The Media Mentor

What happens when the job you've loved for years suddenly disappears? And what do you do when the skills you've spent decades developing seem tied to one particular industry?In this episode, my guest is Peter Gordon, my first radio mentor and a colleague from the very beginning of my own career.Peter and I first worked together at Star FM in Slough more than 30 years ago. He went on to become the breakfast presenter at Eagle Radio in Guildford, where he spent more than two decades. But when the radio landscape changed, Peter's career changed with it.Rather than seeing himself simply as a former radio presenter, Peter recognised that his broadcasting experience had given him a whole range of skills that could be used elsewhere. Listen to find out more and also discover what my Gladiator name would have been, had I had the skills and muscle to star in the show!For my career advice, you can book via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.

What should you charge for your work? How do you know whether you're being paid fairly? And how do you build a sustainable career when your workload, income and even your job title can change from week to week?In this episode, I talk to freelance journalist and podcast host Grace McIntosh about the realities of building a freelance career in media.Grace has been freelancing in one form or another since she was a child, but says that the education and training she received didn't necessarily prepare her for the less glamorous side of freelance life, money, tax, pensions, workload, work-life balance and managing an ever-changing workflow. Here I answer some of her questions about that and we talk about being black, from Wakefield and working-class in the media industry.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications. Support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.Read and subscribe to my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn.

What exactly counts as a media job?For Clare Mansell, the answer has changed dramatically over a 30-year career that has taken her from commercial radio and BFBS to podcasting, digital marketing and, ultimately, becoming a successful YouTube content creator.Clare now runs one of the UK's biggest home appliance YouTube channels, with more than 14 million views and content reaching around two million people a month across her social platforms.But this episode isn't really about numbers. It's about the journey that got her there.Clare talks to me about her early fascination with making media, the unpredictable nature of freelance radio, reaching a career crossroads in her late 20s, returning to media after the pandemic and the extraordinary chain of events that eventually led her back to YouTube.We also explore the difference between an "influencer" and a content creator, why Clare thinks the distinction matters.Clare's story is fantastic and she got herself out of feeling stuck by hard work and perseverance but sometimes you need help to do that.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications. Support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

What happens when audiences increasingly get their news from people rather than news organisations? In this episode of The Media Mentor, I talk to Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, about the rise of news creators and influencers and what their growing influence means for traditional journalism.What exactly is a “news creator”? Why do audiences increasingly trust individuals over established news brands? And if people say they don't trust social media or AI, why are they continuing to use both to consume news?Nic explores the changing relationship between audiences, journalists and news organisations, including:Why the US has become such a fertile market for news creators.Why individual creators can sometimes generate more trust than institutions.The growing fragmentation of news consumption.The opportunities and challenges created by niche and hyperlocal journalism.Why traditional publishers increasingly need to think of themselves as being in the “relationship business.”What this changing landscape means for the next generation of journalists.Nic also discusses the continuing importance of traditional journalism, arguing that audiences still want accurate, fair and trustworthy information — but increasingly want it delivered in formats and styles that fit the way they consume media.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications. Support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

What happens when graduation doesn't lead to the career you imagined? In this episode of The Media Mentor, I catch up with former mentoring client Emily D'Souza, who first came to me during the pandemic feeling completely lost after university. Like many graduates, she was struggling with rejection, uncertainty and wondering whether a career in media was ever going to happen.Fast forward a few years and Emily is now freelancing across BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, podcasts and production companies, building an exciting and varied career.Here we discuss:• coping with rejection after university• the reality of freelance life• networking without feeling awkward• why personal projects build confidence• saying yes to opportunities (without burning out)• why your reputation matters just as much as your CVEmily also explains how starting a simple book club unexpectedly opened doors, built confidence and helped create opportunities she never imagined.If you've ever questioned whether you're good enough, or wondered whether a media career is really possible, this episode is for you.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career like I did with Emily. Whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

On this episode I talk to Rosa Simkin, winner of the MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition 2026. Now in its third year, the competition aims to increase opportunities for young women building a career in sports broadcasting, whilst uncovering and supporting the next generation of female broadcasting talent in cricket. Here Rosa talks about how she has already built an impressive portfolio of work and hasn't even turned 20. It's a lesson for us all about using today's opportunities to create a brand and make contacts. Rosa also talks about how sport media still needs to increase its diversity for on-air talent.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career if you have ambitions like Rosa, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

On this episode I talk to Manni Rai, a Talent Acquisition Partner at Reach plc and Qualified Careers Adviser to give us the inside word on what recruiters are looking for from applicants. Manni's views are his own but give a brilliant insight into what candidates often do wrong when applying for jobs.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

For this episode I share some key learnings and tips from The Media Voices Publishers Summit and Awards. This is where the likes of Reach, Hearst, The Telegraph, Tortoise and Goalhanger talk about the latest trends around newsletters and podcasts. Here I share some of the highlights from the panels and masterclasses and other tips about connecting with an audience.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.