TanGent Show

Karan Soni

Actor and writer Karan Soni [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karan_Soni] has quietly become one of the most recognizable faces in acting and comedy over the last decade, thanks to standout roles in Deadpool, Deadpool 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Abbott Elementary, Miracle Workers, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and 7 Days - but this conversation reveals the person underneath all of that success in a way that's funny, vulnerable, and unexpectedly deep. Karan and I bounce between stories about immigrating to America, obsessing over The O.C., terrible first acting jobs, celebrity encounters gone horribly wrong, and the weird emotional baggage that comes with wanting to be accepted. Karan talks openly about coming out to his family after moving from India to USC, the culture shock of seeing openly queer couples for the first time, and the therapist who helped change the trajectory of his relationship with his parents. We also get into representation in Hollywood, why South Asians sometimes struggle to support each other creatively, the pressure of being "the Indian guy" in a room, and how Deadpool unexpectedly changed his relationship with fame and visibility. Along the way there are stories involving porta-potties, sweaty handshakes, police officers who love Marvel movies, and one truly catastrophic interaction with Ben McKenzie that somehow becomes one of the funniest moments in the entire episode. Follow Karan Soni:IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4175221/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/itskaransoni/]

Eric Lange

Eric Lange [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Lange] is one of those actors you instantly recognize - even if you don't immediately know his name. Over the years, he's appeared in shows like Lost, Victorious, Narcos, Escape at Dannemora, Weeds, and The Man in the High Castle, while also working alongside legends like Al Pacino, Diane Lane, and John Malkovich. But long before Hollywood, Eric was just another Fairfield, Ohio kid doing show choir and school plays - something I take great joy in unpacking throughout this conversation. This episode turns into a surprisingly deep and detailed masterclass on acting, auditioning, creativity, confidence, rejection, and the psychology of surviving Hollywood for nearly two decades. Eric breaks down everything from his early theater days and struggling actor years to finally breaking through with Lost, including one incredible story about working with Al Pacino that every actor will love. Eric and I also get into the strange emotional push-and-pull of success, the difference between performing and truly listening, and why Eric unexpectedly became a mentor figure to young fans through Victorious. Follow Eric Lange: IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1441925/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mrericlange/] Twitter [https://x.com/MrEricLange]

Misha Euceph

Misha Euceph [http://www.mishaeuceph.com/about] - writer, producer, and award-winning podcast creator behind acclaimed audio projects including Tell Them, I Am, The Butterfly Effect, and Snap Judgment - joins me for a deeply funny, wildly thoughtful conversation about identity, storytelling, immigration, politics, podcasting, and what it means to take up space in America. Born in Pakistan and raised in the U.S. after immigrating at age eleven and a half (very important distinction, according to Misha), she talks about growing up between cultures, learning to "perform" Americanness as a kid, and how podcasting evolved alongside her own career as a storyteller and writer. We also get into why she insists she's a writer first and a podcaster second, despite Apple apparently categorizing her entire existence simply as "podcast." Along the way, we discuss everything from South Asian representation in media and why immigrant stories often feel creatively limiting, to whether naturalized citizens should be allowed to run for president, why America still hasn't elected a woman president, and the strange psychological freedom of moving through the world with the confidence of "a six-foot-five white man named Chad." Misha is razor-sharp, endlessly curious, and one of those guests who can pivot from deeply personal observations to hilarious absurdity in a single sentence. This one felt less like an interview and more like accidentally stumbling into a three-hour conversation with someone you immediately want to keep talking to. Listen to Misha's Podcast "Tell Them, I Am." [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tell-them-i-am/id1458776739&ved=2ahUKEwjxkPPMjrKUAxVX5ckDHXklDtUQFnoECA0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2hHj24y4HKzroWhZuzW97o] Follow Misha Euceph: Website [http://www.mishaeuceph.com] Substack [https://mishaeuceph.substack.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meuceph/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@meuceph]

Alex Hooper

This week, Alex Hooper [https://www.hoopercomedy.com] joins me for a wildly funny, surprisingly thoughtful conversation about comedy, creativity, and the beautiful chaos of trying to build an artistic life in LA. Alex is a stand-up comedian, actor, and longtime fixture of the Los Angeles comedy scene whose debut special Brace Yourself was recently released through Comedy Dynamics. Long before the TV credits and festival appearances, Alex was producing rooftop comedy shows in Los Angeles that became so popular they literally got shut down by the cops. We talk about the early grind of stand-up, bombing at open mics, finally getting asked to do shows like The Meltdown, and the weird emotional whiplash of crushing for packed rooms one night and performing for eleven comedians at a bar the next. We also get into comedy philosophy, jealousy among comics, why peer approval matters so much in stand-up, and the difference between comedians who genuinely love the craft versus people chasing validation. Along the way, Alex shares stories about getting expelled from college, building a comedy show for charity in downtown LA, and learning how to stop being angry all the time and actually enjoy life. Watch Alex's recent Comedy Special "Brace Yourself" [https://www.hoopercomedy.com/#brace-yourself-section] Catch Alex on Tour! [https://www.hoopercomedy.com/#shows-section] Follow Alex Hooper: Website [https://www.hoopercomedy.com] IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2475309/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hooperhairpuff/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Hooperhairpuff/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopercomedy] Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrhIYCRUTAh-os_tDS_EkHw]

Nik Dodani

Nik Dodani [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nik_Dodani] - actor, writer, and producer known for Netflix's "Atypical", HBO Max's "The Parenting", and his work both on-screen and behind the scenes advocating for South Asian and queer representation - joins me for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on Hollywood in a very real way. We talk about his early career playing the "Asian Best Friend" and how that became both a training ground and a limitation. Nik breaks down the difference between the craft of acting (the fun part) and navigating the industry (the brutal part), including firsthand experiences with systemic racism, ego-driven environments, and the kind of on-set dynamics most people never see. From there, we get into the bigger picture: identity, representation, and what it actually takes to move the needle. Nik shares how founding The Salon is helping connect South Asian creatives with real influence, why "abundance over scarcity" is the mindset shift the community needs, and what it'll take to finally get that breakout, culture-shifting project. We also dive into his personal journey… growing up in Arizona, unpacking internalized racism, embracing both his South Asian and queer identities, and developing a "don't mess with me" energy that comes from years of dealing with industry nonsense. It's honest, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience. Not just about making it in Hollywood but about changing it. Follow Nik Dodani:IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6516135/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nikdodani/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@nik.dodani]