Happy to See Me with Erika Casupanan

Marissa Leon-John is best known for her two visits to the Masterchef Canada kitchen, but this self-taught chef has lived a life of authenticity long before her time on reality TV. Marissa opens up about the pressures of being an all star, her time in the military and leaving her corporate job. Plus, she talks about coming out to her Caribbean immigrant family and what her uncle said to her during...

Neda Kalantar is here for her first interview in six years (!!!). She opens up about how the hate she received after Big Brother Canada season 2 impacted the way she approached the game in season 5. Neda and Erika bond over growing up with a money scarcity mindset and reflect on how their relationships with their respective reality shows may have run their course. Follow the podcast on Instagram @...

Celeste Anderson is a professional gamer and the first winner of the reality show King of the Nerds back in 2013. She opens up about backlash after winning the competition and being under edited. Celeste talks about overcoming self doubt, going back to school in her late 20s and the positive self talk that helped her get through a cancer diagnosis. Erika's mind is blown over how similar their real...

The iconic Tai Trang of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng and Survivor: Game Changers shares his story of moving to the US as a Vietnamese refugee. He candidly shares stories about fleeing by boat and the challenges he faced when he arrived in America. Plus, Tai talks about being popular with kids and how he first got into caring for birds. Follow the podcast on Instagram @happytoseemepodFollow Erika on Instagr...

Filipino-American Dr. Kevin Nadal is a psychologist and a leading researcher in understanding the impacts of microaggressions. In this episode, Dr. Kevin talks about Filipinos in pop culture, what makes the Filipino North American experience unique from other Asian groups and the lasting impact of racism. Plus, Dr. Kevin weights in on why Asian women are called "sneaky" and targeted on Survivor. F...

Olympic boxer Mandy Bujold may have 169 amateur bouts under her belt, but she's fought for years beyond the boxing ring. Mandy is a historic Canadian boxer with 11 national championships, two Pan American games titles and two Olympic appearances to her name. Yet, multiple times in her career she uncovered the inequality for women in the highest levels of sports. In this episode, Mandy talks about...

Todd Herzog, winner of Survivor China and Erika's all-time favourite Survivor player, talks about having his life dream come true at the age of 22. Plus, Todd is candid about what it was like having his struggles with alcoholism broadcast to millions. He shares his next dream (which is a lot simpler). This episode contains a lot of Erika fangirling over Todd. Follow the podcast on Instagram @happy...

Before Sydney Lotuaco appeared on the Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, she had never had a boyfriend. In spite of not having romantic relationship experience, she always stuck up for herself and knew her worth. In this episode, she talks about how there's no shame in being a late bloomer and what it's like to date in front of millions. Plus, she shares how her now fiancé was a fan who slid into...

Taylor Lindsay-Noel of Access By Tay has never let her wheelchair slow her down. Taylor is a disability advocate, CEO, motivational speaker and content creator known for her accessibility reviews of restaurants. In this episode, Taylor talks about thriving despite misconceptions she faces as a Black disabled woman CEO. Plus, Taylor opens up about how the accident that left her paralyzed changed th...

At just 20 years old, drag performer Makayla Couture is a force to be reckoned with. Makayla made an impact as the teenage makeover candidate on Canada's Drag Race S2E8. She went on the compete on Call Me Mother where she made it to the finale. In this episode, Makayla opens up about navigating her trans journey as a teenager and the support from the queer community. Plus, she shares advice for an...

Mitch Moffit is one half of AsapSCIENCE aka one of most successful YouTube channels ever. It took him a decade to truly believe that YouTube was his job. Mitch opens up about 11 years as a content creator and how the pandemic affected general interest in science. Plus, Mitch talks about Big Brother Canada and the hedonic treadmill that many reality TV contestants experience when their seasons end....

Most folks discovered Snarky Marky on Tikok when the volume on the bus was ASTRONOMICAL. Turns out, this comedy content creator with millions of followers is actually very introverted. Mark and Erika discuss his duel personas of loud tiktoker and shy student, his passion for academics and how Internet fame impacts life in the classroom. Follow the podcast on Instagram @happytoseemepodFollow Erika...

Actress, comedy writer and YouTube creator Julie Nolke is hilarious and inspiring. Most people know her from the viral YouTube series Explaining the Pandemic to My Past Self. In this episode, Julie talks about how sticking to her passion for comedy paid off, even after YEARS of no's. Plus, find out how Erika and Julie met before their respective "big breaks."Follow the podcast on Instagram @happyt...

It's your favourite purple duo! Survivor bestie Heather Aldret is here to talk about what you didn't see on Survivor 41. Heather opens up about being invisible, what surprised her about the contestant experience and her physical recovery. She shares how Survivor has made her a better mom. Plus, hear about her love of possoms and her celebrity hall pass. Follow the podcast on Instagram @happytoseem...

Jay Northcott made an impact in their short time in the Big Brother Canada house thanks to their bold style and openness in sharing their culture. Jay is proudly Black, Indigenous and non-binary, and they talk to Erika about how individuality may be the best representation. As a theatre director, writer and performer, Jay shares what motivates them to bring more diverse storytelling into the world...

Miss Moço entered the Canada's Drag Race werk room as a force to be reckoned with and then her introverted side quickly took over. She opens up about being an introvert navigating the competitive reality TV environment. As Toronto's business queen, Miss Moço shares how she developed her business savvy and the role her mom played in her career. Plus, they share stories about Miss Moço's iconic Toro...

Ann Pornel is an actor, comedian, the co-host of the Great Canadian Baking Show, a BTS ARMY and a fellow Filipina. Ann talks about the joy in showing that plus-sized girls can be the pretty girls too, her approach to being a reality TV host and why she speaks up against online haters. Erika and Ann wax poetic about their love for BTS, what it means to be ARMY and their trip to see j-hope at hobipa...

On Survivor 41, Deshawn Radden was impulsive, chaotic and ... one of Erika's closest friends?! The pair talk about their rollercoaster friendship and where their relationship stands today. Deshawn gets candid about being labelled emotional, the pressures of being on Survivor after a difficult year for the Black community and what he learned about himself from the show. Deshawn confirms whether he...

In this special premiere episode, which was originally recorded in January 2022 (!!!), Erika is candid about being the winner of Survivor 41 and the topic everyone asks about: her edit. There are some eye openers! She gets honest about watching herself as an Asian woman on reality TV, how her pre-Survivor experiences as a woman of colour led to a historic victory and how a high school incident, th...