Warm up your kettles and grab a cuppa as we discuss all things theatre and more (wink wink) with Mr. Kash Arshad. From his thoughts on Cats- The Musical to the Kardashians and accessibility at the Olivier Awards. We got you covered. Kash is a Scottish/Pakistani director and theatre maker based in Yorkshire, and trained on the National Theatre Studio Directors Course 2019. He is currently Associate Director at Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough.

Jay Jay has many hats. His focus is curating events, DJing, Ballroom (voguing) and mentoring. Listed as Time Out’s ‘One to Watch’, Jay Jay is a committed community activist and dedicated to creating safe spaces and conversations for QPOC and LGBTQ+. He does this through his own club night ‘Let’s Have a Kiki #theparty’ and as a volunteer peer to peer mentor at Stonewall Housing. Throughout his career, his events have raised money for many charity organisations with whom he continues to work and support.

We are diving into the big brown world of Sacs in the city. That is SACS as in SACS not SEX. Bringing on the talented Tarek Khwiss to discuss all things fetishes, blowjobs and the A-Z's of SACS as Brown Boys who grew up in religious households and are finding this world of sexual empowerment as 2 queer boys. From Grindr Lingo, to sex positions, to our first wet dreams and to advice on Blowjobs or Douching. We got you covered-- so, warm up your beverages or cuppa's and let's dive into this weeks Chai.

I had to make a special Wisdomist Chai clip from my chat with Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Choreographer Saran Kohli. He speaks with such passion about Vitiligo and how people should perceive it, be knowledgeable it and embrace it. This is an emotional one!

This is a mega one! I am joined by the cast of Sundown Kiki from Taking Part Production at The Young Vic Theatre- Asa Haynes, Amani Revlon (Afi Hussen), Sarah-Angel Sharma, Jasper Ryan Cater, Tatenda Shami, Jay Lafayette Valentine and special guest Emanuel Vuso (in part 2) for a chai spilling chat on Queer Naratives.

With Mitali Dargani from the podcast Brown Game Strong and her illustration business Aunty Doodles. This was such a vulnerable episode because we really dove deep into conversations surrounding mental health, anxiety. How the digital space can affect our perspective on life. By chasing this version of perfection at times. We get into how brands are built and the behind the scenes that no one ever gets to see. How to grow your brand and an intro into illustration/ podcasting.

A Wisdomist Chai- A New segment for Chai with Rai. Taking small sips of Wisdom from an episode and popping it into a new cuppa.

This clip is from my chat with Guleraana Mir- Writer, Theatre practitioner and Educator. Who discusses ways to grow your community as a writer, advice for new writers and how to turn your hobby into work. I also feel, a lot of what she says can be transferred to any medium of life or any practice you are based in.

Chai with Rai (Ep.28)- In Conversation with Ramita Ravi and Vikas Arun from Project Convergence. We sat and discussed the creative space in US from a South Asian perspective, being a female and being queer. We also dove into conversations about South Asian Dance-- how the space can often be divided and separated. How South Asian dancers are only bought together for South Asian projects as oppose to our counterparts in the community. How Ramita and Vikas are creating heritage work but meshing it with other forms. Mentorship and sharing the South Asian dance space with other companies and uplifting each other.

Chai with Rai (Ep.27). In conversation with teacher, choreographer, dancer and dance/well being practitioner Priyanka Chauhan. Where we sat and discussed her work with marginalised groups including women in domestic violence refuges, autistic young people, older people living with dementia, people living with Parkinson’s and more. We discussed the importance of safeguarding and how that skill is transferrable in her goal which is to create an international program that utilises the benefits of dance for community and individual well-being.

Celebrating all things Theatre, Film, Series and Podcast. I have curated a collection of hidden gems to watch and listen to-- all whilst sipping on your first or fifth Karak Chai. This is batch No.1 of many more to come. I hope you enjoy and do let me know which one was your favourite and also, this is the the first time I am putting this type of episode out. So, please do give me some feedback innit.