Miles Beyond the Page | Episode 95 | Rati Gupta
In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes actor, writer, comedian, and storyteller Rati Gupta for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens when storytelling moves across the page, stage, and screen.
Rati shares how her acting experience has strengthened her ability to write authentic dialogue and how her background in dance and choreography influences the way she approaches movement, conflict, and the rhythm of a scene. She also explores the difference between simply telling an anecdote and crafting a story—particularly the importance of change, emotional impact, and understanding what a moment ultimately means.
Michelle and Rati dive into writing personal narratives, balancing humor with vulnerability, and using pacing, rhythm, and timing to make both comedy and emotional moments land. Rati discusses the differences between writing for the screen, performing a story live, and creating work intended to be read, along with why giving yourself distance from difficult experiences can be essential when turning them into art.
They also talk about the fear of judgment that comes with sharing deeply personal stories, why writers should read dialogue aloud, and what Rati is working on next—including a memoir-in-progress exploring relationships, sex parties, and non-monogamy, as well as personal essays, possible fiction, and an anthology idea.
🎧 Join Michelle and Rati for a funny, candid, and thoughtful conversation about storytelling, vulnerability, creative craft, and finding the right form for the story you need to tell.
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ABOUT RATI GUPTA:
Rati Gupta is a rare breed of professional hip hop dancer turned comedy actor, writer, and storyteller best known for her roles on THE BIG BANG THEORY, FUTURE MAN, and UNBELIEVABLE. Rati also draws from her own outlandish experiences for both the stage and screen. Her personal stories have won The Moth StorySLAM numerous times and have been published in the LA Times. Her screenplays have advanced in the Launch Pad, Diverse Voices, and Austin Film Festival competitions, and she was a fellow in the 2023 Moonshot Initiative Pilot Accelerator program. The digital comedy series she wrote and starred in, HEART BABY EGGPLANT, also won the Audience Award at the Dances With Films festival. A passionate policy advocate, Rati is the Content Director for 5 Calls Civic Action and proudly served as a SAG-AFTRA strike captain during the historic 2023 labor action.
WHERE TO FIND HER:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | BlueSky | TikTok | Wikipedia | IMDB
Author, Podcaster
MICHELLE MILES is the host of Miles Beyond the Page, a podcast that celebrates the magical, messy, and inspiring journey of storytelling.
As an author of fantasy, paranormal romance, and fairy tale retellings, Michelle brings her passion for writing and publishing to every episode—whether she's interviewing debut authors, bestselling giants, or industry pros. With her warm, down-to-earth style and curiosity for all things creative, she dives deep into the heart of the writer’s process, from first drafts to final edits, rejections to rave reviews.
When she’s not behind the mic or crafting enchanting worlds on the page, Michelle can be found wrangling her to-be-read pile, sipping wine, or plotting her next story twist. Miles Beyond the Page is her love letter to authors, readers, and the stories that connect us all.
Miles Beyond the Page | Episode 93 | Kelly O’Hearn
