Beyond Reality: Reality TV Interviews with Producers, Crew & Talent
Love reality TV? Go behind the scenes with Beyond Reality: the podcast that dives into the world of unscripted television through conversations with the people who make your favourite shows. Hosted by Australian TV producer Hayley Ferguson, each episode features candid interviews with industry professionals, from producers and directors to editors, crew, and on-screen personalities. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in television, already working in the industry, or just obsessed with what happens behind the camera, this podcast offers real insights into how TV gets made. Discover the career paths of industry insiders with stories you won’t hear anywhere else - and find out what it really takes to work in TV.
Episodes
In this episode I’m joined by Endemol Shine Australia’s Director of Comedy - David McDonald. David has a career spanning more than 30 years in comedy and entertainment - overseeing hit shows like Lego masters, Gogglebox and Shaun Micallef's Origin Oddesey. We discuss his career journey from the early years working in scripted comedy, how he injects humour into prime time entertainment shows and the navigating creative risks in...
In this episode I chat with Ben Shackleford, a multimedia producer with a background in unscripted entertainment. He's worked on shows like Top Gear Australia, Lego Masters and The Mole. We discuss how the industry is changing and how he's evolved his career along the way.
⭐️ CREDITS:
Host and Producer: Hayley Ferguson
Audio Editor: Andrew Soo
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In Conversation with Top Reality TV Executives Live at SXSW Sydney: Behind TV's Most Addictive Shows
Ever wonder how hit shows like Alone, Lego Masters, or K-Popped get made? In this special live episode from SXSW Sydney, host Hayley Ferguson sits down with three of Australia's top unscripted television executives to pull back the curtain.
David McDonald (Director of Comedy, Endemol Shine Australia), Keely Sonntag (Head of Unscripted and Development, ITV Studios Australia), and Wes Dening (Head of Global Formats, Eureka Produc...
In this episode, I'm joined by Series Producer, Yasmin Kara whose credits include Dancing with the Stars and The Great Australian Bake Off. Yas shares her story of breaking into the UK industry, how building her experience across a diverse range of roles set her up for success in her current role, and why feel-good TV has been at the heart of her career journey.
⭐️ CREDITS:
Host and Producer: Hayley Ferguson
Audio Editor: ...
Australian Survivor legend Luke Toki joins Hayley Ferguson after his appearance on Survivor: Australia Vs The World where he was runner up.
Luke shares his feelings about the season, the evolution of his strategy this time around and the sliding door moment he feels cost him his game.
We also have the loosest and longest round of quick-fire questions of any Beyond Tribal episode.
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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson sits down with Survivor Legend Cirie Fields after falling just short of the final tribal council once again in Survivor: Australia Vs The World.
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📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau
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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson sits down with Kass after her dramatic elimination from Survivor: Australia vs The World.
Kass opens up about one of the most chaotic tribal councils of the season – including why she was so sure the votes were heading towards Lisa, what went wrong, and how her idol play was meant to be both a game-saving move and a big résumé bu...
Business icon and Survivor: Australia V The World finalist, Janine Allis sits down with long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson to unpack her epic journey to the final 3.
Janine opens up about:
- What it was like watching the season back
- Why she returned to play this season after years away
- Her powerful alliance with Luke and how trust shaped her game
- The tough decision at final four that changed everything
- Why she val...
In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, host Hayley Ferguson - longtime producer on Australian Survivor - sits down with Survivor legend and now world champion Parvati Shallow off the back of her historic win on Survivor: Australia V. The World.
From her first casting break in reality TV to her evolution as one of the game’s greatest players, Parvati reflects on two decades of playing Survivor, what this win means for her ...
In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, host Hayley Ferguson - longtime producer on Australian Survivor - sits down with Lisa Holmes, the latest player eliminated from Survivor: Australia vs The World.
Lisa went into the game as a proud superfan turned Survivor NZ winner. In this interview, she opens up about her Survivor journey, what it was like to go head-to-head with some of the most iconic players in the world, and ho...
In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, host Hayley Ferguson sits down with Tommy from Finland after his unforgettable exit from Australian Survivor: Australia vs The World.
Tommy’s game came to a dramatic end in one of the most chaotic double tribal councils in Survivor history — even with the immunity necklace around his neck. In this exclusive exit interview, Tommy opens up about:
✨ Taking his big swing at Survivor legen...
Beyond Reality host Hayley Ferguson has spent the past decade producing Australian Survivor, and now in this special series, she’s taking you Beyond Tribal. She’ll be chatting with players from Survivor: Australia vs The World as they leave the game - unpacking their strategy, their downfall, and their story beyond the vote.
In this episode of Beyond Tribal, Hayley chats with Kirby Bentley, a fearless player known for her rebellious...
Beyond Reality host Hayley Ferguson has spent the past decade producing Australian Survivor, and now in this special series, she’s taking you Beyond Tribal. She’ll be chatting with players from Survivor: Australia vs The World as they leave the game - unpacking their strategy, their downfall, and their story beyond the vote.
In this episode of Beyond Tribal, Hayley sits down with Tony Vlachos, a two-time winner and legendary Survivo...
Beyond Reality host Hayley Ferguson has spent the past decade producing Australian Survivor, and now in this special series, she’s taking you Beyond Tribal. She’ll be chatting with players from Survivor: Australia vs The World as they leave the game - unpacking their strategy, their downfall and their story beyond the vote.
In this episode of Beyond Tribal, Hayley sits down with King George Mladenov, the third player eliminated fro...
Beyond Reality host Hayley Ferguson has spent the past decade producing Australian Survivor, and now in this special series, she’s taking you Beyond Tribal. She’ll be chatting with players from Survivor: Australia vs The World as they leave the game - unpacking their strategy, their downfall and their story beyond the vote.
In this episode of Beyond Tribal, Hayley sits down with Rob Bentele, the first player eliminated from Austral...
In this episode, I’m chatting to executive producer Laura Cassidy. Laura has been at the helm of Farmer Wants A Wife for several years now, steering the creative vision on one of Australia’s most loved formats. She’s also worked on shows including Fboy Island, Selling Houses Australia, The Bachelor and The Circle UK. Laura’s experience covers a diverse range of genres from competition reality tv, studio, to lifestyle, but it’s rela...
In this episode, I’m joined by TV director Richard Franc - better known as Butch -his credits include Aussie staples like MasterChef and Australian Survivor, as well as international hits such as Amazon Prime Video’s Beast Games and NBC’s Deal or No Deal Island.
Over the past 30 years, Butch has carved out an incredible career across a huge range of genres—from live sport and panel shows to game shows and large-scale reality formats...
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 ...
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...
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