Compiled by Jasper Baumann and Tess Connery
From the footy field to the podcast studio with Ben and Harry McKay
In March, LiSTNR welcomed The Ben and Harry Podcast, the original show featuring identical twins and AFL players Ben and Harry McKay.
The pair have never met on the footy field, but that doesn’t stop current Aussie rules footy young guns from going head-to-head behind the microphone.
The twins dish out the latest footy news, personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights into their footy clubs, hot takes on everything on – and off – the field and, of course, some brotherly rivalry along the way.
Podcast Week’s Tess Connery caught up with the pair, to chat about what it’s like making a podcast with a sibling.
Ben and Harry McKay
How did The Ben and Harry Podcast come to be?
Harry: “Our podcast came to life off the back of a couple of media interviews a few years ago. We spoke in our normal manner, with plenty of banter and subtle digs at each other, and for some reason, people found it quite entertaining. After that, we tossed up the idea of maybe doing a podcast, thought it might be a little fun, and thought it had some potential to be well received. LiSTNR were awesome in making it all possible and before we knew it we were in studio giving it a go!”
What are the benefits of working with LiSTNR on a project like this?
Harry: “We’ve found working with LiSTNR seamless and we have been really impressed with their attention to detail, professionalism and ability to create a fun and inclusive environment. Getting to learn about a new industry has been really fun and doing so with a production company like LiSTNR has been first class.”
How do you find the balance between chatting about footy and chatting about life on the podcast?
Ben: “The beauty of our podcast and the way it has evolved in its early stages is that one discussion or segment can spark another debate, so naturally we are doing the “life chat” quite well, with some of the more structured segments being around footy and what’s happening at our respective clubs.”
Ben and Harry McKay
What’s it like taking on a project like this with a sibling?
Harry: “I’ve really enjoyed starting this podcast with my brother. Certainly tests my patience at times and surprisingly we haven’t had too many fights, but it’s been great attacking something new with a sibling. To me, it’s no different to how we’ve interacted for the last 25 years, but for the public to get an insight into us and enjoy the way we speak is pretty cool. I have loved every minute of it so far.”
Ben: “In all honesty, it’s been a lot of fun! To be able to come together, and work on something collectively has been something I’ve really enjoyed! It certainly has its frustrations though especially when Harry always cuts me off when I try and speak! We’re always going to be competitive on and off the mic but to be honest, it’s been quite amazing to hear how well the podcast has been received amongst the fans!”
What do you hope listeners get from the podcast?
Ben: “I think the most important thing is hopefully it is putting a smile on people’s faces and giving them a laugh! Harry and I are being our natural selves and giving fans an insight into what we are like away from the field! We are both really enjoying making the podcast alongside Will Ralston and the LiSTNR team and learning what it takes to be a successful podcast without forgetting why we started in the first place!”
[Listen to The Ben and Harry Podcast here]
Mediaweek Podcast: Heavy Hitters with Peter Horgan, Laura Nice, Sian Whitnall, Mark Jarrett and Jane Stanley
Joining Greg ‘Sparrow’ Graham on the new Mediaweek Heavy Hitters podcast are three of the top media agency CEOs in Australia – Peter Horgan (CEO – OMG), Laura Nice (Co-CEO – OMD Australia), Sian Whitnall (Co-CEO – OMD Australia), Mark Jarrett (CEO PHD Group Australia), and Jane Stanley (CEO – Hearts & Science ANZ).
The episode can be listened to here.
LiSTNR’s The Children in the Pictures announced as a finalist in the 2023 Kennedy Awards following new accolades
LiSTNR’s The Children in the Pictures, the podcast that takes listeners inside Taskforce Argos, a team of Australia’s best detectives dedicated to infiltrating global criminal networks and rescuing children from online sexual abuse, has been garnering accolades at home and abroad.
The premier LiSTNR audio docu-series has just been announced as a finalist in the prestigious 2023 Kennedy Awards in Audio Journalism: Outstanding Podcast.
In just six months since its launch, The Children in the Pictures podcast has been recognised with a Gold at the New York Radio Festival Awards for best narrative documentary and most recently took out best documentary at the Radio Today Podcast Awards in July this year.
The Children in the Pictures is in the running alongside other high profile journalists and their stories, with winners announced on August 18th at a gala dinner in Sydney
The Children in the Pictures follows Taskforce Argos, an elite Australian Police unit, as it investigates and dismantles The Love Zone (TLZ), a nefarious child exploitation network operating in the dark web. A brave original production, the eight-episode podcast series sounds the alarm into the heinous and pervasive world of online child sexual abuse and offers advice to combat it.
[Listen to The Children in the Pictures here]
Pro Podcast marks the production of its 300th podcast series
Pro Podcast is celebrating the production of its 300th podcast series, Real Talk, a weekly property news podcast that is all about real questions and real insights by realestate.com.au
Real Talk is a perfect example of how you can be creative with audio, video and technology to offer an engaging content experience.
Pro Podcast Studio
Head of content marketing at REA Group, Monique Knoblanche, shared, “We are excited to launch a series that will change how people learn and interact with the property market.
“In the podcast landscape, quality matters – working with Pro Podcast gave us access to the right advice, services and support for this series, and we’re looking forward to what’s to come.”
Sky News launches new political podcast series hosted by Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin
Sky News Australia has launched a new eight-part podcast series – Abbott & Credlin.
The podcast is co-hosted by former Australian Prime Minister the Hon Tony Abbott AC and Sky News Credlin Anchor Peta Credlin AO, who served as Abbott’s chief of staff during his tenure as prime minister, and Leader of the Opposition.
The exclusive Abbott & Credlin podcast is available now with new episodes streaming fortnightly. Abbott & Credlin will discuss contemporary political topics and examine the most important issues facing Australians.
Peta Credlin and Tony Abbott
Credlin highlighted to the important role the new podcast will play in debating the issues at the forefront of politics. She said: “When you host a nightly program as I do, the ‘urgent’ issues to be discussed tend to crowd out the ‘important’.
“So, it’s a pleasure to have the time this podcast allows to stop and take stock of how the centre-right is travelling here, and around the world, and to debate some of the issues that are at the forefront of politics. And those that aren’t at the forefront, but should be.”
New podcast ‘Life Rolls On’ empowers individuals with life-altering injuries
Hireup, a leading disability support platform connecting people with disability with support workers, is launching its new podcast ‘Life Rolls On’. Hosted by Steve Ralph, a young man with an acquired spinal cord injury and former Hireup’s Board Observer, the podcast features powerful conversations with people with spinal cord injuries.
The podcast challenges the misconception that a spinal cord injury results in a decreased quality of life. People often perceive those with life-altering injuries as being limited in their capabilities and independence, leading to societal biases and preconceived notions about what they can achieve. The conversations with guests on the ‘Life Rolls On’ podcast provide valuable insights into rehabilitation, support systems, and the power of perspectives.
Approximately 20,800 Australians have a spinal cord injury. These injuries are mostly the result of injury in people under the age of 65. One-third of Australians with a spinal cord injury have no movement in the affected parts of their body.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA), a prominent advocate for individuals with spinal cord injuries, is supporting the Life Rolls On podcast to reach a wider audience and empower others in the community.
[Listen to Life Rolls On here]
Government of South Australia partners on Hot Topics podcast
Created and produced by The Post, a new initiative project from Solstice Media in partnership with the Government of South Australia, the podcast aims to unpack various subjects that have been in the headlines, in a casual but informative and often irreverent way.
The podcast is hosted by cabaret superstar, Matt Gilbertson along with co-hosts Anna Kantilaftas and The Post editor and producer, Tim Whiffen. Matt adds charm and impromptu humour to headline topic discussions.
Matt rose to fame when his international character, Hans, a fabulous, glittery, and entertaining German cabaret star competing in America’s Got Talent, and is now a worldwide sensation.
Hot Topics by The Post is supported by the Government of South Australia and produced by Solstice Podcasting.
SBS Audio introduces Australia Explained for new migrants, including multilingual information on the upcoming Referendum
SBS’s flagship Settlement Guide service for new migrants has been rebranded to Australia Explained with an updated look and feel representing the many faces of contemporary Australia, as net migration soars to its highest ever level of 400,000 people in 2022-23.
Published weekly in over 30 languages, this cross-platform media offering across articles, podcasts and videos offers practical, multilingual information and resources on employment, housing, health, education, emergency essentials and more.
Most recently this has included multilingual explainers on the upcoming Indigenous Voice to Parliament Referendum, giving new migrants the opportunity to access accurate and balanced information, hear First Nations perspectives, and understand their eligibility to vote.
SBS Director of Audio and Language Content, David Hua, said: “SBS is committed to supporting new migrants to successfully settle and live well in Australia. No matter what language you speak or where you come from, it’s important for everyone to feel welcomed and connected and that they are part of society.
[Listen to Australia Explained here]
Former MKR contestant Fuzz Ali launches new podcast, Life with Fuzz
In a celebration of community, conversation and the complexities of life, television personality, creative director, arts aficionado, foodie, fashionista and writer, Fuzz Ali, has announced the launch of his compelling new podcast, Life With Fuzz – an engaging, deeply personal conversational talk series.
Recognised in Australia as a popular contestant on the Seven Network’s My Kitchen Rules, Fuzz Ali immediately attracted a niche following with his colourful presence, unique style and outgoing voice and personality as he built his audience on air.
However, what many at-home Australians didn’t get to experience was Fuzz as a leading creative director, seasoned television presenter, writer, stylist, fabulous fashionista and a queer, BIPOC man who has lived and worked between Australia and Fiji since his birth, and even more so since graduating from Sydney University, with an impressive TV, radio, print, arts, finance and fashion portfolio and incredible cross-cultural connections.
Determined to explore identity, meaning and belonging in a world where questions and conversations on the complexities of the ever-changing world we live in grow ever-louder, Fuzz Ali continues his life journey of self-discovery through the hearing and telling of stories from those who are queer, BIPOC, and/or allies to these communities.
Life with Fuzz launches it’s first episode with first guest First Nations actress, writer and director Nakkiah Lui. Over 45 minutes Ali and Lui delve into colour, community and confusion around stereotypical ideas of what it is to be a ‘privileged’ indigenous Australian, the BIPOC community the share, but Lui’s transformative start in public life that has defined her artistic voice inc her travels o/s as a 16-year-old, her family at large and how she defines success and herself in the very current “voice” of Australia today.
[Listen to Life with Fuzz here]
