You've Gotta Start Somewhere

Marc Fennell is a podcaster, radio and television presenter, documentary maker, author and host of SBS Viceland’s The Feed. Basically, he’s a busy guy.Marc’s career began when he won an AFI Outstanding Young Film Critics Award in high school and not long after that he started as the film critic for FBi 94.5.Marc was only 19 when he was hired to present DVD reviews for SBS’s rebooted version of The Movie Show but it was his next role that really put him on the map as “That Movie Guy” on Triple J.He also worked as a host and producer on all three seasons of Hungry Beast under Executive Producer, Andrew Denton and is the host of the award-winning podcast, Download This Show.In this episode, Marc Fennell talks about why he decided to give up his role on Triple J, how his Asian work ethic has gotten him to where he is today, what he's learnt about interviewing celebrities and why Brendan Fraser throwing a newspaper at him taught him an important lesson about how to treat movie stars.Episode show notes: https://rac

Ben Fordham is an Australian journalist, sports reporter, radio presenter and regular on Today.Ben started his career as a work experience kid at 2UE. He worked his way up to a reporter and won a Walkley Award for his coverage of the 1997 Thredbo landslide. He wasn’t even 21.In 1998 Ben moved to Sky News as a reporter and presenter and less than a year later was poached by the Nine Network to work on 60 Minutes, A Current Affair, Nine News and Today.Ben worked as a fill-in host on radio and eventually took over the drive spot on 2GB where he hosts Sydney Live.He’s also the host of Australian Ninja Warrior with Rebecca Madden.In this episode, Ben Fordham talks about how his desire to be a 60 Minutes reporter saw him chasing cannibals in West Papua, why he decided to leave Today despite Karl Stefanovic's protests and the time he corrected Alan Jones live on air as a 15-year-old work experience kid.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/ben-fordhamAbout the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I'v

Mia Freedman is a journalist and co-founder of the Mamamia Women’s Network.Mia began her career as the work experience kid at Cleo Magazine and got her first paying job as the magazine’s Beauty Editor.She left Cleo after five years and in 1996 became the youngest editor of Cosmopolitan at the ripe old age of 24.After leaving magazines, Mia had a brief stint working at the Nine Network before starting her own blog, Mamamia. That blog has now become the largest women’s media company in Australia.In this episode, Mia Freedman talks about seeing the writing on the wall for the magazine industry and how that meant she was uniquely placed to create Mamamia, how she got a foot in the door at Cleo magazine, her first meeting with Lisa Wilkinson and what it's like to be in the middle of a social media sh*t storm.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/mia-freedman/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows

Waleed Aly is an Australian journalist, academic, lawyer, television and radio presenter. Basically he’s one hell of an overachiever.He’s best known as the host of The Project, but he also writes for the New York Times, the Sydney Morning Herald and lectures at Monash University.Waleed started his career as a newspaper columnist after reaching out to journalist, Martin Flanagan and was one of the panel members on the Channel 31 show, Salam Cafe.He’d been a regular in the fourth chair on The Project when he got the call up to replace Charlie Pickering and left his role as host of drive on Radio National to take the gig.In this episode, Waleed Aly talks about what it was like being a Year 6 radio star, how saying "yes" to everything has been instrumental in his success and why the media’s tendency to 'perform' opinions is dumbing down the collective conversation.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/waleed-aly/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working i

Leigh Sales is host of the ABC’s flagship current affairs program, 730 as well as the hit podcast Chat 10 Looks 3.Since starting at the ABC in 1995 Leigh has held a number of prominent roles at the network including the co-host of Lateline and their Washington correspondent from 2001-2005.In her current role, Leigh is constantly going head to head with the countries biggest political figures which is an excellent contrast to her conversations about baking and musical theatre on Chat 10.In this episode, Leigh Sales talks about how Australian politics feels like Dubbo city council when you return from covering the White House, her thoughts on politicians who refuse to give a straight answer, the social awkwardness of political interviews and her dreams of becoming a Broadway superstar.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/leigh-salesAbout the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows and podcasts for Austr

Peter Helliar is an Australian comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, television and radio presenter. So there’s pretty much nothing in showbiz he can’t do.His first crack at high-profile television was as a part of the cast of Rove Live where he worked with people who’ve gone on to become some of the most well-known names in television including Meshel Laurie, Dave Hughes, Carrie Bickmore and Hamish & Andy.He’s currently the funny guy on The Project, creator of the sit-com How To Stay Married and author of the Frankie Fish children’s book series.In this episode, Peter Helliar talks about the benefit of having an ideas tap that doesn't turn off, how UDL cans can mend a broken heart, the difficulties of fame and how a decision by Rove to turn down a million dollars at the age of 23 changed his life forever.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/peter-helliar/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hostin

Sarah Harris is an Australian journalist and host of Studio 10.Sarah studied journalism at the Queensland University of Technology and got her first job at the Seven Network in Brisbane where she was filing reports for Seven News and Today Tonight. Over the years Sarah has worked as a reporter and news presenter for shows including Today, Weekend Today, Nine News Sydney and Prime Gold Coast News.In 2013 Sarah resigned from the Nine Network to host Network 10’s morning show, Studio 10 with Ita Buttrose, Joe Hildebrand and Jessica Rowe. She’s also the host of Shark Tank and fill-in host on The Sunday Project.She also holds a Guinness World Record for the most pumpkins smashed in one, an achievement I’m happy to say I was present for.In this episode, Sarah Harris talks about her thoughts on being a woman in the media (including a pregnant one), why she wishes she hadn't been so hard on herself in the early years of her career and what it's like having a front-row seat to history.Episode show notes: https://rache

Brendan “Jonesy” Jones is a radio presenter and one half of WSFM’s incredibly successful breakfast radio show, Jonesy & Amanda with Amanda Keller.Brendan started his career at the community radio station 2BCR in Bankstown. In 1990 he got the night gig at 6KA in Karratha, Western Australia before doing mornings and afternoons at 2NM, Muswellbrook and then arvos at i98 in Wollongong.After living the regional radio life Jonesy started working in the big smoke with gigs on B105 Brisbane and Triple M Brisbane & Sydney.Brendan got the call up to host the breakfast show on the soon to be revamped WSFM and said the only way he’d do it was if he got to co-host with Amanda Keller.Luckily Amanda said yes because they’ve now had one of the longest-running shows on Sydney commercial radio.In this episode, Brendan “Jonesy” Jones talks about the move that changed his career, why you can never trust Jules Lund on a red carpet and why he thinks the hours are the best thing about his job (remember, he's a breakfast rad

Ugly Phil O’Neill is a radio legend and for anyone over the age of 30, he’s probably best known for his time as host of the Hot30 Countdown with his then-wife, Jackie O.Phil’s story is one of focus and determination. He started his career in Western Australia where he applied for a radio gig despite having no experience. His first shift was a disaster but he was determined to make it in the industry he loved.Radio had been a huge source of comfort for him as a lonely kid and over the years he’s moved all over the country and the world to keep working in the business he’s so passionate about.In this episode, Ugly Phil talks about why he decided to leave one of the biggest shows in radio in the early 2000s, the twelve-step process of getting his career back on track and what it's like to fall from the top.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/ugly-phil/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows an

Lawrence Mooney is a comedian and host of Triple M Sydney’s breakfast show, Moonman in the Morning.Lawrence worked a number of different jobs, including as a customs officer, before getting into stand-up. Now he’s one of Australia’s most loved comedians.In 2018 Lawrence took Triple M Brisbane’s breakfast show to No 1 before making the move to Sydney to host his own show for Triple M Sydney featuring Gus Worland, Jess Eva and Chris Page.Lawrence has also done a bunch of TV including the ABCs Dirty Laundry Live and Fox Sports The Beep Test. He also had a sell-out season at the Sydney Opera House with his show An Evening with Malcolm Turnbull.In this episode, Lawrence Mooney talks about the time he stole drugs when he was working as a customs officer, why amateur theatre is a Shangri-La for straight blokes and what he learned from hitting rock bottom.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/lawrence-mooney/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media

Tim Gilbert is an Australian television and radio presenter and host of The Business of Sport on Sky News Australia.Tim’s career began at Radio 2GM in Goulburn and he got his start in television as a sports reporter for the Nine Network back in 1996. Over the years he worked as a presenter on shows including Nine News, The Cricket Show and The NRL Footy Show.In 2009 Tim was appointed sports presenter on Weekend Today and in 2014 was announced as Ben Fordham’s replacement on Today.In 2019, Tim left the Nine Network after 22 years and he’s now working as a presenter on Sky News Australia with friend and Nine Network colleague, Peter Stefanovic.In this episode, Tim Gilbert talks about his love of The Sound of Music, why he thought his career was over before it began and why it doesn't pay to be a dickhead in show business.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/tim-gilbert/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and host

Larry Emdur is an Australian television presenter and host of The Morning Show on Channel 7 with Kylie Gillies.Larry started his career as a copyboy for the Sydney Morning Herald before moving into television at the Seven Network where he became the youngest newsreader in the country.Larry is best known for being the host of The Price Is Right in the 90s but he’s also hosted other game shows including The Main Event, Cash Bonanza and Wheel of Fortune.In this episode, Larry Emdur talks about how he went from high school dropout to one of the country's most successful media personalities, why he thinks the biggest factor in his success was luck and why he wears the badge of "most axed host in Australian TV" with pride.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/larry-emdur/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows and podcasts for Australia’s largest media organisations. I’m also a regular on Channel 1

Sylvia Jeffreys is an Australian journalist and newsreader.Sylvia began her career in media at the Nine Network in Brisbane as a script assistant while she was completing a Bachelor of Journalism at the University of Queensland.In 2008 she began filing lifestyle stories on Queensland’s Extra program before being appointed as the weekend weather presenter on Nine News Queensland. And in 2012 Sylvia moved to Sydney to join Today as a reporter before taking over from Georgie Gardener as newsreader in 2014.In this episode, Sylvia Jeffreys talks about the fact that even the most professional journalists have Anchorman moments, why she thinks it's a great time to be a woman in media and why she declined an offer from Richard Branson to read the Kama Sutra in the bathtub.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/sylvia-jeffreys/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows and podcasts for Australia’s largest

Peter Berner is an Australian comedian, television and radio presenter and artist.Peter started his career in the late 80s as a stand-up comic and was a regular guest on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. He made the move into television hosting with his own political satire show, BackBerner on the ABC and then the quiz show, The Einstein Factor.In 2007 Peter transitioned to radio as one of the hosts of The Cage alongside Brigitte Duclos, James Brayshaw, Matt Parkinson and Mike Fitzpatrick. Peter also hosted his own show on Triple M called The Peter Berner Experiment.In this episode, Peter Berner talks about why he used to deliberately piss off audiences in the early days of his career, the difficulties of being a lazy man in show business and whether his penchant for pessimism has made him a better comedian.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygss/peter-berner/About the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows and po

Paul Murray is the host of Paul Murray Live and Saturday Edition on Sky News Australia.Paul was ‘discovered’ hosting a Little Athletics carnival when he was still a teenager, which led to him hosting a national show on Triple J at the ripe old age of 14. He then moved to the NOVA Newsroom where he won a Brian White Memorial Award despite never having studied journalism.Paul shifted to breakfast radio at Triple M Sydney as a part of The Shebang with Marty Sheargold and Fifi Box before moving to nights where he hosted The Paul Murray Show which eventually became the drive show we did together, Paul & Rach.Paul left FM radio to pursue a career in talkback, hosting his own show at 2UE and he’s now at the helm of the highest rating show on Sky News, Paul Murray Live.In this episode Paul Murray talks about why he was drawn to talkback radio as a kid, why making the move to AM wasn’t everything he’d dreamed it would be and why failing your HSC isn't the end of the world.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.

Sam Mac is a radio and television presenter, prolific content creator, cat lover and the Sunrise weatherman.Sam Mac started his career in radio by winning a competition on SAFM which resulted in him getting a hosting gig with the station. Over the years Sam worked on a number of shows including The Freq Show with model, Imogen Bailey, drive on SAFM, the Milly & Lehmo breakfast show and the Hot30 Countdown.In 2008 Sam started working as the anchor and writer on the drive show, Wil & Lehmo. After that show was cancelled he moved to Perth where he co-hosted the Em & Sam Mac Show on 92.9. In 2011 he resigned from the show to pursue a career in television. A move that paid off because he’s now got one of the most high-profile jobs in TV.In this episode, Sam Mac talks about how a bunch of middle-aged women got him his first gig in radio, why people are always asking him for relationship advice and what it's like being a "global phenomenon" (his words).Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.com.au/ygs

Merrick Watts is a comedian, television and radio presenter best known for his time as part of the comedy duo Merrick & Rosso.Merrick started his career as a solo stand-up before teaming up with Tim “Rosso” Ross after watching him perform in his comedy band, Black Rose. After deciding to work as a duo, Merrick & Rosso quickly made a name for themselves with their unique brand of “pub rock comedy.”After a bunch of sell-out comedy shows they were offered the breakfast gig on Triple J and eventually moved to hosting breakfast for the brand new radio station, NOVA Sydney. After 10 years with NOVA, Merrick was signed to Triple M where he hosted the national drive show, Merrick & The Highway Patrol with me and Jules Schiller.After that show wrapped up Merrick moved to hosting breakfast on Hit1041 and then came back to drive on Triple M with his show, Merrickville.In this episode, Merrick Watts talks about his thoughts on the radio industry, how he's changed over the years, how he met Rosso and why he th

Michael “Wippa” Wipfli is an Australian radio and television presenter who currently hosts the NOVA breakfast show Fitzy & Wippa with Ryan Fitzgerald.Wippa started his career as a builder but knew he wanted to do something in entertainment. So after completing a short radio course he sent his demo to radio stations all over the country and ended up with a gig in Port Augusta. He then returned to Melbourne to work as the panel op and stunt guy for Hamish & Andy.Wippa eventually got his first headlining gig as host of the breakfast radio show, Em, Wippa & Ollie with Em Rusciano. After four years in Perth Wippa joined NOVA to host their drive show Ryan, Monty & Wippa before moving to breakfast with Ryan Fitzgerald.In this episode, Michael “Wippa” Wipfli talks about how a 'magic box' got him his first job in radio, why he was sacked as Hamish & Andy's panel operator, the lengths he goes to for his ideas and the worst celebrity interview he's ever done.Episode show notes: https://rachelcorbett.

You've Gotta Start Somewhere is the podcast that's all about pulling the curtain back on the wizard of showbiz to reveal exactly what it takes to build a successful media career.Each week I'll be chatting with well-known personalities and celebrities about the lengths they went to, to get a foot in the door, what it's taken to stay there, the best and worst aspects of the business and what advice they have for people wanting to get into the industry.In this introductory episode I take you through some of the highlights from upcoming interviews with Wippa (Fitzy & Wippa, NOVA 969), Sylvia Jeffreys (The Today Show, Channel 9), Merrick Watts (Merrickville, Triple M), Peter Berner (The B Team, Sky News) and Sam Mac (Sunrise, Channel 7).Podcast show notes: http://youvegottastartsomewhere.comAbout the host...My name is Rachel Corbett and I've spent almost two decades working in media professionally, creating and hosting radio shows and podcasts for Australia’s largest media organisations. I’m also a regular on