With over a decade of experience in helping people with addiction and mental health issues, Poonam Sandhu is our guest this week.

The discussion focuses on the various forms of addiction, the attitude toward treatments in the South Asian community and the effect addiction has on families.

Follow Poonam: @mental_wealthmatters

Two brown comedians on the same damn Podcast! Award winning comedian

Hyde Panaser joins Samosa Chats to talk diversity quotas, offence in comedy, bad ass immigrant stories and so much more!

Hyde even makes Preet cry from laughter.

Go follow Hyde:

@hydepanaser

http://hydepanaser.com

Follow Samosa Chats:

Instagram: @samosachats

Twitter: @ChatsSamosa

Pakistani dominantrix Vee talks to Preet about life on the London kink scene as one of very few South Asians.

She speaks candidly on her conservative upbringing, her clients fetishes, and the upside of exploring her own sexuality. As well as exposing her career to her unsuspecting, uber traditional mum.

Encountering everything from ball busting to cash point meets, Vee's hilarious anecdotes reveal the reality of the Sub-Dom relationship.

Follow Vee:

Instagram- @akatheasiannigella

Follow Preet and Samosa Chats: Instagram- @comedypreet @samosachats

Raheem Mir is playing a key part in increasing the visibility of the LGBT South Asians in the UK. Utilising his talent in dance, he is at the forefront of “Gender Performance”, combining classic Indian dance with the subversion of gender norms.

Raheem flexes his knowledge of Indian culture, explores his own sexuality & experience (or lack of!), and talks about the wider reaction from the community to his loud + proud attitude.

A sassy, confident and truly unique individual Raheem is full of stories and punchlines. So much so Preet spent a good 20 minutes imploring him to try Stand Up.

Go and follow Raheem: 

@raheemmir

From challenging the modesty laws in Singapore to starring in a Netflix show Sukki Singapora has demonstrated incredible determination and drive to be unique.

First discovering Burlesque in a comedy club in Manchester, Sukki started exploring her own sensuality and empowerment before using her learnings to play a key role in the relaxing of Singapore’s modesty laws. The movement that Sukki spearheaded lead to her becoming the first burlesque artist to perform in Singapore.

The discussion focuses on the impact Burlesque had on her relationships with family, the difficulties of challenging social norms, and the work rate required to star in a Netflix show.

@Sukkisingapora

Check out Singapore Social on Netflix!

This weeks guest Daman Bamrah brings the laughs with his take on hot issues. Him and Preet go over outrage culture, racism, Louis CK, being mistaken for each other and the tribulations of being a brown comedian on the UK comedy circuit.

Go and follow Daman:

Instagram: @daman_bamrah

Off the back of her latest release “Lighter” Swaati visits Samosa Chats and discusses finding your purpose, the need to create art, Swaati’s beliefs on the universe and even a little conspiracy talk. She also speaks candidly about her mental health and how this has impacted her life and creative process.

This is a really interesting look at the personal story of a truly creative musician who's not afraid to do things a little differently.

Go and follow Swaati:

Instagram: @Swaatiofficial

Listen to her new song:  Lighter - Swaati x SubSteppers

This week the tables are turned as Mona speaks to our very own Preet. He opens up about heartache, mental health and the challenge to cope in a society where men are expected to be a certain way.

The South Asian community in particular prescribes to the notion that brown men don't cry (well shouldn't cry.)

The journey to healing and self care has not been an easy one. We discuss how with time and attention there is always light at the end of the tunnel via the right coping strategies, a healthy support network and harnessing your energy in a positive way.

Everyone goes through dark times, but there's always a way out.

Help and support:

mind.org.uk

samaritans.org

sikhforgiveness.com

Further reading: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/res...

Fellow comedian Raj Poojara joins Preet this week to talk the UK comedy scene, building an identity in comedy (while also being mistaken for other brown comedians), and how old, Indian mystics are able to take advantage of disenfranchised white people.

Go and follow Raj!

Instagram: @lord_rajj

This weeks guest is international DJ and hit producer DJ Harpz.

Born and raised in Leicester, Harpz opens up about his beginnings as a 15 year old club DJ and the vital early support from his mother.

Harpz went from napping through his exams to having sell out global tours. Harpz shares his love for music, hate for the “bro you got an aux cable” crew, breaking into the main stream, the state of UK bhangra and shows off his hip hop knowledge.

Go and follow DJ Harpz!

Instagram: @djharpz

Twitter: @djharpz

Music available on all platforms