What's On Your Rider?

EPISODE 5: ARUNA - FROM SURGEON TO DJ 🎧🩺

What happens when the career you’ve spent your whole life being told to pursue… stops feeling like enough?

In Episode 5 of What’s On Your Rider?, Caroline sits down with Aruna - doctor, DJ and presenter on Select Radio - to hear the story behind her unexpected journey from medicine into music.

Originally from Liverpool, Aruna followed the path that had been laid out for her, following in her parents’ footsteps and becoming a surgeon. But after years of working within the medical system, she started to feel like there had to be more to life.

A conversation with a career advisor opened her eyes to the idea that there was a whole world outside medicine - and gave her the push to explore something completely different. That eventually led Aruna to the London Sound Academy, where she learnt to DJ, and into a second career that has seen her play regularly at Ministry of Sound, share lineups with Chase & Status, and become a DJ and presenter on Select Radio.

We talk about breaking away from the career you’re expected to have, discovering a completely different side of yourself, and the freedom that comes from finding something that makes you feel alive.

Aruna also explains why music has always been a form of therapy for her - and dives into the fascinating science behind how music and dancing can affect our physical and mental wellbeing.

From operating theatres to DJ booths, this is a conversation about career changes, identity, music, wellbeing and having the courage to ask: “Is this really all there is?”

🎧 What’s On Your Rider?

Hosted by Caroline Hesford

Produced by Nuria Riba Rossy

Music by Sean Ahern

Subscribe for more conversations with the people behind music, culture and the creative industries.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by Zofia, Capital Dance DJ, presenter and music producer, who takes us behind the decks and into her journey from party lifestyle to professional party girl.

Zofia opens up about her journey to national radio, building a career in music and finding herself interviewing some of the industry’s biggest names along the way. She also talks about her work as a producer, including her recent official remix of Klangkarussell’s iconic track ‘Sonnentanz – Sun Don’t Shine’.

Alongside the highs of a busy career in music, Zofia speaks openly about being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and how she’s continued to take everything in her stride while maintaining an exciting and demanding schedule.

Expect honest conversations about life in radio, the reality of working in the music industry, big career moments, resilience, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Plus, of course, Zofia reveals what’s on her real and dream rider… 👀

What’s on Your Rider? hosted by Caroline Hesford and produced by Nuria Riba Rossy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on What’s on Your Rider?, Caroline is joined by Select Radio DJ and presenter ROOBY for a seriously honest, hilarious and slightly unhinged chat about life behind the decks.

ROOBY has DJ’d alongside the likes of Fatboy Slim and Armand Van Helden, but the conversation goes way beyond the big names and big stages. They get into what it’s really like building a career as a DJ while being a mum and balancing family life with a full-time career in music.

They also tackle one of the biggest debates in the industry: should DJs still play for free just to get themselves onto a big line-up? When is exposure actually worth it - and when are you simply being taken for a ride?

Plus, ROOBY shares some wild backstage stories from Ibiza that definitely shouldn’t stay backstage…

Hosted by Caroline Hesford, Produced by Nuria Riba Rossy, & Music Production by Sean Ahern

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Chris Moloney takes us behind the scenes of London Night Out, the music events agency he built from the ground up, and opens up about the inspiration, ambition and personal experiences that shaped the business.

From his Irish roots and his father’s influence, to putting on gigs across South West London and the traumatic experience that ultimately pushed him to start his own company, Chris shares the highs, lows and lessons that have come with building a successful events business.

He also reveals what really happens behind the scenes at his gigs, including how celebrities from Noel Gallagher to Lily Phillips use his events to switch off and decompress after a demanding week, and shares the secrets he’s learned to get a crowd completely behind the music.

Expect stories from the London nightlife scene, honest conversations about resilience and entrepreneurship, and plenty of insight into what really makes a great night out.

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If this topic brings up difficult feelings for you, please listen with care. If you need support, there are resources available online. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans by calling 116 123, or Shout by texting SHOUT to 85258.

What’s on Your Rider? hosted by Caroline Hesford and produced by Nuria Riba Rossy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Connor Dawson aka Onncor takes us behind the decks and behind the scenes of the music industry, sharing the story of how he went from a career in construction to becoming a full-time DJ, presenter and manager of Select Radio and Lost Culture Records.

Connor opens up about the highs and lows of making such a major career change, what it takes to build a career in music, and his work behind the scenes helping to develop artists through Lost Culture Records and creating opportunities for other DJs coming through the industry.

He also reveals the reality behind his real and dream riders, giving us a few unexpected insights into his personality, takes on the Guess the Rider Challenge, and has a surprise waiting for us at the end of the episode… 👀

Expect honest conversations about changing careers, the realities of working in the music industry, stories from behind the scenes, and plenty of laughs along the way.

What’s on Your Rider? is a brand-new interview series created and hosted by Caroline Hesford, celebrating the people behind music and culture. Using guests’ real and dream riders as a playful way into conversation, the series uncovers the stories, habits, personalities and experiences behind careers in music, culture, events and the creative industries - with sports, founders, influencers and more to come.

What’s on Your Rider? hosted by Caroline Hesford and produced by Nuria Riba Rossy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.