#SenecaProud

Pat Perdue (00:00):

Hey, I'm Pat Perdue and I'd like to welcome you to season five of the SenecaProud Podcast. So much change. And now we're post pandemic. Are we though? Kind of? Maybe? <laugh>? What's absolutely true is that the last few years have seen dramatic changes at Seneca College as well. The massive scope of the Au large project, which has been underway for a few years now, has been transforming Seneca into a college that embraces the highest standards of equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as sustainability and flexibility. And this entire initiative is to ensure Seneca College is ready for the demands of the future. And with the popularity of AI and other new technologies, the future is becoming the present really quickly and Senecans are leading the way in this brave new world, which brings us to season five. In this season, like all of our seasons, we have some amazing guests who are putting their Seneca one skills to work and are making a real splash in their career and in the world.  Our guests join the pod to talk about their careers today, their experiences at Seneca and their future in this brave new kind of post pandemic, yeah, everything's normal now, <laugh> kind of world. So stick around because the next episode of Seneca Proud starts now.

And welcome to the SenecaProud Podcast. I'm your host, Pat Perdue, and I'm super glad you are here. So how are you? So much has happened since we last hung out. We just had daylight savings time where we go through this biannual ritual of messing with our internal clocks by changing the time <laugh> Sunday, I spent the entire day looking at the clock and saying, wait, what time is it <laugh>? And also we had study week, which let's face it, you were catching up on Netflix, right? I see you there <laugh>. So what are you watching? Me, I've been watching The Last of Us, which isn't on Netflix, but it's still good.

And have you been watching the new season of The Mandalorian? I actually haven't started it yet, but hey, I need my baby Yoda Fix, yo!  So I'm gonna start it soon. Another show that I love is a Canadian production. It's not on any of the streaming channels. It's like on like a regular TV channel. It's called Abroad and it's on a network called Omni. So yeah, it's like regular television. Abroad is a comedy sketch show about the Canadian immigrant experience. So it's really about being Canadian and sort of about being a ton of other things, <laugh>. But most of all, it's really, really funny and it speaks the truth. And, and I'm super excited about this; our guest today is Isabel Kanaan, the co-creator of that show. It's sort of based on her view of the world. She also stars in it and does a lot of the writing. Although, when you watch it, you'll see in addition to Isabel's humor, <laugh>, and you have to see her doing Bruno Mars, it's hilarious. It's the joy of the ensemble cast that makes it really so charming to watch. And we're so lucky to get Isabel on the podcast today.

So let me tell you about Isabel. Isabel Kanaan is a Filipino Canadian actor, comedian, and writer, best known for Omnis Abroad, which we talked about. She was on CBC's Air Farce, which is a legendary comedy show, TFCs, B R G Y, and Mixes News Hotlist. Isabelle's got tons of awards. She was awarded the N B C Universal Bob Curry Fellowship, the R B C Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award. She was one of now Toronto's breakthrough stage artists and was nominated for a premier's award for her expeditious achievements in theater, film, and tv. And what you will learn from our interview is that it was her time at Seneca College that reignited her passion for acting and made so much of her success possible. And of course, she is super successful. In addition to Abroad, selected TV credits include Overlord and The Underwoods on Nickelodeon, the Good Witch on Hallmark, Nurses on NBC, Hudson and Rex City tv, and Holly Hobby on Hulu. You might know Isabel from TikTok. She rules on that platform, and also Instagram. Of course, a super cool part of Isabel's story is that her show Abroad came about because she was more or less discovered by a Toronto TV production company as a result of the content she was posting on TikTok and Instagram. Cool, right? I'm super thrilled to share with you my conversation with Abroad star and co-creator, Isabel Kanaan.

We start off talking about her success on social media and her journey, figurative and literal that brought her to having her own show here in Canada. Alright, here is my conversation with Abroad co-creator and star Isabel Kanaan.

 

Pat Perdue (5:12)
This intro talks about your TV credits, and you're also killing it on TikTok with last I checked, I think you have a, I'm just checking my notes now, A bajillion followers <laugh> and, and literally, literally, without any kidding aside, millions and millions of likes racked up. So can we talk TikTok?

 

Isabel Kanaan (05:32):

Yes. Let's! <laugh>

 

Pat Perdue (05:35):

A lot of our listeners, you know, they post from time to time on TikTok. They're kind of curious and you're just, as I mentioned, burning it up on TikTok. So share with us a little bit about your TikTok journey. Is it something that you just leapt into and it made sense to you at first? Or did you start off a little bit more slowly and evolve? How did that go?

 

Isabel Kanaan (05:55):

Honestly, it was a leaping situation that, uh, social media, I don't know, it, it never really clicked with me Instagram back in the day, right? Yep. They were all pictures and then Twitter, and I was like, all right, cool, cool. I, I was more just like watching it all happen. And then TikTok came around and, you know, it started getting traction and I was like, all right, what is this? And I signed up and that very first day I watched a couple and I was like, oh, cool, I'm gonna make one. And <laugh>, I started making that day. And, I started like, every day I started making, and it was the only social media that made sense to me because I love performing. Video performance, you know, and TikTok was the avenue to do that in. And not only that, but it had a lot to do with comedy. I mean, yes, I think back in the day there was a lot of dancing too, which I also love <laugh>.But you know, I found the comedy niche out there and I was like, yes, this is my in. And so I kind of just started doing it just to pass the time, to be honest, <laugh>

 

Pat Perdue (07:13):

Amazing. And, and the rest is history. Like you're just all over it.

 

Isabel Kanaan (07:18):

Yeah, pretty much <laugh>. It just started becoming like, you know, how people tweet what they think of, like, what just pops into their mind. I started making TikToks of things like that and I would just like, it's funny 'cause you know how people have voices in their heads? I don't have a voice. I do have like a video reel in my head, <laugh>. And so I see that more clearly. And so it was my Twitter basically <laugh>, my TikTok was.

 

Pat Perdue (07:47):

And I love that story because it talks about, you know, like, you're very funny, Some of the roles that I referenced in the introduction, like Nurses and stuff, you know, maybe those are scripted dramas. And the reality is you're a really funny person. Have you always been that way? Or is that something you sort of grew into?

 

Isabel Kanaan (08:07):

I, I mean, to be honest, I don't think I'm funny. I think I have a knack for finding what's funny in the world and communicating that into the world, whether that be through TikToks, or storytelling, or writing. I think I'm a very good storyteller. And whenever I find something funny, or even if it's not funny, I can find the funny in it. I think that's my superpower, right? And that's what I showcase into the world. Me, myself, am I funny? I mean, I might have picked up a thing or two based on what I've seen in the world, but I find the funnier things in my life are the people that I'm surrounded by. And just the situations that I just happen to come across; like situational comedy, that is my life.

 

Pat Perdue (08:57):

<laugh>. And that brings us to Abroad, which is a great sketch comedy. It's on Omni television. It's so cool. I have a lot to say about it and a lot of questions about it, but I'd really love to give you the opportunity just for those who may not be familiar with it. Tell us a little bit about what Abroad is.

 

Isabel Kanaan (09:16):

All right. Well, Abroad is a sketch comedy show about the Filipino immigrant experience, specifically here in Canada. But we just, the themes are just so broad, <laugh>, pun intended. The themes are so broad that we, we found that it actually crossed multicultural platform. So it's not just Filipinos out there that are relating to the content, it's other immigrants, other people of color, whether they be first generation immigrants, second generation, even third generation immigrants. And you know, we have a lot in the show also that are people who aren't immigrants who just have like day-to-day interactions with immigrants and they get to be like, oh yeah, I've, I've experienced this too.

 

Pat Perdue (10:11):

Ah-huh. It's so relatable. And you mentioned that your life is a sitcom <laugh> To what extent to what, to what extent is Abroad based on, 'cause you're like, everything in it. You're executive producer, you're a writer, you're a performer, you're co-creator. That's pretty amazing. So to what extent are you drawing from your own personal experience when you're creating some of the Abroad episodes?

 

Isabel Kanaan (10:34):

I mean, honestly, it feels like the Truman show at times that <laugh> <laugh>, I'm like, right now, am, am I still on Abroad right now? <laugh>

 

Pat Perdue (10:45):

<laugh>,

 

Isabel Kanaan (10:46):

It, it really is a lot of it. I mean, everything is drawn from my life, but to a heightened extent, you know, to ensue hilarity, <laugh>

 

Pat Perdue (10:59):

<laugh>. Awesome. And what I love about the show is I really get a sense that it's, it's you and there's so much joy in watching the show, and I get the feeling that when I watch the show that all of you are having a blast.

 

Isabel Kanaan (11:14):

Oh, I'm so glad. I'm so glad that comes across because we are <laugh> <laugh>. Yeah. That's interesting that you say that because the producers, when they first saw, actually my TikToks, not on TikTok by the way, they saw it on Instagram because they don't have TikTok. Right. But you know, me being me, I'm gonna post it everywhere. Yeah. <laugh>. And so they saw my TikToks on Instagram and contacted me and said "That! That's the show we want. We wanna do a show around you." And I was like, what? Me? Um, and they, they believed in me more than I believed in me, to be honest. And that was the start of that. And, and so every step of the way I would be like, is this interesting? Would people, would people like this? And they're like, yeah, yeah. And I'm like, okay, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool. <laugh>. So it is in a sense just me, hanging out on, on camera <laugh>

 

Pat Perdue (12:13):

And what a great story. You know, it's, you were quote/unquote not discovered, but this show became possible because of what you were doing on TikTok.

 

Isabel Kanaan (12:22):

Yes. Yes.

 

Pat Perdue (12:24):

That's amazing.

 

Isabel Kanaan (12:25):

That was wild. I was just doing it for the, you know, for the fun of it. And Oh man, those are the best stories, right? <laugh>.

 

Pat Perdue (12:37):

Right. No kidding. Like, after everybody listening to this, after they finish listening to this episode, if they don't have a TikTok account, they're gonna be creating one. And if they haven't posted today, they're gonna post today. I'm sure that <laugh>. Yeah.

 

Isabel Kanaan (12:50):

Well it was like YouTube back in the day right? When it was starting out and people were just like, all right, I'm gonna post videos. And then they blew up. Yes. So just put yourself out there.

 

Pat Perdue (13:00):

Most, mostly back in the day, it was cat videos.

 

Isabel Kanaan (13:03):

Oh, yes, yes. A lot of famous cats.

 

Pat Perdue (13:05):

<laugh>, A lot of famous cats. And there was one that comes to mind, what was it? Somebody bit my finger?

 

Isabel Kanaan (13:11):

Oh, Charlie.

 

Pat Perdue (13:12):

Charlie, Charlie bit my finger. Exactly.

 

Isabel Kanaan (13:15):

<laugh>, I mean, I'm in, I'm not in their level, I wish, but Oh wow,

 

Pat Perdue (13:22):

Wow. That went, that was crazy. Charlie. Bit my finger. <laugh>. So, did you know that acting and performing and, and being that person was something that you always wanted to do as a career? Or was there a bit of a change as you, you know, you went through high school and you were at Seneca College, so when did you realize or know that you were like, you know what, I'm gonna be an actor?

 

Isabel Kanaan (13:48):

I mean, to be honest, I caught the bug in high school in the Philippines. We had a, what's that called? An assignment to create, so write and perform a monologue based on one of the books that we were reading at the time. And I loved it. I made people cry and I was like, yeah, buddy <laugh>.

 

Pat Perdue (14:11):

<laugh>

 

Isabel Kanaan (14:12):

I wanted to get into the theater scene in the Philippines, but then surprise, surprise, we moved.

 

Pat Perdue (14:18):

And Right, well your parents moved and you were like, yeah, okay, I'll tag along

 

Isabel Kanaan (14:22):

<laugh>. Yes. Actually, no, they were more like, you're coming so <laugh>. Right. So we came to Canada on my last year of high school. And so I had to apply for college or university. And at that time I was like, well, there goes my dreams because I did not think that I was gonna go into acting here.

 

Pat Perdue (14:44):

That had to have been crazy, like the last year of high school in a totally different country.

 

Isabel Kanaan (14:51):

Oh yeah. I was like, I was the new kid. No one was even paying attention to me. The new kid in grade 12. No.

 

Pat Perdue (14:58):

Right.

 

Isabel Kanaan (14:59):
Everyone was already in college mode. So I was just like, hang in there for one year. Oh, I got one year and then I get to make new friends and they <laugh> they will accept me as well. 'Cause I was trying, but at the same time it was like, no, everyone's already out of the game.

 

Pat Perdue (15:16):

But you still, even at that point, you knew you wanted to go into performing. And did that, did that dream, did that intention carry over when you came to Canada and you were in like, kind of thrown into grade 12?

 

Isabel Kanaan (15:28):

No, it very much stopped <laugh>. Oh, yeah. Um, I guess the, the, the culture shock and, you know, when you're in the Philippines, Canada, or North America, that to me was Hollywood. And I was like, well, I'm not gonna make it in Hollywood. Because, you know, at the time too, there weren't people like me in Hollywood, like Filipinos back in the day weren't really doing that scene, or at least they weren't given the opportunities to. And so I just didn't do it. It was only after the fact that I think I, I've been in Canada for a couple years, so the culture shock has kind of died down at that point. I've, you know, like kind of found my footing here in Canada. Right. Only then. And I, I met someone who was at the Seneca who just graduated the Seneca program for the Acting for Camera and Voice Program at Seneca. And he was telling me all about it. And at that time I was at York University for, what was I even doing at the time? Math? or? Okay. At that point I think I switched already to philosophy.

 

Pat Perdue (16:43):

Okay.

 

Isabel Kanaan (16:44):

I basically, I was trying to find my, my love, you know, my passion. Yeah. And only when Seneca opened up with this Camera program, that I was like, Ooh, let's try my hand there. And that was it. The, that was it. That was it for me.

 

Pat Perdue (17:04):

And when you decided, ooh, let me try my hand, that was the sort of the reconnection or the reaffirmation of this dream that you had kind of put on the shelf for a bunch of years.

 

Isabel Kanaan (17:15):

Yeah, it really is. And to be honest, also, the industry when I went into Seneca was starting to be more diverse than what it was.

 

Pat Perdue (17:27):

Okay.

 

Isabel Kanaan (17:27):
And so I saw an opportunity that, okay, this, this is starting to open up for people like me and here's this opportunity. I'm a take it <laugh>

 

Pat Perdue (17:38):

Awesome. So that was a change. You went from doing math and philosophy to, you know, things around television.

 

Isabel Kanaan (17:46):

Yeah.

 

Pat Perdue (17:47):

You had to have a conversation with your friends. And I'm sort of leaning toward what was it like at home when you're telling your parents, you know what, that whole philosophy, math thing, I think I'm gonna be in show business.

 

Isabel Kanaan (17:58):

Um, let's just say, let's just say I did say it <laugh> and they were very much opposed to it because

 

Pat Perdue (18:07):

Okay.

 

Isabel Kanaan (18:08):

You know, especially for immigrant parents coming to a land of opportunity, they think Acting,

 

Pat Perdue (18:16):

Right.

 

Isabel Kanaan (18:16):
<laugh> and the arts in general, it's like, what really? No.

 

Pat Perdue (18:20):

Did they have a sense of what they wanted for you? Like an accountant or a dentist or something specific, or just not the arts <laugh>

 

Isabel Kanaan (18:30):

To be honest, I think it just wasn't in the arts. I think just like a, like a business of some sort, like a job that you can actually say, you know what I mean? Like, exactly like Right. Accountant, teacher, doctor, right. Something like that. But if I say actor, there's like a lot of avenues and like, people are like, oh, are you in? Well, what have I seen you in? And, right, of course at the time it's like this, this theater show in the middle of nowhere maybe. You know what I mean? It, it's, it's kind of a hard sell to people and I think that's what put them off. It's like, Ooh, that's not a real job in their eyes.

 

Pat Perdue (19:15):

And how is it now, do they see it as a real job now? Has there been any sort of, I guess, change in that area?

 

Isabel Kanaan (19:21):

I think <laugh>, I don't know if they see it as a real job, but they see me, I think they're, they're their trust in me grew.. And so now they know that I can make a living from the arts. Right. But would they, would they recommend it to other people? No, I don't know if they would, but <laugh> it does take a lot. It it's a lot of, persistence to be in the arts. And if you don't have that, it's gonna be very difficult.

 

Pat Perdue (19:57):

This touches on something else that I was curious about. You know, people see you today and they're on, you're on TikTok, and they see you on your show Abroad, which you are basically, you know, it's about you and you get to write on it, and you're co-creator and executive producer. That's a lot of success. So if they drop into your life today, that's what they see. Were there times when even you, yourself might have been doubting this choice and just had to kind of push through it?

 

Isabel Kanaan (20:23):

Oh, even if they drop in today, I'm still doubting, you know what I mean? I think the, the number one thing with the arts is there isn't a stability in the way that quote/unquote real jobs do a.k.a like a yearly salary from, from a employer of sorts. You still have to audition. You still have to pitch, you still have to, you just have to kind of keep hustling. And there are times when I just wanna take break <laugh>, you know? Like, hustling all the time. That's impossible. And I in no way recommend it to people. You need that break. And I remember at Seneca, one of our teachers actually mentioned, "take a break, you it, it will do you good." And at that time, I didn't believe them because I thought, no, no, I'm gonna take a break when, when I've earned it. You know? Right. But then you later on realize, oh no, if you don't take a break, you are putting your art in jeopardy.

 

Pat Perdue (21:39):

Right. And, you, you touched on, you know, we want a, a salary with a company, but these days all you hear in the news, you hear so much about layoffs. So, so if you're gonna do something, why not do the thing you want to do?

 

Isabel Kanaan (21:52):

Exactly. Exactly. The, I think at the end of the day, I think especially like in the beginning of the being in the arts, I was very much in the, oh no, this isn't stable at all. And then as you grow older, you realize, oh, nothing is stable. Not even a real job is stable. So

 

Pat Perdue (22:15):

Yeah, exactly.

 

Isabel Kanaan (22:15):

Just do, I don't, I don't even know if it's a do what you love situation. I think it's do what you wanna do at the moment, <laugh>, because that's an also change

 

Pat Perdue (22:28):

For sure. You grow.

 

Isabel Kanaan (22:29):

Yeah. I didn't wanna act before I caught a bug and I was like, all right, let,

 

Pat Perdue (22:33):

Let's see how this works out.

 

Isabel Kanaan(22:34):

Let's do it. I didn't want to write before. Yeah. When I was an actor, I was like, oh, there's no way I'm gonna write. And then I became a writer and I'm like, Ooh, I love this so much. You know?

 

Pat Perdue (22:43):

And that's the great thing about the show because the other things are you being in a different character, which of course you do really well, but I think so much of the joy of Abroad and so much of the energy comes from you sharing your perspective on the world and sharing your sort of the funny lens that you see the world through. And I think that really comes across.

 

Isabel Kanaan (23:05):

Oh, I'm, I'm, I'm so, I'm so happy that it does. Thank you. Thank you <laugh>. Yeah.

 

Pat Perdue (23:10):

And it's a groundbreaking show because it's, it's in English and in Tagalog, which is amazing.

 

Isabel Kanaan (23:16):

Yeah. And to be honest, uh, I, I didn't pitch it like that because when I came to Canada, you know, it was very much like assimilate, assimilate, be English speaking and all that stuff. <laugh>. So I pitched it yes, from my lens, but in English, 'cause that's what the shows are here in Canada. And it was Omni that kind of said, "Hey, what if we do it in your language?" And I'm like, wait, that's possible?

 

Pat Perdue (23:46):

That's a great idea.

 

Isabel Kanaan (23:47):

Yeah. Yeah. And they just opened up a whole bag of opportunities that I didn't even know was possible.

 

Pat Perdue (23:56):

And one of your, one of your TikToks, which I found really funny, and I'm gonna admit I saw it on Instagram <laugh>, was, was you, and it was somebody asking you where your accent was, which was Oh yeah. So funny. <laugh> so funny. <laugh> <laugh>.

 

Isabel Kanaan (24:11):

Oh yeah, I remember that, being asked that a lot of the times when I first came to Canada and they would ask me and I would say, oh, I've been here for a few months, or even like less than a year or something like that. And they'd be like, what? Where's your accent? And I just thought, that's so funny. Yeah. Like I could just lose it.

 

Pat Perdue (24:30):

And I won't describe the TikTok 'cause that's a painful experience for people to hear a TikTok described. But you do a really funny twist on it. So for those listening, you know, I invite you to go find that TikTok, and you will know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

Isabel Kanaan (24:43):

Yeah, follow me on all the social medias.

 

Pat Perdue (24:46):

Yeah. Amazing. I'm gonna put, I'm gonna put all your socials in the show notes for those who are listening. Nice. For sure. So, the next season of Abroad drops in May of this year. Is that right?

 

Isabel Kanaan (24:57):

Yes. Yes it is.

 

Pat Perdue (24:58):

And are you shooting now? Is it all done?

 

Isabel Kanaan (25:02):

So, we actually just wrapped principal photography, and so now we're headed into post photography.

 

Pat Perdue (25:12):

Sounds so fancy.

 

Isabel Kanaan (25:13):

Yeah. <laugh>, which is basically all the editing, all that stuff, all that lovely on the computer stuff.

 

Pat Perdue (25:19):

<laugh> on the computer stuff.

 

Isabel Kanaan (25:21):

Yeah, yeah. Like that. I don't have to show my face on camera anymore. <laugh>.

 

Pat Perdue (25:27):

So we touched on a little bit your time at Seneca and it's great that you were at Seneca and it feels like while you were there, that that was when you had that turning point in your aspirations and you were inspired to, to dust off this old, older dream that you had and say, oh I'm gonna do this.

 

Isabel Kanaan (25:45):

Yeah. I wanna give a shout out to Mark Ingram, who was the program coordinator at the time for the Acting For Camera and Voice program because I, I was still at York and I wasn't sure, I wasn't sure. I wanted to see what the program was like. So I had a meeting with him before I enrolled or you know, and I was pretty much like, tell me what this program is and basically like, pitch it to me instead of <laugh> me pitching myself. And it's funny 'cause he, he said basically what I've already said of like, you, you need to be persistent. It it, it's a tough life to be in this industry and things like that. And all of that made me want it more. nice. <laugh>. I was like, Ooh, a challenge. All right.

 

Pat Perdue (26:38):

Ah, so that's how to pitch you something that you wanna be part of. It's, it's gonna be really hard. Oh gosh, you may not be successful. You're like, watch me, I'm in

 

Isabel Kanaan (26:48):

<laugh>. Prove me wrong!

 

Pat Perdue (26:49):

For all the producers out there who are considering pitching Isabel, that's how to do it. <laugh> <laugh>. Hilarious. And something that I did want to touch on as well is this show, as funny as it is, and it's through your very, you know, comedic lens through which you see the world, it's also about inclusivity. People can see themselves and you mentioned it doesn't have to just be Filipinos who are watching. They see themselves. Well people who would normally not see themselves see themselves in your show. And what does that mean to you?

 

Isabel Kanaan (27:20):

Oh, the world. I remember getting comments from people of like, never did I think that this was a show that was possible in my lifetime or something like that. And Oh yeah, it was, it was just really great to hear the feedback because you know, I think with any art, you know, you put yourself out there and it's so nice to feel basically a hug from the audience. Wow. Yeah. And, and it also made me feel that my stories are valid 'cause I, I remember, you know, even to this day, if I talk to <laugh> the wrong person or somebody who's just not open-minded and I give a story of mine of like, oh yeah, this was my experience, they would kind of be like, what? Nobody does that and yeah. And I would feel so hurt and I don't belong in the world, you know, like because now Canada's my home. And if you're saying no one does that here, then who am I? And so it's so amazing to hear that people are like, oh yeah, that happened to me, that that's my story too. And I'm like, no way! Oh, so, so those close-minded people. I'm like, ah, see? See!

 

Pat Perdue (28:52):

<laugh> In an earlier episode of this podcast, the SenecaProud podcast, one of the guests said, "you can't be yourself unless you see yourself." And I hear that phrase echoing in my mind as you tell that story.

 

Isabel Kanaan (29:04):

Yes. I think one of, um, uh, talking about superpowers of me finding comedy and stuff. I think one other one is, self-awareness, self-reflection. I really love just reflecting on, on, on my past, on me and, and how to grow further. Meditations, stuff like that. Therapy, I love that kind of stuff. And you know, I mean, in other words, we're getting a little serious here.

 

Pat Perdue (29:38):

Um, we can do that. We can do that.

 

Isabel Kanaan (29:39):

Yeah. We're not all about the comedy here. <laugh> <laugh>. But I, I think that's, that's where the comedy finds itself too, right? It, it, we have to learn to, to look at ourselves and call ourselves out. And when we call ourselves out, that's when we find, oh, that's, that's funny 'cause how can you laugh at yourself if you take yourself too, too seriously?

 

Pat Perdue (30:02):

So being the person, the sort of introspective, thinking person and taking stock person, what does 2023 and 2024 look like?

 

Isabel Kanaan (30:12):

Honestly, right now I am in the go with the flow kind of mentality. I, I have set goals in the past and I've reached them and I have found that recently when I have hit a milestone, instead of me celebrating that milestone, I will, I will think, okay, what's the next step? What's the next step? And I end up not being in the moment. And so for 2023 and 2024, I really want to be in the moment. And so, you know, I have like little goals here and there of just like, I just want the show to do well, you know, for, for my show my clips to spread out more and for people to watch, laugh and also think about the themes that, you know, I bring upon into my comedy because yes, they are comedic, but they're also thought provoking. That in the very basis is the goal. But I would like to just be in the moment and have fun with the audience, you know.

 

Pat Perdue (31:22):

Well, Isabel Kanaan, I'm so delighted that you were able to carve some time out of your super busy schedule to spend some time on the SenecaProud Podcast. Thank you very much.

 

Isabel Kanaan (31:31):

Thank you so much. It was a well deserved break.

 

Pat Perdue (31:34):

Sweet.

 

Isabel Kanaan (31:34):

As we know <laugh>, we should be taking breaks.

 

Pat Perdue (31:38):

Amazing. Amazing. Well thanks again. We will be watching Abroad. Congratulations on all the success that show and your other projects have brought you.

 

Isabel Kanaan (31:46):

Thank you so much.

 

Pat Perdue (31:48):

Thanks. Okay, bye

 

Isabel Kanaan (31:49):

Bye.

 

Pat Perdue (31:52):

And that was my conversation with Isabel Kanaan. I'm so grateful that she totally just shared her journey and as she mentioned, it's a story that so many in Canada can relate to, but is so underrepresented in the media. Which is why the work she does; and I don't think this is an overstatement at all, which is why the work she does is so important for the culture of our country. And as you could hopefully tell, I had a great time getting to know Isabel and I hope you did as well. The new season of Abroad premieres on Omni this May. So definitely check it out. You can also see episodes on YouTube. It's really funny. I'll leave links to the show as well as links to Isabelle's social media in the show notes. Check her out, follow her, and tell her hi from all of us at the SenecaProud Podcast. This show was edited by Courtney Rheaume. Thanks Courtney. Great job. And I'd like to thank Isabel Kanaan for joining us. And as always, thank you for spending part of your day with the pod. We're always glad you are here. Until next time, stay proud, Seneca.