Susan Serrao Loves it When Conversations Go Completely Off Topic
Posted on March 31, 2026
Picture this: you and a friend meet up for coffee to catch up and discuss life. The conversation starts with the usual banter about life and work, and two hours later, it has become so wonderfully untethered and random that all that’s left is belly laughs and chaos.
That’s the vibe Calgary-based Video Podcaster Susan Serrao is bringing to her podcast, Completely Off Topic with Susan and Meg. Along with her co-host Meg Farhall, Susan invites Calgary-based female artists on the podcast to talk about their work…sort of. But it’s anyone’s guess where the conversation will go, in the best possible way!
With Season 3 of her Video Podcast premiering on April 14, 2026, we caught up with Susan to learn more about Completely Off-Topic with Susan and Meg, and the beauty and joy in unfiltered conversations.
STORYHIVE: Tell us about yourself and your background in sketch comedy!
Susan Serrao: I’m a comedian, actor, writer, and director and I produce a lot of my own work. I originally was a professional dancer; I danced in LA, England, Spain and on cruise ships, and then I moved back to Calgary and became a choreographer and artistic director of a dance company called Encore Dance Collective.
After that, I went into acting, and I found that comedy was something I loved more than anything else. I seem to have those comedy instincts, so I feel pretty lucky!
I started doing sketch comedy in 2020 with my friend Jamie Michelis. We did a series of 14 sketches on YouTube called Sketchy Beavers that went viral. At the same time, my friend Sandy Hoekstra and I started another show, which was more off the cuff. We would just film something funny and random that we were doing and release it right away. No marketing strategy, just for the love of making them.
STORYHIVE: What first sparked the idea for your Video Podcast, Completely Off Topic with Susan and Meg? Was there a specific moment or conversation where you realized this was something you wanted to create?
Susan Serrao: You’re about to see why the podcast is the way it is; I can’t just answer directly, I’ll be like, “Here’s the long, detailed background!”
My friend Meg Farhall and I were working together on my live solo sketch show, got milf. We found that if we had two and a half hours to work, we would spend two of those hours talking about our lives, our kids, our ex-husbands and everything else. Then, we would cram for half an hour and get everything done.
We were joking that this is just how we work, and she said, “We’re just completely off topic!” I said, “Yes, that’s the name of our podcast.”
It was a joke until I saw that TELUS STORYHIVE was offering a grant for a Video Podcast series. We both loved the idea of elevating female artists, especially local Calgary artists, because nobody else was really doing that.
So I applied with a quick one-minute video. It took me one day to put the whole application together, and that’s the one that got funded. I had applied for five other grants for something more structured and didn’t get any of those. This more off-the-cuff idea was the one that worked.
STORYHIVE: The show thrives on candid, humorous and often unexpected conversations. How do you and Meg approach creating a space where guests feel comfortable enough to be both open and unfiltered?
Susan Serrao: I think people trust us. I usually ask people if they want to be on the podcast, and they say yes, and I explain that it’s completely off topic.
I tell them we’ll introduce them as the artist they are, and then I might ask something random, like where they got their scarf. We basically follow the stream of consciousness!
At the beginning, we also tell them that if there’s anything they’re not comfortable with afterward, we’ll cut it. That gives them the freedom to be open and share.
Meg and I both have improv backgrounds, so we know how to stay with the conversation, redirect if needed, and find humour in a way that isn’t disrespectful. We lead with love and just want people to feel safe.
I think it’s just real life. When you have a meaningful conversation, it’s not all serious, and it’s not all funny. It’s both. We’re not trying to force anything. We’re just allowing people to be themselves, and I think that’s what people connect with.
Your podcast highlights female creatives and their journeys. Why was it important for you to centre those voices, and what have you learned from those conversations so far?
Susan Serrao: I love women; I love our friendships, and I love that we’re finally in a place where we support each other instead of competing.
When I was growing up, it felt competitive. Now it’s like, why would I compete with you when you’re so different and have your own strengths?
I also think there’s a lack of female-driven stories, and the ones we’ve seen are often one-dimensional. But no woman I’ve ever met is one-dimensional. Everyone is complex, with flaws, humour and joy.
What we try to do is find their passion and unravel that. You really see their essence come out. It’s fun to explore that and share it.
Is there a particular moment or exchange from an episode that’s really stayed with you after recording?
Susan Serrao: The moments that stay with me the most are when we’re laughing so hard it’s completely real.
There’s an episode with Brittany Lyseng where we somehow end up talking about mooning, and it turns into this ridiculous idea about a makeup line. It’s so silly, but we were all laughing so hard.
Another one is with Sandi Somers, where Meg tells a story about trying to film a bumblebee and falling down a hill in flip-flops. It’s embarrassing and vulnerable, but so funny. Those moments where vulnerability and humour meet are my favourite.
You recently spoke at the STORYHIVE panel at PodSummit 2025 in Calgary. What was that experience like?
Susan Serrao: It was so cool. I felt really honoured that TELUS STORYHIVE brought me on to speak.
Everyone there was so passionate about podcasts and collaboration. There was so much to learn and it was great to connect with people who are excited about the future of podcasting.
I also love speaking. I have a bit of an unusual background for a podcaster. I’m a mom of four, I’m divorced and I work in both the arts and film and television. I think that perspective brings something different.
What was it like joining STORYHIVE, and what is something from your experience throughout the program that has stuck with you?
Susan Serrao: It’s been a really supportive program. One thing I didn’t expect was that TELUS STORYHIVE promoted my podcast in newspapers before season one launched. It was featured in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, which was really cool.
I also had a great experience with my Program Manager, Audrey Kiss. Especially in the first season, she was there whenever I had questions or made mistakes. It’s just a really supportive environment.
What have you discovered about yourself as a co-host and storyteller since launching your podcast?
Susan Serrao: I’ve definitely learned that I can’t stay on topic!
Editing has taught me a lot about how I communicate and that I need to listen more. Sometimes I feel like I talk too much, and then I realize I’m actually sharing space pretty evenly.
There’s a lot of self-judgment. Sometimes I watch it back and think, “Why did I say that?”, and other times I’m like, "That was funny.” So it’s been a learning process.
What’s next for Completely Off Topic with Susan and Meg? Are there any directions, themes, or guests you’re especially excited to explore?
Susan Serrao: Season 3 is coming out April 14, and we have eight new guests who are all incredible.
We’ve changed the setup again, so it’s a different look and dynamic. There are some really beautiful, vulnerable stories mixed with really funny moments.
There’s one episode with Kaya Coleman that really stands out. She was very open and spiritual in her practice and in her life, and we had some really meaningful conversations along with a lot of laughter.
Join us in congratulating Susan on her incredible success! Explore Completely Off Topic with Susan and Meg Seasons 1 and 2 now streaming on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 9, Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
Stay tuned for Season 3 premiering on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 9 and Stream+ on April 14, 2026!