Romantasy (the portmanteau of romance and fantasy) is more than just fairy smut. Award-winning author Anuja Varghese explains why the out-of-this-world romantasy genre tells us A LOT about the real world. Anuja shares feeling underestimated by her parents, explains her goal of writing a medieval India–inspired fantasy world, and why she needed to write a spicy story about women of colour and multiple queer romances. Plus, Anuja explains why we shouldn’t sleep on romantasy because it may be keeping the publishing industry afloat.Order Anuja’s book A KISS OF CRIMSON ASH: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/779582/a-kiss-of-crimson-ash-by-anuja-varghese/9781037800269 Follow Anuja on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anuja_v/Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence CreatesStudio space provided by Sleepless Studios

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

It’s Erika’s birthday so she’s answering your questions (and then some). Erika reflects on her greatest fears, being recognized from Survivor, how queeerness feels so freeing and more. This episode’s special guest host is A Peschanski, aka the editor of the podcast! Tune in to hear Erika chat everything from her biggest regrets, core memories and how long she wants to keep her purple hair.Follow A on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/a_peschanski/Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence CreatesStudio space provided by Sleepless Studios

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Feeling behind on career milestones? Marriage? Home ownership? But what if you’re not behind at all? It’s almost Erika’s 37th birthday and she reflects on the imaginary timelines we have in our heads and how to finally let them go. In this reflective episode, Erika shares lessons from past podcast guests and the necessary redirections in her life. Maybe you’re not behind, maybe you’re just becoming!Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence Creates

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Calling all recovering people pleasers! Saying “no” can do wonders for your mental and physical wellness. Dr. Jen Fry is a speaker, conflict literacy expert and author who demystifies how to have hard conversations and why they build healthier cultures. Jen discusses how fear of “making a scene” and people-pleasing, especially for women, can lead to harmful situations, resentment and even physical stress, and why saying no is about self respect. Jen emphasizes building tolerance through “micro-advocacy” in everyday moments, giving people a chance to fix issues and accepting others’ disappointment or anger. Tune in to learn how to advocate for yourself.Follow Dr Jen Fry on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jenfrytalks/Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence Creates

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

We love a crossing off a long to-do list but why don’t we make time to relax? Erika shares her tips for truly relaxing after years of over scheduling and optimizing every hour. Erika chats about mindset shifts, unproductive time and doing activities with no goal. If you want to embrace how doing nothing can pay off in the long run, then this episode is for you!Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence Creates

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

It’s Pride Month! But are you having a hard time making queer friends? Zhané Stimpson knows all about building lesbian-specific community through events like oil wrestling, pie-eating contests and performative masc and femme competitions. Zhané shares her journey from online lesbian community to creating in-person lesbian events. This episode demystifies what it actually takes to make lesbian friends. Zhané shares Pride safety tips, easy conversation starters, building queer community in small towns and why visibility matters for lesbians.

Follow Zhané on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ziosaaa/

Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod

SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.com

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Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence CreatesStudio space provided by Sleepless Studios

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

This is your permission to give yourself some credit. It’s time to honour and celebrate how far you’ve come. In this solo episode, Erika share three questions she asks herself when it’s time to self reflect and take stock of how much progress you’ve made. Spoiler alert: this episode will leave you feeling a lot more proud and full of gratitude for the past you for getting you here.Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence Creates

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

What does it mean to move through the world as a masc lesbian? In this candid conversation, award-winning chef Eva Chin talks about identity, stereotypes, belonging and the experiences that often go unspoken. Eva and Erika explore masc identity, patriarchy, trauma, therapy and reconnection with both the Chinese and queer communities. Eva opens up about plannng a lesbian wedding in the 2010s and what it takes to make a 10-year marriage work. Plus, Eva chats about first watching The L Word and how queer representation has evolved. A must-listen for lesbians and sapphics!

Follow Eva on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ridetowander/

Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod

SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.com

Please rate, review and subscribe!

Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence CreatesStudio space provided by Sleepless Studios

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

There’s a way to make your dream come true even if no one like you has done it before. Marivel Taruc is an award-winning journalist, executive producer at CBC Toronto and a trailblazer for Filipinos in the Canadian journalism industry. She chats about the lack of Filipino role models in broadcasting early in her career, how journalism adapts to social media and how to own your confidence even when you’re underestimated. Plus, Marivel shares an early career defining moment when she was overlooked, but responded with a sharp question.Follow Marivel on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cbcmarivel/Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence CreatesStudio space provided by Sleepless Studios

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Why is saying “I’m proud of myself” so awkward?! Turns out, being proud of yourself can reduce shame and help you to live a more fulfilled life. Erika reflects on Asian Heritage Month and her experiences as a Filipino immigrant to chat about embracing what makes you.. you. She shares three mindset shifts that have helped her to be proud of herself. Follow the podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/happytoseemepod/ Follow Erika on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erika_cas/ Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@happytoseemepod SHOPIFY: Sign up for your $1/month trial today at shopify.com/erikaishappyUse code ERIKA_25 for 25% off all products on https://www.organika.comPlease rate, review and subscribe! Host, creator and executive producer: Erika Casupanan Editing by A PeschanskiBrand strategy by Natalie Cunningham Music by Dylan Mackenzie Podcast visual design by Amanda McCusker Photography by Clarence Creates

Brought to you By: The Sonar Network