Beyond Reality

That’s a wrap on the latest series of the Beyond Reality Podcast. Over the course of the series, I chatted to television executives, directors, senior field and post producers, casting directors, former reality contestants and media personalities. So grateful to all my incredible guests that shared their stories in the television industry and provided valuable insights into what it takes to make it in TV.

You can catch up on all episodes in your favourite podcast app: HERE. Find out more about this seasons lineup below.

Supervising Post Producer & Writer – Bri La Rance

Bri is a Sydney-based supervising post producer and writer. Over the course of Bri’s impressive career, she has worked in the writers room on Australian drama shows including Neighbours and Bite Club. More recently, her work in post production has included shows such as Australian Survivor, The Traitors, Married at First Sight, Big Brother and Hunted.

Bri joined the Beyond Reality team this series as a co-producer.

TV Personality – George Mladenov

George or King George of Bankstown is a TV personality who rose to fame on the sixth series of Australian Survivor: Brains Vs Brawn and subsequently Heroes V Villains, becoming one of the most memorable players in Survivor history. George was characterised by his frank approach and strategic dominance in the game. Following a tribal council performance that “broke the internet”, the New York Times called him “one of the most telegenic antagonists ever”.

Since appearing on Australian Survivor, George has appeared on The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition, Dogs Behaving Very Badly and as a host on Talking Tribal.

Head of Global Formats, Eureka Productions – Wes Dening

Wes Dening is a TV executive 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). 

Wes had his first taste of television as a Big Brother contestant in 2004 before he went on to become a host and producer on the children’s television show Totally Wild.

Film & TV Director – Hayley MacFarlane

Hayley MacFarlane is a film and TV director who has spent the last 10 years directing some of the UK and Australia’s biggest reality hits such as Love Island, Big Brother, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and SAS Australia.

Hayley is also known for her work directing in the drama space – in 2020 she directed her debut feature film Swimming For Gold and 3 episodes of the Netflix Original Series Dive Club.

Casting Director & Owner of A Cast of Thousands – Kirsty de Vallance

With close to three decades of experience, Kirsty is one of the most experienced casting professionals in the country. She has been responsible for discovering some of Australia’s most recognisable personalities and casting them on huge global formats. Over the course of her career, she has worked on shows such as The Biggest Loser, Big Brother, The Bachelor and SAS Australia to name a few. In her early career, she was a tour manager for Popstars band Scandal’us.

Supervising Producer & Co-convenor Women In Media – Dominique Spanos

Dominique is a supervising producer who works across field and post production. Her credits include the Fox hit show, Stars on Mars as well as Travel Guides and My Kitchen Rules.

As co-convenor of Women in Media NSW, she is passionate about shining a light on important issues facing women in the media industry. 

Head of Unscripted Television, ITV Studios Australia – Keely Sonntag

Keely is a formidable force of the television industry who has been at the helm of countless iconic formats, executive producing on shows such as Big Brother, Australia Survivor, Shark Tank and Australia’s Next Top Model.

In her current role, she oversees ITV’s Unscripted TV including shows like Alone Australia, The Voice and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

Emma Ritchie – Senior Producer & Wellness Supervisor

Emma is a Senior Producer and Wellness Supervisor. Emma started her career in television in the UK before moving over to Australia and working her way up in the TV industry from full-time network roles to freelancing.

Over the course of her career on shows including The Amazing Race, Alone Australia, The Voice, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Masterchef Australia and The Celebrity Apprentice. In her current role as a Wellness Supervisor, she is able to combine her passion of health and wellbeing with her love of working in TV.

Danielle Vos – Series Producer

Danielle Vos is a Series Producer who 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, Who Do You Think You Are and Gogglebox Australia. During her time on Gogglebox, the show won a Logie Award for Most Popular Entertainment Program.

Mounya Wise – Senior Story Producer & Former Nickelodeon Star

Mounya is a Senior Story Producer who has worked on some of Australia’s biggest reality formats including; Masterchef Australia, Dessert Masters, Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, Australian Survivor and The Block. 

Prior to her life behind the scenes of television, she spent a decade in front of the camera as a host on Nickelodeon along with childhood best friend Yolanda Koppel. During her time on Nickelodeon, she interviewed some of the biggest celebrities including Danny Devito, Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Arianna Gusi – Head of Unscripted Production, BBC Studios Australia

Arianna is one of Australia’s most experience production professionals, and has spent her career leading the production of some of TV’s biggest shows, including The Voice, Masterchef, The Bachelor, Top Model, The Biggest Loser and Ambulance Australia.

In her current role as Head of Unscripted Production at BBC Studios Australia, she has been instrumental in setting up and overseeing the production of shows including Top Gear Australia and Dancing With The Stars.

Rob Cesternino – Podcast Host and Founder of Rob Has A Podcast

Rob Cesternino is a Podcast Host and Founder of Rob Has A Podcast (RHAP). He shot to fame back in 2003 on Survivor: Amazon, known for his sharp wit and strategic approach to the game, Jeff Probst called him the “smartest player to never win”. 

Rob has been a trailblazer in the podcasting space and since starting his podcast network back in 2010 he has become one of the most influential voices in reality TV coverage. Over the years he has built a loyal community of reality TV fans and continues to podcast about Survivor, Big Brother and many other reality TV shows.

The Beyond Reality Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most podcast platforms. We will be taking a short production break but will be back with more episodes taking you behind the scenes of the television industry later this year. Let me know what you think of our latest series or who you want to hear from next in the comments below or by sending us a message on the Beyond Reality Instagram.

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