Ever wonder how hit shows like Alone, Lego Masters, or K-Popped get made? In this special live episode from SXSW Sydney, host Hayley Ferguson sits down with three of Australia's top unscripted television executives to pull back the curtain.

David McDonald (Director of Comedy, Endemol Shine Australia), Keely Sonntag (Head of Unscripted and Development, ITV Studios Australia), and Wes Dening (Head of Global Formats, Eureka Productions) share their incredible origin stories -from actively avoiding the industry to being a Big Brother contestant - and dive deep into the secrets of the trade.

They discuss the critical importance of authenticity, the make-or-break role of casting (and why "getting a bad edit" is a myth), and how they adapted massive global formats for an Australian audience. Plus, they share their best advice for pitching your own TV show idea and predict what's next for the future of reality TV in the age of AI.

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Head of Unscripted & Development, ITV Studios Australia - Keely Sonntag

Head of Global Formats, Eureka Productions - Wes Dening

CREDITS:

Host & Producer - Hayley Ferguson

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Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
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In this episode, I'm joined by Series Producer, Yasmin Kara whose credits include Dancing with the Stars and The Great Australian Bake Off. Yas shares her story of breaking into the UK industry, how building her experience across a diverse range of roles set her up for success in her current role, and why feel-good TV has been at the heart of her career journey. 

⭐️ CREDITS:
Host and Producer: Hayley Ferguson 

Audio Editor: Andrew Soo

LISTEN MORE:
If you enjoyed this episode check out my interviews with:

Creative Director, ITV Studios Australia - Alex Mavroidakis

Head of Unscripted Production, BBC Studios Australia - Arianna Gusi

Head of Global Formats, Eureka Productions - Wes Dening

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

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Enjoyed this episode?
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Australian Survivor legend Luke Toki joins Hayley Ferguson after his appearance on Survivor: Australia Vs The World where he was runner up. 

Luke shares his feelings about the season, the evolution of his strategy this time around and the sliding door moment he feels cost him his game.

We also have the loosest and longest round of quick-fire questions of any Beyond Tribal episode. 

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson sits down with Survivor Legend Cirie Fields after falling just short of the final tribal council once again in Survivor: Australia Vs The World. 

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson sits down with Kass after her dramatic elimination from Survivor: Australia vs The World.

Kass opens up about one of the most chaotic tribal councils of the season – including why she was so sure the votes were heading towards Lisa, what went wrong, and how her idol play was meant to be both a game-saving move and a big résumé builder.

We chat about:

• Why she fought so hard to keep Lisa in the game
• Building and protecting the international alliance
• Facing off against Parvati in epic endurance challenges
• Playing Survivor in a second language – and why it made the game twice as tough
• The shock of being cast for Australia vs The World fresh off Survivor Québec
• How Aussies play Survivor differently from the rest of the world

Plus, Kass takes on some fun quickfire questions about camp life, her tribe mates and what reality show she’d take on next.

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

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Business icon and Survivor: Australia V The World finalist, Janine Allis sits down with long-time Australian Survivor producer Hayley Ferguson to unpack her epic journey to the final 3. 

Janine opens up about:

• What it was like watching the season back 
• Why she returned to play this season after years away
• Her powerful alliance with Luke and how trust shaped her game
• The tough decision at final four that changed everything
• Why she values subtle, deliberate gameplay over flashy moves
• What’s next for her after Survivor

Plus, Janine takes on the quickfire questions about idols, blindsides, camp habits, and which reality show she’d love to play next.

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, host Hayley Ferguson - longtime producer on Australian Survivor - sits down with Survivor legend and now world champion Parvati Shallow off the back of her historic win on Survivor: Australia V. The World.

From her first casting break in reality TV to her evolution as one of the game’s greatest players, Parvati reflects on two decades of playing Survivor, what this win means for her legacy, and why she’s finally ready to close the Survivor chapter of her life.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• 🎬 How Parvati was recruited for Survivor via The Amazing Race auditions.
• 🏝 Her journey from Cook Islands to Micronesia to Heroes vs Villains – and the lessons from each.
• 🤯 The pivotal blindsides that shaped her winning game in Australian Survivor.
• 💡 How becoming a mother and writing her memoir Nice Girls Don’t Win influenced her strategy.
• 🌏 The cultural differences between US and Australian Survivor players.
• 🎤 Quickfire Q&A – from most annoying campmate habits to which Aussie would dominate in the US game.
• 📺 What’s next for Parvati, including a new TV project in development.

Support the show

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, host Hayley Ferguson - longtime producer on Australian Survivor - sits down with Lisa Holmes, the latest player eliminated from Survivor: Australia vs The World.

Lisa went into the game as a proud superfan turned Survivor NZ winner. In this interview, she opens up about her Survivor journey, what it was like to go head-to-head with some of the most iconic players in the world, and how it felt to represent the fandom on such a global stage.

You’ll hear:

• How Lisa navigated alliances on the World tribe and why things fell apart
• Her admiration for Cirie Fields and what she learned from playing alongside her hero
• The best parts of being a Survivor superfan living the dream

Plus Lisa takes on the Beyond Tribal quick fire questions! 

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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

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In this episode of Beyond Reality: Beyond Tribal, host Hayley Ferguson sits down with Tommy from Finland after his unforgettable exit from Australian Survivor: Australia vs The World.

Tommy’s game came to a dramatic end in one of the most chaotic double tribal councils in Survivor history — even with the immunity necklace around his neck. In this exclusive exit interview, Tommy opens up about:

✨ Taking his big swing at Survivor legend Parvati Shallow

✨ The chaos of a double tribal council and losing his necklace without giving it away

✨ Cultural differences between Finnish Survivor and Australian Survivor

✨ What it was like playing alongside icons like Tony Vlachos.

Plus, Tommy shares behind-the-scenes stories, including how he got the Survivor call during his wedding weekend, why he loved the scramble of Australian tribal councils, and the reality show he’d love to do next.

Beyond Reality host Hayley Ferguson has spent the past decade producing Australian Survivor, and now in this special series, she’s taking you Beyond Tribal. She’ll be chatting with players from Survivor: Australia vs The World as they leave the game - unpacking their strategy, their downfall, and their story beyond the vote.

Support the show

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📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau
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☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

🎙 START YOUR OWN PODCAST

Thinking about launching your own show? Beyond Reality is hosted on Buzzsprout, our favourite platform for podcast hosting, promotion and tracking. Sign up using this link here and get a $20 credit towards your podcast.

Beyond Reality host Hayley Ferguson has spent the past decade producing Australian Survivor, and now in this special series, she’s taking you Beyond Tribal. She’ll be chatting with players from Survivor: Australia vs The World as they leave the game - unpacking their strategy, their downfall, and their story beyond the vote.

In this episode of Beyond Tribal, Hayley chats with Kirby Bentley, a fearless player known for her rebellious energy and strategic gameplay.

Kirby reveals: 

✨ The thrill of playing with big names like Parvati and Cirie. 

✨ Whether she's over that Parvati blindside

✨ If she's done playing the game.

Plus, Hayley puts Kirby through some quick-fire questions.

Support the show

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📸 Instagram: @beyondrealityau
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📝 Blog: beyondrealityau.com

☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW

Beyond Reality is an independent podcast. If you’d like to support us, you can make a one-off contribution [HERE] (for the price of a coffee!).
There’s absolutely no obligation — but every little bit helps keep the show going. Thank you for being part of the Beyond Reality community.

⭐ SPREAD THE WORD

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it on social media or leave a rating & review in your podcast app — it’s the best way to help others discover Beyond Reality.

🎙 START YOUR OWN PODCAST

Thinking about launching your own show? Beyond Reality is hosted on Buzzsprout, our favourite platform for podcast hosting, promotion and tracking. Sign up using this link here and get a $20 credit towards your podcast.