Beyond Reality: Conversations with the People Behind Reality TV and Unscripted Entertainment

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 season, now he’s set to take on the game for a th...

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 turnaro...

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 bro...

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 ta...

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 fie...

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 contributor...

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...

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 posit...

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.

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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 ov...

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 ...

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 a...

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.

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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 Austr...

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.

Su...

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. 

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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 producti...

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. 

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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. 

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