TanGent Show

Manu Raju is CNN's Chief Congressional Correspondent and one of the most recognizable political reporters in Washington. Known for breaking major stories on Capitol Hill and pressing lawmakers in real time, Manu has covered everything from high-stakes leadership battles to historic impeachment proceedings, becoming a trusted voice in modern political journalism.

In this episode, I sit down with Manu to pull back the curtain on what it's actually like covering Congress at the highest level. We get into his path from local reporting to the center of the political universe, how he built credibility in an environment where access is everything, and what it takes to ask tough questions when the stakes are sky-high.

We also talk about the evolving media landscape, the pressure of reporting in a hyper-partisan era, and how Manu navigates the balance between speed and accuracy when every second counts. He shares behind-the-scenes insight into the rhythms of Capitol Hill - the chaos, the strategy, and the human dynamics that rarely make it into headlines.

This conversation is a deep dive into journalism, politics, and the craft of staying sharp in rooms where history is unfolding in real time.

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Mo Amer is a globally touring stand-up, a founding member of the Allah Made Me Funny tour, and the creator/star of the Mo. A Palestinian refugee born in Kuwait and raised in Houston, Mo's voice blends sharp comedy with lived experience that spans continents, cultures, and conflict zones.

In this episode, I sit down with Mo for what starts as a loose, hilarious conversation about stand-up, touring, and the difference between being a "comic" and a "comedian"… and then takes a turn into something much deeper. Mo walks me through his journey growing up during the Gulf War, fleeing Kuwait with his family, and eventually rebuilding life in the U.S. It's one of the most powerful origin stories we've had on the show - equal parts intense, emotional, and, somehow, still funny.

We also get into how those experiences shaped his comedy, his perspective on identity, and his mission to bridge cultural gaps on stage - especially in a post-9/11 world. From bombing zones to comedy clubs, from refugee travel documents to performing for U.S. troops in the Middle East, Mo's story comes full circle in a way that's honestly hard to believe.

This one goes way beyond comedy. It's about resilience, perspective, and finding humor in places most people wouldn't even know where to start.

Watch Mo's Amer's new series on Netflix: "Mo"

Watch Mo's Netflix Special "Wild World"

Catch Mo on Tour

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Karan Brar is well known for his breakout role as Ravi Ross on Jessie and its spinoff Bunk'd, making history as one of the first South Asian series regulars on Disney Channel. He's also appeared in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film series and has steadily transitioned from child star to a thoughtful, self-aware young actor navigating a complex industry.

In this episode, I sit down with Karan to talk about that exact transition - what it's really like to grow up on set, and why acting has never come "easy" to him despite years of success. We get into the craft, the insecurity that drives improvement, and the challenge of evolving from a child actor into an adult with something meaningful to say. Karan opens up in a big way about mental health, anxiety, and depression, and why being honest about those struggles matters - especially for South Asian communities where those conversations don't always come easily.

We also dive into representation, identity, and the nuance of looking back at earlier roles with both pride and critique. Karan reflects on the responsibility of being a "first," the pressure that comes with it, and his hope to make things easier for the next generation. This is an honest, introspective, and surprisingly grounded conversation about growth - both on screen and off.

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Adam Curry is often called the "Podfather" - a pioneer of podcasting, former MTV VJ, and co-creator of podcasting as we know it today. From his early days at MTV to launching one of the first podcasts ever, Daily Source Code, Adam has been at the forefront of digital media for decades. He currently co-hosts No Agenda, one of the longest-running and most influential podcasts in the space.

In this episode, I sit down with Adam to talk about the origin story of podcasting - how a scrappy, DIY medium turned into a global industry - and what's been lost (and gained) along the way. We get into decentralization, media trust, and why Adam still believes the future belongs to independent creators. He breaks down how the podcast ecosystem has evolved, the role of platforms vs. ownership, and why he's remained committed to a value-for-value model long before it was trendy.

This is one of those conversations that feels like both a history lesson and a glimpse into the future. Adam's seen it all, and he's still building - which makes this a fascinating, thoughtful, and occasionally contrarian deep dive into where media is headed next.

Listen to Adam's Podcast "No Agenda"

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Jocelyn Chia is a stand-up comedian, writer, and speaker who's performed at top NYC clubs like the Comedy Cellar, with a background that spans law, consulting, and entrepreneurship. She's also a comedy coach and public speaking mentor, helping professionals sharpen their voice, timing, and storytelling both on stage and off.

In this episode, I sit down with Jocelyn to unpack one of the most talked-about moments of her career - the viral controversy surrounding her MH370 joke and the global backlash that followed. We get into what actually happened, how she processed the response, and what it taught her about comedy, culture, and the internet. Beyond that, we talk about her unconventional path into stand-up, how her legal and corporate background shaped her perspective, and why she's so passionate about helping others find confidence through comedy. Thoughtful, sharp, and unfiltered - this is a conversation about risk, resilience, and what it really means to own your voice.

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Lilly Singh acted as the executive producer and host NBC's A Little Late with Lilly Singh, where she became the first person of Indian Descent to host an American late-night talk show. She is also a bestselling author of How to Be a Bawse: A guide to Conquering Life, and she is one of YouTube's earliest global superstars. In this episode, we sit down for a conversation that's equal parts honest, funny, and reflective.

We get into the reality behind building a massive online presence, what success actually feels like once you reach it, and how her relationship with ambition has evolved over time. Lilly opens up about burnout, identity, and learning how to separate self-worth from productivity - something I think a lot of us wrestle with, whether we're on camera or not. There's also plenty of comedy talk, from her early YouTube days to navigating traditional media, and how she's stayed grounded through it all. Really thoughtful conversation with someone who's done it at the highest level and is still figuring it out in real time.

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Russell Peters is one of the most successful stand-up comedians in the world - selling out arenas globally, breaking comedy records, and becoming one of the first comics to truly build an international audience through viral clips and cultural relatability. From Outsourced to his Netflix specials to decades of touring, Russell has influenced an entire generation of comics.

I've known Russell for a long time, so this one felt more like a real catch-up than a formal interview. That history lets us go a little deeper and a little looser - we get into the early days of his career, what it actually took to build a global fanbase before social media made it easy, and how he navigated being one of the first South Asian comics to break through in a major way. He opens up about timing, discipline, and the importance of understanding your audience on a deep level - not just chasing laughs, but building something that lasts.

We also talk about identity, cultural nuance in comedy, and how he's managed to stay relevant while the industry keeps shifting around him. It's part masterclass, part hang, and a rare look at how one of the biggest comics ever thinks about the craft and the business behind it.

Get Tickets to Russell's Upcoming Tour

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I'm back with Isaac Saul for Part II - and we pick up right where we left off. Isaac is the founder of Tangle, a wildly popular independent politics newsletter known for breaking down one major issue from multiple perspectives. His work has appeared in major outlets like The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, Newsweek, and The Hill - and he's built a reputation for cutting through noise without losing nuance.

In this second conversation, we go deeper - into media trust, political incentives, and what it actually means to be informed right now. Isaac doesn't dodge hard questions, and I don't hold back either. If Part I set the table, this is where we really dig in.

Subscribe to Tangle News

Listen to the Tangle Podcast

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Isaac Saul is the founder of Tangle News, a widely read independent politics newsletter known for breaking down major issues from both the left and the right. Before launching Tangle, he worked as a reporter and editor and has written for outlets like CNN, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and the Daily Mail, covering politics, media, and culture with a focus on clarity and balance.

In this episode, I sit down with Isaac to unpack how he approaches political coverage in a way that prioritizes nuance over noise. We get into the mechanics behind Tangle, the discipline required to fairly represent opposing viewpoints, and why so much modern discourse feels broken. Isaac shares his personal journey from traditional media into independent journalism, and what he's learned about bias, audience trust, and the responsibility that comes with shaping public understanding.

This one is thoughtful, grounded, and incredibly relevant - especially if you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to make sense of the news.

Subscribe to Tangle News

Listen to the Tangle Podcast

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Zarna Garg is one of the fastest-rising comedians in America. The India-born, New York–based stand-up has amassed tens of millions of views across social media, built a massive following on TikTok and Instagram, and gone from stay-at-home mom to sold-out comedy shows in just a few years. A former litigation attorney who stepped away from law to raise three kids, Zarna now channels that life experience into sharp, fearless comedy about immigrant families, parenting, and the cultural divide between generations.

In this conversation, I sit down with Zarna Garg to talk about her unlikely path into stand-up, why motherhood turned out to be the perfect training ground for comedy, and how a few seconds of the right joke can ignite millions of comments online. We get into the psychology of viral content, the differences between performing live and performing for the internet, and the cultural tensions between immigrants and their American-born kids that fuel so much of her material.

Zarna is thoughtful, hilarious, and completely unfiltered - and this conversation goes everywhere from TikTok strategy to the deeper question of what it means to reinvent yourself later in life.

See Zarna Garg on tour.

Get your copy of Zarn'a new book!

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