Sanj Surati Talks

Please support the channel by buying a T-Shirt at the following link:https://sanjsurati.bigcartel.com/product/sanjsuratihahahablack Episode 27 of Sanj Surati Talks is live — and it’s a reminder that creative careers rarely follow a straight line.On Tuesday 2nd December 2025, I sat down with stand-up comedian and actor Danielle Scott at Tiger Heart Studios for a conversation that was equal parts honest, funny and quietly inspiring.Danielle shared how she first found her way into stand-up — not through a grand plan, but through saying yes before she felt fully ready. That courage to step on stage, test material and embrace discomfort became the foundation for everything that she is enjoying in her current era. From there, the conversation naturally moved into her work as an actor, including her success in Pooh Blood and Honey.What stood out wasn’t just the credit itself, but the persistence behind it: the auditions, the rejections and the introduction into a horror acting genre that coexists with an exciting fan base.It was a powerful reminder that:Your starting point doesn’t define your ceiling.Skills compound in unexpected ways.Backing yourself often comes before external validation.Danielle’s journey is proof that momentum is built one brave decision at a time — and that trusting your voice can open doors you never planned for.So, here’s the question:What’s one creative risk you’ve been putting off that might just change the direction of your career if you finally said yes.Danielle can be can be contacted via:https://www.instagram.com/__danielle__scott__/https://www.facebook.com/thewanderingwhiterabbithttps://www.tiktok.com/@__danielle__scott__ What we talked about:PerformerActingStand UpFitness   Kids EntertainerStorytellingWriting comedyRomesh Ranganathan - https://www.romeshranganathan.co.ukApple TV – http://tv.apple.comThe Labyrinth - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/David Bowie - https://www.davidbowie.comModellingPresentingTV HostingPacha - https://pacha.comBacardi - https://www.bacardi.com/uk/en/Spotlight - https://www.spotlight.comAziz Kemal - https://www.theazizshow.co.ukPantomimeTIE – Theatre in EducationMandy - https://www.mandy.comWinnie the Pooh - https://winniethepooh.disney.comPooh: Blood & Honey - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19623240/Tooth Fairy 5 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18078462/NME - https://www.nme.comJamie Lee Curtis - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000130/Halloween - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077651/Scream - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117571/Skeet Ulrich - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000240/F45 - https://f45training.comDoom scrollingPlaces:South LondonWalesNetherlandsThailandIbizaMexicoAdvice:Try to use your personal experiences in your storytelling.Give things time to see if they work or not.If you bomb onstage, focus on it for a bit but leave it on the shelf after 11AM the following day.Stay hungryBe good with people – Be interested in peopleMake contentLook after your body and it will make you better at your craftTry to have more strings to your bow that you enjoyLimit how much social media you look at each dayTry to be more social – Meet friendsBe kind to yourselfBe patientHave an open mind #sanjsuratitalkshttps://www.twitter.com/sanjsuratihttps://www.instagram.com/artistryinsentimenthttps://www.facebook.com/therealsanj Launched over the Covid 19 lockdown, The Sanj Surati Talks Podcast is a channel for Sanj’s discussions with people he knows and a few discussions with himself. There is no agenda but hopefully some healthy debates. Feel free to tweet your thoughts using the hashtag #sanjsuratitalks on Twitter and Instagram, and we’d love it if you could rate, review, listen on all the podcast places including iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and the lot.These Podcasts will also be running on YouTube.The podcast is downloadable from: Apple Podcast - https://tinyurl.com/36u2pjveSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24E7SHaZKhC6LaNsgwFfthAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2ub2snuzSpreaker - https://www.spreaker.com/show/sanj-surati-talksDeezer - https://www.deezer.com/show/1036022Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id2779315Podcast Addict - https://podplayer.net/?podId=2844021The Podchaser - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sanj-surati-talks-1108392Jio Saavn: https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Sanj-Surati-Talks/1/RRuVWagPatA_

🎙️ Episode 26 is live!
This one’s about ambition, access, and aligning talent with legacy brands.In this episode of “Sanj Surati Talks”, I sat down with Raf McDonnell, Founder & MD of Talent and Brands, to dive deep into the business of cultural matchmaking — connecting global brands with world-class talent. 📍 Recorded at the brilliant Atomic Studios in London, Raf shared how he went from behind-the-scenes hustler to a key player brokering headline deals between household names and household faces.What struck me most was his mindset: "Understand the value of who you represent — and then match that value with the right story."
It’s not just about access — it’s about alignment. This conversation isn’t just for brand strategists or talent agents — it’s for anyone who wants to understand the anatomy of modern influence.Raf can be contacted via: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raf-mcdonnell-709b462/ What we talked about:Music Week - https://www.musicweek.com/FMCGCourage - https://couragebeers.co.uk/Fosters - https://www.fosters.co.uk/Walkers Crisps - https://www.walkers.co.uk/walkershome/Monster Munch - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_MunchCoca Cola - https://www.coca-cola.com/gb/enDavid Beckham - https://www.davidbeckham.com/My Coke MusicSun - https://www.thesun.co.uk/Apple - https://www.apple.com/iTunes - https://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/Music IndustryEMI Music - https://www.universalmusic.com/label/emi/Universal Music - https://www.universalmusic.com/Warner music - https://www.wmg.com/CAA - https://www.caa.com/One Direction - https://www.onedirectionmusic.com/gb/homeArianna Grande - https://www.arianagrande.com/Kylie Minogue - https://www.kylie.com/X-Factor - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X_Factor_(British_TV_series)Britain’s Got Talent - https://www.itv.com/britainsgottalentSpice Girls - https://thespicegirls.com/Gary Lineker - https://x.com/garylinekerMichael Owen - https://x.com/themichaelowen?lang=enAmazon TicketsManagementLuxuryHigh StreetTelecomsTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/InstagramGeorge Clooney - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_ClooneyNespresso - https://www.nespresso.com/uk/enBritney Spears - https://britneyspears.com/Pepsi - https://www.pepsi.co.uk/Looney Tunes - https://www.warnerbros.co.uk/brands/looney-tunesBugs Bunny - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugs_BunnyUlrika Jonsson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrika_JonssonPaul Gascoigne - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_GascoigneLicensingMusic SyncThe Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/ukTinie Tempah - https://www.tinietempah.com/Robbie Williams - https://robbiewilliams.com/Coldplay - https://www.coldplay.com/Eliza Doolittle - https://www.elizalovechild.com/Professor Green - https://www.instagram.com/professorgreen/?hl=enBlackberry - https://www.blackberry.com/us/enMaxfactor - https://www.maxfactor.com/Mastercard - https://www.mastercard.co.uk/en-gb.htmlMonster Energy - https://www.monsterenergy.com/en-gb/Emilie Sande - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emeli_Sand%C3%A9The Brit Awards - https://www.brits.co.uk/Dumi OburotaAtomic - https://atomic-london.co.uk/aboutSupernova – https://go-supernova.com/Rob Mayhew - https://www.instagram.com/robmayhewcomedyChip Shop Diva - https://www.tiktok.com/@desth.xoCannes Lions - https://www.canneslions.com/SpotifyThe Wanted - https://www.thewantedmusic.com/Louis Theroux - https://www.louistheroux.com/Paris Hilton - https://parishilton.com/Seal - https://www.sealofficial.com/tourMark Ronson - https://www.markronson.co.uk/Friday Night Dinner - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1844923/Jimmy Carr - https://www.jimmycarr.com/ Places:LeicesterUnited StatesJapanAustraliaNew ZealandFranceSpainGermanyMadridAdvice:Start with the brands objectives.What are they trying to achieve?First understand the needs of both the brand and the talent before you try to broker the deal.  Meet with the artists and understand what they want.Stick at what you are good at.Watch some comedy in the morning.Try to have a very healthy work life balance.Keep active.If you can, find your passion.Be prepared to learn something new and new things.  #sanjsuratitalkshttps://http://www.twitter.com/sanjsuratihttps://http://www.instagram.com/artistryinsentimenthttps://www.facebook.com/therealsanj  Launched over the Covid 19 lockdown, The Sanj Surati Talks Podcast is a channel for Sanj’s discussions with people he knows and a few discussions with himself. There is no agenda but hopefully some healthy debates.Feel free to tweet your thoughts using the hashtag https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23sanjsuratitalks on Twitter and instagram, and we’d love it if you could rate, review, listen on all the podcast places including iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and the lot.These Podcasts will also be running on Youtube.The podcast is downloadable from:Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sanj-surati-talks/id1507958068?uo=4Spreaker - https://www.spreaker.com/show/sanj-surati-talksGoogle Play - https://bit.ly/2A1MLdYDeezer - https://www.deezer.com/show/1036022Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id2779315Podcast Addict - https://podplayer.net/?podId=2844021The Podchaser - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sanj-surati-talks-1108392Jio Saavn: https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Sanj-Surati-Talks/1/RRuVWagPatA_

Sanj Surati TalksEpisode 25Date: Saturday 14th October 2023This is the twenty fifth episode of the Sanj Surati Talks podcast featuring award winning contemporary artist, Sara Pope. Sara Pope is well known for her bold, seductive paintings of voluptuous lips. Sara’s work has been shown in numerous solo exhibitions and art fairs across London and internationally, including Next Street Gallery, Paris, The Saatchi Gallery, London, The London Original Print Fair at the Royal Academy of Arts and SCOPE Miami. Sara is also the first British female artist in over 70 years to have a piece of work accepted into the Vatican collection. In this podcast, Sara talks about how she became an artists and talks through some of the production processes. Sara can be contacted via:http://sarapopeart.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sarapopeartist What we talked about:Sara Pope - http://sarapopeart.comMathematicsModern artPaintingThe Vatican - https://m.museivaticani.va/Saatchi Gallery - https://www.saatchigallery.comCommunicationCreativityRolling Stones - https://rollingstones.comRonnie Wood - https://www.ronniewood.comKatie Piper - https://katiepiperfoundation.org.ukPope Francis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_FrancisShaun the Sheep - https://www.shaunthesheep.comWild in Art - https://wildinart.co.ukThe Martlets - https://www.martlets.org.uk Places:ShoreditchItalyRomeBrightonHoveAdvice:Listen to the authenticity of what you are doing and why you are doing it.Give your creativity time and support. https://www.sanjsurati.cohttps://www.twitter.com/sanjsuratihttps://www.instagram.com/artistryinsentimenthttps://www.facebook.com/therealsanj  Launched over the Covid 19 lockdown, The Sanj Surati Talks Podcast is a channel for Sanj’s discussions with people he knows and a few discussions with himself. There is no agenda but hopefully some healthy debates.Feel free to tweet your thoughts using the hashtag #sanjsuratitalks on Twitter and instagram, and we’d love it if you could rate, review, listen on all the podcast places including iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and the lot. These Podcasts will also be running on Youtube.  The podcast is downloadable from:Apple Podcast - https://tinyurl.com/36u2pjveSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24E7SHaZKhC6LaNsgwFfthAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2ub2snuzSpreaker - https://www.spreaker.com/show/sanj-surati-talksDeezer - https://www.deezer.com/show/1036022Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id2779315Podcast Addict - https://podplayer.net/?podId=2844021The Podchaser - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sanj-surati-talks-1108392Jio Saavn - https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Sanj-Surati-Talks/1/RRuVWagPatA_

Sanj Surati TalksEpisode 24 Date: Wednesday 23rd August 2023This is the twentieth fourth episode of the Sanj Surati Talks podcast featuring award winning cinematographer, Denson Baker recorded on Wednesday 23rd August 2023. In this podcast, Denson highlights how he entered the film industry and his experience as a cinematographer helped him understand the perspective of an actor. Denson also talks about working with Jordan Peele and what being accredited by the Australian Cinematographers Society has done for his career. Denson can be contacted via:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/densonbaker/Website – www.densonbaker.com What we talked about:CinematographerDirector of Photography FilmLightingCameraGripsVisual StyleCinemaAustralian Film Television and Radio School - https://www.aftrs.edu.auAustralian Cinematographers Society - https://cinematographer.org.au35-millimetre filmSiemens - https://www.siemens.comWorld Expo Hanover - https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/2000-hannoverSteve Pasvolsky - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1099262BMX Bandits - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085204/Nicole Kidman - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000173/Deck Dogz - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389911/Tony Hawk - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005000/The Black Balloon - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0865297Toni Collette - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001057Elissa Down - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1171959/Berlin Crystal Bear - https://www.berlinale.de/en/festival/awards-and-juries/awards-generation.htmlSky - https://www.sky.comBBC - https://www.bbc.co.ukNetflix - https://www.netflix.com/Tone meetingsJordan Peele - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1443502/Get Out - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052448/Toby Oliver - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002947/Blumhouse - https://www.blumhouse.comInsidious Chapter 4 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5726086/Key & Peele - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981558/Catherine Keener - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001416/Claire McCarthy - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2113122/The Waiting City - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270850/Ophelia - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5690810/Daisy Ridley - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5397459/Naomi Watts - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915208/George MacKay - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1126657/The Luminaries - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8075008/The Colour Room - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13468436/Domina - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11694186/Himesh Patel - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2797744/Emily Blunt - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1289434/John Krasinski - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1024677/ParenthoodPlaces:New ZealandPerthSydneyAustraliaHanoverFrankfurtMelbourneBerlinLos AngelesMaroubraCzech RepublicIndonesiaCalcuttaIndiaAdvice:Having an Art school foundation really helps you as a cinematography.Try to ask how you can help so that you work with people you want to work with.You always need some form of showreel so keep cutting this regularly.Being a cinematography is very similar to being an actor as your tone and direction can typecast you so try to branch out into different forms of expression.Try to be busy with your creativity in between jobs.Use visuals to communicate what your vision will be.Stay positive in between each job.Make and find relationships that you think bring opportunities. https://www.sanjsurati.cohttps://www.twitter.com/sanjsuratihttps://www.instagram.com/artistryinsentimenthttps://www.facebook.com/therealsanj  Launched over the Covid 19 lockdown, The Sanj Surati Talks Podcast is a channel for Sanj’s discussions with people he knows and a few discussions with himself. There is no agenda but hopefully some healthy debates.Feel free to tweet your thoughts using the hashtag #sanjsuratitalks on Twitter and instagram, and we’d love it if you could rate, review, listen on all the podcast places including iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and the lot. These Podcasts will also be running on Youtube.  The podcast is downloadable from:Apple Podcast - https://tinyurl.com/36u2pjveSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24E7SHaZKhC6LaNsgwFfthAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2ub2snuzSpreaker - https://www.spreaker.com/show/sanj-surati-talksDeezer - https://www.deezer.com/show/1036022Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id2779315Podcast Addict - https://podplayer.net/?podId=2844021The Podchaser - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sanj-surati-talks-1108392Jio Saavn - https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Sanj-Surati-Talks/1/RRuVWagPatA_

Sanj Surati TalksEpisode 23 Date: Friday 28th April 2023This is the twenty third episode of the Sanj Surati Talks podcast with Phill Webster, mystique and author of “Letting Glow”. This podcast was recorded on Friday 28th April 2023 in front of a live studio audience at “Books on the Rise” in Richmond Upon-Thames. In this podcast, Phill talks about how he experienced mysticism and what was the stimulus that led up to the writing of his first book. Phill also talks about loss and how the creative process of writing the book helped him to heal through his personal tragedy. This is the first time Sanj Surati Talks has been recorded in front of a live studio audience and was created in partnership with Shure microphones. “Letting Glow” is published by O-Books and available at all good independent retailers.Phill can be contacted via: https://phillwebster.comhttps://www.instagram.com/phillwebster/ Letting Glow can be purchased from:https://bit.ly/4214j1X What we talked about:Letting Glow - https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/o-books/our-books/letting-glow-intuition-spiritualityBooks on the Rise - https://booksontherise.comO-Books - https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/o-books/Shure - https://www.shure.com/en-GBDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9419884/Track 96 – www.Track96.comOxford University – https://www.ox.ac.ukOxford Imps - https://www.oxfordimps.comEsotericSpiritualGriefClairvoyancePandemicMediumsIndigenous CulturesShamanism Eckhart Tolle - https://eckharttolle.comSylvester Stallone - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000230/Jason Statham - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005458/ActingDrama SchoolTom Cruise - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000129/Mission Impossible - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9603212/Bruce Campbell - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0132257/Mick Cobb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13026340/FilmBenedict Cumberbatch - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1212722/Alternate Universes Places:Richmond Upon-ThamesOxfordIsle of WightLondonFinlandHelsinki Advice:Meditation is useful not just as a mysticism technique https://www.sanjsurati.cohttps://www.twitter.com/sanjsuratihttps://www.instagram.com/artistryinsentimenthttps://www.facebook.com/therealsanj  Launched over the Covid 19 lockdown, The Sanj Surati Talks Podcast is a channel for Sanj’s discussions with people he knows and a few discussions with himself. There is no agenda but hopefully some healthy debates.Feel free to tweet your thoughts using the hashtag #sanjsuratitalks on Twitter and instagram, and we’d love it if you could rate, review, listen on all the podcast places including iTunes, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and the lot. These Podcasts will also be running on Youtube.  The podcast is downloadable from:Apple Podcast - https://tinyurl.com/36u2pjveSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24E7SHaZKhC6LaNsgwFfthAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2ub2snuzSpreaker - https://www.spreaker.com/show/sanj-surati-talksDeezer - https://www.deezer.com/show/1036022Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/id2779315Podcast Addict - https://podplayer.net/?podId=2844021The Podchaser - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/sanj-surati-talks-1108392Jio Saavn - https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/Sanj-Surati-Talks/1/RRuVWagPatA_