X92.9's Beckler & Seanna: Best Radio Personality in 2018
Best of Calgary is a celebration of the people, places and voices that make Calgary an amazing place to live and call home.
Written by: Kelsey Woods
If you’ve ever turned the radio to X92.9 on your way to work, then you’ve heard the hilarious banter from Beckler and Seanna’s morning show. If you haven’t, we highly recommend it. From start to finish, this duo will have you snickering at their silly pun-offs, strange news reports, rap battles and daily commentary about the weird, the normal and everything in between.
As we ramp up for another year of Best of Calgary, it’s time to remind Calgarians of our past winners. Beckler and Seanna brought home the Best Radio Personality in 2018, so we asked them to share a little bit about their job, their lives and what makes them the absolute best in our city.
Let’s meet the duo!
Andrew Beckler
— Beckler hosting the X92.9 Morning Show
Are you a born and raised Calgarian?
I’m a Dirty Sasky, originally from Saskatoon, but I always wanted to end up in Calgary.
What was your dream job growing up?
I’m doing it right now! It took quite a few years of moving around and a few failed applications before I finally landed at X92.9 and it’s everything I hoped it would be.
What is your favourite thing about Calgary?
It kind of has everything. Big enough to have a lot going on but not so big that you can’t get around. It’s a very beautiful city and I love being close to the mountains, yet it’s not insanely expensive. And it has far milder winters than what I’m used to, coming from Saskatchewan.
If you could describe Calgary in one word, what would it be?
Energetic. Perhaps that’s cliché since it’s literally on our welcome sign, but there’s an energy here that I didn’t feel when I lived elsewhere.
What does being a Calgarian mean to you?
I grew up with this perception that Calgarians had a chip on their shoulders. Since moving here, that notion has completely evaporated. This city is home to loads of genuine, hard-working and generous people. One thing I love most about people here is their willingness to make the city even better. Other places that I’ve lived, suggestions for improvement were often met with cynicism or hostility. Calgary’s attitude seems to be “yeah, we can do that.”
Do you have a favourite watering hole in Calgary?
The Ship & Anchor. When friends come from out of town, I tell them you haven’t drank in Calgary until you’ve been there.
What is your favourite Calgary event/activity or thing to do?
We try to take our two young kids to Beakernight every year. The wonder on their faces when they see the exhibits is so much fun for us as parents (and I’m right into it too!).
Where is the best place to people watch in Calgary?
Our radio studio on 17th Avenue has floor-to-ceiling windows, so it’s pretty tough to beat that. We see all kinds of stuff.
If you were an emoji, what emoji would you be?
The Easter Island head because my eyes are too close together.
Tell us about your business, what motivates you to do what you do every day?
Seanna and I honestly can’t believe X92.9 pays us to have the same conversations we’d be having over drinks anyway. Our audience has plenty of choices and they expect us to be entertaining, so we owe it to them to be better than the other options.
Anything special coming up we should know about?
We host a daily podcast which recently passed a quarter million downloads. It’s called B&S in 20 Minutes or Less and we think it will help you pass the time while you’re working, doing chores, working out or driving. Give us a try - if you’re not sold, your money back (it’s free).
Seanna Jefferson
— Seanna’s home away from home: the X92.9 studio
Are you a born and raised Calgarian?
No I wasn’t born in Calgary, but instead in the magical Toronto suburb of Brampton, Ontario. I came to Calgary for work. I got an offer to work at X92.9 which was my dream station since being a wee lad in radio (what’s the girl’s version of lad?) so when the opportunity came up, I HAD to take it.
What was your dream job growing up?
As a kid I told my parents, I “wanted to make people happy.” Radio has definitely given me an avenue to at least attempt to do that. Beckler and I strive to make people laugh who may be in difficult times in their lives or who have difficult jobs. If they don’t laugh, hopefully we can at least make them roll their eyes.
What is your favourite thing about Calgary?
My favourite thing is the fact that Calgary is a big city with a small town vibe. It still has everything you may want in a big city, yet people still find the time to enjoy everything our mountainous backyard has to offer. In places like Toronto, you don’t often see that. People are so caught up in their busy lives I think it’s easy for them to forget to stop and smell the roses. Calgarians know the importance of getting outdoors and enjoying it.
If you could describe Calgary in one word, what would it be?
Resilient. With the booms and busts, the flood and even the Fort McMurray fires - this city just seems to band together and become stronger with every obstacle it faces. It also knows how to help others in times of need and I swear it is among the most generous cities in Canada, even when times are tough.
What does being a Calgarian mean to you?
It means living in an incredible city with the best backyard in the world.
Do you have a favourite watering hole in Calgary?
Pig and Duke, Trolley 5 and the Ship & Anchor are all places you can find me. Cold Garden is another great option.
What is your favourite Calgary event/activity or thing to do?
Floating the river on a hot sunny day is pretty damn spectacular. Folk Fest is always an amazing event in an incredible setting; during the winter, you’ll find me snowboarding at Lake Louise or Fernie.
Where is the best place to people watch in Calgary?
The Ship & Anchor patio is always a great people watching perch, or on the McHugh Bluff stairs. Every time I go there, I meet tons of interesting people.
If you were an emoji, what emoji would you be?
Probably the laughing emoji. I tend to do a lot of that. If there was an emoji with unbrushed hair, kind of like they were dragged through the hedge backward, I would pick that one but I guess that emoji is still in development.
Tell us about your business, what motivates you to do what you do every day?
It’s a challenge creatively and a great way to connect with people. As I mentioned earlier, it's always been a mission of mine to make people happy and joking around in the studio with Beckler every day certainly brings me closer to that goal. We hang out as friends and try to make each other laugh all day - what could be better?
Anything special coming up we should know about?
We have an awesome podcast - B&S in 20 minutes or less. Search it out on iTunes or googleplay! And you can follow us on all the social medias to peer into our lives a little more - find them below!
Kelsey Woods is the Content & Editorial Manager for Best of Calgary