture of British South Asian Theatre and more! Such a joy to speak with actor and Voice/Dialect Coach Gurkiran Kaur .  Topics Breakdown: Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings.  How did she get into acting and where did that passion stem from? Difference mentally, financially and experience wise from first acting gig to most recent? The pivoting into Voice/Dialect coaching. Finding placement in a project as an actor and as a coach.  How the process of voice/dialect coach works on a production.  How do you feel productions could better utilise the work that you do or pay more attention to it. Whether that is from directors or Writers or producers? To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest : https://www.instagram.com/gurkirank/ & https://x.com/gurkirank?lang=en-GB  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.gurkirankaur.com/ & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5019164/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

It all went down in the underworld! From discussing spirituality, placement of your craft as an artist, career trajectory, mindset of being a creative. To the love for the exquisite premium vanilla that is Taylor Swift and everything in between. T’was a joy to share a cuppa with the exuberant soul that is Zachary James.  Topics Breakdown:  Can you Improv though-Warm up games set to 4 timing settings.  Hadestown-  Where do you find the heart/ the empathy point? How do you approach when creating the world of the play and the world of your role and what becomes your boundary? Discussing the culture and the weight around a transfer of a role especially when you have seen the show. Finding your role and placement within an ensemble cast and how to be generous but also own the space and do the work. How was the sitzprobe? Something about the show you haven’t told anyone yet and a thing that didn’t make it form rehearsals or previews into the show now?  Solo debut show on 15th July,24- How do you curate the show and explore what needs to be explored? You’re producing it too? The premise around your life in opera and theatre? Telling more on that.  3 Projects: Akhnaten, RUSALKA and Philip Glass’s “The Perfect American”- How do you sink your teeth into that world and also make that accessible when it’s a medium very much designed to a specific audience? Also those 3 projects a thing you cherish, a thing you could let go of and a thing you found challenging about it?  How much goes into your mindset about the business of being in this industry or a show? You have discussed with such passion about accessibility ( theatre prices)  and inclusion/ diverse at points. What do you feel the current state holds?  Do you think about trajectory, sustainability and strategy? Especially having hit so many milestones and worked with such high calibre collaborators? Does also the pressure of that weigh or does it seamlessly flow?  Discussing Visitability in status within the industry  and culture of accolades.  Kindness and Strength as an individual- Where it comes from? Stem of it? Rapid Response Questions:  A tip on being financial savvy? A pivotal part in your life that stands out when I ask “ the most fruitful lesson you got gifted” what was it And sharing the message in your life? 3 things the creative culture could do with and or without? Sippa Chai or Play with Rai- Segmented Games Round. What the Chai- 30 second rant about anything and everything however you must start or end your rant with the phrase ”What the Chai?” Joyfulness- What’s one thing that makes Zachary joyful and whats one thing he does for others that makes them feel joyful.  You can purchase tickets to Zachary’s solo show at Crazy Coqs HERE and Hadestown HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest :https://www.instagram.com/theofficialzacharyjames/?hl=en , https://x.com/_zachary_james_?lang=en-GB  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://zacharyjames.komi.io/ & https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3204137/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Chai With Rai (Ep.14)- In Conversation with Eden Pereira . Where we sat and discussed the dance culture in India. How his love for contemporary began and the stereotypes of being a male dancer-- be that from the styles of dances or even just being Asian and expected to dance in Bollywood.  We also discussed training, technique, ballet, Danceworx Performing Academy with Ashley Lobs. How Eden’s approach to choreography and teaching changed during Lockdown. Being a faculty member for The Big Dance Centre and the survival of a dancer in India.  I also had to find out Eden’s inspiration, whose vocabulary he admires as a creative and his approach to choreography. And of course the variations of contemporary dance practiced and showcased in India.  To watch the video: https://youtu.be/gMtZcrhfmYA  IG links:  Myself - https://twitter.com/raimu_itfum  Guest- https://www.instagram.com/edendpereira/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai (Ep.13)- In Conversation with Georgie Bloy as we sat and basically just caught up. Georgie is a great friend of mine and we had to discuss the myths and secrets of fitness and PT. Georgie has a real kind and ethical approach to fitness and it transpires through her. I had to find out where that stems from and how she manages to deal mentally in an industry which constantly judges you from your appearance. Especially being a female.  We also dove deep into the boutique fitness industry and the new age PT’s mindset, the instagram and social media Fitness instructors. Why qualifications and and an access to facilitating fitness programs has become so over saturated.  We also discussed Georgie’s modelling and acting career. How that passion plays into her life today. If she misses the entertainment industry and will she do more projects in that space. We also discussed anxiety and how to develop tools to recognise the triggers. How to deal with constant exterior marketing campaigns that can trigger us. How also being in lockdown was another trigger and challenged Georgie as a freelancer.  To watch the video: https://youtu.be/h7_8WgR7B2A  IG links:  Myself - https://www.instagram.com/raimuitfum/  Guest- https://www.instagram.com/georgiebloy/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai (Ep.12)- In conversation with Gairik Dutta Paul where we sat and discussed the dance culture in India. How Gairik’s career in Dancehall began even though he trained in other styles.  We discussed the IDVP program at Danceworks and the culture of training camps. What privileges you gain from being a faculty member at The Big Dance Centre in India. We also dove deep into survival as a dancer in India. How unions and agencies have an unconventional method and to survive a lot of dancers predominantly end up teaching. How Bollywood can be blessing and a curse.  I had to also find out Gairik’s recovery from his injury which prevented his passion to dance. Breaking down sexualisation of dancehall and how that fits into the dance culture in India. How he choreographs and what style/ vocabulary he mostly identifies his artistic voice with. To watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/xGXmN2Vc6Is  Social Media: Myself: https://twitter.com/raimu_itfum  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/gairikduttapaul/   Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai (Ep.11)- In conversation with Sophia Rabinovitz of Activism Dance Theatre where we discussed how you create art for a dance theatre company that focuses on socialism, historical and political work. How Sophia’s vision has evolved since creating the company? The logistics of setting up a company-- the pro’s and con’s of it. We also discussed the dance space in New Orleans. How Sophia now owns a dance studio in NOLA and what the focus of the space is. We also discussed how she will be working with detention centres more. And of course the vision for its future. We discussed her stance on feminism and how she her views reflect not only her ethical & political stances but also her as a person... as an artistè.   We also discussed Sophia’s fitness and mental health journey. Being in a blended family and an interracial relationship. Lastly, knowing Sophia -- I had to get her take on the digital space and if she feels better about utilising it as a marketing tool for her brand.  To watch the full video: https://youtu.be/jaRT5jbnKwc  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/   Guest: https://www.instagram.com/msmindfulmuscles/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Guest: https://www.artivismdance.com  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai (Ep.10)- In conversation with Chloe Laureyns where we discussed everything Fitness. From working in a fitness boutique studio to the mass gyms out there. We discussed the myths that surround fitness and how that affects our relationship to our bodies.  Chloe also spoke very openly about mental health issues she struggles with. And how she manages that relationship with herself and her spirituality. The anxiety that is triggered and how to recognise that it is time to step away. We also discussed how the use of Digital media can affect us and how to utilise it but safeguard yourself. To be transparent but motivating.  To watch the full video: https://youtu.be/R9JlWiBBsbk  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/   Guest: https://www.instagram.com/bodiesbychloe/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai- In Conversation with Saran Kohli where we sat and discussed everything fashion, his passion for Vitiligo, Dance, Life Lessons and so much more.  To watch the full video:  https://youtu.be/on1PGOzHUi8  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/sarankohli/  Links:  Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Guest: https://www.sarankohli.com  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai (Ep.8)- In Conversation with Mandeep Virk Randhawa where we sat and discussed all things Dance with MVR. How she created a platform out of pure love and missing out on the opportunity to share the love of Bhangra and Giddha.  I also wanted to dive in how often when describing Bhanrgra the community fails to mention that it originates both from India and Pakistan. Rather than just Punjab in India.  We dove into the how Bhangra, Giddha and Boliyan are often boxed as Bollywood and the misrepresentation of it. We talked of the new age way of learning and teaching. What the folk styles mean to her and her close relationship to it.  We also discussed her work with of course PBN, Gary Sandhu and more. Her work with Phulkaria Girls and Tohr PD. Also, you have to check out the freestyle Boliyan and Dancing at the end. To watch the full video:   https://youtu.be/gywOQiCgn-g  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/dancewith_mvr/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai (Ep.7)- In conversation with Tobin Thomas Where we sat and discussed the Indian Classical space, specifically in Canada. We also dove into what it means to be a South Asian dancer and choreographer. Creating and owning a company-- the work and financial value going into it. From conceptualising work to finding opportunities to showcase it. I also wanted to dive into the imagery Tobin creates in his work. He has a way of highlighting the Brown skin and in specific, a female perspective in such a breathtaking medium. I also, wanted to ask his process in creating choreography which was so interesting to dive into. We dove into the popularity scheme that being in this industry you can often feel. Specialising in something but also covering all pockets. Having to be boxed and stereotyped.  Tobin has kept busy with his company Shadow Entertainment, recently being in Canada’s Got Talent. Tobin truly is an exceptional talent and I look forward to the work he creates not only for the community but how he broadens that vision to a global language.  To watch the full video:  https://youtu.be/Zfkd6j3Gces  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/tobinthomas/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai- Episode 6 with Simone Damberg Würtz. Where we sat and talked all things dance, life, @theplayground_rambert and so much more! To watch the full video:  https://youtu.be/_MIfuy2u3yQ  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/ms_stackhouse/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Guest: https://linktr.ee/SimoneDambergWurtz  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai- Episode 5 with Guleraana Mir . We sat and talked about being a playwright, a feminist, the industry, growth and all things Guleraana! To watch the full video: https://youtu.be/3XxSzBmwv-M  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://twitter.com/g_ting  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Guest: https://linktr.ee/guleraana  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai- Episode 4 with Emma Fernell Watson where we sat and discussed the dance industry, contemporary dance spare, training, life lessons, politics and all things Emma!  To watch the full video: https://youtu.be/XsTT312sRMU  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/   Guest: https://www.instagram.com/efarnellwatson/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai- Episode 3 with Sashin Kandhai where we discussed his amazing career as a multidimensional artists in South Africa . Alongside just talking life, Bollywood and so much more! To watch the full video: https://youtu.be/_Gg6IEy3lQA  Social Media: Myself: https://twitter.com/raimu_itfum  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/sashinkandhai/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Chai with Rai- Episode 2 with Sonia Benito where we sat and chatted magic, dancing, life lesson and so much more! To watch the full video: https://youtu.be/j2G9rVzaM4Y  Social: Guest: https://www.instagram.com/soniabenito/  Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Websites:  Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Guest:  https://www.soniabenito.com Hope you guys enjoy and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

Welcome to Chai with Rai (Ep.1)- I call this show my Digital jukebox of Hidden Gems, in which I reach out to people in the Entertainment and Fitness Industry. We discuss all things Industry, life lessons, politics, socialism, culture, history , the Digital space and more. Then at the end we play some fun games and reflect some more. I want the show to feel like we are having a conversation, with some banter involved but at the same time discuss some heavy topics. Agreeing to disagree and having that space to explore. Episode 1- In conversation with Sonia Tharani of BollyDanz. We sat and talked all things Bollywood, her journey, thoughts and the industry and more. To watch the full video:   https://youtu.be/C70f1chtNHw  Social: Guest: https://www.instagram.com/bollydanz/  Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Websites:  Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum  Guest:  https://bollydanz.com  Hope you guys enjoy and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

We are back with delicious and juicy interviews and what a lineup I have coming for you babsies.  Warm up your cuppa because actor and writer Zakiyyah Deen is in the building and we spill it all. From discussing Why a Black Woman will never be a Prime Minister of the UK to how to pitch your theatre projects and your boundaries as an artist.  Topics breakdown:  Can you Improv though- New Warm up games. Zakiyyah’s current play- ”Why a Black Women will never be a prime minister.” Where did it come from? Where it is at? And WHY!? Because this is an exclusive interview- we get into it! Her story from birth to now and how the arts came to be? Commissioning and what doing programs such as Young Vic’s Fresh Direction program has taught her? Discussing projects such as: Is dat u yh? The Brassic FM show? Enterprise? How do you find the ownership within what you input and placement within the show ? And how do you detach?  Cultural identity and it becoming a kryptonite or your beacon? Niche as a performer?  Quick Round:  A tip on being financial savvy? A tip on grant application or arts application in general? A tip on writing a project? Go back to any role or project what would it be and why? And if you were asked to do a part 2/ expansion of it- input  A great thing about being an artist in today’s social, cultural and economical and a challenging thing about it?  Getting into the role- auditioning or when you have booked the job? And how to let go or sepearate yourself from it? A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told or  Words to your mirror self 3 things the creative culture could do with or without 3 artists really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work  Your thoughts on the entertainment culture or theatre culture in general and a thing you would challenge the industry on Then we play Sippa Chai or Play with Rai, end with our ”What the Chai” rant and what makes Zakiyyah joyful and how she brings joyfulness to others.  Note: Artists mentioned in this podcast are: https://theartistspartnership.co.uk/artist/reda-elazouar/ https://www.hamiltonhodell.co.uk/talent/tobi-king-bakare/ https://www.dkfash.com/ You can also check out Zakiyyah’s blog HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/zakiyyahdeen/?hl=en   Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10987227/ , https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/zakiyyah-deen & https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/13746  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Grabbed a cuppa with the talented Ra’eesah to discuss her writing process for ”38%” an audio story for the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads. We also discussed her unique voice as an artist, organisational make up of the theatre industry and of course poetry.  Also, with this I conclude the series of discussing BTS stuff and more with the writers behind Symphonies of Beaded Threads. I hope you enjoyed it and more to come!  About Ra’eesah:  Ra’eesah is a multifaceted creative using the mediums of theatre, film, music and spoken word to tell stories, bring people together and effect positive change. She has performed on stage as an actor and singer at the Bush Theatre as well as with The Old Vic/Neon Arts.  She has produced projects such as The Self-Expression Sessions, a series of spoken word poetry workshops open to people of all ages and abilities, to increase accessibility to the arts and build community through creativity and culture. Further projects Ra’eesah has produced on include Licence to DV8 at the Royal Albert Hall and arts festivals at Almeida Theatre and London Bubble, focusing on outreach. She is a trustee of the Roundhouse and WEST Youth Zone and has contributed to several other organisations including Old Vic Theatre and A New Direction through youth advisory. To Listen to Ra’eesah’s story CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/ra.eesahh/ , https://twitter.com/Ra_eesahh & https://app.spotlight.com/3812-7862-7993 Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

at down with the wordsmith that is Riana Howarth to discuss a blossoming  and emerging career in theatre and more. We also dove into her audio story ”She’d Sit” from the audio series ”Symphonies of Beaded Threads”-  the experience of writing that and what she hopes the listeners take from it.  About Riana: Riana is an aspiring writer and illustrator with a curiosity for all/most things weird and wonderful. With a background in acting and experience in assisting in youth theatre classes at the Questors Theatre, she uses this knowledge to inspire her creative writing. Between writing theatre reviews for North West End UK, she is trying to develop a consistent writing practice, exploring various themes, topics and styles. She is currently part of the Fresh Direction Program at The Young Vic Theatre (2022/2023). To Listen to Riana’s short audio story Click HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon  and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/art.riiii/ & https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/10091 Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Had such a wonderful time discussing community and opportunity as freelance writers in the industry with the wonderful Gayathiri Kamalakanthan. And of course we discussed the writing process for the audio story ”Chemo in the Summer”.  About Gayathiri: Gayathiri is a Tamil poet and sex education facilitator. They’re interested in how language shapes childhood and how we use it to queer the future. Gayathiri won the Faber & Andlyn Publisher’s Prize 2022, the Primadonna Fiction Prize 2021 and they were shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize 2022. Gayathiri runs the poetry workshop series WORD-BENDERS at The Common Press bookshop in East London. Gayathiri is currently a member of the Southbank New Poets Collective. Their debut novel in verse is forthcoming with Faber. To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  To listen to Gayathiri’s audio story CLICK HERE.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/unembarrassable/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/gayathirikamalakanthan  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

I have to say and say it I will! If you are a writer! You must and you must listen to structure and how just telling this conversation is especially if you are an emerging writer. So many great antidotes to take and implement into your world.  Sitting down with the stunning Bethany Gemmell to discuss writing and how a world is created and how ”Catherine” was made for Symphonies of Beaded Threads .  About Bethany:  Bethany Henry Gemmell LLM (he/him) is a Northern non-binary artist in London, working as Production Coordinator for a multi-award-winning company. In 2022, he quit working as a teacher and dove into theatre and television full-time. Career highlights so far include: producing, directing and writing for Neurospace Theatre’s showcase presenting autistic work at Barons Court in February 2022; stage-managing for Black British Theatre-nominated Saturn Returns at Brixton House/Southbank Centre/Northern School of Contemporary Dance; and being assistant director for the LGBT+ play Welcome Home at Soho Theatre in January 2023. His biggest creative passion is writing. Currently, he is a part of Young Vic’s selective Creators Program and he has a television show in development that is based on his play M. E. Trout, which is about an autistic woman dealing with grief and broken relationships. When he is not working, he is building a trans theatre company (Twitter: @transgrtheatre) and reading about sociopolitical issues, so much so that he has recently graduated with a Masters in Human Rights Law - as such, he gets quite nerdy about that sort of thing. His staged short play Wolf (2023), which was his first ever submission to Theatre503’s Rapid Write Response scheme, is the latest achievement in Bethany’s emerging writing career. To Listen to Bethany’s audio short story CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/hgemmellian/ & https://twitter.com/hengemmell  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/11946 Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

The incredible soul that is Yasmine Dankwah sat down and discussed her process of storytelling, YouTube rabbit holes and of course Spoken word vs poetry.  Here is the link to Yasmine’s short story titled ”An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album ” for Symphonies of Beaded Threads  About Yasmine:  Yasmine Dankwah is a British-Ghanaian spoken word artist and writer based in South London. She is interested in exploring how resistance in the form of identity-based discrimination can act as a springboard for joy in live performance by using music, spoken word poetry and lyricism. She is currently an artist on Boundless Theatre’s Accelerator programme and part of the Emerging Writer’s Group at the Bush Theatre. Last year, she became a recipient of the Francis Chagrin award and was featured on BBC Radio London for her audio play I Used To Know H.I.M, which was commissioned by Chronic Insanity Theatre. To subscribe to Patreon  and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/yasminedankwah/ & https://twitter.com/yasmined77?lang=en  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Finally and I mean Finally managed to get Carmina Bernhardt for an intevrview. Carrying on with the series we grabbed a cuppa and discussed the inspiration behind Carmina’s piece ”Brainfreeze” from the audio series ”Symphonies of Beaded Threads” and her love of cats and more! About Carmina: Carmina Bernhardt is a Vancouver-born and London-based actor, writer, director, script reader, and coach for stage and screen. Graduated with Distinction from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama’s MA Acting for Screen, and completed a BA in Music Theatre Performance from Capilano University. Recipient of the London Library’s Emerging Writers Award, and selected for New Earth Theatre’s BESEA Professional Writers Programme. To listen to Carmina’s short story ”Brainfreeze” CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon  and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/carminabernhardt/ & https://twitter.com/dasbernhardt?lang=en Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6486835/ & https://app.spotlight.com/9179-0197-9303  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Carrying on with the interview series with the writers from ”Symphonies of Beaded Threads” diving into the mind of Afriya- Jasmine Nylander. who wrote the short story titled ”Professional Daydreamer”.   About Afriya: Afriya-Jasmine Nylander is a Writer, Actor and Producer based in West London. She studied Theatre at the Brit School where she performed Shakespeare at Stratford-Upon-Avon, was chosen for the NSDF Festival 2021, and was a part of the Bridge Company.  In 2023, she had her professional Debut in Charli Josephine’s play “Flies”and was involved in The Lyric Hammersmith stage response project of “The African Mean Girls”. She has worked with the National Theatre as an assistant producer of “Death of England: Closing Time” written by the award-winning Clint Dyer and Roy Williams. She is also a part of the National Theatre alumni Writers group. She currently works at the Kiln Theatre and is writing her debut play “Everyone’s Invited”.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/afriya.j/ Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Excited to be releasing an interview series with the the writers from the short audio storytelling series on Chai with Rai ”Symphonies of Beaded Threads”. Let’s warm up that delicious cuppa and dive into it with Soria Hamidi who wrote ”Take my Picture”  About Soria: Soria Hamidi is an Afghan playwright, prose fiction writer and dramaturg. Her work focuses on silenced histories, communities and people by exploring the stories through a class-based, racial and feminist perspective.  She has completed the Kiln Theatre’s Listen Local Writers Programme where she developed and staged her short play on Afghan feminism. She has been selected for the London Library’s Emerging Writers Programme to research and write a play on the commercialisation of war and trauma. She completed the Writerz and Scribez and the Vineyard Theatre Literary Programme.  To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  To Listen to Soria’s short ”Take My Picture”  Click HERE.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/soriahh/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Getting into more deep chatter and games with the one and only Vidya Patel. Enjoy part 2 and you can also now listen to Part 1 HERE.  In the episode we discuss: Culture of Dance commissioning.  A tip on being financial savvy. A tip on funding, application how to get things done .  A tip on dance artists transitioning into facilitation or choreographing or movement direction? 3 things the dance culture be it South Asian led or overall industry that could do with or without Note:  Artists mentioned in the podcast are: Aditi Mangaldas, Hiten Patel and Shammi Pithia.   To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/_vidyapatel/ & https://twitter.com/vidyapatel96  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.vidyapatel.com/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This is going to be a two-parted episode BECAUSE I just had to dive into this brilliant human’s mind. Got to speak with the incredible Choreographer, Movement artist and wonderful human that is Vidya Patel. From connecting on Gujarati sayings to discussing decoding Classical Indian dance, it’s access, Uday Shankar and so much more! This is a jam packed one.  In the episode we discuss: Creation exploration? What is it you look for? The room to feel like ?What does the world of your creativity feel and sound like ?  Do you separate the lineage/ history of what you have been taught of all artistic vocabulary such as kathak and chow when facilitating and how you manoeuvre that if so? The balance of artistic expression and storytelling you have?  What inspires you/ drives you to create still? How do you balance the room when comissioned with everything and what have you found a tip on in getting consistent work? What you have learnt about yourself through the craft and about your craft through the years? To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/_vidyapatel/ & https://twitter.com/vidyapatel96  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.vidyapatel.com/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Part 2 aka the final part with actor Tibu Fortes. From discussing reverence of Shakespeare to co-op’s ( not the retail store).  In the episode we discuss: Co-Op’s - 3 tools you learnt from on being on the agency side and now to switching to a complete overall management.  Lessons you have learnt from the craft about yourself and the craft? If you could go back to any role/ project- what would you add/ change to it now with your lived experience? Discussing South Asian culture in entertainment.  To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/tibufortes/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.tibufortes.com/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Finally managed to sit down with the incredible mind that is Tibu Fortes. Warm up your cuppas as we dive into a 2-parted episode with the actor discussing his morning routines, acting tools and tricks and playing Martin Bashir in his recent work at The Park Theatre.  In the episode we discuss: Since this is Tibu’s first ever interview in podcasting I had to ask- How was Drama Centre London and NYT? Their start into acting? What got them the bug and was a Pivotel part in their career to date now? If he could go back and re-do a role what would he change or add? Navigating etiquette and mindset whilst on the job as an actor? Diving into characters such as Harry for Shetland for BBC One vs Martin Bashir for The Park Theatre? Balancing personal perceptions when approaching a role and projects and what the outlook of that is - i.e morality compass?  To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/tibufortes/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.tibufortes.com/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This is PART 2 (Final part of the 100 episode Celebration)  Massive Thank you to all the guests Two Chickpeas in a Podcast, Zoha Rahman ,  Jay Jay Revlon, Sanjay Lago and Meghna Bhalla. HERE is the link to the Instagram unfiltered LIVE! To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/twochickpeasinapodcast/ , https://www.instagram.com/zoharahman_/ , https://www.instagram.com/jayjayrevlon/ , https://www.instagram.com/sanjaylago/ & https://www.instagram.com/meghnabhalla/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/twochickpeasinapodcast , https://app.spotlight.com/5018-7863-0759 ,  https://www.justjayjay.com/  , https://www.sanjaylago.co.uk/ &  https://www.meghnabhalla.com/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Celebrating 100 Episodes of Chai with Rai with a very special episode co-hosted with Two Chickpeas in a Podcast, Zoha Rahman and featuring special guests Jay Jay Revlon, Sanjay Lago and Meghna Bhalla. Now this is part 1 of part 2 so keep an eye out for Part 2! And as we celebrate 100 episodes- HERE is the link for the Giveaways! HERE is the link to the Instagram unfiltered LIVE! To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/twochickpeasinapodcast/ , https://www.instagram.com/zoharahman_/ , https://www.instagram.com/jayjayrevlon/ , https://www.instagram.com/sanjaylago/ & https://www.instagram.com/meghnabhalla/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/twochickpeasinapodcast , https://app.spotlight.com/5018-7863-0759 ,  https://www.justjayjay.com/  , https://www.sanjaylago.co.uk/ &  https://www.meghnabhalla.com/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This is the last story from our storytelling series Symphonies of beaded threads. I have loved working on this project, bringing you something more than just an interview or a chat on the podcast and also just flexing that producing/ directing skill in the audio world. I have also appreciated your messages, you sharing each episode, tagging chai with rai and the artists involved. Now If you haven’t done so make sure to check out the previous 7 stories- comment, share and subscribe.  P.s this is also the 99th episode of Chai with Rai and I am going to be celebrating the 100th episode on IG LIVe on 28th Dec,23 7PM UK TIME co-hosted by some special guests. Make sure to check that out and you can also send through a question you would like myself or the guests to answer.  But without further adieu, lets warm up that delicious cuppa and let’s dive into today’s story titled ”Chemo in the Summer” written and voiced by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Gayathiri: Gayathiri is a Tamil poet and sex education facilitator. They’re interested in how language shapes childhood and how we use it to queer the future. Gayathiri won the Faber & Andlyn Publisher’s Prize 2022, the Primadonna Fiction Prize 2021 and they were shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize 2022. Gayathiri runs the poetry workshop series WORD-BENDERS at The Common Press bookshop in East London. Gayathiri is currently a member of the Southbank New Poets Collective. Their debut novel in verse is forthcoming with Faber. To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/unembarrassable/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/gayathirikamalakanthan  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the seventh episode/ story titled ”Professional Daydreamer” written and voiced by Afriya Jasmine Nylander.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Afriya: Afriya Nylander is a west London based actor, writer and creative facilitator.  She studied at the Brit School and was apart of the Bridge Company. She has work with theatre such as Old Vic, Kiln Theatre and NYT. She has worked on productions such as Rise at the Kiln, NYT silent Statues and been a part of the NSDF festival. This year she had her professional debut in Charlie Josephine play “Flies”. To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/afriya.j/ Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Today’s melodic story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Riana Howarth and is called ”She’d Sit”.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Riana: Riana is an aspiring writer and illustrator with a curiosity for all/most things weird and wonderful. With a background in acting and experience in assisting in youth theatre classes at the Questors Theatre, she uses this knowledge to inspire her creative writing. Between writing theatre reviews for North West End UK, she is trying to develop a consistent writing practice, exploring various themes, topics and styles. She is currently part of the Fresh Direction Program at The Young Vic Theatre (2022/2023). To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/art.riiii/ & https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/10091 Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

We are in the second half of the storytelling series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and today’s story is called Take My Picture by Soria Hamidi and voiced by Leila McQuaid  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Soria: Soria Hamidi is an Afghan playwright, prose fiction writer and dramaturg. Her work focuses on silenced histories, communities and people by exploring the stories through a class-based, racial and feminist perspective.  She has completed the Kiln Theatre’s Listen Local Writers Programme where she developed and staged her short play on Afghan feminism. She has been selected for the London Library’s Emerging Writers Programme to research and write a play on the commercialisation of war and trauma. She completed the Writerz and Scribez and the Vineyard Theatre Literary Programme.  To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/soriahh/ & https://twitter.com/leilamcquaid  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Halfway there and today’s story from the series Symphonies of Beaded of Threads is titled 38% by Ra’eesah. The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  About Ra’eesah:  Ra’eesah is a multifaceted creative using the mediums of theatre, film, music and spoken word to tell stories, bring people together and effect positive change. She has performed on stage as an actor and singer at the Bush Theatre as well as with The Old Vic/Neon Arts.  She has produced projects such as The Self-Expression Sessions, a series of spoken word poetry workshops open to people of all ages and abilities, to increase accessibility to the arts and build community through creativity and culture. Further projects Ra’eesah has produced on include Licence to DV8 at the Royal Albert Hall and arts festivals at Almeida Theatre and London Bubble, focusing on outreach. She is a trustee of the Roundhouse and WEST Youth Zone and has contributed to several other organisations including Old Vic Theatre and A New Direction through youth advisory. To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/ra.eesahh/ & https://twitter.com/Ra_eesahh  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Happy Third Day! Today’s story from the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads is by Bethany Gemmell and is called Catherine. Fun fact: it actually features Bethany’s mum Catherine.  About Bethany:  Bethany Henry Gemmell LLM (he/him) is a Northern non-binary artist in London, working as Production Coordinator for a multi-award-winning company. In 2022, he quit working as a teacher and dove into theatre and television full-time. Career highlights so far include: producing, directing and writing for Neurospace Theatre’s showcase presenting autistic work at Barons Court in February 2022; stage-managing for Black British Theatre-nominated Saturn Returns at Brixton House/Southbank Centre/Northern School of Contemporary Dance; and being assistant director for the LGBT+ play Welcome Home at Soho Theatre in January 2023. His biggest creative passion is writing. Currently, he is a part of Young Vic’s selective Creators Program and he has a television show in development that is based on his play M. E. Trout, which is about an autistic woman dealing with grief and broken relationships. When he is not working, he is building a trans theatre company (Twitter: @transgrtheatre) and reading about sociopolitical issues, so much so that he has recently graduated with a Masters in Human Rights Law - as such, he gets quite nerdy about that sort of thing. His staged short play Wolf (2023), which was his first ever submission to Theatre503’s Rapid Write Response scheme, is the latest achievement in Bethany’s emerging writing career. The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: https://www.instagram.com/hgemmellian/ & https://twitter.com/hengemmell  Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest:  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/11946 Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Continuing on with the series Symphonies of Beaded Threads and releasing an episode daily. This is the second episode titled An Epic: as told by my grandma’s photo album written and performed by Yasmine Dankwah.  The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.   If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/yasminedankwah/ & https://twitter.com/yasmined77?lang=en  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Today’s episode marks the launch of a NEW series I am doing on Chai with Rai called Symphonies of Beaded Threads. This 8 episode short audio series, which I will dropping daily for the next 8 days !  Takes shape in different formats from poetry to spoken word to theatrical pieces, monologues  and more by 8 different writers/ creatives.  I will also be releasing interviews with each writer of the pieces soon so keep an eye out for that. However! Without further Adieu let’s dive into the first story called Brainfreeze by Carmina Bernhardt.   The Transcript of the piece can be found HERE.  If you would like to Donate to this project and a live event which I will be holding soon for the public in a very well known space in Central London CLICK HERE.  To subscribe to Patreon  (listen to the audio version of without ads or intro/outro ) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/carminabernhardt/ & https://twitter.com/dasbernhardt?lang=en Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6486835/ & https://app.spotlight.com/9179-0197-9303  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

The title says it all- I’m just saying 👀☕️.  Part 2 with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of Bollyqueer (Bollywood dance space celebrating the LGBTQ+ community)  Vinay Jobanputra.  From discussing Queerness- in specific within the South Asian Community to art influencing life to milky tea and more.  In the episode we talk about:  Dance Journey- Thoughts on the South Asian dance scene in the UK? How did they get involved ? Bollywood dancing at large?  Queerness, Identity & Sexuality- Biggest Hurdles and joy? Dating? Identity- where or when were those big conversations for you and what did you learn from having them ?  South Asian Culture-  The most difficult and joyful things about Queerness within those spaces?  3 tips on monetising and starting a queer business? Words to your mirror self? 3 things the LGBTQ scene could do with or without? A thing South asians or the culture could do with or without ? A great thing about being brown and queer and a challenging thing about it?  A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time? Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on? A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told? 3 artists in dance you really admire their journey or would suggest in checking out their work ? To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/vinayjobanputraa/ , https://www.instagram.com/bollyqueer/ & https://www.tiktok.com/@gayavaneesh_?lang=en Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: http://www.bollyqueer.com/about & https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k4mw  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This had to be a 2-parter because we couldn’t stop the gup shup. So, grab a cuppa as we discuss things  such as;  gender identity, social norms around sexuality, Bollywood and how it’s impacted the South Asian experience, Bollywood Dance (in specific UK) and it’s constructs on gender/ sexuality, how choreography can be challenged with stereotyping, their BBC documentary and so much more! Joined in the chai room with Facilitator, Choreographer, Speaker, Cabaret Artist and Founder of Bollyqueer (Bollywood dance space celebrating the LGBTQ+ community)  Vinay Jobanputra.  In the episode we talk about:  Documentary- Bend it Like Bollywood. How was the experience? How did it come about? How has it been after- been a while now. Things that didn’t make the cut and what would ya want to add if you did a part 2 today?  Bollyqueer- First class to now ( what has changed the most), What would you like for people to understand about Bollyqueer? Biggest Challenge and joy about it you have come across? What have you learn about yourself through all of this? What would you like to happen in the future?  To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/vinayjobanputraa/ , https://www.instagram.com/bollyqueer/ & https://www.tiktok.com/@gayavaneesh_?lang=en Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: http://www.bollyqueer.com/about & https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001k4mw  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Firstly, I am so flabbergasted to have Elias Jahshan on here. I remember reading his articles in Gaytimes and then his book This Arab is Queer, then for him to say YES to coming on the podcast and discuss journalism, today’s climate around politics, sensitivity, identity and then querrness, the book and so much more.  I am as the video goes ”VOW”!  So ermmm thank you Elias! In the episode we talk about:  His relationship with his husband- who said I Love you first? How did they meet? Who is the better cook? Who is the better singer? Their wedding day? How he got into Journalism? Tips for upcoming journalists.  How do you balance the stories you are writing about that might spark on a conscious or unconscious bias?  How did the pitch happen for This Arab is Queer? Did you know the distributers? Did you just write a couple of emails with the idea and some of the names? Technical process? Since the book has come out and through the process, what conversations perhaps sparked your own journey or outlook on identity, religion and sexuality ?  Is being Queer political / activism ? And should people of LGBTQ  + community educate  ourselves on the politics surrounding our being? Pinkwashing. How do we celebrate Queerness? Notes:  The Journalists mentioned in the podcast are:  Bison Owda , Plestia alAqad , Motaz Azaiza & Mohammed el Kurd  To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/elias_jahshan/?hl=en-gb , https://twitter.com/Elias_Jahshan & https://www.tiktok.com/@eliasjahshan2  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://saqibooks.com/books/saqi/this-arab-is-queer/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From discussing negotiating skills with a zombie during a zombiepocalypse to creating a South Asian Theatre company in the UK to Fringe culture. A banterful episode with the cast and crew of Nalini Theatre’s  show Woman. Life. Freedom.  A Massive thank you to Alicia Fernandes, Dhanush Giridhar, Bushra Baig, Adi Roy Bhattacharya and T’arah Inam-McDermott.  In the episode we talk about:  The need to launch a theatre company that is South Asian Led. Woman. Life. Freedon- The process of getting involved in it, a challenge/ joy about it and if you did the show today, what would you bring to it today? Why that specific story and why now?  Sensitivity around political/ social charged work.  The boxing of South Asian creatives and work.  To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/nalinitheatreco/ , https://www.instagram.com/adi.one/ , https://www.instagram.com/aliciafernandes_actor/ , https://www.instagram.com/bushra_baig_/ , https://www.instagram.com/dhan_vg/ & https://www.instagram.com/tarahimc/ Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From Love to finding yourself and your alignment to comedy and writing. This episode is jam packed with writer/ poet Aamir Hassan and Cabaret/ Drag Artist Amir Dean (Lady Bushra). Was so lovely to welcome them into the chai room and talking about their podcast ”You Don’t Love Me Boys” and certain things like what they have learn about themselves through finding love and each other and how that has transferred into their being/ work.  In the episode we talk about: Inclination of becoming public personas and the boundaries of how much to share?   Joyfulness, comfort in self, this passion for thriving and being your best comes from?  Lessons learnt from being in love/ most challenging moments and how they have transferred into your worlds of creativity.  Cabaret/ Drag style for Lady Bushra- where that comes from? What is something you haven’t explored but would like to? Writing- Works in the future.  3 things the LGBTQ scene could do with or without. 3 things the South Asian community could do with or without. Your Favourite thing about yourself either as a creative or person and something you feel is a challenge and are working on. A thing you would like someone to take away with them having met you for a brief second or known you for a long time. Words to your mirror self. Notes:  Books mentioned in this podcast are Aamir’s new book ” Can I escape my Mind” and ”Toxic Parents, Overcoming their hurtful legacy and reclaiming your life by Dr. Susan Forward” To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/youdontlovemeboys/ , https://www.instagram.com/___shehzada_aamir_/ & https://www.instagram.com/lady.bushra/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/ladybushra & https://linktr.ee/shehzada_aamir_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Sat down with the cast and creatives of Asian Girls in Therapy to talk all things playwriting, food and how trauma bonding can lead to creative juices flowing.  Thank you to Gurjot Dhaliwal, Megan Soho and Racks Nieto.  In the episode we talk about:  Process of playwriting for fringe.  Marketing, Culture and fundraising surrounding fringe. How sensitivity or care was handled in the room and in the playwriting process when discussing topics such as ”Therapy”. Dramaturgy support.  Diving into characters and the world of the play.  Tips on self-taping and diving into the world of a project. 3 things the industry could do with or without. A thing that you have experienced that is a pro and con from leaving Drama School or being in it. Strength and challenge as a creative. The future of Asian Girls in Therapy.   To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/megxxsoh/ , https://www.instagram.com/racksnb/ & https://www.instagram.com/_gurjottt/ Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/asian-girls-in-theray/ & https://www.gofundme.com/f/asian-girls-in-therapy-play?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

I have looked at Dhruv’s profile at least a hundred times and have gotten so much inspiration about not only embracing and diving into fashion but also how to live my life more authentically.  Super excited for you all to listen to this episode as we talk ethics on tech, identity through saree’s and what would one do if you were stuck in a Rickshaw with Rekha and Pretty Zinta?  A massive thank you to the talent that is Dhruv Dhody.  In the episode we talk about:  Dhruv’s feature in the Offbeat Sari Exhibition at The Design Museum in London.  Their growth and understanding of identity and sexuality- how that came to be and where they are with it today? Their upbringing and how that led to a path in the tech world as a Principal Engineer at Huawei.  Ethics and the future of Tech.  Expression and voice as an artist through fashion and how does that define you? Finding your path. Social Media- the balance of it with their work. Their tagline ” I don’t mind straight people as long as they act gay” where that came from? And will they change it for the future. P.S the film mention in this podcast is: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15416106/  To subscribe to Patreon  (watch the full unedited video version of this) and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/curryngin/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://dhruvdhody.com/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

The artwork alone of this episode should be sellable is all I am saying.  I had such a wonderful time carrying on my chat with Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community. We get into it from dating to dipping.  p.s- we did have a dance section to the games which I will edit and release soon on YouTube so keep an eye out for that.  In the episode we talk about:  Queer Trauma it shaping the outlook we have. Being connected to culture and heritage.  Relationship to identity and sexuality. Pivotal points in life that shaped our future.  Sexuality and Relationships.  Gender Politics.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/suprememilandarling/ , https://www.instagram.com/alia_aila_milan/  , https://www.instagram.com/houseofmilanuk/  , https://www.instagram.com/welshballroomcommunity/  & https://www.instagram.com/asianpurrrrrsuasion/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-pakistani-trans-woman-survive?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Back with Banter, Chai and Deep Chats. Kicking off the new batch of episodes I sat down with The dynamic Duo: Muz & Alia Founders of Asianpurrsuasion, members of The Iconic Royal House of Milan and Welsh Ballroom Community. This is part 1 and part 2 will be out next week. In the episode we discuss: Hair and Hair Tips. How did Muz & Alia find their path to Ballroom? The highs and lows of personal lived experience in Ballroom and how to reflect on that.  Finding yourself through the world of Ballroom.  Growth as individuals and as creative artists.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/suprememilandarling/ , https://www.instagram.com/alia_aila_milan/  , https://www.instagram.com/houseofmilanuk/  , https://www.instagram.com/welshballroomcommunity/  & https://www.instagram.com/asianpurrrrrsuasion/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage & https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-pakistani-trans-woman-survive?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Through several hair and beard styles, 80 plus episodes, close to 100 guests, a digital South Asian Arts Archive, Collaborations, Series, A residency at WeWork, self produced and self funded ! Chai with Rai is my baby...My business I have built over the last 3 years and I am so grateful for all the guests and this community. Thank you for it all and to 3 years. Highlight Reel: https://youtu.be/OF401vzTM0Q  South Asian Archive: https://www.raimuitfum.com/its-about-chai-time To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

5 or 5 from the Creative Series.  Have really enjoyed making this series and reflecting on the mindset and culture of being a creative.  I hope you enjoy this week’s episode as I share my reflections on practicing  Joy and Gratitude as a Creative and ask how you practice it? What your relationship with it is?  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

4 or 5 from the Creative Series. Again really enjoying these short episodes and this specific series.  This week diving into the topic ”Core of being a Creative”. I will say this is a personal one, where there is no snippet but rather just pure reflection of my experiences and thoughts recently.  So, enjoy it with your cuppa and let me know what you thought of it in the comments.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Continuing with the shorter episodes and making this ”Creative Series”.  This specific snippet and episode is touching on my conversation with actor and coach Daniel O’Meara. In which we discuss doing the work as a creative and though Daniel talks about it from an acting and coaching perspective- I really think if you break or direct his message and put it into your own practice you’ll be able to relate to somethings.  I often go back to this specific episode with Daniel because he really talks about the EGO and vanity we have as artists at point, to what drove us into the industry or him and how his values and life shifted when he created a business that was of service to others.  In the episode what really stands out to me is this moment where he talks about and paraphrasing this- how we can fall off the bandwagon and you doubt a lot of things- which p.s I will do a self reflection episode soon about - going back to the core of you. But what always gets me through this- is Daniel saying Do the work. And that is what I go back to. Doing the work on self and my practice.

As we take a break from our full length episode I wanted to bring some snippets from previous episodes I enjoy.  This specific snippet is from my conversation with filmmaker and actor Dr.Parvinder Shergill diving into the mindset of being a creative. Especially if you are someone who like me creates work, beyond their role as a performer  and in the process questions, how do we deal with the mindset of rejection, collaboration, our ego/vanity, this metric of success and perfection we have set. Comparison to our peers, privilege and our creative voice.  You can listen to the full episode HERE. To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

As we take a break from our full length episode I wanted to bring some snippets from previous episodes on the mentality around success as a creative.  What our versions of success should be, look and feel like?  I have been really questioning what success means recently; what is the viability of being a creative? How do we navigate our mindsets during the times where we are super busy and feel wanted but then also what to work with when we are not auditioning as much or producing work? I also have been navigating thoughts around this digital space we live in and how to use social media as an effective tool to spread the message of this podcast, my work and even who I am as an artist so I get more work for myself and my community.  Listed below are the full episodes for each snippets in order: Zoha Rahman Sameena Hussain Olivia D’Lima Vikas Arun & Ramita Ravi To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Sitting down with 3 brilliant writers Ruth D’Silva, Ruby Kitching and Jaswinder Blackwell-Pal to dive into Theatre form writing, how to write nuanced stories and the scope of South Asian Theatre. In the episode we talk about:  The recent passing of Tara Theatre’s Artistic Director Abdul Shayek and discuss how his impact on the theatre world at large but also our personal experiences with him.  Țara Theatre and its impact.  How to write smarter and nuanced stories. As writers how do we set the bar for our storytelling- does everyone involved in the project need to have elements of the world we have created or simply be good at their job to tell the story? How do you balance the unconscious conscious biases when working and safeguard yourself and should you safeguard? What makes or is  good theatre for you?  What interest you the moment you watch something? Should form matter when writing? What interests you In writing and how do you go on about creating the world, the full script and then to pitch to production. The viability of being a creative.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. To support Brown Girls Noise.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://twitter.com/RuthDSilva2 , https://twitter.com/rubykitching & https://twitter.com/JasiBP  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Welcoming into the Chai room the cast & Team of the Sold out show Brown Girls Noise.  Joined by Neetu Singh, Kaya Uppal, Kerena Jagpal, Misha Domadia and Amber Zarya.  In the episode we talk about:  Fringe Culture Being Sold out and the pro’s con’s of that  Being conscious as a South Asian Creative and having a conversation about doing South Asian work or doing just work you want to do as an artist Approaching the world of the story as a director, writer and actor- What tools and tricks you use when being in that world. When writing a story how much do you research on topics vs going on gut or where the text is leading you? How as actors or storytellers we sometimes unconsciously or consciously will gatekeeper ourselves from letting us go on the journey the role we are playing on might require.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai. To support Brown Girls Noise.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/brown_girlnoise/ Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.thehopetheatre.com/productions/brown-girl-noise/ & https://www.gofundme.com/f/get-brown-girl-noise-to-camden-fringe  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in.

Part 2 with Natasha Beghi & Nikkita Beghi from Two Chickpeas in a Podcast.  In the episode we talk about:  Insecurities and finding resolutions through mindset and actions The business behind creating a podcast in specific Two Chickpeas in a podcast Growth in self through the podcast- A perception that has been challenged and changed or something that was proven right and now has remained.  Playing a Rapid round of Games ”Sippa Chai or Play with Rai” To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/twochickpeasinapodcast/ , https://www.instagram.com/nikkitab/ & https://www.instagram.com/natashabeghi/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/twochickpeasinapodcast  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Alright, So.... This was not meant to be a 2 parted episode but it is NOW! So sip up and let’s dive into Part 1 of talking about all things from Spy Kids to Periods to being HANGRY! Sitting down in the Chai room with Natasha Beghi & Nikkita Beghi from Two Chickpeas in a Podcast.  In the episode we talk about:  Nikkita’s experience in Facilitation and working with Domestic Violence People and what lessons she has learnt about safeguarding. sensitivity and creating a safe space that has poured over into the podcast when interviewing people or storytelling. Similar to that- Natasha’s experience in Media and Broadcasting and what skillsets have poured into the podcast and their storytelling/ interviewing. Personal Growth and having a kinder relationship  and what lessons time has taught us.  To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/twochickpeasinapodcast/ , https://www.instagram.com/nikkitab/ & https://www.instagram.com/natashabeghi/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithraihomepage &  https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/twochickpeasinapodcast  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

PAR 2 KIDS :)!!! Continuing the cuppa filled chat with Actor and Writer Subika Anwar-Khan.  In the episode we talk about:  Wanting to work on Shakespeare text,. Scale/ Scope of work we want as actors. The Mindset and dedication to the craft required as an artist. What success means as an actor and where the drive of it comes from? What does success feel and look like to you overall? To subscribe to Patreon and become a Patron/ supporter of Chai with Rai.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/subika_anwar_khan/ & https://twitter.com/SubikaAnwar  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://subikaanwarkhan.com/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This week welcoming to the chai room actor and writer Subika Anwar-Khan. And we GET INTO IT !!!! Slurp Slurp kids.  Also, this is part 1 of a 2 parted chat so keep an eye for part 2 Incoming.  In the episode we talk about:  Fashion in the UK growing up in the naughties and early 200’s Beauty products and their effect on us Standards of Beauty growing up in South Asian households Fitness and health from a south Asian lens and being body goal driven such as six packs and toned bodies Beauty perceptions and the new Barbie Movie  The work Salma Hayek and Jennifer Lopez are doing in terms of acting and producing as women of colour and older Unrealistic expectations of romance  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/subika_anwar_khan/ & https://twitter.com/SubikaAnwar  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://subikaanwarkhan.com/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Part 2 of my chat with actress Zoha Rahman. In the episode we talk about:   Intrigued to know your perspective on the pro’s and con\s of a conversation which you and I have had and the  action of it that is taking place from- more representation of storylines out there for South Asian people of all walks of life to more faces being scene but then also there is still a pushed narrative about Islamaphobia or exorcising of being South Asian or lets say disabilities or sexuality or gender. To the question about authenticity or representation of playing role such as the film Polite society how  the two leads are not muslim but playing muslim roles. To us fighting for roles and wanting to play those roles but then also not being limited to that and finally the support within the community and this game of networking/support we showcase.  Vast amount of projects you have done and if either your outlook on the industry has changed from when you entered it or your measure for success has? A role you have done you would no longer like to touch again and something you haven’t done you would like to do? A role you cherished to date and if gone back to it today, what you would add more to it or change?  A tip on self-taping or auditioning in person A tip on how to handle the audition room A tip on working on character- so that is whether you have had slides for a first initial self tape or booked for the job and are now on set Streotyping and the boxing of the industry. How to deal with that and the politics One note on survivability/ viability as a freelancer in the arts and an investment financial too/ advice to give someone  Is it imperative to learn the business of the industry? Networking tools, names of Casting Directors, Filmmakers, Research on the industry and etc.  Remove everything- 3 pillars of conviction for your path (Spirituality, Grit and Support) Peak and Valleys and what lessons you learnt from them.  Words to your mirror self. A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told. Favourite part of the job.  One thing you would like for people to take with them either having worked with you or just met you for brief second. Strength as an actor  and something you feel like is a challenge you are working on.  Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself.  3 things the industry could do with and without.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/zoharahman_/?hl=en-gb & https://www.tiktok.com/@zoharahman_ Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10522693/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_zoha%2520rahman  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Part 1 kids! of part 2.  Talking boundaries, pooing infront of your partner and having a healthy outlook on your craft as an actor.  Such a joyful and juicy chat with actor Zoha Rahman.  In the episode we talk about:   Vast amount of projects Zoha has done and if their outlook on the industry has changed from when you entered it or measure for success has? Relationship and boundaries,  How to balance and have a healthy mindset with acting. What fuels their desire to continue as an artist and what was it at an early age. Filling your empty phases with projects and how to have a healthy outlook on that.  Certain boundaries for work, relationships and how to navigate cultural conversations around arts. Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Guest: https://www.instagram.com/zoharahman_/?hl=en-gb & https://www.tiktok.com/@zoharahman_ Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10522693/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_q_zoha%2520rahman  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

It’s back and its GARAAAAM (Hot)!!! Celebrating all things Theatre, Film, Series, Books and Podcast. This was genuinely so much fun to curate and really think about things such as- what is something fun, serious, period, conversation starter, catered to the artist or anybody. I hope you enjoy and do let me know which one was your favourite and what I should experience too. The Projects in the episode are as Follows:  Films: Legend of Maula Jutt by Bilal Lasharu Spotlight by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy  Pride by Stephen Beresford Triangle of Sadness by Ruben Östlund Sitara: Let Girls Dream  by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy Theatre: Reasons you shouldn’t love me by Amy Trigg Accidental death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo Tammy Faye- A New Musical by James Graham  Podcasts: FOC it up! Comedy Club by Keemah Bob Shut Up Evan by Evan Ross Katz Creative Sauce by Andi Osho Books: My sister the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite How to stop time by Matt Haig The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Series: The Morning Show by Jay Carson and Kerry Ehrin The goes wrong show by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ & https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_ & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum & https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From talking about Star Wars to discussing ablism and gender identity to talking about their show on Netflix Obsession and the business of career trajectories. Thank you to actor Sonera Angel for joining me in the Chai room for a banterful chat with some deep meaningful points of discussions... let’s say.  In the episode we talk about:   Experience of working on big budgets vs shorts and your approach as an actor when it comes to prepping- how you get into the world of for screen vs theatre.  The mental mindset of being on set.  Authenticity vs Representation of storytelling.  Sonera’s Artwork .  Discussing being Non-Binary and queerness through the lens of self-journey but also the industry.  Ambulatory Wheelchair user: their diagnosis, self-care and demystifying notions surrounding ablism.  Thoughts on if you are having business strategy conversations with  PR and Agent on boosting profile for work? Or discussing to push conversation about representation through self about Gender identity and ablism. Thoughts on digital space/ it’s structure and its role in the artists life today. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself.  3 things the industry could do with and or without.  Your measure for success. One thing you would like for people to take with them from either having worked with you or been around you. Favourite part of the job. A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told. Tips on picking a good monologue for audition. Tips on handing the audition room. Thoughts on- Is it imperative to learn the business of the industry? Networking tools, names of Casting Directors, Filmmakers, Research on the industry and etc.  One note on survivability/ viability as a freelancer in the arts and an investment financial too/ advice to give someone Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/soneraangel/?hl=en  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/soneraangel  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This has to be one of the most packed chat in the shortest time. From getting straight into discussing Authenticity vs representation of a story to discussing the ”Hustle Culture” artists constantly are fed.  Welcoming into the Chai room Maker, Director, Actor and an overall Multidisciplinary artist Victoria Chen. This is a sipful and some more.  In the episode we talk about:   What drives you emotionally when creating work and how do you balance Theatre making and directing work for yourself vs others? Discussing the following: Bhumi Collective, Bahri &Co and work with Wild Rice Productions. Authenticity vs Representation within a project. Dysmorhpia: a personal piece about body dysmorphic disorder- What to explore not to and what were your reflections on the final product.  Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself. 3 things the industry could do with and without Your strength as a theatre maker and something you feel like is a challenge you are working on.  Your measure for success One thing you would like for people to take with them after having met or worked with you.  A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told.  Favourite part of the job A tip on picking a good monologue for auditions or on auditioning.  A tip on how to pitch your projects.   Thoughts on: Is it imperative to learn the business of the industry? Networking tools, names of Casting Directors, Filmmakers, Research on the industry and etc.  One note on survivability/ viability as a freelancer in the arts and an investment financial too/ advice to give someone. Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/vhickles/ & https://twitter.com/vhickles  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://vhickles.wixsite.com/home  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

The business of Comedy is no joke - No pun intended. It was so insightful to dive into a 10 + year career in writing and comedy with the one and only Bas Rahman.  In the episode we talk about:   Style and voice as a writer and comic. How has it evolved over the years and your memory of the first gig to the last. Did you always know this was going to be styling of your voice as a creative? Billing of comedy. The tier system, business of.  Drive for comedy now vs at the beginning of your career Discussing ERA 50:50 (Equal Representation for Actresses) is a movement of actresses in the UK set up in 2015 by actresses Lizzie Berrington and Polly Kemp. How long you circuit a “comedy bit” for before you move on from it or bank it? And what constitutes as good?  Thoughts on Comedians recycling bits. Boxing as an artist. Challenge and a joy. Separation of comedy. Scripted vs Standup. Then Cultural vs Mainstream. Conscious decision or not a decision to market yourself as South Asian Comedian and do the route that people like Mo- The comedian or Zarna Garg or Sindhu See.  What is the line when writing comedy? Personal stories or just bits that you include. Intro into comedy? Monetising the Digital space into “real life” work.  Approach to writing comedy. How jokes come or comedic styling? Sustainability of Comedy/ Standup vs Scripted. The Space of comedy currently.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://twitter.com/BasRahman1987 & https://www.instagram.com/basrahman1/?hl=en  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

This is a special episode in which I am sharing a Sneak Peak and Sip Sip into a new series I am launching on Chai with Rai. The 8 Episode Series titled ”Symphonies of Beaded Threads” features 8 Female Identifying, Non-Binary and Global Majority- Multidisciplinary artist.  This episode gives an insight into what is to come- why and how I am creating this, what each episode is called and who it is by and lastly a sneak peak/trailer soundbite.  For more information on the project visit the website.  8 Artists mentioned in the Project are:  Carmina Bernhardt Yasmine Dankwah  Bethany Gemmel Ra’eesah Kai Soria Hamidi Riana Howarth Afriya- Jasmine Nylander Gayathiri Kamalakanthan  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From Gifs of Kajol to discussing the business of theatre. We finally MADE IT! This has been a year or something in making. Sat down during Ramadan so no Chai but lots to spill and discuss with the one and only Sameena Hussain  who is a Theatre maker, an Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse,  and Trustee for Dark Horse Theatre, Octagon Bolton and Kala Sangam.  In the episode we talk about:   The balance of directing rep pieces vs new work.  Relevancy of story telling through contemporary lens.  An approach to Safe Space, Game Playing and Community Theatre. Approach to directing and theatre making. Approaching Workshops, Auditions vs Rehearsals , Tech Week and Performances.  The business of programming.  A tool on How do you balance the room between your artistic voice and those around you. Or what have you found about yourself through being in spaces.  Authenticity vs Representation of storytelling.  Challenges and Joy of work you have done at Leeds Playhouse and what the next chapter holds? Thoughts on the future of Theatre. Being a freelancer theatre maker vs contracted to an organisation. Thoughts on the  Theatre space that is often regional defined and London.  Background on Performance to Directing .  When did that happen because you studied Drama at Uni of Huddersfield. Thoughts on the term ”Emerging Artist” vs ”Established”.  The journey of RTYDS. 3 things the industry could do with and without. Sameena’s strength as a theatre maker and something you feel like is a challenge you are working on.  One thing you would like for people to take with them. A thing you would like to impart somebody but you never got told. Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://twitter.com/SameenaHX1  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://creatorsprogram.youngvic.org/member/7416  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

I have been reflecting on my highest and lowest, personal and professional moments and how they impact my way of being and thinking. I wanted to start with the No’s first and having a healthier relationship with them and share the ”work” I have been doing in that. I hope you enjoy as I touch up on some of my outlooks.

From calling people out who don’t like puddings to a deep dive into acting and discussing skincare routine, vegan lifestyle, and  of course discussing writing their new upcoming series Beige . This is a juicy episode with Actor & Writer Olivia D’Lima.  In the episode we talk about:   Challenges and Joys of the following projects: Standup Sketch show, Casuality, Van Der Valk and Death in Paradise On writing Beige (The Series). How that came to be? Where is it going? What do you hope to get out of it? Process to Casuality and the un breaking of that; the aftermath of character work, adjusting to life without being contracted for a year and would you take a series regular again? Pro’s and Con’s of discussing being a series regular vs Freelancing or guest starring. Financial Survivability of an actor and the production of creating own work.  Taking the role home and safeguarding. Some tools you use to dig in the role and how you safeguard? Favourite part of the job. 3 things the Industry could do with or without. 3 things you wish somebody would have told you but didn’t and you would like to impart on others today. Handling the room for self tape, audition, picking a monologues vs handling the job when you’re on it- crew or character How do you approach text as an actor vs a Writer- Method to it Thoughts on digital space and it’s pro and cons as an artists in the industry. Authenticity vs representation. Relationship with agent and or getting an agent. Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/olivia_dlima/ , https://twitter.com/olivia_dlima  & https://www.instagram.com/beigetheseries/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm9745153/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

All jokes aside and I keep thinking of what tagline to write but this was such an insightful episode. I have been wanting to discuss the industry with a casting agent and also discuss the business/ wellbeing of Acting Schools. So, I will just say this- Warm up your cups kids and welcome into your lubricated earlobes Coach, Mentor, Author of ”A Life Coaching Approach to Screen Acting”, Actor and Comedian Daniel Dresner and his business partner/ co-founder of Actors Coaching international- Actor,Coach, CEO and Lead Agent at Union Management Danny Clifton.  In the episode we talk about:  Actors Coaching International- How it came to be, the business of it (Where it is and Where it is going), Mentoring/ Coaching Styles and What sets Actors Coaching apart from competitors like Go Hub Workshops, Identity, MN Talent or organisations such as NYT, Sylvia Plath, Lamda or RADA or Central. Demystifying the role of an actor and agent or a business owner. You approaches to Life coaching and has it developed through the years do you feel? Or has the need of it developed do you feel? 3 things the industry could do with and without 3 things you wish somebody would have told you starting out that you would like to impart on talent in the industry.  One thing you would like for people to take with them after experiencing you. Thoughts on Authenticity vs representation of a role vs story and should specifity be reflect beind the scenes. i.e A story about a Trans Italian Activist- Should the role be played by someone of that community and should the crew represent aspects of that?   Thoughts on POC Actors on books.  Advice on writing a cover letter to agents, being in the room for an audition, the practicality of attaining a job and working on the role.  Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life. Pro’s and con’s of it and any tips on how to use it to benefit/ safeguard yourself.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/danieldresnercoaching/ & https://www.instagram.com/dannysteeleactor/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest:https://actorscoachinginternational.com/#home,  https://www.unionmanagement.co.uk/ & https://www.danieldresner.com/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From discussing the architecture of language to scents such as frankincense, this is a juicy and dare I say such an eloquent episode. Had such a wonderful time discussing all things entertainment, life and culture with Writer and Actor Kamal Kaan.  In the episode we discuss:  Creating work for different mediums from Radio to stage to TV/ Film and how you play with form? What continues to be this inspiration for your work or has it changed?  Thought on what the Industry could do with and without? Approach to writing? Authenticity vs representation of the story.  How do you balance your artistic voice with lets say the world of play or an conscious unconscious bias, safeguarding, challenging your practice?  Darjeeling Express- Asma Khan Favourite part of the job.  Thoughts on South Asian Entertainment sector and the industry at large.  Thoughts on being boxed or stereotyped. And do you now feel that there is enough representation?  Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life.  How do you approach the script and the handling of the job? Uniting, Practitioner work, experience.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ ,  https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_  & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai  Guest: https://twitter.com/kamal_kaan  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From Rude Gal Tings to Jalebi’s and discussing Life in East London. It was so much fun to talk with Actor and Writer Saher Shah. We highlight her UK tour of the play Vitamin D, which she has written and stars as Larki.  In the episode we discuss:  Thoughts on the audition process, Audition Monologues- challenges and joys of it. Takes on how to deal within the room and also with the casting hear backs when you’re in the unknown.  The joys and challenges of being a creator of opportunity.  View point on being labelled South Asian artist or actor or writer often and the South Asian Arts community at large in the UK and in mainstream projects.  What was the point of leaving the NHS work behind and what aspects of the jobs do you miss, don’t miss/ brought with you into the industry.  Ace Process and 3 things somebody would have shared with ya that you would like to impart on people Acting from stage to tv. What do you feel light has been a standing moment not a credit but in experience and what is challenging?  Writing process: How do you create. And how have been the writers labs for you from Mfest to Rosemary Branch Theatre’s writers in residency programme Shrill Voices. Rifco Theatre’s Associates  Being a Trustee for Stepladder foundation. Intrigued to know how you got involved and tell us about the foundation Seed commission by Kahani Arts. Intrigued to know that process Vitamin D: R&D and then now returning for a tour this year. And it explores Larki moving back home after a divorce.  Personal or surrounding experience narrative how do you safeguard and balance conscious and unconscious bias in order to tell the story and explore the themes surrounding.  Do you remember the first point of memory where you were like this is what I am going to do and is it the thing that still fuels you or has it evolved? Islamaphobia/ Representation of the community Thoughts on the entrainment at large and then the South Asian pocket? Thoughts on social media and the new age influencer creatives.

Warm up your cuppa’s kids as we dive into banter and deep conversations with stars of  the film ”What’s Love Got To Do With It?”- Broadcaster, Writer and Actor Mim Shaikh and Writer/ Actor Iman Boujelouah.  In the episode we discuss:  The process of self taping/ auditioning for What’s Love Got To Do With It? and also intrigued to know your process- when it comes to a self tape or an audition where you are given sides or have a monologue vs your process to when you have booked a job and are working on the character.  Writing process and how you create the world of your project; from pitching it, to producing it to post. A tip in regards to the industry you wish somebody shared with you at the beginning of your career. What is something you have taken from one creative craft into the other. i.e- Mim of broadcasting you have taken into writing and Iman of acting into writing.  Safeguarding/ balancing the internal and external biases be they conscious or unconscious in your writing experience whilst challenging your artistic practice. Education vs experience. Thoughts on an entry point into the industry. 3 things about What’s Love- Challenging part of it and Joyful part. And a bonus something that didn’t make the cut or happened behind the scenes no one knows during filming or after i.e public.  Authenticity vs the subject. As writers and actors- Representation of the role vs the story, which takes precedence? Favourite part of the job.  Thoughts on South Asian Entertainment sector and the industry at large. 3 things could do with and without.  Thoughts on being boxed or stereotyped. And do you now feel that there is enough representation?  Thoughts on digital space structure and its role in the artists life. Pro’s and con’s of it.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ ,  https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_  & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/mim_shaikh/ & https://www.instagram.com/imanboujelouah/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From reconstructing Britney Spear’s ”Every time” in a Scottish accent to talking about Maru’s Bhajia. Had such a fun time talking to actress and founder of the channel South Asian Artists with Aarti Shah.  In the episode we discuss:  Scope of South Asian Entertainment in the UK, thoughts on it  and have they change recently from when you began working in the industry. Time at National Youth Theatre and University of Central Lancalnshire  3 projects, brown girl magic at octagon, Tour de moon experience, the wonders of the looking glass and Happy Birthday  Uncertainty of auditions and castings. Channel that is South Asian Artist, how and what and where  How has the move to Manchester been for you and the market of acting? Opportunities, Challenges and Joys of being a South Asian Artist. Identity of being British and south asian and a woman and what conversation we should be having around that  Process to approaching scripts and auditions Digital age and it’s point for creatives today Balancing fame and passion/talent Favourite part of the job and most challenging Then of course Games

From our love of Dr.Who and being a Whovian to talking about Scottish sausages. It was so nice to talk to actor, writer and multi-disciplinary artist Sanjay Lago.  In the episode we discuss:  What are the joys and hurdles of creating your own lane. Being a  creator of opportunity right-- if no one gives you work, you create your own.  Reflections on; I don’t give a fuck, Can’t live without it, Main Kaun Hoo, and fringe Do you feel boxed? Often no just as a South Asian actor but also as a Queer South Asian writer/ artist.  The Arts Space in Scotland as a creative. Experience on Royal Conservative of Scotland and Soho Writers Lab.  Discussing Queer experience and being South Asian. The community at large and the South Asian LGBTQIA+ community.  Things the industry could do with and without. Favourite part of the job? Obsession with DR.WHO and how that has influenced Sanjay’s writing? Love me Like a Chai Tea Latte at the Vaults- how has it been and what are you looking forward to the most and least.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/ ,  https://twitter.com/chaiwithrai_  & https://www.tiktok.com/@chaiwithrai  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/sanjaylago/ & https://twitter.com/sanjaylago  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai  Guest: https://www.sanjaylago.co.uk  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

First episode of 2023 !!! From talking about South Asian Female leads in Western films to discussing producing over 20 short films, feature films and documentaries. To poo stories and mental health, this a juicy one kids. With filmmaker, actor, writer and host Dr. Parvinder Shergill  from The Secret Psychiatrist  In the episode we discuss:  Process to filmmaking Producing and Directing 20 + films in span of 2 years 3 words of wisdom for an emerging producer Things this industry could do with and without Favourite and challenging parts to working in the NHS and being a creative  Education vs industry experience as an entry point or succession as an actor Mental Health within South Asian Community and 3 advice points on how to start a conversation around that

The final part with filmmaker, writer, actor & model Justice Jamal Jones. Talking all things from New York’s Grungy scene to cruising being a rite of passage and more. In the episode we discuss:  Activism and if there are any backlashes of being vocal about the ”system”. Construct of beauty and attraction in Queer spaces. Queerbaiting in pop culture such as Timothee Chalamet and Harry Styles.  If you remove the pillars- would you be who you are? Who do you share the highs and lows with?  Rites of passage for a queer person from cruising to dogging to stream room sex.

As we reflect on 2022 and enter 2023, the word that has been coming in my head a lot is Success- my relationship with it, where I stand on the highs and lows of it and what I will do with it in the next chapter (especially since in the last year feeling a bit down and like a failure almost). This Wisdomist Chai clip comes from my conversation with Acting and Life Coach Daniel Dresner. It touches on the word ”success” from a creative perspective. How it’s not an Oscar, or a job but much more precious and individual.  p.s I also feel, that if you really break the messaging down you can transfer it to any aspect of your life. I hope you enjoy this one, Happy 2022 and see you in 2023.

From romance & tenderness to skincare routines-- this is definitely a special one. Warm up your cuppas and let me know you’re sipping as you listen to this episode. I hope you enjoy part 1 of 2 with filmmaker, writer, actor & model Justice Jamal Jones.   In the episode we discuss:  Thoughts on gender and sexuality today? The performance of sex and sexuality. Discussing upcoming projects and looking into themes surrounding blackness, queerness and criminalisation.  Exploring and researching kink for black and brown people. How do you deal with the by-standards of sexuality and gender? Where does the passion for Black Tender experience in their projects stem from and how they stylistically have come to be where they are at in their artistic practice for what they what they want to make and project to the audience.  Viability of an Art indie projects vs  one of commercial/ mainstream.  Hidden gems of “How To Raise A Black Boy” that no one knows or has seen.  Breaking down two passages of “How to raise a Black Boy”.  The process of creating a film (ref: Calvin Klien x Dazed Pearls in Spotlight,  MTV’s My Black Alchemy)  The challenges and joys of creating projects.

This week Wisdomist Chai Clip comes from my chat with author and creative director Shweta Agarwal from Episode 22 of Chai with Rai. In the episode we discuss shortly Shweta’s thoughts on why colourism exists not only in the South Asian community but other cultures as well and gender rules surrounding colourism.  To purchase Shweta’s Book ”The Black Rose”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993232876?th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true To watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Uk_xs5R6nwE  To listen to the full interview:  Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/theblackroseway/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai  Guest: https://linktr.ee/theblackrosewriter & http://devandollie.com   Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Part 2 with the one and only Mahatma Khandi From talking about how drag holds a mirror to society to talking about fisting. This is a hot and juicy episode-- dare I cornfully say ”Chai Spilling” episode.  In the episode we discuss:  The narratives surrounding drag and cabaret culture  South Asian or Asian Culture representation in Drag Race or mainstream Drag culture Sustainability of Drag Global Majority Queer representation Dating Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/mahatmakhandi/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai  Guest: https://linktr.ee/Mahatmakhandi  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

The final part of my chat with the one and only Jay Jay Revlon. From talking about Dirty Chai’s to how a No, is not a No forever. This is a slightly motivational yet risky one. Hope you enjoy kids. But as a breakdown-- In the episode we discuss How Queens and Young Kids entering the Ballroom scene are not immersed or educated on the culture but are already making statements.  The difference a Kiki and Ballroom scene and a highlight / Challenge of them.  Advice for someone coming to a ball as an attendee vs a new organiser. What category Jay Jay started with and wants to do but hasn’t yet.  Something in the Ballroom culture Jay Jay has not done and would like to accomplish.  Did he choose this path or he was chosen.  What makes Jay Jay happy and who does he share his vulnerable moments with? His relationships and outlook on life. How to deal with support or lack thereof? Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/jayjayrevlon/  Links: Myself: https://www.raimuitfum.com/chaiwithrai  Guest: https://www.justjayjay.com  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Part 2 and final one with the cast of Sundown Kiki from Taking Part Production at The Young Vic Theatre - Asa Haynes, Amani Revlon (Afi Hussen), Sarah Angel, Jasper Ryan Cater, Tatenda Shami, Jay Lafayette Valentine and special guest Emanuel Vo Things we discussed:  Queer relationships and romance Perspective of queer culture on mid sexuality spectrum such as A-sexuality, pansexual or bisexual The pro’s and con’s of being multi disciplinary creatives

W/ Ridaa Husain from Dance Bhangra and Mandeep Virk Randhawa from Dance with MVR. This is an acknowledgment episode of including and researching the origins of Bhangra and how often Pakistan is left out of that narrative.  To watch the full interview video: Ridaa: https://youtu.be/K_89rYMM4mY   Mandeep: https://youtu.be/gywOQiCgn-g   To listen to the full interview:  Ridaa: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio  Mandeep: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible/ Amazon music, Podbean, Playerfm, Podcasher, iheart radio Social:  Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/   Guest- https://www.instagram.com/dancebhangra/ & https://www.instagram.com/dancewith_mvr/   Websites:  Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwitrai_ Guest:  https://www.dance-bhangra.com/  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe and share follow my page and everything above.

From talking about feminist sons to digitising theatre to the structure of the world that needs to be broken. This cuppa filled episode with Natasha Kathi- Chandra spills it all!  In the episode we discuss:  Highlights and challenges of projects and experiences such as: Om Shanti Fuck, Ingenium/ Namashkar, Tara Theatre, In a nutshell, Lion King and East is East. Feminism and culture.  Thoughts on South Asian Theatre and theatre in large in the UK.  Digitising, playing with form and experimenting with programming in theatres. Things the industry could do with and without.  Mental health and confidence. Directing and thoughts on being a female POC creative.

From discussions on Tiger Balms to South Asian Theatre, this was a funny and educational episode. The Double Bill that is THE SC SAGA. We need a night of that please Theatres!  With the incredibly talented peeps Dr. Sharmila Chauhan and Satinder Chohan.  In the episode we discuss:  Safeguarding yourself from topics when researching or diving into the world of your play/script as a writer Who do you share the vulnerability of you as a creative with? What outlet do you use to de zone or connect? The idea of success and progression as a creative Thoughts on South Asian Theatre- it’s past, present and future.  South Asian Theatre companies such as Tara, Kali, Tamasha and Rifco and new organisations such as Hungama, Diet Paratha and Daytimers Digital Footprint and brand building. The Authenticity and representation of your play to be reflected in the cast and the creative team  POC Dramaturgy and support for writers 3 things this industry could do with and without What do you feel like you lack or can work on in your storytelling and what is your Beacon of light. Something you know you do extremely well and no one ever will come close to that.  If you know what you know now about the industry would you have entered it or worked the way you did up until now.  What was your biggest expectation from your career. That you have accomplished  and also let go of

From Beyoncé’s fashion sense to Charlie’s Angels to Selling Sunset to drag culture. This is a cuppa filled episode with LOTS of banter, deep chats and fun games. Now this is part 1 of 2 with the one and only Mahatma Khandi. Part 2 will be out later this month, keep an eye out for that.  In the episode we discuss:  Where their humour and joy of life comes from? Met Gala 2022 Their thoughts on projects they have been a part of such as: Sync the pink, The Bitten Peach, Khandi Shop, Karaoke Club, MTV’s True love or true lies, Queer Parivaar.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/mahatmakhandi/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://linktr.ee/Mahatmakhandi  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From conversations on religion, sexuality, random filth and ethical questions. This is a juicy episode of randomness that will go down with a nice hot chai. Enjoy our DMC with a pitta TLC-- with the one and only author, poet and writer Amani Saeed.  Amani Saeed is an international writer whose work brings the big issues to your kitchen table. She explores the crisis cultivated by living between sometimes (but not always) contradictory cultures, treading the line between masjid and mini skirt. In addition to being a former member of the Roundhouse Collective, the Yoniverse Collective, and the Barbican Young Poets programme, Amani is the curator and host of of the interdisciplinary sell-out nights Golden Tongue and the hen-nah party. Amani has worked with Richmix, the Roundhouse, the BBC, and the Huffington Post, among others. Her debut collection, Split, was published with Burning Eye Books in 2018. Amani is currently working on the film Queer Parivaar.  You can purchase a copy of Amani’s collection, Split, by contacting her directly via e-mail, or via Burning Eye’s website. In the episode we talk about:  What you say to yourself after taking a number 2? Difference between Poetry and Spoken Word? Project highlights and challenges such as Pick N Mix (Rich Mix),Jesus at the Night Club (Art UK), Barbican Poet Alumni, Split The Hen-Nah Party, The Yoniverse Collective.  Spirituality, Culture and Religion and Sexuality. In specific it’s stamp with one’s queerness.  Performative style and growth. Evolution as a writer-- going from Open Mic work to being a Headliner. Response to the boldness of her voice and work. Receiving Tit Pics instead of Dick Pics. Performing similar pieces and how to relay that. I.e rep pieces and pulling on emotion experience.  Writing and performing new work.  Digital Poets such as influencer or insta poetry. Popularity vs ethics.  The ultimate give for her for her as an artist. Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/amanithepoet/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://amanisaeed.com  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

From Magic Mike to comparing his coaching styles between Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton. This episode is spilling the most-- with the one and only Daniel Dresner.  Daniel has been in the industry for over 20 years, starting off as a stand-up comedian, actor and theatre director in Tokyo, Japan. He then studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York and worked as an actor there for six years, returning to London in 2001 to act, coach and teach. ​He coaches actors, directors, writers, producers, singers, and production companies as well as the odd publisher and yoga instructor. He also, teaches privately in venerable institutions around the globe and here in London at the Actors Centre, the Guildhall, London Actors Workshop and Drama Studio London. I also run presentation skills, assertiveness and personal impact training workshops for corporates. Before entering a career in the entertainment industry, he was a divisional manager for a large office automation multinational with responsibility for sales, marketing and operations. Since leaving this corporate world, in around 20 or so years he has acted in well over one hundred films, TV shows, plays, commercials and various voice roles in London, New York City, Tokyo and all around the world. He is a former board member of Player Playwrights and founder member of the Actors Screen Collective, London as well as being an associate director of Spoken Word Ltd. This is on top of running his own coaching business, teaching and running corporate workshops. In the episode we talk about:  About his book- “A Life Coaching Approach to Screen Acting” (https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/lifecoaching-approach-to-screen-acting-9781350039438/)  His experience in the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.  If actors need an education and institution to enter the industry. Becoming a Coach and finding a niche. In Specific, the entertainment industry. His style as a coach. What the community of Coaches is like. Is their support or competitiveness?  His experience on working with organisations such as player player playwrights, Actors Screen Collective and Spoken word ltd.  The Facebook Community he set up during Covid 1- Daniel Dresner Coaching Actors. Which facilitated actors out of work and in a dark space— a place to connect and learn (https://www.facebook.com/groups/danieldresnercoachingactors) His work at the Actors Centre to now creating Actors Coaching International.  Advice for Actors on success and the rabbit hole of complications.  Discuss the art of networking, marketing and business of the industry.  Discuss a chapter of his book on the “Saboteur” the voice that says You Cannot.  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/danieldresnercoaching/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/chaiwithrai_  Guest: https://www.danieldresner.com/ Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Warm up your kettles and grab a cuppa as we discuss all things theatre and more (wink wink) with Mr. Kash Arshad.  Kash is a Scottish/Pakistani director and theatre maker based in Yorkshire, and trained on the National Theatre Studio Directors Course 2019. He is currently Associate Director at Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.  He spent 15 years working as an actor for companies such as Freedom Studios, Citizens Theatre, GW Theatre and Channel 4. In 2015 he made the leap into directing professionally, participating in an RTYDS 3 Month Placement at Freedom Studios, acting as assistant director to Ben Occhipinti on ChipShop The Musical by Emma Hill. Since then he has assisted at Leeds Playhouse, Theatre by the Lake and Bolton Octagon.  He was Trainee Artistic Director at Freedom Studios from 2017 -  2019. He is an Associate Artist of National Youth Theatre and Mentor Director for National Theatre Connections.  In the episode we talk about:  First Directing project to most recent work.  The conversation around the topic of diversity, accessability and inclusion in theatre. Where that sits in todays word and the future.  The Olivier Awards and do accolades matter? Programming plays for Theatres and the mechanics of that.  Funding and Money in Theatre.  Approach to text. Approach new writing vs produced work and reworked. The advantages and disadvantages of privilege. Thoughts on digital space and its effect on theatre. If you remove the pillars of a strong creative (faith, support and grit)— would you continue to do what you’re doing today? How do you balance work and relationships? Peaks and Valleys of life. Words to mirror self And of course some games :).  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://twitter.com/kasharshad  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum Guest: https://www.kasharshad.co.uk  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

With the one and only Bolly Illusion aka Anthony Pius. Everything from Topping Masculine Men to how Shahid Kapoor is a waste man? Miss Bolly is a Perfomance artist, Host, Dancer, Choreographer, Curator, Drag queen and full on SEX.  Their credits include: The Glory, The Hoxton, Glastonbury, London Queer Fashion show, Manchester Pride 2019, The Chateau, The Roundhouse. Pussy palace, , Birmingham Pride 2021, Daytimers x Somerset House, Won the lip-sync 1000 in 2019. Working for artists such as Mic Jagger, Joy Crookes, Priya Ragu, Mawaan Rizwan. And featured in campaigns for Levis, Rimmel London, Vogue Italia-- to name a FEW!  In the episode we talk about:  Yaha Waha--their film/ documentary which premiered at BFI Flare The world of Bharatnatyam and its impact whilst being non-binary and Catholic. The learning unlearning and influence on gender, sexuality and self  creative work.  The world of Bollywood. Advice and tips on curating shows.  Their personal journey on having Sex and their gender. The Cabaret and Performative space. Thoughts on the South Asian Queer scene. And on organisations/ communities such as the Bitten Peach. Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/bolly_illusion/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum Guest: https://linktr.ee/bolly_illusion  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Jay Jay has many hats. His focus is curating events, DJing, Ballroom (voguing) and mentoring. Listed as Time Out’s ‘One to Watch’, Jay Jay is a committed community activist and dedicated to creating safe spaces and conversations for QPOC and LGBTQ+. He does this through his own club night ‘Let’s Have a Kiki #theparty’ and as a volunteer peer to peer mentor at Stonewall Housing. Throughout his career, his events have raised money for many charity organisations with whom he continues to work and support. Jay Jay has been an early and devoted influence on the London Ballroom scene for the past five years and has been instrumental in defining how Ballroom in the UK is run. As Father of the ‘UK House of Revlon’ and founder of the ‘Kiki House of Tea’, Jay Jay is a leading authority of Ballroom in the UK.  From leading workshops at Tate Britain and SouthBank Centre, to bringing his inclusive flare to The Marlborough for Brighton Pride, he is a frequent collaborator with LGBTQ+ artists such as Honey Dijon and Years & Years. Jay Jay’s love for dance, voguing and DJing has taken him around the UK and Europe as a major force in the dance and music world. A hugely in demand DJ, Jay Jay’s talent behind the decks has seen him play up and down the UK, on the festival circuit and internationally, bringing his signature mix of House, Afro House, Classics and Ballroom beats. As well as having his own BoilerRoom Set, his credits include playing for Rinse FM, Fabric, The Royal Academy, National Portrait Gallery, Bussey Building, as well as playing for brands such as Levi’s, G-Star, JW Anderson’s LFW Afterparty and many more.  In the episode we discuss Ballroom culture- where it’s been and where it’s going? Music- How Jay Jay got into Dj’ing and what does the future hold?  Theatre and what made Sundown Kiki at The Young Vic Theatre in London special for the culture and him?  How to uphold values of culture and support each other in the community when it can turn into a monetisation scheme.  How Drag and ballroom culture have become a pop/ soundbite moment often. And what separates that from the experience of-- vs it’s visibility. Can certain things be problematic?  Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/jayjayrevlon/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum Guest: https://www.justjayjay.com  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.

Sitting down with the beaut Amrita Mudan to talk about Mental Health— and how our worth, confidence and self-love is connected to our work as creatives and what happens to us at the lowest of the lows and how to get out of it.  Looking at the representation in the prosthetics, hair and make up world. What routes to take in order to get successful in the industry, such as;  going to university to learn vs apprenticeships or shadowing people until you get jobs. Talking about the influencer route. when it comes to marketing yourself vs working in the industry behind the scenes through an agency or connecting yourself to a brand or a celebrity.  Working as a freelancer, barriers one faces being South Asian and a woman through the lens of culture or the industry. Also, our connectivity on Korean skin care our shared passion love for Francis McDormand, Adrian Lima and Nikesh Patel. And an eternal question Gandalf the grey or Gandalf the white? Social: Myself: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithrai_/  Guest: https://www.instagram.com/amritamudan/  Links: Myself: https://linktr.ee/raimuitfum Guest: https://www.amritamudan.com  Hope you all enjoyed it and Thank you for tuning in. To Subscribe, share, follow my work and everything else is listed above.