No More Tokens
69 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 21 ratingsA podcast that shines a giant Klieg light on diversity in Hollywood! Hosted by stand up comedian Mahesh Kotagi and filmmaker Daniel Marcha, each week we discuss diversity in Hollywood and chat with guests with a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives throughout the industry.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Amanda Zhou!
May 05, 2022 15:04 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBAmanda is a rising star known for her portrayal of the series regular character Jenn Yu on Netflix's well reviewed figure skating show SPINNING OUT. Prior to SPINNING OUT, Zhou appeared in the Warner Bros. film IT CHAPTER II, and recurred in the hit Canadian series BLOOD AND WATER. #netflix #aapi #actor #diversity #hollywood
Actor Johnny M. Wu!
December 23, 2021 15:54 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBJohnny is in the new movie A Journal for Jordan directed by Denzel Washington! Johnny grew up in New York City where he attended Stuyvesant High School. After forgoing a study of finance in undergrad for a theatre major instead at Binghamton University, he was accepted into Yale, NYU, and UCSD on full scholarships for his Master's.
Writer, speaker, creator Nicole Nageli!
December 21, 2021 01:16 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBNicole Nageli joins us via zoom to discuss motivation in entertainment, following your dreams, publishing your own book, speaking at TEDX and more!
Season 3 coming soon!
December 21, 2021 01:16 - 17 seconds - 388 KBSeason 3 coming soon, releasing a few epsidoes this week as a holiday present! Stay safe everyone!
Genius Movie Ideas! Who buys avocados from Dunkin??
May 06, 2021 14:57 - 16 minutes - 22.6 MBDaniel's back folks! We have a great ep for you - we come up with the next blockbuster movie LIVE and we get to the bottom of the mystery every one has been wondering - What's in the avocado toast at #DUNKIN DONUTS!!! So thrilled for how our NMT community is growing thanks so much for the support, please tell a friend to listen!
Actor and Acting Coach Jennifer DiBella!
April 29, 2021 18:34 - 31 minutes - 42.9 MBJENNIFER DIBELLA is an actor who uses her experience in the industry to empower others. She has appeared on a some big name shows, including GREY’S ANATOMY, 9-1-1 and STATION 19. Jennifer’s success in the acting world has now led her to a new career path – in the midst of the pandemic, nonetheless! Her new business endeavor as an Acting Career Consultant and Acting Coach is nothing short of impressive. She teaches actors how to advocate for themselves and find their power in a business where...
Industry Executive + Activist Shawn Finnie!
April 22, 2021 20:42 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MBShawn Finnie is a well-rounded multi-hyphenated creative. Professionally, he serves as the Senior Director of Member Relations and Awards for The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the organization that puts on the Oscars). He is a crucial part of the team that is responsible for making sure there is solid representation and diverse voices of all backgrounds included, engaged, and activated within the Academy membership which ultimately reflects the Oscars. Shawn uses h...
Catching up w Mahesh Kotagi!
April 08, 2021 18:44 - 20 minutes - 38.1 MBIt's just me this week, so you know things go off the rails!!! I'll tell you what I've been watching, and also what mystery flavor of soda has really shaken up my world!
Comedian Orlando Lebya!
March 25, 2021 17:44 - 46 minutes - 84.8 MBORLANDO LEYBA is one of our favorite stand-up comedians out there who finds humor in just about anything that crosses his path. You have to check out his standup special ADORABLE, now streaming on HBO – or you can catch it streaming on Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Pandora, Sirius XM or wherever you’re streaming from right now. He’s made multiple memorable appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and he stars in the animated kids film LUIS AND THE ALIENS on Hulu. He’s ap...
Storyboard Artist Sia Mistry!
March 18, 2021 17:52 - 34 minutes - 63.5 MBSIA MISTRY is an Indian-American storyboard artist. Originally from India, Sia has lived everywhere from England to the midwestern US (and currently, Los Angeles!). Her nomadic upbringing and love of art have led her into a passion for promoting diversity and racial equality in the art community. Sia has interned at Green Gold Animation in Hyderabad, India, and worked on television shows including Disney Junior’s MIRA, ROYAL DETECTIVE, and CHICKEN SQUAD. Sia Mistry: @siamy...
Actor Garfield Wilson! TNT's Snowpiercer
March 11, 2021 15:29 - 44 minutes - 61.5 MBGARFIELD WILSON, is a musician-turned-actor. Garfield has been in movies including STOLEN BY MY MOTHER: THE KAMIYAH MOBLEY STORY opposite Niecy Nash, COME TO DADDY, and VENDETTA. You've seen him on TV shows including ARROW, ONCE UPON A TIME, BATES MOTEL, THE 100, VAN HELSING, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, and J.J. Abram’s ALMOST HUMAN, among others. Check him out on this season of SNOWPIERCER, which airs on Mondays on TNT, and his upcoming project THE ASTRONAUTS, ...
Animator Jaydeep Hasrajani!
March 04, 2021 22:30 - 41 minutes - 75.1 MBJAYDEEP HASRAJANI is an Indian-American animator, storyboard artist, and director based in Los Angeles, CA. He has previously worked on Cartoon Network's THE POWERPUFF GIRLS and THE FUNGEES, and Netflix Animation's GHEE HAPPY. Currently, he is the Creator and Producer on a super secret project he legally cannot talk about at Netflix Animation. Oops we've said too much already... Jaydeep Hasrajani: jaydeephasrajani No More Tokens: @nomoretokens Mahesh Kotagi: @mahesh...
Director Rajeev Dassani - Welcome to Blumhouse - Evil Eye!
February 25, 2021 16:53 - 37 minutes - 67.9 MBRAJEEV DASSANI is a director/writer who's film EVIL EYE recently dropped on Amazon after Rajeev and his twin brother Elan were tapped by the legendary horror house Blumhouse Productions. Rajeev is an award-winning filmmaker with his film A DAY'S WORK winning the prestigious Gold Medal at the Student Academy Awards which are put on by the Oscars organization. He's gone on to screen his film at hundreds of festivals worldwide winning additional awards at the Shanghai Film Festival, and ...
Director and Producer OZ Scott! w guest host Marco Martinez!
February 18, 2021 16:07 - 32 minutes - 60.2 MBDirector + Producer Oz Scott with Guest Co-Host Marco Martinez! OZ SCOTT is a legendary director and producer with an extraordinary career spanning 40 years and more than 100 television credits. Oz's directing career began with classic television series including HILL STREET BLUES, FAME, and THE JEFFERSONS. He went on to helm episodes of some of the most talked about shows in television history including THE COSBY SHOW, L.A. LAW, CHICAGO HOPE, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, ALLY MCBEAL,...
Actor and Musician - Carolina Hoyos!
February 11, 2021 16:18 - 35 minutes - 65.8 MBCAROLINA HOYOS is a first generation Peruvian Quechua-Inca Afro-Latina. Carolina has had an exceptional career blending her love of acting with her skills as a classically trained musician. Under a 4-year performance contract as a member of the official Los Angeles County Artist Roster, Carolina sings and played "Antonella" in the series finale of Nicolas Winding Refn's Amazon Prime crime drama TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG. The song also appears on the series' soundtrack. She's a...
Filmmaker Oliver Bokelberg!
February 04, 2021 17:37 - 40 minutes - 56.3 MBOLIVER BOKELBERG is a German-born filmmaker behind Shondaland's first documentary, "Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker." Bokelberg has directed multiple episodes of television including "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," and most recently, "Big Sky." He also served as "Scandal's" cinematographer for all seven seasons, beginning with the pilot. Bokelberg studied at Tisch School of the Arts and was the Directing/Producer films including "The Station Agent," "The Visitor," and "...
Actor + Comedian Maz Jobrani!
January 28, 2021 18:34 - 35 minutes - 65.2 MBMAZ JOBRANI is an Iranian-born actor and comedian who's newest comedy special PANDEMIC WARRIOR premieres on January 28 on Peacock! You may have seen Maz on the big screen in films including Sydney Pollack's THE INTERPRETER, Disney's DESCENDANTS, and Ice Cube's FRIDAY AFTER NEXT. Tune into Netflix to catch his original (and hilarious) standup special IMMIGRANT. Most recently Maz appeared in A SIMPLE WEDDING (from the producers of MY BIG, FAT, GREEK WEDDING) alongside Rita...
Daniel and Mahesh! 2021!
January 21, 2021 19:06 - 24 minutes - 45.1 MBHappy New Year everyone! Wow! We are growing so much as a podcast, thanks to all of your support!!! Today Daniel and I talk about what we are looking forward to in 2021, the status of movie theaters, and also DUNKIN DONUTS. Follow, share, and tell a friend! Let's get to a 50,000 subscribers!
Aasif Mandvi!
January 14, 2021 16:34 - 47 minutes - 86.4 MBAasif Mandvi is a Peabody award-winning actor, writer, creator, comedian, author, and producer of Indian descent. Widely known for his work as a correspondent on the multi Emmy-winning, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." He currently stars in the new CBS series "Evil," as well as in the UK series "This Way Up" with Aisling Bea on Hulu. Some of Aasif's other credits include "Blue Bloods," "Younger," "Mother's Day," and "Million Dollar Arm." This past September, he launched...
Actor Tiya Sircar! (NBC's The Good Place, Star Wars Rebels)
December 17, 2020 21:51 - 34 minutes - 62.8 MBActress Tiya Sircar recently appeared in the final season of NBC's “The Good Place,” and Entertainment Weekly dubbed her the series "Scene Stealer." Tiya's other projects include lead on the ABC series “Alex, Inc.” alongside Zach Braff’s, Netflix’s “Master of None” and "Good Sam," Fox’s “The Mindy Project,” “The Witches of East End,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “The Crazy Ones,” “Hannah Montana,” and “The Suite Life on Deck.” Having also established herself as a capable voiceover actr...
Showrunner Sanjay Shah!
December 10, 2020 16:30 - 47 minutes - 87.5 MBSanjay Shah is currently the co-showrunner of Season 1 and 2 of Apple TV's "Central Park." His was previously a writer on the long-running series "King of the Hill," co-executive producer on the Fox comedy series "Enlisted," and writer and producer of "Fresh Off the Boat," from creator/showrunner Nahnatchka Khan. No More Tokens: @nomoretokens Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies
Actor Dawan Owens
December 03, 2020 17:34 - 31 minutes - 56.8 MBDawan Owens is an actor and comedian. He also created a support and mentorship group for actors of color at John Rosenfeld Studios in LA. Some of his credits include the ABC, Kerry Washington-produced pilot "Man of the House" starring alongside Alyson Hannigan and Leslie Bibb; a series regular role on Tyler Perry's "If Loving You Is Wrong;" and recurring roles on Nextflix's "The Ranch," ABC'S "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", OWN's "Greenleaf," and Hulu's "All Night."
Founder of Broken Barriers - Floyd Reeves!
November 25, 2020 22:07 - 32 minutes - 59.8 MBFloyd Reeves is a producer, writer, and the founder of Broken Barriers Productions – a social network for filmmakers of color – and Broken Barriers Entertainment, a Los Angeles based production company that creates content for digital, film, theater, and TV. Broken Barriers has created over 80 events in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York.
What Are Friends For – Gabrielle Ruiz and Pallavi Sastry!
November 12, 2020 23:19 - 37 minutes - 68 MBToday we sat down with Gabrielle Ruiz and Pallavi Sastry, hosts of the very successful What Are Friends For Podcast! They are both super talented and have built amazing careers in entertainment. We chat all things showbiz, advice on how to make it, and the best grocery store in the world! Listen to What Are Friends For @WAFFpodcast Gabrielle Ruiz: @GabrielleRuiz Pallavi Sastry: @HiPallaviSastry No More Tokens: @nomoretokens Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi Daniel Marcha: @marcha...
Broadway Star - Eric Anthony Lopez!
October 13, 2020 20:09 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBBroadway actor and star Eric Anthony Lopez joins us this week! We chat about his experiences on Fox’s American Idol, diversity in the Broadway community, and acting in the record-breaking, longest-running Broadway musical, Phantom Of the Opera. Phantom of the Opera has the distinction of being the ONLY musical to continue performances SAFELY during COVID 19. Eric Anthony Lopez made history by becoming the youngest actor in The Phantom of The Opera franchise to tackle the leading opera ...
Actor/Director - Sujata Day (HBO's Insecure, Definition Please)
September 24, 2020 18:48 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MBWith her infectious personality and unique sense of humor, Pittsburgh native Sujata Day has established herself as a performer, creator, writer, and director. She regularly performs in Upright Citizen Brigade's hit Asian AF show. Sujata is known for her starring role as CeCe in Issa Rae’s The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. She's recurred for three seasons on HBO's Insecure. Sujata is a #Sundance Lab fellow, Sundance Film Festival influencer, and Sundance Collab advisor. Her short film,...
Producer Toby Louie - Netflix, Sundance, SXSW
September 06, 2020 19:36 - 37 minutes - 50.9 MBTOBY LOUIE is an award-winning independent producer, originally from San Francisco, CA. Toby produces television, recently making SNEAKERHEADS with Olive Bridge Entertainment for #Netflix. He has three new projects in the works, including an #Apple TV+ pilot with Annapurna, a docu-series about the #Lakers, and a project with Stay Gold. His feature film, NIGHT OWLS, was released in 2015 to rave reviews and sold to #MGM. Toby has subsequently had films at many of the major festivals, inclu...
In Memory of Chadwick Boseman
September 01, 2020 17:41 - 8 minutes - 15.5 MBIn Memory of Chadwick Boseman
Director Liz Fields!
August 28, 2020 18:44 - 35 minutes - 65.6 MBLiz Fields is an Asian-Australian-American writer and filmmaker who has traveled to 40 different countries across six continents searching for stories that illuminate human existence, struggles, and truth. Liz became a staff writer at #ABC and was part of the #Emmy Award-winning team that launched #VICE News on #HBO. As a filmmaker, she explored the insanity of the modern American condition as a 2016 #presidential campaign embed, produced a #Netflix series on the global drug trade, and won...
Casting Associate and Acting Coach - Shannon Bills
August 14, 2020 20:41 - 31 minutes - 57.1 MBShannon Bills (f/k/a Shannon Malecki) is a casting associate at Greenstein Daniel Casting. In her seven years of casting she has worked on over 50 TV comedies such as #NBC's Superstore, American Housewife, Shrill and #Netflix #NeverHaveIEver. Last year she decided to take on a new passion coaching actors. Her goal is to motivate and excite actors about the work they're doing. She takes a holistic approach to acting by intuitively looking in and figuring out blocks that are keeping you out of...
Filming a Feature during Quarantine - Dan and Selina of Two Hands Productions
August 12, 2020 23:11 - 37 minutes - 69.1 MBDan Levy Dagerman and Selina Ringel have a production company called TWO HANDS PRODUCTIONS. They also filmed a FEATURE FILM during quarantine. Selina Ringel is an award winning Producer, Casting Director, and a Writer. Dan directed their first feature film THE BEST PEOPLE which is currently being sold worldwide by Shoreline Entertainment and distributed domestically by Samuel Goldwyn Films. It premiered at the 2018 Cinequest Film Festival. We talk about filming during #quarantine, how ...
Family Karma's Anisha Ramakrishna!
August 11, 2020 14:12#BravoTV's Family Karma star Anisha Ramakrisna joins us this week! #FamilyKarma is the only #Indian reality show on network TV. We chat about what this means for diversity and representation on television and Anisha's life and her eco-conscious and sustainable clothing companies #Currently and #NoSharam. Follow her @ Instagram @anishramakrishna Currently Clothing @shopcurrently No Sharam @nosharammerch
Indian Matchmaking! and Daniel returns!
July 20, 2020 19:38 - 22 minutes - 40.6 MB#Indian Matchmaking is #Netflix's new docu-series that was promoted as a show that helps single millennials “find true love”. The series is hosted by elite matchmaker Seema Taparia as she works with young #Indians and their parents to select a spouse. The Indian community is divided over this - but we LOVED it. Check it out! #IndianMatchmaking
HBO Executive Producer - Jim Kleverweis
July 17, 2020 17:40 - 30 minutes - 56 MBJim Kleverweis is an executive producer of at #HBO and produced all six seasons of #SiliconValley, and #Insecure, and many other amazing shows. Jim is a huge proponent of diversity in Hollywood. We talk about the importance of diversity on camera and behind camera and all the work he is doing to help change Hollywood for the better. No More Tokens is a podcast hosted by comedian Mahesh Kotagi and filmmaker Daniel Marcha.
Screenwriter - Zarna Garg
July 10, 2020 19:59 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBZarna Garg is an award-winning screenwriter and stand-up comedian (and accidental TikTok breakout star). Her one-of-a-kind comedy style highlights her role as a mom and lawyer turned stand-up comedian, and uniquely combines the immigrant and American experience. Her debut romantic comedy screenplay REARRANGED won the Best Comedy Screenplay Award at the 2019 Austin Film Festival (placing #1 out of 11,000 scripts), and was also a 2019 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist. The script has...
Comedian and Actor - Monroe Martin!
July 08, 2020 18:23 - 33 minutes - 45.3 MBMonroe Martin is a stand up comedian and actor. He has been on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, NBC's Last Comic Standing, Netflix's Master of None, Late Night, Comedy Central and so much more. Follow him on social media @MonroeMartinIII Check out his podcast No Need For Apologies and catch his live shows. https://www.monroemartincomedy.com/ Leave us a 5 star review and tell a friend!
Building Your Brand w Akansha Agrawal!
July 06, 2020 19:15 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MBAkansha Agrawal is a brand storyteller and strategist at Citrus & Gold, and the co-author of The Healthy Indian Food Cookbook. Her mission is helping creatives & entrepreneurs find their authentic voices and build powerful personal brands so they can make a bigger impact. We chat about how to create your brand and stand out in the crowd while maintaining your vision and celebrating your individuality. Follow her @citrusandgold Please share, comment, and leave us a 5 star review @nomoreto...
Black Lives Matter
June 05, 2020 19:53 - 1 minute - 1.54 MBNo More Tokens fully supports the Black Lives Matter movement and we wanted to share some resources where you can help as well. Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019 https://www.gofundme.com/f/9v4q2-justice-for-breonna-taylor Sign: Justice for Floyd https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis Stand with Bre https://www.standwithbre.com Run with Maud https://www.runw...
Netflix's The Lovebirds!
May 26, 2020 18:40 - 45 minutes - 63 MBWhoo! Netflix's The Lovebirds came out this weekend starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani. This is huge for diversity and we LOVED the movie! Also we talk 90's nostalgia! Thanks for the support please review, rate, and share!!!
Netflix's #BlackAF w Khalid Rahmaan
May 15, 2020 16:28 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBComedian Khalid Rahmaan (TBS's Conan) joins us via virtual studio! We chat about stand up comedy and Netflix's new show #BlackAF! Tune in, rate us 5 stars, and stay safe people!
Netflix and Producing TV with Sanya Dosani!
April 10, 2020 18:39 - 47 minutes - 65 MB*This was recorded pre-Rona* Sanya Dosani joins us in studio! She is a producer for many TV shows including Netflix and VOX's show Sex Explained, and has worked on TBS's Samantha Bee's Full Frontal. Sanya started in journalism and made her move to TV. This was a great episode! Follow us @nomoretokens Leave us a 5 star rating! Tell a friend! COVER YOUR MOUTHS!
Coronavirus hits Hollywood! Daniel returns!
March 25, 2020 18:17 - 26 minutes - 36.3 MBOhhh Boy! Y'all may be stuck inside but Daniel Marcha is back this week and we talk about how corona has affected Hollywood and production of your fav shows/movies. Please rate us 5 stars, comment, share, and above all COVER YOUR MOUTHS AND STAY HOME! Thanks!
New York Comedy Club! w Emilio Savone
March 17, 2020 19:17 - 44 minutes - 60.9 MBNew York Comedy Club Co-Owner Emilio Savone joins us in studio along with comedian Neko White. Emilio Savone and Scott Linder are co-owners of the ultra successful New York Comedy Club. They have expanded to two clubs and multiple road rooms. We discuss how they started and how they have built up such a great club. We also talk advice to young comedians and what it takes to make it in this business.
Comedian Neko White!
January 22, 2020 22:51 - 43 minutes - 59.2 MBStand up comedian Neko White joins us in studio live from NYC! Neko has been featured on TruTV, Kevin Hart's LOL network, Vice, Fox, and many others. He is hilarious and has a lot of great advice in this one! Leave us 5 stars on iTunes, Spotify, and a comment please! @nomoretokens
Bonus!
January 20, 2020 20:57 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBHappy 2020! Season 2 is coming soon, here is a bonus to get you cooking! Daniel and I chat about MOVIES!
Season 2 Bonus!
January 20, 2020 20:57 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBHappy 2020! Season 2 is coming soon, here is a bonus to get you cooking! Daniel and I chat about MOVIES!
Travel Nightmares!
December 30, 2019 19:47 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MBYikes! Sorry for the delay folks! We are back with a few more episdoes for the end of 2019! Thanks for all the support - this is a fun one! Mahesh has an INSANE travel story. Daniel is not impressed. Follow us @maheshkotagi @marchamadness @nomoretokens
We are Back! Hollywood Pay Gap!
November 20, 2019 21:44 - 47 minutes - 64.6 MBHey! We are back with another hot episode! This time we discuss the Hollywood Pay Gap and other fresh news in the industry!
Casting Director - Naela Durrani
October 11, 2019 20:30 - 1 hour - 89.1 MBWe're back! Today we have casting director and awesome human being Naela Durrani on the podcast. Naela is a freelance reality casting producer based in the LA area. She has worked in casting for over 10 years and has worked on some casting amazing shows such as AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. We had a blast talking to her and her pet dogs even make a special guest appearance! Follow her at Instagram @whererealitymeetsreality
Saturday Night Live Controversy!
September 20, 2019 00:41 - 24 minutes - 33.4 MBYikes! This week we discuss the Saturday Night Live controversy, and give our takes on how it impacts diversity in entertainment. This is an important episode people! We have video now! Check us out on Instagram @nomoretokens Leave us a 5 star review if you can!