Podcast
TanGent Show
Hosted by Rajiv Satyal · EN
Comedian Rajiv Satyal couldn't pick just one thing. How the heck can you do that in a world so big? And when he's JUST SO SMART? The Cincinnati-born, LA-based standup comic conducts holistic conversations with his guests, who hail from fields as diverse as entertainment, politics, business, religion, and tech.
12episodes
Episodes
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Savan Kotecha
Today00:43:06Tap to summarizeWith more than 300 million records sold and songwriting credits for artists including Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, One Direction, Britney Spears, Ellie Goulding, Usher, Maroon 5, and many more, Savan Kotecha has quietly become one of the most successful hitmakers in modern pop music. But what surprised me most wasn't the resume. It was the person behind it. We sat down in Savan's studio expecting to talk about chart-topping songs, hit-making formulas, and the music business. We did plenty of that. We get into the craft of writing global pop records, why melody matters more than lyrics, the realities of streaming, working alongside legends like Max Martin and Madonna, and what it actually takes to give a song a shot at becoming a hit. But the conversation kept drifting somewhere more interesting. Savan talks about being inspired by movies, books, and even magazine confessionals. He explains why he still watches emotional TV dramas, why fame often looks very different from the outside than it does up close, and why some of his proudest accomplishments have nothing to do with Billboard charts. Along the way, we discuss Britney Spears, Grey's Anatomy, Swedish pop music, and the surprising story behind "What Makes You Beautiful." This is a conversation about creativity, ambition, and what happens when someone spends a lifetime chasing great songs while trying not to lose sight of everything else that matters. Listen to a collection of Savan Kotecha's work. Follow Savan Kotecha:Spotify IMDb Instagram
Transcribe →Drew Tarvin
3d ago01:02:37Tap to summarizeDrew Tarvin is a humorist, author, and speaker who has built a career around one deceptively simple idea: work is better when people laugh. As the founder of Humor That Works and the author of "Humor That Works: The Missing Skill for Success and Happiness at Work", Drew has helped organizations use humor to improve communication, leadership, creativity, and company culture. Long before that became his full-time mission, he was balancing a career at Procter & Gamble with nights doing improv and stand-up comedy. I had a feeling this conversation would be fun, but I didn't expect it to get so practical. Drew doesn't just argue that humor belongs in the workplace, he explains why it works, where it goes wrong, and how almost anyone can use it without trying to become the office comedian. We talk about improv, presentations, brainstorming, leadership, why PowerPoint so often puts people to sleep, and the surprising psychology behind what actually makes something funny. We compare notes on stand-up, hip-hop, puns (far more than any reasonable podcast should contain) and why some of the best lessons about communication come from comedy clubs instead of conference rooms. I especially enjoyed hearing someone who thinks about humor as analytically as I do, while never losing sight of the fact that the goal isn't to be the funniest person in the room. It's simply to make the room a little more human. If you've ever had to give a presentation, lead a meeting, or wondered whether work really has to feel so serious all the time, I think you'll get a lot out of this one. Subscribe to Drew's Blog Pick up one of Drew's best selling books Work with Drew and Humor That Works Watch Drew's viral TEDx Talk Follow Drew Tarvin:Website LinkedIn Youtube Instagram Facebook
Transcribe →Ravi Patel
1w ago00:23:31Tap to summarizeActor, filmmaker, writer, and entrepreneur Ravi Patel is known for Meet the Patels, Master of None, The Pursuit of Happyness, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Animal Control, and films including Long Shot and 80 for Brady. He's also built companies, created television projects, and somehow manages to make every career pivot seem inevitable in hindsight. I've always enjoyed talking with Ravi because he has this rare combination of ambition and perspective. We get into everything from his unlikely journey through investment banking and the poker boom to Meet the Patels, what happened after the documentary, and the projects he was building next. But the conversation really took an unexpected turn when we started talking about success. Ravi shared one of my favorite answers I've ever gotten to the question, "Have you made it?" His take on ambition, fatherhood, redefining success, and learning to love the pursuit instead of waiting for the destination genuinely stuck with me. We still manage to squeeze in plenty of laughs (and a surprisingly competitive game of blackjack), but this one became a much deeper conversation than I expected, and I'm really glad it did. Watch Ravi's real-life romantic comedy "Meet the Patels" Follow Ravi Patel:IMDb Instagram
Transcribe →Willis Turner
1w ago01:50:28Tap to summarizeComedian Willis Turner has spent years touring comedy clubs across the country, sharing stages with comics like Loni Love and performing everywhere from small-town Montana to military bases overseas. But what started as two comedians swapping road stories turned into an extremely thoughtful conversation. We begin with life on the road, opening for other comics, unforgettable gigs, and the strange realities of stand-up, before the conversation naturally shifts into much bigger territory. Willis and I dive into politics, race, American history, generational perspectives, why travel changes the way you see the world, and whether comedians have become today's philosophers. I first met Willis backstage at the Comedy & Magic Club, and after talking with him for just a few minutes I knew I wanted to keep the conversation going. I'm glad we finally did. It's funny, thoughtful, and occasionally provocative. Follow Willis Turner:IMDb Instagram Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok
Transcribe →Priya Rai
2w ago00:40:30Tap to summarizePriya Rai is one of the most recognizable Indian-born performers ever to work in the adult entertainment industry. Adopted from India and raised in Arizona, she built a successful career as a featured dancer, adult film star, entrepreneur, and online creator, becoming one of the few South Asian women to achieve mainstream name recognition in an industry where representation has historically been rare. I wasn't quite sure where this conversation would go, but that's part of what made it so fascinating. Priya is disarmingly open about everything - her adoption story, becoming a mother at a young age, raising two kids, entering the adult industry at 29, retiring, returning years later, and the complicated realities that most people never hear discussed honestly. What struck me wasn't the shock value of any of it. It was how matter-of-fact and thoughtful she was when talking about choices that many people spend their lives judging from a distance. We get into everything from stigma, relationships, family, and financial independence to how the internet completely changed the adult entertainment business. Along the way, she made me laugh far more than I expected, challenged some of my assumptions, and reminded me that the most interesting conversations usually happen when you're willing to talk with someone whose life experience looks nothing like your own. Follow Priya Rai:IMDb Instagram X (Twitter)
Transcribe →Jade Catta-Preta
2w ago01:20:51Tap to summarizeJade Catta-Preta is a Brazilian-born comedian, actress, television host, and stand-up comic whose credits include hosting MTV's Girl Code, appearances on shows like Manhattan Love Story and Those Who Can't, and a stand-up career that has made her one of the most recognizable voices in comedy today. We somehow bounced between Brazil, India, Game of Thrones, pilot season heartbreak, language, fashion, reality TV, and the weird psychology of performers, yet it all somehow connected. Jade is incredibly funny, but what stood out to me was how thoughtful she was about identity - growing up Brazilian in Virginia, trying to fit in, and eventually realizing that the things that make you different are usually the things worth leaning into. There were also a handful of moments where she said something that made me stop and think long after we moved on to the next topic. That's my favorite kind of guest - someone who can make me laugh and quietly change the way I see something in the same conversation. Watch Jade's recent Comedy Special "Jaded" Follow Jade Catta-Preta:Website IMDb Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok Youtube
Transcribe →Sujata Day
3w ago00:35:32Tap to summarizeI first became aware of Sujata Day through her work with Issa Rae on The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, but by the end of this conversation I found myself just as fascinated by the way she thinks as by anything she's made. Sujata is the writer, director, producer, and star of Definition Please, and one of those rare people who seems completely comfortable betting on herself - whether that means leaving a stable consulting job, cold-emailing Hollywood managers, cashing out stock to finance her own film, or building opportunities for other South Asian creators instead of waiting for someone else to do it. What I loved about this conversation is how practical it gets. Sujata doesn't talk about success in vague inspirational terms. She talks about the actual mechanics of it. We get into how a random Twitter follow led to her meeting Issa Rae before either of them were famous, why persistence matters more than any single project, how she landed representation through sheer hustle, and why she believes South Asians are finally starting to build the kind of creative community that other groups have benefited from for years. There's also plenty of fun along the way - spelling bee trauma, shooting a feature in her childhood home outside Pittsburgh, and her surprisingly strong case for wearing sweatpants to fancy events. More than anything, I came away impressed by how intentional she is about lifting other people up. That's a theme that runs through this entire episode, and it's probably the thing that stuck with me most. Follow Sujata Day: IMDb Website Instagram Facebook X (Twitter) Vimeo Youtube
Transcribe →Richard Barrett
3w ago01:32:18Tap to summarizeMost people outside of comedy have probably never heard of Richard Barrett. Inside comedy, that's a different story. Richard has spent decades helping shape one of the most respected comedy rooms in America - The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach - where legends like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Garry Shandling, and countless others have worked, experimented, and refined their craft. As the club's longtime booker and entertainment director, he's had a front-row seat to comedy history while quietly helping launch the next generation of comedians. What I enjoyed most about this conversation is that Richard approaches comedy with the same care and respect that great comedians bring to the stage. We talk about how he accidentally found his way into the comedy business after leaving a successful career in Florida, what he looks for when evaluating new talent, why he's more likely to book a comedian a year too late than a day too early, and the philosophy that helped make The Comedy & Magic Club such a special place. Along the way, he shares incredible stories about Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Jay Leno, Steve Allen, Garry Shandling, and many others, but what stands out is the deep appreciation he has for comedy itself and the people who dedicate their lives to making strangers laugh. After this conversation, it's easy to understand why so many comics speak about Richard with genuine affection and respect. He may not be the one holding the microphone, but he's helped create the room where so much comedy magic happens. Get tickets to a show at The Comedy & Magic Club Pick up merch from The Comedy and Magic Club Follow The Comedy & Magic Club:Website Instagram Facebook TikTok Youtube
Transcribe →Ritesh Rajan
4w ago00:34:51Tap to summarizeActor Ritesh Rajan might be best known for roles in Russian Doll, The Jungle Book, Stitchers, Definition Please, and voicing Ken in Mattel's Barbie Vlogger universe - but this episode quickly turns into something much bigger than a career retrospective. It becomes a conversation about identity, ambition, immigrant families, and why South Asians still struggle to support each other creatively in America. Ritesh and I cover everything from growing up as one of the only Indian kids in a small-town New York school system to playing Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, teaching Bhangra-infused Zumba classes around the world, and the surreal feeling of finally standing on sets filled predominantly with South Asian artists. There's also a hilarious deep dive into South Indian naming conventions, Indian-parent threats that sound criminal when translated into English, and why Ritesh believes South Asians need to stop asking "why aren't you in more things?" and start actually supporting the projects that already exist. It's thoughtful, funny, incredibly honest, and one of the more grounded conversations this show has had about what representation actually means once the cameras stop rolling. Ritesh's projects mentioned in the show: Russian Doll The Voice of Ken (Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures) Definition Please Follow Ritesh Rajan: IMDb Instagram Facebook X (Twitter)
Transcribe →Seth Godin
May 2501:30:06Tap to summarizeI've wanted to talk to Seth Godin for years, and this conversation somehow managed to be even more wide-ranging than I expected. Seth is one of the most influential marketing thinkers of the last few decades. He is the author of books like Purple Cow, Linchpin, and The Dip, but what struck me most in this episode wasn't the marketing advice. It was how deeply philosophical he is about work, creativity, fear, education, and what it actually means to matter. We get into everything here: why Seth thinks America's advantage isn't obedience but creativity, why most people confuse freelancing with entrepreneurship, why schools still train kids for factory jobs that no longer exist, and why he believes giving ideas away for free is often the smartest thing you can do. There's also a fascinating section where he completely reframes how I think about stand-up comedy careers, including whether comics should scale themselves like entrepreneurs or protect the purity of being freelancers. Some episodes feel like interviews. This one felt more like intellectual ping-pong with somebody who's spent decades thinking deeply about how people make decisions and why most of us are playing the wrong game entirely. Pick up one of Seth's many best selling books Read Seth's Blog Listen to Seth's podcast, "Akimbo" Follow Seth Godin: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X (Twitter)
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