How to pitch to Two Doting Dads with Jessica Smalley | Ep 108
Release Date: 07/01/2025
How to pitch to SBS Food with Sudeshna Ghosh | Ep 109
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Sudeshna Ghosh, cross-platform content wizard and current Managing Editor at SBS Food. With a career spanning TV, print, magazines and digital across India, Dubai and Australia, Sudeshna brings a global sensibility to local storytelling — and a deep appreciation for the way food connects us across cultures. At SBS Food, Sudeshna leads the online and social ecosystem, where recipes, editorial, and digital content come together to celebrate Australia’s rich multicultural identity. From commissioning features and developing social video, to championing...
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How to pitch to Two Doting Dads with Jessica Smalley | Ep 108
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Smalley — producer, storyteller and comedic strategist behind , a weekly parenting podcast hosted by Matty J and Ash that’s reshaping the way men talk about fatherhood. After producing business deep-dives for Mark Bouris, Jess pivoted to the parenting aisle — bringing her systems brain, strategic storytelling and creative intuition to a show that’s part chaos, part catharsis, and entirely relatable. With a growing audience of mostly 29–35 year old women (and their partners), Two Doting Dads offers the kind of parenting convos you’d usually...
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How to pitch to 9Honey with Jo Abi | Ep 107
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Jo Abi, senior writer at 9Honey and one of the most refreshingly honest and compassionate voices in Australian media. With a background in radio, over a decade in digital journalism, and a side-hustle writing from the trenches of parenting three neurodivergent kids, Jo has a deep understanding of what makes a story resonate. At 9Honey, Jo writes across consumer, lifestyle, and real-life content — often drawing on her own lived experience and relentless curiosity (yes, she once wrote a whole article sparked by chickpeas on sale at Woolies). She’s known...
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How to DIY PR headlines with AFR, The Australian, ABC and Mamamia with Melissa Reader | Ep 106
Hack Your Own PR
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Pitching industry stories to SMH and The Age with Calum Jaspan | Ep 105
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, host Odette Barry sits down with Calum Jaspan, media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, to explore the evolving media landscape, journalism's challenges, and the art of pitching stories that stand out. Calum shares his career journey from Mumbrella to his current role, offering insights into the Australian media industry and what it takes to navigate a dynamic newsroom. He reflects on his experiences covering everything from the ABC and News Corp to emerging trends in podcasting and the influence of public broadcasters like the...
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Pitching Big Ideas to Big Stages: Mia Fileman on the Ripple Festival | Ep 104
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, Odette Barry sits down with the unstoppable Mia Fileman, founder of Campaign Del Mar and one half of the brains behind Ripple Festival. Mia shares her journey of building a two-day event that fuses creativity, small business, and purpose, offering a insights on how to navigate the public speaking circuit with intention, and as a true advocate of the events that you’re keen to speak at. We dive into: The inspiration behind Ripple Festival and why Mia and co-founder Fiona Johnston decided to build a festival from scratch. How Mia balances...
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BTS of ABC Conversations and the podcast landscape with Kellie Riordan | Ep 102
Hack Your Own PR
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How to pitch to Abbie Chatfield’s It’s A Lot with Lem Zakharia | Ep 103
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, Odette Barry is joined by Lem Zakharia, a powerhouse in the Australian media industry with an eclectic career spanning radio, music, and podcasting. Currently the executive producer of It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield, Lem has been instrumental in transforming the podcast from a casual, couch-recorded project to a top-ranking hit in its sixth season. With a core audience of women aged 19–35 and strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community, the podcast covers everything from reality TV to politics and current affairs. Lem shares how she strikes the perfect balance...
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How to pitch to Instyle with Justine Cullen | Ep 101
Hack Your Own PR
Welcome to the Hack Your Own PR with Odette Barry. In this episode we are joined by Justine Cullen, Editor-in-Chief of InStyle Australia. With over 30 years in the magazine industry, Justine has built a stellar career, starting at teen magazines and rising to lead iconic titles like ELLE and InStyle. In this episode, Justine shares her insider knowledge on: The evolving media landscape and the role of magazine covers in driving meaningful conversations. How to pitch successfully to InStyle and other top publications, including tips on building relationships, embracing...
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The power of purpose-driven storytelling with Marie Claire’s Editor, Georgie Abay | Ep 100
Hack Your Own PR
Georgie Abay is just about one of the most intelligent, hard working, kind and humble editors you’ll find at the helm of a glossy mag - and she’s back for interview number 2 on Hack Your Own PR - after her first interview several years ago, in her role as the editor and founder of Grace Tales. In September last year, Georgie took on the prestigious role leading the vision and team as editor of Marie Claire. As you’ll hear in this episode, she’s keen to use her platform to campaign for better outcomes around gendered violence, neuro inclusivity and inspire the next generation of...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Smalley — producer, storyteller and comedic strategist behind Two Doting Dads, a weekly parenting podcast hosted by Matty J and Ash that’s reshaping the way men talk about fatherhood.
After producing business deep-dives for Mark Bouris, Jess pivoted to the parenting aisle — bringing her systems brain, strategic storytelling and creative intuition to a show that’s part chaos, part catharsis, and entirely relatable. With a growing audience of mostly 29–35 year old women (and their partners), Two Doting Dads offers the kind of parenting convos you’d usually only hear on the daycare run or at 2am with your sleep-deprived bestie.
Jess shares how she’s helped build the show from a funny side hustle into a fully-fledged universe, and what it really takes to pitch and land a meaningful guest spot on a conversational, story-led podcast.
On Hack Your Own PR, we always explore the art and science of media relations, publicity, and storytelling to help you DIY PR, amplify your voice, and share your message.
In this episode, Jess provides a producer’s lens on:
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Transitioning from straight-laced business pods to fart jokes and fatherhood
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Building a podcast universe — and why clarity on your “why” is essential
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Managing talent, guiding ADHD minds, and bringing structure to spontaneous comedy
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Her unique pitch criteria: from guest chemistry to narrative payoff
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What she really looks for in a compelling, guest-led episode
Key Takeaways:
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Podcast producers aren’t gatekeepers — they’re collaborators. Your job is to make their job easier.
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Understand the why of the show before you pitch. Jess wants guests who fit the mission — not just the category.
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She has to pitch guests to the hosts — so give her strong, story-led reasons they’ll say yes.
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Presence matters more than profile. Can you speak for 45 minutes? Can you riff? That counts more than follower count.
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Ask the producer which 3 episodes best represent the tone of the show. Use that to prepare and pitch.
What to Avoid:
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Generic “I’ve got a great guest” emails. Jess needs to know: what’s the story, what makes it different, and why it’s perfect for this show.
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Underestimating the nuance of talent dynamics. Matty J and Ash have different filters — and Jess has to balance both.
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Coming in too polished or too serious. Two Doting Dads is built on honesty, imperfection and silliness — guests need to match that energy.
This episode is full of insider insight on the evolving podcast landscape — and a must-listen for anyone keen to pitch story-led shows in 2025 and beyond.
Access the Big Ideas Masterclass: https://diyprhub.mykajabi.com/Big-Ideas-Masterclass
Find Odette Barry online:
https://www.odetteandco.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/odetteandco/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/odette-barry/
Find Jess Smalley online:
https://www.instagram.com/jess.smalley/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-smalley/
https://www.instagram.com/twodotingdads/