The Media Mentor

In this week's episode it's all about creating journalism in a world of changing consumption. Matt Capon is a freelance video journalist who lectures at City, St George’s University of London and the University of Northampton. He thinks a lot of content production by traditional outlets is missing the mark. Here we talk about why and the evolving dynamics between traditional media and new digital platforms.Mentoring advice and career guidance is available via the website.Also on the website are 6 pages of media jobs to browse. There is also a WhatsApp channel for job alerts as I find the listings.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

Welcome to Season 2 of The Media Mentor. I begin this series looking at the New Year job hunt. If you have vowed to find a new role in 2026, this episode covers some key tips. I look at how to layout your CV, the challenges of AI, what to write in a cover letter and how to handle panel interviews. Plus I look at the important things to consider when choosing a media course. More personal and confidential advice is available via the website.There you will also find blogs about CVs, cover letters and the January job hunt.Also on the website are 6 pages of media jobs to browse. There is also a WhatsApp channel for job alerts as I find the listings.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

On this episode I pick out some of the key tips from the second half of Season 1. Plus I dip into some of the content I was unable to share from those interviews in the main series. You will hear advice on making a podcast for YouTube, why researching people you contact for work properly is important, making an award winning podcast and how some universities are looking to bridge the gap between academia, the media industry and more diverse local communities. Thanks to all this week's guests; Matt Deegan, Carl Hartley, Euan McNair, Gary Taphouse, Luca Hussain, Rhys Gunter and Teo Coroiu.If you want some specific advice, then one to one sessions are available. Find out more here.Also on the website are 6 pages of media jobs to browse. There is also a WhatsApp channel for job alerts as I find the listings.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

This week I chat to Gary Taphouse, a football commentator with Sky Sports and other platforms. He talks about the best way to break into the industry and build those contacts. When to and when not to work for 'free', why getting the small things right matters and how the industry has changed in the last 20 years.If you want some specific advice, then one to one sessions are available. Find out more here.Also on the website are 6 pages of media jobs to browse. There is also a WhatsApp channel for job alerts as I find the listings.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

This week I answer questions from Eliska Janska and Antonia Johlen, who are studying journalism at the University of Westminster. Their questions focus on the challenges of making contacts and how networking is hard. How do you introduce yourself at industry events and what do you say? Why is networking so important? If that is something you struggle with, then listen for advice on how to manage those situations and maximise the conversations you have.One to one advice is available via my mentoring sessions that are confidential and offer practical tips and guidance on advancing your media career. Find out more here.Also on the website are 6 pages of media jobs to browse. There is also a WhatsApp channel for job alerts as I find the listings.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

On this episode my guest is Matt Deegan, an expert on radio, podcast and audio and at the forefront of the industry. Matt is Founder and Creative Director of the new media and radio consultancy firm, Folder Media. Outside of Folder, Matt also co-created Podcast Awards Ltd, which runs the British Podcast Awards (and others). He also writes a weekly audio newsletter and presents The Media Club Podcast.Here, we chat about whether a podcast needs to be video, how AI is going to impact audio and how you break into the industry.If you are looking to get into media and need help on the journey, then advice and guidance is available here: https://www.themediamentor.info/servicesThere you will find sessions that you can book to help you create or revamp your CV, write cover letters more effectively or prepare for interviews. You can also book voice coaching, news writing and broader career assessment sessions.The website also has 6 pages of media jobs to browse and there's a WhatsApp channel where the jobs are shared as I find them.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

On this episode I chat with Christian Smith, who came to me for mentoring advice in 2020. At the time he was a lawyer and aspiring journalist particularly keen on a career in foreign news, broadcasting, or long form journalism. Over the course of the next year or so we had a few sessions and Christian eventually worked for me and progressed through places like Times Radio and is now a Broadcaster and litigation editor at The Lawyer.We chat about his path into UK media, how networking is vital and how freelancing can open doors to a permanent role.If you are applying for media jobs or feeling stuck in your current role, get in touch for advice and guidance here: https://www.themediamentor.info/servicesThere you will also find 6 pages of media jobs to browse and there's a WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb1iknl8fewtgb5bPU0XIf you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.

On this 'emergency' episode I look at the problems for the BBC after a tumultuous week and how it managed to broadcast a doctored version of the Donald Trump documentary. To get an idea of life at the BBC I speak to Sanjeev Shetty, who worked there for 23 years. He talks about how the newsroom always felt a safer space for those on the left than the right. I also talk to PR professional Josh Wheeler to get a view on how the BBC has handled this crisis.If you are feeling stuck in your career or just confused by a silence from all your applications, get in touch for advice and guidance here: https://www.themediamentor.info/servicesThere you will also find 6 pages of media jobs to browse and there's a WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb1iknl8fewtgb5bPU0XIf you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share then please get in touch.