This is Beyond Reality, the podcast that explores the world of television production by chatting to the people behind the tv shows you love. In this episode, I sit down with Post Executive Producer Sophie Johnston. Sophie’s career began in music television before she moved into unscripted TV, working across field and post-production on hit shows like My Kitchen Rules (MKR), House Rules , and The Great Australian Bake Off . Along the way, she built a wealth of experience in structured reality, pl...
Jul 07, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 35
Beyond Reality is the podcast that explores the world of television production by chatting to the people behind the TV shows you love. In this episode, I’m joined by reality TV fan favourite, Luke Toki. Luke first appeared on on Australian Survivor back in 2017, and quickly made his mark as the loveable larrikin with dynamic gameplay. Luke was the first player to return for a second s eason , now he’s set to take on the game for a third time in the upcoming season Australia vs The World . Outsid...
Jun 23, 2025•51 min•Season 5Ep. 34
In this episode of Beyond Reality, Hayley Ferguson is joined by TV executive and ITV’s Creative Director, Alex Mavroidakis. Alex has played a pivotal role in shaping the Australian versions of some of the most popular global reality formats, including Big Brother , Love Island , and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Alex unpacks his remarkable career in unscripted television - from navigating the fast-paced world of 24-hour turnaround TV, to the bold creative choices involved in rebooting ico...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 33
In this episode I’m joined by the king of reality TV podcasting and founder behind Rob Has A Podcast - Rob Cesternino. Rob may have first drawn attention for his memorable appearance on Survivor Amazon as a wisecracking self-deprecating 24 year old back in 2003 but in the last 15 years, he’s emerged as one of the most influential voices in reality TV coverage. Rob shares his story of how he turned his passion for television and broadcasting into an award winning podcast network with a highly eng...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 32
In this episode I sit down with Arianna Gusi, Head of Unscripted Production at BBC Studios Australia. We unpack her impressive career journey, from her early years learning the ropes and climbing the ranks of the industry in the UK, to leading production on TV’s biggest shows back in Australia including The Voice, The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars and Top Gear. Ari shares her valuable insights from the last 30 years, plus her take on the misconceptions people often have about the production s...
Jul 01, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 31
In this episode, I chat to Senior Story Producer and former Nickelodeon star Mounya Wise. Mounya spent a decade lighting up UK screens as a kids TV presenter but since moving to Australia, she’s made her mark behind the scenes, producing shows like Masterchef, Dessert Masters, Australian Survivor and The Block. From interviewing Hollywood A-listers and test-driving the world’s best theme parks, to leading and nurturing teams of field producers on reality sets, Mounya’s passion for the TV industr...
Jun 17, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 30
In this episode I’m joined by Series Producer Danielle Vos. Dani spent the early years of her career in production before turning her talents to producing, where she has gone from strength to strength working in the factual and observational documentary space. Dani’s credits include Struggle Street, Air Rescue, One Born Every Minute and more recently Gogglebox Australia. I find out how Dani’s passion for connecting with contributors and delving deeper into storytelling are the keys to what drive...
Jun 03, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 29
In this episode, I chat to Emma Ritchie, a Senior Producer and Wellness Supervisor, who has worked on shows including The Amazing Race, Alone and The Voice. Emma reveals how she's been able to combine her passion for health and wellness with her career in TV as well as the strategies she uses to maintain work-life balance in such fast-paced industry. Plus, the story of one serendipitous gumtree purchase that changed everything. LISTEN MORE If you enjoyed this chat, you might like to listen to th...
May 20, 2024•52 min•Season 4Ep. 28
In this episode, I sit down with TV executive and ITV Studios Australia's Head of Unscripted, Keely Sonntag. Keely is a formidable force of the television industry, over the course of her career she’s been at the helm of countless iconic formats including Big Brother, Australian Survivor Shark Tank and Australia’s Next Top Model. Keely shares valuable insights from an impressive career in TV and discusses why fostering a positive culture is central to her leadership style. CONNECT : ITV Studios ...
May 06, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 27
In this episode I chat to Supervising Producer Dominique Spanos, whose impressive list of credits includes Stars on Mars, Travel Guides and My Kitchen Rules. Dom shares her story of starting out in the industry, building her career across field and post production, as well as shining a light on her important work with not-for profit organisation Women In Media. CONNECT : To get in touch with Dominique about her MC work, head to www.dominiquespanos.com or find her on Instagram @dominiquespanosmc ...
Apr 22, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 26
In this episode, I sit down with Casting Director and Co-owner of A Cast Of Thousands, Kirsty De Vallance. With close to three decades in the industry, Kirsty is one of the most experienced casting professionals in Australia and when it comes to finding TV talent for reality, factual and entertainment formats, you name it - she’s cast it. Kirsty reveals her top tips for getting cast on TV, the high profile names she’s discovered over the years and, the extraordinary lengths she goes to in search...
Apr 08, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 25
In this episode, I’m joined by Film and TV Director, Hayley MacFarlane. Hayley has spent the last 10 years directing some of the UK and Australia’s biggest reality hits such as Love Island, Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. I find out how Hayley’s fierce determination to make it as a director has propelled her success and how her work in reality TV has positively influenced her work in other genres. To explore more of Hayley's directing work, head to https://www.hayleymacfarlan...
Mar 25, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 24
In this episode, I sit down with TV executive Wes Dening, a powerhouse of the television industry who has made his mark in developing, selling and producing original content in Australia, the US and beyond. In his current role as Head of Global Formats for Eureka Productions, Wes oversees the making of hit shows such as Australian Idol (Seven Network), The Mole (Netflix), The Floor (Fox) and Stars On Mars (Fox). We chat about his first taste of television as a contestant on Big Brother back in 2...
Mar 11, 2024•46 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Just like a great reality TV twist, this episode is a little bit different. I chat with TV personality George Mladenov or as he’s more commonly known by Survivor fans, King George. I find out how George went from a bold and sometimes brash political operative to a two-time Australian Survivor player who cemented themselves as one of the most strategic players the game has ever seen. LISTEN MORE: If you enjoyed this chat, you might like to listen to a recent episode recorded with David Forster . ...
Feb 26, 2024•49 min•Season 4Ep. 22
In this episode, I’m joined by Supervising Post Producer and Writer, Bri La Rance. Bri’s drive and determination to learn new skills led her to explore a diverse range of film and TV roles before more recently forging a path in post production, but as I find out, it’s her passion for storytelling that underpins everything she does. Over the course of Bri's impressive career, she has worked in the writers room on Australian drama shows including Neighbours and Bite Club. More recently, her work i...
Feb 12, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 21
In this episode, I’m joined by TV presenter and two-time reality TV show winner (The Mole and Livingstone Botswana), Liz Cantor as she shares her unique insights from an enduring career in front of the camera. Whether she’s delivering the winning lotto numbers, fronting stories on the best travel and adventure spots or dominating any reality competition she enters, Liz’s passion and enthusiasm for her work always shines through. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on y...
Dec 17, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 20
In this episode, I’m joined by Leroux Botha, the Creative Producer for Cape Town based production company AfrOkaans and Executive Producer for Survivor South Africa. Leroux shares his incredible journey in television from his early years working on soap operas, to becoming the instrumental force in returning Survivor South Africa to our screens in recent years. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connect with us here: 📸 Inst...
Jul 23, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 19
In this episode, I catch up with Natasha Pizzica, a series producer who’s worked across a range of genres from primetime entertainment shows like Big Brother and Gogglebox to iconic kids television such as Playschool and Teletubbies, and even though-provoking docuseries like Limitless with Chris Hemsworth. I find out how Tash’s theatre background set her up for a career of creativity, how she navigates the busy world of tv production as a working mum and why her son is her biggest inspiration. Y...
Jul 09, 2023•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 18
In this episode, I chat with award-winning editor, Karen Crespo, who has been responsible crafting some of the most memorable moments on our favourite shows such as Masterchef, Australian Survivor and Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. I find out about Karen’s early beginnings in TV and how her creative style and ability to carve out emotional moments became renowned in the industry. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connec...
May 21, 2023•45 min•Season 3Ep. 17
In this episode, I sit down with Executive Producer, David Forster. David’s first taste of reality TV is not what you’d expect, he tells me all about his unconventional introduction to the industry, how he later honed his skills on set as a writer and the key moments along the way that ultimately led to his rise to the top job on Masterchef and Australian Survivor. If you enjoyed this podcast and want to stay up to date with the latest episodes then click 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or 'Follow...
May 07, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In this bonus episode, I share a recent collaboration with The Production Portal where I joined Emma Ritchie along with Bloomtime Media’s, Yana Groves and Laura Young from Coordimate for a panel discussion about Industry Mentoring Initiatives in television. I hope you enjoy this special edition of the podcast. If you want to find out more about The Production Portal and the other guests from this panel. You can find them on Instagram: @theproductionportal @cordimatetv @bloomtime_media Support th...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min
In this episode, I sit down with Frank Sinton, President of A. Smith & Co. Productions and Executive Producer of Floor Is Lava to talk about the launch of series 2 of the hit show on Netflix. Frank shares his insights from an impressive 40 year career in television that now sees him at the helm of a whole slate of TV shows. We chat about the key ingredient for making it in the industry, how he stays passionate after all these years and a behind the scenes moment that could have been one big ...
Jul 17, 2022•34 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode, I chat with South African Art Director and Challenge Producer Courtney Watts. Courtney has worked on some of the most popular reality formats such as Big Brother, Survivor and I’m a Celebrity across a number of global territories. I find out how Courtney’s passion and creativity led her to an international career in TV. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connect with us here: 📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau �...
Jun 27, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 14
In this episode, I sit down with post producer and story producer Amelia Wasserman who spent years working in the field on shows such as The Bachelorette , Four Weddings and Storage Wars in Canada before more recently moving to Australia where she now works as a post producer. Amelia shares her story from the early years of working in broadcast news, her experiences on reality and factual formats in Canada and Australia and even reveals the story behind her very famous prom date… Support the sho...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In this episode, I catch up with supervising producer Katie Horbury, originally hailing from the UK she now calls LA home and her career in television has seen her work on huge formats such as Big Brother, Love Island and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here across multiple international markets. I chat to Katie about the challenges of starting out, why she values the balance of working in the field and in the edit and how her passion and determination has led her to where she is now. Support the ...
Nov 10, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode, LA-based producer Andrea Rehrig joins me to chat about her career in television, from her early days at E! Entertainment and Laguna Beach to producing on both US and Australian Survivor. She shares her story about how her passion for people led her to a life in TV. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connect with us here: 📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau 📘 Facebook: @beyondrealityaus 🐦 X (Twitter): @beyondrea...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode, I’m joined by publicity manager Kate Whitby whose slate of shows has included, The X Factor, Australian Survivor and Lego Masters. I chat to Kate about her early career as an entertainment reporter for Dolly Magazine, what it’s like to work with radio royalty Kyle and Jackie O and the always unpredictable life of a TV publicist. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connect with us here: 📸 Instagram: @beyondre...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode, I catch up with Alex Spurway, a supervising control room producer and story producer whose reality TV experience includes, Married At First Sight, Love Island and Australian Survivor. I chat to Alex about how she started her career on the Today Show, what it’s like to be an executive producer in the competitive world of breakfast radio and how she eventually found her place in reality TV. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast ap...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Gauntlett, a line producer whose career in production has seen her work shows such as Australian Survivor, The Bachelor and Australian Ninja Warrior. I find out how Michelle got her start working on specialist factual TV in the UK, before successfully making the move to Australia, where she now works on some of the biggest entertainment formats in the country. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You...
Jun 29, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In this episode, I chat with Brendan Garlick a home economist who has worked on shows including; Masterchef, MKR and The Great Australian Bake Off. I find out how Brendan went from reality TV contestant to working on Australia’s favourite food reality formats. Support the show 🔔 FIND US Never miss an episode — hit follow on your favourite podcast app. You can also connect with us here: 📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau 📘 Facebook: @beyondrealityaus 🐦 X (Twitter): @beyondrealityau 📝 Blog: beyond...
Jun 22, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 7
