Logo

    No More Tokens

    A 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.
    en69 Episodes

    People also ask

    What is the main theme of the podcast?
    Who are some of the popular guests the podcast?
    Were there any controversial topics discussed in the podcast?
    Were any current trending topics addressed in the podcast?
    What popular books were mentioned in the podcast?

    Episodes (69)

    Amanda Zhou!

    Amanda Zhou!
    Amanda 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!

    Actor Johnny M. Wu!

    Johnny 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.

    Actor and Acting Coach Jennifer DiBella!

    Actor and Acting Coach Jennifer DiBella!
    JENNIFER 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 you have little to no control. Jennifer is going all-in on her consulting business as Hollywood begins to open back up from the pandemic and opportunities continue to emerge for aspiring actors.
     
    Jen’s Instagram: @jendibella
    Jen’s Consulting/Coaching IG: @jdactingconsultant
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens
    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi
    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies
    No More Tokens
    enApril 29, 2021

    Industry Executive + Activist Shawn Finnie!

    Industry Executive + Activist Shawn Finnie!
    Shawn 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 his voice on his own platform to amplify, uplift and elevate conversations around mental health, community, rights, and creating space by initiating thoughtful conversations with some of Hollywood’s most influential and well-known activists and artists such as: NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Oscar-winning actor and filmmaker Mahershala Ali, actress Rita Wilson, attorney Ben Crump, Tom Bilyeu and more.
     
    Shawn Finnie: @shawnfinniebeflourishing
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens 
     
    No More Tokens
    enApril 22, 2021

    Catching up w Mahesh Kotagi!

    Catching up w Mahesh Kotagi!

    It'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!

    No More Tokens
    enApril 08, 2021

    Comedian Orlando Lebya!

    Comedian Orlando Lebya!

    ORLANDO 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 appeared on three episodes of TruTV’s LAFFTRACKS, and on TBS's WRECK LEAGUE. He’s killed it as a contestant on the NBC show BRING THE FUNNY, and he was a finalist in NBC's STAND-UP SHOWCASE.

    When the world opens back up, you can catch Orlando on stage at comedy festivals, and clubs throughout the U.S and Canada.

    Orlando Leyba: @heylando

     

    No More Tokens
    enMarch 25, 2021

    Storyboard Artist Sia Mistry!

    Storyboard Artist Sia Mistry!
    SIA 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: @siamystery 
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens
    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi
    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies
     

     

    Actor Garfield Wilson! TNT's Snowpiercer

    Actor Garfield Wilson! TNT's Snowpiercer
    GARFIELD 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, premiering in November on Nickelodeon.
     
    Garfield Wilson: @garfieldawilson
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens
    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi
    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies

    Animator Jaydeep Hasrajani!

    Animator Jaydeep Hasrajani!
    JAYDEEP 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: @maheshkotagi 
    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies 
     
     

     

    No More Tokens
    enMarch 04, 2021

    Director Rajeev Dassani - Welcome to Blumhouse - Evil Eye!

    Director Rajeev Dassani - Welcome to Blumhouse - Evil Eye!
    RAJEEV 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 the AFI Dallas Festival among others.
     
    Rajeev and his brother Elan created the Master Key Productions shingle where they provide production services and visual effects for dozens of TV series and feature films. Rajeev has served as creative consultant and visual effects producer on shows including the SCANDAL, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, GRACE AND FRANKIE, and JUSTIFIED.  
     
    Rajeev's Arabic-language coming-of-age supernatural series JINN debuted on Netflix in 2019. 
     
    Rajeev Dassani: @dassanir
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens 
    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi
    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies 
     

     

    No More Tokens
    enFebruary 25, 2021

    Director and Producer OZ Scott! w guest host Marco Martinez!

    Director and Producer OZ Scott! w guest host Marco Martinez!

    Director + 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, NCIS, and AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

    Most recently he’s directed episodes of the series BLACK LIGHTNING, which he also serves as Co-Executive Producer.

    Oz has received many accolades for his contributions to the community including the NAACP Image Award, the Drama Desk Award, and a Village Voice Obie Award for off Broadway, the Genesis Award, and the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award.

    We’re also pleased to welcome MARCO MARTINEZ as today’s guest co-host! Marco is a multi-hyphenate all-around performer. His acting credits include NCIS:LA, CRIMINAL MINDS: BEYOND BORDERS (directed by Oz Scott!), HOUSE, and CASTLE. He founded the vocal group “Cornerstone” which went on to a development deal with Capitol Records. Marco created the LA Dance group “The Godfathers,” and was credited by the L.A. Times as one of the founders of “Krump” dancing. Venturing into film, Marco also assisted Barry Jenkins on the Oscar-winning film, MOONLIGHT.   

    No More Tokens
    enFebruary 18, 2021

    Actor and Musician - Carolina Hoyos!

    Actor and Musician - Carolina Hoyos!
    CAROLINA 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 also appeared in the tv dramedy pilot BLACKWATER, and performed the closing credits "My Man The Devil" which won a special jury award at the Austin Film Festival. 
     
    She is a member of The Autry Museum's Native Voices Theatre Artist Ensemble, participated in the 2019 Native American TV Writers Lab, and she's written and directed several plays and performed with improv sketch troupes across Los Angeles.
     
     
    No More Tokens
    enFebruary 11, 2021

    Filmmaker Oliver Bokelberg!

    Filmmaker Oliver Bokelberg!

    OLIVER 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 "Win Win."

    Actor + Comedian Maz Jobrani!

    Actor + Comedian Maz Jobrani!
    MAZ 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 Wilson, as well as Hulu's TASTE THE NATION with Padma Lakshmi. 
     
    You should also give some love to Maz's awesome podcast BACK TO SCHOOL WITH MAZ JOBRANI now available on Spotify and Apple podcasts. 
     
     
    Maz Jobrani: @MazJobrani
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens 

    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi 

    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies 

     
     

     

    Daniel and Mahesh! 2021!

    Daniel and Mahesh!  2021!

    Happy 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!

    No More Tokens
    enJanuary 21, 2021

    Aasif Mandvi!

    Aasif Mandvi!
    Aasif 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 the podcast "Lost At The Smithsonian," where he gets up close and personal with ten of the most culturally significant artifacts at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Now available on Apple and Stitcher. 
     
    Aasif Mandvi: @aasif 
    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens
    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi
    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies 
     
     

    Actor Tiya Sircar! (NBC's The Good Place, Star Wars Rebels)

    Actor Tiya Sircar! (NBC's The Good Place, Star Wars Rebels)
    Actress 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 actress, Tiya lent her pipes to the character "Sabine Wren," a graffiti artist and explosives expert, on the Disney/Lucas Film animated series “Star Wars Rebels” on the Disney Channel.
     
    Tiya Sircar: @tiyabird

    No More Tokens: @nomoretokens

    Mahesh Kotagi: @maheshkotagi

    Daniel Marcha: @marchamakesmovies