Game Changers: Radio

Marty Sheargold is a game changer. In 2017, he is the only FM broadcaster to have been #1 in Drive on two different networks. He previously co-hosted the Shebang on MMM with Fifi Box, and his Nova current Drive show Kate, Tim and Marty (with Kate Ritchie and Tim Blackwell) was the most listened to metro Drive show on FM in 2016 and 2017.

0:28 Reflecting on how it feels to be out of work

1:44 Thinking about Ratings Survey Results – success and nerves

2:58 Working with Kate Ritchie in radio (on Nova's Kate, Tim and Marty)

3:38 Reflecting on where home is

4:28 Talking fondly of his dad who was a school principal by 29, and asking ‘What are 29 year olds capable of these days?’

5:20 Teaching his kids lessons, such as 'If you make a commitment, stick to it'

6:05 Studying acting at school

6:40 Starring in an amateur production of Godspell

7:38 Reflecting on failings that lead you somewhere and how to react to negative feedback

8:38 Remembering his first paid gig, ‘Brucy The Stripper’, the dildo and the flaming G-String

10:30 Remembering waiting tables at The Last Laugh

12:05 Getting your first ‘in’ to commercial radio through Tim Smith and The Cage

12:50 Putting yourself out there…

13:29 Coping with people in radio who have strong opinions

14: 30 Reflecting on his first radio team experience

15:06 Writing sketches with Richard Marsland and mourning his untimely death

16:02 Dealing with unemployment, 'What do you do when the phone doesn’t ring for 12 months?'

17:02 Talking about The Shebang

18:32 Recognising the importance of chemistry and rapport on radio

19:14 Defining chemistry on radio, 'its an ease of conversation and a turn of phrase and a comfortability between people'

20:27 Ranting about how radio stations grow (or don’t grow) talent

21:20 Being in love with himself, blaming the management structure, and the end of The Shebang

23:14 Trying to network a successful show into Sydney

23:20 Being funny by being mean on radio

24:07 Being closed off to feedback will help you fail

25:45 Fighting to keep his style against what programmers want

26:18 Discussing key practicalities  like podcasting, client integration, story arcs and filler content

27:06 Approaching content creation

28:00 Reflecting that the water cooler conversation doesn’t exist anymore, and you need to work beyond it

28:38 Listening to podcasts: Serial, Andrew Denton’s Better Off Dead, Richard Fidler’s Conversations

29:40 Caring about what you talk about on radio 

31:20 Sharing his view of producers and how they work with talent

32:51 Using social media, or not

33:31 Detailing how a program comes together

34:30 Evaluating yourself and working out what needs improving

35:30 Collaborating with Meshel Laurie

35:45 Choosing to move to Queensland was more attractive than returning to stand-up

37:05 Working with co-hosts and knowing with great ones

38:14 Knowing content is king

38:40 Picking the best anchor in the country

39:30 Thinking about the role of the Content Director/Program Director

40:15 Finding feedback 

40:50 Embracing the structure and discipline of radio, ‘the discipline of trying to be funny’

41:26 Making a career in radio, 'It’s a performance and you don’t have to believe it, you just have to be passionate'

41:15 Keeping a good thing going strong

44:02 Rating the competition, especially when it is Hamish Blake and Andy Lee from Hamish and Andy

45:10 Defining the role of the drive shift at any radio station

46:10 Thinking about what comes next 

47:35 Missing his family

48:28 Loving to win

49:20 Having your Program Director as your anchor